Wigan Album

that brings back memories i used to live at no 9 poolstock

My grandad always used to say Poolstock was an island.

I have the cast iron signs for Westwood Lane and Burgess Street in Lower Ince - salvaged when the houses bearing them were demolished.

Strange how some street names came to originate. Any thoughts on this one?, or why the area was so named?. Easy enough when the street is named after a local dignitary.

My Reception, (or Babies'Class, as we used to call it), teacher, Miss Margaret Ashurst, lived in Burgess Street on her marriage, when I recall we were told she was now Mrs. Johnson. This was at Ince Central School. Mrs. Johnson went on to become a teacher at Britannia Bridge School, and she told me that one small pupil was convinced it was called "Pretend you're a bridge" school! I'm sure many Wigan Worlders recall Miss Ashurst/ Mrs. Johnson; a lovely lady.

I don't know your age Irene, nor would I have the impertinence to enquire of it, I went to school with a girl from Spring View, named Margaret Ashurst. I believe she went into the teaching profession. Her father served in the, Black Watch Regiment, during the 2nd world war. I remember him well, wearing his kilt.

Many years ago (1965) I courted a young lady who lived in Poolstock. Many a night I walked her home when missing the last bus and I continued to Upholland. Worth it though! ;O)

I have cap badge of the Black Watch Albert, bearing the Latin motto ' Nemo Me Impune Lacessit ', which as you are probably already aware, translates roughly as No one attacks me with impunity. Regards. Ozy.

One Christmas, I think it was around 1947, I was a temporary postman in Poolstock and got some good some good tips!

Ozymandias. That should be a rare commodity now, seeing that all the Scottish regiments. (If my memory serves me right.) Quite a while ago now, have now been amalgamated into one regiment.

Albert, you are of the "old school" of courtesy and manners on this site and it is a pleasure to speak to you. I am 63 and will be 64 in October. The "Miss Ashurst" of my schooldays lived in Westwood Terrace, Lower Ince, as a child, near The Black Diamond pub. I used to write for Wigan's Heritage Magazine, "Past Forward", and I wrote an article about my schooldays and Mrs. Johnson, nee Miss Ashurst, sent in a letter about it, and we began a correspondence, teacher and former pupil, which gave us great pleasure until she sadly died a couple of years ago. I don't know anything about her Dad's war service but I know he worked as a plumber for the council. Margaret attended St. Mary's primary school followed by Hindley and Abram Grammar School. She was a newly-qualified teacher to the pupils who started at Ince Central the year before I did, which was around 1957/58; I was in the second class she taught. We exchanged such lovely letters in the few years before she died and I went to her funeral. I don't know if she is the same Margaret Ashurst you knew; pehaps the above notes will give you a clue. Johnny, I'm sure you were just as much a gentleman as Albert with the young lady from Poolstock!

Albert - if it helps your memory - this Margaret Ashurst was born in April 1936.
Having taken her husband's funeral when I was Vicar of St Mary's, I came out of retirement to take hers, as there was no vicar at St Mary's then.

Irene
Always the gentleman but sometimes a rum b*gger!

Irene. Your teacher's dad, Jimmy, used to come to our council house, on Westwood, on occasions, to service the hot water system. He always came with the same apprentice. He was a rum lad. I did enjoy their periodical visits. My prior comment, I believe I was getting the girls' mixed up. The other girl Ashurst, was Jean. She lived near to Rushton's shop, on the corner of Henry Street.

Irene as you have mentioned the stories you wrote of in "Past. Forward" I would like to say how much I loved reading them. Especially "The Girl". It brought tears to my eyes. Sadly,because of moving house, I disposed of every one of the issues from the very first one. If ever a compilation of those stories were made into a book I would make sure I bought one.

Thankyou so much, Vb. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. The Girl was MY favourite too, as I've often imagined how wonderful it would be to do a "Gary Sparrow" and be able to go back to the Ince of my childhood, just for a little while, and "The Girl" allowed me to do that, in a way. My friend Neil had some of my Past Forward stories made into a little book some years ago, for my birthday, but it was before I wrote The Girl, and only a few copies were printed, which were given to my children and close friends. People get told off on here for going off the subject of the photo, but I know Ozymandias and know he won't mind. Thankyou again for your kind words.

My school pal at st Williams named Brian foster lived at number 30 poolstock. I lost touch with him when we went to secondary school. He had two claims to fame a st Williams. He could touch his nose with his tongue and he was the winner in who could wee highest up the petty wall

Gerry, Young Brian must have been very tall, to pee so far up the petty wall, I bet all watching had to dash, to get away from all the splash.

I haven't heard the word ' petty ' used for quite some time. We used to get told off if our mother heard use using the word, and were told to use the word ' lavatory ', as it was considered more polite. I understand however that the word is a corruption of the French ' petite salle ' which translates as ' small room '.

I suppose Ozymandias, it is slightly more dignified, than the (As I have been told) Australian, Thunder Box.

My word. This thread appears to have taken an interesting turn doesn't it? When I attended junior school, I seem to recall the challenge was to get it right over the wall and into the girl's playground. As the wall was about ten feet high, I don't remember many of the lads managing it. And if it was a bit of a breezy day, it was prudent to give the challenger a little bit of space in which to perform the attempt.

I've noticed the girls have stopped commenting on this thread now, our urinal wall at st Williams was made of slate so it was quite easy to see who had won the challenge. Incidentally Brian was not all that tall.

Gerry. As the petty wall was made of slate, so it was very easy to adjudicate.
I guess that you were in charge, as well, as all, of your entourage.

Oh no Albert I was not in charge it was the big lads aged about ten that were running the competition. Only entrants in the junior school were allowed to enter. I remember Brian winning twice aged eight and nine