Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 23rd February, 2023)

Great comparison photo Dennis.
The scene has barely changed in 60 years, aside from fewer cars now and more greenery.

Best 'Then and Now' so far Dennis, I have no doubt this will bring back memories for every Wiganner where ever they are in the world.

The general facades have not changed obvious new businesses but the street scene is much the same. No clock and the lighting has changed. A few planters and trees scattered about. Nice to see the crowds on both pictures Wigan as it should be. Well captured Dennis.

A real "as was" "as is" contrast.
Well done, Dennis.
I am inclined to think of bustle versus stroll.

Dennis, I just love these then and now photos. And got to say the old Wigan seen for me is much better. Old Hillman Husky on the left. It was such a better time then.

This is a belter Dennis and how I remember Wigan. We had everything at that time, no need for the Galleries or Large shopping centres.

You can bet that large building clock is the right time, shop owners cared.
Looks like early 1960s. Thanks Dennis love it.

You could almost think nothing has changed. The’ bare bones’ that’s left of the buildings are still there in that small area and it’s busy. I can vouch for the crowds yesterday as I went to Wigan. There’s a ‘cut through’ in the wall of boards and that makes some difference. I still wish we had the town of yesteryear, but both photos are great. Thank you Dennis ‘top photos’..great idea in what you share with us.

Late 1950s Dennis. Looking at people clothing and vehicles.
Not much as changed, place is now pedestrianised , but still prefer old Wigan.

These are the best photos in my opinion. This is what Wigan World is all about, thanks Dennis.

Both good photos but I admit I would like to do a "Gary Sparrow" as in the programme "Goodnight Sweetheart", and go back to the old Wigan in the top photo just for a little while. I would love to mingle with those shoppers and wander past Woolworths, British Home Stores, Timpson's Shoes and Freeman Hardy and Willis. Wigan may be "moving with the times" if the council would have us believe that, but I think we have lost far more than we have gained in the name of "progress".

I'll come with you Irene !
The top photo is the image I carry in my head, though I agree the facades still echo the Wigan of yesteryear. I sometimes weary of progress.

looking at the top photo and the bottom far left corner- notice the man in the dark suit he has no head - is he Brady the invisible man visiting Wigan on a case? and there's Albert Tatlock at the top of the arcade holding up a sign advertising new heads from those men in white coats behind him - so it isn't Brady after all it's just worzel who's come to Wigan to get a new head.

you may not do a Gary Sparrow Irene but Mick Byrne can, notice he's on a bike behind the Hillman Husky talking to uncle Albert, so now we know where Irma Barlow vanished to all those years ago, she went with Mick after he had promised her a life of paradise at Shangrila Shevy, she can still be seen there too shuffling along to the shops in the mornings buying her usual pan loaf, ten woodbine and a Mirror, some paradise eh.

The women in the top photo are walking with purpose - heads up and arms swinging. Nowadays people tend to walk with their heads down (usually checking their mobile phones). Lovely, nostalgic black and white photo and a colourful comparison of the Standishgate of today. Thank you Dennis.

I see where you are coming from ‘C’ but the ‘man with no head’ is a lady wearing a headscarf which were common headwear in those days. Even the late Queen wore them. I remember Brady with a bandage wrapped around where his head should have been though… most of your characters are from the sixties I see…...;o))

Smell the gems of memory,
wafted in your face ,
perfume of reminders ,
much deeper than a trace ,
held embroidered fabrics ,
woven in a time ,
ones I hold inside me ,
knowing they were mine ...

Pat - it's a wonder the woman in the foreground isn't running - given the chance that the car stopped at the zebra will probably be away before she reaches Woolworths. And of course the others are striding - the car driver will be revving his engine in annoyance at being stopped.
It's a wonder no one's accused you of renting-a-crowd for your shot, Dennis - given most shots of Wigan today show empty streets....

Dennis, I look forward to your photos everyday, you are the best. I may not comment all the time, but always view them.

Very good photos Dennis.The trouble with the people with phones today Pat is, especially mothers with children, they don't talk, to the kids anymore, they're busy talking to their friends.

"e". that's beautiful and you have "said it like it is" to quote a modern phrase. We all share the second Wigan scene with those who weren't born when the first photo was taken, including our children and grandchildren, but the first one was "Our" Wigan, and we won't see it like that again.

The Wigan we knew and loved.

Beautiful words, "e", and so true. I did add a comment regarding your sentiments in the poem but it seems to have been omitted unless it appears later. I don't know why that sometimes happens.

I'll have to get these glasses of mine changed Veronica, though they are only around six months old. With now using a magnifier what I initially assumed to be a man with no head is someone with long white hair or as you say a white headscarf billowing in the breeze, and the men - one is probably a mannequin in the shop window and the other now looks to be a newspaper seller with his stand, I can't make out what it says on the sign the Albert Tatlock lookalike is holding, may be an election poster and the man on the Raleigh Superbe maybe stopped to read it.

That woman in black is maybe walking the crossing with purpose, but she won't be going to Brown's dentist, I used to drag my heels when going to there, and I can see the sign above the door in the photo and smell the place in my mind also.

I don't think we should dwell of the past, lets look to the future. I think the latest photo looks so much brighter and cleaner.

Rev Long. Great point, the modern Wigan is a much safer place for pedestrians.

Don't know about that Ann - there were far fewer vehicles on the roads in the 1950s - 1960s.

Great pics both Dennis,well done.

Thanks for all the favourable comments. I’m glad you liked the photos.

Veronica and C, it's quite simply an optical illusion.

No they’re real people Alan it’s just that they’re no longer with us…
Or I would be surprised if they were… apart from the little toddler on the right wandering about. ;o))

Of course they're real people,
What a few of you think is a gentleman with no head that is totally impossible. So it's optional illusion. (Hard work sometimes)

Alan - ‘C’ is joking he’s letting his imagination take over. A bit of fun that’s all….no law against that lad..

Alan what I initially saw at the top of the arcade was two men wearing white coats and bowlers at a stand behind the man with a billboard featuring a mans head. (I do know my glasses lenses aren't as they should be.)

After Veronica pointed out that what I perceived to be Brady the invisible man with a bandaged head, or Wurzel with no visible head was actually a woman in a scarf. I could then make out that it was as she said, a woman wearing a white scarf and blending in with the white background which was possibly a paper seller behind his stand.

The rest about the men selling heads, Peter Brady The Invisible Man along with Wurzel looking for a new head, and the Coronation St characters of Albert Tatlock looking like the billboard man, and Irma Barlow nee Ogden running away with Mick the cyclist was fictitious.

Have you never been given a photograph etc. to write an essay about it or to write a short story about the people and characters you can see - if not try it, it is fun especially with grandchildren or others too - and you can have a laugh comparing stories, you're never too old to use your imagination and see things differently, or your eyes for that matter. ¦?¬ )