Wigan Album

Great picture Ron.

I have added a comment on here but it hasn't appeared.

I'll try again as my last comment didn't appear. I am a bit lost as to where this is......if you walk up from Birkett Bank, then go along what I think is Schofield Lane, past Belvoir Street and Gilroy Street, then turn left towards the big stones that spell "SCHOLES", are you on the road shown on the photo? I am fascinated by the old Scholes but didn't know it well. I don't know where Scholes Bridge is or was.

When you used to go on the bus Irene along Warrington Rd and approaching Scholes crossings if you looked to the left you would see the shops on the right side going down Scholes towards Millgate.
Having said that I don’t remember those bars so far down before the old railway bridge. There’s just something not quite right…I know there were some bars nearer to the lights. But memory can play tricks.

Irene this is taken Millgate side of the traffic lights at Scholes Crossing.. About half way between the Traffic lights and the Douglas bridge

It’s opposite that little ‘Scholes’ park that was on the left as you walked down from the Warrington Lane traffic lights to the Douglas Bridge at the back of the park was Amy Lane.
Next up from the factory that Ron referred to was The Shovel and Broom pub.
I had forgotten but now recall how the pavement was much lower than the road, hence those rails along side. The level has since been raised as those properties were always prone to flooding
Roughly on that spot now stands the block of flats ‘Derby House’.

Thankyou Veronica and Ron. However, I am still a bit lost....please forgive me asking further questions.....first, is Scholes Crossing where the modern church stands now, ( it used to be Sally Army, think it's Pentecostal now), and secondly, if I were looking at that spot now, what would I be looking at today? Would it be anywhere near the old children's library? Sorry to mither....just trying to get my bearings.

Irene look a this photograph Although It isn't very clear.
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=21219&gallery=Scholes&page=4
It is taken looking from Scholes Crossing outside what is now the Salvation Army Church, looking towards Wigan. You can make out the railway bridge, which was next to the River Douglas bridge This image is taken looking a the properties where the two cars are parked on the right

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=25250&gallery=Scholes&page=5

Irene here is a clearer image of the location The photographer would have more stood a little lower down Scholes than the one who took this photo. The bus is coming from Library street

In those days buses going to Wigan used to go through the lights at Scholes Crossings I remembered you saying you went into Wigan that way Irene. Nowadays the bus goes down Darlington St. The bus does go past this vantage point from Wigan though today going UP Scholes. When you went to the Children’s Library did you go on the bus and walk down Scholes? If you did you would have walked past the shops perhaps on the opposite side of the road.
I would have walked down the Amy Lane to go to the library.

Then again the Corporation buses did go down Scholes and turned at the Horseshoe. Sorry if I am making it difficult to understand . It’s so long ago and it’s a peculiar vantage point …

Thankyou everyone for all your help. Ron, I actually managed to find the photo via your link.....I must be finally getting technical! And what a fascinating photo it is! Veronica, when I lived in Ince, up to being 18, the Wigan bus went from Ince Bar through Rose Bridge, past Clarington Forge and down Darlington Street and King Street, so as a child I would have got off the bus in Wigan itself and walked down Library Street and then along past The Horseshoe pub to The Powell Children's Library. From Platt Bridge, (when we moved there in 1971), the bus DID go up past what I now know is Scholes Crossing but it was modernised by then so the buildings and railings shown in the photo would have gone, but you have all helped me get my bearings now! Many thanks.

Great photo Ron, the property adjoining the King Edward Lodging House would have been number 12. This was the Rope and Anchor pub dating from before 1825, which lost its license in 1919.

I’m assuming these buildings stood at the foot of Scholes / Millgate and were probably demolished in the early 60s to make way for development of the tower blocks. I do vaguely recall the Horseshoe pub was was located on the corner further up Millgate. The Horseshoe and what remained of these older buildings were demolished in 1985 to make way for the development of Riversway. I also recall that around the same time Millgate near Douglas House was made one way to outbound traffic.

CJ

CJAlan no that isn't the location... It's taken about 50 yards from Scholes Crossing going towards town. 100 yards before the Douglas bridge

I still keep coming back to this photo. I would love to see a photo of what would have been the Rope and Anchor pub….if there is one.

What I mean is how the building which is there would have looked when it was a public house. Probably the Mock Tudor would have still been the same but the lower half intrigues me as to how that would have looked. If two shops were integrated into the building it must have been a quite large pub. Along with all the other pubs in Scholes it must have been a very busy area. Loads of history in Scholes at that time with the population explosion during the 1800’s .

I keep going back to it too, Veronica; it fascinates me. I have always regretted that I didn't know the old Scholes better but these old photos at least give glimpses of it.

Whenever I see old empty properties like this I think of all the 'collectable stuff' that would have been just been left in the cellars and attics.. But thinking, in those times, the items wouldn't have been of any value. Have you seen how much the old cardboard adverts for various products, that were put in shop windows, go for!!!

You came from a good community in Ince Irene very similar to Scholes I thought. Plus there’s more of Ince left than what is left of Scholes.
As I said to Garry when I was on a replacement coach going to Wigan one time I was amazed at the older property that is left. I had relatives living in Ince as well. My grt grandparents moved from Scholes to Caroline St.

I wonder if Winnie would be able to find out who the shopkeepers were.. I can’t remember what was in those windows although I remember the buildings.. I recall Livesey’s shop a bit further up and the Newsagents next door.
When those buildings were demolished I bet things were found by the workmen who knows! To think the building was from 1825 there must have been some interesting stuff in the attics or cellars.