Wigan Album

What memories! I went regularly along there to the Powell Children's Library in the early-mid 1960s, in the days when libraries were sober, hushed places.

You've probably heard me say this before, absolutely top quality printing from the Wigan Observer. Stunning colour.
Remember it's 1971.

It was ‘ home sweet home’ to me although I had left by then. The cobbled Hamer Lane in the distance where I have slid down many a time.

Special photo from a special newspaper, memories are just flooding back.

My memories are being chased by the ruffians.

I vaguely remember the pub and shops as a kid, before they were demolished in the mid 1980s to make way for Riversway.

Actually the ‘ Hamer’ Lane was further to the right with railings closing the rocky garden off. I am never sure how the name was spelt though.

Hello Veronica, the name of the path was Amy Lane. In the days before 'Scholes Park ' there was houses on the Lane , long long before my time I hasten to add ! Hope you are keeping well.

The horseshoe pub

Yes you’re correct Tom of course it was. I take it the houses were on the ground of the ‘ garden’ with all the rocks in the ground…. It’s hard to imagine. Yes I am well thanks Tom hope you are. Be glad when Spring is here.

Tom, (Walsh), I have left a message for you on the St'Patrick's photo-a-day. Not sure if you've seen it.

Hello Irene, thank you I hadn't seen your message sorry. Yes I'm on facebook the grandchildren put me on , but unfortunately I haven't worked out to use it ,when they next call I'll ask them to give me a lesson. I would love to join your group, as I said before I was so moved by your joint act of remembrance for the victims of The Maypole Pit Disaster.

Looks more like March 26 than May 26 in 1971 with the daffodils and the trees not yet in leaf. A Volkswagen Beetle goes past the Horseshoe pub that was demolished in 1985 for the new ring road. By 1971 Riverway was built diverting southbound traffic away from the town centre. The Scholes flats had been completed a few years earlier, Boyswell House at the top of the hill was the last. And the five storey maisonette flats that were built in Scholes, Worsley Mesnes and Dumbarton Green, Beech Hill. I remember the Scholes precinct tower with a clock always showing 12 o'clock that did not work.

The Wigan Observer Special was published on Wednesday 26th May 1971. The photo could have been taken around March or April that year and most likely would have appeared in the weekly
Wigan Observer previously.
Cheers Mr X.

In was in the late 1980s when Riverway more or less became to be fully constructed, and up to around the mid 1980s Chapel Lane, Harrogate Street and Station Road was still in existence and used by traffic, however there was a road that became part of Riverway which operated one way from the Powell Street/Greenhough Street junction to Crompton Street, and later joined up with the loop from off Station Road.

You can view these photos by Paul Green in the Album, and reminisce about the buildings lost and also the traffic snarl ups this construction caused. use link or type Riverway in Search Box top right of page

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/showalbum.php?opt=5&gallery=Riverway

Looks like the railway bridge was long gone by then.
Anyone remember the motorbike & scooter shop on the right hand side ?
They used to sell Honda 50's for less than 50 quid "in the day" and 125's for not much more.

remember that veronica no cobblestones nice flat asphalt