Wigan Album

So that where the Queen spends her weekends, and all this time I thought it was Sandringham

I don't remember it ever showing films (too young for that), but I do remember in the late 1960s early 70's me and friends getting inside it and wandering around the projection room. It was very eery. It was there that I found 2 comics, the first ever Dandy and the 3rd issue of the Beano. Unfortunately long since lost.

I can remember my mum going there to play bingo in the 60s.

What a lovely photo and just as I remember it from childhood in the early and mid fifties. I would often be taken by my parents to the "first house" and would go ready for bed, pyjamas under my siren suit, handy to be undressed after being carried home asleep. Later visits were made by me and a big gang of Moss Laners including my babysitters the Thorley sisters Doreen and May and their friend Enid. Asking them once what the double seats at the back rows were there for, I was met with giggles and told not to be nosy! Sadly we had moved house before I got chance to find out!

Went to the Saturday matternee at this cinema in the late 30s early 40s. Buck Jones, and Roy Rogers were the regular cowboy films. When the posse came on, all the kids would cheer. when the baddies came, all the kids would boo. Every Saturday matternee there would be a following up, either Flash Gordon, or The Scorpion. Tarzan, Three stooges, and Laurel and Hardy were well featured, plus Key Stone Cops. Much water has passed under the bridge since then. Although the dark days of war were upon us, to us kids they were happy times.

You are so right John, so many happy memories. I think I saw White Chritsmas there, not sure. John, did you see my post to you?

Great picture John. Did this become the Snooker hall in the 60s, or is my memory failing me ?

NO JB THE SNOOKER HALL WAS NEXT TO IT ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS KENYON SHOP THE PALACE IS STILL THERE THAY SELL DOORS BUT I AV HERD ITS GOING TO BE A WITHERSPOOL PUB NEXT YR

I suppose the Parochial Hall has long since disappeared, if my memory serves me right, it was located near to the Miners' Hall. The dances on Sunday night were very well attended in the early 50s. A very happy atmosphere prevailed. I cannot remember any disturbing, or unruly behaviour, ever taking place there.

HI Albert ,the PRO was near the Miners Hall, but to say that there was no disturbances at the Pro on a Sunday night was like saying nobody ever had a fight at the Old Hall,when we were kids we used to watch the teddy boys kick lumps out of each other after they,d had a few pints at Cessies.

I remember the matinees at the Palace in the 1940s,The serial shown then was The Clutching Hand it had to be withdrawn because kids were having nightmares.

Hi John. I am sure you are correct, John. I frequented the Parochial Hall, a couple of years before the teddy boy era. By that time I was in R. A. F.

Albert you forgot to mention the stamping of our feet.

Linda,s quote of the stamping of feet jogged my memory of when the picture used to go off screen, the cry of [put a shilling in the meter] would echo round the palace much to the disgust of Mrs Topping,who would proceed to bang furiously on the stage with a huge stick,anyone out there remember Mrs. Topping with her big stick?what about you Maggie.

John B, Only just seen your posting from years ago.I lived & was brought up in P/Bridge, left to live in Hindley around 1961.I well remember the Palace & Mrs Topping at the matinees.Lights would go on at the start of the feet stamping.Mrs T would appear at the stage.The stick you refer to I think was in fact the bottom part of a circus whip,minus the whip itself.It certainly made a loud crack as she slapped it onto the stage.After a few strokes it would quieten us down.Followed by the threat of no' Flash Gordon', if order wasn't regained.Happy days though.The only negative to this photoshot is with regard to the characterfull Palace facade.Someone,whoever it may be, decided to replace this iconic type of architecture. With what, an absolutely horrible modern day brickwork frontage, taking with it it's superb character.I'm sure that whoever was responsible, will not be in any hurry to admit it.