Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 5th September, 2021)

What a shame to think The Market Hall may soon be no more. Surely they will put it to some use? I know there are offices over the top because I once went up there when I used to write for Past Forward and the then- editor worked from there. It's a nice building. I like the brickwork and the old-fashioned style.

I remember on opening day of the new market hall looking up to see the mayor of Wigan on that balcony above the doors, he was flanked by a group of stall holders, a butcher a baker a curtain maker and my friend who owned the boobs bumps and bulges stall.

Joan, you probably already know but the lady from the Boobs, Bumps and Bulges stall is interviewed on the dvd of the old Market Hall's final days.

I hope it's not pulled down... although it wouldn't take much if they did. The modern building aren't as sturdy as the old ones.

Irene how did you managed to get a job as a writer for the past forward magazine when you say you can get lost at the bottom of Caroline street.
BTW how are you coping now that your only news source the Wigan Observer is no longer being printed.

The Galleries is one of a very few projects built in Wigan since the 1960s with any style or imagination.
Given the town’s past record how can anyone have any hope that what replaces it will be an improvement?

What has getting lost to do with writing for Past Forward? I have read a few stories in Past Forward that were of excellent quality written by Irene. BTW those stories are volunteered, I have also written a piece and I can guarantee there was no payment. None of the entry's are. I'm sure I would get lost down that area these days it's changed that much. Are you bored James - sounds to me as if you have nothing to do on a glorious day like today. Get out into the garden and enjoy the sun.

Mr. Hanson, I was only a "writer" for Past Forward in the same way as anyone else in Wigan was....I sent in articles and the editor decided whether or not to include them in the magazine; it certainly wasn't "a job"! Luckily, my ability to get lost at the bottom of Caroline Street didn't impede my ability to write articles about my childhood memories and I am happy to say they were well received. If, as you say, The Wigan Observer is no longer being printed, I will just have to do without it, won't I? I certainly won't be wasting my money on the dailies as the only thing you can believe in them is the date.

Past to the future ,
History to new ,
Replaced for a better ,
but chosen by few .
Memories to attics ,
Or filed in a book,
Pictures and places
of that day were took
All those who made it
still carry the thread,
treasured safe keeping
and locked in our heads ..

Isn't there to be a government inquiry as to the fate of the market hall and the galleries, etc.?

I too have read your articles Irene, both in Past Forward and the Wigan Observer and enjoyed reading them too.

I had read that the daily printing of the WEP had ceased with a weekly round up edition available on Fridays, but I haven't read of anything at all about the Wigan Observer ceasing to be printed on Tuesdays.

I can imagine those Hanson brothers to be dressed like the Mario brothers, take note of the style of moustache. A photo of the Hanson brothers.

https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/U8r1k0UH1vA-_aU2jhBdMCen9_Y=/774x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/001-super-mario-bros-729677-e2e4d41c5fdb46359ca9f5a36366db6a.jpg

The Galleries is one of a very few projects built in Wigan since the 1960s with any style or imagination.
Given the town’s past record how can anyone have any hope that what replaces it will be an improvement?

Cyril and Veronica, thankyou for your kind words. My friend started work for The Wigan Observer at 15 years old in 1960, was its Editor for 50 years until his retirement and still writes a weekly page; I'm sure he would have told me as he knows I have taken The Observer weekly for the 48 years of my marriage. I have emailed him to ask if it is true that it is no longer being printed. If it IS true, then fair enough but I think some people need to get their facts right before opening their gob.

Cyril, there is a feeling amongst the public in Wigan that, by the time they hear about these things, the deal has already been done apart from the pretence of an “enquiry” and the “formality” of telling the poor old voter what they will be getting like it or not.

DTease, you need to get your wallet out lad! (See the last comments on yesterday's photo!), (Only a joke!). xxx

Irene, I would love to buy you coffee but, the last time I opened my wallet the only thing that came out of it was a very old and weary looking moth. He was blinking continually, I think the daylight was troubling his eyes after being so long in the dark!

So true Irene, and if it was to cease publication I'm sure G would have had something to write about it within his page, especially has it's been published every week for 168 years.

DTease, I think it was on the Communicate board that I read about the inquiry, it may well have been optimistic thinking by the poster, unless they knew something others didn't, though they did without any public consultation demolish the new children's library on Millgate, and that too was only built in the early 1980s, so as they could build that horrible glasshouse, I worked for the council nigh on twenty years and the managers way of managing was just that - if you don't like it, there's the ******* door, so is it any wonder that the voters are treated likewise. The Ballot Paper is the only way to get their protests to be heard, but the majority won't change their inbred voting preference.

Looks fairly modern and in good condition.

Couldn't agree more with your comments Cyril.

Your right DTease the deal is done, there is an infestation of pigeons in the roof space.Stallholders have been told where their going, and it's starting next spring.So the petitions were a waste of time.