Wigan Album

Paddy was taking a chance in daylight.

The Beast Master on his throne with Nosferatu on his RHS and Dracular on his left.

I'm 3rd row above Fal and Sav in between and slightly below 'Beef' Heaton and Somers( of Oliver Somers bike shop fame, or at least his grandad was). I must have been stood on a brick, I wasn't that tall. I sometimes struggle to remember yesterday nowadays, but I can still name everybody in my class and all the staff of 50 years ago. I still have my framed copy of this photo somewhere in the loft. Pity it is cut short or you would see the same lad at both ends. He had run round the back as the camera was traversing the 'shot'. The happiest day of my life was when I left!!

Fame at last! I've got my photo in Wigan World. 3rd row back from Sav and Fal, slightly below and between 'Beef' Heaton and Oliver? Somers. I must have been stood on my satchel, I wasn't that tall then! Why can I still name everybody in my class and all the staff of 50 years ago, but struggle to remember what I had for tea yesterday? The happiest day of my life was when I left.I still have the original framed photo somewhere in the loft. Pity it has been cut short or you would have seen the same lad at both ends after he had run behind as the camera was traversing.

Is that Keith Trencher who made the first comment?

your right there Dave, pity it was not the full photo I must be on the part censored.

Who's the master between Frankie Balmer and Cocky?

Hello Frank. Yes, I think we were in the same class at one time.( re your query of ages ago which I have only recently read). Is it not 'Rocket' Stephenson between Cocky and Frankie Balmer? Incidentally, I saw Cocky's name spelt 'Corcoran' on another site. Is it not 'Cochrane'? Not that it matters, he has probably been dead for eons!! Dave Whitter.

Hi Dave. I always thought Cocky's name was spelt "Corcoran" but the WGS web site spells it "Cockram" which more readily explains his nickname. I was always the smallest in the class so I must be stood on a stool. "Rocket" Stephenson? Genuinely don't know.

Is it not Dick Dowling , English master who used to nick your toffees and pass them round.

I am 99.9% certain that it is 'Rocket'. (100% really, but I don't want to sound too clever in case somebody provides irrefutable proof that I am wrong) Dick Downing is the guy on Cockie's left. 110% positive on that one!

It is frightening how many of the blokes of our age are now dead. I can point out half a dozen at least, some of whom died or were killed over 40 years ago. Keep spending the kids' inheritance whilst you still can! All in my year reach 65 by next July at the latest. Its being so cheerful that keeps me going.

Hi Dave. Rocket's certainly aged a lot in the 5 years since the Staff Photo of 1953.

Hi Frank, Which one do you think is Rocket on the 1952 staff photo? I don't see him! I have a vague recollection that he only came to the school when we were there. I cant even remember his subject. Staff from left to the best of my failing memory are:- Molyneux,Cooper, Eccles, Balmer, Stephenson, Cochran(m), Downing, Leyland, Savigny, Wolstenholme, Nutt, Boswell, Ashley-Smith, Gore, Walker, Skirrow and Griffiths. Missing were Taylor, Roberts, Leigh,Shepherd, Mme Tyson, Rimmer, Johnson, Rigby, Bradburn and possibly others that I forget. Incidentally,the guy in an earlier comment last year who said I was wrong in identifying Franky Balmer on the Staff photo really should scroll left. He would see another figure on Franky's left, but don't ask me who it is! Cheers.

Dave are sure thats Eccles and not Taylor. Also its Woflenden - not sure about spelling.

Hi Dave. On the staff photograph, Rocket is on the back row, right as you look at the photo(just in shot). If you look at the comments section(ninth from the end) you will see the names of all the masters (in block capitals) and if you go down a few more comments you'll see how I did it (by cheating). Happy nostalgia trip if you've never been into the WGS web-site before.

Hi Bloomoon. That's definitely Eccles. I don't think Taylor was there until later in 1958 or possibly 59.

I'm with Bloomoon - I think that is Taylor not Cakey.

Bloomoon. It was Gus Wolfendale not Wolfenden.

Cant see Pobs on this pic.

