Wigan Album

good pic what would the year be.

What a beautiful building compared with the box that has just been erected across the street from it.

i agree irene,you would think after that concreet block of a police station and some of the hidiouse buildings thats being built amongst the old beautiful ones that this time they would get it right but no yet again they got it wrong and went and chose the architect with no idea,wonder if he same one that did the face ha ha

How much would it cost to build a building like that today? A lot more than the building across the way.

Spent many a happy hour in there!

And here's another one ! My Grandpa Bryson lectured in mining here. It's where my Father met my Mother at college dance, he was a student in weaving. I posted a photo of my Dad standing outside the college in the 70's when on a trip back in time to see the Old Wigan. Don't get buildings like that now, all those lovely red bricks.

Ken is right,building something as classy looking today would be prohibitive costwise but shape and proportion doesn't cost. The Life Centre looks like a prison.

First of all, what a great set of photographs from the Smith collection.
According to the records, the College was built in 1903 and opened by the Countess of Crawford.
If you look at the far right of the pic, you'll notice that the "extension" to the building, which is on the corner of Millgate and College Ave,hadn't been built.
Let's all hope that this fine looking building is still there in 100 years time.

Yes,The 'Wigan Life Centre' ! does look like a prison. It also reminds me of the apartments built down near the Pier, where the so-called Cultural Quarter was going to be. They look as though they have run out of materials and just completed the buildings with whatever building materials they had left.

So pleased to see this picture of the Wigan Technical College. My great grandfather William Wood came to Wigan from Scotland circa 1870s and made his life there, he went on to become Principal of this college, and also taught at the Wigan Grammar School, circa early 1900s. He died in the late 1930s and I have previously posted his obituary under "People - Wood"

Built to last - a superb structure.

Would anybody know what happened to the notice board out the front that the students made as part of their training in the 1930s?

Sorry to disagree with everyone! There certainly are some 60s and 70s monstrosities around Wigan but, to my mind, all Victorian/Edwardian architecture is hideous to look at and there are certainly plenty of those around locally. Still, each to his own.

Derek B, believe it or not, but I can see your point. When I was a young girl and the "new" baths was built, I thought it was the last word! It is only as I have got older that the workmanship on the old buildings has become apparent and the modern buildings look like concrete blocks. But as you say, each to his own. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Irene, thanks for your response. I had half expected to get a load of abuse heaped on me, following my comments. No question aabout the quality of workmanship on Victorian/Edwardian building (there are probably very few alive now capable of it!) It is just the end result I find hideous. I worked for some years in Gerrard Winstanley House in Crawford St. and found it a very depressing building both inside and out.

Hi Derek, I can see your point but like fashion, building styles come and go and sometimes reappear again, it is a matter of taste. However, I think depression about a style is a personal, psychological thing and could have come from a number of factors, not least the environment inside the building which may or may not be down to the building style more likely perhaps the interior designers and not the architecture. Just my thoughts.

I studied for college diploma in mining and obtained first class mine managers certificate in July 1965. Hope to visit this year.

I was at the college in the 1950s. Can anyone tell me where I can get the gold, green and black, college tie?.

Wanted. A green and gold college tie circa 1960

Ron - you can see the temporary one story annex to the Technical College Building facing onto Mill Gate in this picture. When the full height extension was opened in 1928 it was built where the one story annex can be seen on this picture.

Judging by the foreground the photo was taken either before the Pavillion was built or after it was demolished to make way for the swimming pool!