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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 4th January, 2016)

Upper Dicconson Street


Upper Dicconson Street
Wigan.

Photo: Danny Staff  (Nikon D3300)
Views: 3,858

Comment by: Mick on 4th January 2016 at 08:10

Logo on the first buildings window look like a No Entry sign.

Comment by: Garry on 4th January 2016 at 08:26

Sorry Danny, it does nowt for me.

Comment by: Cyril on 4th January 2016 at 10:06

Dr Calverley who of an evening could always be found with his dog at his heels in the Gentlemen's Lounge of the Market Hotel peering through a cloud of pipe smoke, resided here at one time before moving to Wigan Lane, Walmesley's insurance moved into there then.

Two women's libbers once marched into the gentlemen only lounge demanding to be served and caused mayhem, Colin Cook the ever genial host eventually coaxed them out.

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 4th January 2016 at 13:26

My comment on Tom Walsh`s 12th Nov.2012 Photo-a-Day :-
"this is 15 Upper Dicconson St and is on the corner with Dicconson Terrace. Refer 1st Photo in `Wigan Streets` - this building is just above the red car parked on the right.
Across the street is No.14 which was the `Charles Dickens Hotel`- previously my doctor`s - Dr.Scannell, a Scotsman, who died in his late fifties thro`smoking cigarettes - both his hands were covered with nicotine stains."
No,14 can be seen on this photo and it`s now Docherty`s Hotel and Bar, see:-
http://www.dochertyswigan.co.uk/index.html

Comment by: Garry on 4th January 2016 at 14:25

How do you know if Dr Scannell died through smoking, where is the proof.
No one knows. If he didn't smoke, he could still have died the same age.

Comment by: Robin Leigh on 4th January 2016 at 14:51

Interesting. I don't remember it being that steep. I do remember the cobbles being a nuisance with my bike.

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 4th January 2016 at 16:43

No. 21 Upper Dicconson Street was occupied from 1877 to 1884 by W H Lever, subsequently Viscount Leverhulme, who founded the soap manufacturing empire. At the time he was establishing his business in Wigan.
He lived at the property in his early years and it was his marital home.
He was born in Bolton, the son of a wholesale grocer. He left
school at 16 to join the family firm which he expanded and
transformed. In 1884 he decided to focus on just one product -
household soap, primarily because of its potential for marketing
in pre-wrapped bars under a brand name.
Previously soap had to be cut to order from a single large block.
Two years later he began to manufacture soap himself and set
up the firm of Lever Brothers with his disabled brother.
He initially produced his soap in an existing factory in Wigan but
by 1888 had outgrown the site. The business was moved to a purpose built and much larger building on the Wirral shore of the Mersey. He also built a village there to house his employees and named it Port Sunlight after his most successful brand of soap.

Comment by: John Morris on 4th January 2016 at 22:13

Thank you Ernest for taking the time to share the information about Lord Leverhulme and his connection to Wigan.

Comment by: Mick on 4th January 2016 at 23:05

I didnt know any of that Ernest

Comment by: Helen on 5th January 2016 at 08:19

Its a good photo that shows how these houses have stood the test of time...how many new builds will still be in such good condition in 100 yrs time ?
And thank you Ernest for that interesting info. We have been to Port Sunlight, well worth a visit.

Comment by: Johnny on 8th January 2016 at 12:10

Thanks Ernest for that info.

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