Wigan Album

The old Wigan Metro Council vans.

Rover 214 in night fire red with an optional sunroof. I had one exactly the same in the early 90s

I always like these houses, I believe the council took them over, I don't know why.

Looking on Google Maps Veronica, they don’t look as smart on there. Although it looks like someone is working on them so maybe they are/have been renovated.

Those houses and part of what was the convent, Gateway House, (out of shot on right) was owned by Len Gibson the property developer, he rented them to the council for offices, though the very end house was a private business not connected to the council.

You can say what you want about new builds- there's no character to them when you look at these spacious, family terraces, solidly built. You wouldn't have heard the neighbours having a row in these houses! ( or flushing the toilets, for that matter! ) I remember living in a brand new semi in the 70's you could hear everything........sold and moved after 2 years!

I left school in 1996 and my first job after sitting my exams was none other than Worsley Terrace! I was taken on with the Career Focus training scheme (which was previously known as the YTS) and earned about £50 a week working within the Housing Department for Wigan Council (it was known as Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council back then). The down stairs of the first two houses was converted into a public reception area for council tenants to attend to appointments or report issues (such as rent or repairs). I worked in the admin office downstairs while the managers had their own office upstairs next door to the kitchen. I worked for the team responsible for Beech Hill/Shevington area - the housing dept vacated Worsley Terrace in early 1997 and the housing departments split and went into two new offices - one on Beech Hill Avenue (which didn't last too long and is now a kebab shop) while the Scholes/Ince team moved into the new building on School Lane next to Wigan Little Theatre. I left my placement in October 1997 after spending six months working at thd new Beech Hill office. Once I had gained my NVQ there were no permanent jobs available so I left to go into the retail sector. I have some fond memories from Worsley Terrace and thankfully nothing bad. I'm not too sure if the year of this photo is correct as the housing department definately moved out in early 1997 - the vans in this picture were the ones used by the estate caretakers who had responsibility for maintaining the council estates and keeping them tidy.

The Council vans look fairly new in the picture, they have
"R" registration number plates, which were issued between
August 1st 1996 and July 31st 1997.

Chris/Ray, this photo was still in the packet that it came back from the developers in and the date on that was 1999, so I’m assuming that was the year I took it. Mind you it’s always possible that this photo as got mixed up with others over the years.

The first house used to be the cemetry offices

Regarding the year 1999 - didn't Central Park close in 1999? The stadium flood lights are still present in this picture which clearly appears to be summertime. I'm sure the first games of the newly built JJB stadium took place at the start of the 1999/2000 season and demolishion work started on Central Park straight away to make way for Tesco.

I seem to remember Wigan's first game in the new JJB Stadium was a playoff game v Castleford which we lost. Last game at Central Park was v St Helens which we won. Think that was 1999

My mother in law was born at #2 in the 1940’s, it was her grandparents house the Wilkinson’s