Wigan ex-pats (Australia)

Comments: MONTROSE AVE, WORSLEY HALL.This is my second posting just in case anyone new is viewing. Went to St Edwards school Newtown then on to St Thomas More approx 1961. Would love to hear from anyone who knows of me or any of my family. Best regards.

I miss: Mainly my family and friends, we are SO far away here.Sorry to I was never into pies anyway and don't drink beer so I suppose I'm not a true Wiganer!!!

Comments: WORSLEY HALL, Montrose Avenue Wigan. Second posting just in case any new people viewing.Went to St Edwards, Newtown 1955/60 then to St Thomas More 1961/67ish.Came from a large family who most of them still live in the same area. I worked overseas for many years mainly in Greece and the Greek Islands then moved to Australia 20 years ago.I have been in the real estate business for 18 years.Live in Sydney and love it except for the extreme heat but you can't have everything can you? If there's anyone out there who knows of me or one of my family I'd love to hear from you.

I miss: Family and friends,being close to the rest of Europe.Honest,down to earth Wiganers and good pubs.

Comments: I moved from Wigan in 1962 maiden name Finney. Would love to hear from anyone with information about genealogy.

I miss:

Comments: i grew up in newsprings and got married there to ian .we moved out to brisabane oct 06 and loving it .i am working in child care and ian has a really good job out here ! the children have settled in very well and go to the local state school

I miss: the things i miss about wigan are the indian take aways ,pie shops and the pubs.i also miss famliy and friends

Comments: Lived in Bamfurlong, Went to Rose Bridge High School - Left in 1984. Travelled Australia in 1989 - returned 1990. Married in 1996. Husband Paul and we have two children Jordan and Abbi. Emigrated to Australia in 2005, did 6 months on gold coast and now in Perth.

I miss: Most definitely pies (edwards and greenhalghs) and my son would say the same. Saturday night round town and PEMPS! My family and my best mate Julie Fishwick.

Comments: dad was born and bred in Hindly.... so I have had a close assosication with the area all my life 'cos of rellies and stuff.

I miss: black pudding

Comments: Used to live in Heskin but was born and dragged up in Shevington. Been in Australia since. 1997

I miss: I miss alot, not just about Wigan but England in general. If I could get Pound for Dollar I'd be out in a flash

Comments: Just to add my email address for anyone who wants to keep in touch with an ex-Wiganner. Used to live in Sydney, sister there now. Now in Qld 6 yrs.

I miss: Already posted some time ago.

Comments: Lived in Wigan until I aged 25 - moved to London 1968 for work - lived in Ampthill Bedfordshire. To Australia in 1971 - since then I have been based in Western Australia but have spent eight years in Hong Kong - married with one son.

I miss: The people

Comments: i lived in swinley street wigan i worked as a police woman haha and moved to australlia with the whole family in 2001

I miss: i miss the chippy from round the corner did the best chips ever where i live the nearest is a couple of miles away and there chips are horrible the call them fries and i keep saying chips and they keep given me a packet of chrisps this may be strange but i miss the drizzly weather wigan the best town ever

Comments: BORN IN HIGHER INCE 1950 WENT TO ROSE BRIDGE WORKED LEIGH INFIRMARY LEFT WIGAN JAN 1971 HUSBAND JOHN MCMULLEN DIED FEB 2000 THREE DAUGHTERS THREE GRANDAUGHTERS

