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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 21st June, 2018)

Gongoozlers


Gongoozlers
Gongoozlers at Henhurst bridge.

Photo: Ron Dawber  (Olympus camedia)
Views: 2,798

Comment by: Dostaf on 21st June 2018 at 00:40

How on earth did they manage to get into that secure area? Surely not by boat!

Comment by: Derek Platt on 21st June 2018 at 04:22

I've been gone too long. Where is Henhurst Bridge and what the heck is a Gongoozler

Comment by: Harry C. on 21st June 2018 at 06:22

You're putting some mileage in Ron. unusual shot, nice one. H.

Comment by: Pat on 21st June 2018 at 06:47

Well what a nice way to pass the time of day!

Comment by: Philip G. on 21st June 2018 at 07:40

I like this photo of the waterside, within a shaded area, Ron. And the 'chunky' stonework is great.

Comment by: Anne on 21st June 2018 at 08:12

An interest one today. Well done Ron. Does anyone else do it?..... try to pinpoint the spot from where the photo was taken. It has become addictive for me.

Comment by: DTease on 21st June 2018 at 08:40

How would you like to be
Down by the Cut with me
Sat on cold concrete just me and you
I could get Piles and I bet you could too

Comment by: Veronica on 21st June 2018 at 08:45

Is it where they can 'catch' a boat it looks very clean and tidy and official?

Comment by: Poet on 21st June 2018 at 08:49

A good place to sit and tell tales !

"200 years ago on the day the great canal was completed, Samuel the 'navvy' was inconsolable because he'd lost his wedding ring during the final days dig. As the waters from the River Douglas flooded in, Sam knew he'd never see the ring again.
The ring was half of an intricate pair,the other belonging to his wife Ethel. When fitted together they formed an inscription'Sam and Ethel never apart'.
Years and decades turned to centuries when one day Harry, during a break from his job constructing the great motorway bridge now spanning the canal decided to go fishing.
When the hook became snagged on the bottom he gave it a sharp tug and up came Sam's ring shimmering through the water.
Harry was curiously aware that he'd seen this ring somewhere before. It was almost identical to the one his great great grandma Ethel had left as a family heirloom.
He took it home and slotted the two halves together forming an inscription..."

"Go on! There could never be such a coincidence"

"It's true I tell you 'bout word of a lie".

Comment by: DTease on 21st June 2018 at 09:08

Second verse.

Darling, we could have fun
Trying to warm up your bum
Under the bridges of Wigan with you
I could stop your bum turning blue.

Comment by: irene roberts on 21st June 2018 at 11:41

Brilliant, DTease, and so romantic!! What is a gongoozler, please?

Comment by: DTease on 21st June 2018 at 12:29

A gongoozler is a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom. The term is also used more generally to describe those who harbour an interest in canals and canal life, but do not actively participate.

Comment by: Helen of Troy on 21st June 2018 at 13:08

I believe a gongoozler is someone who lived or worked on the canals & narrowboats & barges Irene.

I have a book that tells the story of women who worked on the canals during the last war, my it was hard work !

Comment by: Joe Crawford on 21st June 2018 at 14:40

I think Henhurst Bridge is in Chapel Lane.1

Comment by: Philip G. on 21st June 2018 at 16:17

The Cotswold Canals Trust believes that gongoozle comes from the Lincolnshire slang words gawn and gooze, and also tells that gongoozle is mentioned in L.T.C. Holt's book Narrow Boat (1944).
Perhaps Harry, Mick, and Ron know the whereabouts of purpose built gongoozling rails? - they're the lads.

Comment by: Philip G. on 21st June 2018 at 17:40

The name of the author, mentioned in my previous post, should read L.T.C. Rolt.

Comment by: Alf on 21st June 2018 at 17:59

Ideal place for rough sleepers, instead of shop doorways around Wigan and Leigh.

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