Wigan Album

Hi Keith, the two missing names are I think Glenis Sabin and Ann Winstanley. If you have any other photos of either Whelley Secondary or the trips abroad it would be great to see them. I know I went on two trips one to Noli in Italy and one to Holland. Brings back a lot of memories

Hi Sue, good to hear from you after all these years. Yes you are of course correct with the names. Recognition is so much easier than recall! There is a picture under Whelley Sec School on this web site of a school trip to Holland in 1968. I can't see you on the photograph though. One of the things I do remember about the Noli trip (1966) was both our Mums fighting back the tears as we boarded the steam train at Wigan Northwestern.It seems a lifetime ago.

Hi Keith. Nice to hear from you as well. I had noticed I wasn't on the Holland photograph. No idea where I had gone - knowing me probably suffering from travel sickness!!
It was a life time ago when we went to Noli and although I don't remember our mums keeping back the tears I can imagine them doing so. I don't have any photos of either holiday but I am going to ask my dad if my mum kept any. Hope she did. All the best

Real nice chap Mr Millar exactly the opposite of that obnoxious other Whelley school teacher Tubby Edwards, If Edwards had been teaching today he would have been sent to prison for life for what he used to do to pupils, I was there.

I Was At Whelley From 1956-1961 The Male Teacher's At That Time Where Mr Miller (Jim) Mr Simm (Tom) Both Tall Mr Beech(Tom) Mr Edmundson (Jack) Mr Thompson He Took Woodwork And 'Tubby' Edwards Headmaster The Head When I Started Was A Mr Lewis

Mr Millar used to lead me out of the hall by my sidelocks not nice

Mr. Millar used to drag everyone out by the sidelocks be it a boy or girl. I remember that Mr.Beech used to throw the board cleaner at you if you weren't behaving yourself in class. They may have been a bit harsh looking back but you certainly respected the teachers then and it didn't do us any harm.

i was at whelley school from 1959 to christmas 1962 was head boy in that year think margaret lowe was head girl has anyone got any fotos of that period it would be nice to catch up with old classmates

Teachers Tom Beech and Tubby Edwards, These two were the most hated teachers ever, Tubby would make you stand a full lesson if you could not do your maths, Beech was like a Nazi camp commander who would crack anyone for no reason at all.

It wasn't only Mr.Millar and Mr. Beech that put the fear into you. Mrs Ashley certainly put you in your place when she thought it was required and that included the lads, I was there when the other teachers were Mr. Edmondson, Mr. Simm. Mr. Farrimond, Mr. Thompson and later Mr. Birchall,Mrs. Rigby, Mrs. Walters, Miss Pass. I do see a couple of people on a regular basis ie Brenda Fairhurst, Peter Stopforth, Betty Smith, Lynn Melling occasionally Joan Roscoe and recently Ruth Banks. James Summers did a job for us a few years back but I haven,t seen him since

demolition starts on 1 dec.2012 to make way for new homes.sad to see it go..

I remember this at the time Keith, I was Mr Millers Choice of Prefect for being the top swimmer in the school but your mother complained that you had not been picked and they took it from me and gave it to you.

Dear David, Good to hear from you after all these years. I have little recollection of that time, so I am unable to say if what you say is accurate or not. My only memory is that Mr Millar ( always with an A ) told me I was going to be Head Boy; then in assembly, he announced the Head Boy was going to be Paul Miller. Didnt understand and didnt question it, but in my opinion it was an altogether more suitable choice. Hope all remains well with you. Regards, Keith

Hi Susan remember doing a small job for you a few years ago thought I saw you just before Xmas I was doing some work for Peter and Eileen Stopforth hope you keeping well

I have very fond memories of both Mr Millar and Contance Ashley they were great teachers and if you behaved there was nothing to fear from them., but then again I was miss goody two shoes (or so I've been told ) ha, I loved that school and I loved being a prefect in my third year and head girl in my final year. Happy days.

I remember most of these ,and yes Sylvia you were a goody two shoes xxx

Hi Jimmy. You did a good job for us. I am well but unsure whether you heard recently, but unfortunatelyy and sadly I attended the funeral of Peter. It was a great shock, he was a great guy. Hope you are ok.

Although not a Whelley student I was brought up on Whelley and knew most of these kids. I think its Terry Needle not Phil Needler. I think that Bobby Melling died about 10 years ago. Eileen Davies was an early girlfriend of mine. She dumped me For Peter. Sad to hear he has passed on but great to know that they were still together.

oh what memories ... yes Sylvia Jackson , you were definitely Miss Goody Two Shoes , the girl that had everything !!! only seems like yesterday seeing this photo ... in actual fact I never wanted to be a prefect but I think it was thrust upon me because they felt they had to have someone from the poor quarter !!! happy days

I was at Whelley Sec Mod from 1962 -1966 and remember all those people in that photo with Mr Buer , brings back lots of memories good ones !!!!

Happy days - Dave Stephens who are you - think being Eileen's boyfriend was wish full thinking i am one of her best friends and she only ever went out with Peter ever.
Sad news that Paul Goodman (Coke) passed away in March..