Wigan Album

Thankyou Colin! That's brilliant. I remember those houses on Smith Gree, and Hesketh's Ironmongers so well. Have you got any more of Ince?

love pics of ince ,wish it were like that now!!

Ken's the barbers shop right in the corner behind the bus stop. Never seen as many boxing photos on a wall like Ken had. What a great place to live back then, Cheers Colin.

One of the nurses I worked with lived in one of those houses..very low ceilings..which I love..reminded me of a cottage,I thought it was a sin to pull them down..that photo just shows how lovely it looked and now sadly gone.

I must say how clean and bonny looking this little shopping area is, we seem to forget the past and to see how much better it was. Does anyone remember 10pence bar?

spent a lot of time on ince bar 57 to 60 was this near the police station or ashhurst pie shop

Rob... Surely tha means TEMPERANCE bar.. Dussn't

Right Gerry, 10p unheard of then, my mistake.

Cliff, Photo taken next to the chemist on Ince Green Lane. The Police station was based on Police St, and Ashurst pie shop was on the right hand side going up Belle Green Lane.

Not far off, Cliff. If you could pan the picture past the man who is walking along, you would come to two phone-boxes and then the Ince Green Lane/ Manchester Rd. crossroads.Opposite there would be Humphrey Street, which housed The Bug Cinema, and the Police Station was near to it. Keep on panning and you would come to Belle Green Lane where Ashurt's pie-shop, (also known to many as Cain's), stood. Wish it was still open.....I could just eat a Cain's pie!

now then Irene after all the years since my grandad gave up the shop your'e still slaverin' after them pies. There a bit stale now and cat's had a lick but you're welcome to one

Thanks, Neil, Ah'll 'ave a meyt'n'prato' pie an' a vanilla! I can remember running in with my friends, (although it was Ashurst's by then), shouting "'Ave yer any ice-buns Missis?....Well slorr on 'em!", and running out again in fits of giggles! I would love to do a Gary Sparrow and go back to the Ince Bar on the photo, just for another peep, and I would love everyone on these comments to come with me!

This picture just takes me back to the60s and walking with my grandad from Holt St.down to the Post Office him touching his cap and greeting folk. When he died in 1966 a chap stood by the roadside and doffed his cap as the hearse passed.Ince has never been a wealthy place but it was rich in many other ways. My visits now are made enjoyable by the friendly people I meet and their continuing good humour. To all Incers reading this thank you. Never change.

Isn't it funny how a photo can pluck at your heart and make you yearn for one last walk on those streets or say hello to folk who have long gone. Silly I know (gerrin' owd). Just where the man is walking, I stood there with my Grandma as she gave me a box of lead soldiers, I was out shoping with my Mam and they had stopped for a fradge. I was three or four at the time and it's as clear in my mind as if it was this morning.

That's lovely, Our Joseph!( And you're not as owd as me!) Neil is one of my best friends, and when he comes up from London we always have a trip to Ince.....dinner in Morrison's cafe and a reminisce up the cut bank and around the old streets, to where I went to school and to the spot where I stood to wait for my Dad coming out of the Wagon Works in George Street in his dinner-hour. Precious memories like your own, Joseph; it's good to share them with people who understand.

Thank you, Our Irene. 'Tis a special place with special memories for me.

neil, you dont happen to have the recipe for those pies do you ?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the bank in the photo, it was the single storey building, near the middle of the picture, not sure of the name but I think it was Deacons, looking at it now, it wasn't very secure, but we never had any bank jobs done, at least not to my mind, and I wish you lot would shurr up abowt them Pies, I'm on a diet.

I remember the pie shop under both names, really good bakers, the meat pies were great. I also remember a wool shop near by and a toffee shop across road. Can anyone remember the stinky toilets, but what was in it's place first....anyone?
Aitch, willian Deakons bank maybe, but I thought it was Barclays bank?

Come off it Aitch shoveling coal in them steam engines you should be thin as a rake.

Was it Williams Deacon's Bank, Aitch? Sorry for going on about Cains/ Ashursts pies, but they WERE delicious. A little of what you fancy does you good, Aitch!, (and have a buttered barm with it).

