Wigan Album

My 2x g/grandfather lived at 128 Chapel Lane from about 1860. It was a Drapers shop. Do you know when this photo was taken? Anyone know whereabouts in Chapel Lane 128/132 was, and when was the property demolished?

Yes this was our house it was lower down than Bradford St. opposite the Bear' Paw (also demolished). 128 was on the corner of Bradford St and Chapel Lane an old couple called Maud and Tom Pollit and their sister Jane lived there but the shop was closed by then photo taken approx. 1953. Our house had been a shop as you can see by the window

Forgot to say Demolished early 1960s we moved out of that house in 1960 nobody lived there after us I was 13 then.

Helen B. According to the Google map, No 122 is/was between Wood Street,and Bradford Street.If this helps.

What a fantastic scene from the past! Exactly how it used to be on Walking Day.

Thank you both for your information. I am acquainted with that area as it used to be, and we'll remember the Bears Paw. Oddly enough I worked at NWEB at Bradford Place in the late 60's and 70's, but never realised then just how close I was to my ancestors home.

It's a familiar scene from the past and it could be anywhere around old Wigan! All patiently waiting-even the children! Lovely.

The young lads remind me of how I used to dress for Walking Days...white satin shirt, shorts and white ankle socks with shoes/sandels. I had to stop dressing like that when I reached 18!!!
Great pic!

Anne, could that be Norman Dean to the left hand side of my Aunt Margaret and also holding Alan's pram? Any idea where Norman and Alan are now? Last I heard, Norman lived in Bamfurlong and Alan in Bolton.

John D yes that's Norman as far as I know he still lives Bamfurlong not seen him for a couple of years. Our Alan was living in tall flats at Scholes last time I saw him .

As far as I can remember my dads cousin Barry Taylor got married in 1966 and I seem to recall he was living in Bradford Place or Johnson Terrace at the time. So this would suggest there were still houses standing in 1966. My great Auntie Maggie left the area and got a council bungalow in Sherwood Drive round about 1967/1968 I could be wrong with the dates though but they do ring a bell. I'll have to ask our Barry when I see him although I've not seen him for a couple of years. I'll also ask him if he has any old photo's from the Chapel Lane area in years gone by. I hope he has and then I can attempt to put them on here.

Does anyone remember Kitty and John( known as Jackie)Fairclough who lived in Bradford Place until 1961 when they moved to Marsh Green?

Yes they moved to Beverley Rd. Sheila their daughter lives on Marsh Green

Thanks Anne,I think Brian,their eldest son,lives there as well.

If only I could remember those times.
Love to all up there.
Will try and find time to pop up and see
you all again xxx

Hello John lovely to hear from you have you seen all the photos of your family in Marsh's Court Love to Jill x

Hi Anne
Yeh seen all pictures
Everyone okay down here
Hope all are well up there Love to Aunt Joyce hope she is doing well
Take care till we can get up to see you xxx