Wigan Album

Is the writing on the back off the banner clearer on the original, Ron? It doesn't look like a religious banner to me - the bits I can read appear to say The Order of/ the/ Sons/ of/ ? / of Great Britain/ ?.
It could be a Temperance Society.
The Union Jacks hanging from the buildings also make me wonder whether it was a Walking Day, or some national event - such as a Coronation?

Rev I thought the same thing Nothing written on the back.. I thought it was a WW1 celebration of troops but It seems earlier than that. Looking at the image with a magnifying glass, its quite blurred. However it appears that the procession is in two lines and they appear to be men wearing some sort of "BIB" I can make out some of the writing on the banner I think??? it says THE ORDER OF SONS DEVINE GT.BRITIAIN?????

There is an article about St Joseph's Upholland and the Sons of Divine Providence in the link below, also across the road is Don Oriene centre. Reading through there is also a Ladies of Divine Providence, so maybe this was a combined procession about the cause.

https://www.orionecare.org/our-mission/the-sons-of-divine-providence/history/

https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20040516_orione_en.html

Ron, the nearest thing I can find is The Sons of Divine Providence, a Roman Catholic religious Congregation, founded in in Italy in1893. Just a long shot!

Cyril, we might be on the path to possible right assumptions.
In those days they was an overwhelming Catholic community in Wigan boosted by the Irish diaspora.

It was Colin, and the area around St Joseph's college and the Don Oriene was always bustling, now the college has gone and the Nunnery a bit further down, and the Convent at Wigan closed as did the one at Standish, and a lot of the churches too.
There was always Irish folks around and treating us kids with their odd pennies and other coins, though when we got to the shop we couldn't spend them with being Irish currency, even though I was always fascinated with those Irish coins with hens and other animals on them.

I believe the building attached to the ROYAL OAK left side, was demolished to make way for the alleyway that runs to Hilton Street

I don't think it was demolished, Ron. I think it was acquired by the Royal Oak and knocked through to extend the pub.
In the above picture it looks as though it is still being used as a residential property so this photo must have been taken prior to the extention being added.

Rich you are correct Just checked a recent image of the pub and it now has 3 rows of windows, on the left side of the building, which ties in with this image

It looks to me as if there’s two nuns holding umbrellas. Their habits/ dress were jet black of the Sisters of Notre Dame . A French Order and they still dressed as such up until the early 1960’s. There used to be various processions besides the Whit Walks.

Veronica, you must have good eye sight. I cannot make out the nun's, only what looks like an abandoned pram with a baby in it being looked at by two Daleks!

If you look to the left Colin it looks like someone is wearing a light coloured sombrero. Directly opposite there’s a gap and there’s two nuns holding umbrellas. It was probably a very hot day and wearing heavy black garments they would have been roasting…hence the umbrellas. I remember at school the nuns used to be red in the face in summer with the habits they wore. They were worn Summer and Winter. I can just see the white across the forehead under the veil of one of them. My eyes are very good with close work but it’s distance I need glasses for especially when I’m waiting for a bus! ( for the number.). In fact my eyesight has improved with age as I used to wear contact lens now I don’t need them. Plus I could never forget the nuns at school. Fortunately their apparel was to change in 1963. If you are Catholic you will know what I mean.