Wigan Album

Cracking photo John – brings back memories
That photo was taken off top of ‘lucky broo’ – pen at bottom was ‘Ratcliffes’ – (nowty bugger!)
Many happy hour digging in sandhole there
‘Bobbys Houses’ are still there –I remember them being built
I vaguely remember you but you were older than me,these were about your age from Stanley/Caunce Street Ian Adams, Mick Moran, Malc Clossick, Wayne Holland, Terry Penman, Kenny Fairhurst, Dave Halliwell...

Hi.. just wondering about the ratcliffe you speak of.. I have translated the reference to mean "ratcliffe's hill - (pile of sand?) bad-tempered bugger!" Is that right? lol! Seriously, the name Ratcliffe always grabs my attention, as this was my great-aunt's husband's name c.1927-35 (he died c 1935). He was Wilfrid Ratcliffe and there was a son Wilfrid Jr born about 1928/9 I believe. I know how prolific the name Ratcliffe was and still is in Wigan, Cheshire etc. But trying to find what became of Ratcliffe or the son has only met with brick walls! :)

Thanks for the comment. My contemporary mates were David Mason, Joeseph Mitchinson, Stephen Horrocks, ? McCormick all Caunce St, Malcolme Fairhurst, Graham Harrison, Barry Lowton all Stanley St, Harold Mercer Isabella St, Alan Stretch Kendrick St. Others a lot older than me Clifford Doran, Brian Shawcross, Leonard McGarty, Alan Cherry,

Went back there in summer with Christine Hawthorne and it has changed so much now. This would be the big sand hole, I played in the little sand hole. Do you know any of the history of the sand holes?

Great pic John,,,remember that view well though my tereitory was the little sandhole..mates then,,dave morris,and dave prescott both from kirkless street,plus Bibby Backs,,with brian Turner,Ronald northall,,,leslie peet david crane,barry and nigel occleshaw,,,older lads being walt bibby,brother harold and cousin donald,,,marrie bibby,susan occleshaw,,,,<iknow a few are no longer with us but still got fond memories

Well! Well! I am the toddler. My brother John is on my left. As I type my mother is sat across from me having her afternoon snooze. She will have a shock when she wakes up.
(I'm indebted to Brenda (ne Fairhurst) for bringing this photo to my attention. What a hoot!

Hi Tom, nice to hear from you, I would never have guessed it was you standing in front of your mum. Your Dad and mine were good friends and in St Catharine's BB and past members. I see your mum regularly on the bus to /from Wigan. I don't think she recognises me now.

Tom, would you tell your mum that my mum passed away peacefully in her sleep at home yesterday. John

Tom, i didn'n realize that it was you stood in front of your mum, thought it was a little girl !! you have hair !!!! ha ha ha.

Hi John, I'm sorry to hear your Mum has died. I remember her well and what dynamo she was. I'll pass the news on to my mother. As for your comment Brenda, I think you are spot on. This photo is definitely me at my most handsome and mature. My two daughters were dumbfounded when I showed it to them.