Josie, Neil will be tickled pink by your request for the pie-recipe, but I had a letter from him a few days ago and I think he is away visiting relatives on the South Coast until the middle of next week so may not see these last comments until he gets back, but he will be delighted to hear from Incers, so watch this space. It was his Auntie Jenny who was the cook when his grandad owned the shop and she made the pies. One of the assistants was named Ashurst, (I can't recall her first name), and she and her husband took over when old Mr. Cain retired, so the recipes were carried on. Neil still visits their daughter in Careless Lane. I have a brooch of Jenny's which Neil's Uncle Stan, (her husband), passed on to me just before he died, aged nearly 100, and I am proud to wear it at the 1940s events which Peter and I attend whenever we can. What a lot of lovely stories have come from this photo.....more to come, I hope.

Lovely story irene..I remember that nice cared for garden by ince council back then it was lovely like all the flowers in ince park. All the poppies for rememberance Sunday, and then the big christmas tree in the centre all lit up with coloured bulbs. It was a real little cosy small shopping area. Can anyone remember what was the shop where the Post office is now, i can't think what it was back than???

What a lot of lovely replies and I don't come from Ince.

I think the shop at the bottom of Careless Lane was Lygoes, and the one on the corner of the next street towards Rose bridge was Athertons, I think there was a petrol pump outside of that one, although I never saw it in use, he used to sell and repair bikes as well as selling other odds and ends, the next corner shop on the next street further up towards the bridge was Woodcocks toffee shop, the things that spring to mind when you start getting older, who remembers the doctors surgery, next to the barbers, it finally finished up as the Pennygate Medical centre.

Close to it Aitch, the bike shop was Andertons, the petrol pumps did work (although not very often) they sold paraffin too. The old chap had a milkround and he always wore mustard coloured overalls, his Mrs looked after the shop. I remember going there afew times for bike bits, you would open the door, ding the bell would ring out, about five minutes later she'd appear with these stern words WHAT DO-YA WANT, it was very scary as kids, in reality she would have been a lovely lady...Honest.

Colin. Their is a famous Ince character not on the photo.
He was always standing at Ince bar in the 50s +60s +70s
I will let you all guess who this person is.? D.C.

bob, i remember the stinky toilets ,there used to be a pub around that spot , i dont mean the one thats a gym now ,it was near the forms as we called them at bottom of belle green lane in the 50s,also the toffee shop was bourdmans, they had a daughter called pamella ,and the wool shop was annie cappers ,

aitch , it was billy lygos pawn shop,my hubby said he used to run like billio from rose bridge school every friday to collect his dads suit he didnt want anybody to see him ha ha.

derek, was it billy lion (clapper) lovely character,

aitch, in the picture across from lygoes is hesketh bros had to put my glasses on as i couldnt think of the name of the shop, they too wore a sort of overall coat thing in a funny mustardy camel colour, i used to go there for parrafin for my dad,think they were a hardware shop .

irene, we must be so alike ,as i also visit my old birth place not that i have moved away i live very near hr ince ,just a few weeks ago me and alan had a lovely day with my cousin gerry mawdsley , we started at the top of belle green lane,and walked the path where we played as kids its a bit overgrown now ,we got to canal and walked to top lock ,we crossed the bridge and eventually came to the golf links hindley,but our mission that day was to find a special spot,we have a lovely photo of our aunty mildred mawdsley ,she is sitting on a stone wall and we all tryed to find out on WW where it was the photo was taken in the 50s anyway our gerry knew where it was and we found it, it was incredable, the wall was a lot lower than in the pic and our gerry took pics of me sat in the same spot as our aunty ,i havent put them on here yet but he has sent me some toutched up pics, with aunty mildred and me together on the pic theire dead good ,i have the same frock on and everything ,all in all we had a beltin day out remanising i really enjoyed it xx

Josie, the pub was the Horseshoe at the bottom of Belle Green Lane, and the toilets were at the side of there, many a time I have sat behind the bug, when we couldnt afford to pay to go in, and listened to the matinee instead of watching, and used the old bogs at the side of the Horseshoe, I think there is a photo of it on here somewhere, straight facing the pub on the opposite side of Belle Green lane, was Joe Gaskells shop, where we used to go to get our accumulators charged for our old wireless sets, Joe had a wireless shop, you could also buy the batteries for them, for which you needed a trolley to take home, they were that big, I would like to see one compared to one of today's batteries

How can I forget Billy Lyon, Derrick, a great Ince character, he lived on Petticoat Lane with his brother. I always remember him standing on Ince bar next to the white house pub (now a gym) as Josie says clapping his hands and biting his fingers. On day, after school, (Rose Bridge) me and a mate crossed his path where he used to stand, we burst out laughing and he give chase towards Belle Green Lane, We outran him (just) and mi mam couldn't belive how quick we got home from school. We tasted fear that day. thanks Derrick.

