Wigan Album

My father, Roy Crabtree, and his band, The Embassy Players, were the resident band at The Brocket Arms back in 1959 and for many years after that. He is now 95 yrs young and still playing his beloved piano. There is a picture of him and his Band members on Wigan World under 'Bands'. He is the one sitting at the piano. His sister also played in the Band on certain occasions. They played for many weddings and functions.

My late brother, (19 years my senior, so would have been 91 now), used to talk about a Roy Crabtree that was in a band. Apparently they used to play at Ince Public Hall....it must be your father, Julie.

Yes, Irene, they played at Ince Public Hall , Haigh Hall and other venues in and around Wigan. Dad reminisces about the days with his Band. Some of the stories he tells are fascinating ...and often funny.

Julie. Did your father have family / relations who lived in the Frog Lane area of Wigan?

Was Roy from Ince, Julie? My brother always spoke of him as if he knew him personally. We were from Ince and my brother's name was Ronald Griffiths.

Not sure about Frog Lane, Rich. I will ask dad tomorrow.
Yes, Irene, dad was brought up in Heber Street, Higher Ince. We lived in Holt Street when I was growing up. We moved to North Wales in 1973. Dad lives in Llandudno now in an apartment overlooking the bay, "living the life" .
He will be thrilled to read the comments above...no doubt he will have a comment..or two...himself!

Julie, we lived in Ince Green Lane in a row of houses that stood back behind St. William's Presbytery Wall. To get to Heber Street we used to walk up the "Little Alley" by the side of The Long Neck, (Anderton Arms) pub. A friend of mine used to visit his grandad, Jimmy Cain, (originally of Cain's pie-shop), who lived in Holt Street in the 1960s. I do hope your Dad puts some stories of the band on here!

Why do they have to put The Brocket Arms (Wigan)?
Is it one of many, where it has to have a place reference?
Crazy people.

Daz, not as crazy as you make out. Although it is a bit strange to put (Wigan) behind the name of the pub, it’s actually one of two. The original Brocket Arms is in Hertfordshire, not far from the Brocket Hall mentioned in the feature. So there you go. This one is the one in Wigan.

When me and my friend Elizabeth meet up,this is our favourite place..I love going there.we have been known to spend a couple of hours catching up on life…there’s always a great atmosphere there.

We were in there last night. A bite to eat and a few drinks, a bit nippy walking back home later though.

Rich, I have asked dad about family/relations in the Frog Lane area but he doesn't think there were any.
Irene, yes, dad remembers your brother Ronald. He has such good memories of his days in Ince. His recall is amazing. Quite some time ago we submitted an article, on behalf of dad, to Past Forward (Issue 49, page 28) which you may find interesting. One