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Wigan Album

In the Pub

35 Comments

The Worthington, Hindley.
The Worthington, Hindley.
Photo: Veronica.
Views: 5,850
Item #: 29987
A group of lads in the Worthington, Market St. Hindley. Taken around 1965....Any familiar faces?

Comment by: Ed on 13th December 2017 at 17:27

One of the best pubs in hindley,used to take my wife there before we where married in 1966.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 13th December 2017 at 19:36

I'm no interior designer, but I'm guessing that the bloke who chose the wallpaper must have been either Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder.

Comment by: GW. on 13th December 2017 at 20:30

Why an American Ozy?

Comment by: Roger on 13th December 2017 at 21:33

Very often open 'till the early mornings in the 70s, but you could only buy bottled beer after time due to the noise of the pumps.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 13th December 2017 at 22:27

There can be little doubt that this country has its full complement of visually impaired decorators GW, I merely mentioned the two American vocalists on the basis that they may be better known than say, Blind Bernard from Bamber Bridge, or Bottle Bottom Barry from Barnoldswick. By the way, what's that stuff they're suppin'...Vimto?...I've seen a better head than that on frogspit.

Comment by: GW. on 13th December 2017 at 23:23

Oh' so that's why they've worn the sunglasses. Didn't see that coming.

Comment by: John G on 13th December 2017 at 23:52

Ozy: Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, Cinco,Seis, Siete, Ochoa, Nueve, Diez. Mild pa pa vor.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 14th December 2017 at 00:56

My first, fleeting, impression of the wallpaper was that its pattern depicted insects separating from their chrysalis (I must stop watching those Quatermass films), but after considering 'the lads having a pint together in 1965', my thoughts turned to those commonplace posters of a swaggering El Cordobes. Yes, he's our plastered beauty.

Comment by: TD,. on 14th December 2017 at 07:56

Ozy, The flat headed common ale at the Worthington was most probably Burtonwoods . Not every ones cup of tea and certainly not my favourite, but better than no brew and necked in moderation as an aid to the prerequisite for a spot Paso Doble with the increasingly lovely Hindley senoritas.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 14th December 2017 at 10:53

Quatermass and The Pit eh?. Blimey Philip, that takes me back a bit. I remember watching that one on a neighbour's old black and white, wind up telly back in about 1958. I seem to remember all the activity took place in Hob Lane, how's that for a memory eh?.......now let me see.....what did I come in here for?

Comment by: Pw on 14th December 2017 at 11:34

I think it was an Almonds house,an aquired taste

Comment by: John G on 14th December 2017 at 11:51

So we have a pub here with warm flat ale from Burtonwood, and spanish wall paper, it's no wonder they served bottles after time, it's probably the only decent drink they had all night. I wonder if they invented chicken in the basket. Still I guess it's one of those you had to be there!

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 14th December 2017 at 12:15

I think Almond's got bought out by Burtonwood. I'm not sure when exactly, but they made a bottled stout called ' Forshaw's 67 ' I think it was, so that may have been to celebrate the year of the buyout. I used to have two bottles at a time in a pint glass. There was probably more iron in that stuff than there is in the West Coast main line.

Comment by: chris southworth on 14th December 2017 at 12:24

Hi Veronica, can I pinch that photo and post it on Memories of Hindley facebook page? I think a few of our members will know those faces.

Comment by: Pw on 14th December 2017 at 12:46

Had many a good Saturday night in the juke box room ,which I think is the one on the photo.I remember one night a big fight kicking off and the
police arrived very quick and they sent in a dog and soon emptied the place,it was the only trouble I ever saw in the pub.Its knickname was the Bears Paw.My dad told me that one landlord kept animals at the back of the pub ,including a badger.It was the first pub I can recall having a coloured telly in Hindley and thinking it would never catch on.The bitter had a very nutty taste and was ok when it was on form.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 14th December 2017 at 13:37

Nineteen fifty eight for sure Ozy, and please search for Sladden's comical gallop from the capsule, after being scared out of his wits; it's at the start of Quatermass and the Pit, Episode 5 - The Wild Hunt.
Then imagine him going down the centre of Standishgate, in the said fashion, on a busy shopping day (There's that Quatermass effect, again.)... Hey up, Let him past!
I seem to remember watching an earlier version of the series, as well, when my brother and I were sometimes joined by the two brothers from next door.
Aunty doesn't seem to scare in quite the same day these days.

Comment by: Bod on 14th December 2017 at 14:19

Sorry lads I've just retired from a well known brewery after 27years,if I told you how it's brewed today compared to then you would probably think twice ,my reason for not drinking beer today , besides the fashion in those days was brown and bitter or bottle Guinness split with mild

Comment by: Veronica on 14th December 2017 at 15:05

Yes that's ok by me Chris .

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 14th December 2017 at 18:49

Chicken in a blimmin' basket eh , everyone used to do that didn't they?. They used to do it at Wigan Casino back in the 60's I remember, not that I was ever tempted to try it......What's wrong with chicken on a plate anyway, that's what I'd like to know, what's so special about having it out of a flippin' basket?....Scampi and chips, that's another one they did at the Casino that I never tried. What's it supposed to be anyway this scampi ?, can you catch it in the canal?....Any luck mate?.....Nah, just a couple of bream, the odd pollock, and half a dozen scampi.

