Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 16th January, 2017)

Doesn't seem to have changed much in the last 50 years. Used to drive back from Ormskirk when I was courting my now wife. Reminds me of the good old days when drinking and driving was the norm.

I love these old villages - wouldn't mind living here at all....

I would recognised those houses & the road anywhere. Journeys into Wigan on a Ribble bus, going to Upholland Parish Church on a Sunday morning...
Nice photo Mick.

I like this one because it draws your eye down the road and makes you wonder what could be round that bend.
The wheelie bins and the To Let signage on the left add a splash of colour to otherwise dull picture.

Have not seen this in almost fifty years. Apart from the double yellows and tall street lights, little has changed.
A good photo - Walt mentioned £600 for a cottage in Duke's Row the other day. Suspect the same sum, in 1969, would have got you one of these.
Thanks Mick.

This is one view of UpHolland that has not changed much over the years though other parts of the village have not fared so well.

The one big difference is the tarmac road surface, i remember School Lane / Parliament St being cobbles.

We used to go to a pub called The Owl in Upholland many years ago.....on a motorbike! I don't think The Owl is still there...did it become a business or a private house, anyone?

That's th'owl on the left isn't it Irene, well what was.

There were fourteen pubs along Ormskirk Road at one time, starting at the Seven Stars and ending up at The Owl, an excellent Friday or Saturday evening pub crawl.

Derek, there is no "good" when it involves drink driving, Then or now, no excuse highest punishment should always be issued

The film "Yanks ' was on the telly over the Christmas period and the village used for the location reminds me of this one. I wonder if Up-Holland has ever been approached for location purposes it would be ideal here. (Plus the Council could make some money!!)

Hi truewiganer. My comments were a little bit tongue in cheeck to see if i got any reaction. However back in the day I did take a drink and still drive, that is until the drink driving laws came in. These days I know better.

I think it's Dobcross where the shop in Yanks was, Vb. Some scenes were shot in Keighley and Stockport.

It just came back to me when the Yanks were 'moving out' In those army vehicles for DDay Irene. I could just imagine them on that narrow road in Up -Holland. Dangerous times yet exciting and romantic....(in the film anyway!)

I thought The Owl was a little bit farther down actually Cyril, just out of sight, around the bend and on the opposite side of the road. Could be wrong of course, it wouldn't be the first time.

I think the "hill" was known as Baxter's Brow.

The scenes with Molly and Matt near the canal were on the Manchester Ship Canal, near Fiddler's Ferry. You should come to the forties weekends, Vb....you'd enjoy it! x.

The building on the right was The Owl. I think it's now offices.

Not in Wigan though is it?

*In before Tonker*

Irene, when you say Fiddler's Ferry, are you sure you mean Manchester ship canal, and not Sankey Navigation ? I'm not saying that you're wrong mind, I've never seen ' Yanks ', it's just that Fiddler's Ferry is on the opposite side of the Mersey to the ship canal, and there's a nice pub there. There's nowt much of photogenic value in Astmoor. Not that I'm aware of at any rate.

Regards. Ozy.

I have been to about three Irene - can't help but be swept along with it all!

Irene the stone building visible on the right of the photo was The Owl, it closed as a pub about 5 years ago and is now offices.

Ozy, Peter says you're right! It was him that told me it was The Manchester Ship Canal.....senior moment! Also, he says to ask you is the nice pub called The Eight Towers? Vb, give us a shout if you see us at a forties event. x.

Thanks, AW.

I certainly will Irene ....not been for a while . I transport myself back to our old back kitchen by playing all the old music...ie Artie Shaw ,Al Bowley, Glen Miller,definitely not Rod Stewart with his renditions of the American Songbook. Can't beat a bit of decent music!
Ah! The memories.

The pub that I had in mind is called The Ferry Tavern Irene. It's right next to the river Mersey with the St. Helens canal, or Sankey Navigation directly behind it. It's a nice spot. You should have a ride out there some time, I'm sure you'd like it. The 8 Towers is a couple of miles farther back, heading up towards Bold Heath. My regards to you both.

Ozy.

Vb, don't forget the British Dance Bands of the 30's and 40's. Ambrose, Geraldo, Jack Hylton, Harry Roy, Joe Loss, Billy cotton, Jack Payne, Lew Stone, Henry Hall, Carrol Gibbons.

I know AW they were great! I love all that music .... I just cannot abide Rod Stewart sticking his oar in....especially the song "Long Ago and Far Away" he ruins it especially when all the greats sang it before him ie Jo Stafford, Al Bowly ... Proper singers!