Wigan Album

Thanks for all these lovely photos of the Market Hall, Ron. I don't recall the name of this stall but I recall a "Dolls' Hospital" in the Hall in the late 50s/early 60s, where you could get broken dolls mended.

Irene I remember the Doll's Hospital as well, must have taken a favourite there sometime.

I can remember getting my action man from this stall.

Wish I knew where the was a dolls hospital these days I have a blackie doll (not sure if allowed to call them that these days) that needs a little op x

My Dad used to sing me a lovely little song about a little blackie doll before I went to sleep. I would love to sing it to my grandchildren but daren't these days, in case people hear them singing it. Just a lovely, innocent song...what a sad misguided society we live in!

I used to take my dolls to the dolls Hospital,I've always loved dolls,still do.....as a child I seemed to catch every illness going and my Aunty Mary always brought me a doll,there I was lying in bed again in the front parlour when there would be a knock on the door,I'd look through the window and there would be my Aunty Mary with another doll.One year she brought me a black doll,as soon as I was better my Mam took me to mesnes park,put my doll down and it was gone...someone had taken her so....when I grew up I bought one myself and still have her,sorry to be long winded but I just love dolls.

You're not long-winded maureen, just full of lovely memories...keep them coming!

Every little girl had a black doll back then. I had one, she was called Tusha (?) I still have her along with Betsy Wetsy...3 guesses why she was called that...Angela & a poor looking Patricia, who is in dire need of a doll's hospital !

I never seem to see little girls with dolls anymore,I wonder why.

My Grandaughter Edie always turns up at our house clutching a doll.

God luv' her Irene,she must be a proper little girl.

Had lots of my dolls fixed at the hospital

The name of this stall was Forshaws. I worked here on Saturdays for a couple of years until i started nursing in 1981. Mrs Forshaw was a lady and always nice. she is seated on the right. I think that was her husband but dont really recall him . The lady stood up on the left is Muriel Gorner. I have very happy memories of working there, and remember all the matchbox cars we sold it felt very sociable as everyone who passed or stopped at the stall said hello or stopped for a chat. They also had the model shop on Market Street which her son ran.

The dark-haired lady bottom right is my Auntie Joan.

A PROPER Toy Stall not a computer game in sight. Kids in those days made their own entertainment and used their imagination

I am sure if computer games were around in our childhoods Ron we, like todays youngsters would struggle to put them down.