Comment by: TD,. on 15th December 2017 at 08:39

Ozy: We appear to have lost control when Britain joined the EU, chicken and scampi, and any form of hot food was apparently banned from being served in a basket, due to health and safety regulations? The present PM and her recent loss on the Brexit bill may be concerning and there is no sign in the near future of any democratic decision being reached with regards to the basket case.

Comment by: J.P. on 15th December 2017 at 10:59

Why is Russel Tovey the actor from "Him And Her" in the picture? (bottom right hand corner) he was not even born then; there is a time slip in operation!

Comment by: John G on 15th December 2017 at 12:26

Ozy: I used to like the look on the faces of those serving, ( Two chicken in the basket with chips and one with GRAVY thanks).

Comment by: TD., on 15th December 2017 at 13:18

Veronica: The chap on the right looks familiar, didn't you appear together as an item at Bobbys bar in Benidorm 1966 ? (#: 2998)

Comment by: Veronica on 15th December 2017 at 14:29

That's right TD that was himself - very handsome wouldn't you say! Our granddaughter is the spitting image. His hair is white now but he's still good looking!

Comment by: Helen of Troy on 15th December 2017 at 15:07

Ozymandias, you do make me laugh & my other half, I read out your comments to him & we giggle together !

Comment by: TD., on 15th December 2017 at 19:14

Veronica: This is a very good photo of a fine looking team of Hombres and your selection is most commendable having stood the test of time, congratulations to the happy couple. Your intended seems to be sporting jewelry on his left hand. Recall Top Hat ESB was served in the function room upstairs at one time. Extra Special /Strong bitter! Question is, will your other half reveal the contents of the pots and spill the beans on the identity of these young trendies from the sixties, enjoying a turnout in the Worthington? Formerly the Bears Paw and recently renamed the Bears Paw (Last Orders)

Comment by: Poet on 15th December 2017 at 22:30

We had a 'Bears Paw' in Standish. When someone complained that he had been served a bad pint the landlord always replied " You're lucky, I've got three barrels of it!"

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 15th December 2017 at 23:11

I remember my late brother telling me about being served with a bad pint in the Crooke Hall one time. He complained to the landlord, challenging him to smell it. The landlord complied saying, " there's nowt rung wi' that Jack, tha must av' a bit o' s--t on thi top lip ", to which Jack replied, " aye, an' if I sup that, I'll ' ave a bit moor on me underpants i't mornin'."

Comment by: TD., on 16th December 2017 at 13:23

With the very deepest of respect to the memory of your late brother Jack may I say... that is a very moving story Ozy.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 16th December 2017 at 19:07

" Moving " being the operative word here obviously TD. I believe that Jack subsequently transferred his allegiance to the Royal Oak, in what ultimately morphed into a frying pan / fire scenario. Determined to achieve. satisfaction however, he then sought refuge in The Keeper's. Whether or not he realised his objective, I would hesitate to guess. The bottom line being that all...or if not all...then the majority of these places nowadays just want your money...., end of,...customer satisfaction being bottom of their list of priorities. Also, and as everyone is aware, it's possible to purchase a bottle of Aussie red in Tesco for just a few coppers more than what some of these places are asking for a pint these days, and then they're bleating on about pubs closing down right, left and centre. Is it any wonder?...And while I'm on my soapbox, I've just come back from The Moon...not the real moon of course, that would be absurd, the one down in Wigan. Have you ever tried getting served in one of these Wetherspoon's places? I'll put it this way, if George Best had done his drinking in The Moon Under Water, he'd still have been alive today. In fact, I remain firmly convinced that you could get served quicker in the Betty Ford clinic then you can in a Wetherspoon's establishment. Reluctant that I am to admit it, I feel Inclined to believe that Howard may have the right idea actually, Horlicks may in fact be the more sensible option, Anyroad, I've had my moan, and I always feel a little bit better for having had a good moan, and that's me done for the time being. So it just remains for me to wish all you chaps and chappesses all the very best for the festive season.

Regards. Ozy.

Comment by: TD., on 17th December 2017 at 14:36

Feliz Navidad y un feliz amigos pavo frío ...... en una canasta, Año Nuevo.
Respecto a TD.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 17th December 2017 at 15:49

Having harboured suspicions for quite some time regarding the hideous Spanish type wallpaper in the Worthington, and having considered all the available evidence, I've finally arrived at the conclusion that Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum are all totally innocent, the perpetrator of this heinous crime being none other than.......TD.......in the juke box room........with the paste brush.

Regards. Columbo.

Comment by: TD,. on 19th December 2017 at 10:57

After a short period of deliberation resulting in an obvious verdict being reached, thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of the Worthington juke box jury, I can report there have never been such scenes of emotion, since the needle got stuck in Tommy the Toreadors Little White bull.
Saludos a Rumpo.

Comment by: David Hall on 14th June 2020 at 19:24

Does anyone remember the landlord's name during the 60's .My Grandparents Eric and Rhoda Hall ran a pub called The Worthington in the Wigan area....they were originally from Applet Bridge .Does anyone remember them .....I dimly remember a piano and a big staircase in the pub....but I was just a nipper !

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