Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 30th April, 2024)

As usual a magnificent photo Dennis. Now this next comment may get people involved, but is the white lion the pub that was managed by two gay guys back in the day. (maybe 50 years ago).

Last time I was in the White Lion I was 17/18 drinking with my mates, all bursting with energy and ready for whatever life would throw at us . Now my body creaks like the stairs in a very old book shop . Where does time go ?
Thanks for the memories Dennis .

I can't see St Thomas the Martyr, is he hiding behind one of those bushes?

Just as I remember it in the 1940's cycling from Roby Mill to UGS but no yellow lines then!

There's a lot of ghosts in Upholland.

Lovely Dennis !
Brings back the time when I was about 12 yrs old & searching for the meaning of life (!) . I used to frequent quite a few churches in the area & St Thomas was one of my favourites. I walked along that pavement & down the steps quite a few times !
Have I found the 'meaning of life ' ? I'm never quite sure !

Grand picture is that. Con a ask, is yon mooter on't double yellers thine Dennis, or is it yon mons, on't bench next ter't church dor?

Good picture Dennis with very pleasing rich tones. . . I like the old pavement slabs that once were the norm on every street . So many now replaced by a horrible patchwork of tarmac .
That iron fence makes me wish I was a kid again . I would have spent all day tightrope walking along it .

Thanks Dennis, you have given us three interesting buildings for the price of one.
It must be 50 years ago since I was last in The White Lion, I think Danny La Rue used to go in. There was an article and photo in the Wigan Observer of him sat at the bar.
Glad to see it is still open, it’s coming up to 2:00pm on the clock, did you pop in for a ‘light’ refreshment?

Lovely place, we use to travel to Ashurst Beacon this way with the kids in the 1960s, some great walks back then, later we'd visit Parbold Hill.

Bye the crin, T.D. Tha’s o gradley pair o peepers on thi. I didn’t see yon mon daen theer until tha mentioned him.
Yon mooter’s not mine owd lad, I wer travellin’ ont poor mon’s mooter, namely t’corporation bus pass.

Poet, it’s a fair owd drop ont left hand side if tha faws off yon fence!

Cracking photo Dennis.

I have to say this is one of the most beautiful areas around Wigan with its wide open spaces surrounding the village with its mediaeval church and lovely stone buildings. It’s steeped in history. i really enjoyed my visit there on a lovely warm day. Was it last year or the year before? Next time it will be on the bus and not the train! The village folk in the church couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful. My intention was just to see George’s resting place which wasn’t too difficult to find amongst the disarray of stone slabs- there he was with his mam I believe ! I must go again and explore the old streets. ( Whether it was his
‘ mam’ or another of his bloodline I’m not too sure.) somebody will put me right I expect.

Upholland, like many villages around Wigan as been spoiled by traffic, the lorrys and buses shake the buildings foundations, I know because I've lived their for the last 65 years.
Danny La Rue never visited the white lion, but the pub was run by a gayish man and it did attract young gayish lads at one time.

Odd Socks, I am sure you are wrong regarding Danny La Rue. I think he was performing in Blackpool at the time, must have been around 1970ish.
There was something he raved about. might have been the local hotpot, they served?
Someone must have have a record of this, there might be a picture on the wall in, I'm sure it was in the Wigan Observer.

A very good photo Dennis. As for those railings, in this photo - link https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=15325&gallery=Upholland&offset=80
and by Peter Jones, D comments that the railings and church gate seen in the photo were removed in the 1960s when the road was widened.
Obviously the railings were replaced at some later time, but not it seems, the gate.

The lad cowered down against the church wall looks to be in a bad way with his head in his hands, hope he'd later recovered okay.

Dennis. I hope that's not your car parked on double yellow lines?

No Colin, I got there on the bus thanks to my bus pass.

How long does it take to get there Dennis on the bus and what number? I wouldn’t advise going by train because it a very long walk to get there from the station.

Dennis you get around on the bus tell me did they make the Beauford kit car at Up Holland maybe at Wide Cross Garage it had Mini doors and Ford Cortina running gear possibly 30+ years ago they are still in production I believe but expensive and else where,good photo as usual.

Odd Socks, a lot of the ghosts lived in a big old house just on the right of this atmospheric photograph.

375 Wigan to Southport Veronica. It takes about twenty minutes to get to Up holland.
When you get to Up Holland the bus turns right at the top of the hill, get of at the next stop and walk a short way back to get to the Church.

I don’t know about the Beaufort kit car John, but I think someone on here will know about it!
Looking at them on t’internet they look pretty spectacular John.

Thank you Dennis me and a friend will go in the next few weeks. The cafe in the church is very good.

They are Dennis I could never afford the kit and you could fit different engines not necessary Ford.

Veronica I see the trees along the either side of line from Westhoughton to Wigan have been chopped right down must be getting ready for electric overhead wires.

What does 'gayish' mean..????

Colin. I’m sure you are right about Danny la Rue. The landlord at the pub at the time was Norman Waterworth. He had a large blue car, can’t remember the make, but the reg. no. started with NEW.

I went by train yesterday John - sawdust
all oer’t’place! Not been to Wigan for months but went to the Range for art stuff. ;o)

John, The Beauford kit car was made around the bend from Wide Cross, in what is now Joe Gaskell's garage.