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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Photograph taken in the same location as the previous, in

42 Comments

Enjoying a day in Mesnes Park, 1954.
Enjoying a day in Mesnes Park, 1954.
Photo: Albert
Views: 2,828
Item #: 29697
Having a bit of fun. Taken in Mesnes Park, whilst on leave.

Comment by: irene roberts on 3rd September 2017 at 15:51

Is that you, Albert?

Comment by: Veronica on 3rd September 2017 at 16:13

Had you been in the Park Horel Albert? You look like you're having fun!,

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 3rd September 2017 at 17:30

Yon cap favvers set at a rather jaunty angle Albert. According to my reckoning, a spot of ' jankers ' could quite well be in order here mate.

Comment by: John D on 3rd September 2017 at 17:35

Put that cap on straight, corporal. Tut, tut.

Comment by: Albert on 3rd September 2017 at 18:45

Certainly is Irene. A happy twenty year old.

Comment by: Albert on 3rd September 2017 at 19:05

I think by this time, Ozy, the statutory time for conviction has elapsed.

Comment by: irene roberts on 3rd September 2017 at 19:26

Oh, what a handsome lad! x.

Comment by: Poet on 3rd September 2017 at 22:04

Interesting to see the dismantling of what use to be the world's highest Ferris wheel in the background. Wigan lost so much in the 50,s.

Comment by: Albert. on 4th September 2017 at 07:38

Poet. I presume that was where someone had placed their cup, in their careless manner. Probably me.

Comment by: Veronica on 4th September 2017 at 08:42

It looks like a ferris wheel to me - could it be the time of Wigan Fair on the Market Square?

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 4th September 2017 at 09:42

Albert: I guess you would have played a few games of Billiards, during your service, as it was still quite popular at that time. If you had, then you would also have been acquainted with those lovely terms of the game i.e., Long Jenny, Winning Hazard ... . The game isn't as popular today, of course, but must still require plenty of skill.

Comment by: Albert. on 4th September 2017 at 10:49

Relating to your query Phillip. Now, having thought about it, I just cannot recollect there being any snooker tables in the corporals' club, nor in the N.A.A.F.I. clubs, on the camps that I served at, but there must have been some, somewhere. Played many a game of snooker, and billiards below the County Cinema, and the Empress. Enjoyed coming home to the local pubs, and playing five, and threes. (Dominoes)

Comment by: TD,. on 4th September 2017 at 10:54

Comedian Benny Hill also served in the forces and his TV show started in 1955. Albert your photo in 1954 is great fun. Thanks for sharing.

Comment by: Albert. on 4th September 2017 at 11:27

T.D. Bruce Forsyth, also served his national service in the R.A.F. in 1947. I believe he was stationed up in the Carlisle area.

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 4th September 2017 at 11:33

It's a blimmin' twig Veronica. Oh sweet baby Jesus asleep in a manger, promise me you'll buck up.

Comment by: Tony on 4th September 2017 at 13:20

Veronica - I'm afraid it can't be a Ferris wheel.
If you take into consideration the size of the circle on the photo, the distance away it would have to be to be on the Market Square, and the height of the treeline, the 'wheel' if it was one, would be almost the height of Balckpool tower.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 4th September 2017 at 13:21

Albert: Thanks for your reply. So you not only played Billiards, but Snooker and Fives & threes, as well ... blimey! You're a sportsman, sir. Put me a 'knock' on ... on second thoughts though, perhaps a re-rack would be a better option and certainly more towards to my capabilities.

Comment by: Veronica on 4th September 2017 at 13:48

Well that's me told then...'Poet's ' to blame for planting the idea! Seriously thanks for putting me right.......:0))

Comment by: Maureen on 4th September 2017 at 14:10

At least Veronica had a guess.

Comment by: Veronica on 4th September 2017 at 14:39

Thankyou Maureen -us 'girls' should stick together- anyway I was never any good at Maths at school and I'm as blind as a bat! :o))

Comment by: DTease on 4th September 2017 at 19:39

Loved a game of fives and threes me, can't find anyone to play with these days.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD PUBS GONE, LONG TIME PASSING!

Comment by: . Ozymandias . on 4th September 2017 at 21:14

Young girls have picked them every one DTease, Oh when will they ever learn?..........no use asking me...........We used to play a game in the pub called ' Honest John '. It's so long ago now that I can't even remember whether it involved cards or dominoes. To be fair, six pints of Warsteiner isn't helping much either, but I remember I used to enjoy playing it in the New Inn ( now long gone ) in Golborne, on a Saturday afternoon after work, ( 5 an a half days was the norm back then) . I have experienced the icy chill and northern blast of many a winter solstice since those halcyon days.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 4th September 2017 at 21:23

HONEST JOHN is a domino game, you follow your own line of dominos. If you can't go, you ask the next player if he can give you a domino that will allow you to go.

