Wigan Album

I only remember the entrance as the Casino on a Sunday night...and chicken in a basket on a red serviette! There was some very good 'acts' on as well. I never saw any gambling! Mr M's was well past my hey day. ;o))

I had forgotten Stella Shaw's shop. It seems strange seeing a shop advertising ladies' clothes up to 60" hip so openly. It certainly didn't put me off a bag of chips, though, from the Boro' chippy next door! That was a brilliant chippy with a little cafe-part at the back. Millgate had such character back then before "the face that sunk a thousand shops", (that Horrible Head), appeared. Now it has about as much character as a bin-bag. Oh, our lovely Wigan, what HAVE they done to you?

I think the Stella Shaw shop was in what was the GREEN CURTAIN? Now that was a place<g>

I never knew the place, though after reading the discussions about the Green Curtain on here I'm thankful I never did, here's one discussion:
https://wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f2&msd=242091&page=63&subject=Green%20Curtain%20Pub

Great picture.

I love the public bin - they were everywhere around the Borough at one time. I think they were made of concrete (or some material very similar) and had a very rough surface.

I don't think there are any left now, unless there is an odd one lurking in a dark forgot part of Wigan.

I remember gambling in the Casino in the late 60's early 70's.It was up some stairs from the cabaret room.There was roulette,blackjack.craps etc all played with chips.It was quite a smart place not like the King of Clubs which was vert seedy and played with cash.

I remember the Boro chippy/ cafe, and Stella Shaw. But this seems a lifetime ago.Your right Irene,Wigan has no character left..

I remember going to the Casino in the Palais with a lad I worked with, Mick Holland. It was a Sunday We had both been on dates and I had seen the girl I was with onto her bus and was walking home after missing my last bus I bumped into Mick who persuaded me to go with him I wasn't playing ( I had more sense) I remember it was 2/6 minimum bid and they kept changing girl croupiers as the punters were winning. I think Mick ended up winning quite a few pounds. It was about 6.00 or 7.00am when we came out so we went straight to work. after having some breakfast in a cafe.

Does anyone know what year please?

Wasn’t this the Palaise de dance when the Casino was Wigan Emp.? 2 separate dance halls.

Correct Aubrey, and that's how i prefer to remember it from the late 50's.

correct; aubrey the casino and the palaise were connected through doors from the balcony in the casino

Spot on Ron.The lowest chip was 2/6 and it was red.I used to get eight,a pounds worth.One night when playing blackjack the croupier was a young woman in a very low cut evening dress who did not have a clue and everyone won on her table.After she had gone through her decks she was taken off,it paid for our chicken in a basket with plenty money left over.This is the only casino I have ever been in and have never had interest in gambling since except for the football pools and now the occasional lottery ticket.

Pw never went into a Casino after that until I went to Las Vegas I stick to the slots and I always save $200 for the Roulette I only play on the $10 minimum bet table and never put it all on one number Always have a good couple of hours enjoyment and have never come away from the table loosing. Looked at playing CRAPS but its way to complicated for me to understand<g>

Photo taken 1984. There was a Miners March on the same day.

Cyril, I can't click on the link you have put on. How do I see the discussion on The Green Curtain please? I'm not clever with technology!

Irene

Either copy and paste the link to your browser or enter Green curtain into the WW search box at the bottom right of the black bar above.

Thankyou so much, Keith....that's opened up a whole new world to me!

The Empress Ballroom.

The Empress Ballroom opened in in the middle of WW1 -1916 by the Atherton family and by all accounts was an immediate success so much so that only eight years later a second Ballroom was added 'The Palais de Dance '.Two events could be held on the same evening , or on nights of ' big occasions ' both would be used and caused a little confusion ,the balcony of the Empress had large double doors that lead to the ground floor of ' The Pali ' very disconcerting especially if you'd had a tipple ( or 3 ).

On the subject of bars ,the ballroom didn't have a licence to sell intoxicants, hence the Saturday dances or midweek affairs it was non alcoholic drinks only ; on Friday night dances an occasional licence would applied for on the grounds that the dance was for some particular firms /works-dance or parish dance , in truth it was a way of circumventing the licensing laws . I must confess that Friday night dances were my chosen ones, the atmosphere always seemed more friendly, I can't think why ( hic ).

