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Royal Visits

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Queen's Silver Jubilee visit to Wigan
Queen's Silver Jubilee visit to Wigan
Photo: Rev David Long
Views: 4,756
Item #: 33003
20th. June 1977
Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh
During this the year that the nation was celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, a royal tour of the North West had been arranged which included a visit to the Borough in order to view an arts and crafts exhibition being held at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. The original arrangements being based upon Her Majesty leaving the royal train at Lowton Sidings, this later revised on the basis that Wigan North West Station would be a more suitable disembarkation point. Here the Queen was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, the Mayor of Wigan, the High Sheriff and local Members of Parliament.
A military guard of honour was provided by the Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry and a military band played the National Anthem.
After the brief ceremony in Wigan, the royal party departed Wallgate travelling via Standishgate, and through Higher Ince, Hindley, and Hindley Green to Leigh Town Hall Square and from there to their tour of the Turnpike Gallery.

Comment by: Veronica on 14th March 2021 at 11:59

I remember walking from St Pat's school with others in my class in the early fifties to see The Queen. We were led down the side of the River Douglas to come onto Wallgate and walked just past where she is stood. We seemed to be stood waiting ages only to get a glance at her and the Duke as they sped past! From excitement to disappointment in seconds. The crowds then were far larger than in '77.

Comment by: Edna on 14th March 2021 at 14:16

Ho! My goodness, thank you Rev David for this lovely memory. We were there, stood just near Queen st.I remember it well.

Comment by: CJ1737 on 15th March 2021 at 08:01

The Queen came to Wigan again in March 1986 to officially open the new Wigan Pier complex. There was a plaque outside the entrance to the Orwell for many years to commemorate the occasion.

Sadly the site fell into complete disrepair (again!) during the 2010s and is now undergoing another multi-million pound face-lift.

Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any more recent official visits to Wigan by her Majesty. Anyone on here got any further knowledge of this?

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 15th March 2021 at 10:06

She visited the HJ Heinz food plant on 21st May 2009. She was there along with Prince Phillip to comemorate the factory's 50th birthday and 50 years after the Queen Mother had visited the site, 24th June 1959, shortly after it's opening.

Comment by: Roy on 15th March 2021 at 10:23

I was 10/15 feet away from the Queen in 1954 when she and Prince Philip were on a tour of South Lancashire, which included Wigan, when she opened John McCurdy Hall which is now Wigan and Leigh College situated on the corner of Parsons Walk and New Market St, she opened the building via the New Market St entrance. I was then a 13 year old pupil at Thomas Linacre School, which, for the younger WW readers is / was further down Parsons Walk opposite what was Wigan Grammar School, now Thomas Linacre Outpatient Centre.

Comment by: Mick on 16th March 2021 at 16:34

I was on Springs road Kitt Green when she came out of Heinz in 2009 and she saw me she give me a wave

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 17th March 2021 at 14:47

I bet that made her day Mick

Comment by: Graham Taylor on 17th March 2021 at 19:56

I was in the rear rank near the bridge away from any cameras

Comment by: Mr X on 18th March 2021 at 10:44

The Queen has been four times to Wigan, in 1954 when young to open the new college. In 1977 for her silver jubilee, in 1986 to Wigan Pier, and in 2009 to Heinz.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 18th March 2021 at 12:05

Graham, I was in front of Bean Filling near the Canteen. We tried to get into the Canteen but we weren't on the guestlist :). Prince Phillip was brilliant with the apprentices who were very nervous

Comment by: Roy on 18th March 2021 at 17:33

WN1, I did 20 years at KG on maintenance, Bean Filling 8 years then Soup Manufacturing 12 years, i took early retirement in 1992.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 18th March 2021 at 18:59

Roy, You may have come across my Father in Law Jimmy Shepherd on your travels

Comment by: Roy on 19th March 2021 at 09:28

WN1, it's an old story, the name rings a bell, but, i was on nights for the 20 years apart from a few courses etc over the years.
Where did you do your skiving ?

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 19th March 2021 at 11:22

Roy, I was just into my 36th when the time came. Did 20+ years in Bean Filling then 12 years behind the wall, all on double days. Got inducted onto the Wailing Wall in 2015

Comment by: Albert.S. on 20th March 2021 at 10:47

In June, 1959, I was on static duty, on Seven Stars Bridge, relating to the Queen Mother’s visit to Heinz Factory.

Comment by: Les Wilding on 25th March 2021 at 14:55

I was in the middle rank trying to hide Graham Taylor ( Spanners ) from the Queen........

Comment by: annemarie on 7th June 2021 at 13:14

my husband was in the second row.I still have a few of the christmas cards they printed he was on them.All the men looked really smart.His name was Maurice Trevor-Jones sadley no longer with us thanks for the memorie

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