Wigan Album

Kids today have never seen a 'proper' shoe shop.Each pair of shoes priced. Served by a real cobbler who knew everything about the shoes, as he probably made them himself. I wonder what they cost?

This shop was larger taken over by Gordon L Isherwood.

The Hansome Lad standing out side is my Husband Clive Isherwoods Grandfather Harry Isherwood who married Lily Leyland in 1915.

It was at the corner of Brookhouse St. This photo is pr-war
The shop was empty during the war and re-opened by Gordon L Isherwood (Leylands Son in Law) after the war

This is 61 Darlington Street and it is where Lawrence Isherwood was born in 1917. His mother was Lily Leyland born in 1892 at 3 Greenhough Street,the daughter of James
Leyland and Sarah Catherine Grindrod.

Hi Alba Gordon Leyland Isherwood was the Grandson of James Leyland

Thanks Marguerite,I was born at 64 Darlington St East,On the opposite corner of Brookhouse St in 1934 and lived there until1950 I well remember Gordon,re-opening the shop which I believe was on his return from military service,
A blond bushy haired man with glasses,mild mannered, and very obliging.

Alba do you know Christine Charnock? I think she may have lived next door to you but on the Brookhouse Street side. They had a big area behind their house with pigeon lofts in She was my playmate when I lived in Spring Street I was always playing in those old lofts. Early 1950's. I think she married someone a lot older than her and have often wondered what happened to her.

I dont,know Christine. Fergusons lived at 66 and Poulsons at 68 I left in 1050 Across the road at the corner of Brookhouse St Was Halliwells andthey had a pair of wooden gates which opened up in an aree bordered by the backs of big Brookhouse St ,Darlington St East and Big Spring St.
This is probably what you refer to.

Ron further to my comments, I note your reference to Spring St, I think i probably know, or knew quite a number of people from that area.I have a feeling that the Black Bull in Hardybutts and Bill Martindale from Kent St may ring bells for you.

Alba My mother was born in the Black Bull and Bil Martindale married my mothers sister Agnes. Bill died a few years ago but my aunty is still going strong<g>. She could make a fortune being a Double for the queen

Sorry Ron,I cheated,Agnes told me her nephew was involved with W.W.but did not give a name. My wife is involved in voluntary work for the M.S society and has known Agnes for over 30 years.My aunt Dorothy who died 20 years ago produced a photo of your grandmother which we presented to Agnes.I knew Bill as a young man serving his timme as a joiner and later as a lecturer,very precise and serious
He was older than me but as a lad he mated with Ron Dean from Spring St and Ken Lowe from Kent St

my mum and dad used to live at 69 brookhouse st my grandma and grandad lived in brookhoouse st i lived there when it was isherwoods shoe shop there used to be a sewing factory on the opposite side

actualy it is darlington st east

Everything about this photo screams quality. From the decorative motifs in the brickwork, the ornate carving of the massive Victorian shop front etc., - "old fashioned" values abound. We never knew how good they were until they'd gone - If this had been in a more southerly town such as Ampthill for example, rather then northern "drab" Wigan it would have been celebrated, renovated and preserved as a thing of beauty and fine craftsmanship - just my view.