Login   |   Register   |   
Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

HARRY WALDER

17 Comments

MARKET PLACE
MARKET PLACE
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 3,363
Item #: 31363
PAINTING OF WIGAN MARKET PLACE

Comment by: Jonno on 22nd July 2019 at 00:32

Sorry, not one Harry's better ones. The cars look like they are from the USA.

Comment by: Alan H on 22nd July 2019 at 09:14

Albert, is that you on point duty?

Comment by: Albert.S. on 22nd July 2019 at 11:18

Shouldn’t think so Alan. H. If it was summer, like it seems to be, the bobby on point would be wearing a white linen coat. If winter, a waterproof, heavy rubber coat. Couple of times when called off point to trouble, in the near by pub (Red Lion)?., wearing the heavy rubber coat, I’ve got myself jammed in the circular door’s structure.

Comment by: Poet on 22nd July 2019 at 12:29

The Bobby looks more like Peter Crouch doing the robot dance. Nonetheless a vibrant and dynamic painting I think.

Comment by: Veronica on 22nd July 2019 at 12:38

Lot of movement with this painting - even the buildings seem to pulsate!

Comment by: Veronica on 22nd July 2019 at 12:45

It looks like the Artist was taking a leaf out of Isherwood's paintings slightly...perhaps this is earlier work.... He has caught the mood anyway.

Comment by: Maureen on 22nd July 2019 at 14:45

My Aunt Mary..my Mams step Mother used to live at the very top of Moot Hall.( I never knew why the top was taken off ) also she had a cat that one day fell from the very top..got up and ran back upstairs.

Comment by: Veronica on 22nd July 2019 at 15:21

That's why they say cats have 9 lives Maureen. I've heard of stories like that before- I think they must land on their feet...

Comment by: Maureen on 22nd July 2019 at 15:30

Yes Veronica,I've seen footage of cats falling from great heights,they twist and turn many times before landing..I must practice that next time I climb a ladder...not.ha ha.

Comment by: Albert.S. on 22nd July 2019 at 16:14

The picture at the top of the building, is that a Wm Younger’s advert?.

Comment by: Ken on 22nd July 2019 at 18:03

Black Horse, Albert.

Comment by: Mick LD on 22nd July 2019 at 19:01

Albert - weren't the point duty coats kept in a cupboard in the recessed doorway of Crook and Edmonson's barbers, in Library St?

Comment by: jack on 22nd July 2019 at 23:16

I think it is a Tetley sign Albert.

Comment by: Albert.S. on 23rd July 2019 at 09:33

You are correct Mick LD I cannot remember the cupboard ever being locked. I recollect it being in a very obscure place, but I shouldn’t think that you would take a chance on it these days, left unlocked.

Comment by: Mick LD on 23rd July 2019 at 11:07

Many thanks Albert.
I remember John Lydon telling me of how he spotted a man wanted for an offence walking up Library Street.
John managed to conceal himself behind the cupboard door (no mean feat, given the size of the cupboard, and his hefty build), and when the man walked past the shop doorway, John emerged from the cupboard, and collared him. The offender thought he had materialised from thin air.
Market Place point was covered by automatic signals when I started at Wigan, but the cupboard could still be seen until fairly recently.

Comment by: Albert. S. on 23rd July 2019 at 22:49

Can’t remember what we did with coats that we used at the top of King Street, probably took them back to the station. Bert Hitchen was one of our section sergeants’. Ex Coldstream Guards. On nights he would march us up King Street, and dismiss us, at the top, for us to disperse to our respective beats.

Comment by: Albert.S. on 26th July 2019 at 11:53

There are many comments relating to changes that have been made, especially since the sixties, to the structure of Wigan town centre. Many changes have also been made to other past items, especially to the different public services that. serve the community. I can only relate to the police, in which I once served.

The time has come, the walrus said to speak of many things, when streets, and streets were bobbies beats, but alas they are no more. In there place, it’s just a case, of patrolling on four wheels. So Instead of streets, that once were beats, It’ seems now, it’s districts to patrol.

Leave a comment?

* Enter the 5 digit code to the right of the input box. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you will get another chance. Your comments won't be lost.