Wigan Album
Jackson family of Hindley.
8 CommentsPhoto: . Ozymandias .
Item #: 29751
Ozy. The A585 is a much more up to date road now. It is the exit road off the M.55, from the M.6, for Fleetwood, and an alternative, for Blackpool.
If I'm not mistaken Albert, I believe the road on the left is now the entrance driveway to the Windy Harbour caravan site on the banks of the Wyre. I can't help thinking, how brilliant it must have been back then, to have been able to ride a bike without living in constant terror of being run over by some lunatic in a motor vehicle texting whilst driving....Wars, depression years, physical hard work and poverty aside, certain aspects of life in those days appear to have been far superior to what we ' enjoy ' nowadays. Many people these days pay good money to go into a warehouse and spend an hour pedalling a machine that actually takes them nowhere, with a bit of rag tied round their forehead for effect.... And they call me daft ! ...Albert, if you have the ability to stop the world, then I'd like to get off at the next fare stage please.
Regards. Ozy.
I would have loved to have been in that gang I bet they had loads of fun judging by their happy faces!
Ozy, Parents as far as know from the diaries I have, tended to go out rides on their own from Wigan either on the tandem or on their separate bikes together. They would visit the likes of the Trough of Bowland or the Wirral at the weekend ( Dad working at Massey Bros. on a Saturday morning finishing around Miday) Holidays were different- long rides staying at B&B's via the CTC guide. Both parents were members till about 1933. I will post a photo of them with their tandem in due course.
The 1930s: heyday of the Steam Train, Holiday Poster, Camaraderie, The Idyllic ... . You've just got to get sucked-in by photos, such as that which is shown here - it's no good just gawping at them. I'm intrigued by the smiling character shown on the extreme right of this photo, and in particular by what may have caused her to have spun her bicycle around. For my personal delectation, and considering the fact that the sun is still high in the 'Fylde sky', I imagine her as having been the lead rider and joker of the pack ('possibly a little bit 'Maisie', too'), being brought back into line by Mr. Jackson, for inclusion in the group photograph - Miss Wilson shaking her head as if to say " What's she like ? ". I hope others enjoy gleaning other various images from this particular photo, as my observations are far from exhaustive. Oh yes, 'Thornton-Cleveleys ...', something tells me that the pairing had been used in a T.V. commercial, some years ago; or perhaps I'm under the influence of the commercial that once guided its viewer to a destination " mid-way between Leek and Uttoxeter". Although bicycle manufacture has come an enormously long way since The Thirties, the early signposts remain a firm favourite with photographers both amateur and professional alike, when considering the potential of a travel photograph. Just a minute ... who the devil invented T.V. Commercials? ... hand me the Bartholomews one inch, sir!
Ozy. In today's environment, to cycle to work, and coping with the danger of being struck by a motor vehicle, is only one potential hazard, just think of the exertion used in pedalling a bicycle, amongst traffic, spewing out toxic fumes, and breathing in those fumes. Bad enough using shanks pony, amongst it, and it gets worse, with each day that passes.
I am fascinated with the clothes the ladies are wearing! Suits with a fresh white blouse and cloche hats! This gives a certain adage to the saying "Horses sweat, Gentlemen perspire and "Laydees" glow! Wonderful! Reminds me of a David Walliam's sketch!
Should have said gives adage to the meaning....etc!