Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 2nd November, 2024)

Back in the late fifties and early sixties, I was a regular in the darts room. I don't remember a bowling green. Although I think there was one across the road near Swinley Labour Club.

Is this the pub that Billy Boston once ran? I know it once has a picture on the wall of my Auntie Sally walking down a ramp at the pit brow but no-one could find out which pit it was. I have found out only yesterday that it was Chanter's Pit at Atherton.....how odd that this photo should appear today! It is a beautiful, characterful building.

Irene, Billy ran The Griffin further down on Standishgate.

In the 1960’s my cousin Joyce and husband George Dawber ran this pub. Prior to that they had the Foundry pub on the corner of Darlington Street and Warrington Lane. In the 1970’s they had moved on to the British Legion in Upper Dicconson Street.
The accommodation in the Bowling Green was on the top floor and it had a large function room on the middle floor. A few family events were held in there including another cousin’s wedding reception in 1967.

Thanks, Colin.....my mistake! But not sure now which pub my Auntie's photo was in as I've never been in either pub and was only told that it was there.. Anyway, it was in one of those two pubs, and I have a copy of it.

Went in quite a lot in the early 1970s, but who ran the pub then I can't recall, however some years ago Simon Rowe had become a work colleague, and he had married the daughter of the folks who had ran the pub in the early 1970s - Henry Cadman the local councillor was also a relative of theirs, so maybe they could or maybe not the same relatives of yours Colin.
It seems that a lot of good family events have been enjoyed there too Colin, so a lot of good memories.

Looking at the photo of the interior in this article by Wigan Post I wouldn't have known that it was this same pub, it is completely different from the pub that I remember. https://www.wigantoday.net/business/one-of-wigans-favourite-pubs-to-get-new-lease-of-life-after-ownership-change-and-refurbishment-4404373

Derek, I was told that the bowling green was off Coppull Lane, and all about where Newton Close had been built.

Cyril, you are partially correct, so let me fill you in in:
Joyce Dawber maiden name Ashurst, was the eldest of three daughter of my father’s sister Mary.
Next was Eunice who was married to Ian Petrie former headmaster at St Thomas More Secondary School (brother of Doctor Petrie).
Youngest sister was Sheila who married Henry Cadman, they were designated to be Mayor and Mayoress but unfortunately Henry suffered a serious stroke before he could take office.
So, back to Joyce, their daughter Judy (roughly the same age as myself) married the Wales and Wigan Rugby player Peter Rowe.
Cousin Eunice is now in her 90’s and I last saw Judy and Peter a couple of years back at Sheila’s funeral at St Mary’s Church.
As Irene said earlier, strange how things come together with a simple PAD picture.

Thanks Colin.
Both Henry and Sheila Cadman gave a tremendous amount of support for the Wigan, Leigh & District RSPCA and Henry was a Honorary Chairman, I was a trustee and a volunteer there at that time too. However the new PAWS centre at York Street was all set to open, and with Henry to be Mayor that year everyone was looking forward to him officially opening the centre, sadly as you know it didn't happen and Michael Winstanley becoming Mayor officiated at the opening ceremony.
One story so typical of Henry that sticks in my mind is:- one rainy evening when going through the lights at The Bird Hindley he saw an obviously injured dog in the road, other motorists were ignoring and driving around the dog, anyhow Henry stopped and with a blanket he had he covered the dog and put it on the rear seat, the other motorists were sounding their horns and shouting expletives because he was holding them up - and for what would only have been a few minutes at the most - he then took the dog to a vets where he paid for the treatment until the owner could be found, it had injuries as having been hit by a vehicle, but did make a full recovery.

ColinWas Peter Rowe ever the landlord of the pub?I remember seeing him in there a few times.

ColinWas Peter Rowe ever the landlord of the pub?I remember seeing him in there a few times.

Cyril, many thanks for sharing these memories, it is very much appreciated.
Pw, I really don’t know if Peter ran the pub at one time, I imagine he was in there quite often when courting Judy. I will ask next time I speak with them.

Great to hear of some of these lovely stories of my great Uncle Henry and Sheila. I met Henry and Sheila a few times on their travels to New Zealand where I reside. Henry was brother to my grandfather David Cadman. I was always so proud of Henry and what he had achieved in life.