I miss: RECENTLY BACK IN THE UK HAD A GREAT TIME WITH MY FAMILY

Comments: I'VE POSTED BEFORE BUT HERE GOES. I GREW UP IN MONTROSE AVE, WORSLEY HALL. WENT TO ST EDWARDS SCHOOL(1955/61ish) AND ST THOMAS MORE (1962/67ish).BIG FAMILY ONE OF 7 KIDS SO SOMEONE WILL PROBABLY KNOW ONE OF US. DIDN'T REALLY SPEND MUCH OF MY ADULT LIFE IN WIGAN. I WORKED IN BLUTOS AND THE JOHN BULL FOR A WHILE THEN IN NEWQUAY, TORQUAY THEN JERSEY AND IN GREECE/ISLANDS FOR MANY YEARS FOR THOMSON & OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS BEFORE COMING TO OZ WITH MY SISTER SHEELAGH.I'VE BEEN BACK TO VIST TWICE SINCE AND SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES SOME NOT ALWAYS FOR THE BEST BUT I STILL GET A BUZZ DRIVING FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT AND APPROACHING SCOT LANE. WOULD STILL LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE THAT MIGHT HAVE KNOW OUR FAMILY AND THANKS TO THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED ME. BEST REGARDS MARY

I miss: MOST OF ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WIGAN PUBS AND THE MARKET, EASY ACCESS TO EUROPE, DEFINITELY NOT THE FOOD WE HAVE THE BEST SELECTION OF FOOD HERE IN OZ AND A BETTER RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM HA HA!!!

Comments: Lived in Hindley (Castle Hill Rd) and Platt Bridge. Attended Argyle St & Moss Lane Schools, repsectively. Emigrated to South Africa in 1963 & then to Australia in 2002 on a 4yr retirement visa, since renewed. Miss South Africa & the wild life though. Qualified as a mining engineer(coal)at Wigan Tech & worked in the mines in Sa and Botswana. Still support England at sport despite their ecent woeful performances.

I miss: Borsdane wood, Bolton Wanderers & the Latics; my whom would have believed it, Lancashire Combination to Premier league. Miss the countryside in general but not so much the weather.

Comments: Born and brought up at Kitt Green went to St Cuthberts and Tommy More. Worked as an apprentice at NCB till going away to sea in 1968. Emigrated to Aus in 1971. Now have own business producing videos and DVD for corporate clients.

I miss: I miss the Wigan humor, the pubs and clubs of Wigan.

Comments: I moved to Australia in 1972, my maiden name was Joyce Lee and I lived in Hindley, attended Hindley@Abram Grammer School in the 1950.Was born in Platt Bridge Stanley Rd, my partner and I are caretakers of a Marron ( fresh water crayfish) and Murry Cod breeding park.

I miss: I miss Blackpool the illuminations. Wigan Pier, and Borsden Wood Hindley,Haigh Hall and Wigan Park

Comments: I use to live in Hindley, I attended Hindley @ Abram Grammer School my maiden name was Lee that was in the fifties, I now live on a animal and wildlife sanctury as a caretaker with my partnerin Whyalla South Australia

I miss: I miss the rugby The markets, and the parks .Haigh Hall, and good friends

Comments: I used to live in WORSLEY HALL, WIGAN I come from a large family 7 kids so I'm sure there must be somone out there thatt know of our family. I went to ST EDWARDS PRIMARY then to ST THOMAS MORE (1961/66/7)school Scot Lane Newtown. Worked overseas for many years mainly Greek Islands for Thomson Holidays & Olympic. I now live in Sydney working in a real estate office.It's always nice to hear from anyone from "the old country"!!! Best regards Mary

I miss: We can get most things here and I hate to say it but the pies are much better.OMG I think I've just dug my own grave!!! I really miss family and friends and not being there for special events like 30th,40th,50th birthdays, births, funerals etc etc but that's a choice you make so we just have to accept it.

Comments: Used to live in Pepper Lane Standish Moved to Australia in '64 went to St Maries. Work in Aged Care looking after the services ie catering, cleaning and laundry.Hope to hear from someone who recognises the name.

I miss: Nostalgic things like Wrightington Fish Ponds, Wigan Market,double decker buses, the kiosk in Mesnes Park and yes the meat & potato pies.

Comments: Paul is originally from Aspull but when we married we lived in St Paul's Ave Goose Green. Regulars of Goose Green Labour club and St Judes (rugby) We left in June 1993. Paul still laying bricks. We have 2 (Big) kids now, David & Heather - you wouldnt recognise them. Valerie selling steel products for The Locker Group. (Phil Gartside, Bolton Wanderers)

I miss: We miss family and social life - pubs, shopping in Wigan. Real bacon and boiled ham. Twilight and greenery.

