Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 14th May, 2024)

Now this photo takes me back to the last time I was in the Buck, it would have been 1954 when I attended my younger brother christening reception

Driven past it many times over the last 60 years but never been inside, it look a decent pub and well worth a visit. I’ll put it on my to do list.

It looks a very nice pub to go in Irene Roberts.

I particularly like that bucks head detail over the window above the main entrance door, not sure if it is in wood or plaster.
Irene, I did think of you when outside, I would have sent yourself and hubby a message saying in Veronica’s words “ get your coats on, Colin’s paying”.
Unfortunately they only opened at 12:00 and I had to get back to Wigan. Maybe next time.

Ah! a pub in Abram, but no drink. Called in once on my travels some while ago in hope of sampling a glass of my favourite refreshment, but the barrell had gone and they were waiting for a delivery. Terrible that was, and I have not been back since.
There is a memorial to the local war dead in the church next door, and another one for a local Victoria Cross winner further down the road. His was one of the famous six VC's before breakfast. Worth looking up, and hope you manage to at least get through the pub door next time Colin. Good photo.

TD - my records of the war memorials in St John's Church and Churchyard, plus the nearby commemorations for Cpl. Grimshaw VC may be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/search?query=Abram&pageSize=15&filters%5Bdistrict%5D%5BWigan%5D=on&filters%5Bsettlement%5D%5BAbram%5D=on&filters%5Bcounty%5D%5BGreater+Manchester%5D=on
Also on that page is the record for a Roll of Honour for miners from Abram Colliery - except it is blank. I have seen a few similar memorials, where a blank is printed and the names are written or printed in later. This one was presented by the artist (Sir Frank Brangwyn) to Glasgow Museum in 1944, along with other prints of his. The V&A in London also has a copy of it. I would suppose that he would have been commissioned to produce the Roll, either by the mine owners, or the Union - in which case I would expect for there to have been a copy received in Abram on which the names would have been inscribed. So far it doesn't appear to have come to light - unless someone knows better. An image of the Roll appears here: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/268125/

It’s a fine looking building.

T.D. Thanks, I took a few pictures around Abram including the Church and the UDC office building, if or when they will appear is out of my hands.
I visited the graveyard and paid my respects to the memorial commemorating the disaster 18th August 1908. It is now looking a bit tired and neglected. I hope something can be done about this.
The pit disasters were too numerous to count around our area, none more horrific than the Pretoria, near Westhoughton 21st December 1910 in which 344 men and boys died, can you imagine that just before Christmas!!!!!
The last I recall in my lifetime being the Golborne Colliery in 1979 in which 10 died.
All quite unbelievable, can you imagine such a thing in this day and age, it would cause public outrage and immediate closure of the entire industry.

Rev Long, many thanks for your contribution, much appreciated.

Rev David Long - Thank you for the links to your records, and the information you have provided.

Colin, Looking forward to seeing your other photographs.

Yes the scale of tragic fatalities in the pits, and the human slaughter in the wars is truly shocking. The people and families wbo lived through it, and suffered after as I'm sure you know are not forgotten either.

I would have liked to share stories about some of those people who lived and died as equals in those times. No matter what fame, class, status or religion. Interesting and important to me, but not short enough for here.. comrade.

You get around on those buses Colin,when do I get my coat on for these drinks.