Wigan Album

Cheers Brain. Wow!! does this bring back memories.

This set of photos is really good and is what Wigan World is all about. Thankyou!

I can remember my Mam going for little bottles of very concentrated "Welfare" Orange-Juice from the clinic-buildings at the top of the photo.

The Wigan "we" (of a certain age), all remember - brilliant Brian

Brilliant photo's,Ashcrofts fishing tackle shop was near the cars,I got my first rod from there.

ASHCROFTS.. I was a regular in there on Fridays after school, to pick up my maggots for the weekend. It had a smell like a lot of other fishing tackle shops, I loved it. It was run by two brothers I think one was called Harold? There was also a fishing tackle counter You couldn't call it a shop<g> in the Market Hall, opposite the revolving door which led to the Market Square called MOYERS? He also owned the book shop connected to it, which was round the corner

You're right Ron - it was Moyers in the Market Hall - near the exit onto the Market Square. As you say, it wasn't much more than a counter, and a display case.

Yeah Ron I remember that fishing shop. Takes me back.. Thanks to Brain for bringing back these memories.

Still got my MR 'CRABTREE GOES FISHING' which I got for a birthday present in the late 1950's It was bought from Ashcroft's. I must have read it hundreds of times and still a prized possession, as reading it, which I often do, brings back a lot of happy memories of fishing with my dad and uncle. Garstang, River Ribble, River Gilpin, Windermere etc.and that was before the M6 was built Up at 3.00 a.m. on Sunday morning, and off in my uncle's A35. What adventures for a young lad... I remember going one Sunday, with my dad and Heinz fishing club to Ross On Wye, and that was when the M6 stopped at Cannock. Looking back I wouldn't even do the journey today<g>
Sorry to go off subject<g>

Oh,how I loved Burro's yard..I always had to go to Tom Whalleys, to see the animals,which was on the left hand side
going up Millgate..all lost now..thank you Brian for taking me
back.

Ron, photos triggering off memories is what this site is for. It was lovely to hear your story.

This was the Wigan everybody loved, sadly just a memory now.

If you look carefully at the bayfront of the shops behind the Anglia van, you can see a small oblong sign sticking out from one of them. This was an enamelled metal advert for Cossor radio valves, outside Mrs Jolley's electrical shop.
These shops were standing empty waiting for demolition in the summer of 1977.

I wish I could do a "Gary Sparrow" and walk up there again with my Mam.

Can I come Irene

Yes you can, and everyone who appreciates these brilliant photos. We'll go up Millgate singing "Sing as we go" like Gracie Fields in the film of the same name, then we'll go back down and into Woolworth's tea-bar! I have a 1950s Woolworth's fairy on my Christmas tree every year and original Woolworth's christmas decorations on my wall.

Great photographs Brian. I have been waiting for years to have someone respond to my request to show some photos of old Millgate. My grandmother,Sally Cunliffe, had a small shop at the top opposite the Weind. I got quite excited at the tantalising glimpse of where the shop used to be but sadly the photograph doesn't quite go far enough! You don`t have any more views of Millgate, especially up at the top, do you?

Hi Irene
Wow!! Woolworth's tea bar, what a lovely memory. I can still see it now. Days gone by Irene

Great photos. I used to spend ages in the Ribble Cabinet Co. shop while my mum had a cigarette with the Manger who she went to Whelley school with. She bought a lot of furniture and carpets from that shop.

I'm surprised no ones mentioned slow joes....chips pudding and peas cup of tea and two bread. For half a crown

Irene, you should upload a photo of those Woolworths decorations, when you next put them up, it would be nice to see!!

Yes, I remember 'Slow Joes' just on the right near the top of the hill as you look at this photo. But what was the official name of the cafe? Used to go there in 1962 when I started at Wigan School of Art.