Wigan ex-pats (USA)

Comments: My nickname in the late 70's was PODGE and I was known as cock of Cansfield High in Bryn. I joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and in 1982 was aboard HMS Antelope that sank in the Falklands. In 1991 I met a native of Baltimore Maryland in the USA and after 5 years of traveling decided to leave the UK to be with my new wife and young daughter. I now work as a senior engineer for Hewlett Packard have 2 young daughters and a nice home. My family still live in Wigan and I miss them very much. My sisters are Janette Greenall married to Barry Greenall formerly Greenalls Commercials in Bryn, my other sister is Samantha Ashton and she owns the Beauty Box salon in Ashton-in-Makerfield

I miss: Chips fish and peas and gravy, Wigan Market. Friendly banter, broad wigan accents. Heinz beans and sausage, mates from school

Comments: Used to live in Billinge, next to the rezzies in Orrell. Now work in the Embassy in DC but on our way home soon for good, back to Billinge! Full circle in nearly 22 years!

I miss: Pasties definately and Gaskells chippy in Orrell!!

Comments: Hello, My name is Marjorie[maiden name Houghton].I was born and raised in Shevington and attended Shevington secondary school leaving in 1969.In 1971 I moved to Newquay in Cornwall and made that home until September 5th 1991.The USA has been home since then.After living in the San-Diego area for 2 years my family and I moved to the Palm Springs area.My husband Steve is a retired US Marine who has a love of the UK [but still cannot understand what my Coppull born brother-in-law says!]I have a background in teaching which originally started in Wigan Tech' but, have been involved in Hotel management for many years.I have four children ranging from 32 years to 13 years[sadly one is deceased],two are in the medical profession in the London area.Both kids stayed with my family and attended Wigan Tech' before going on to Uni'.

I miss: Whenever I return to the UK I always come right back to Wigan.My 13year old American son loves the people plus all the attention he gets with his accent.I miss fish chips and mushy peas and my son Grant loves the pies.We always return with bags of Uncle Joe's mintballs for my husband.

Comments: I used to live in Standish (then I was Lesley McHugh). I have lived in the States now for over 26 years, but I come back at least once yearly to work....I am an artist (figurative & equine). I am married to Larry, have three wonderful children, two girls in college, one boy in high school.

I miss: THE PEOPLE!!!! Wonderful family and raucous personalities. Old people in macs... I have to get the following fix within a week of coming home: Chips, fish & mushy peas, a pie, sandwiches & sketching on Parbold Hill, a walk along the canal bank (and occasionally renting a longboat), Blackpool for mussels and donkey painting...The list is endless...

Comments: USE TO LIVE ON BEECHHILL LANE WIGAN ANYBODY RECALL THE CLIFFS ON THAT STREET STEVE PETER ROSANNE AND JOHN E-MAIL BACK

I miss: being home at the hoilday season with family and the pubs

Comments: I lived on beechhill lane moved to usa in 69 with my family does anyboby recall the cliffs steve peter rosanne and john? I,v been married for 17yrs I work for a cleaning company on us air force base in dayton at a child day care cener on base.

I miss: going to pubs with my mates and the fish @chips

Comments: I was brought up in Wigan, and went to the Deanery. I left when I was about 21 and have only been back twice since (I am now 40. I am married with a 16 year old son. I like living in the US but there are things that I miss about "home"

I miss: I definatly miss Sarah Lynns, Wigan Rugby, Cadburry's Flakes. Friendly people and oh yeah the beer!

Comments: Lived in Wigan in the 1970s.

I miss: Nothing.

Comments: Used to live on Baxter Street in Standish, and play on "The Backs" and in St. Wilf's graveyard, climbing the trees. Good Times :) Moved to Avondale Street and spent a lot of my teen years roaming all over the Rook (I hear it has burnt down recently). Now I live in Virginia, USA. Not at all like Standish, but a change is as good as a rest. I fix computers.

I miss: not being able to watch a music gig without 300 idiots yelling "Red Army" for no reason. I miss the casual-drinking culture. The fantastic public transport. I miss Brewer's Fayre Pub lunches on a lazy sunday. I miss all my friends. I miss my family. I do not miss the weather, or constant football coverage.

