Wigan Album

Wasn't Mesnes park just lovely, back in the days when it was safe to walk through, back when it was something to enjoy and something to be proud of. Back when Wigan Council cared...

Was Dave Clarke looking after the grass in those days?

I remember winning a prize at the summer show they used to have. I think it was for making a lamp!

I remember when you could sit upstairs in the cafe, which had a 1920s atmosphere, even in the 50s and 60s.....why do children always want to sit upstairs? I remember rolling over and over down the grassy slopes next to the cafe steps, and my Dad lifting me up to rub Sir Francis Sharp-Powell's shoe for luck. On bitter Winter nights (no central heating!) my Dad used to say, "Owd Mon! A'hm cowder than 'im i't t'park!", and I used to imagine Sir Fracis, sitting in the icy darkness; it made me feel so lucky,sitting cosy by the fire.

I REMEMBER GOING TO WIGAN PARK WAS A REAL TREAT FOR US BUS RIDE TO WIGAN AND A FULL DAYS PIC NICK THEN AN ICECREAM AT THE END WHAT JOY IT WAS

If the council had there way they'd probably build houses on it.

I rene - what a beautiful post - so much of what makes us Wiganers packed into such a small paragraph - I rolled down the same hill as a boy - plucked buttercups and hunted for hours for a clover with 4 leaves - and then had a big cup of orange juice from the cafe

Sunday afternoons in the park - watching the girls go by.
Then, after a coffee in the cafe, listen to the band.
Oh, happy days - I've chatted up many a girl in Mesnes Park

I can see we all loved Mesnes Park, this is how I remember it, fight for it.

Naughty boy Pete, no wonder I couldn't get a girl in the park...you'd nicked them all

My Grandad worked in the park for years when I was little. I used to think it was great when I was taken in there to see him. He used to take me into the greenhouses at the back of the park sometimes. The park shows were always a great treat too. A lovely photo and great memories.

It does not look like that now - two flower beds only and they are the best in the park - the flower beds are planted far too late when the plants are not at their best so they don't spread out and look 'mean'. The volunteers in Shevington do a better job.