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Wigan Album

Pemberton

7 Comments

The George Inn 'Pic-nic' Club 1915
The George Inn 'Pic-nic' Club 1915
Photo: Carol Greenall
Views: 2,859
Item #: 31639
Found amongst some old family photos, the image has been enhanced (it was very faded). The Club was established in 1892. My Great Granddad, James Houghton, is on the far left stood up.

Comment by: Mick LD on 9th November 2019 at 06:45

The George inn stood on Pole 'Pow' Hillock, on the corner of Ormskirk Road and Fleet Street, where the KFC is now.
Item #: 20257 in the Pemberton album shows the pub.

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 9th November 2019 at 11:11

When I was growing up in Ince, 1950s/60s, the pub outing from our local pub was still known as The Picnic.

Comment by: Veronica on 9th November 2019 at 13:24

They look quite solemn to be going on the annual pub picnic, but I suppose in 1915 there wouldn't be much to be happy about..

Comment by: john brown on 9th November 2019 at 13:59

The word picnic looks a bit silly with the hyphen in, doesn't it?

Comment by: irene roberts on 9th November 2019 at 15:56

The photo took much longer to take than in later years, Veronica, and if anyone moved it could spoil the photo Therefore you rarely see smiles on old group photos; even old weddings look very solemn occasions!

Comment by: Veronica on 9th November 2019 at 19:26

True Irene, bet it was uncomfortable for the ones at the front on their haunches as well.... I think they still call the outings from the pub 'picnics'- or they still did a few years ago.

Comment by: Owd Photographer on 10th November 2019 at 08:57

There wouldnt have been any problem having to keep still while this picture was taken in 1915 because the shutter speed needed would have been well under a second. Even fifty years before this in the 1850s and 1860s it was possible to take good quality photos outdoors with a shutter speed of 1/50 of a second.
The reason they all look so solemn is having your photo taen in those days was a serious business because your image being preserved for posterity and people didn't want to be seen as frivolous.

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