Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 2nd June, 2021)

I have a booklet of Victorian murders in Wigan. A young woman who worked here was murdered by her husband, her body was floating in the canal. I think he was hanged for the murder if I am correct. The photo reminds me of it and I picture her husband waiting for her coming out of those doors.

My sister in law had her wedding reception in here in 1963, when the hotel was in all its glory.. Pool's Pie shop next door.

I wonder how many guests nipped next door for a quick steak and kidney Edna? Better than wedding cake any day.

Glad you’ve captured “Victoria Hotel” on the side of the building, Dennis. I like seeing clues to past identities.

Was the pie shop there in June 77 when the Queen was standing in front ?

Just down the road on the right was my Street..happy days..thank you Dennis.

DTease, no! I would rather have wedding cake.Im sure the men guest would prefer a pie just out of curiosity I wonder how much they cost then, compared with now.We used to go for pies there but I've forgotten. I know its £5 for two potato at Greenhalgh's I've not said meat & taste, cause there is none in!!!!

Butter pies for me..my mouths watering thinking about one,

Look Edna, now I do realise that advertising is strictly forbidden on this site ( supposedly ) , but if you want a decent pie, then forget Greenhalgh's, just get thisen down to the Rolling Pin at the saddle junction....I don't expect this post to be accepted by the way....in common with most of my others.

Maureen what is a butter pie ? Sounds like something I would like & you dont get them in Norfolk !

Ozy, I am not going all the way to saddle junction for a pie, the reason being I have never driven, and my husband run me where ever I wanted to go, sorry. So I will settle for a butter pie recommended by Maureen.But thanks for the advice.!!!

Helen,it's potatoes cooked in butter and they're delicious..if I were in your shoes I would ask at a local bakery if they sell them or if they know a bakery that does..it's worth a try..good luck,

Butter pies Maureen? Luxury! We only ever had margarine pies in our house! And we only got them at Christmas!

Awww D'Tease,I'll send you a couple made with real butter.

Vose's pies were the best in Wigan they were renowned for them. Queues a mile long waiting to be served, piping hot steak pies and meat and potatoes pies - NOT potato and meat pies, there was a difference. That's the way Greenhalgh's describe their potatoe and meat these days to show they are mostly potato and meat. I do recall them in the eighties when I worked there. The change came later.

Butter pies were originally for the observant pie eating Roman Catholics, who could not consume meat on a Friday. Known as Catholic Pies. They were not just a catering peculiar to Wigan or Lancashire. It was anywhere that had a large RC population in the old days.

I had forgotten about Vose's Veronica, in Standishgate.Went there often for my mother.Thanks for the memory.

I used to go on Saturday morning with a basket. I was only about 10 at the time Edna. I wouldn't have dreamt of sending my granddaughter at that age up town. But , it's a different world.

A shout out for the butter pies from Baileys- the Scotch Bakery on Mesnes Street. Lots of WGS boys went for this lunchtime treat in the 1960s. I still dream about them after all this time.