Comments: I went to Bluecoat Primary School from 1964 to 1972 (I think)!! Came to Australia in 1986. Wigan will ALWAYS be home.

I miss: Wiganers are the best people - the best sense of humour - the best language - BEST pies (thanks Pooles)

Comments: A Laborer went to job site to ask for work. Foreman says "Can you make tea?" Laborer "Yes I can." Foreman "Can you drive a fork lift truck?" Laborer "Why?! How big's your bloody kettle???"

I miss: What with Liquid, baa bar, flares,Jumping Jacks, Walkabout, Surfers Paradice,The Orange House, Ibiza Bar, Malonies, Amber Bar,Bentlys,The Litten Tree, Dali Bar and Wigans newest club The Hub, the only R N B club in town I am spoilt for choice.

Comments: I live at 22 Barnsley St Wigan. I attended St John Fisher secondray school Beech Hill,from when it first opened not sure of the date till 1958. I emigrated to Australia in May 1958 when I was 15 years of age with my Mother & Father. We sailed to Australia on the P&O SS Strathnaver. My wifes name is Frances Australian born and I have two girls Susan & Christine. I am a Services Oficer and work for the Department of Education and Training, New South Wales

I miss: The ABC Minors

Comments: Bill lived in Ashton and went to Burchall high left there in 86.Andrea grew up in Newtown and went to pem middle then mesnes high left in 87.We left Ashton in 2004 to Australia and came str8 to the Gold Coast.We spend most of are weekends on are boat,having bbqs on the beach the weather is gr8 and the people.We would love to here from any Wiganrs that have made the same move.xx

I miss: Friends and Family first.Meat and potato pies they dont make them here,the pubs,clubs,people.

Comments: Lived springfield street wigan 1960s,then primrose lane standish 1962-,then backlane appley bridge 1968-78 attended shevington high school 1970-74 then a welders apprentiship at horwich loco 1974-78 then emigrated to Australia.

I miss: Food - fishing-Friends-wigan casino

Comments: I used to live on Norley Hall Estate and attended All Saints School. I left school at Easter in 1965. My parents were Anne & Bill Winstanley. Dad was a partner in the Seven Stars School of Motoring. I worked at Dunlop on the Pimbo Industrial Estate at Skelmersdale. My brother Geoff lives in Sydney and has two sons. I am married to an American named Dan and have two lovely daughters. Kelly is married to Paul and they have two boys and Jane is married to Cameron and they have a girl and a boy. It would be nice to hear from old school friends/neighbours/friends. I still have several family members living in Wigan and some of them have been out to Australia to visit us. I work in the health industry and Dan works in tourism and we really enjoy our lives together.

I miss: I miss my family and friends. I miss those lovely Lancashire accents and the fish and chip shops. I especially miss steak puddings and Uncle Joe's mintballs and visiting my old pub, The Windmill at Parbold.

Comments: kitt green.. emigrated 1967

I miss: sense of humour and uncle joe's mint balls

Comments: Born at Crown Hotel New Springs Wigan 1952 Lived at Scot Lane Newton Emigrated with family 1962 Supply Specialist with BHPBilliton last visited Wigan 1999 and will again soon

I miss: Mabs Cross on Frday nights

Comments: Lived at 15 Clapgate lane and went to St Cuthberts.Moved to oz when I was 11(1971)with my two brothers, Tony and Peter, parents Bill and Maggie. now a fitness instructor and (wannabe!)sculptor.

I miss: Things i miss? Miss snow at christmas! food of course like everybody else-Black puddin', pork pies,fish n chips, sloppy peas.Watching Tommy Cooper and Benny Hill. Often wonder what all my old mates ended up doin'. Used to play on the old abandoned mines up the road- sliding down the hill on my arse in the snow at chrissy, scaring ourselves with stories of "red clogs" from the mines. If you remember the Browns from Clapgate lane,send us a line- PO Box 263 Waratah NSW 2298 Australia.

