Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 11th May, 2025)

Is the Union Jack lost in the clouds?

Picture Postcard Perfect on such a day to remember.

We all remember them ,More so those who were cannon fodder in the 1st WW

Someone commented on Facebook that they had been in Wigan on Thursday 8th May and there wasn't a flag to be seen. Such a shame. We attended a VE Day celebration at St Peters in Hindley yesterday and they had really made an effort.

Beautiful clear scene Colin. We were at a village by The Broads for a few days & the path up to the ancient church was lined with red poppies knitted by the villages, young & old to mark VE Day. A glorious sight.

I went into Wigan that morning expecting some kind of memorial service at 12.
Nothing, not even the Union Jack flying above the church.

The Cenotaph in Wigan was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott a British architect known for his work on the New Bodleian Library, Cambridge University Library, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Battersea Power Station, Liverpool Cathedral, he also designed the iconic red telephone box.
Some references say that it is constructed in Portland Stone, others that it is Clipsham Limestone (which might be the same I am not sure) 'Eleanor' Market Cross, octagonal in plan.
Apart from the Bronze Plaque to commemorate two named men who died in the Falklands War, there are two undated plaques bearing the names of two men killed in Afghanistan (perhaps for obvious reasons) and an undated plaque to a Naval Officer killed in Service.
They all gave there lives in the defence of us us all but not many give a thought to their parents, relatives, wives and children who had and still have to carry the sorrow for the rest of their lives.

I did post another comment stating that there are a total of 2,333 names commemorated on the Bronze Plaques but it seems to have vanished into thin air.

BillyG, the ceremony in wigan was held at 11am with the silence at 11.11.

It said on the news that the silence was at 12.00.
11:11 is usually for Armistice Day 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month end of WW1.
VE Day is for WW2

Irene, I agree with you. It is disgusting not to fly the flag on such an important historical day. That's why I left a joking comment earlier asking if the Union Jack is lost in the clouds, because I didn't want to come over as a complainer.

It’s coming up to 1 00 on the church clock everything would have finished by then if there was a ceremony. I went up to the Cenotaph where I live and everything was over and done by 11 10.

One of the best photos I’ve seen of All Saints Parish Church and Cenotaph. Glorious colour of cream stone contrasted with that bright blue sky and white clouds.
Is it always that nice in Wigan?

I was biding my time around the Parish Church awaiting opening time at Relish Wine Bar in Hallgate following up on my ‘Bay Horse Pub’ research. What struck me was the lack of the Union Flag flying on this, of all days.
Normally they have the English ‘Nationalist’ St George’s flag up there that should be reserved for St George’s day and other purely English occasions, which grates a bit being an avid and proud BRIT, a flag which represents all nations of the Union and the sacrifices all those nations have to our collective liberty. I always feel a bit sad for Wales, though being a mere Principality and subservient they are not included, perhaps we should add a Leek, Daffodil or Red Dragon but I’ll leave that to Mrs Roberts to choose!!!!!

It isn't often that Mick and I agree on something but it's good to know others share my view on the lack of a flag on Wigan Parish Church on the VE anniversary. Thankyou kindly, Mr. Traynor, for inviting me to choose a Welsh emblem but I am quite happy with the Union Flag; however, if I had to make an addition for Wales it would be the daffodil for my Welsh grandad and my Welsh paternal great-grandparents. Unfortunately my singing voice is inherited from the Spring View side of the family, not "The Valleys", as I have a voice like two cracked plates!

Plenty of Union Jacks flying from shops in Standish...and a nice knitted WW2 themed 'helmet' on the post box outside the Co-op .

We are neither a "mere Principality" nor "subservient", Wales is a patriotic nation which has fought wars to preserve its language and culture.

These reminiscences of both World Wars reminded me of the story my father used to tell of a ‘Yet to be Unconfirmed’ miracle of his cousin John Traynor from Liverpool who went to Lourdes.
A miracle or not it’s a fascinating story.
If anyone is interested Google ‘I met a Miracle- The Story of Jack Traynor’.
Irene, I’ll send you the link, who knows I might be related to a possible Saint!

Yes plenty in Standish, Shevington, Appley bridge and Parbold that I've seen.

Pat, that was precisely my point, the people of Wales have done as much if not more and in more ways than one for this country but still lack recognition on the National Flag.
I recommend petitioning this to The Prince of Wales.

Mick, Poet, I think that’s because there are so many volunteers in our small communities such as The British Legion who regularly undertake putting up flags and much more besides in a sense of Civic Pride.
Wigan Central though is devoid of people living in and around the town centre so no community spirit.
I doubt the council would pay people to do it.

Well my prayers have been answered. I’ve been sad every time I’ve walked through the church gardens to see the state of the cenotaph but I see at long last they have cleaned it up. I used to work in Bishopgate right from 1955 through to 1970s and saw the cherry trees being planted and every November the Cenotaph was cleaned ready for the service . So pleased it looked so lovely for the VE Day celebration.

There's another Traynor here, David Traynor, Psychic & Spirit Medium who lives in Appley Bridge, Wigan
https://www.facebook.com/DavidTraynorSpiritMedium/?locale=en_GB

Mick, I have heard of him and seen his posters around from time to time.
I’m sure he is somehow related.
I shall close my eyes and focus my very strong psychic powers on Appley Bridge to see if I can cross the divide to get him to post a comment.
Don’t t worry if the bins rattle, dogs bark, alarms go off and trees sway in Shevington, its only me travelling through the either. Woooooo!

Mick, thinking back, my brother Alan who lived in Shevington had contact with a Traynor who was a relative from Apply bridge, I think he was a decorator who Artext his ceiling. Can you cast any light on this?

Well, I used to work at Boots' Chemists with Mick's niece and Colin's cousin, so there!

Irene, there is a lot of fake Micks knocking, if your ever unsure who is criticising you, just ask me for the first and last letter of my niece name, they will be the same letter as only you and me know.