Comments: I was Born in Bryn nr Wigan I am married with 2 childen

I miss: The family The Chippy the Wigan people The pies Going fishing with my Dad friends

Comments: Our dear mother Barbara departed us in October 2005. She was born in 1938 in Wigan and grew up in Goose Green on Warrington Road. The location of the house is now a football pitch near the labor club. She moved to the USA in 1960, married Robert Smith, and had two children. Steven and Debra.

I miss: Mostly we miss our "Mum" and are eager to keep in touch with others from Wigan. We both visit Wigan as much as possible and were christened at St Pauls, Goose Green. Who doesn't miss the pies and beer? Steven and Debra.

Comments: Lived on Beech Hill Lane until I was 17 - went to Deanery High School and 6th Form then moved to Chicago in 2001 to go to school. Got married and I now live in Houston.

I miss: My family, my friends, chips and gravy, pies, and people sayin "oreet!"

Comments: pottery, wigan pier 20 yards ,born 1939, retired, wigan grammar, poolstock elementary and st james ,wigan parish church with g galloway choirmaster , eckersleys mill .whelan early years .

I miss: being there , and a beer, and plantations ,and leeds and liverpool canal at dean wood , a town of dreams and guts.

Comments: Hiya all you Wiganers,I moved to the States in 1993 I married a Yank we have three lovely kids,whom was all born here,I lived in Standish went to Whitley High grew up in Shevy (shevington) went to St Bernadettes,with My Beloved Brother Colin Walsh also Pamela Walsh,then moved to zambia with my Mum and Dad,which who now live in Ireland.

I miss: Where do I start,I do not think I have the room,I miss the Wigan night life there is nothing like going round town have the crack with all the mates, then going to Sweaty Betty's for an Indian after a couple of drinks which used to be the Bee's Knee's,I miss all my freinds and Family my Uncle Michael Ryan, who is my rock,Sister n law Diane Walsh and my lovely Nephew and nieces,I miss it all there is "nought like home" and the good old Wiganers.

Comments: Lived in Wigan until 1971 Graduated Wigan Girls'High School in 1963.Worked for Marflow Greet Cards until 1971 - when I ,and husband - Mike ,emigrated to South Africa .From there - came to Gainesville,Georgia USA in 1977.Mike had a garage for 10 years here -then we had a bakery/cafe for 15 years which unfortunately we had to sell recently because I had emergency open heart surgery.Ok now. So I guess we're retired. We have 2 grandchildren 3yrs.and 6yrs. so we keep pretty busy.My brother ,Keith,and his family live here too - just across town.

I miss: I have to say pies first or Mike will have a fit; family of course,all kinds of good food,good Wigan humour.

Comments: Lived in Winstanley, born 1979 and moved to usa with my parents in 1992, John and Sheila and my little brother mike. went to st edmund arrowsmith high school and morris danced with high field st aidans..... miss you girls...

I miss: everthing... hi auntie pat!!!! i miss my family the most.... and trips to southport beach and blackpool...my grandad and my cousins....chris you need to come see me!!!!!

Comments: i have lived all over wigan i moved to the united states in 1997 i am in the construction industryif any body remembers i used to play for the stork hotel in marsh green and st thomas's labour club rugby team

I miss: Firstly i miss the wigan people there is nobody like them in the world.and of course the pies and beer

Comments: Used to live at 40 Holborn Ave, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan. Now married to a lovely American. I taught for 34 years - now retired.

I miss: Uncle Joe'a Mintballs. Meat pies. Black Pudding. Rivington Pike. Hearing the accent. The canal. The Plantations and Haigh Hall. Decent fish and chips.

