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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 25th March, 2024)

How to do it


How to do it
The former Queen’s Head, Aspull.
It’s a matter of opinion I suppose, but I think this is a lesson in how to add a little style to an old building. You would think that veranda at the front had always been there.

Photo: Dennis Seddon  (Sony DSC-HX99)
Views: 1,824

Comment by: Walt (nth Yorks) on 25th March 2024 at 05:51

This is the scene we have been waiting for, Daffodils at Aspull, didn't need to look who had taken it, could only have been Dennis. Thanks Marra. Lovely sight, beautiful village.

Comment by: Garry on 25th March 2024 at 06:16

Beautiful, fantastic just the tonic for a rainy Monday morning. The Daffodils in full bloom and the former Queens head pub stands strong at the Finger Post.
I've been in the there a couple of times in the 1970s, it had a great atmosphere and beer, the people were nice too.
Cheers Dennis a belter.

Comment by: PeterP on 25th March 2024 at 06:34

A nice display of daffodils

Comment by: Arthur on 25th March 2024 at 07:00

That photo angle is absolutely spot on, Dennis. You really do have an eye with the camera.
It captures everything on a lovely Spring day, lovely place Aspull.

Comment by: Malc on 25th March 2024 at 07:24

Brilliant Spring photo of one of the best places around Wigan.
Really good composition and crystal clear that says everything in the photo.

Comment by: Veronica on 25th March 2024 at 07:25

A lovely photo and a very smart building. I have missed coming through Aspull on the bus. There’s always a good floral display in Spring.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 07:28

Very nice picture Dennis, you have captured the view in Spring perfectly.
I agree, whoever has purchased this former pub has done a lovely conversion.

Comment by: Elizabeth on 25th March 2024 at 07:42

Bindi,indian restaurant in Aspull.I agree Dennis, they have done a great job building the verandah which seamlessly fits in with this former pub building.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 07:43

Dennis, I have just noticed that it is now an Indian Restaurant.
You should visit with a copy of your picture, you might get a free curry for the exposure you have given!

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 25th March 2024 at 08:01

Now The Bindi Indian Restaurant. We went there last year. Aspull always puts on a good Spring showing of daffodils and crocuses.Always a pleasure to drive through the village.

Comment by: Poet on 25th March 2024 at 08:01

I don't think that I can ever love
A restaurant more than an English pub ,
Although I'm partial to Lamb and Riata
I'd sooner have a pint of bitter
And a buxom barmaid to a waiter .

I much prefer a game of darts
To food that always makes you fart ,
Such over indulgence is quite sinful ,
Much better to treat yourself to a skinful
Of John Barleycorn's noble art .

Comment by: Aspuller on 25th March 2024 at 08:32

Dennis more of these, Aspull has a great deal to offer and Haigh is beautiful and rural, what more do we want.
This photo is stunning.

Comment by: Gary on 25th March 2024 at 08:33

Agree, Dennis.
The Queen's was next to the old Methodist school, chapel and hall. Socials and wedding receptions in the hall were non alcoholic e.g. toasts in Cidrax(?) a form of non alcoholic cider. To me, the taste verged toward weak disinfectant. Men would comply but go for frequent walks for air, which led to the Queen's bar.
In the mid 60s a son of the landlord (Parr?) was killed motorbike scrambling up and down Wutchie - biking there was common then, steep slopes of spoil and flying grit.
The building remains impressive - someone mentioned to me some years ago, on PAD, that it was an Indian restaurant.
Thanks, Dennis.

Comment by: Alan on 25th March 2024 at 08:45

You are right Dennis. If you hadn't mentioned the veranda, I wouldn't have known it had one. It really does blend in perfectly.
This is a smashing photo and has everything, Spring has arrived.

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 25th March 2024 at 09:06

Somehow I don't think that poem is by our "Poet"... there is .nothing wrong with adding a humorous poem but please choose a name of your own.. If I'm wrong and it IS our regular contributor "Poet", I apologise but it just doesn't sound like him and it must be so annoying to have your name used by someone else.

Comment by: Sue on 25th March 2024 at 09:15

We have an abundance of Spring flower in Shevington, the Crocuses have now been and gone, but the very many thousands of Daffodils welcome Spring, we are very lucky the Council work so hard to make this sort after area beautiful.
Nice photo Dennis.

Comment by: Helen of Troy on 25th March 2024 at 09:32

Nice tidy building...enhanced by the beautiful ' Host of Golden Daffodils'
Lovely Dennis.
PS love the poem Poet, made me smile !!

Comment by: John(Westhoughton) on 25th March 2024 at 09:35

That was my local late 60 ties Dennis,you can always tell when the professional back,we keep saying we will afto visit the now Indian as they have glowing reports.DTease I do apologise.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 09:38

We. Used to love The Red Lion at Haigh, in fact we got engaged in there 52 years ago, now it’s flats.
Dennis can we have one of the Balcarres? They serve good food in there. Also is there a bus from Wigan to the Balcarres anymore?

Comment by: Pw on 25th March 2024 at 10:22

I do not know Aspull very well but been through it hundreds of times but I have enjoyed a few visits to the various pubs and always had a good night out.

Comment by: Jembo on 25th March 2024 at 10:41

Yes that's what we want - beautiful springtime :)

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 25th March 2024 at 10:50

Colin, I remember The Red Lion....it was very, very popular. We all thought we were dead posh going for steak and chips! I remember my son, when he first passed his driving test , proudly taking me to The Balcarres for my dinner. We walked in and the landlord, (not the current landlord....this was 30 years ago!), was leaning on the bar reading the rugby page in The Wigan Observer. My son said, "Can we have two chip barms please?", and the landlord never took his eyes off the paper but bellowed through to the kitchen, "Mary! Knock thisel' abeawt a bit....two chip barms!" Not exactly The Savoy Grill but much more fun!

