Wigan Album

Does anyone recognise the church in the background? Is it St John's, Pemberton, or maybe, St Matthew's, Highfield?

St Matthew's Highfield, Albert. The photo looks as though it may have been taken from the grounds of the adjacent cricket club.

It is neither St Johns nor Highfield, it looks to me like the band is on the side of a bowling green.

In my opinion it is St Matthews, take a look at the modern photo and imagine from a different angle, look at the masonry windows, buttresses etc.

http://www.churches-uk-ireland.org/images/manc/wigan/matt.jpg

Definitely Highfield. Lived in sight of it and passed it nearly every day for over 60 yrs.

Front row 2nd from the left, trombone player is my stepdad Jim Littler and back row 2nd from the left I think this could be his brother Fred. So pleased to see this photo. Is there any chance at all that you could email me a copy? I would be so grateful if you could.

South Pemberton Brass Band;
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South Pemberton Brass Band Founded in the late 1920s it was formally set up in 1932. An account book records the following example items of income: from the crowds watching Wigan Athletic in the autumn of 1933: 20 Sept, Wigan Athletic 7s. 0p. 14 Oct, Wigan Athletic v Lytham 9s. l0p. 25 Nov Wigan Athletic 6s. 11/2p. The band's surplus for that year appears to have been just over £2. They performed in Mesnes Park, Wigan, and at church walking days and field treats. In 1934: 3 June - St Johns Pemberton Field Treat £7-0-0, 1 July - St Lukes Orrell Field Treat and Sermons £10-11-4, 8 July - St Matthews Highfield Field Treat and Sermons £9-0-0. The Band also entered local Band contests at Standish, Atherton, Skelmersdale and, on at least one occasion. in 1934, the prestigious contests held at Belle Vue, Manchester.

Interesting letter to 'Past Forward' re the South Pemberton Brass Band can be found here: http://issuu.com/wlct/docs/pf37/28

A large scale street map from the 1930s shows a bowling green between the Highfield cricket ground and the Blundell Arms on Foundry Lane, so the photo may have been taken there.

The photo was taken on the cricket field at the rear of St Matthews church Highfield. My dad Bill Ainscough was instrumental in forming the band and is pictured in the centre front row as the conductor . Also his brother , my uncle Fred, fourth left middle row . I think it was taken around the late 1930s. By all means download a copy if you want to.

Not sure if this link is still live but the Ainscoughs are my relatives through my great gran Mary, sister to Enoch. Great to get the history!