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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 29th August, 2021)

Bowling Green


Bowling Green
The Old Spring Pub bowling green, soon to be made into apartments.

Photo: Mick Byrne  (Panasonic DMC-TZ100)
Views: 2,002

Comment by: e on 29th August 2021 at 02:10

Waft through my memory,
how beautiful is that,
Your breeze is as cool as can be,
On yonder thy face, I once took my place,
and smile as I join you again..
Some memories we hold can never let go,
Their threads are entwined in our minds,
their stitches are places which brings to us faces,
who shared on this space times before..

Comment by: kath on 29th August 2021 at 08:20

A lot of puns had bowling greens didn't they? then pubs close and so does the green which is a shame.

Comment by: joe bloggs on 29th August 2021 at 08:34

people didn't use it so why not build some tiny apartments on it?

Comment by: Rocky P on 29th August 2021 at 09:01

Yes along with the Holts arms,Newtown Cons, Pagefield,Whelley Lab, Wigan park,Platt Bridge (1),Garswod Labour.no doubt theres more.

Comment by: Joan on 29th August 2021 at 09:18

Mick its nice to have one last look at the Old Spring pub bowling green before its redeveloped.
My dad and my granddad both bowled on this green.

Comment by: Veronica on 29th August 2021 at 09:33

There'll be no spare ground like this in time. It'll all get snapped up for housing.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 29th August 2021 at 10:11

On the subject of Pubs, but this one didn't have a bowling green, are they doing something with the Queens Head in Platt Bridge. I've seen workmen and machinery there the last 3 times I've driven past. It wasn't being demolished.

Comment by: irene roberts on 29th August 2021 at 11:11

I believe The Queens at Platt Bridge is being turned into four flats, WNI Standisher. I used to work there.

Comment by: Mick on 29th August 2021 at 11:37

Yes best thing to do with these closed down pubs, get new blood into Platt Bridge in time Platt Bridge will be a sort after poshish place to reside.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 29th August 2021 at 13:40

Are there any pubs left open in Platt Bridge Irene ?

Comment by: John on 29th August 2021 at 13:41

sorry I need to ask - may I please have the location.

Comment by: Mick on 29th August 2021 at 14:15

John its on the Wigan side of the pub

Comment by: irene roberts on 29th August 2021 at 14:34

WN1 Standisher.....The last one I knew of was The Commercial, (local name Kessie's), down Victoria Road but I never go down there and have no idea if it's still open....I doubt it, to be honest. There is a Catholic Club down Tram Street and I think that's it. All the pubs have gone...Platt Bridge Inn and The Queens Arms, (I worked in both), The Victoria, The King Billy and The Railway. Same with Platt Bridge Labour Club and The British Legion...all gone.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 29th August 2021 at 15:42

Sad to hear that Irene, makes me wonder where the locals go for a pint ? I remember playing darts in the Commercial many moons ago. We had a pre season friendly arranged , home one week and away the week after. They were a good set of lads. I was playing for the Black Horse ( Lychgate Tavern ) in Standish at the time. John, the view is across the Old Springs bowling green towards HJ Heinz factory, Springs Road, Kitt Green.

Comment by: Roy on 29th August 2021 at 16:12

JOHN, the pub and green are next door to the Heinz factory which you can see in the background.

Comment by: Cyril on 29th August 2021 at 16:48

In the early 1970s this pub had two men who I'd say to be in their mid to late fifties behind the bar, and who were always having digs at one another over this and that. There was a fictional pub in the then early afternoon TV programme Emmerdale Farm by the name of The Woolpack, and where Amos Brierley and Henry Wilks were hosts and they too were always bickering with one another, that always reminded me of this pub.

Also sometime in 1972 remember going to watch a darts match and the winners stake was £2000 which I thought to be a massive amount then, but that is equal to £21,439 now.

Comment by: Poet on 29th August 2021 at 17:18

The pub is still open . They never owned the bowling green . The people who did applied to the council for planning permission and there's only ever one answer from that lot .
I gather there are plans for a beer garden on another area close by .
John , the pub is near the Heinz factory at Kitt Green . It was apparently George Formby senior's local for many years.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 29th August 2021 at 18:08

Oh, come on Poet - on what legal grounds could the Council refuse Consent? Nostalgia won’t get very far when the owner appeals if refused.

Comment by: broady on 29th August 2021 at 18:35

WN1 Standisher,
Last time I was over some of the old Labour Club members had moved to the Spring View Cricket Club and had an artiste and Bingo there on Saturday nights.

Comment by: Poet on 29th August 2021 at 22:41

Good heavens Reverend . I thought you chaps were all for Tawny Pipit and the Titfield Thunderbolt .

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 30th August 2021 at 09:55

broady, that sounds great for the older section of Platt Bridge, I suppose, as usual, the youngsters will make for town.

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