Wigan’s Walk of Fame

Seventeen stars, so far, on Believe Square

My pics are deceptive - each star is the same size.




Only 3 of the 17 stars are in honour of women.

I am trying to think of any deserving Wigan women.

Help!

What about June Croft. George Formby, Frank Randle...
and this guy..

Full name: Charles Sydney Smith
Gender: Male
Height: 6-1 (186 cm)
Weight: 231 lbs (105 kg)
Born: January 26, 1879 in Worsley Mesnes, Pemberton, Greater Manchester, Great Britain
Died: April 6, 1951 (Aged 72.) in Southport, Merseyside, Great Britain
Affiliations: Wigan SC. Salford SC, Salford (GBR) / Southport Swimming Club, Southport (GBR)
Country: GBR Great Britain
Sport: Water Polo

Medals: 3 Gold (3 Total)


Charles Smith of Salford SC captained the winning British water polo team at the 1908 Olympics and after joining Southport SC he won two more gold medals in 1912 and 1920. At the time of winning his third gold in Antwerp in 1920, Smith was 41 years and 270 days old and is the oldest water polo gold medallist in Olympic history. He made a fourth Olympic appearance in 1924 at the age of 45, was England’s goal-keeper for 25 years from 1902 to 1926, and in recognition of his talents he was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida.

Who decides ?

Don't even think of lisping Lisa

What about Big Amy, frittent of nobody!

Some local women I think are worthy of a star:

June Croft, Olympic Swimmer - Link

Caroline Tomlinson and Susan V Jones who founded local charity My Life - Link

Pam Gilligan who founded Compassion in Action in 2006 - Link

Elizabeth Costello, Founder of Leigh Film and Short Film Festival - Link

Pat Millward, ambassador for unpaid Carers

Eunice Smethurst, Abram Councillor since 1996, Mayor 2006/07 - Link

Laura Quinn Harris, outstanding local artist - Link

I-Spy, I think there used to be a page on the Council website where residents could nominate people, but I now can’t find any information about the walk of fame at all.

We are delighted to announce that our campaign for a plaque to Wigan Born Spy, Margery Booth has now been accepted by the Culture Project Board of Wigan Council.

We are now in the talks of the placement and production of the plaque.

Thank you to all those who supported our campaign. And we will have more updates in the near future. From Notre Society on Facebook

What about frank Richards, Mr universe.

I-Spy, the plaque for Margery Booth will be a different thing aside as people have to be living to be awarded a star.

Sadly that rules out big Amy.maybe a plaque would be appropriate..I think her hubby is still with us.
Ps what happens to the star folk when the inevitable happens ?

Joanne, I think you should have one for all the informative threads you put on wigans no1 site.

Haha, thanks Basil, but I’m quite happy with my 5 WW stars.

What happens when they die are they removed

I wouldn't imagine so, Admin.

Joanne - "Laura Quinn Harris, outstanding local artist "

A St.Helenser in Wigan Walk of Fame?

Sacrilege!

amazed Tonker is so slow. I noticed days ago the Wigan walk of fame boasts a scouser, a yorkshireman, a gentleman born in india, a welshman, a spaniard, and a chap from burnley. All of them are very nice people of course.

I’ve just found this article from when The Queen’s Own Yeomanry regiment were presented with a star in 2018 - Link:

“The leader of Wigan Council Cllr David Molyneux is the person solely responsible for deciding which worthy organisation or local person should receive this special award. The leader chose to award the regiment a star because of its long-lasting links with Wigan Borough.”

There is so much that is wrong with this!! First the bar has been set so low...To begin with just an athlete and then a surgeon - don't get me wrong well done to them ! But if that's Wigan's top award it will not take a long time to fill... I wouldn't mind if it was dead Wiganers known for their greatness... Sometimes I see the stuff that Wigan Council spends money on and I think to myself who comes up with these ideas ? Its great that they do something for the town but they "go too big" - Its Wigan not NY and I don't think people relate to it. I believe the person who is in charge of this has an ego problem. Maybe it's Counselor David Molyneux - small man syndrome - well it seems like he has put himself in charge of this project all on his own and its a very fine line to nepotism from there when a politician has the last say...

