Wigan Album

Looks like Brian Ashcroft,6th from the right on top row ?

You're quite right Elizabeth. He's stood Beighton my dad John, next left, the little bloke. They were best mates from school right until my Dad died in 2017. He 'Uncle Brian' to me anc my brother Chris...

Beighton??? I meant 'next to'....

Pesky auto correct......

Thanks Gareth I thought it looked like him.My son is a good friend of Brian's youngest son,the family used to live a few doors from us when the boys were younger.

I worked at Kirkless during this period I didn't even know there was a band

Firs Park Drive or Whiteside Ave?.....

Steve, the band rehearsed in a room on your left at the top end after the end of Cale Lane...

When they lived in Whiteside Avenue, Gareth.

Is that John Hedley in front of Brian Ashcroft? Another Flockton Avenue resident Gareth

It looks like the photo was taken in the Winter Gardens Blackpool.

Bill Bretherton, ex St.Helens and Wigan RLFC, middle row on right next to the trombonist.

Indeed it is Valerie. Sadly John also passed away around 5 years ago.

I don't know all the names here but in no particular order, the photo shows;
Jimmy and John Marrow, Alan and Jim Southworth, Gordon Turner, Graham Stirrup, Colin Moore (conductor), Gary Parr, Paul Wilson , Walter Ainscough, Ken Houghton, Gillian Stewart.
Plus, of course, all the names mentioned so far....

My 2 cousins Jimmy and John Marrow.
Jimmy Marrow, back row 2nd from left, (passed away recently). John Marrow 3rd from right back row he's between the lad in glasses and the tall lad on his right.

Roy, please accept my condolences on the death of Jimmy. I did not know he had passed away. My brother and I have fond memories of fishing trips to his farm as youngsters.
RIP.

I think the lad 2nd from right front row is Les Moss . A nice lad who died too young .
Roy , Did you see John being interviewed by Tony ' Baldrick' Robinson on his Canal Journeys programme? I can't quite remember if the conversation was about the band or working in the railway yard .

Yes i did Dave, i think it was about NCB workshops, Top Place, Kirkless St etc .
John was a good friend of Fred Dibnah and helped the 'Backstreet Mechanic' out on many occasions mainly with boiler work,
GARETH i certainly will, in fact i saw him on Sunday night on his way to his favourite watering hole, The Lychgate in Standish.

Roy, John is the Grand Old Man of the band, which these days is based in Coppull. If you see him, ask him about me and my brother Chris, and our creative use of photography on the band trip to Germany....he still mentions it whenever either of us sees him.

I see him regularly Gareth, together with HIS son John and their alsatian. Next time i see him you and your brother will be mentioned.

correct aubrey: billy bretherton, without his drum,watched this band standish lower ground late 60s early 70s i think the band was then called the crooke & kirkless miners welfare band ; billy bretherton on the base drum

great photo Gareth,we had a good band in those days and more important the social life of the band was one of the best around.hope you are well.