Wigan Album

Thats a tuf one.

I have absolutely no idea if this is Wigan or what, but it's a great photo.

The lady is standing on Deansgate, Blackpool, close to its junction with Edward St. The pic was probably taken by one of the street photographers who used to collar holidaymakers and day trippers.
The tall building on the right hand side of the pic with the letters 'WAS'visible in top right hand corner, is the Washington Hotel, as the Duttons brewery sign below, just above the bay window indicates.
The Washington Hotel is still there, on the corner of Deansgate and Topping St.
Many of the buildings in the photo have now either been demolished or altered.

The sign on the right appears to be two words
_ashing (dashing) R___
Hotel
Dutton's
Dutton's was a brewery in Blackburn

Bob - Duttons did have pubs in Lytham and Blackpool. They bought out a few local breweries around Lancashire.

We'll done Mick, very impressed

I happen to know that area of Blackpool well Aubrey, and recognised some of the buildings. I made a comparison with Google street view, just to confirm matters.
(I also learned to be observant when working with Grassy and your good self at Pemberton!)

I did wonder if it was you or not.

Mick,
I guessed wrong, which Mick are you? Mick F?

Mick. I have lived in Blackpool for the past twenty six years, but I didn't recognize the location.

Having said that it is very infrequent that I go down into central Blackpool these days, except for a quick visit, for something essential.

You certainly have a good eye for detail.

Aubrey -you are correct as to ID.
Albert - the dormer windows on the shops to the right of the lady assisted me, and also enlargement and enhancement of the Washington Hotel sign.
Stephen Oakes - the tall chimney in the distance is in fact attached to the small building next to it. When the pic is enlarged considerably, the flashing on the roof at the foot of the chimney stack can be seen, and also the fact the stack is built into the raised gable end.pediment of the building.

Hi Mick, Wow! Thanks so much for replying & for your detailed info. No wonder we couldn't work out where it could be in Wigan, doh! Thanks to you, I may now have an explanation as to why she was in Blackpool and wearing the white coat. Although he wasn't directly related to my gt. aunt, my granddad's brother moved to Blackpool from Frog Lane, Wigan after meeting his first wife. He was working as a butcher at 68 Coronation Street when they married in 1920. Sadly, his wife died a year later, and he moved back to Wigan later (Woodhouse Lane). Perhaps my gt aunt spent some time working in the butcher's shop & had her photo taken one day. If so, this photo must be around 1920/21. Although this photo is not Wigan, I'm glad I posted it here. Cheers Mick!

Thanks Mick, the reference to Tesco at Horwich on P.o D yesterday threw me

Stephen,

There was an "Oakes" who was landlord of a pub near the tower.

Mick you don't happen to know who those 3 flappers are at the bottom of the street do you? I applaud your detective work.

Stephen - glad to have been of help. There is now a large 'Iceland' store on the site of the building with the tall chimney.
Aubrey - it must be another Mick posting comments on Picture of The Day!

Mick whoever you are, I am now totally confused

Aubrey - I'm Mick F, ex 'C' Scale Pemberton!

Thanks Mick, I will sleep easier tonight.

Well done, Mick.

Were there many Dutton's pubs in Wigan? Didn't they have the chequered board sign, as a distinguishing feature? If my memory serves me right, the pub opposite Ince Park, was a Dutton's pub. I don't know whether, or not it is still there.

Albert - the brewery with the chequerboard sign was Wilsons.
An example of the Dutton's trademark can be seen here:-
http://www.cottontown.org/Other%20Industry/Brewing/PublishingImages/jbowdut.jpg

Mick. I apologize. I later realized that it is as you state, Wilson's. I should have known, I've drunk a few pints of it. Actually, a few of them in the pub I have mentioned.

Mick. When you haven't lived in a place for fifty years, you tend to forget the names of the pubs. I have an inkling the name of the pub I referred to, was The Amberswood Tavern,or Inn.

Albert, The Park pub opposite Walmesley park in Ince was a Wilson's Pub. It caught fire about 10 years ago and lay derelict until it was demolished last year. It was my local when I lived in Park View in 1958 to 1963

You have done a superb job Mick,the Washington was a place we went in a very long time ago,we used to stay close by,I think it was York St,and did'nt Duttons sell OBJs,Oh Be Joyful,in bottles.

Mick. Took a look at the sign, below the Robin Hood Inn. A photograph does jog your memory.

Alan.H. Was it the actual area that was named Amberswood, or am I going off on another misguided spiral?

Hi tower, I don't think we have any landlords in the family, unless he's a very distant relation.
Mick, Thanks again for all your investigative work. Apparently, my grandma worked in a large Blackpool hotel in the early 1930s, but we don't know which one. I'll be posting another photo soon requiring more detective work.

Thank you Maurice. Yes - Dutton's did sell OBJ.

Albert, The area was known as Amberswood Common. The Amberswood Tavern was almost opposite The Park on the same side of the road as Walmesley Park. It is still open for business and was a Burtonwood Brewery pub.Hope this helps.

Pray, may I ask, what is OBJ?

Fred - the link below will give you plenty of information on OBJ.
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/bygones/10008424.print/

Thank you Alan. H. I must have paid both pubs visits, in my late teens, and in my twenties. I distinctly recollect the one with the chequered board, on the front, wasn't it above the door, and facing the front?

Fred,OBJ was a beer,brewed by Duttons,I only remember it in the 50s,and only in bottles,I've never had it since then,it stood for "Oh Be Joyful"it was very popular then,

Mick,thanks for the link. I will have a look. Thanks also Maurice, 'Oh be joyful' . So interesting.

O.B.J. was certainly a brew that packed a punch, with a gravity of 6% alcohol, as stated in the Lancashire Telegraph website.

I would just like to say what a lovely looking young woman your great aunt was.

I remember my great aunt as being quite a classy lady, and perhaps a little prim. When her husband died, she moved to one of the flats near Wigan Little Theatre on School Lane. I used to visit her with my mum when I was very young. She was a very good pianist, and in later life she accompanied the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir for 6 years starting from 1978.

I think she has a look of Lady Edith in Downton Abbey.

Me dad would have known this lady. He was born in New Springs in 1904, too!

Hi BIll, what's your dad's name?