Josie, the Hardware store on the wall reads: Hesketh Bros Hardware Ironmongers, you're right the brothers did ware those mustard coloured overalls (must be a 60s thing) I used to go there for my nails to make them wooden trolly carts we all had, and wheels from old prams. They always had a lovely roaring coal fire in the back, and sold everything. They used the disused Bug Cinema for their stores... Great times.

sorry Colin, Billy didnt live in Petticoat lane, but I did (well Island row,) he lived on Manchester road in the houses between Millers Motorcar and bike shop, and the wagon works entrance, I wait to be corrected, the old memory isnt as good as it was, but I am near enough sure on that.

Hi Aitch, you maybe right about Billy Lyon living on Manchester Road...but in his later years up to his death, he lived with his brother at 33, Petticoat Lane, just round the corner of Grasmere where I once lived.

Can I just say what a great site WW is, it brings people who we've never seen, together.

Lovely memories, everyone; my friend Neil will enjoy reading these when he gets back next week. Josie, how lovely that you found that special spot and had your photo taken there. Your Gerry always makes me laugh with his comments on WW. I remember Lygoe's and Hesketh's, with the men in their brown overalls. If you wanted nails, you bought them by weight, and they shook them out of cardboard boxes onto little brass scales, then tipped them into a paper bag. Further along were Parr's Grates and Leyland's Wallpaper Shop. I remember Capper's and Pamella Boardman's parents' shop, and also Clapper and Harry Ciggy getting on the bus to Wigan at the Ince Bar stop. I remember the old toilets and the benches nearby, facing Tommy Enty's, and once someone had painted up on a nearby wall, "This is where all the lazy dole-men stand", and no-one ever stood there again! I also recall someone opening a cafe at the corner of Pickup St./Manchester Rd, (I think it's a florists now), called "The Ponderosa", and Sarah Lynn's cake-shop opened a branch in the same row, but their stuff was never as good as Cains/ Ashurts! The Temperance Bar, Barlow's Cloggers, I could go on and on.....who was that said "Oh, put a sock in it")?!!

You are not wrong there Colin, this is the best social site I have ever been on, and I am on 4 at present. I know that people will say its all about Ince, but it isnt although any photograph of Ince certainly stirs up the memories, as this one, just a snap and up till now 37 replies, I know Josie and Irene, will always have a good comment to make and so we should, after we have gone, there wont be many left to add more anecdotes about Old Ince, (not to be confused with the detritus that is Ince at present)and I hasten to add the founder of this site is a not so old Incer, who can be forgiven for going on to better things, so thanks to Brian for keeping us in touch with the past, the present, and hopefully the future,
and PS was the bank William and Glynns ???

Aitch, I've just had a look on the 1925 Ince Directory, and the bank just past Smithy Green was, in those days, The Union Bank of Manchester, BUT, across the road at the time, in the row where the temperance bar was, there was a Williams Deacons Bank.....That name seems to stick in my mind from the bank near Smithy Green when I was little, so maybe they moved from across the road. Earlier, someone mentioned Gaskell's television shop at the bottom of Belle Green Lane. We rented off him when I was little, and he used to have a face like thunder if you had to call him out. We got him out once because the picture was constantly "looping -the-loop", and , (very technical, this), he showed my Dad where to hit it! We eventually changed to Charnley and O'Neill's. Does anyone remember when launderettes suddenly became popular? I think there was one somewhere along Manchestser Road. And do you recall a clothes-shop up towards Rose Bridge? Barbara Thomas's, I think it was. I got a pair of tights from there when they first came out....believe it or not, they cost a fortune then! You're right, this is a brilliant site. I feel we are all friends.

Hi Irene, the was a Launderette on Manchester Rd, the corner of Stopford St...funny isn't it, how these memories come flooding back with the help of people like yourself.

We too got our telly from Charnley and O'Neill's, Our Irene, I remember Maureen who worked in there. Then Grundy's furniture shop with it's bouncy steep floor as you walked in, Mr Grundy himself or his son Alan was always there to greet you as you entered. Can anyone remember who ran the Temperance Bar in the 60's, I have a Mr's Kelly in my head from somewhere, also who was the big Bobby on crossing duty near the Squirrel around the same time.

