Wigan Album
Wrightington
7 Comments
Photo: RON HUNT
Item #: 31620
This picture brings back many happy memories for me. As this was the bus stop before Wrightington Bar,( and was named the 'PEACOCK') you booked to on the Ribble bus. When we visited my grandma, who lived in TOOGOOD LANE. So it meant a mile walk across the fields to get to her house. I can remember my dad would carry me on his shoulders if it was a bit muddy. The farm yard we walked through is now a FISHERY, and the PEACOCK is now gone.
A nice story from yourself, Ron, . . . 'pity about the bird having its feathers clipped, though.
Philip yes I always spent 2 weeks of the summer holidays at my Grandma's. Could have been a million miles from Wigan. I felt sorry for my dad, carrying me on his back across the fields. I remember saying to him "DAD I'M 21 DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME YOU BOUGHT ME A PAIR OF WELLIES"
That little tale reminds me of a St Christopher medal that I have Ron..good old dad.... ;o)
I remember this very well Ron I used to work for the Ribble we used to go passed this on way would you believe to Fleetwood in the 1960's took over 2 and half hours
I've travelled as a passenger on that route Joe, many years after the peacock had met the tree surgeon of course, my lasting impression being that the journey is interminable.
The section from Wigan to Preston alone , courtesy of the 113 Stagecoach being consistent with that of a three day camel ride across Syria,..thereby followed by a choice of routes , each one appearing intent on visiting the most Godforsaken hamlets ever conceived in the Fylde area before finally arriving at the Wyre dock.
My advice to anyone considering taking this trip would be firstly to take a flask, then secondly, a full set of Damart thermal underwear ,... a book of crossword puzzles may also prove useful to combat the monotony , then finally , but most importantly , a pre-paid train ticket back to Wigan from Blackpool North, as not many souls have been known to survive the round trip by bus.
p.s., A tent may also prove to be a useful addition ,...oh! and one or two water purification tablets,......space permitting of course.
The Southport bus ride is not much better either. Only once did I try that, bent double when I got off in Lord St. Managed to cross the road to a cafe for a cup of tea and went back by train. Folk do that journey quite regularly and even take the dog! Torture, never again, it seemed to play havoc with my sense of balance, my head felt separate from my body, as it was thrown backwards and forwards. I know what a tennis ball feels like!
Does anyone know when the Peacock was cut down? I used to live in Wrightington from 1963 and moved into one of the houses opposite the farm you used to go through Ron from 1971. I worked for Ainscough's in the builder's yard for a few years. Whilst at WGS I used to get the 113 bus into Wigan which always seemed a long and drawn out journey, so much so that I started to use my push bike and did the journey in half the time.