Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 23rd March, 2024)

I’m intrigued to know its story .
You post some belters Colin I must say - thank you

Could it have been the offices? I remember going with my mam for my dad’s wages once. He worked at the Gas Works for more years than I can remember.

I pass this on the bus going to Wigan and always think it looks so sad and neglected, and yet it probably still provides shelter for birds and insects and maybe even mice.

What ever it is/been, it needs to be demolished, Wigan Council is good at that, aren't they!
Looks a eye sore entering the Town.

And a right mess it is.

Has Wigan got more grot spots than the surrounding towns?

Nice one Colin. Just needs a lick of paint hehe.

My , what abandoned lonely desolation . Windows no one has looked out of for years . The deserted car park . Trees sprouting from the bricks .
That slate .
The one poised on the brink of the gutter looks like it's been threatening to topple into the Douglas for years .
A bleak but atmospheric picture Colin .

For a minute there I thought Mick had returned to the fold, but it was only a bad dream....wasn't it?

This would be on the market for offers north of £5,000,000 .......in London! Moor money thun sense daen theer.

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”…
I must add …
When my mam and I went to the Gas Works to collect daddy’s salary
I remember going through the entrance which was paved and quite lengthy,
Turning to the right was a red brick building with a small window where the workers collected their dosh.
The air was dense with an acrid pong of coke smoke.
I have to say it wasn’t posh..
Men were like beavers shovelling coke in sacks.
and ……..
It was Friday - Pay Day…!
That’s all I remember….

I’m intrigued to know its story .
You post some belters Colin I must say - thank you

Extraordinary Veronica . I almost posted the very quote you make . I saw that film last night. . The old one with Olivier and Joan Fontaine . Very gothic . Superb acting .

I hope you didn't run into the creepy Mrs. Danvers, Veronica!

Perhaps that's where my bad dream came from Poet?

Thank you all, I know my photos and indeed others photos cannot possibly please al. I try to get an eclectic mix to make a record for the future and engage thought and conversation.
All comments are appreciated, particularly please to have Poet back.
Please remember we post pictures but we do not choose which gets up on WW but when they do myself and others are appreciative that they are being shared. Please keep on viewing and enjoy.

Come to think of it in the dream….a ghostly image
of a lady possibly Mrs D…..
Pushing a handcart and serving Earl Grey Tea,
With vinegar face and dressed in deepest black,
She wheeled those squeaking cartwheels over the cinders and nutty slack…..

Ps to anyone thinking these few words are spoiling the photo..think again ‘cos it couldn’t get any worse.

Someone’s been at the cooking sherry!

Pps no disrespect to your photo Colin. Good for you getting about and showing what still remains….the Gasworks reminds me of my dad.

I'm sure it isn't anything to do with the gas works as the building is on Ellen Street, I can remember Mark Williams being there as you could see a sign from Darlington Street.
Here is a photo of Ellen Street from Fairclough Street by Thomas Sutch in 2008, and Ellen Street looks to be fenced off: https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/streets/street.php?az=e&street=1230

Tommy two stroke commented on the Mark Williams building that I wrote about on this link, apparently the building was unfit and condemned even back in the 1980s: https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f3&msd=1460069&page=6&subject=The%20butchers%20Mark%20Williams

Veronica, the gatehouse and entrance to the gas works and where the British Gas vans would go, was further up and near the junction of Sovereign Road.

I am sure that place used to be a pickle factory.

I'm sure this building use to belong to Mark Williams butchers.

I'm sure this building use to belong to Mark Williams butchers.

Veronica, ‘ vinegar face ‘ perfect description how WW views the modern world !

You could be right. I took photos of both Fairclough Street and Ellen Street, not what it was in the 1950’s I can even remember some of the people that lived there.
Perhaps that building had another purpose but its past, interesting nonetheless don’t you think?

DTease, this building would not be on the market long in Norfolk either... it would be snapped up by some ' Second Homer ' with oodles of cash to spend

Everyone has a different view of "The Modern World"; no-one is necessarily right or wrong and no-one has a "vinegar-face" or a "honey-face"....they just have a difference of opinion, and surely in a "modern world" they are all entitled to that?

The British Gas board vans and depot was indeed on Sovereign road, later it was used by Wigan Council highway department.

Yes Irene, except Mick it would seem.

Veronica dear, you've been dreaming of me and my tea trolley with the squeaky wheel, more nightmare I'd have thought, also we use Assam, I tried Earl Grey once and the Fathers spat it out and called it nancy tea. Your dream got a bit Larry Grayson in the end too with piles of nutty slack I see, but hearken! Slack Alice from Abram, though I'd actually take a guess at Shevington, is having a grumble, well Michael as I'm always telling Father Dougal, if you play with fire you end up with burned fingers dearie. I'll have to be off cos Father Jack is rooting in the hall cupboard and I keep my secret stash of Silver Dip in there and he'll be downing the lot if I'm not quick. Remember everyone be like me and Mrs Dineen, always take time to have a nice cup of tea and a sandwich or cake, or both, go on.

“DRINK!”

You’re in the wrong dream Mrs D this is the Gasworks or what’s left of it ….Wigan not Craggy Island. Dream on….

Oh my someone's got out the wrong side of bed today, Father Jack is exactly the same whenever he's drunk a crate of the cheap sherry, and which he swears is just watered down toilet cleaner. Oh well, que sere, sere this site is off my list and I'll be staying with the Craggy Island Forum, as always very nice pleasant people to be found on there.

Give my regards to John and Mary and mind what you’re doing when you’re mending the roof Mrs D.