Josie. You were right as were many more people it was Billy Lyon who I was talking about great character.
Colin. I wish I had been their when Billy chased you and your mate what a laugh that would have been, Do you remember
higher up on your photo, Off Ince Hall Ave near the canal a
company called Bifold they were fuel injection specialist,
I think they also had something to do with R+S Diesels of
Golborne thanks for the photo Colin what a good response you
have got.D.C

irene, i used to work in a small sewing factory over the top of that launderett, and i bought my first dansette record player from oneils it was 2 shillin a week with the help of my dad,and i remember thomases me and my friend bought some jeans but had to sit takeing them in by hand,accross the road a bit further down was a buchers and his wife used to cook heart and sell it in the shop , i remember going shopping on the bar most days with my son in the pram and as you got near that buchers the smell of that heart cooking was divine and she made stuffing to go with it mmmmm lovely on a butty,there were about 4 buchers shops then on the bar then.

thanks irene not been to ince 51 years and i look for good memorys from the old photos to think of old ince freinds not seen since 1960 hope photos keep comeing cliff

joseph , the temperence bar was owned by mr lucas think his name was lance, he had a son called lance and ime sure his dad was lance lucas, his son was a bit older than me couple of yrs i remember knocking about on bar with him and other lads and girls and playing kiss catch all round those streets great times,my mother was allways a church goer and every sunday me and my sister would go with her evening mass sorry to say not because we wanted to go to church but we knew we were going to the temp for a hot vimto or horlicks or hot chocolate, after church, there was a little bench to sit on while you had your drink aaaaaaaah take me back to that time , the times of our life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi cliff, where are you now? whats your surname and did u live in ince and if so where ,what school did you go to? ince is not like it was in the 60s sorry to say but its not the ince i grew up in,but i still go there and still go to my birth place and love it , last time i went up belle green lane was a few weeks ago and had a walk down hemfeild rd ,an old neighbour from york st where i was born came out of her house as she recognised me, her name is brenda galvin well thats her maiden name, we ended up in her house chatting about old times and she showed us a lovely photo of her brother brian who tradgically was run over by a bus on ince bar,in the 50s a little lad,we had a good day out that day and it just goes to show how neighbours were then those people are just the same today, the galvin family were and are a lovely family .

Josie, I used to go to the Monaco with my friend and neighbour Mary Shaw. She was a bit older than me, and was a friend of Mary Galvin, who we used to meet at the bus-stop. Mary Shaw and I married two brothers, so are now sisters-in-law. Another sister-in-law of ours, Rita Roberts , from Arnside Avenue, died some time ago, and I saw one of the Galvin girls outside St. William's at the funeral. More well-remembered shops are Morton's and Postlethwaite's Butchers. There was sawdust on the floor and great sides of beef hung on hooks, and if you weren't careful you walked straight into one! How different from tidy little plastic parcels of beef on the supermarket shelves. There was a greengrocers on Ince Bar, just round the corner fron The Squirrel, which I think was called , in later years, Elsie Robinson's,(I'm a bit hazy on that), but my Mam always called it Edie Traynor's, (maybe a former owner). Anyway, it sold fresh fruit and veg, fresh fish and bunches of flowers, and on a breezy Spring day the smell was gorgeous. Again, nothing in tidy plastic wrapping; you could just buy one apple if you wanted and it was put into a brown paper bag. Sometimes the oranges were wrapped in tissue paper from their country of origin, as the Christmas Tangerines were, and the prices/ special offers were written on the window in whitewash, beautifully printed and underlined with (intentional) wiggly lines, and without the benefit of modern technology. People CARED then, and took a pride. And if you walked over someone's newly-mopped and donkey-stoned step, you were for the high-jump!

hi josie ilive in a village in suffolk my surname is eden i am a platt bridger but i went to rose bridge school but spent most days and nights on the bar with my mate bllly coalton who i was told died some 20 years ago

Hi cliff, billy was my neighbour for a while, and his wife Pauline still lives just around the corner from me, and Billy died after a good days fishing on the canal, but I didnt think it was 20 years ago, I will ask young Billy when I see him or Pauline,

irene yes it was elsie robinsons ,they lived in ince green lane across from council offices,posh houses or so we thought then,i remember all the shops i should do ive trapesed round ince enough times,i used to go to the monocco every sat and monday good days eh x

cliff,i dont recognise your surname or your mates,maybe ime a bit older or younger,coz i was allways hanging around with my mates on ince bar and there was lots of lads and girls about.this was the 60s.

