Wigan Album

Climbing all those steps Albert wouldn't have been much trouble for an Aircraftman 2 plonk! I bet the Fraulines didn't ask for brandy and babychams either! Very good photo.

Lovely photo, Albert!

Vb There are exactly 533 steps to reach where the photograph was taken. By this time I had progressed to the dizzy rank of, Act./Corporal, from AC2 plonk, not quite to Flt/Lieutenant. The chap at the side of me stayed in the R.A.F.,and reached Squadron/Leader.

Nice one Albert.

which part of Wigan is this - is it not st Catherines?
I'll dig my holiday snaps out!

It's a Wigan lad Wayne.

Sorry Whelley Wayne if this photograph annoys you, and I apologize if it does. At this time hundreds of Wigan lads were being sent to different corners of the world ( National Service). Taking a lot of Wigan humour, and Wigan banter, along with them. It was always much appreciated by other blokes, that were from other parts of the U.K.

Great pic Albert! But I thought Cologne Cathedral was totally bombed by Bomber Harris...Had they rebuilt it then?

No Johnny, it survived, just as St Paul's, and Westminster Abbey did, in London, when London was heavily bombed

Blimey Albert you did rise to dizzy heights! I wouldn't be surprised if you starred in "The Dambusters' with those film star looks!!

No vb. Richard Todd played the part of Guy Gibson well, and he did fight in the European Theatre of the war.

I agree with Vb.....a very handsome photo, Albert! And please don't apologise for posting , even though the photo wasn't taken in Wigan; you are one of Wigan World's Gentlemen, and your manners and kind comments are much appreciated on this site.

Well said Irene just what I think.

Albert, did you are any of your friends ever make it to the very top of the spire and come down on the outside lol, they wouldn't allow it now a days

Just two words Irene. Thank you.

No we didn't Dougie. Wouldn't have fancied an outside descent. Did you enjoy the descent?. Must have been quite exhilarating.

I was on holiday in Germany in September 1983 and one of the places I visited was Cologne. Decided to go in the cathedral and after climbing the 533 steps of the tower it was well worth for the excellent view over the river and city.

Peter. Thirty years after my ascent. I concur, well worth the climb.

Thank you also vb, for concurring with Irene.

Albert; have you climbed the steps at Whitby?
There are 199 of them. I`ve counted them coming down on two separate occasions and got 198 both times!

I am well satisfied these days Ernest, to content myself with just thirteen steps, Know what I mean.

You haven`t answered my question, Albert.
I`ve lived in a bungalow since July 1958.

Is this a teaser Ernest, something to do with either the top step, or the bottom one?. I only went to Whitby once, and I cannot recollect the steps you mention. It was only a day visit, I was staying somewhere else at the time.

No teaser, Albert. I must have missed either top or bottom one.
Did you taste the smoked herrings in Whitby? The shop that sells them are only allowed to sell them in Whitby as forbidden by EU to sell them elsewhere.

Not partial to anything smoked Ernest. As I say, I was only there a time.

I have climbed the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey a few times; they are vey shallow and are easier taken two at a time. I have also sampled the kippers from the Smokery in the street at the foot of the steps.....Henrietta Street if I remember rightly.

Irene; copy and paste into your brower:-
http://www.bing.com/search?pc=COSP&ptag=D060915-A880FF2AB0987464788F&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3332041&q=adress+of+smoked+kipper+shop+whitby+
Fortunes Kippers address is 27 Rose Avenue, Whitby.

My dad was stationed at Whitby during the war and he used to tell me about tramping up and down the steps every day. Whether there were barracks at the top I don't know-I did try to find out but got nowhere. He did say the bombing was terrifying. I suppose they were there to defend the coast. The cliffs are corroding quite badly now.

Irene; website:- http://www.fortuneskippers.co.uk/our_shop/fortunes_shop.html
gives address 22 Henrietta Street, Whitby.

Thankyou Ernest.