Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 19th December, 2013)

That's a cracking photo Dave.

Nice photo (HD I think). It is good to see the Makinson Arcade, the shop on the right mas the original Makinson Tea and Coffee shop, does it still have that spelled out on the floor of the doorway?? HD has its place, but I don't think this is it, IMO

I love this! If this is, as I believe, the Market Square end, whatever happened to Makinson's?

look at the beautiful glass work! and I wonder who uses the floors above the shops

I wonder what goes on in those rooms above the shops

Ken R: If you mean HDR - This isn't - it's a regular shot.

Ellen: This is the Standishgate end.

Super Dave,that should suit Garry, What time was it taken?

Wonderful pic & that window shows that the Victorians knew a thing or two when it came to embellishing buildings whatever they were to be used as eg. ralways stations, pumping stations....Wigan has the Trencherfield steam engine. Great stuff.

About 5:45pm Harry

Good photo Dave,when I lived in Wigan,I remember this being blocked off once a year to stop it becoming a public right of way as it was privately owned.Does this still happen?

Superb photograph!

Wonderful reminder for us expats.
I would like to show this picture to some of my friends in the USA but only with your permission Dave.

A lovely straight forward shot, well done Dave(oy), the best one for a while.

To Ken R, The Duffer shop was not Makinsons Tea -Coffee shop, that was at the other end bottom left,are you new to this town.

Help yourself Britboy :)

Ken R if you go to album, then places, you will find a pic of the threshold lettering of 'Makinson Tea & Coffee' that I posted sometime ago...I think it is still in situ.

Boots The Chemist used to be were Duffers is now. Upstairs was the fancy goods department. Bought various items in the 60's for my bottom drawer some of which I still use today.

I 'Christmas cracker' Dave. Lovely shot and excellent detail. Very well handled - wish I could do it!

Nice shot Dave, spot on exposure I would say about a 15th of a second. Perfectly timed just before dark. A lot more into this shot that it looks. It looks like an intergrated exposure it is so perfectly done. Great shot Dave well done.

Thanks all :)

John H: 1/25" at F/5.6 and ISO800

Janice you can, with the right camera. Today, it's about point and take, no skill needed.

Thanks,Dave(Oy). I should have realized that, but I forgot that Boots had moved. I always remember that I loved going into Makinsons and all the wonderful foody smells in there!
...By the way, is Makinsons still there?

What a great picture Dave. Does anyone remember the ladies shop Polly of Piccadilly?.It occupied the shop where Duffer is during the 1970's and 1980's.(on three floors) I worked there occasionally because it belonged to Joan Barrie's which was facing the top of Library Street and was the main shop I worked at. Alas they are both long gone now. But some great memories and you are right about the stunning glasswork over the entrance.

Linma didn't Boots used to be next door to the Duffer shop or am I wrong? As I said it was Def Polly of Piccadilly at one point because I worked there. I know you could come out of Boots side door into the Arcade but I'm sure it was next door to where you are thinking

Garry,the camera is merely the instrument of capture. The skill comes in knowing how to use it, exposure, focussing, focal lengths, composition and a whole host of skills and judgement. You have a lot to learn!

chrissy, you are correct about the location of Boots, see:-

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=1852&gallery=Standishgate&offset=0

and

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=1853&gallery=Standishgate&offset=0

Apologies for my earlier comment, for some reason I thought that this was the bottom of the Arcade. Next time I will open my eyes.

Janice..you'ved answered your own question..you said "wish i could do it", at 17:58. Then your telling me, Oh the skill comes in knowing how to use it, exposure, focussing, focal lengths, composition and a whole host of skill and judgement. Well WHY ask. Go and put the chip pan on.

Boots was further down Standishgate in the "half Timbered" building near the bank though they did have a back entrance that came out in the Makinson Arcade. Makinson's old shop was at the other end of the arcade and is now Thornton's chocolate shop. Talking of chocolate who remembers the huge EAster Egg that Makinosn's used to have in the window every Easter? I think they used to donate it to Wigan Infirmary.

I am almost sure Bradley's (gents Outfitters) was at the top of Makinson Arcade on the right as we look at it.

Thanks Neil..it is difficult to remember where shops used to be once they have gone. It's sad now to think of those great names, but we have wonderful pictures to remind us.

broady,
there was a Bradley's Outfitters at 24 Market Street.

I would put money (not too much) on there being one at the top of Makinson Arcade.

Yes broady you are right.
Look at comments by Frank Orrell, 12th April 2012 at:-

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=4&id=20415&gallery=Millgate&offset=0

Thanks for that. My Uncle Hewitt Wigan was Manager there.

Another fantastic photo - Thank you Dave

Bradley's occupied both sides of the arcade. I worked there in 1967. Mr Wigan was my boss :)