Wigan Album

An area of Wigan I knew so well, pity most of the character of the town as gone & once its gone its gone, as they say. Good photos Veronica.

I remember the bus station so well, although from much later than on the photo. I remember the newsagent's stall at the end with two telephone boxes next to it, the milk machine that dispensed milk in cardboard cartons and The Baked Potato cafe, and how my son Jamie always developed a sudden thirst when we passed it! I remember Wigan Fair too, held on that market square every Spring and Autumn. So many memories.

It was Whit Monday that I remember most when the Market Square came into its own. Five Parishes ended up on there with pipe bands as well. Hard to imagine that today with all the church closures. Also the Wigan Fair we all remember.

Great picture Veronica providing an excellent view of Hope Street Congregational Church, quite possibly the finest looking building in Wigan demolished around 1972. A real tragic loss in my opinion.
The original church was closer to Woodcock Street having split from St Paul’s in Standishgate. After demolition they reunited with St Paul’s, now that too has closed as a place of worship having been converted into flats.
So endeth the lesson!

And an elecronic map in glass which lit up Irene!
You pressed a button and little red lights would light up pointing out different locations.

"The Room at the Top" used to be in one of the properties to the left. Anyone remember it?

I don't recall that map at all, Rich, but thankyou for your memory of it. Isn't it odd how different things stick in our memories and provide a whole picture when we share them? That's what is so nice about these photos.

Yes I remember being fascinated by the electronic map, I’d totally forgotten about it until you mentioned it, thanks for the memory