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Photos of Wigan
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Wigan Album

Wigan Parsh Church

8 Comments

On yer marks....
On yer marks....
Photo: Cyril Cowen
Views: 3,403
Item #: 6525
Assembling for Wigan Parish Church WALKING DAY outside the Bluecoat Infant School at the bottom of Hallgate.The 'top-hat' on the left is Mr Arthur Lowe..owner of Lowe's Emporium in the Market Place; with arms folded in cloak & gown is Mr Bill Minay - Organist and choirmaster; the middle 'top-hat' is Mr Hopwood-Sayer - Churchwarden and wellknown Wigan Solicitor; Right-hand 'top-hat' is Mr Hubberd - Churchwarden and Manager of Williams-Deacons Bank next to the Post Office in Wallgate; the gent in cassock and gown with staff is my father, Bill Cowen, Verger. Any more names, please ?? Date - c. 1938 ??

Comment by: Trevor Berry on 3rd July 2008 at 17:04

Great picture, Cyril! I remember your father from his days as Verger at the Parish Church and I last saw him in the 1960's. How long did he actually serve? I also went to school with David Cowen (presumably your brother) at the Bluecoat and later at the Thomas Linacre. I also 'crossed swords' in Court with 'Hoppy' when I was a constable in Wigan Police. Happy Days!!

Comment by: trewyth on 3rd July 2008 at 17:30

Cyril, You must be John's brother. I was in the choir at the same time as him. I remember your father too. He once kindly gave me 2/6d after I'd sung a solo one Sunday.Didn't you live in the gatehouse to the rectory?

Comment by: Art on 3rd July 2008 at 17:44

Mr Hopwood-Sayer was the longest serving coroner in the country, when I met him in '68.
I used to take him up to WRAEI, to view the deceased before the Coroners Court Inquest..

Comment by: rubyshoes. on 3rd July 2008 at 19:11

The guy in the forefront in the top hat, looks just like Charles Hawtrey, of the Carry On films.

Comment by: Cyril Cowen on 3rd July 2008 at 20:13

I am so pleased the old photo picked up such rapid comments. Yes, I am JOHN Cowen's brother....he is 12 years younger than me...and we did live in the Rectory Lodge for many years. Dad was verger at Wigan Parish Church for nearly 60 (Yes.,.SIXTY) years. You will find his name on the "Verger's roll of honour" board in the Church, towards the back of the South aisle. John lives in Cheshire and he has 3 sons, all of whom have made very successful careers in music. Simon won the "Young Musician of the Year" Brass section a few years ago (trombone). The other two play in world famous orchestras...one in the Halle. Our sister Elsie still lives in Wigan...St Clements Road.

Comment by: Trevor Berry on 4th July 2008 at 11:41

Sorry, Cyril. Time plays havoc with the memory. I did mean JOHN (we had five Davids in the class and I tried to make it six) I'm pleased to hear that he is well.

Comment by: ralph hilton on 25th November 2012 at 18:21

mr. minay was choirmaster at wigan parish church0

Comment by: Stephen Hanvey on 19th December 2018 at 12:03

Certainly remember my father, a choirboy in Bill Minay's days, and taught the organ by him, speaking fondly of ' Billy Cowen' - someone the boys seemed to have a respect for!

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