Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 27th July, 2015)

OMG ! I was Commanding Officer of Wigan Sea Cadet Corps in the late 1950's early 60's. Our HQ was an old pub on Birkett Bank. Times have certainly changed. Thank you for this update.

Good piccy Brian, recognised it immediately, my grandparents lived in the little street by the side. Brookhouse Terrace.

I love all the red brick

Alan - I remember you on Birkett Bank - what was the name of the old pub you used as your base?

I think the brickwork is Accrington Brick. My mother's house was the same.

I have some photos of some painted bricked up windows at the back of the sea cadets.
Its says on them painted by cadets S Sharples, J Grover and H Bold

For the life of me I can't remember the name of the old pub. Will post it if it comes back to me.

Scholes Mac. were you a cadet ?

Birkett Bank Hotel.

I'm trying to trace my best friend from school days. Her name was Barbara Fawcett we went to Whelley Sec Mod and left in 1956.
She married a William Thomas in 1962.
I hope someone can help,as I'd love to make contact with her again,

Alan, I was in Wigan Sea Cadets from the late 1950's until 1964 when I joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice. If I remember correctly the cadets were based in Stairgate when I first joined (near the old Central Station) moving to Birkett Bank and also Woodford St. in Pemberton behind the old police station at later dates. If you follow this link - http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=8&id=18113&gallery=Wigan+Sea+Cadets&offset=0 I can be seen standing on the cabin roof holding the end of the oar.

On a separate note, whilst serving in HMS Juno in 1978 we visited Victoria on Vancouver Island and I was surprised to see old St. Helens corporation buses in use on the quayside, do you remember these?

I am the Detachment Commander at Wigan Sea Cadets (Current) and have been involved with the Cadets since 1996. Alan (on vancouver island) it would be great if you could contact us and share some memories!

My name was on the building at the back, I was cadet S Sharples, I still remember doing those paintings with Mr Bold and Mrs J Grover. I had a lot of great times with the cadets and so did my sisters and husband 😊

Susan I have just uploaded the photos on to the Forum section of Wiganworld

Thank you Mick, really nice of you to post the pictures. Brings back lots of memories, and brilliant ones at that.
The cadets taught me a lot, I started in 1990 so I think these were painted between 1990 and 1991

I joined "TS Lady Crawford" in 1949.The Skipper was Walter Somers Lt Cmm. The headquarters then was the old Ridges Dance School in Bretherton Row, off Wallgate. Stan, Walters Brother was in charge of the canteen. Both of them sons of Oliver Somers the sports outfitter. we left there for a short spell to move to Wigan BLESMA Club near Mesnes Park, (not many Wiganers know where that was!) From there we ended up at Christchurch, Stairgate, when I left, having to start working for a living (& brassbanding for pleasure). Getting on a bit now, but still can tie all the knots & box the compass (;