Comments: used to live in woodhouse lane, marsh green, worsley mesnes, scholes. i moved to the usa in 1997.i work in construction industry used to play rugby throw darts and all that stuff

I miss: all the local bars the town center on the weekends and of course the santi bag miss all the guys and girls from the turnkey had good times there

Comments: born in the potteries 1939, 40 yards from wigan pier .my grandmother sheltered the clydsdale barge pullers at wigan pier where the new nightclub is . wigan grammar in 1950 and chorister at wigan parrish church.my dad, george barker, worked in no 2 mill all his life at eckersleys and could only sleep sitting up because of cotton dust.just retired as part owner in san diegos 2nd largest architectural firm since 1971 and will travel back to wigan quite a bit .

I miss: rugby league .pie'yed city. lommer'ead green, pints with graham ellis ,walks to appley bridge on't cut with george and his dog.i know its gone - but wigan hipp and the old market .

Comments: still own a house in downall green rd my daughter is living there i am a plasterer i am doing it over here the pay is crap

I miss: i dont miss anything really ok the odd greenhalghs pie and rugby i miss the wicked humour of brian yates also of downall green if anyone knows him im sure you will agree

Comments: I was born in 1943 and lived on 69 Park Rd. Wigan until 1951 when my mother Edna Howard Corless and I emmigrated to the states in 1951. We sailed on the Queen Elizabeth I. My memories from Wigan are still as vivid as yesterday. I had four children and my husband and I have farmed for several years. I still view Wigan as my home and have never became a citzen here.

I miss: Custards, fish & chips, ice cream wafers fro the park.

Comments: Lived in Wigan. Went to St James CE in Poolstock and finished at Whitley High School in 1977. Now living in Chicago and running a $100M business. I am enjoying life and having a great time. Money speak.

I miss: Wigan Rugby Union and Fish and Chips and thats it.

Comments: I used to live in marsh green, then in worsley mesnes, then in scholes.used to go in the jaw bone in newtown, and in gems. moved to the usa 8 yrs ago anybody who remembers me get in touch thank you. You might be able to help me.

I miss: all the good nights i used to have and i miss the guys and the girls from the turnkey and the people i know from all over wigan. so get in touch, if any body knows Dave Varey from whelley, he used to play for doncater rovers and has a brother lawrence give him this e-mail address

Comments: Lived in Barnsley Street, Wigan. Left in 1988 to attend university.

I miss: Family, mates, rugby and Mild.

Comments: Grew up in Billinge,round the corner from the Brown cow.Went to St marys infant & junior school until 1975.Then to St Peters in Orrell and discovered Wigan.

I miss: Going to Blutos and Wigan Pier after getting the bus outside the Smithy in Billinge.Eating Chips & gravy whilst waiting for a taxi.Fish chips & mushy peas.Working class people that tell it like it is.

Comments: Born and raised in wigan, lived in standish, shevington, then apply bridge...Went to wood fold primary school, then shevington high...left in my last year...now im in america, dallas tx...enjoyin the long summer days, and 100 degree weather...its middle of october and were still in upper 80s....i now go to college, and transferin to UT Austin (biggest and best school in the whole of TX) workin on my masters in kinesiology and physical therapy...still live with parents who talk about nothin but wigan..mum is home sick..and will return soon

I miss: I miss everythin..my friends, family, scenery, wigan town, food...meat n potato pies, chippy...marks and sparks...miss apply bridge, but most of all..miss english lifestyle... now that i think of it..im a bit homesick myself...

Comments: ello!i used 2 live in hindley green n went to St. Edmund Arrowsmith High School. we moved to mooresville about 3 months ago cz o ma dads job. wus so funny to luk at all da uva wiganers hu liv in da US!

I miss: i miss everifin...my frends, family, pies, chinese chippy, GOOD bacon n sausage butties n cadbury's chocolate. N wigan rugby!!

Comments: I was born on 1/12/43 on 69 park road and lived there until my mother Edna Howard Corless and I emmigrated to the states on June 20, 1951.

I miss: The fish and chips and custards. Just being in my home country!

Comments: moved to the usa in 1969 I lived on the street named beechhill ln ( 62) I now work on a air force base in dayton (wright pattison airforce base at a child care center as a janitor

I miss: I miss the meat pies and fish and chips alot and i,v been over here for 36 yrs and I still miss them

Comments: I used to live in Pemberton. I went to St Cuthberts and Notre Dame High School. I worked at Nat West before I moved to Germany, married an American in 1973 and have been in Houston since then.

