Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 3rd August, 2024)

Is that the frontage of what used to be The Wigan Mining & Technical College ?

I see the Bronze family are setting off for work. “C’mon hurry up we’re gooin’ be late.”

Apart from the moulded ornamentation you will note the smooth distinctive red brick, both are of terracotta known as Etruria Marl Clay found in the Ruabon area of North Wales near Wrexham.
By the turn of the 20th Century, several factories employed roughly 2,000 people. Workers produced massive amounts of terracotta earning the village the nickname Terracottapolis.
Henry Dennis owned the famous Dennis Ruabon Tile Factory and his famous red brick have built structures large and small throughout the country since Victorian times such as The Pier Head in Cardiff and Liverpool University.
So as you walk around the streets of Wigan just look around at a little bit of Wales.

Helen, yes this once was The Wigan Mining & Technical College this view is of the side. The Main frontage even more impressive is around the corner on Library Street.
Perhaps with the Library no longer there it and so many buildings built in Terracotta should be renamed Ruabon Avenue?

Veronica the three of them are still there putting the best foot forward along with the Spanish Civil War Memorial but perhaps the less said about that the better!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful building that is, and the statues of the mining family fit in so well. I often wish they could have been situated in the town centre but perhaps they are safer and less prone to vandalism where they are.

Irene, I do agree, they are a bit lost in that location, even I did not know they were there until I came across them by accident.
There is nothing to indicate who was the sculptor and I assume they are cast in bronze. Placed on top of a high stone plinth in the Market Place would be good, apart from them providing a perch for pigeons.
Anyone who has never seen them should pop down.

Interesting, perhaps Wrexham FC supporters should be named The Terracotta Army.

It's a world away from the last I was down there Colin, it looks very pleasant and peaceful now, and also with no strong smelling chlorine laden air blasting out from the swimming pools extractor fans - there'll be no stinging eyes, unless someone has allergies to pollen.
Irene, I too think they'd be seen more if further up, and maybe safer in the square at the front of the Life Centre along with the other tributes, and the George Formby tribute in the Grand Arcade would be seen more if moved to there too, though those voted into office think not and seems they would rather keep these superb images of the town's past tucked away.

"retail's dead in Wigan"

Cyril, take a walk down Millgate from Standishgate they really have made it quite nice and pedestrianised with flower bed. I have to give Wigan Council some credit for that.

Colin, the sculptor was a gentleman called Steve Winterburn. He did a fantastic job as I'm sure you'll agree.

I think the setting is lovely, quiet and peaceful, and feel it would be a shame to move the miners away from what used to be The Mining and Technical College

So is Tommy Trinder.

I agree with you Meg. Their faces, sharp and intelligent, reflect a lot of the people from those times who could have gone on to greater things, but their wages were badly needed in the home for food and rent so they had no choice but to go into the mines or on the pit-brow. I'm glad they are now in such a quiet and sheltered spot.

Tommy Trinder , in London it’s seems like carnival every day of week where I am ! Once you are able to cope with the madness and create a Buddhist feel around you , everything just flows because there is so much available. The Government knows how essential airports like Heathrow are , so tube trains taking you to central London are every few minutes , packed yes , but I always get a seat no problem. When there are strikes or breakdowns , buses are made available . Like it not London is the feed like any great river source ! Tourists flood into London in there millions, so shops grow around that and London thrives . Whatever history Wigan holds it is not enough to bring tourists in . Wigan’s history is its industrial core , unfortunately tourist’s need a better sell . The serious problem I have with any government whatever its flag , they must always remember its foundations , its core and those places it came from . If you feed yourself , like London does , you create an obese fat cow of wealth . This obese wealth I see before me I ask myself how can this country be skint ? The simple answer is those who have it have a free ride route 69 with wind blowing to a safe haven . Russia , Africa and far too many to name have trillions all over the globe - all hidden in places with no name or ownership!
London gloats , Wigan begs for scraps , like it has to explain ! It begins with a B and ends with a cks!
My sincere apologies Colin to you and all members on WW if my comments are deemed inappropriate.

Veronica, nothing whatsoever to do with today's photo of the day but, today I was completely stumped in a crossword for the answer to a clue of the word 'speedwell' , although I already had some of the letters. I looked it up in a dictionary and found it was a species of plant which is also known as Veronica. No doubt, you already know that.

Meg, good suggestion, perhaps space could be created on the steps of the town hall.

I didn’t know the plant Speedwell was known as ‘ Veronica’ Derek. But there’s another one and I think it’s a Hebe.
( shrub).

My Dad was a miner from a young age and although he never had the opportunity to carry on with his education he was a wise man. He worked so hard to keep his family housed and fed and his greatest pleasure was to walk in the peace and quiet and fresh air of the plantations. He died before he reached retirement age and when I pass the miners in their green and peaceful place I remember him and feel so grateful for his love and care,so please let's leave them be.

My grandfather started his working life as a miner in Scotland, the family were poor & to earn extra money my grandfather use to wash glassware in a college lab in the evenings. It must have been by sheer hard work & study in his spare time that he eventually became the Head of Mining at Wigan Mining Technical College till his retirement.
Just goes to illustrate what determination can do. That trait is sadly lacking today.