Wigan Album

Is that where the religious shop used to be ?

This is the bottom end of Caroline Street in 1973 opposite St Joseph's RC church before the buildings were demolished and Timberlakes British Leyland car dealership was built on the site. Then in the 1980s it was B and Q,and now it is Go Outdoors.The white car is a low spec Mk3 Ford Cortina, possible registration LGO228K, and in front a three wheel Reliant Regal whose registration can't be identified. A Vauxhall Viva HC is going down Wallgate.

Bob, there was a Catholic Repository all around this stretch of Caroline St, which sold statuettes etc.
It was still there in 1977 a few years after this photo was taken, when Wallgate was my regular beat as a Police Constable.

And the Burger paints lorrie is Ford D.

Is the shop shown, a branch of Sherringtons, who had premises in Scholefield Lane, Scholes?.

Thanks Mick, I was just wondering, where that single lady is walking past if that was the shop? I remember one here or was it further up towards the church. If you say it was still here after this shot was taken then it can't be. It was only a tiny shop and always remember it.

It will be the same Sherringtons, Albert.
They also had branches in the Makinson Arcade, and on Kenyon Road, and at Pemberton, on the corner of Ormskirk Road and Fleet St.

Reliant Regal's registration appears to be LTC530H

Bob,the religious shop (Lathams) was the one on the left which looks like it's bricked up..I and my Schoolfriends got all our rosary beads,prayer books etc from there,I do miss having a little shop like that..there was one in Wigan centre but of course that's gone now..and the local Bobby would take us over the road exactly where Sherringtons shop is,happiest days of my life.

Maureen. I did that duty, on numerous occasions, in the the late fifties, early sixties. Plus making sure the factory lassies got across the road safely, near to Miry Lane, late afternoon. Happy days.

Sherringtons also had branches in Scholes (almost opposite the top of Greenhough St) on the Whelley side of Schofield Lane) and in Whelley (almost opposite Vine St.)

Bob. I think you are correct regarding the location of the shop. Although it's boarded up and seemingly derelict in this photo from 1973, it was still standing four years later, and must have been reopened.

Sherrington's on Kenyon Rd is now a pub called, wait for it, Sherrington's!

sherringtons shop was the Bee Hive pub on wallgate;the double discount shop was the Machine House pub on the corner of caroline st

Thanks Maureen and Mick.

Albert,I bet you met some rum uns from that area..I was brought up just across the road further up..Great George St and wouldn't have swapped it for a gold mine.

Maureen . One Saturday night a battle started outside of the Bankes Arms. Involving four men. Being Saturday night I was doubled up in Wallgate with a colleague. We tried to separate them, but they turned on us. A big noisy crowd had gathered around shouting, and bawling, but not interfering . My colleague then drew his truncheon, and then the crowd turned really against us. Fortunately the Black Maria turned up, and the four were taken to King Street Police Station. At that time the height of a constable in the Wigan Police was not less than 5’ 10””. Apparently now, because of a ruling about classifying people, there are now no height restrictions.

Hello Albert,I've noticed that,which is stupid isn't it,especially with the knife crime as it is now..I think I've mentioned this before..the Bobby that used to take us across the road after School used to say to me "don't forget young lady youre joining us after you've finished School" but of course things didn't turn out that way..I've regretted it ever since...re the ruffians Albert,my Dad worked for Fina Products in Blackpool,.the odd time he would leave his van parked behind our house on the Ropewalk..some lads broke in and stole a lot of goods,my Dad waited for them the night after,caught them,and threatened them with the Police if they didn't bring the cost of the goods,within a couple of days a knock at the door with apologies and the cash,which my Dad told them to keep but learn your lesson from it..one of the lads started going to Church every Sunday until he died..I don't think today's thugs would do that Albert would they..today's thugs are where they are through drugs...it's been nice speaking with you Albert.

The feeling is mutual Maureen.

Maureen. I remember a Mrs Maggie Smith, lived a few houses up, in Queen Street. She and her husband were characters, her more so than her husband. I had the pleasure of her acquaintance on a few occasions. I believe she unfortunately came to a very sad end. May she R.I.P.

Yes Albert,I used to go past her house on going to my friends at the top of Queen St..Maggie lived at the bottom..she did indeed come to a sticky end...I heard that her Husband had a very unusual talent..he would stand with his back to a bridge then leap backwards onto the bridge..but they certainly were well known..I know more about them Albert but have to be careful on a forum..re the policeman I told you about taking us across the road..I met him around the old market,his words were "I've been in quite a few areas but never known characters as colorful as Wallgaters"..I think he hit the nail on the head Albert.

I assume that at some point shortly after 1973, the Caroline Street area under went a massive re-generation? I was born in the late 1970s and as a child I have always remembered Caroline Street much as it is now - mainly a business area. I do remember the widening of Wallgate (from the Pier boathouse up to the junction with Queen Street) which involved the development of the dual carriageway & central reservation where the wagon is seen in this photograph. I believe much of the Wallgate widening took place in 1983/84. I cannot actually remember when the B&Q site was developed & first opened - this would be to the left of this picture. The large building would have come down to make way for the widening of the road and to accommodate the two filter lanes going left out of the town towards the Saddle Junction.

The building on the left had gone before I got to grips with this area. The shops opposite were still there as was the Grapes Pub. Baldwin Timberlakes dealership occupied the space where the big building on the left is

Does anyone remember the Lannon family, they used to live in Caroline street. My grand dad was a Miner and unfortunately died in a mining accident before I was born. I doubt he would recognise Caroline street now, and the sorry state of St Joseph's .

From what I recall this was a typical view of many parts of the town in the 70s yet people continually maintain it was a better place than it is now.

I am not too sure

Joe Latham who ran the Catholic Repository (also it was a newsagent, tobacconist, and sweet shop) was the husband of my aunt Agnes Barlow