Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 24th March, 2023)

That’s a ‘grand’ looking photo Dennis. The ‘old’ Wigan as was and still is.

Or, where the policeman used to stand

Good one, Dennis. I think The Moon Under Water is an established Wigan landmark now, unlike other businesses that come and go. Didn't it used to be an electrical shop back in the 1960s? Was it Broadmead's? I seem to remember washing machines etc. in the side window in Library Street. I also seem to recall some railings near to where the man is walking, with bus-drivers in their Summer uniforms leaning and having a chat and a smoke in-between shifts when my friends and I went to Wigan on a Saturday afternoon. I am happy to stand corrected if I am wrong but that's the memory that came straight into my head on seeing today's photo.

Yes Veronica, certainly the “old Wigan” the only real difference being no policeman on point duty and maybe a slight difference in the pavement layout and other minor oddities.

Irene you made me sad thinking how Wigan used to be in the 60s as you recall. Everything was so different than today how things have unfortunately turned out. I can remember the buses being all parked up near there waiting for different destinations they was going to.

Was a branch of the Halifax Building Society just before being the 'Moon' I think...

There used to be a blue police telephone box,a Tardis.

It was an electrical shop at one time in the sixties as Irene says, and I seem to remember there was a police call box somewhere near where the red car is?

Irene, you are right about the electrical shop being Broadmeads from the late 50s. I think it had been a bank branch prior to Broadmeads. They used to have radiograms and tvs etc. outside the shop in the covered area between the entrance and the pavement.

Yes Irene,Broadmeads used to be there,and Halifax later on,can remember going for an interview there about 1980.

It used to be The Midland Bank in the 70’s.

I remember Bobby standing at that junction with the white gear on directing traffic do you Dennis.

That Wetherspoons is our first port of call every other year for Christmas do alternating with Westhoughton, I recollect helping an elderly lady with half a dozen drinks back to her friends table they have a big variation of clients there.

Katherine H, the Midland Bank was the building opposite, just visible on the right of the picture with the blue 'sports' sign. It was a lovely interior, full of old wooden cladding, partitioning and general fittings. I believe that the Nat West on Standishgate is still like that to this day.

You just have to marvel at that building , the architecture and build quality made by first rate craftsman. (unlike today).
In the 1960s it was indeed an electrical shop TVs, washing machine and so on.
Thanks Dennis.

The blue police box (Dr Who) was located at the bottom corner of Millgate. Just opposite the old ship Inn.

Looks a nice place, although I've never been. Would there be a library still in existance in that street, or has it disappeared with the passage of time?

The library is no longer in Library Street, but is situated nearby. The building that originally housed the library is still in Library Street but is now a Local History Museum.

Doctor Who must have gone on his time travels Garry.

Museum of Wigan Life - "We hold over 30,000 objects relating to life in Wigan Borough, past and present."

Things like - "a 3500 year old Egyptian mask"? and "a German helmet from the First World War"?

Irene you can't change street or road names if a company ceases trading or in this case the Library on Library Street.

Doctor Who must have gone on his time travels Garry.

I still have no idea why my comments get repeated,no doubt this one will be the same.