They were, and still are, posh houses opposite the Council Offices. When I was at Ince Central School, the mother of a girl in my class, Freda Ramsdale,(in one of those houses), was a florist, and used to make the walking-day posies.....the smell of carnations in her house on Walking-Day morning will live with me forever. The Monaco......three shillings admission on a Monday night and five shillings on Saturdays......open the set of doors after the payment box and the music was deafening! Hand in your coat in the ladies' cloakroom and get a ticket to collect it with at the end of the night. On to the dance-floor, put your handbags on the floor and dance round them to the group, then "The March of The Mods" to Jess Greenough's Band in the interval, when the lads got a "pass-out" stamp on their hand to go out to the local pubs. All these memories from one rather sedate photo. Colin Harlow, Thankyou!

HI AITCH I HAD A NICK NAME BACK THEN SAM OR SAMMY IF YOU TELL THAT TO PAULINE SHE MIGHT REMEMBER ME

HI JOSIE MY TIME ON THE BAR WAS 57 TO 60 SO YOU MAY BE YOUNGER BUT MY GIRLFREIND WAS VIV ASHHURST FROM THE PIE SHOP

Why don't all you nice people from Ince start a thread like Wallgaters have on PEOPLE...it would be interesting....go on.

Im here again Cliff, and a bit confused, There is a Billy ( Billum) Coulton buried near to my wife, but this one died in 1998 age 69, which is 13 years ago,, that would make him 82, does that sound like the one you knew ???

Lovely Idea, Maureen, but even though there are lots of comments on this pic, they are only from a handful of people. Although our Ince memories are as precious to us few as any Wallgater's, I believe Wallgate was one on its own when it came to community living. Going off what I've heard, it was almost like a little village.....belonging to Wigan and yet set apart. But you and my friend Neil always show such interest in the Ince pics, Maureen,and make such friendly comments,that you are now honorary Incers!

Thank you Irene...I feel proud and priviliged... the nurse I referred to earlier in the thread was Helen Sankey...she was the one that lived just left of the photo..did you know her? thank you again Irene..your'e very kind.

hi aitch no wrong one billy coulton i new would be 65 now but is wifes name was pauline

I went and checked again and the Billy near to my wife also has his wife buried in the same grave, (Georgina,) but I do remember the Billy you knew, his wife was Pauline Inglis before she married Billy, and the have a son young Billy, it seems like they carry on with the name, I wonder if the other Billy Coulton is any relation, Until I see either Young Billy or Pauline I will have to wonder,

Hello again Maureen. No, I didn't know Helen Sankey, but I used to be fascinated by those cottages, as we called them, and would have loved a peep inside. I can remember the Remembrance Service on The Green every November so well; we children used to go the day after to read all the personal family names on the little wooden crosses. The Mobile Library used to park where the library building is now, and my friend Christine and I used to go to change our books every Tuesday. The man in charge was, I think, A Mr. Westhead. He must have had the patience of Job with all the children, as the mobile van was much smaller than the current ones. A couple of years ago, we had a Mobile Library in Abram for a while, and it brought back such memories that I actually wish they'd kept it on. Happy Days!

The two larger houses next to the cottages were owned by Tom Walsh who had a plastering business, and Jim Lewthwaite two real gentlemen!
I also remember Harold and mrs Sankey,and I went to the same school with their son Anthony.You had to negotiate a couple of steps down into the cottages! I am nearly sure that the bank was Barclays,and the one across the road was Williams deacons.There also was a toffee shop directly behind the bus stop next door to the bank,which also had steps upwards to it.
I think the girl in O,Neills was Marion ,the sister of John and Eric O,Neill.

Thank you Irene and Bill for your replies Helen Sankey was an S.E.N at Whelley Hospital..and she was a very good nurse..when she retired I painted her the Isle Of Arran where she was going back to(she brought me a postcard with the picture of it to copy from)she was chuffed to bits and very often talked about Anthony..when one Easter arrived she bought my Son who was about six at time an Easter egg and me some tights..wasn't she kind..I have fond memories of her and Whelley Hospital.

