Wigan Album

What a great photograph of a time we all wish we were back in. A scene that will never be seen again on our streets..

We used to dress up in crepe paper outfits, with our Queen resplendent in her Mam's net curtain and a cardboard crown. We paraded round the streets saying "Please help the May-Queen", then had a picnic. I have had many meals out since then, in some posh restaurants, but none could ever quite match those jam-butties and pop in someone's backyard.....Happy, happy days!

I recall there was always a gypsy , a chimney sweep,a cowboy and one or two 'collectors ' with cans for the money! The queen might wear an old walking day dress with a curtain for the train. It was more exciting preparing for the procession. What a ragged -taggle bunch we were. Sometimes there would be another May Queen around the corner on the other side of the road. Those children pictured at that age would be carrying phones if it was today. Didn't we have fun!

Irene can you email me I've sent you a couple of emails with no reply. Have you changed your email address?

May Queen's were a common sight right up until the 1970's when they seemed to die out.

I remember dancin 'round the Maypole at my junior school...often the tapes would get tangled up...and ended up with some girl who insisted I was to be her boy-friend...very happy times!!

As an 8 year old My uncle once gave me a pit helmet so the may queen was easy for me, just put the hat on. My face and clothes were alway dirty so no need of a special outfit

I use to be a coal man or chimney sweep man, I have done both for a living as well!

Irene,very happy day's we had nought in Spring View but had a great Childhood.We were brought up proper to respect other people and there property.like Lad on left had same short pants & cricket belt.as we used to wear.will put photo on site ,me our Billy our Keith Day trip to Southport with Lower Ince Labour Club tried to look posh that day we all had Braces on.Hope someone can make the photo better l don't know how.

I do not know why this has come up as Almond Brook Road. It should be Haig Street. I think the adults were Mrs Winstanley and Mrs Pilkington and her daughter. I could guess some of the children' s names. Does anybody recognise themselves.

I don't know how to improve photos either, Jimmy, but I look forward to seeing it. x.

Frank, i had been thinking to ask you, which part of Almond Brook Rd this was, as it doesn't look like it. Great pic by the way, as Ron says, something us owd 'uns will never see again, BUT, something our young 'uns have NEVER seen and never will unfortunately.

Some interesting background knowledge attributed to May Queens', go to. https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Origins+of+May+Queen.

Who actually chose the May Queen, was it affiliated to a particular Church, School or Street. I remember them well from the 1950's and early 60's, but was never involved myself

I think May Queen processions might have come about originally from the old Catholic tradition of the crowning of Mary in the month of May.Having said that ,when I was growing up in the 50's,all the local kids seemed to join those whatever school or church they belonged to.They were really enjoyable with all the cobbled together outfits.