Wigan Album

Thought it was actually in Bickershaw though?

No, Jeanette, it's in Hindley although accessed from Bickershaw,

It's on the border of Hindley and Bickershaw. Approaching it from Bickershaw, it is at the end of Gibson Street where my husband's mate lives, and that is in Bickershaw, but when I was at Hindley Grammar School in the mid-late 1960s, we used to go on "cross-country" runs in the Double Games Lesson on a Wednesday afternoon. Down Park Road, HINDLEY, past Leyland Park, to the railway lines, then across the railway bridge, The prison was situated there, on the border. It was a borstal then, for young offenders, and the lads used to be working in the fields as we girls passed by. Of course as soon as we were out of sight of the games mistress, we slowed to a walk and strolled along singing the latest songs, such as Puppet on a String. I was going out with Peter then, (I was 15), and his half-day off from work was Wednesday, and I used to phone him from the phone-box in Bickershaw Lane which is still there! All so long ago as I am 70 in two weeks' time....oh dear!

You’re still a spring chicken Irene compared to most of us on here.. I believe 70 is the new 60 anyway, or so they say…..;o))

Veronica, Hindley nick has a bad reputation. What was it like when you and Irene were inmates?

We were in charge Bruce, it went down after we went onto other things..there was a riot after we left… the inmates went on hunger strike they thought we would come back but it was not to be…

It were Bickershaw Borstal.

Always known it as Hindley Borstal.I can remember it starting to be built.

Great photo of the blocks!
My dad was posted to 'HINDLEY BORSTAL' from Gloucester Prison in 1961, when he started the cell doors were not yet on, he had been a Joiner by trade (pre war) so was hang doors at first before the 'guests' arrived.
The quarters were not ready, only the bottom half of Gibson Street. On the even side there were a few old terraced houses at the top of the street, demolished in the mid 1960's.
In December 1961 my parents moved into No. 46 Gibson Street, no water connected for a week, thick mud for months as there was no pavements made up, they had 4 boys under 6!
May 1962 they moved up the street to another brand new house (4 bed) number 28 and I was born (March 63) in the back bedroom.
As far as we know I was the first baby conceived and born in the quarters (Gibson Street)? My birth was registered at Hindley Registry Office!