Wigan Album

remember micky very wel used to see him alot in darlington st east we lived in harper st his son was kevin used to hang out over fields together

I only vaguely remember Mickey Dalton but What a character! My Mam said he always walked with the Catholic walking-day, and always walked near the priests. I'm pretty sure he lived in Ince, where we lived. I know there were many, many tales about his exploits!

Yes always at the front of the processions - I remember a some 'tut- tutting' but never got to the bottom of that!

not many people trusted this guy

Irene, he lived at either 1 or 3 The Grove. He once toured Ince on the back of a lorry with a dead fox which he claimed to have killed

he lived in either spring st or silver st when i new him

I've heard mention of Mickey Dalton previously on this site. He certainly appears to have been a colourful character and no danger, the above photograph seeming to bear this out. The impression I'm getting however, and I don't wish to appear discourteous or disrespectful in any way, especially to any of his family members, but the fact remains, I'm getting the impression that he may possibly have been been regarded by some as being a kind of Ince Mafioso. That's just the impression that I'm getting, nothing more. I'll make a few enquiries among the Incers that I know, but in the meantime I'll continue to follow this thread carefully in the hope of gleaning more information on the man. I'm just curious , that's all.....its natural to be curious. In life, some people are larger than life, and this guy seems to tick one or two of the boxes, that's all I'm saying. Please don't send the mob after me.....I'm on tablets you know...and I have a dental appointment on Wednesday.....It'll cost me money if I don't turn up.

Did he sell razor blades in one of 'our' arcades, I seem to remember him doing that.

No Johnno, that was someone else. The razor blade seller's name/nickname was 'Hughie' or 'Huggie'. He always stood at the bottom of the Makinson Arcade.

he was fool who did anything to get a free pint down his throat

Dalton and the razor blade seller were two different people.
Hughie the razor blade seller used to go in swan and railway when he'd finished selling.
You wouldn't get Dalton selling razor blades. Too much like hard work for him.

Razor blade man was Thomas Hughes. Everybody called him Uggy.

Thanks for that everybody.

He lived at No6 silver st in the mid to late 50s next door to my grandmother at No4

I remember Mickey Dalton working with the contractors that built the big new office block at Reeds Goose Green in 1960,so I for one know he worked for a living in the 60s

he would be well into his 50s in 1960s. it may have been his son

I thought I had seen this photograph before.
We have a copy in a scrapbook which came from my late father in law's home. It forms part of a Wigan Observer press cutting from the summer of 1977, when a reporter who clearly knew little of Mr Dalton, or what many people thought of him, announced his intention of writing his life story for a future edition of the newspaper.
A handwritten note in the scrapbook under the cutting states "the idea caused an outcry among right thinking citizens, many of whom threatened to stop taking the paper, that the editor vetoed the idea, and, I should imagine, took the erring reporter to task'.

When Colin Cook had the Market Dalton was never out of the vault. He used to brag about the last honest job he had was clearing up after Pendleburys caught fire. That must have been 25 or 30years before. One time he came in carrying suit cases and said he was moving away. Mugs were bying him drinks wishing him all the best. Next day he was back in bold as brass.

Huggie used to sell tea towels and handkerchiefs as well at one time, Mickey Dalton was often to be seen around Wigan Town Centre

Remember years ago he got on a Standish bus in Market Place. He said God bless all here to everybody sitting on the bus.
The conductor said get off before I b...y kick you off.
Wouldnt have him on the bus.

We were in a pub in Athenry on my 50th birthday and everyone who came in said “God Bless All Here”. I must admit I thought it was nice. However, the Wigan bus conductor obviously knew MIckey of old!

Kenny, I was in the vault stood at the bar many years ago, when, as you say Colin Cook was the landlord, Mickey ordered a drink and paid for it, Colin gave him his change, Mickey said I gave you a pound note, Colin said, you gave me a ten bob note, they argued for a minute or so, Colin said to me, did you see what he gave me ? I said sorry I didn't, Colin gave him change for a pound note and said, drink up, get out and don't come in again.

Thats about right for him Roy. I was in the Griffin years ago when John ONeil had it and Dalton walked in. John didnt say anything he just pointed at the door and Dalton went out again. Im surprised any pub in Wigan served him.

I was in the Ball and Boot, summer 1975, when he came in wearing a three piece suit, carnation and a bowler hat. The barman was new, did not know who he was and served him. The whole vault went silent, not a word from anyone. The landlord, Ken Caunce, detected the silence, came in from the lounge and just said “OUT”. He gulped his pint and left with everyone cheering (or jeering).

Paul P, it must have been around that time when I first encountered him and his charms.
I was with my wife before we were married and for the very first time went into the Dog & Partridge not sure if it was the Bees Knees then.
Not knowing the interior we stood in the doorway glancing where to sit when this 'gentleman' in bowler hat ,camel coat resplendent with carnation button hole came rushing over and with guided us to the bar in a flourish shouting make was for the lady, make way for the lady. We sat on stools at the bar and he asked us if he could get us a drink, I thought naively what a kind gesture on our first visit, what a friendly place. Commanding attention from the barman he promptly ordered our drinks and one for himself. When served he immediately walked off with his drink leaving me to pay.
When I told my older brother familiar with 'Wigan Culture' about this, well you can imagine what he called me. Talk about live and learn!!!

The above comments only scratch the surface of this man's character.
He was a deeply unpleasant individual.