Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 2nd March, 2023)

My local for many years, they had good darts & domino teams there, frog lane was a good night out when colliers was open but now sadly all gone,thanks for sharing Dennis good pic.

Is it a private house now? I don’t know anything about it but it sounds as if it had a connection with the Workhouse/ Infirmary of latter times. I’m surprised it’s still in situ.

Veronica - It was for sale a year or two back as a 'house of multiple occupancy'

As a youngster I remember a common phrase from middle aged people, relatives and others - "No mother uh mine's gooin i' Frog Loan."
At the time I didn't quite understand the reference.
The photo title brought it all back.

Wasn't this a Home Brew shop for a brief period ?

I used to pass this regularly some years ago when my daughter lived in Frog Lane and it was "The Guardians" which, I agree with Veronica, would have been so-called due to being near the Workhouse. I still go past when going to Boston House for eye appointments but hadn't noticed it had changed as in the photo. DTease, if you are reading this, I just want to say your parody on the Beatles' song the other day had me in stitches! Sorry I didn't mention it at the time, but it still keeps coming into my head and Peter keeps asking what I am laughing at! It was very cleverly done!.

The name may come from the 'board of guardians' who used to make decisions in the workhouse.I can remember my Mum mentioning them from my Grandma's time.

Whatever it is now, maybe flats, offices, looks a dismal place. Surely a brighter paint job would have helped.

I read or heard that 10 + pubs a week closed in the UK, which is very alarming. And continuing.

I agree about the ‘grey colour’ it’s everywhere it’s popular, not for me anyway. Thanks Elizabeth for the info. I agree Irene, I’m still laughing at Dennis falling off the bus and pretending he was alright - that was a Norman Wisdom moment if ever there was. I have gone back and read it a couple of times…it’s strange what can tickle the funny bone! ;o)))

I agree Anne with the paint colour. The window frames don't blend in with that choosen colour. For me, a lighter paint job would look much better, but each to their own.

In other words Tom it’s apartments…well it’s better than just letting it rot away.

Didn't the pub sign have an illustration of WW2 airmen?

Beige colour would go well with those window frames and brighten the place up.
If they were white frame that brickwork colour would be ok with that grey colour. Its a matter of choicse.

Once brick walls are painted it has to be kept up to keep smart. I agreeArthur it’s not a good colour combination. Cream or Sand colour would have been better but I suppose that would show up the grime more.

At one time municipal buildings such as asylums were always whitewashed. This led to the old saying about anyone who was a bit daft that “Thiv only lerrimout while thi whitewash”.

That's a new one on me, D'Tease! But not as good as your Beatles parody the other day. Like Veronica with the story of Dennis falling off the bus, I keep going back for a look at your "I heard the news today, oh boy" and having a little chuckle!

In its time it was always a well kept and very popular pub, I've frequented on quite a few occasions and it was always busy, it's always a shame to see pubs and buildings left to deteriorate, the pub was always presentable and welcoming, now it looks awfully dismal and to be missing the sign - 'Russian Embassy'
Below is a few bits and bobs, and the last bob being an interesting Thesis by a Doctor of Philosophy on the Wigan Board of Guardians and the Administration of The Poor Laws 1880-1900.

Ticsmon, you must have had a good pair of beer goggles on when you came out as the pub sign did feature wings, though it was an Angel, I suppose a take on guardian. Have a look on the Wigan Buildings site for a few photos of the pub and the sign too. https://www.wiganbuildings.co.uk/building.php?id=887

Here's a photo from the 1970s of a pile of pennies being pushed over at The Guardians Inn. https://nationalworld.newsprints.co.uk/35962421-retro-1979-a-pile-of-pennies-push-over-by-regulars-at-the-guardians-pub-on-frog-lane-wigan-in-1979/

A bit more info and photos. https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/lancashire/wigan_guardians.html

Building of the New Wigan Workhouse, Guardians of the Wigan Union.
https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/new-workhouse-frog-lane-wigan

I was looking for a different topic on the net when this came up in the search, The Wigan Board of Guardians and the Administration of the Poor Laws 1880-1900 It is a Thesis for a Doctor of Philosophy at Lancaster University by Jonathan Pratt. The name seemed familiar somehow - it is also the name of an antiques expert on Bargain Hunt, I doubt it being the same person though.

It's a long winded and in depth read, though I've only skimmed through reading here and there, but it could be quite an interesting read for someone into local and social history. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/2919/2/Pratt_Jonathan_Final_e-Thesis_%28Master_Copy%29.pdf

My grandparents lived in Hey Street, gave us kids easy access to the cattle market over the back yard wall.

It’s currently having something done but don’t know what. Couldn’t see in properly a few weeks ago. But felt maybe offices. Got verticle blinds up now