Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 10th September, 2016)

It is a very powerful image that's for sure. I remember all the thousands making their way in an orderly fashion to Central Park from the surrounding streets. Shirley Bassey's voice blaring from the loudspeakers-(bet that was Billy's idea). Then the roar from the crowds -you could hear that from your own backyard!

Brilliant and a lot of interest on a rainy day.

Another good one, Tom. The only thing I don't like on this photo is The Glass Box. I HATE going in there but there are sadly hardly any local libraries left so it's Hobson's Choice if I want library books! Standing there between "The Glass Box" and "The Head", Billy is a welcome sight!

"Give it to billy" 571 tries

I have never been able to understand this adulation of sports people. After all, it's just adults playing at children's games.

I confess, Alan, that I personally don't understand, and have no interest in, Rugby, Football or any other Sports, but, like any other profession, Rugby has those that excel, and I believe Billy Boston is one of them. I have seen the "big-heads" from Sport lauding themselves on television, posing with glamour-girls and thinking nothing can touch them because of who they are. Billy Boston is a modest, home-loving man, true to his family and to the town he loves and to its people, who he also loves. The statue shows a rugby-player, but the tribute is to a Gentleman.

Alan,I too have never liked sport of any sort,and have always said I wish I did because the folk that go watching any match all seem to really enjoy it..but I don't and that's how it is,if everyone liked the same things,it would be a very boring world..but as for our Billy,he is and always was a gent..and not some strutting peacock..the only down I have is that I wish the statue had been placed in the top end of Wigan centre near to were the toilets used to be.

i like rugby ,but agree with maureen wish the statue had been placed more central ,where more people would have seen it

Oh how i totally agree with you Maureen i have taken it upon myself via W.W.to attempt to get the Statue of our town's favourite son moved to where it should have been in the first place. I mean the other day i had cause to be walking up Millgate and when one is level with BILLY he's looking away in the direction of NOTHING!!!I wish to know who is responsible for it's current siting . If he had to be where it is then why on earth didn't they face him looking toward the "FACE"
I WILL GET TO KNOW !!!

Perhaps it was placed here in quieter surounding ,if it was in the market place it would surely attract the weekend revellers.

Yes and it would have attracted the pesky pigeons as well ! They don't seem to come around that area as much. Wouldn't like to see pigeon droppings on Billy! I think the statue could have been turned around to face Millgate - or the miserable face could have been turned to some wall or other

Good points, Sam and Vb.

Time will tell.