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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 8th April, 2023)

Wigan Infirmary


Wigan Infirmary
Wigan Infirmary, now and then.

Photo: Dennis Seddon  (Sony DSC-WX500)
Views: 1,653

Comment by: Garry on 8th April 2023 at 01:40

Very impressive and great photo shot of comparison. Apart from the chimney and window frames, little change. over the years.
Cheers Dennis.

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 8th April 2023 at 09:05

Brilliant, Dennis. It makes me think of all the changing fashions that the building has seen through the years as people have walked up to its doors. I love the big lamp on the original photo.

Comment by: Gary on 8th April 2023 at 09:28

Instant recognition - the number of my extended family who have expired in there! As a child I tended to remember the ward names. Lower Johnson ward comes to mind and Red Cross ward - matrons in blue uniforms and tight knit grey curls. White caps, young ward nurses who never ran, but moved quickly.

Comment by: Sandra on 8th April 2023 at 09:39

Great photo, Dennis. Who needs change, this photo Testifies that.

Comment by: freddie on 8th April 2023 at 09:39

you didnt get the rough sleeper who has moved from the bus shelter to the side of the pharmacy building in this shot

Comment by: Anne on 8th April 2023 at 09:41

The old photo could have the building mistaken for a stately home.
Dennis…. Must take you longer to find these old photos than to do ‘as is now’ photo.

Comment by: Arthur on 8th April 2023 at 09:45

I wonder if that's the original clock on Dennis's photo, it looks very much the same. Good that we've kept some history of the hospital. Happy Easter to all.

Comment by: Maureen on 8th April 2023 at 09:46

That's a great photo Dennis,I would love to know how many people have gone through those doors.

Comment by: Veronica on 8th April 2023 at 11:15

Some sad memories as well as good ones. Mam and dad both died there.
There’s been some serious ‘add on’s’ which can only be expected. But good to see the original parts of the building, even though I can remember as a little one breaking my arm aged 4. Ever after going up Wigan Lane on the bus was traumatic visiting the Infirmary again.

Comment by: Dennis Seddon on 8th April 2023 at 12:23

I don’t know if they are still there, but just inside that doorway all the names of the local dignitaries and organisations that had contributed to the building of the Infirmary were listed on the walls.
I’ve been told that, at that time, you had to get a “permit” from your employer or one of those dignitaries before you could get treatment at the Infirmary.

I saw her there Freddie, but I try not to take recognisable photos of people. Not everyone wants to have their photo taken.

Comment by: Syd Smith on 8th April 2023 at 12:35

No nurses stood outside vaping, that's unusual.
Maureen it will be in the millions.

Comment by: Linma on 8th April 2023 at 13:52

Gary I too remember Upper Johnson Ward very well the number of times I was a patient there with a grumbling appendix.

Comment by: Maureen on 8th April 2023 at 14:20

Veronica,my Mam and Dad both died there as well plus my hubby Cliff bless him died there too..and...I remember going there when I broke my arm..I was there last year with Pneumonia too,but some poor folk have rougher deals don't they..bless 'em all.

Comment by: Maureen on 8th April 2023 at 15:24

Syd,I should think billions wouldn't you..I've just had a look on Google,it opened in 1796, ye Gods.

Comment by: Veronica on 8th April 2023 at 16:37

Maureen you can’t help thinking of the place you last saw your loved ones alive. I couldn’t go past there for along, long time.

Comment by: Sir Bob on 8th April 2023 at 17:37

I have never liked that gothic building in the picture, I find it dreary, depressing and spooky!

Comment by: (the other) Alan on 8th April 2023 at 17:39

I was an emergency doctor there in the 1980's. Very little has changed

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 8th April 2023 at 18:34

It was where I first saw my granddaughter Edie, on a sunny April day in 2007, and I wrote about the experience in my final story for Past Forward magazine. She will be sixteen next week.

Comment by: DerekB on 8th April 2023 at 20:06

No doubt I will be howled down again, as always, whenever I express my view on Victorian/Edwardian architecture. This is another prime example which would be improved greatly, both inside and out, with some serious attention from a wrecking ball. Give me credit though folks, I always express the rider, each to his own!!!

Comment by: Pat McC on 8th April 2023 at 21:04

Maureen and Veronica, I'm so sorry for your loss - thank God for places like this, where nursing staff look after our loved ones coming into the world and departing it.

Comment by: Maureen on 8th April 2023 at 22:12

God bless you Pat..that is a lovely sentiment.x

Comment by: Pam on 9th April 2023 at 00:45

Freddie that young lady needs help, so what if she isn't in the shot.

Comment by: Veronica on 9th April 2023 at 09:37

I am so glad not everyone feels the same
Derek but you are entitled to your opinion. If what you say was true we would have nothing of interest to look back on and indeed learn from. Thank you Pat for your kind expression and thoughts.

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