The Walk of Fame began before Cllr Molyneux became the council leader, Peter. I’m not sure of the year, but it would’ve been Lord Peter Smith at the time.

Wonder if there will ever be equivalent Wigan stars such as Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck and Lassie as on the LA walk?
Don't think there is a walk of fame in NY.

Hacker the dog should have a star, proper Wigan lad.

Alright cockers!

I thought I would have had one named after me.

Tonker,
Laura Quinn Harris is from Haydock, not St Helens

I would just like to add, that although Billy Boston is from South Wales, I think most people will agree that he is a naturalised Wiganer and has helped to bring fame to our town.

JR said, "Tonker,
Laura Quinn Harris is from Haydock, not St Helens"

But, anybody from Haydock, who were born after 1974 (as Laura was), is from St.Helens.
Rather like anybody from Ince, who were born after 1974, is from Wigan Metropolitan Borough.

Thanks, JR. I just knew Laura is usually described as a Wigan-based artist now.

TerryW: Hacker the dog

I’d seriously thought of the man behind Hacker, Terry. You couldn’t get a better Wigan ambassadog on national telly.

Likewise, Shaun Keaveny on BBC Radio 6 Music is a great ambassador for Leigh.

Oy has told me there’s also a walk of fame in Leigh, where the stars feature different people from the ones in Wigan.

jo anne wrote, "Thanks, JR. I just knew Laura is usually described as a Wigan-based artist now."

If she is 'based in Wigan' she is definately a Wigan based artist.

An artist, from Haydock, St.Helens, based in Wigan?

Where is her studio?

Over to you, JR!

Tonker, her studio is in Swinley.

Monday 25th July 2022

Laura Quinn Harris is on
Extraordinary Portraits
BBC1 at 8.30pm



Episodes: BBC iPlayer

“Tonker, her studio is in Swinley”

Is that the Swinley in Wigan or the Swinley in St Helen’s?

Isn't her studio in Warnford Street?
This is close to Swinley Lane and is regarded as the Swinley area, Wigan.

once again I have been overlooked, same with MBE, OBE, etc

a major contributor to Wigan's no1 site, everything Wigan Rejects wants to be, and still nothing

Yonks back, Admin. wrote -

Full name: Charles Sydney Smith
Born: January 26, 1879 in Worsley Mesnes, Pemberton, Greater Manchester, Great Britain
Died: April 6, 1951 (Aged 72.) in Southport, Merseyside, Great Britain

Greater Manchester and Merseyside shouldn't be quoted as neither county existed at the time he was born or when he died.
He lived his life without knowing about either.

It should say "LANCASHIRE", as it was then!

Is there one for Maurice Lindsay?

If not, why not when he did so much for Wigan Warriors, the game of Rugby League and created so much sporting publicity for the town of Wigan.

Not that I know of, Owd Codger.

I’ve just checked and I think two more stars have been added since I took the OP photos: “Two Wigan charities set up by families to fund research into rare genetic disorders … Joining Jack and Joseph’s Goal.” (Wigan Today, Mar ‘22)

Elizabeth Larner singer worked with Frankie Hooward

Also all those Wigan wrestlers

If Lisa Nandy becomes the next leader of the Labour Party, and wins the General Election, and becomes a long serving and much loved Prime Minister, inclooding introducing a law, which provides free on the NHS, Blackcurrant Lollipops for everyone, regardless of their Race, Colour or Creed

Then I think that 'she' should be given a star on Believe Square

I’ve been to check and the Joining Jack and Joseph’s Goal stars aren’t there yet, but there is a recent star, dedicated to NHS & Key Workers.

Who needs their name on 'Wigan's Walk Of Fame' When it's on the original Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard..
RON

You have all missed Harry Pemberton the best comedian of his time alas no longer with us.

Kenneth Fleetwood MVO

Why puzzled Tommy,he was a Wiganer who was honoured by the HM the Queen!

Motormillbill /
I would like to nominate my wife for caring for me after a six month spell and 10 operations to me she is a STAR & ANGEL !
GB.

Goldenbear



Fossil

That link you provided, didn't work for me when I first tried it, but it is working now

Roy Cancer Ted Ray