Wigan Album

Isn't that The Queens Pub in Bickershaw in the distance?

I think that is the hotel building near the cemeteries in Lower Ince.

It's the Old Hall Irene at Lower Ince.

I occasionally used to frequent The old Hall in the late 60s - I don't remember it ever being painted white!

Thankyou Mr X and Garry. I know The Old Hall well but it threw me seeing it from a different angle. It looks like The Queens which was near the railway in Bickershaw. Wouldn't it be nice to pop into The Old Hall for a sherry, Garry? Or even by your coal fire?!

Sure would Irene, the drinks on me, cheers.

I too can't remember it ever being painted white, compare the photo with this one in the link below, the stonework isn't as soot blackened as it would have been originally, so the exterior must have been cleaned at some point, maybe someone remembers it being white.

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/controversial-plans-convert-former-wigan-hotel-flats-are-given-green-light-966820

I too would have guessed The Queens Hotel at first glance Irene, especially with it being white. Remember calling into there in the 1970s, it was a pleasant pub and also quite busy, had a look on Google view and it's now split into two houses.

I remember going to the Old Hall in the mid to late sixties. There was a really good group called the Vaqueros. It makes me think of the record ' Hey Mr Tambourine Man' ! Great times..

Another song they did was the Great Pretender ... seeing the building brought it all back.

Sunday night with the envoys, rock and roll great. 60s night.

In the 60s we used to walk along the line, when we went fishing at the Trenchy, which was to the left of the photo,

Had a walk a fortnight ago to Trenchy, by the way of donkey lane, Trenchy still there but the area is unrecognizable like a small wood overgrown with trees.

Owd viewer, trenchy , best swimming pond in Wigan.

Yip Jinksi remember swimming early 60s, don't think I'd go in now though.

Owd viewer.
I'm pretty sure that's the old hall, only thing being would you not be able to see St Mary's Church on the left of the photo.

Gritch, I thought that, but then I realised view is looking from the railway line from the Spring View end and is BEHIND The Old Hall and going TOWARDS the cemetery and Wigan. St. Mary's would be to the RIGHT of the photo across the road and out of shot. It threw me too!

Irene.
I just googled when St Mary's Church was demolished and apparently it was 1978 , the photo was taken around 30years ago so that would will probably explain the gap on the left of the picture. I could be wrong and its a long time since I lived in Ince but that could be one reason for all the confusion.

Irene, This photo was taken from the wagon works end, If it was taken from Springs branch end the old hall would be on the other side of the photo.

The photo must have been taken after St Mary's was pulled down. Because it would have been in view at the left.

Owd Viewer,your right Donkey Lane on right of Photo Little River ran under Track obout were photo took from.Lived near St Mary's all Houses & Church gone now thanks Wigan Council PRATS

Jinksi, I also lived on Warrington road near outdoor license, the two houses in the photo on the left I had a pal in the late 50s early 60s his name was Clive he lived in one of them. If St Marys would have been there the two houses would not be seen from the angle the photo was taken.

Jinksi - St Mary's was showing its age when it was less than 50 years old, thanks to the fact it was built of local common brick instead of the stone of the original design. Its demise had nothing to do with the Council - it had been held together with iron cross-bars and brackets for decades before sections began to show signs of collapse. Eventually the congregation had to give up the struggle to find money for endless repairs which threatened the existence of the Parish - and moved over the road and converted the former Infants School into their church.
The subsidence responsible was because of the Westwood Fault - which it had been built over... as had many of the houses nearby (some had even fallen down because of it). The demolition of the houses began under Ince UDC - partly because of the subsidence, but also because houses opening directly onto the street were becoming less popular. By the time they were demolished, I think you'll find most young couples wanted more space and gardens, and moved away to live.
The land the new estate was built on largely belonged to the Walmesley Estate - not the Council - their only role was to grant Planning Consent. As it was a brownfield site they could not withhold it - and it probably saved a bit of the greenbelt from being built on. It also meant that young couples from the next generation of Lower Incers and Spring Viewers could find the kind of house they preferred closer to home.
Ince Brook, by the way, flows just in front of the blue railings round the sub-station on the left - and runs alongside Donkey Lane to the right.

Sadly it appears the heart has been ripped out of Ince and Spring view, all the schools I attended Britannia Bridge , St Mary's, Spring View now gone the Old Hall an eyesore almost all the the other pubs no longer exists.
The last couple of times I was in the old hall was once in 85 when believe or not they had a magician on , as there was only four in the place it took a special kind of magic to leave without him noticing, and the last was in the 90 ,it was for a drink after a funeral and to see what a depressing place it had become was sad. Im probably remembering things through Rose coloured glasses but the old saying you should never go back really is true.

Rev David & Grich. You are both right, I must be looking through the same Glasse,s. When I go through Spring View I still think about all the old houses,the Pens on Ainscow St,Swimming in Trenchie playing down Springs Branch. Going to St Mary's then Spring View. Playing football for St Mary,s Boys club.All the family,s who lived in View.Your right Grich sad to say I am looking through the same Glasse,s must be an age thing . Times were at times but had a good childhood & some good mates in View.

Jinksi, do you remember St Mary's football ground it was behind the Trenchy, also spent many hours playing on springs branch, do you remember the hot house where sand was kept.

Owd Viewer. Played our Home games on Trenchy .. Have put Photo of our team on here somewere playing in Final on Wigan Rovers old ground think it was about 1971/2 . Only match we lost all season .Youl know some of the lads .May be on Sports not very good on these things.Look on Schools Spring View put some on there aswell a lot on there you'll know

Owd Viewer , put wrong date on for our Final . Should be 1961/2 .left Spring View in 1963.

Jinksi, Only played a couple of games of football for St Mary's I wasn't really good at playing football, Spring view was a rugby school, I played for the school team, when I left school I played cricket for spring view for a few years.

Jinksi, I've put Two photos on spring view schools in the 60s.

Owd Viewer.Played Rugby all 4years at Spring View School . Little Benny & Mr Jameson were our Coaches Met Mr Jameson a few year back @ Old Trafford both watching GB v Australia Test match . After all them Years still knew each other.