Wigan Album

And how smart you were, Sunday clothes & shiny shoes , much better than the little clones you see with their feckless parents these....and I am not being unkind...its the truth.

That's a lovely photo as a keepsake. Yes Sunday was the day we dressed up in our 'Sunday best'. Clothes were kept specially for that day and for going to church in. I couldn't, even these days go to church on Sunday without making an effort - old habits die hard!

David, I wonder if you, like me, still sport the white battle scars of a short trousered childhood around your knees?
I think your picture is great and I love the way you are holding your little sister’s hand. How often do you see that these days?

I guess that you'd have been well-into your music at this time David.

Helen of Troy & Veronica - thanks.
DTease - yes I still bear the scars of battle, mainly on my right knee for some reason - maybe It's because I'm right handed and my right knee always hit the gravel first.
Philip G. - yes I was being taken weekly to a gentleman on Wigan Lane for trumpet lessons. He used to write out scales and tonguing exercises on music paper, which I still have somewhere.

Thanks David. And Well Done! on your musical achievements - Where would we all be, without music.

David, at what age did you change into long trousers(pants)? My parents decided 12 years old and got mine in Warwick en-route to the London motor show at Earls Court, October 1957.Never looked back since!!!

Barrie I believe it would have been as I started Grammar School so would have been in 1962. Funny thing is that since I retired I wear shorts from spring to autumn, (no long socks though).

David.I seem to recall that the rule at WGS was that you had to wear short trousers in the First Year and then move on to long trousers in Second Year. I started just after you in 1963. It could have been optional but I can't remember after all these years.

Carolaen - to be honest I can't remember whether I was in long or short trousers in the first year at school but I do seem to remember wearing long trousers when we went out anywhere.

Can either of you remember when we could officially dispense with our caps?

I vaguely remember a cap bonfire in the yard at the end of one summer term.

Sorry - no I don't remember, what I do remember is that I used to take my cap off as soon as I was outside the gates, keeping my eyes peeled for any teachers or prefects. I also remember that at the end of the school year there was always someone trying to get their cap on the hall roof.

Lovely photo and interesting comments. I too wore a short trousers suit like that in the '60s. I wore short trousers until I left primary school in 1968. It was common wear for young boys then. Once again, lovely photo - well taken!