Comments: Hi I used to live in Shevington, went to Shevington High School(no kidding)have worked in a couple of mills in wigan, worked behind the bar at the Riverside,met a travelling aussie in the Navigation at Gathurst. we ended up getting married and came to live in perth been here 16 yrs have two beutiful kids, have only been back to Wigan once in that time, actually trying to organize a flight to go home next couple of months sooo exited to see my family

I miss: I am hanging out for a decent pie any will do, Wigan pubs, walks to haigh hall,The Markets!!

Comments: emigrated to sydney in1971,moved to perth in 72,with family,been ere ever since,all family her from Aspull,went to our ladys rc in haigh rd,lived in ratcliffe rd, aspull,have sister here also.

I miss: dandelion and burdock,uncle joes, fish and chips,the smell of freshly cut grass in haigh Hall andfootball.

Comments: Used to live in Gidlow Lane Wigan Nursing at Wrightington Hospital Left UK in March 1974

I miss: The Pier!!!! Still get the Jokes

Comments: Originally from Montrose Ave, Worsley Hall. Went to St Thomas More High School.Worked overseas for many years mainly Greece and the Greek Islands for Thomson & Olympic Holidays.Been living in Sydney Australia for nearly 20 years and love it.

I miss: I don't miss the warm beer or the pies just the people and the great pub life which cannot be recreated anywhere and of course not being able to see my family and friends more often.

Comments: Lived in Montrose Avenue. Worked in Spain/Greece for few years. Came to Oz 20 years ago. Live 10 mins away from an old neighbour from Wigan! Love the climate, gold coast is spectacular, plenty to do in this climate that doesn't cost much. No snobs. Aussies accept you as you are not depending on your accent.

I miss: Family & friends, late summer evenings, the sense of humour and down to earth people from Wigan. Good indian food on a cold night.

Comments: Lived in Worsley Hall (nr JJB Stadium) until 1976, went to Notre Dame High School, worked for Thomson Hols for many years. Came to Oz 20 yrs ago for holiday! Married, 2 children, divorced. Work part time.

I miss: Family, any food eaten in cold weather like chips & gravy, indian etc. Atmosphere in pubs. Hate the cold weather, love the friendliness of the Wiganers. Thank god for the internet, keep up with news from UK. Anybody from St. Edwards/Notre Dame High School, plse contact me?

Comments: grew up in hindley, went to mornington road school. left england in 1988 (bad move). self employed, hair salons and manufacturer of products for the hairdressing industry.

I miss: things i miss about wigan would be the people, the beer and the fact that you can get to europe so easily. from the arse end of the world you can't get anywhere unless you are absolutely loaded. still it's not all bad here, we do have sunshine and we don't have wigans crappy city centre. what have you let the council do to the place, it sucks. there's no soul to the place now , it just looks as boring and utalitarian as every other place. it looks just like george orwell said the future would be. I've done moaning now because it's pointless. boring and scruffy the place may be but it still has a special place in side for all us ex-pats. keep it safe for when we next come home. seeyalater.ps Kev bradshaw, our kev say's you haven't got in contact with him yet so please send an e-mail to me for his full phone number and home address.

Comments: I used t live in Springfield, I am married to Lisha, i have 3 kids Kamy 16, Tom 10, Emily 7. we came here in March 2005, i work for South Australia Police, Lisha works in Commercial sales.We love Adelaide and the weather here. We are building a house with a swimming pool near to the beach.

I miss: We all miss pies, Lisha misses Asda, i miss all the pubs, hussle and bussle, we miss Wigan park, haigh hall and most of all frosty mornings!!!

Comments: Lived in Henry Park St Higher Ince married Terry Halsall moved to Aspull have 2 children boy Marc and girl Janine. We have 2 grandchildren boys aged 3 & 5 yrs. Moved to WA in 1983. We have holiday accommodation in Margaret River and are semi retired.