I miss: The obvious things - My family and friends. Fish, chips and mushy peas, fresh cream cakes, vanilla slices, cornish pasties, chocolate eclairs and anything Cadbury's.

Comments: From Aspull Wigan just moved to Charlotte 3 weeks ago and having a great time. The people here are so friendly we have been made very welcome. The best part is even when it rains it warm.

I miss: Rugby, rugby, Rugby. They have the same shaped ball - the story ends there - come on you Judes !!! At least we can get the results online.

Comments: Lived on Castle Hill Estate in Hindley, attended Cardinal Newman in the 60's. Went to Bradford University in 1969. Married a yank and moved here in 1979. Now work in the IT department at the local university.

I miss: I miss most things. The people, the town, wigan, real sausages and bacon, a decent pint. I get over as often as I can. Miss my old school mates and my newphew's and niece. Given half the chance I would love to move back (If I could afford to live there!) Can't complain about the US tough, it has been good to me. Still a Brit and will be

Comments: Lived in Gidlow Lane moved to USA 1951 worked in New York when I retired my huband and I moved to Las Vegas 7 yrs. ago.I have four children all grown up now and seven Grandchildren.

I miss: The friendley people, great tasting pies, chips& fish with vinigar.The simple way that I used to enjoy like family get get togethers and going to Blackpool to see the eluminations.

Comments: I lived in Highfield with my family until I went to Liverpool Poly. Eventually came to the States in 1996 on a student exchange program. Go home to Wigan at least once a year but definitely every Christmas - wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I miss: My Mum, Dad and sister, the down to earth people, the accent!, honesty, sense of humour, friendliness .... and football and rugby!!

Comments: Im from Manchester but my best friend lives in Wigan and I miss her a lot. Wigan was my second home when I still lived in the UK.

I miss: I like wigan and spent countless weekends there visiting my pal.I also miss the pies and the mushy peas. I especially miss holland's steak puddings. I miss the telly and the sweets and cream cakes . custard tarts vanilla slices. Uhhmmm!! oh well, I dream of them once a week, so that will have to suffice for now, till my next visit Ta Raah!!!!

Comments: Lived in Sinclair place Worsley Hall. Wigan. Lived in U S A. For 26 years My Wife and I have a small bakery.We also make.Meat and potato pies

I miss: Off course Meet Pies.My family

Comments: Used to live in Winstanley,Emmigrated in 1967. this message is for Richard Humphries. I rememeber you because My Dad Peter Trickett was married to John Lydons sister Kathleen. I used to love going to Aunty Nancys she made the best scones in the world.I have lost contact with the Lydons. could you please give Nancy my love. Richard and June were houshold names when I was growing up.

I miss: .

Comments: i used to live in a place called worsley hall, i'd lived there all my life until i was 11 and we had to move away because of my older brothers behaviour.i moved to the usa to get away from him mainly.i hated him for making us move cause i wanted to stay with all the friends that i ad grown up with. now i am a lawyer and have a life of my own and my brother cannot determine what happens in it.

I miss: i miss everything and i think i might go back, i miss my family, my five dogs, cat and also my horses, but to do with wigan, i miss mc donalds, propper pies ect.

Comments: Used to live in Winstanley, Cropper House near the Big Stone. Worked as a tracer for the N.C.B Moved to America in 1967. married a yank and here I still am.

I miss: I miss the sense of humor, the honesty. Fish and chips coming home from the pictures. the surrounding counrtyside. Pub lunches and the people. I of couse miss my family, my brother John lives on a narrow boat in Bedford Basin Leigh. What a lovely life he has.

Comments: Wigan, my home from birth till march 2004. Moved to Spokane WA USA, to get married. Alas work has not been good here but We are moving to Boise ID and things should be much better down there.

I miss: The beer oh god the beer. I did find a pub in the north of Idaho that had one cask ale on from a place in western Washington, and it was great. Fish and chips of course. Friends and family goes with out saying.

