Wigan Album

great pic gerry,dont remember you working at coops.

I moved to Coops just after working at Johnsons the cleaners. there was more money and more girls... no contest

Hi Gerry was Vince Turton the manager at Johnsons when you were there?

He was Ron, he and I ended up in the same Band.. The Vintage Sycopators Do you Know Vince Ron?

more info on this link Ron

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=15158&gallery=Wallgate&offset=240

Hi Gerry Yes I worked with Vince at John England's Mail Order
Do you know if he is still around? Not seen him for over 40 years..

I am still in Touch with him he moved he is in Great Driffield now

Hi Gerry tell him Ron Hunt from John Englands has been asking about him and pass on my regards. Can't believe it's 40 years ago. I can still picture him now as I'm writting this. Didn't he play the cornet in a band?

Hi Ron Vince was a prize winning euphonium Player I know he was involved with Wigan Lads club in his youth and played with various brass bands then moved onto tuba ans sousaphone in the comedy band days these days he is on bass guitar coz he's lost his puff (can you say that on here?)

A man of many talents<g> Do's he come over to Wigan? I'd love to meet up with him if/when he does. Don't forget tell him I have een asking about him.

I sent him an E-mail Ron

Cheers, Gerry.

The building in the background of the photo is the old County Police Station in Crawford Street. I was a typist at that time and worked on the top floor. In the summer we used to have many a laugh at the "goings on" on the lawns of the Parish Church. People used to look around to see who was watching them but they never looked up. The tales I could tell.

Hi Gerry have you heard from Vince?

sorry Ron he did not reply but when he does you will be first to know

Great photo! I recognise you now Gerry, from your days at Johnsons the Cleaners. Hope you're keeping well. My mum was Elsie Whalley. Vince Turton, of 'Vintage Syncopators' fame, was boss at the time!! Happy Days!

I remember all three of yous and i am still in contact with Brian Cunliffe, although i dont see much of him theses days. Hard work at Coops but the girls made up for it. Good days. Hope all three of you are well

Wow Sheila I remember you too, Your Mum was the funniest woman I ever met she had an answer for everything and had a razor sharp wit. Kath the presser had a daughter aged about 6 and you mum was teasing her about having a boyfriend.. the little girl said her boyfriends name was Nicholas Hart.. Quick as a flash you mum whispered to me " what did she say.. Nick of me Ar*e" I nearly fell over al lovely woman Elsie. Ws it Westminter St in Pemberton you lived then?

Stan, Great to hear from you have you seen your pic in the shoebox? Nobody would recognise you cos of the IRA mask I remember your trick was to make teeth out of orang peel. Do you remember me coming up to Norley hall to drill some holes for you to fit a kitchen cupboard.. we must have a re-union

Glad you remember me Gerry and wasn't it just like mum to come out with a comment like that!!! It's really given me a laugh, as I can imagine her saying it!! She was always reminiscing about her days at Johnsons and what laughs you had! I remember Kath the presser now you mention her and her daughter's name was Yvonne, I think? Also it was Westminster Street, Newtown, where we lived. Sadly mum passed away in 2000, though like yourself, everyone always remembers her sense of humour!!

Hello Sheila.. the little girl was Yvonne she had a lovely tan she weighed just 40 lbs then I know coz I sat her on the scales and offered to clean her but she ran up stairs to her mum.... she was always amazed at the hoist the lowered the clothes down from the stock room I think you like to watch it too........... are you still in Wigan?

Yes Gerry, I can imagine she did run away and I too was fascinated by the Johnsons 'pulley system', high technology at the time!! I remember working upstairs in the holidays with Marion Fawcett and when the call used to come over the intercom, I would 'polywrap' the clothes and send them down the pulley. I thought it was great at the time, especially as Mr Turton used to give me a wage packet with a few bob in at the end of the week! Also you have given some of my friends a good laugh with your last comment about my mum....hilarious. I live near the Half Way House now, so I didn't move far away. Are you still in Wigan?

My mum still lives in Pemberton and I visit every week I must pass your house maybe I'll pop in for a brew

Yes,I'm still alive and kicking in the rural backwaters of Yorkshire.
I remember our laughs at the concentration camp that was John Enlands, and of course my time at Johnsons Cleaners in Wallgate ,Wigan.
I do remember you Ron (Hunt) and you Sheila (nee) Whalley I would love to hear from you both(and anybody else I was associated with in Wigan) and I would be extremely pleased if you would make contact with me.
Kind Regards
Vince Turton