Wigan Album
Santus Motor Body Works Ltd.Wigan
7 Comments
Photo: Barrie
Item #: 34325
Can any recognise the location of the photo as it is not mentioned on the back nor is the person named.
North Wales
The coach reminds me of trips to the Illuminations in the fifties.
It must be really touching to read your father’s diaries Barry. Did he write any of them during the war? I can imagine him writing under that scheme for Mass Observance like Nella Last. I don’t know whether you are familiar with those people who took part in the scheme.
I found them really interesting. Also the tv series where Victoria Wood played Nella Last.
Would that be Fred Websters Coaches Wigan.
That was my Son In Laws Grandfather.
I remember in the 40s Fred Webster and family living next door to one of my aunts in Broomhey Ave , Greenhill. As a kid , I was in awe of the big Buick he drove.
Between 1946 (September) and 1948 (January) Father was working at Pearson's of Liverpool as designer & manager of the body shop. An entry in his diary 13th June 1947 visited Websters on Market Square to look over their coaches. Another entry on 1st September 1947 F.Webster over to discuss order. In those days coaches were still timber framed. It is surprising the similarity in designs of Santus and Pearsons coaches of that period.
I should imagine a three axled bus would have been something of a novelty back in 1938 Barrie .
And what’s the figure atop the radiator cap ? Any idea ? It couldn’t possibly be an Indian’s yed could it ?… it looks as if it could be … now that would be a clue that I could run with .
I have a particular fondness for those old half-cab jobs although
I’ll readily admit that I don’t know the first thing about PCV s … so where’s David Long or Ray Smyth when their services are required ?
Probably waiting for the kettle to boil in order to make a brew would be my considered guess .
This picture was taken on the Market Square and could be Webster's coach.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/116071498@N08/15640561258/in/photolist-GPG73x-2hDLT3n-2iYtMyJ-qGw416-HAERR7-HKm6RP-2iE614f-GPG4V6-CaWJeZ-5m43ad-T5SdFb-uiFCUP-HD4qj6-ojs5h5-21BVFp6-nUVi9i-2bmRyqV-5xKGTs-tFYgdc-qZMvkQ-vRtab3-HGnniN-XXdy2A-2itxDz1-HGnqqQ-HKm93x-HGnokC-q57cZU-q7vkZD-YXJkDy-nAEoJM-nM43Qa-7e24gq-CXpUBi-q7uhgZ-9LhLoT-9LhKgg-9Lkx6f-HGnpMq-9LhKXT-9LkySQ-pQ6XXh