Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 28th January, 2015)

This will make a good before and after shot when the complete renovations

Good shot Brian.
This reminds me of a cartoon in the old comic in the fifties called "Radio Fun". The strip was called Our Ernie about the adventures of a young Wigan lad! And Wigan Pier was always mentioned. Anyone else recall?

The one and only pier in Wigan,gone not good.What next.I wonder what will take its place

That was always my favorite image of Wigan.......how sad !

Looks so much better all ready, just need some of the buildings on the other side knocking down now then the canal will be opened up and be you will be able to view the passing boats as you drive past.

I was just going to say that Mick.
The demolition should have carried to them other run down buildings.

At one time an haulage firm use to be base around there, whats know has wagon and drag trucks.

Wigan Pier NOT gone, A Parr. The demolished men have just knocked a disused night club down...and I must say, it's about time as well.

A Parr, the Pier is still there, the Pier nightclub should have gone years ago, as Mick says it looks better already.

Alfred Goulding's garage wasn't part of the demolition programme. Is it still used? Would it have been better to be demolished?
Anyway, the area looks better already.

Mick and Garry, why not knock the whole lot down and use the rubble to fill in the canal? By your standards it would be much less trouble that way.

Did they really need to cut down the tree? Should have been a preservation order put on it.

You like eyesores do you, P.W.

I've been away from Wigan too long, 35 years. I never frequented this area, however I thought the night club was on the other bank. i.e the right one. So what is the building with the clock tower.

I's The Orwell, Derek a pub.

Derek the building with the clock tower is the Orwell Pub. The clock tower was added in 1989 though the building is one of the original Wigan Pier buildings and was converted to a pub in the 80s.

Wigan Pier, Derek.

Yes Giovanni, I remember "Our Ernie" in the comics. Apparently "Our Ernie" was based on the character "Albert Ramsbottom" of the poem "THE LION AND ALBERT" - I think well worth a read.
http://monologues.co.uk/Albert_and_the_Lion.htm

I'm much too young, Giovanni! Trouble is, you know I'm lying! I honestly don't recall "Our Ernie", but I know "Albert and the Lion" and "1066" monologues.....brilliant!

Garry, Wigan pier is on the opposite bank to the clock and further up. The 'clockside' bank was where the way we were attraction was (possibly started life as a warehouse)

Thanks Neil.
I can recall Stanley Holloway reciting the poem on the TV years ago.
Irene
You're as young as you want to be, remember!