Wigan Album

This brings back such memories of hot Summer Sunday afternoons. A threepeny ride through the shady plantations to the hall, (free if my friend Sheila's grandad was taking the fares, dressed in a brown overall and a cap.) The original tractor had a canvas top and was very shaky and rattly; later it was replaced by a solid-topped one.....not so shaky, bit not half as much fun to a child. After a long hot afternoon, it was lovely to board the tractor and set off back under the cool trees to Wigan Lane, then a walk back into Wigan to get the bus home.

Yes Irene I too remember it well. I can even remember the smell of the tractor passing you as you walked through the plantations. Whether you were a passenger or not, it was exciting and wonderful. I would love to re-live those halcyon days of Summers long past, if only for one glorious day!

Irene..you've said it all, just perfect.

oh i loved going on the tractor,do you remember when it ,started going there were some lads would jump on the back and all along the way there were kids jumping on the back getting a free ride nobody seemed to mind though and yes irene it was dead rickety but we loved it wish they would bring it back .

I was one of those lads who used to jump on the tractor up to the hall and you would not believe the amount of folk who used to moan, because they had paid and we were going free. Remember one of the drivers who's name was Walter, don't know if anyone on here knew him?

I used to love the ride on the tractor, there was nothing else quite like it, it seemed so mysterious going through the plantations, like another world and then Haigh Hall would suddenly come in to view.