Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 5th August, 2024)

I spent many a happy hour in there myself when the bands were on.Happy days.

That looks like Howard's bike against the door....I wonder of he has a secret assignation with Marina in Spring View?! A friend from Buxton
booked two days' bed-and-breakfast there many years ago when she was doing some research in Ince Cemetery....The Old Hall was ideally placed as the cemetery is just across the street. There was no-one else staying in the place but my friend said she was looked after very well.

Certainly was John…
” Hey Mr Tambourine Man play a song for me. I’m not sleepy and there’s no place I’m going to…”. Not forgetting the signature song “ Great Pretender “ Wonder what happened to the Vaqueros..Friday night was brilliant. Looks just the same from outside.
It was great to be young then..I still feel 20 looking at that photo.

It was a great place to go and the Vaqueros made it great they were a top group of the day brilliant memories. Irene that’s John’s bike haha.

Would be interesting to know if it’s original name was the Old Hall maybe Colin could shed some light on that question.

Good photo John, and the pub looks a lot better without the white paint.
I've only ever been in there once with it being out of the way, so to speak, you have to live locally, have or know someone with a car, catch a bus or go by shanks pony. So the fans of the showbands of the 1960s must have been dedicated followers to go along in support; when their favourite bands or groups were playing there.
Though at one time you could have had a good pub crawl from here back towards town, as there were eight pubs as I remember in the 1970s from here up to the canal, and someone may even remember that there were one or two more.

Hi John, nice photo and a pub with lots of memories for those that knew it in the past.
Few comments appeared today, I could be wrong but think speculation on its current usage in the current climate might have been censored!!!!!!! Hence few have appeared.

I only knew it as the ‘Old Hall’ John.
Used to catch the bus on Warrington Lane just past Scholes crossings and got off at the Cemetery. We used to get there for 7 15 and caught the bus back about 10 45 . I hadtorun up Hardybutts to beat the deadline!

Veronica:
The Vaqueros split up in 1966, Harold (Lally) went to Germany playing US military bases (with Denny Seyton I think). Guitarist Gary also went that way possibly with Lally, I know they both ended up in Rome where Lally became quite a well known singer / songwriter. Drummer Johnny joined our band; The Membranes and a year later also followed the others. The Membranes were resident at The Old hall in 1967/8.

Correct Colin least said the better at least Veronica was thinking along the right lines,I did a detour from the canal with that in mind.

Thanks Keene I must have seen The Membranes as well. I only remember a lad who went to St Pats named Mick Gannon. It’s a very long time ago. They seemed to do very well as you say. There were a lot of good groups at the time.

Probably it’s original name Veronica it just seemed strange calling a new place old but definitely all good music came from the group’s that played there I do recollect speaking to Keene and he explained just like he has done about different members of the groups,it would be interesting to know if Kenee new the group that played on the North Westward Ho boat on Pamona Dock M/C in the early 70ties another excellent group from Birkenhead.

Veronica, I was in the Membranes with Oggie, (Alan Hodson) who was well known around Wigan. I was also in a band with Mick Gannon and Johnny Kearns (Vaqueros, mentioned previously) in late '68. They too went to Germany, I should have gone with them but I pulled out for personal reasons.
John(Westhoughton): sorry I can't help with the group that played on the North Westward Ho boat.

Happy go lucky times Kenee. I believe Mick Gannon died a few years ago. There were always good groups at the Banner Hindley.

Kenee no problem thanks for the reply.

All the best groups played at the old Hall in the 60s
It was the best venue in wigan,every time I go past
It l can bring the music and the bands who played
Back into my head bands such as (The vacueros)
(The beat boys) with Ken fillingham and Ronnie Carr.
Tragically Lally of the Vacueros was killed on is motor bike in the early seventies just after he had
Returned from living abroad.

Spent many good nights in there watching Billy Barker and The Envoys - late 60s

I didn't know Mick Gannon had died sorry to hear that i knew him when he lived next door to my sister in law in John Street in Ince.