Good God I've only been away since saturday and you fine folk have rebuilt Ince,how wonderful sharing all your memories. Just refreshed my memory as to the address my grandma lived at in 1905 -184b Manchester Road. Anyone out there from that area?
Now then ,especially for Josie a recipe for Ince pie. Tek two tiddlers from th'owd arm and a couple of rabbits from over Top Place. Soak in some watter from Mellings Flash, then add some coal dust from Rosebridge, a bit of cotton lint from th'Empress, some ground up slag from Hemfield Road tip, and top off with a big dollop of nostalgia. Bake for as long as it takes to tell the tale of Kitty B and then leave to rest for as long as it takes to discuss the merits of Jonnie Lawrenson and Ernie Ashcroft. But Josie ,don't hang about or Irene Roberts will eat it!!!

Of all the cheek, Neil Cain! You know I'm a slim young thing who lives on lettuce! Seriously, this thread about Ince has been brilliant; may not go any further as it is on page two as I write, but what lovely warm memories from everyone involved. A very special place in the hearts of those who remember.

I wonder if a thread based on Ince memories would be a good thing or would it get hi jacked as they usually are, worth thinking about though

Who would have thought this little photo of Ince, that I posted on the 8 september, is still going strong with 66, comments, and rising. Thanks to you all, Colin.

Looking back I think I got carried away a bit Aitch and I apologise for that..I've said it before that whenever we've drove through Ince that Iv'e always felt at home there yet never lived there,it always has a cosy feel to it..I do know a family named Carter from there and the Shirley's..once again sorry for going off on a tangent...am I still an honorary member Irene?.

You most certainly are, Maureen! I might even nominate you as Mayoress! The "Christine" I mentioned earlier.....my childhood friend who I went to the mobile library with.....was Christine Shirley; she has got to have been related to the Shirley family you knew.

Hello Irene..Mayoress ..that tickled me..and I don't come from Ince..so that's not bad is it?.I worked for a spell with Gladys Shirley,I wonder if Christine was her daughter..she once mentioned that her daughter had a horse so it might ring a bell eh?..anyway ..I'm going out to buy a tin of Silvo for my medals now,got to be jump ahead I have..nice talking with you again Irene...my best friends name was Irene we'd known one another since we were 4 years old..I lost her a couple of years ago..did you know that your name means peace?.

I see too many of you are indulged in gossip, to even notice Colin's thankyou comment. Well I'll say it for you, thanks Colin, it's been a great post and has attracted many comments possibly on of the highest of Ince.

Actually, I have thanked Colin twice during the run of comments, and I'm sure he will consider it thanks enough, as well as a great compliment, that perfect strangers are "gossiping" as if they have known each other a lifetime due to the magic his lovely, nostalgic photo has cast. I, for one, have been spellbound.

And now to The Mayoress!.... Maureen, I think Gladys was Christine's Aunty, but not certain. Her Mam's name was Esther and they lived in Raven Street until the houses wete demolished. Yes, I did know my name means Peace, but thankyou. Having a gossip and a laugh is what got people through in the days of my Ince Childhood; it's been good to re-create that warmth and sense of togetherness through Colin's photo. Happy Days, everyone!

I was just about to add that you had already thanked Colin..I feel like I've had my hands slapped..me.. the Mayoress...a bit of gossip is I believe very healthy don't you agree...thank you for the information Irene.

May I say a thank you to Colin as well..I've really enjoyed my chats with Irene.

You've already thanked me with your fascinating stories from my old stamping ground, please keep it going, Colin.

Thread started on the Places board. Get crackin' with tales and memories of Ince, photos too please.

hi aitch cliff hear everybody talks as if all the ince i new in the 50s has all gone is this so

Hi Irene re 2 of your comments on 12th Sept you were right Edie Traynor was in the fruit shop before Elsie Robinson and was a lovely lady, always happy and helpful. Her husband Joe was an ambulance driver and a very good friend of our family.
Also Freda Ramsdales mum who did the walking day posies was Lilian and she had a light over the front door with her christian name on it.Her husband was Harold and worked for the old Ince Council.
By the way Freda's house was the one next to Haigh View.
Thanks Colin for the photograph and to all the nostalgic Incers who have given me wonderful memories of the place where I was born.

Great idea. Go on to "Communicate", then "Places", everyone, and read Our Joseph's poem.....brilliant! Hope all Incers, ex-Incers and Honorary Incers have stories and memories to add. Bit busy over weekend personally, but will certainly follow it up asap. Sincerely hope this thread takes off.

