Wigan Album

Is Herbert Street off Wallgate near Wigan Pier, where car showrooms and industrial units are now?

According to a net search Mr X it is and between Miry Lane and Haig Street, I never knew that was Herbert Street and if there are street name signs up then I've missed them besides having gone along there umpteen times.

He's enjoying his tricycle ride along a quiet and litter free street, wonder if he's just called at the local corner shop to pick up his mams messages and put them in the back box.

Cyril, looking on Google street view, if it's up-to-date there is a name sign for Herbert Street, just facing the junction with Pennyhurst Street. At least they've kept the name signs even though all the houses are long gone.

I had a bike just like that, didn’t we all, but can’t remember the colour.

A nice photo of Master David with the street to himself, and he seems to have handled the bend as though it wasn't there. My trike was maroon and its metal bin had a curved lid.

It's amazing how clean the street is. I wonder if it was early morning! My friend had a three wheeler similar to that. The box at the back had a lid on it, it was blue one. It was early fifties, not sure if it was a Tri-ang

The side by side map clearly shows the location of Herbert street with respect to todays geography.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17&lat=53.54371&lon=-2.64174&layers=193&right=BingHyb

Walking down Miry Lane from Wallgate In order on the left they were Mason Street, Edith Street, Herbert Street, and Wilcock Street. The other end of Wilcock St was Wallgate near Seven Stars bridge. Then there were two more before the railway bride. Yates St and Lea St. I think these were cul de sacs.

Great photo, David. A happy looking little lad playing on a car-less street.
Are w any happier these days with all the material things that come with modern life?

I used to live in Vere Street from 1950s great days, used to watch punch and Judy on that park. Lovely memory, lovely times.

Is the young lad besides what is now First Class Motors on the right with the electrical factors on the left ?

I think Belchambers shop was on the corner. I lived at No 20 Miry Lane, I wish all the houses and people were still there, What happy times we had when we were young.

I seem to remember that a few years ago, an enterprising resident of a well known Wigan locality, that has since changed beyond all recognition, organised a reunion for those interested to attend, to exchange, in person, with each other, nostalgic memories.
I believed the event was very successful.
There is great deal of nostalgic memories, in many of the comments on W.W.A.

Valerie,
yes Belchambers was on the corner of Miry Lane and Edith St. On the other corners with Leeds St were Uncle Toms Cabin and Nellie Davis chip shop. I remember a Jackie Walls taking me for a ride on my Dad's motorbike as my dad had not passed his test then. I also remember a Johnny Walls (who I believe emigrated) when we all played out in the street. These were probably your brother and Dad. My name is David Bale and I lived at 12 Herbert Street

David, Yes you are right, that was my dad and brother, I had a younger brother Raymond, who sadly we lost 5 years ago. John is still in Australia. Oh what happy (and sometimes sad ) times we had, the world was a safer and I think happier time . But we have to get on with it. Are you the same age as John ?

Valerie,
It is nice to have contact with someone we grew up with. I often wonder what happened to every one. I was 76 in June this year.

Hi David, Do we know who the boy in the picture is ?, You were inbetween John and myself. I am 73 and John is 78. I love looking at old pictures of where I grew up,
Love looking on this site, brings back lots of memories.

Valerie,
The Pictures are from ones my parents had so I inherited them. I went through them during lock down. These were from some very small ones. I knew it was not me but I thought it would be nice to post them. I did one of the nursery in Clayton St at the same time, I am on that one. I will see if there is any more that might interest you.

Valerie,
I have no more pictures off local area. I have a picture of children watching a Punch and Judy on the park and one of the front of Nellie Davis chip shop. I downloaded these from Wigan world so they have already been posted. I have one somewhere of my Dad on my 3 wheeler bike.

I lived in Yates Street up until 1964 when the council demolished the street.

Too many adverts on this site its spoiling it. You are distracted by them and they detract from what is a great website.

I lived at 4 Herbert Street when first born in 1958, then we moved to 45 Miry Lane until 1963 when my parents got their first house, my grandparents lived at 45 until 1965, Bob and Eva Gaskell.

Message for David Bale. Just to let you know, my brother john passed away yesterday. Hope you are keeping well

to Darryl Atherton. I remember your grandparents, If I am correct, they lived opposite me in Miry Lane, Been trying to remember your parents name but, as yet I can not. Again to you as I have mentioned on this site many times, we had a lovely life, mainly so happy and carefree. We could go out at any time and leave doors unlocked, and also play out with friends until after dark, parents coming to look for us. Can't do that now. Are you any relation to Griffiths, they had 3 children. Joe, Margaret and Francis. Anyway, lovely to remember old times fondly.

Valerie,
Just been scrolling back through the photos and came across you message about John. I am so sorry to hear he has passed away. Hope you are keeping well.

to David Bale. Only just seen your comments about John. It was a shock, he had heart attack. It was very upsetting because he was so far away, we couldn,t do much about his funeral or anything because of covid restrictions . Anyway there are lots of people worse off than me. At least I have lovely family here. But it still hurts that I couldn,t give him a good funeral. Thanks again for your kind message. Stay safe

To Valerie Cooper (Walls). Just scrolling through again and pleased to see you got my message about John. I see you left a post about Joe and Margaret Griffiths. I remember them the first house in Miry Lane from Herbert Street. Take care and stay safe.

To Valerie Cooper - yes we lived 45 Miry Lane. Mum Norma, Dad Leslie, mum passed away June 2022, dad still here. Also related to the Griffiths family, Sally was my granddad's sister.

Hi everyone, I've been on Ancestry and found that my grandad (who I loved very much!) lived on 28 Herbert Street, he was one of the Hilton family. Wonder if any of you remember them?