Wigan Album

Another landmark for the Wigan Observer, it represents a graphic example of the advantages of the web-offset printing process which has placed the Wigan Observer in the forefront of newspapers throughout the country. This big step forward is the result of months of exhaustive trials by the press room staff, photographic and process departments. Other early innovations for the Observer were in March 1968, the successful Queen of Industry promotion, co-operating with top factories and firms throughout Wigan. The launch of the Mother and baby competition and baby face competition. This the first of many Queen of Industry celebration ball held at the Casino club, for it was two local Standish and Kitt Green factories of Heinz which provided both the winner and runner-up. Taking the first prize of £100 cash, a holiday in paris for two and a free hair styling for a year, was Janet Goulding, 18 year-old quality inspector at the Standish factory, in second place came Joyce Glover 23, a clerk at Heinz Kitt Green and £50 cash. Peter Blond provided the third girl in the shapely form of 21-year-old Beryl Green, a supervisor, Beryl received £25. Over a thousand people in the audience saw Coronation Street's Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) place a sparkling crown on her head, as Janet Goulding was Crowned the first Wigan Observer Queen of Industry 1968.