Wigan Album

Good photograph , hope you are keeping well. Tom.

Lovely photo Albert, you do look happy in your job.
I bet you're glad you aren't in the force these days!

That's a LOVELY photo, Albert! You remind me of the "Aidensfied" bobbies in "Heartbeat"....approachable and friendly but standing no nonsense! I have seen many photos of the popular Wigan Policewoman, Big Amy, (who I wish I had known), and she has that same air of approachability and kindness, yet at the same time standing for no nonsense....and deserved the respect she got from all.....public and villains alike, as I'm sure YOU did. It was another world somehow, back then, and a different world even then than it had been back in the Sixties. It's hard to believe 1981 was forty years ago, but I remember it well....my daughter was born!

Irene/ Veronica. A lot greyer now, and during the recent lock down, I looked like Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Had my locks cut last Tuesday.

Irene. Saw Amy in the nursing home, at Pemberton, just a couple of months before she passed away. She was a lady that stood no nonsense, and really showed her determination in any situation that arose, but was full of compassion, and kindness when a situation warranted it. I had oceans of time for Amy. May she rest in perpetual happiness, and peace.

Nice to put a face to the name Albert, hope you're keeping well.

Lovely to see this photo Albert, thank you.Heartbeat came to mind Irene, before I saw your comment, and yes Amy was a lovely lady.

I had to look twice at that photo, I thought it was Johnny Vegas.

Reminds me of Colin Welland when he was in Z Cars

Still recognisable from when we first met in 1960. Hope you and Veronica keep safe and well.

I visit Amy's grave often, i'm actually visiting another grave but i always call and see her, fond memories of her on the Wigan streets. As WN1 says, it's nice to put a face to a name, nice photo Albert.

Mick. Once when I was swimming in Fleetwood pool , I had just swam to the shallow end, when a young lady in the pool said to me. “You remind me of someone famous.” I thought Steve McQueen, plus one or two others good lookers. Then she said. “ You’r not Alf Roberts are you.” ?. How you can soon be deflated.

George, George. Are you sure you are not getting confused with Johnny Weissmuller?.

I hope you don't mind me saying Albert, but wot a shame your lovely auburn hair had to go grey.My mother had Auburn hair and I loved it.

Happens to us all Edna, I would sooner be grey, than bald.

whats wrong with bald albert

It is just my own preference not to be bald yul b. My son is as bald, as bald.

Take no notice Albert your hair is that thick it's obvious you were never going to be as bald as a coot. I bet your father was the same. Usually baldness is hereditary. My dad went bald as did his father - it didn't stop him going to the barbers though. He was under the impression the more he shaved his head the wavy locks would grow again - much to my amusement! ;0))

Veronica. I believe my son does it of his own volition.
My other elder son has got a full head of thick hair

That's Fred Flintston where's willmaaaaa well done happy retirement enjoy

Malloy. By the grace of God, having drawn my pension for nearly thirty three years. I become a member of the 30/30 club, exceeding the thirty years of paying in quite a hefty monthly superannuation, over all those previous thirty years.

Albert S : I must confess Albert that is a good head of hair, you can tell you sleep on your right. I would be very impressed if you joined the mile high club, that would sort your curls out.

John G. The mile high club, wouldn’t have anything to do with heaven, or would it?.

Albert S: All depends how you look at it.

That's a lovely photo Albert,you look to be a very kind man,and a handsome one..re big Amy,if ever you got on a bus with her,you'd soon see what kind of a person she was..she would get up from her seat whenever an older person got on,help people to get off the bus,she was never still until she got to her bus stop at Springfield.When my Dad passed away I met her in Makinsons Arcade,and she was so kind after finding out about him...she was indeed a lovely lady.

Maureen. Relating to your comments on Amy. I concur with you one hundred per cent. In late 1962, my wife and I were walking through Mesnes Park, and met Amy. My son was only three or four months old. She pushed 2/6 (half a crown) into my hand. “Put that into his money box”. So kind hearted.

Albert,were you ever on duty in Wallgate at all.

I certainly was Maureen. On many an occasion between mid 1958 to September, 1962. I was on duty, and dealt with the terrible injuries, (tourniquet, etc.) a child had received after his leg was crushed by the track of a bull dozer. It had occurred on a building site, on the left of Wallgate, if travelling towards Pemberton. All the nerves in his leg must have had the feeling destroyed. He just asked me. “ Will I not have to go to school tomorrow?”. His leg was amputated at Wigan Infirmary.

Albert,my Mam told me of another terrible accident involving a child of the McMahons family (John)and a child of the Crowe family,they were crossing the main road in Wallgate and a bus ran over them..the McMahons owned the Grocers shop just further down Great George Street..my Mam went there regularly,the Crowes couldn't afford a funeral so the McMahons had both children buried together..they had another Son and named him John like the child they'd lost..(he has been on WW) and told me where they were buried,so we went to pay our respects..isn't that sad.

Those evens most possibly happened after I left Central Division. In September 1962, I was transferred to Pemberton. I transferred to Kent Police in July, 1964. As the writing was on the wall for Borough Forces to be amalgamated with larger Forces. I jumped, before I was pushed, to have my own choice.

No Albert,I believe it happened roundabout the 40s,you probably weren't even in the force at that time,but I must say..were there even buses at that time.

Maureen. Yes there were buses in the forties. I travelled on those buses. I was born early, 1934.