Wigan Album

Yes I can just about see the Edge its on the left of Trencherfield Mill, I think.

You are a marvel Keith, the photo is much bette and more detail. I don't think the Post and Chronicle printed colour in those days, technology to day at our fingers tips.

Much better in colour, because that's how we would see it, back in the day. Thanks Keith.

Timberlakes old garage on the left after the jack knifed lorry

Hi Bob, The artic lorry is turning right into Caroline Street. Cheers, Ray.

Again I would like to thank both Arthur and Sandra for their very kind remarks but I’m merely taking advantage of today’s incredible technology, by pressing a few keys. Frank Orrell is the man who took these great shots and all the credit must go to him. If you don’t have a good, or very good original photo the result can be very different. We’re so fortunate that Frank has taken so many brilliant photographic records of our home town.

The HGV has not jack_knifed, its simply turning right from Wallgate on to Caroline St. The Leyland car garage was Baldwins and Timberlakes.

Thanks Keith for your comments and the brilliant job that you did colourising the pictures. I've not posted many pictures recently because I'm busy researching for images of 1960s Wigan for a future book. I'll put some of these pictures on at a later date. It's good to have a site like wiganworld to post my images because they reproduce really well unlike in the Post and Chronicle days when photographs were poorly reproduced.

Thank you Frank, I can't wait to buy your latest book. Keep in touch.

Yes, many thanks to Frank for taking all those pictures of Wigan before and during the decades of destruction and to Keith who's colourization brings those pictures to life.
The Wheatsheaf was fine looking building, there must have been a great deal of profit in a pint of beer in those days for the Brewery to build such grand buildings.
About the only thing still standing is St Joseph's Church which is in a right sorry state of disrepair!

Frank, where do I obtain copies of your books these days as most book shops have closed?
I have a brilliant one titled 'About Standish' by M.D. Smith.

I've meant to ask you Arthur how you and Olive are keeping these days, I mislaid your new address and phone number and with not seeing either of you for some time I'm just asking if you are both going along to Stan's again for his new year do and if so I'll be seeing you there, I'm out in the far east at the moment choosing a new ?? but should be back in around three weeks or so and I'll introduce you all then.

Even though the originals are black/ white you can see they are taken by an expert. I Should think coloured photos were far more expensive at the time these photos were taken. I recall when rolls of coloured films first came out they were quite expensive to buy but it was thrilling to see the results.

Colin my options for selling the books have been cut back since Ryding's news stand in Wigan market hall closed down but they are still available at Shevington library, Pemberton Flowers shop in Ormskirk Road and a few in the Museum of Wigan Life in Library Street, Wigan. You can also buy the books directly from me and I can deliver to addresses within a reasonable distance of Wigan. All details are on my Frank Orrell Photography site. I've reduced the prices on all books by £5.

Thanks Frank, I will try Wigan Life when next in town.

Jack, can we all come to Stan's this New Year?
I am sure we would all love to meet Arthur and Olive and of course the Chosen One!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The single storey Livesey building attached to The Wheatsheaf is still there today and is Speedy Plant Hire but, the road now sweeps through where the Pub once stood.