Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 8th December, 2023)

Thanks again Brian, I saw this the other day and thought it very pretty.
Perhaps Garry and I can meet up outside and pay the £6 to take Irene inside for a bit of Christmas Cheer.
Garry bring the Sherry and I’ll bring the Chardonnay for Veronica! Then we’ll have bit of fun riding up and down on the escalator! Perhaps Brian can have his camera ready.

Irene, sorry not to have responded on McRobb's but I see that WN1 Standisher did.
Apart from the one in Market Place Standish they have a place at Derby House on Mossy Lea Road Wrightington. Well worth a visit for a bit of retail therapy.
Perhaps WN1 can pick up some sausage rolls and join us when we visit Father Christmas, after our little jaunt Ron can take us to the top of the Parish Church Tower to use the ablutions!

I don't think Irene will be interested in this photo, she surprisingly admitted she's Bar Humbug.
Lovely Christmas photo that will bring happiness to many.

My word, very posh! Father Christmas's Grotto was never like that in Oxley's or Lowe's! I remember the piles of presents he handed out to us children.....the girls' presents were wrapped in pink tissue paper and the boys' presents in blue. I was never taken to Pendlebury's Grotto, (I think it was a bit expensive!), but when I worked there years later, (it was Debenhams by then), we always had to address him as Father Christmas on the shop floor, which was only right when there were children about. I think it brought out the child in us all!

I don't think Irene will come, Colin, she admitted she's Bar-Humbug.
So I'll stay in with my aches and pains trying to relax with a drop of sherry if that's ok with Arthur. Cheers.

I can imagine a gang of us round there Colin. This would be luxury for Ozy it would remind him ot’ t’shelter and Dtease if he can get his legs going. We could have a fire roasting chestnuts and some nice mulled wine. A sign post for Wigan Worlders only…..I don’t think we would all fit inside. Cyril can come as Santa. Just don’t let Maureen bring them pigeons …;o))

Garry send Irene a drop of Sherry to buck her up for Christmas, and Cyril might have some too.
This is a great time of year, lets enjoy, it'll soon be over.
Lovely Christmas photo Brian.

Something to smile its lovely.

Irene. You are not on your own I can assure you that there are many people out there who really really don't like Christmas any more' for many many reasons.

Mr Bah Humbug

Oh dear, what a reputation I have as Ebenezer! It's just how I am. When I worked at Debenhams I remember sitting in the canteen in December and one of the girls would sigh and say, "Well we went to MY Mother's LAST year so we'll have to go to HIS Mother's THIS year", then another girl would say, "Well we go to MY Mother's on Christmas Day so we have to go to HIS Mother's on Boxing Day" and you could tell they didn't want to be bothered and would have much rather stayed at home with their children. Then someone would as "What are YOU doing for Christmas, Irene?" and I would say "Nothing!", and they used to say "I envy you!" The pressure that is put on people to visit or to receive visitors, or to cook a huge, stressful meal for a number of people just doesn't suit everyone. However,for those Wigan Worlders who embrace it all, I truly wish you all the best and hope you have a lovely time.

Some people are so miserable at this time of year.

Love the photo, love Christmas and new year, love holidays and I'm a happy chap. Some last minute Christmas shopping then that's it. All the best.

Irene, I don't think you are at all a Bah Humbug, I think its all just a front so you don't have to invite us all around with our Sherry and Chardonnay!
Having said that Christmas is without doubt and in the words of the song The Most Stressful Time Of The Year. All those parents with ever demanding kids to buy for and everything else that goes with it. Many years ago my mother-in-law used to have me driving all around Wigan posting cards through doors because a stamp was too expensive!
Most people like me are relieved when it's January which reminds me, don't you think the picture makes you think in the words of another song That It's Beginning To Look A Lot like Easter!
Only 17 more days to go for us to share our glad tidings to all!

Christmas is how you make it. We all celebrate in different ways. I like the peace and quiet these days after the family have gone. It’s a sad time for a lot of people. The older you get the excitement dims..it’s for the very young with all their lives in front of them. Same as it was for us of a certain age. You are not on your own Irene. I was never one for the bright lights either. The day itself can be nice though - it’s over with for me after that. Then I start looking at holiday brochures!