Hi again Maureen and Irene, talk about what goes around comes around, is it a coincidence, that my best mate is Colin Shirley, who is related to Gladys and Christine and does remember the horse, Colin and his wife where both here tonight reading the thread and all its comments

Hello Irene and Aitch..that is a coincidence Aitch..I bet they enjoyed reading through the thread...they'll enjoy it all the more now that you've got your own on 'Places'..have just remembered Glady's daughters name..it's Tina..enjoy your thread.x

Intit about time yuh called ita day on this silly post???

Has someone got your arm up your back, forcing you to read it, Hindleyman? If something comes on the telly that I don't want to watch, I just don't watch it. It's not rocket science.

I fully agree with you Irene, he must be interested to keep reading the posts, but there again, his name says it all

Well said Irene, some people just don't get it, do they.

I wouldn't like to be married to him..what a right misery he sounds.

Hindleyman needs a pie, may help get rid of the gristle

all im sayin is geter life

Well going off all the lovely comments on this WE all seemed to have had good lives, Jeff. Sorry you missed out and feel the need to post negative comments, maybe next time round, eh!

Great picture i,m from Ince myself top of Belle Green Lane to be exact and love seeing all these old photos of old Ince and reading the comments, how ever many there are, keep them comeing thanks.

Marlene, there are now two threads on "places" about Ince. Many wonderful memories from like-minded people who want to keep those memories alive; things that would have faded and been forgotten. Go and have a look!

hello jeff,i know you think we should all get a life,well ince was our life then and it was sutch a wonderful place so down to earth folk dont know where you where brought up but you obviously dont have fond memories of it,why dont you tell eveyone of where you came from i think you will find that we all would be interested i know you are hindley man but is that where you were brought up? its fun to chat about the old days although you might be very young dont know? that would explain why you think we should get a life,you must have some interest or you wouldnt be on WW.

does anyone remember occleshaws grocery shop on manchester road at the corner of bird street it was taken over in the late 50s by nellie hope we would love to hear of anyones memories or to see pictures of the shop as we can not find any on wigan world and her son bill hope would love to possess some

anyone remember jonnie rutter 3 twirls and a little run

Can't recall Occleshaw's shop but I remember Johnnie Rutter.

thanks irene the shop i was on about that was owned by nellie hope was on the corner of bird street and anderton street facing drapers toffee shop which was owned by nellies brother john draper cant find any info or pictures anywhere surely someone from ince remembers it would love to hear from you

my partner and myself are desparately trying to find any info or pictures of a shop on ince bar on the corner of bird street it used to be called occleshaws and then became run by nellie hope and her sister doris draper we can find no trace of it anywhere on wigan world and feel sure that out of all you incers someone somewhere must remember it thanks

Hi, Aitch and Cliff Im not sure if this thread is still going or even if the page is still being added to and current but Billy Coulton was my Dad, Pauline is my mum and I still live in Ince my Dad went to Belle green primary School then on to Rose Bridge. I think you are getting crossed wires as my Dads, Dads name was also William Coulton (Billum) lol and to add to that I have just had a little boy and his name is William Coulton!
Aitch Im not sure who you are due to your username but Cliff i'd like to thank you for the nice things you said about my dad iv'e gathered he was a rum un, he passed away in 2004 age 58
Billy Coulton

hi billy your dad and me were great mates at school you right he was rum un and i misst him a lot when i left school only saw him one time after that but your mother must know me

Hi Cliff, Ive read the threads and couldnt see your full name, I did mentioned to mum that I'd left a comment on the site and told her what it was about and the nice thing s you had said. What is your full name ? My dad had lots of brothers and sisters in Ince and at Rose Bridge Boys School. My dad was the eldest but there (all Coulton, obviously) Norman, Stephen , Eric (who passed away in his teens through an accident) Carol, Christine and the youngest Adele. I was checking the site from time to time from my last post but didnt know if the thread had ended or there was a new page. If you could tell me your name I will let Mum know, Warm Regards Billy Coulton P . S You dont know who Aich is do you? Billy

my name is richard clifford eden everybody calls me cliff but we all had a nickname at school mine was sam why i dont know your mother will know me by that went to your grandads many times new eric well that was a bad time for your dad dont think he ever got over that cliff

Bill I think the toffee shop behind the bus stop was Mrs Thorpe's