Comment by: Mark on 25th March 2024 at 10:52

Why did the pub close, not enough business? Did it have a pub garden at the back previously? That would have been nice .

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 25th March 2024 at 11:00

Helen, I agree about the poem....it's very funny and made ME smile too, but it just didn't sound like "Our Poet" to me. Someone had added a poem using his name the other day and he was understandably annoyed and threatened to leave p-a-d, which would be such a shame, and I just felt it had happened again, that's all.

Comment by: Poet on 25th March 2024 at 11:01

Thanks Irene but the post is genuine .
I think the unpoetical flatulence reference made you suspicious :-)

Comment by: Dennis Seddon on 25th March 2024 at 11:04

Colin, there is no bus to Haigh now, you would have to get off the 575 at the top of St David's Crescent and walk up the hill to get to the Balcarres.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 11:32

Irene, I remember going in, in the 1960’s, there was always a large jar of pickled eggs on the bar. Apart from crisps, I think that was the only food available. Gross!!!

Comment by: Veronica on 25th March 2024 at 11:34

Looks like the clowns are out today. Sad “Sue” is another one as if it’s not noticeable..By the way it should be ‘sought’ after not ‘sort’ after. Anything for attention.

Comment by: Ticsmon on 25th March 2024 at 11:37

"I see the daffodils are out"

"Will it affect us?"

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 11:43

Thanks Dennis for the confirmation, I thought as much.
Ps and sorry to digress from your extremely popular picture which we all love, I thought I might have posted Pickled Heads on the bar, not pickled eggs!!!!

Comment by: John Fisher on 25th March 2024 at 12:12

Colin, are you Colin Traynor who worked in the drawing office at Rank Audio Visual in the early 70s ?

Comment by: Poet on 25th March 2024 at 12:14

Colin , Bus 981 . Standish , Boars Head , Red Rock , Haigh and Aspull .

Comment by: Elizabeth on 25th March 2024 at 12:37

Aspull is indeed a lovely village,my favourite area of Wigan.Haigh really nice also.Bindi does great food.Used to love the Red Lion ,it was always busy,think owners may have retired and sold it and then it was made into apartments.My daughters' friend had one of the apartments a few years ago but it seems they weren't very good conversions,quite dark inside.

Comment by: Jean on 25th March 2024 at 12:38

Thought it would be a matter of time before 'Sue' commented on Shevvy-La !

Comment by: Cyril on 25th March 2024 at 13:19

The council along with local schools and other volunteer groups have done the whole borough proud, and looking really good, with their time in planting Daffodils.

Gross indeed Colin, they don't even take the shells off the eggs, just hard boil and put them in spirit vinegar to mature, and it's the acid in the vinegar that dissolves the shells. I have never fancied them at all, but a lot of folks seemed to enjoy them.

Poet, that poem would raise a good laugh on the toilet wall at Manzil's on the High Street, even though it's never been a pub.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 25th March 2024 at 14:04

John Fisher, yes John what blast from the past and a lot of memories to share. A lot of water under the bridge since those days.
Drop me a line at:
colinptraynor@icloud. com

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 25th March 2024 at 14:10

Poet, I'm so glad it WAS you....as I said to Helen, the poem was very funny and made me laugh but it just didn't sound like you and I would hate to see you leave photo-a-day and Album due to people posting under your name. Veronica, I too have noticed "Sue" praising Shevvy on a number of posts recently....does it have a separate Council to the rest of Wigan's villages, I wonder? Today's photo certainly proves that Wigan has some beautiful outlying villages around it. Thankyou Dennis.

Comment by: Shevy man on 25th March 2024 at 15:01

I agree a sort after area is Shevy and lucky to live their.
Shevy in Bloom even if it's raining still a lovely place.

Comment by: Jack the lad on 25th March 2024 at 15:04

Veronica and Jean I can't see a problem with Sue's comment?
Very nice photo indeed, Dennis.
Keep um coming.

Comment by: Veronica on 25th March 2024 at 16:12

You mustn’t be a regular then Jack..

Comment by: Veronica on 25th March 2024 at 16:23

It’s not about Shevvy/ Shangri La it’s about Aspull today. I could say we have a better show where I live but being well mannered and polite I don’t. Ignorance is bliss for some. Anything for attention….

Comment by: Garry on 25th March 2024 at 17:23

Lower Ince have a lovely Daffodil display along Warrington Road.
But as Veronica says, today it's all about Aspull.

Comment by: Gary on 25th March 2024 at 18:27

Elizabeth - regarding the Red Lion apartments, I read the same in 2020. The builder had squeezed one extra flat in the building, which restricted the window space for light.
The landlords I knew there were Mr & Mrs Johnson, from Liverpool. They had a pub in Sandhills, then moved to Horwich to the Beehive and, from there to the Red Lion. They left in 1970 and took a post office and general store near Heathrow airport. I think it was in Hounslow.

Comment by: Gary on 25th March 2024 at 18:42

Elizabeth - sorry, not Hounslow. It was Harmonsworth.

Comment by: Elizabeth on 25th March 2024 at 20:16

OK Gary,thanks.

Comment by: Gerry Mander on 25th March 2024 at 20:56

That's not 'finger-post'.

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