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Birthday Party

9 Comments

Joan Topping's Birthday Party
Joan Topping's Birthday Party
Photo: EJHall
Views: 3,159
Item #: 25665
A photo of Joan Topping's birthday party, which was held under Ince Council Offices - in the mid-1940s. My mother, Lily Fleming, is closest to the camera on the left, followed (girls only!) by: Lucy Crompton, Margaret Towman, Christine Barnes, Joan Topping (laughing), Margaret O'Brien, Margaret Hitchen.

Comment by: irene roberts on 27th October 2014 at 18:23

What a lovely photo! I was only born in 1952 but I remember the name Topping from my Ince childhood; I feel sure my older brothers Ronald and Colin would have known Joan and perhaps the other children.

Comment by: irene roberts on 27th October 2014 at 20:18

In fact, I remember my Mam talking about a Joan Topping during my childhood, (Joan would have been much older then). My Mam's name was Tizzie Griffiths, my Dad was Bob, and my brothers Ronald and Colin. I wonder if E J Hall, who posted the photo, knew them?

Comment by: EJHall on 27th October 2014 at 21:03

Hi Irene... I'll ask my mum if she knew them. Thanks for your comments.

Comment by: ArthurP on 28th October 2014 at 09:33

Joan Topping's dad - Harold Topping was the Caretaker at the Council Offices/Civic Hall. The caretaker had a basement flat at that time. About 1950 the Council built a caretaker's house (between the town hall and the clinic). The caretaker needed to live on site as the Council meetings were all held in the evenings and there were frequent functions at the civic hall. At that time Councillors were not paid. I remember Harold Topping was a keen 'latics fan.

Comment by: Stephen on 28th October 2014 at 15:59

What a fantastic photo. Every one of them laughing. Wonderful

Comment by: Jarvo on 29th October 2014 at 20:38

Lovely lost moments of childhood captured on camera. The kids wait patiently to pick a cake and get some fruit in a bowl...And the birthday girl can't contain her joy...Magic...x

Comment by: Joan Beckett - Wilding on 2nd November 2014 at 12:16

what a great photo, none of your McDonalds rubbish for them kids

Comment by: Joan Kellie (Topping) on 4th November 2014 at 19:46

What a a lovely surprise to see the photo of my 4th birthday on 22nd November 1948. I will be celebrating my 70th birthday this month.
I am only in touch with my cousin Ken Winstanley would love to know where the others are now. one of the girls was Eileen Hitchen who lived across the road from me. It was a very happy time when we lived underneath the council offices we we called the dwelling. Lovely to see the comments about my dad ,who was indeed a great Latics supporter. He used to get a lot of stick from all the rugby supporters who worked in the council offices. I very much remember Lily Fleming and she had a brother called James who was in my class at Ince Central school.

Comment by: EJHall on 5th November 2014 at 17:47

Hi Joan - I'm glad you came across the photo. My mum is still around, as are two of her brothers - James & Bill. I'm sure she'd love to catch up with you and Evelyn (who posted on another photo)... but she doesn't really do the internet! If there's a way of putting people on touch with one another through Wigan World, please let me know. :o)

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