Comment by: DTease on 4th September 2017 at 23:15

If anyone should be unfortunate enough to enter the Vault sporting a crutch and a plaster cast he would be plagued all evening by the regulars with the same question " Wos tha bin doin' did tha play o wrung domino"

Comment by: Albert. on 5th September 2017 at 09:59

If there was enough of us on break, at Newtown Police Station, we always enjoyed a game of solo. A cracking game, (cards) providing everyone at the end of each game, stacked them in the right order, for the next deal. Hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades. Needed a little bit of brain power, especially when calling abundance declared, (Taking all of the tricks, during the game) or misère (Taking no tricks, during the game.) As well as these calls, there were other calls, but I forget them.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 5th September 2017 at 18:22

DTease: I remember being told once, some years ago, that The Manley had been a hard school. If it had been, then perhaps a wrong domino would have resulted in post match heated discussions, or in the case of a mis-timed request for more ale forfeiture of the game. Both scenarios having been recorded elsewhere.

Comment by: Julie on 5th September 2017 at 21:18

Super thread Albert. Thankyou

Comment by: DTease on 5th September 2017 at 21:21

Philip, I was thinking more of the quick kick in the shin underneath the table by a disgruntled partner.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 5th September 2017 at 22:38

Yes DTease, a kick across the shin would have been one hell of a reminder. I recall seeing a bloke vent his fury upon his partner after they had been beaten in a 'general' game of dominoes ... I'm sure you've heard the expression 'eyes like organ stops'. It was quite an unnerving display from a person, whom at the best of times was a bitter old cuss. It's only a game indeed.

Comment by: Albert. on 6th September 2017 at 09:29

For those who are not conversant with the game of five & threes. Here is a brief outline. It is just the same as playing straight forward dominoes, with the exception that, each player has to try and make each ends total, add up to a number that can be divided by three, or by five. For example if your opponent puts down a six five, with the five being the end number, and at the other end there is a blank, then he will receive one point. (Just one five). If you hold blank five, and you put that down. Now you have a five at each end, so you get two points. Be wary though, may be your opponent is holding double five, if he puts that down. He will get eight points, a five at one end, and double five at the other adds up to fifteen, three fives in fifteen, and five threes in fifteen, therefore eight points. In pubs it was usual for a couple to play another couple, although just two of you can play the game. You use a cribbage board to keep the score. Pegs(matches)placed into the board's holes. Makes an enjoyable family game.

Comment by: TD,. on 6th September 2017 at 10:56

Albert. Good game, good game!

Comment by: DTease on 6th September 2017 at 11:15

Very well explained Albert.

Comment by: Jinksi. on 6th September 2017 at 23:09

Albert, played fives & three's many times in Manley ,and Black Diamond.

Comment by: Albert. on 7th September 2017 at 08:32

Jinksy. Frequented the Black Diamond, and The Swan, during the fifties. Played most of my five & three games in the Little Rock.

Comment by: Jinksi. on 7th September 2017 at 23:30

Albert, do you remember Bessie the Landlady in the Little Rock.She used to fill a Metal Jug with Beer from Kegs that were put on stands by Lads in the Vault, then fill your Pint Pot. Do you also remember Sid &Hilda Fenton who lived a couple of Doors from the Little Rock..Sid was a good Rugby Player.The Swan was Ok but never used the Big Rock.

Comment by: Albert. on 8th September 2017 at 07:29

Jinksy. You have a better memory than I have. I was away in the forces for a big part of the fifties. I use to frequent those pubs with my old mates when on leave.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 12th September 2017 at 20:31

Rev Sam Bryson, my predecessor at St Mary's between the wars, was against drink - he'll be twirling in his grave that most of the Ince pubs have closed.

Comment by: Albert. on 17th September 2017 at 12:28

Reverend. I remember when in church in Kent. We were told by the priest, of a curate in Bermondsey, remonstrating in the pulpit, about the drinking activities prevalent in the area. Then to demonstrate, he placed a worm in a glass of water, and it just floated merrily around. He then placed a worm in a glass containing a small amount of whiskey, and it shrivelled up. He the said to the the congregation. "What does that prove?." One chap got up and said. "Father. It proves, that if you drink plenty of whiskey, you won't be troubled with worms."

Comment by: Veronica on 17th September 2017 at 20:38

That's had me in stitches Albert! It could only be a Wiganer and I bet he was serious..........

Comment by: TD,. on 18th September 2017 at 16:38

Ha Ha Ha! Very amusing worm story Albert. You are a star!

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