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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 19th January, 2020)

Cast iron urinal


Cast iron urinal
Cast iron urinal beside Ormskirk Parish Church. The excuse for sending this out-of-area pic (though I can see the church tower and spire from my bedroom on a clear day) is that Ron Hunt (Album 31751) asked if a list of Wigan’s long-gone public urinals had been put together. This one has presumably survived because it’s on church property - though it’s obviously out of bounds to incontinent locals.

Photo: David Long  (Sony SLT-A65V)
Views: 2,407

Comment by: Mick on 19th January 2020 at 06:52

This church is a bit different Rev with it having a spire and a tower,
The urinals look like they are locked up so you you was stuck you would have to do behind a grave

Comment by: Fred Mason on 19th January 2020 at 08:38

Great photo. I wonder if it's Grade 2 listed?

Comment by: kath on 19th January 2020 at 08:58

Interesting to have this outside the church. I wonder how women managed?

Comment by: Johnny on 19th January 2020 at 10:07

Similar urinal to the one at my old junior school, Maypole in Knowsley (1954-59 ).
Us lads used to try and wee over top. Unsuccessful which was lucky for any passers-by !

Comment by: Veronica on 19th January 2020 at 10:30

There's so much intricacy. gone into the pattern on the ironwork. it's a pity it can't be used for something else instead of having a locked gate attached. ( But I can't think of anything!)

Comment by: Anne on 19th January 2020 at 10:43

Remember the one by the railway bridge junction of Darlington street Warrington lane. Had to pass by going to grandparents in Brookhouse terrace. At 5/6 years old always wondered what it was for. Did find out later and then wondered why only for men.

Comment by: Veronica on 19th January 2020 at 11:53

I have thought where it could go! Perhaps the Church Council would lend it to the Gallery for the museum ' Fire Within" for a small fee for funds.... It's a darn sight better than some of the artefacts.(.that bald headed dummy could be dressed as an attendant!) It is history after all.. It wouldn't be out of place either. Wigan as was! The only problem would be 'digging' it out, it looks well embedded.

Comment by: Wiganer on 19th January 2020 at 12:51

Let stick to wigan world and not Ormskirk World.

Comment by: Fred Mason on 19th January 2020 at 17:46

Anne, I remember those and have used them.

They were green, were they not?

They always smelled terrible. I guess there was no flushing system.

Comment by: Anne on 19th January 2020 at 21:06

Yes Fred, they were green. I think they may have been slightly bigger as well. Smelly, most definitely.

Comment by: Alan on 19th January 2020 at 21:21

Agreed Wiganer, lets stay at home.

Comment by: lock lass on 20th January 2020 at 17:53

Didn't there used to be one like this painted green at the bottom of Greenough street some 70 years ago near the River Douglas.

Comment by: Veronica on 21st January 2020 at 09:09

If my memory serves me well, it seemed that all the urinals were painted a sludgy green. They were dotted all over Wigan and its districts,only short distances from all the pubs that were in abundance....

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