Wigan Album

A very nostalgic photo Ron. I remember the fair in Wigan from my teens, but as a little girl my Mam used to take me to the little local one that set up on the Spare Land in Ince. I remember the "fair stalls" on Wigan Market on a Saturday afternoon, with the vendors selling teasets, plates ranged all up one arm to show the pattern, and the other arm crashing on the stall as they shouted, "I'm not going to charge you Five pounds for this quality teaset, Ladies....I'm not even going to charge three pounds....Who'll give me thirty bob?" Oh what a wonderful atmosphere! And I think everyone remembers the Black Peas stall.....delicious, and somehow tasting better out in the open air than they ever did cooked at home.

Steaming black peas! Great!!.

That brings back some good memories, Does anybody have the black pea recipe, Thanks.

There was always a marvellous atmosphere at Wigan Fair.

oh yeh,black peas ! there must have had more germs on the cups they were served in..but nevertheless the were gooooood , and i can,t ever remember anyone getting food poisoning.so i wonder how come we didn,t!!

Butterworth,s or Hollands?

dont know what you mean Peter !!

Glorious glorious days...every May and October wasn't it?,when I saw this photo I could almost smell the black peas, how I loved going on the waltzer..and I was always sad when they left.

There was nothing like Wigan Fair. It was magic. My dad won us a goldfish once. We called it Fred and we cherished it for many years. What happy carefree days they were.
A fantastic photo Ron.

For all Black Pea aficionados, check this photo I put on a few years ago.
http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=1399&gallery=Market+Hall&offset=0

Butterworth,s and hollands was the name of the two stalls that sold black peas ;

Thanks for that Peter, I,ll keep that in mind if it ever comes up in the pub quiz night

I'm almost certain Silcock's Fair still has a black pea stall when it's on the JJB site

You can still buy cooked black peas to take away from baked potato sellers and snack caravans in Preston town centre.

The fair came back to Wigan in 1946 after the war. Some of the Grammar School lads would make themselves late at dinner time as they went on the big wheel. The attendant would wait for customers and if you were stuck at the top waiting, you were in big trouble when you finally got back to school,

Another view of a lost world, what a place Wigan was in those days compared with the sad place it is today.

You can buy black peas from the baked potato stall next to Leigh Bus-Station.

Fantastic Picture - I loved the black peas too.

You can buy them from Redmans in the Market Hall. Just steep them overnight then boil 'em up. Couldn't be easier A BIG pan full for less than £1.00. To be really authentic you will need to eat then from a cracked cup

lovely pic ron,we make black pease on bommy night with some vinegar on mmmmmm,ron i cant get on your link !!

Josie, highlight the link, right click, then click on OPEN LINK

Doen't work for me , either. Right click does not open a click on link option.

Are you highlighting the link first? Try copying the link into your browser then.
Or go to. Album. Places. Market Hall. The photograph is on the bottom line.

Thanks for that ,Ron. Worth another look at that page when I get time. Some interesting photos on there.

I remember as child going into a Boxing Booth , with my Dad,members of the public would challenge resident boxers , if thy last so many rounds thy got a cash prize . I wonder what health and safety would say today! .

got this off a recipe on the net....Soak the peas in cold water overnight (use a large bowl or saucepan as the peas will double in size as they absorb the water). Rinse them in clean water, drain in a colander, then pop them back into a large saucepan with loads of fresh unsalted water and bring them to the boil, let them bubble away furiously for about 10 minutes, turn down the heat and them them simmer for about an hour (but check after half an hour - it depends on how old they are). Don't add salt to the water as it makes the skins really tough. When they are cooked, drain off the excess water....I would imagine you just serve them in a cup and add salt to taste as not everyone likes salt these days. Hope this helps.

I bought some black peas many years ago. No way did they taste anything like those in the saloons at Wigan Fair. They had some secret ingredient extra, obviously.

Great Memories from my youth..