Wigan Album

I'm first on the left,third row from top. My brother Gerard is middle of secong row in grey sweater. Thank's eddie!!

Hi Kath, is that Sue Gordon sat on your left ??

Hi Cliff. The girl next to me is Patricia Walters.

Middle row 3rd from left is Peter Atherton (my cousin). Back row 2nd from left is Paul Beezley

I'm next to last right on the back row. The Harry Potter look a like at the end of the row is Tommy Bass who I think I'm distantly related. Never realised that Kath and Gerald Davies were brother and sister. Now live in London two children and three grandsons. I don't know what Sister Christine would say if she knew children and grandchildren were all Jewish and I'm an atheist. Go figure!

Sadly I am not on this photo, story of my life, never beenin the right place at the right time, but I do recognise some people from our class. Back row from left: David Grimshaw, Paul Beesley, ?' John Sharkey, poss Pauline Topping, Mary Corless, ? Robert Ducker, Adrian (John) Trainer, John Bass
Second row down: Doreen Gordon ? Peter Atherton, Keith Webster, ? Gerald Davies, David Marsh, ? Eddie Marshall, Jennifer Gee.
3rd row down:Kathleen Davies, Patricia Walters, Barbara Hamilton, ? Julie Tickle, ? ? Anne Canipa, Susan and Carol Hyde (I think) Front row Linda Martland, ?. Does anyone recognise Terry Goulding, RIP, Michael Galliger, Steve Connolly and who is the blond lad on the left of Gerald Davies. What a wonderful website.

Hi Christine, I'll try and fill in the missing names.

On the back row between Paul Beesely and John Sharkey is I think Neil Martin. Next to Mary Corless is I think Michael Gallagher.

Second row the boy next to Doreen is I think something McNulty. I remember he was always being caned by Miss Murphy. The thick set guy next to Gerald Davies was of Polish extraxtion. First name was Mark and his surname sounded like Chessniac although it would have been spelt differently. AfterDavid Marsh you have Steven Connolly and I think Julian Reagan.

I can't see anyone like Terry Goulding so like you he may have been absent that day.

Frightening thought that it's 55 years ago

Thanks John (Adrian)Yes it is very frightening that it's 55years ago cos it only seems like a short time ago. I think the McNulty boy was Patrick I think there were brothers and sisters as well. A memory that sticks in my mind was when there was the "Exposition" in church which they had I think every year we were all told that we must give our names to make a rota to go sit in church for an hour. When it came to Eddie Marshall he said "I don't think I'll bother". All he'll broke out, thought the teacher was goin to have a heart attack! I'm not a Catholic now either.

Wouldn't it be fab if we could all get together for a reunion.

PS was your sister Mrs Hart or am I hallucinating?

Hi again.

Yes Mrs Hart is my sister Dorothy. She was married in 1963 by Father Kennedy and he was able to come to their golden wedding lunch last year.

It would be great if there could be a reunion but it would be difficult to organise. If you want connect with me via Facebook

Hello John
What a lovely story, your sister was a lovely person & I've no idea how old Fr Kennedy will be now, all the girls were madly in love with him.

I don't do face time but you can email me on kenneth.evans@blueyonder.co.uk. It would be lovely to hear from you about your family and how you ended up in London then I can tell you about mine.

If anyone interested in a reunion please leave message on this site

Hi everyone. Great to see so many comments. Sad to say that Terry Goulden, my best friend/best man, died of cancer 5th Nov. 2002. Also great loss of David Marsha couple of yrs ago. It would be lovely to hear from any old school chums. I got married in 1969 and have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and have lived in Standish since Pauline and I married. I recall fighting in the schoolyard with Patrick McNulty, who I think worked as a mechanic for Kwiksave at Bryn. I've left a comment for Kath Davies on another site. I spoke to you, Eddie Marshall, a few years ago. I;ve still got this photo and it's greatn to fill in some of the gaps. Mark Chesniaks dad was a doctor and they lived on Whitley Crescent. Father Kennedy went to Rome as Monsigeur, but is now retired in Southport (hopefully still) I used to be an altar boy with him and even though of becoming a priest because of him (lol). Who remembers going to Butlins Pwhelli with me and Terry in 1964? It's funny; I only took my wife down Brick Kiln Lane last week to show her St Johns and where the schoolyard was, with the dining hall and scout hut across the way. Who remembers getting toffee from the toffee makers at the bottom and hot penny loaves from the bakery in Standishgate, next to St Johns churchyard? Looking forward to hearing good news from you all.

Hi Chris. Its a great idea for a reunion after over 55 years. Anyone interested contact me on theconnellyclan@gmail.com . Brocket Arms would be a good venue?

Hi, to Eddie Marshall. I remember the last year at St Johns, in big Miss Davies' class, you singing "Dianna" in the concert. Am I right?

Reading some of the comments relating to pupils of St John's RC school 59, fills me with sadness. I don't find it hard to believe our brother John would have been beaten by Miss Murphy she was a vindictive and sour woman, who appeared to have used her 'teaching qualifications for abuse of those she did not care for in her charge. I wonder did she ever ponder in later years, the legacy she left to those she physically and emotionally charged.

Just browsing through Wigan World,came across this photo (where have the years gone)....wonder if Peter Atherton was the brother of Jeffery Atherton, John Sharkey knew a Kevin Sharkey. ...? Knew Mcnultys think there were 4 brothers, John Mcnulty in photo ,lovely lad. Golden days.

Hi everyone. I haven't been on here for a while so have only just read comments. It would be great to meet with people again after so may years and share memories of our time at St John's.Stephen Connelly I didn't get your message,what site did you leave it on

It would be good to have a reunion but we shouldn’t leave it too long. We must all be 71/72 and the grim reaper will have taken its toll of some of us. It needs someone local (I live in London) to set a possible date and put it out in the local and social media and see what happens

Christine Griffin have you organized the re-union your trainbearer friend 1955 when Mary Rigby crowned our lady Janet Slade didn't you all look young look at Paul Beasley I left in 57 scared for life by little miss Davis remember my mum used to make the girls Walking Day dresses

Hi.Is anyone still in touch with Stephen Connelly

so lovely to see familiar faces I remember from the 4 years at st johns I left when I was 9, the teacher at the time was Miss Murphy she had wart on the side of her nose, I went to St Cuthberts guess who followed me Miss Murphey the ones in the crowning group willl probably remember me I was Christine Griffins partner holding the train John Sharkey your 2 brothers go dancing at St Mathews Htghfield