I miss: I miss the Wigan humour and dream of good steak pudding, chips and mushy peas.A good meat and potatoe pie.Good market stalls.

Comments: I was born in Gidlow Lane (we were born at 'ome in them days). Lived in Wigan until I was 25 when Maggie shut Parkside Pit and I had to move. I run a diamond mine in Western Australia. Am married to Yvie and we have a little boy (Derek Byrne the third!).

I miss: being able to say: "chips, pudding, and peas, twice, luv". Swimming in the canal. Pizza on a Friday night at "Inn Good Taste" in Standish.

Comments: Victoria St, Newtown. Moved to Australia 1984. 36 Y/O lived in wigan for 14 years since 2 Y/O.

I miss: Believe it or not the weather. I still cannot get used to xmas in the heat, it's all wrong. Food but you can find alot here in AUS like soreen Malt loves.

Comments: Lived in Higher Ince then moved to Worsley Mesnes. Moved to Australia in 1967. I am a secretary at Royal North Shore Hospital, married with two grown daughters and 1 granddaughter who is 2 years old

I miss: Green's pork pies and pork sausages. Treacle toffee by Santos'. Probably both shops shut down now. Used to be in the Market Hall.

Comments: Born 1967. Lived originally in Humphrey Street, Higher Ince on the lights, went to Ince CE Primary School with best mate Linda Jones. Then Park High School in Hindley 1979-84. Met Barry, my husband at The Edge Tavern pub in Bolton in 1993, we later ran 3 pubs of our own between 1993 and 1997. I am a teacher and taught most recently at Hawkley Hall High school in Wigan 1999-2005. Made loads of mates there who I miss no end! We've only just moved to Australia, Sept 2005, so I still get the occassional wobbly day, but what a place! We are moving to a home of our own down in Mornington next week, talk about picture postcard perfect! We have two children, Archie who will start prep in February and Mackenzie who's 18 months, it's definately the place to bring up kids! Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or thinks they may know someone who knows me!

I miss: Definately family and close friends, they are great at keeping in touch on the phone and email but I miss the physical contact. Sharing the good things here with my mum. Being understood for 100% of a conversation coz being new to Aus I still have a broad Wigan accent! Black puddings, Holland's steak n Kidney pudding, Walker's crisps, spuds (they don't taste right here), Asda/Morrisons/Tesco (they don't have the large supermarkets that sell everything and the kitchen sink here). I suppose it's all things familiar at the moment but you always have your favourites that you can't get in other places even in the UK! No regrets though, Australia is a fantastic place :)

Comments: Lived in Wigan for 17 months from Dec, 72 till Jun, 74. Lived in Ince, Standish, Pemberton and Kitt Green. Worked for Stirling Aggregates in Scotland and G.W. Collins (VG Foodstores)in Haydock. Married a beautiful English Rose named Valerie Bolton and brought her home to Australia in 1974.

I miss: Miss the friends I made at Haydock, pubs, the countryside and history of England. Miss the friendliness of the Lancashire people. The closeness of everything in GB. Miss late night visits to the chippy for chips and mushy peas.

Comments: Born in Billinge Hospital (weren't we all?) and lived in Ashton-in-M in my youth also lived in Weston St Wigan for a while and went to St Georges Primary then Thomas Linacre which merged with Wigan 'Gramer'...(they didn't teach me very well!). Spent 10 years as a landlord's lackey at the Delph Tavern in Tontine (Orrell)...the Landlord was my Father...and put my acquired skills to good use whilst working for Barbara "the Door Nazi" Calderbank at SLOOPIES and PUFFERS...Sorry Barbara, that was probably the best time of my life until I moved to OZ. Moved to Australia in 1980 and have never looked back...although I've been back for weddings and funerals, one of the weddings was my own (see above). Wouldn't swap Australia for anything, not even a meat and potato pie, as it's been very good to me and I would urge any resident Wiganers reading this to apply immediately to emigrate. Hope to retire soon if I can persuade my young and beautiful Wigan wife to move north to Diamond Beach...no, that's not where they shoot "Home and Away"...could go on forever with this ..............

