Wigan Album

It's a long time since the 320 'bus went to Liverpool!

It's a long to since the King William was open.

45 years between the two pictures of the King Billy pub in Platt Bridge that closed down some time ago. In 1975 with the doors painted yellow it was on the main road to Wigan but not anymore where traffic goes along Platt Street. The Lancashire United bus is Plaxton bodied Bristol RESL, 417 TTB448M new in 1974 with coach seats that was classified as a dual purpose vehicle. There were ten in the batch, 414-423 TTB445-454M, but 419 that should have been TTB450M had the registration VTC733M. They started life in grey livery with red band, but repainted red with grey band, before unflattering all over orange and finally GMT orange, brown and white. Hindley depot had 414-417, Swinton 418-420, and Atherton 421-423.

I remember getting of the bus at King Billy, our surgery was just by the bus stop - Drs Duffy and MUrphy and also Dr Marlene. such a long time since those journeys.

My local many years ago. The landlord was Matt Birchall. We held our Wedding Buffet there, not exactly the Ritz but the 1950s was an austere time.

I remember being in a queue of traffic at the lights here many moons ago when a lad came flying through one of the windows to the left of the door. Another lad came running out of the door and they began fighting over the bonnet of the car in front. My girlfriend at the time was from the area and didn't bat an eyelid. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She just said " it's the Billy " !!

Apart from the absence of satellite dishes, there's no sign of any of CCTV cameras on the bottom photo, the days when you could actually chat with your mates and a pint without your face and voice being recorded. Everywhere you go now there's a bloody surveillance camera spying on you, but where's all the footage when there's a "terrorist attack"?. The amount of home CCTV cameras is increasing, why I don't know as there's no real crime.

Aib, the cameras are there to protect people not to spy on folk. People only worry when their up to something. Most folk like me feel better with them, we have nothing to hide.

Imagine being Alb. Seeing cameras and thinking "My life is being spied on" and "there's no crime going on!". Have you even looked outside at the sheer amount of yobs? They're getting more and more out of hand. Not to mention that the CCTV is there to protect the property, the public, and you. You dingbat.

Beryl,also had a Surgery in Lower Ince in st side of St Mary! school.One Dr ( no names ) used to go in the Black Diamond buy him a Gill of Bitter you got a Sick note for a Week.

Used to walk from Spring View to Platt Waz game of Snooker in Snooker Hall near King Billy then a Punch up with Platt Waz Lads all finished up Mates though.