Wigan Album

Ron: Probably Billinge Hospital behind the trees on the right, and Bispham Methodist Church in the distance.

I am quite sure that this was taken on Upholland Road, outside the hospital. I suspect that it was Bispham Methodist. St Luke's walked up Upholland Road, but turned into the hospital grounds further down, almost opposite the junction with Crank Road, if memory serves me right. I don't remember St Aiden's walking as far as the hospital.

Definitely UpHolland Road. The building in the middle distance is now the convenience store. This view has changed very little.

Mick
That building you mentioned...Wasnt it a cafe once. I remember going in there in the 60's. And the church and church hall at the side by Crank Road.

Johnny - it might have been a cafe in the 1960s, but I only remember the building from the early 1970s onwards, during which time it has always been a shop.

The front people are about to descend into Longshaw

Helen B: You're quite right. The children of St Aidan's didn't approach Billinge Hospital on their Walking Days during the 1950's. The children departed from their school's playground - situated on Main Street, and proceeded to the front of The Hare and Hounds pub where their admirable U-turns ensured the return (also taking in the lower end of the village) to school for their tea went as planned. Soon after having their tea, and a quick change of clothing, it was no more than a hop skip and a jump to reach The Dingle (Banks Park) for the Fun 'n' Games. Two prizes I remember receiving at the games were a Corky ball and a dagger ('strewth') which had a steel blade and leather-bounded handle. Great days, though.
John: The Convenience store which Mick has pointed out, was indeed a café (with Juke-Box) during the 1960's, while the hall alongside the church which you mentioned, was also known as Bispham Youth Club.

I am very sorry to upset a lot of people but this photo is near the Abbey Lakes they have just come from the direction cross roads at the stag inn Orrel.

Looks like Upholland Road to me, and I was brought up there. That looks like Bispham Methodist Church on the skyline for sure.

That's a stylish lady centre stage. Looks more 40's than 50's? Irene??

I'll have a pint of what ever Alan Winstanleys been drinking. This is nothing like Orrell road between Orrell post and Abbey Lakes. I've lived round there for nearly sixty years and its never looked like that. Definitely up near Billinge hospital.

Thanks Philip for confirming my suspicions!
I recall having many a refreshment in there after a jaunt on Billinge (Lump) Hill! You may have been present with John Boardman and the other John?

Also Philip, remember the dances on a Friday night in Bispham Hall and going into the Foot next door for a swift half of mild!!

Philip & Johnny,
I used to hang out myself at the 'hospital cafe', as we used to call it, in the 60's.
As to Walking Days, I walked with St Luke's, and I am sure we used to sing hymns in the grounds of Billinge Hospital before returning to Orrell. I seem to remember Bispham Methodists walking along Upholland Road, turning at 'Dark Lane', then back and up to the Hare & Hounds, from where they they returned to the Chapel. That would be in the 50's.

Helen B: St Luke's songsters in the hospital's grounds would certainly have had an uplifting effect on the hospital's patients as well.

Philip,
I would like to think so!

HelenB
I would like to think I may have slipped you a Coca-Cola one Sunday Afternoon ;O)

Johnny,
You might well have done"

HelenB
;o)

I CAN PUT A FEW NAMES TO THE PHOTO THE LADY AT THE FRONT WAS MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR JOAN SMITH WHO LATER MARRIED RICHARD UNSWORTH AND THE LADY ON THE LEFT BEHIND JOAN WAS DOREEN WILSON WHO MARRIED RICHARDS TWIN BROTHER NORMAN ,THE MAN AT THE FRONT IS SYDNEY LOWE AND THE TALL MAN IN THE DISTANCE IS MAURICE HILTON AND THE LADY FRONT RIGHT IS MARRION HILTON ,SADLY JOAN AND NORMAN PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I STILL SEE RICHARD MOST NIGHTS IN BISPHAM CLUB .

Tremendous effort, Dave. Bravo!

This is definately Bispham Methodists. I recognise Joan Smith and Marion Hilton who ran the Primary. I must be somewhere in the procession. This is going past the hospital.