Hi Peeping Tom. Not certain, but I don't think Pobs was there in 1958. Still think that it's Cakey and not Taylor:o)

Hi Peeping Tom. you are correct, it was Gus Wolfendale not Wolstenholme. However, it is definately Cakey Eccles not Taylor. Taylor wasn't at the school in 1958.

Dave, I took French every year from 1957 and can only remember two French teachers Taylor and Ellison. Hard Cheese Ellison started about 60 or 61 so if Taylor wasnt there in 58 who taught me French?

Hi Peeping Tom. If I had to guess I'd say that Taylor started Autumn, 1958. Cakey taught me for the first three years 1955-58 and then Taylor during O-level year 1958-59. The photograph was taken in April, 1958.

Cant argue Frank but I know that Taylor had one of them "Bunty" quifs that your man Cakey has on the photo. In fact they look pretty similar i.e. my memory of Taylor and the bloke you say is Cakey.

Hi Peeping Tom. Although I remember Cakey very well I couldn't really bring Taylor to mind until you mentioned quiffs. I see what you mean. We could do with the rest of the photograph to see if there's another Cakey; I'm only guessing that Taylor started Autumn '58. Speaking of quiffs, outrageous in this case, gives you a clue as to which one I am on the photo(not the one behind Molyneux/Cooper: that's John Hewitt)

I had in fact forgotten Molyneux. I did recognise the face on tghis pic. Cant remember what he taught me - was it Geog? I recall a school pal always repremanded me for pronouncing the name Molynyoo istead of Molynex. What hapened to McQuade? I understand he is no longer with us through tragic circumstances but I would think he was around at the time of this pic.

Hi Peeping Tom. As far as I can remember, Molyneux did teach geog. I think both pronunciations are correct: depends on the family: even heard it pronounced Molyno.

Johny Mcquade was my form master for a year or two and probably started around 1960/61. He was always very decent with me, so it's sad to hear that he might have passed away in tragic circumstances (and probably not very old from the sound of it).

dont worry boys the other three installments of this photo will soon be published,,,am in the process,,,then all then all "cellmates and guards "will on view

Hi Jim. Brilliant.

I've had to smile at this pic. Ian Whitaker, Bill Ashurst and Joe Fairhurst .. a teahers nightmare ,, how many wacks did they get between em. Joe Boz would've been on the dole without em. If Dixie was there they'd have a royal flush. Diamond geezers all.

My Dad Geoffrey Buckley is on the back row 9th from the right - next to him (8th from right) is 'Jelly' Jackson. By that time he was age 17 and studying for his A levels. I'm sorry to say that Dad passed away last May (25th) from heart failure. He was 68. He had very fond memories of the Grammar School though

Sorry, Dad was 18 and 'Jelly' Jackson I think was called Geoffrey Jackson - he used to play piano during the assembly and try to incorporate some Jerry Lee Lewis phrases during hymns. It was around that time that my Dad went to see Buddy Holly at the Ritz too.

Does anyone remember "Basil" Whitaker, brother of Ian. If so, what was his proper first name?

cockram was how the name was spelled.In 1956,he gave the whole second year the following 500 lines each after we were causing mayhem "Little boys should not pontificate in the absence of their elders "--ouch!He was also famous for the saying that he would "...jump down your throat and swing on your tonsils."

"Basil"Whittaker was Michael Whittaker.Basil was the dad's name and would you believe it,he was a police inspector.

Allan. Thanks for that. I knew Ian better than Bas and I did know their dad was a rozzer.

OK Frank,,big quif,,behind Frankie..You are reinstated ,, a genuine Grammar Grub. Wait till I see that little bird ,, I'll shoot her,,well not really. By the way Frankie was one of the best ,, bark worse than his bite.

My dad is on there Brian Gaskell, second row, third lad from the left of the headteacher. I love this photo, i don't have many of him as a kid, he died on April 22nd this year, just 62, from a heart attack, I hope there are folk out there that can tell me about him at school!

just a few more names , back row RtL
Jack Cheers, Carl Armstrong,Derek Hooton,Alan Winstanley,John Ritson, dave garrington.

Second row, extreme right. Richard Garswood. Born 1946, which would make him 12 and in Year 2. (Grammar School started age 11).