Comments: Just an update folks. My lovely Jersey Girl and I were married March 31st 2004. We have a lovely new home and we're happy. I'm still doing the old 'puterstuff, and my wife is Relocation Co-ordinator for HSN (Home Shopping Network)

I miss: I still miss my local, The Bird I'th Hand in Hindley, and my team, Wigan Athletic. We're coming over for a holiday in June, so hopefully the boys will be in the Premiership, and I can collect a few 'friendly pint' bets back in the Bird. To all my fellow Ex-Pats, stay safe and stay happy. All the best, JD and Ana.

Comments: I lived at 62 Beech Hill Lane. I went to Sacred Heart School. I moved to Ohio in 1969, to Texas in 1980, to Colorado in 1999. I married a Texas girl(Leslie) and have five year old son(Sawyer). I am a carpenter and build custom homes in the mountains.

I miss: I miss all my relatives and friends. Playing in the Piggy(behind our house on Beech Hill Lane). Cockles and mussels from the market for a shilling. ABC minors on Saturday mornings. I could go on forever. I miss everything.

Comments: Lived in Wigan moved to USA IN 1951 got married have four children all married now, also have seven grandchildren oldest 21 youngest 5yrs.old. I came to Wigan with lots of children during WWII from Vienna,Austria the year was 1940

I miss: I miss the the great food,pies and most of all the people are very friendly, its very hard to make friend in Las Vegas so to spend time my husband and I go to the Casino's L.O.L.

Comments: I was born in Yorkshire and moved to Wigan as a young child. I married Ronald P Wright in 1951. We have four children. We moved to the US in 1958 and settled in Western New York on the shores Of Lake Erie. My husband died in 2000. I have all my children close by.

I miss: Uncle joe mint balls.....the people and relatives.

Comments: Born in Orrell. We are the Winstanleys from Beech Hill. Our family moved to the States in 1985 after a stint in Krautland. I'm a civil engineer who concentrates on design/buildings retaining walls.

I miss: The pies, the buses, the pubs.

Comments: lived in Bottling wood. Left whelley school in 1957, work as Midwife in Lg Boston hospital.

I miss: Wigan common sense.Dandilion and burdock. the plantations . being a kid.

Comments: Born in Ashton but always tell people I'm from Wigan as most people don't know where Ashton is. Went to Ashton Grammar from 71 to 78 and then went walk about. London, Norway, Indonesia and now living in the US working in the oil patch. Spent most of my pocket money on Saturdays in Wigan and Wigan market area either in JJBs or Smiths record section or at the baths.

I miss: Definately meat and potato pies and tetleys bitter. The number 2A bus with the smoking section upstairs(not really). Wigans old ground by the river Douglas. The smell of the indoor market on Market Square. Pendleburys ! Anyone remember that? Watching idiots jump off the top board at the baths.

Comments: I'm from Avondale Road in Swinley. Went to St. John's primary school, St. John Fisher, and Wigan Tech. I came to the USA to get a PhD and I'm now what the Americans call a professor at the University of Nebraska.

I miss: Mostly pies and RL, but also Mad Eric's barber shop in Beech Hill, the old Market Hall, Jimmy's chippy on Earl Street, Bluto's circa 1982, the Pier on a Wednesday night, and about a million other things.

Comments: Lived in Shevington with my wife for three years. She's a native Shevingtonian and I'm from Ohio originally. We had to move back to the States for job reasons.

I miss: I miss the BEER! I love cask ales and those who know me from The Anvil will remember me meticulously taking beer tasting notes and talking with other afficianados for hours on end. I miss the pies! Greenalgh's was a weekly stop on Saturdays - nothing like a Steak Kidney Pie (or two) with some good old pea or mushroom soup! The Rugby! I really enjoy rugby and look forward to catching a match when we come back for a visit! Chadwicks butchers in Standish - wow - what a place! Great meats and anything you can imagine food-wise. Drives in the country in search of pubs and local landmarks. The people - nowhere in England are the people more friendly and funny! I sure miss Wigan!