Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 17th November, 2021)

Nice picture Dennis. Even though our town is a world away from what it once was, Wigan still look nice on a sunny day. I remember when Subway was Rumbelow's Electrical Shop.

Not the crowds there used to be. I agree Irene, it does look nice when the sun shines. I used to like going in Santos now and again they make lovely sandwiches and the coffee is nice. Not been in for a few years. I used to sit in the window watching the antics of folk passing by, Alan Bennet would have had a field day!

The clocktower, soon to be replaced by the warehouse.

Ive heard from a councilor friend of mine that the clock in the tower and some other part of the market that are so important to a small group of Wiganers are going to be auctioned off

So you are a people watcher too, Veronica?
There is nothing better than just sitting and watching the antics of people as they dash around doing their daily business.
Especially on rainy days when the umbrellas come out. The dodging and weaving that goes on as people try to get home with both eyeballs intact is something to behold.
People watching is one of the very few pleasures that come with growing old.

This little corner of Wigan seems to have quite a few people shopping. If only shop signs could be more regulated so that they blended with the buildings.
I remember Rumbelows Irene, also Vose the pie shop a couple of doors down. Plumbs used to have a shop just behind these buildings; I remember buying our first stereo record player there - 1960s music 'in stereo' - just amazing!

Thanks for the information Mick, I might have a bid on the flag pole.

Definitely Dennis! I went on a painting holiday to the Dordogne a few years ago. One of the exercises was sketching people in a square going about their business and sitting drinking coffee and ladies chatting together. The memories that come back just looking at the sketches I did - I think I should do that more often! I wish I had had my sketch book a few weeks ago watching the argy -bargy outside the ' Moon Under Water'. ! ;~)

Veronica, we will have to try Santos sometime if it hasn't shut down. We haven't much luck with cafes, have we, having Bruccianni' s close down after our only visit? (I'm sure it wasn't personal, Dolly dear, even though we made a cup of coffee last two hours!) We'll have to stick with the Station Buffet! Of course we could always go in The Moon Under Water........

I agree Dennis and Veronica, people watching,is one of the pleasures of growing old.It gives you a chance to pause,and take things in.You don't seem to do it when your young, for scuttering around working, dog walking,and picking children up from school.Good photo Dennis, as always.

I can remember ,as I'm sure Maureen can,when Subway was Niman's jewellers.

I can't remember Niman's, Elizabeth....how odd! I only recall Rumbelow's.

I've come to the conclusion you'd need six shooters to go in the 'Moon Under Water'
Irene.

I remember coming off the motorway years ago with our Jimmy at Orrell and one of the houses across the road had a clock in the window that people could see the what the time of day it was.
Maybe who ever bought one of the clocks could do something similar with it.

Where Santos is now was, about sixty years ago, the site of Oliver Somers sports equipment business.
I remember buying a real Bow and Arrows from there when I was about 12years old (It was a craze at the time). I doubt if that could happen now.
Mind you, I think you could get a shotgun licence then at age thirteen or fourteen. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

I do remember Elizabeth,I've walked past there this very morning..last week I called in for a coffee after shopping..two youngish women ordered a pizza ..each..but on top wanted ( it's so easy to hear) tomatoes ,garlic,chili sauce,more cheese,black pepper,onions chopped..cucumber,spring onions..can you believe it and yes they were both massive...heart attacks just waiting to happen.
And going back to the scene,didn't we have some good shops,I'm sure it isn't all down to Internet shopping..further up from this shot was a brilliant alternative medicine shop,the sign on the door was 'Closing Down',I went in to ask why,and the assistant told me that the council had nearly doubled their rents and they just couldn't afford to keep going..such a shame.

I apologise for quoting their rents nearly doubled,it wasn't rents..it was parking costs..as you can imagine six days a week would come to a pretty penny.

Dennis....I got my Brownie uniform from Oliver Somers' around 1960. I wonder how many Wigan children have wondered how Father Christmas managed to get a bike form Oliver Somers' down their chimney. Robinson's Sports Shop across the road was a good shop too, and sold beautiful leather purses as well as Sports goods. Maureen is right, we had some lovely, personal shops. We "oldies" are lucky to have known them.

Joan the clocks could be erected at the side of the roads leading into Wigan.
Maybe one on crow orchard road up in Shevy, one in New Springs or Aspull, one in Hindley and one in Marus Bridge.
Thats if its a four clocks and not just one clock with four faces.

Not forgetting Bert Smith's shoe repairs. I must have gone there once a fortnight with my stiletto heels worn down. I think it was 5s for new heel studs. I've bought shoe dye from there as well to change the colour of old shoes, the dye used to wear off and it stank man's height.

Hello Irene,I can remember the signage being 'gifts for all occasions ' on a lemon background ,I think.I agree,Maureen,I don't think it's all because of internet shopping either.At least we have had the chance to see the town at it's best,thank goodness.x

Why does it say "The lights at the bottom of Standishgate, Wigan." ? when it's not ?

It would make more sense to rebuild the actual clock tower, a good place would be the green area of the crow orchard road, the road that goes to nowhere.

Well I can see a full set of traffic lights, Hanson, and I'm in my 70s.

Norcliffes corsets was near Oliver Somers in the late 60’s/ early 70’s. I worked with the guy whose wife ran it. His middle name was Norcliffe hence the name.

Garry, the pseudo James Hanson is correct. I too can see the traffic lights, but they're not at the bottom of Standishgate.

The traffic lights at the bottom of Standishgate are on Powell Street.

Are we bovvered?

Only if the lights fail Dtease - then we would be in a pickle - bring back the Bobby I say! ;~))

Joking - just in case!

Not heard that phrase in ages Veronica, good un, made me laugh