Wigan Album

They look like solid dependable characters. The types that wore tweed suits and smoked pipes. Having said that Mr Hailwood looks as if he’s got a cigarette in his left hand.

I love the risque (for the 50's) pin up calendar in the background

Veronica, So did Jimmy Savile, Rolph Harris, Cyril Smith
to name but a few.

What a reply to Veronica's comment ! Talk about making judgements ! Don't know the gentleman on the left but Mr.Topping seemed to be well thought of in Ince.

Jimmy SoVile never ‘looked’ a dependable character to me. I wasn’t surprised about the other two either. But you can never tell by the looks alone though as you say in this ‘liberated’ day and age Wiganer.

Henry Topping was Chairman of the Council in 1946 - so perhaps still a Councillor in 1956 - and perhaps on the Public Health Committee, rather than being an official? Just a thought.

You’re right Jane. Those two gentlemen shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as those vile men of a
later time..
My view was of a photo in the fifties of two local gentlemen occupied in an office of service.

Thanks Veronica.x

Was Harry Topping the same man who later had the Hindley & Abram Museum at Hindley Library?

wiganer, the folks in charge and others too must have known what those evil men got up to with young children, and being just as guilty by turning a blind eye to what they did; instead of putting a stop to it.

Thanks Veronica.x

Nice men wouldn't have a calendar like that on the wall.
Just imagine if you was one of there secretaries and had to look at a semi naked women from January to December.

You can hardly see the woman in the calendar…! Imagination can play tricks. There’s far worse in today’s world with the clothes some young girls wear night clubbing.

You're so right Veronica a lot of them look like a cross between a hoover and a drag artiste.

No Cyril,the chap who helped run the Museum at Hindley was Jack Topping RIP.

I posted this photo just as a record of two local me n who served Ince Council for many years. I did not anticipate that it would become a forum for the activities of Saville, Harris & Co based on a blurred,out of focus calendar in the background. For the record, I can remember these calendars which were received every year from a local builder and alternated between portrait type head shoulder shots and chocolate box cottages. I don’t think that they would offended even Mary Whitehouse (if anyone remembers her). If I could remove the photo I would as I do not think some of these remarks should be associated with the gentlemen concerned.

Rev. Long: Harry Topping served as a Public Health Inspector with Ince UDC from the 1940s until it’s demise in 1974 when, I think, he was their Chief Public Health Inspector. Henry Topping was indeed an Ince Councillor but, as far as I know they were not related.

Should have gone to Specsavers,should be 'hooker',not 'hoover' !

I for one apologise Arthur I never expected comments of that nature to be posted either from what I commented.

Answer for Jane & Veronica So you two are not making judgements,
niether was i just a comment.

Thanks for the clarification, ArthurP.

Sorry,should be 'hooker' not 'hoover' !

Your comment was tactless mine was an innocent observation Wiganer. Nothing judgmental about it. Let that be an end to it for the sake of the person who has posted this photo and the two distinguished gentlemen in it.

Yes Wiganer, and your comment was uncalled for.

Not too sure I should be adding fuel to fire but I had an intriguing moment wrestling with the notion "they look like a cross between a hoover and a drag artiste", until Julie’s explanation.

Okay thanks Elizabeth, a great pity that the museum had to close as it had a lot of interesting artefacts and ephemera.

Yes Cyril,you are right.They had a great collection of items,it is a shame.

I used to enjoy going in the museum when I was young.The object that facinated me most was a skull in a glass case,never found out what or where it came from.

I used to enjoy going in the museum when I was young.The object that facinated me most was a skull in a glass case,never found out what or where it came from.

What a shame that a historical photograph ,of interest to some ,has generated such uncalled for and unrelated comments.

What a shame that a historical photograph ,of interest to some ,has generated such uncalled for and unrelated comments.