I remember seeing Father Christmas upstairs at C&A's in the 70's. My mum worked in the Debenhams cafe for a while and they always did a nice Christmas breakfast for us kids too.

I'm not miserable at all, whoever signed themselves as "Bar Humbug"; I'm just not a fan of Carols and Christmas songs and all the razmatazz that goes with the season. I will admit though that I am miserable at New Year....I have never liked New Year's Eve, even as a child. There is something strange about it. Everyone goes mad celebrating but I find it a very sad and uncomfortable night and always have. Yes, I've been called "miserable" over New Year's Eve too, but when I explain how it makes me feel, I have been surprised how many people have said "I know just what you mean". I am always glad to see January 1st. Anyway, today's p-a-d is about the grotto and the children who will whisper their hopes to Father Christmas in there; I hope all their dreams come true.

Enjoy Christmas and life while you can!

Irene i am on your side i dont blame you how you feel myself i am not a christmas person i cant wait until it comes and goes very quickly to me i find it very depressing.

Come on folks lets all cheer up. We don't want any of those three ghosts waking us up on Christmas Eve now do we.
In my international travelling days I always seemed to find myself in Norway, Sweden or Finland north of the arctic circle in winter but I never saw Father Christmas or a Reindeer although did eat one once in Sweden, not a whole one you understand!. Maybe Father Christmas was too busy in Oxley's, Debenhams etc.!
However a few years back my wife, son and grandson went to Lapland and I swear they did see the REAL Father Christmas. The picture is brought out every Christmas in pride of place to show visitors he really exists. Next you will all be telling me you don't believe in fairies.
Apart from the pop up LED Christmas Tree we can no longer be bothered with all that Christmas clutter, it's all in the shed in a box. This Christmas we have decide that chicken is better than turkey for the small family gathering along with what are now traditional burnt sprouts.
Whatever you are planning make it happy for you and yours, I'll be raising my glass of Chardonnay to you all.

Irene, I too don't imbibe in the alcohol merriment or the shopping madness of what's become to be called Crimbo, but I do wish to all the love, joy and peace that the true Christmas message brings to us - as told by shepherds, sadly it's been lost through the years.
Ponder and wonder at Luke 2:8-20

You only live once, drink plenty sherry and enjoy Xmas, it's what Garry does.

Awww what's the matter Julie, its not that bad. You needs some of Garry's Sherry to lighten up.
This photo put a smile on everyone's face.

Perhaps the reason people don't enjoy Christmas is because the true meaning has been lost...it was never about rushing around giving yourself a headache....spending to much hard earned cash & arguing about who was going to who's house this year etc etc.
I'm not much of a church goer but I think my parents taught me that there was a meaning behind all the frenzy that Christmas has become. Just have a Happy Christmas everybody & be nice to each other !

Christmas is the time when that tightly coiled spring , suppressed the whole year, is released with a venom resulting in drunkenness and self abuse !
Rock n Roll Irene , I like you a lot , you are an individual with a delicious honesty , no matter which way the wind kicks you, you stand your ground . It’s easy to run with the pack , alone is me and worth more !

Steady on with my sherry.
I agree with Helen of Troy. Although I do like Christmas it has lost it's identity and is too much commercialised, in other words how much money can we make.
I respect Irene opinions about Christmas too. Each to everyone's own.

All at the heart such lovely people.

Right, all round to Garry's for a sherry, Wigan World Gang.....we'll have to shove up to all fit round his coal fire! I might even manage a Carol or two with such lovely people as you lot, but be warned I have a voice like two cracked plates!

What is this. Don't like pigeons, don't like Christmas, don't like new year, don't like the Galleries, don't like Grand Arcade, don't like new swimming baths and so on. Some very negative comments.
Wigan is a fantastic town, you should all appreciate it.

There's one thing about coming to my house for a sherry or two Irene, everyone will go home happy and warm.
Cheers x

Veronica's been a little quite, hope she's not been on the sherry at Garry's.
I can't stand Sherry, I'm a real drinker Wisky, Rum and Brandy the hard stuff.

I’ve been rocking around the Christmas Tree at the Christmas Party Hop
Alan …