Wigan Album

Ah well! honeymoons'over its Monday best get the washing done!

Still happens today.

Love those shoes. I remember seeing an auntie wearing shoes like that on an old photo.

It's still like that at our house if it's a good "drying" day.....minus the flowers; we only have a backyard.

I dare say there's not as much time for 'biking around' for Mary Ethel with all the washing,ironing, housework and shopping! She's probably day dreaming of sunny times cycling whilst 'pegging out'!

Remember the clothes maiden in front of the fire, couldn't get near to fire to warm your backside. Then there was the contraption that worked on two pulleys, and you hoisted a wooden frame of clothes up to the ceiling. Dolly tubs, dollies , scrubbing boards, squeezers, all items of superior technology. The gypsies would come around the houses, selling wooden pegs. Those washing lines were a real pest, some would be stretched across back alleles, and left out overnight, and nearly decapitated you, when you were checking the rear of properties.

If your backyard is paved with the old stone flags Irene - I would swap my garden anyday! My last house had them.

You can't beat a nice garden in the back yard, lovely colours of plants and a green lawn.

Rosie, I've got some shoes similar to those for the 1940s events but they're a modern reproduction. Veronica, our yard is concreted. We DID have two old York stone flags outside the back gate but they were dug up and pinched, as were our neighbour's. They've even stolen them from the FRONT of our terraced row and no-one heard them! No respect for anyone or anything.

Ozy, what have you done! You could have left us with the vision of the lovely Mary Ethel and her Tandem but you have spoiled it all with this picture of her as a Dhobi Wallah. Devastating!

I sympathis with the pinching of flags. It happened to an old lady in her eighties and nearly blind near me. The worst part was she had no indoor toilet . Evil rotters! I'm surprised the old flags around the Parish Church haven't been lifted!

Mmmm!, I rather imagined that your taste regarding the fairer sex may have coincided with my own DTease, as I personally tend to find the more mature lady to be far more appealing than a Bimbo on a bike. Still, each to their own eh? Incidentally, I'm not sure of the exact year that this shot was taken, but it wasn't taken on De Trafford farm, as were the others, as Ethel's parents, the Wilsons, had relocated by this time to a much nicer place somewhere on the Wirrall. I just can't recall the name of the place at the moment, but it will come to me eventually no doubt. As John and Ethel still lived in Hindley though, I can only assume that the photograph was taken during a visit to the in laws.

Irene, where did you manage to get hold of your reproduction shoes? I love them.

Were the Jackson family any relation to Tom Jackson who came to Hindley and Abram from Argyle Street School? Irene will probably remember him.

I got the shoes from a mail-order catalogue some years ago; they may not be exactly like Mrs. Jackson's shoes but they are perfect for the 1940s re-enactments. If I see any similar in shops or catalogues, I will put a message on this picture. Elizabeth, I can't remember Tom Jackson but the name is familiar. These photos are of members of my friend Josie's family....Ozy is also a friend of Josie and her husband Robert, which is why he has access to the photos. It was lovely to bump into you the other week in Wigan, with my grand-daughter. Edie is at Hinning House in The Lakes this week with school....it doesn't seem two minutes since Our Jamie was there when he was ten...he is 41 on Friday! Apparently, she is having the time of her life!

I went to Argyle street school and knew a Tom Jackson who did go on to H.A.G.S. He came from Bickershaw and I do not think he was related to the Jackson family I knew from Mawdsley st in Hindley.I heard Tom went to live in the US but sadly died a few years ago

Thanks Irene,and P.W. that is sad news.The Tom Jackson I meant had come from Argyle after taking exams, I think he came to 6th form at HAGS.It was nice bumping into you as well, Edie is a bonny girl, I'm sure she's enjoying Hinning House.

Thank you Irene, I'll keep looking for some .

Monday, washing day home from school,to clean washing everywhere,Clothes lines, maiden.airing rack. and then hot pot for tea made from the remains of the Sunday roast we had for Sunday dinner and cold for Sunday tea. How big were those roasts ?? although in fairness.sometimes corned beef was used. One thing certain the clothes were clean and we were well fed I remember once when all the clothes on the airing rack were soiled by a fall of soot on the fire and all had to be rewashed

Elizabeth,yes that is the same Tom Jackson.There is a photo of Tom item#:261 on album.I left the 5th form and got a job Tom and a few others transferred to hags.

Thanks PW, I'll have a look.