Wigan Album

What a wonderful asset the Hippodrome was to Wigan people, to have live entertainment. There were some excellent performances potrayed there. I saw the "Silver King" there, and "Johnny Berlinda", and quite a few others.
I was only thinking the other day about the time when cinemas' presented three separate performances. Matinees, first house, and second house. After each performance people would, in a dignified manner, stand still, in the place where they had been sitting, until the completion of the National Anthem. Would that happen in today's culture?.

Standing still for the National Anthem wasn't a feature I observed in the 50s, folks in hurry to get out was.

We used to make it our job to stand for the Queen at the end of the show, and if possible, block the exit of those who would not otherwise feel obliged to stand also. Over here in the USA, the problem has been neatly solved by playing the national anthem at the start of the show or game.

I remember in the 50s after the Queen was crowned going to Scholes Picture House. The Queen would be atop her horse saluting and the gangway was full of some rushing to get out -that left some stood up in the middle to attention even if they didn't want to be! We always stayed but didn't sing !!!!!

Albert, The other night Brian Noble was relating his days as Great Britain coach and addressing the team prior to a test match One player ( A Wiganer) asked " Do we have to sing that song again "Another player said " He means the National Anthem, Brian"

Albert, The other night Brian Noble was relating his days as Great Britain coach and addressing the team prior to a test match One player ( A Wiganer) asked " Do we have to sing that song again "Another player said " He means the National Anthem, Brian"

I was told years ago by an old lady (born 1901) that during the first World War, Belgian refugees where living in Aspul, she told me she learned crochet and lace making from them.

carl. There were houses on the opposite side of the road, from St Williams R.C.Church, Ince Green Lane, Higher Ince, that were referred to as the Belgium Houses as they accommodated refugees in 1st world war.

Used to go to the Hippodrome on a Saturday night and sit in the circle. Saw some marvellous shows whilst eating toffees from Meesons! Vividly remember Albert Modley.
Albert; did you see the episode in `Dad`s Army` where they were in the cinema and when the National Anthem was played, only Captain Mainwaring stood to attention and the rest `trampled` him down?

I did Ernest, quite recently in fact. That was portraying a comedy aspect, as it was meant to do, but as you yourself will remember, cinema/theatre patrons, did observe the National Anthem, especially in the war years, and through the forties. My parents' always did.