Wigan Album

Great photo. I love the comment "a bit of greenery" must have been quite something in inner town Wigan.

Frank, do you remember Eileen Fairclough and her sister (me Christine) we lived in Fletcher street, out back yard was opposite your back yard. Also can you remember Betty Winnard's brother's name and the family who live next door to the Winnards?

Sorry Christine but I only saw your comments today. Betty's brother was David Winnard. Their neighbour was Mrs Brown, who was missing from the other photo of Haig Street. Was your grandmother Mrs Gibson (Ada?) and your grandfather
Harry? I hope you read this

Hi Frank, my grandparents were Ellen and Albert Gibson, who lived next door to us in Fletcher Street. Betty Winnard was the same age as my sister Eileen. Our house was right at the very end at the bottom of the street.

Hi Frank & Christine, the Mrs Brown who is missing on the 1st photo, is my grandmother Mrs Lilian Brown at number 19 next door to the Winnard's. My sister, Lorna and I moved in with our grandmother in 1952/3, when our mother died, our father having died during the war, my sister was the same age as Betty Winnard, and I am the same as David, Betty & David now live up Highfield, I only moved out when I got married in 1969, my sister had joined the Army, and moved out before that.

Hi Dennis, did you have 2 cousins, Pauline and ??? Highton who used to come and stay with you. I think Pauline was at the same school as me, St Thomas's in Clayton Street. I moved out of Fletcher Street when I got married in 1968, I am now remarried and live down south near Windsor.

Yes Fletcher, Pauline and Ronald, they moved with their parents to Worsley Hall, Pauline got married, and moved to Aspull, she had 3 children, but died 2 years ago, Ronald had 2 sons, and he now lives in Warrington. I very often drive down Haig Street, it is still there, but no houses.

Hi Dennis, I remember you and your family very well, as I said earlier, my sister is Eileen and I am Christine Fairclough. I moved close to Windsor when I remarried 25 years ago and go back to Wigan about twice a year. The last time I was up, I went down Willcock Street and up Prescott Street and I have to say it brought back lots of memories even though there are no houses left. Sorry to hear about Pauline, how is Lorna? I have lost touch with everyone from the Wallgate area and its lovely to see pictures of the 'olden days'. Chris

Hi Christine, my sister Lorna is 18 months older than me, she and about 4 other girls all went to join the Army, but only Lorna was taken on, she now lives in Newbury Berks, with her son, her husband died 2 years ago, and she has one daughter in London and one in Farnborough, the last time she came up here, was a couple of years ago, was your sister Eileen, one of those who did not get in the Army. ?

Comments above are from me, Dennis, where the D on the end of Dennis came from, I do not know.

No Dennis, Eileen went to the Girls High School and later worked at Clifton Mills. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1964/5 and stayed there until she died in 1994.

Hi Christine, my sister Lorna has just phoned me up, as it is my birthday today, 67, she tells me she has just had a camera down her throat, because she has always had a bad throat, but they cannot find any problem, but otherwise she is fine, she says, she has put a bit too much weight on, so she is walking more to lose it, and she named all the girls who went with her to join the army, and has you know your sister was not one of them, my mistake, but it was such a long time ago. Hope you are taking care of yourself, next time you come up, let us know, and we will try and meet up.

Good news from Lorna and I will let you know next time we're up in Wigan. We usually come up about two or three times a year as our friends live in Eccleston near Chorley.

Yes Chris, it would be lovely to see you, next time you are up here, let me know.

Hello Chris, just to let everyone know, Ronald Highton, died on Monday night 6th February 2012, he was just 65, my cousin had liver cancer, Lorna my sister, is coming up from Newbury for the funeral, so that is both brother and sister now gone.

This is so nice to see, that is my grandma Alice Winnard and my Aunty Betty. I have so few phot is of her it's lovely to see this one,made me smile to see my dad mentioned too. If any one else has photos of the winnards I'd love to see them.

Kay Winnard, are you the daughter of David Winnard, David and his sister Betty went to live up Highfield, I do not known Betty's married name,if you are my sister who was Betty's friend, would like to know, and tell your dad, I am still around.

My mum is Betty Kennedy (nee Winnard)
My mum and uncle David do live in Highfield.
She was very happy to see this photograph.
It fascinates me how much times have changed.
I will pass comments on.

Take care,
Thank you.

Thank you Lyndsey and Kay, I phoned my sister Lorna Holmes (nee Winstanley ) and told her, she is not very well at the moment.

THAT WAS MY MUM BEFORE I WAS BORN WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO ANY OLD MATES STILL AROUND

David great to hear from you, my wife and I where up at Clowes Methodist Church, bottom of Enfield Street, facing the railway station, only today Sunday morning, and you live around the corner somewhere, I had a new hip fitted 7 weeks ago, but I am down to walking with just one crutch now, should be alright in a few weeks.

It is so good to read all these comments from people of my childhood because my dad took this photo with his box brownie camera. We would never have dreamt of things like the web .I am well and live in Aspull and my sister Joan lives in Bolton. Best wishes to you all.