Wigan Album

I think you are right Eddie, The kerbs on the right are leading to Birkett Bank Terrace and the top of the old St Cats school is top left

Ceratinly Schlefield land but from the angle I would say taken from the top of where Gee Street used to be. Hard to tell what has been demolished. Parts of the new school seem up, so I would suggest the rubble is whats left of the Spotted Cow which was by the old school playground.

didn't Holland Street run between Schofield Lane and the Church as well?

Think I am going to throw a shell on the disappearing Anderson shelter and agree with Scholes Malcolm. I cannot visual is that angle from Hardybutts. My first thought was of Holland St

Tom Walsh will know this

I see what you mean, it's a little too close to the church to be Scholefield lane. Still, you need to remember, you lot have the advantage of having been brought up round here, whereas I'm still waiting for my asylum claim to be approved.

Eddie Holland st did run parallel to Schofield Lane Look at the distance between the School and the church . In researching my family The census shows my grandmother living in Holland St with her mother,and4 brothers and sisters AND another family of 4 lodging with them

Hope you are not using that Anderson shelter for any other asylum seekers Eddie!

Just noticed that the building on the far left of the photo seems to have the same outline in reverse as the one in photo 27054 entitled Cambridge Street but probably Linney Street. Hope this helps identification. If that building is St Catherines School then, looking at the 1960 map on this site Item #: 18293 - it does look as though this might be from Birkett Bank Terrace as AB originally suggested.

That's the reception and infants block of St Catharine's school, the juniors used the old school until the rest of the school was built onto the infant block at a later date.

It's filling up rapidly I have to say Vb, still, I think I may be able to sprise one or two more in there.

If you have a couple of hundred in the shelter you will have to be "sprised" out! At least you are in a nice area behind Morpind Gatehouse .-the weather is not looking good though do you think the owners might provide tea and coffee and a few blankets? Or perhaps the WVS might bring some jam buttees

Whilst we're on the subject, is the correct spelling Catharine, Catherine, or Katherine? I suppose I could go up to Lorne St. and find out for myself except I'm suffering from sciatica at the moment. Also Kirkless, it's marked on the map as Kirkless, but Kirklees crops up from time to time. I'd really like a definitive answer.

Eddie it is Catharine. Sciatica could be a result from sleeping in bomb shelters! Sorry everybody if this is becoming boring .....that's my last word on the subject!

Seeing as how you've nailed your colours to the mast, I'd better prepare a space for you in the Anderson shelter Vb., you do realise don't you, that someone, sooner or later is going to contradict you?. Wait for it !

Eddie, it's Kirkless. Kirklees is the Huddersfield district - in foreign parts.
Thanks for putting up all the photos.

Well Eddie I dont mind being contradicted if it is Tom Walsh cos he is very good. I used to live at the bottom of Belvoir St so I am familiar with seeing the clock on the steeple. We used to check the time if our clock was slow - some people near us didn't have a clock so they would use St Catharine's. Anyway I am not very good with directions either so I am probably wrong as to whereabouts that street is. So I might join you in the Anderson Shelter - be aware I could have had a hand in making those shells as I did work at the ROF Chorley late sixties to mid seventies. I think they are still being used!!!!I had best bring my hot water bottle then!

Vb,my Mam was at the ROF in the sixties.

The road is definitely Schollefield lane/Birkett Bank looking over what is left of Holland St towards the front of St Catherine's church!
My wife lived at 32 Holland St.

You can rest easy and lay the hot water bottle up Vb, I had a ride up there earlier and guess what?, you're perfectly correct. St. Catharine's church, directly opposite St. Catharine's, school, both of which, rather perplexingly are situated in Catherine terrace at the top of Catherine St. How logical is that? No wonder this country emerged victorious from two world wars. We probably confused the enemy into submission. Standing at the top of Hardybutts however, and despite my previous comment, I feel quite certain that my original attempt at identifying the site was correct. Speaking of the R.O.F., incidentally, you weren't a 'det ' carrier by any chance were you? I used to deliver coal in bulk from Cronton colliery to that place back in the late 60's. It was for the boilers and it involved a drive of the best part of a mile through the site to the bunkers, with a security guard riding shotgun. You were obliged to give those ' det ' carriers a wide berth. And how about all those bikes they used to ride about the place on, how robust were they? They could have probably survived a direct hit from one of your shells. I wonder where they all ended up?, scrap no doubt. I wish I could have got my hands on one of those beauties. Better give it a rest for now, I'm getting carried away. Cheers. Eddie.

I knew I was correct really because as a teenager 13/14 we used to hang out in a gang near the outdoor license. One time the window got broken and we all fled hiding behind the gravestones.We did all have to pay up about 3s each by taking bottles back for money. Yes Maureen and Eddie happy times at the ROF. No not a det carrier but strangely enough worked on Inspection of fuses. I did not have a bike but there was internal buses to take you to your place of work. Very strict procedures on entering at the gates. Good job I don't need the water bottle then. anyway there were 2 shelters so I could have one of my own!


Z

The road is definitely Schollefield lane/Birkett Bank looking over what is left of Holland St towards the front of St Catherine's church!
My wife lived at 32 Holland St.

Hello, Bill is definitely correct it is looking towards Holland Street, the skyline from left to right, if I remember correctly, would be St Catharine's School, the space would have been Linney Street, the next roof would have been the Co-op Shop and where the roof is lower I think would have been Mr Ainscough's Grocery shop with two or three houses, space again think is Caunce Road/Street, then it leads into Lorne Street. Some excellent pics appearing lately.
Regards to all

Yes! Veronica I remember that window getting broken,I was there with you.Bambers out door licence it was.Mr Bamber was very kind, and didn't tell our parents, because it was an accident.I knew their daughter very well, Olga.