I miss: Blackcurrant Tarts..no comments please... and, strangely enough, working behind the bar at Sloopies and serving all you Wigan girls. Also Tetley's/John Smiths Bitter, although I'm a wine drinker now, whilst imbibing the occasional Kilkenney at my local Irish Pub! How come thay don't have English Pubs in Australia...oh eck.... that's the other thing I miss :-)

Comments: Born in Bickershaw. Went to the Convent in Wigan. Then lived in Hindley Green when married. Was then Clark, previously Heyes. Moved Down Under in 1994 and married another Wiganer. Lucky to be working with another Wiganer and we share our memories..'though I love Australia.

I miss: Pooles's pies, the pubs, Wigan Casino-gone (my 'training' ground) Central Park-gone-I'm now a Parramatta Eels girl. Nobody does fish and chips like us Wiganers. Go the 'Latics..

Comments: Used to live in Hindley (half a life time ago)went to Mornington Rd High School in the seventies.Living two hours south of sydney in one of the best spots on the planet, a place called Jervis Bay if anyones interested. It's a place of white sand, blue oceans and miles of empty spaces.Nothing cultural happens here but we do have a lot of 'barbies' (for all you wiganers out there) a barbie is a thing you burn a perfectly good piece of meat until it looks like a lump of charcoal and then pretend that that's the way you like it and that you haven't made an almighty stuff up.

I miss: I miss the sense of humour, the pubs, Sweaty Betties curry house. I miss being able to go to Europe (Australia's so far away from civilization). I don't miss Uncle Joes mint balls because my parents keep me well supplied, or i'd go mental( make that more mental). I went back to Wigan last year and couldn't believe how much of the good stuff about my home town had been pulled down and replaced with faceless dross, still beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say. I miss so much more but any body reading this would get bored with me going on and on. Would i come back to live in Wigan? no, but i wish a few more Wiganners would come over here and liven the place up a bit. SEE YA LATER.

Comments: Used to live in Winstanley, went to Marus Bridge then Cansfield. Worked in town @ Thomas Cook Travel and The Queen Vic Htl. Was dragged here kicking & screaming in 1990 when my parents emigrated, but have never been home and probably won't till my 2 girls are old enough to remember a very expensive trip. Everyone comes out here to holiday !! Should have married Pete Woosey...should have, could have, didn't. Met an Aussie lived in Sydney for 8 years (loved it) had 2 girls and moved to Brisbane. Now split up and waiting for Pete to contact me...

I miss: Christmas, "Open Chips & Curry", Palma Violets and Marks and Spencer Salt and Vineger Chipsticks and Monster Munch and Mushy Peas. I miss Guy Fawkes night...I miss Halloween and I really miss Boxing Night Fancy Dress round Wigan....

Comments: use to live at 36 may ave abram, wet to holy family school platt bridge, use to be in merchant navy settle in auss 1950,worked as builder also in telecomunications dept

I miss: nothing at all i now live in paradise in the greatest coutry in the world.

Comments: I went to thomas st primary, sue went to castle hill primary schools, both went to mornington rd high school, worked for local cat dealer levertons, emigrated to oz 1990 work for cat dealer in brisbane, big shortage of mechanics over here, coming over for hols next august. would love to hear from old friends.

I miss: crumbly lancashire cheese, pork pies, black pudding, bulls eye brown ale & last but not least eggs donin fryin pon.

Comments: I was born (Marjorie Hulme)in Hindley Green in 1955 and went to Thomas Street Primary School from 1959 to 1965.I emigrated to Australia in 1981 with my husband and son.We run our own business in Melbourne

I miss: Definitely pies! and the chip shops

Comments: I lived in Standish Lower Ground. I went to Gidlow School which has since been pulled down.

I miss: Fish & Chips