Many readers will remember the sofas round the dance floor , I think they'd been in situ since 1916 ! they were the most uncomfortable couches you could imagine- springs sticking out at every conceivable angle, rough moquette covering, not to mention the horsehair stuffing finding its way to the surface ready to impale any unsuspecting legs that may seek rest from dancing , it's no wonder girls gave them a wide berth particularly after the advent of the mini skirt ! Friday nights in the mid sixties the entrance fee was 5 shillings (25p) and the cheapest alcoholic drink was cider 10d (4p). People danced till 1am to Jess Greenough and his orchestra , mid week it was Ronnie Carr and Beat Boys. When The Rolling Stones appeared in November 1963 the entrance was 5 shilling in advance or 5 shilling and sixpence on the door, seems incredible by today's silly money. I wonder how many people alive today in Wigan and indeed around the world owe their existence to The Empress Ballroom . There must have been thousands upon thousands of marriages that happened because of a first meeting at 'The Emp ' .In the forties and fifties the venue was a particular favourite of the 'Yanks ' from their Burtonwood base and many girls from Wigan became G.I. brides .
This comment from Wigan World will give some idea or how far it tentacles reached -

Arlene Norton- Everett, Washington USA , May 2012.
I was looking for information about The Empress Ballroom as a way of connect wmy Mother's past, she passed away in 2005. My Mother was Edna Green, was born in Wigan in 1922 and live there until married in 1951 and moved to America. She had so many wonderful stories about dancing at the Empress. I was just I'm surprised to see one of her dance partners mentioned here she spoke a lot about Joe Bertrand and the the fun they had dancing at the Empress. I have a piece of the dance floor from the Empress that he had given her on her last trip home I'll treasure it forever thank you for the memories shared here

On a more parochial front ,most 'Wigan folk' would have gone to the ballroom at sometime or other ; times were very different young men would ask a girl to take the floor in a polite way -'May I have this dance ' , the offer was usually accepted as it would seem churlish to decline, however it was made very very clear if it was to be 'one' dance only , by refusing to engage in conversation and looking anywhere apart from her would be suitor . An often asked refrain " can I walk you home " would often be rebuffed with a firm " I can't leave my friend " If they hit it off , an arrangement to meet would be made the following week . Favourite meeting places for a first date would be Woolworths Corner or Lowe's Department Store ,alas now just memories like The Ballroom itself !

When the venue was renamed 'The Casino' it also got a full licence. I was fortunate to have tickets for the opening night, the star was Shirley Bassey ,who performed fantastically ; however not everyone was delighted when it was announced ' The bar will be closed during Miss Bassey's performance '.

As 'The Casino ' it went on to find worldwide fame as the home of 'Northern Soul ' it closed in 1981 - not for lack of enthusiasm , the town council owed it at that time and had plans to extend The Civic Centre, in the event the plans came to nothing, the cost being prohibitive . People still bemoan the closure of this icon to northern soul but that's another story for another day !

The Ballroom had an unhappy ending , engulfed by fire shortly after the last 'all-nighter' . So many memories blighted by the sight of the ashes , but as we all know memories can't be destroyed ! That is clearly exampled by the remarks from Washington USA cited earlier ,the piece of the dance floor mentioned must be even more treasured after the inferno . These memories of yore will remain - when we 'tripped the light fantastic'. Where so many made friendships were made and where many, metaphorically speaking, took the first step down the The Empress Ballroom.

The Empress Ballroom opened in in the middle of WW1 -1916 by the Atherton family and by all accounts was an immediate success so much so that only eight years later a second Ballroom was added 'The Palais de Dance '.Two events could be held on the same evening , or on nights of ' big occasions ' both would be used and caused a little confusion ,the balcony of the Empress had large double doors that lead to the ground floor of ' The Pali ' very disconcerting especially if you'd had a tipple ( or 3 ).

On the subject of bars ,the ballroom didn't have a licence to sell intoxicants, hence the Saturday dances or midweek affairs it was non alcoholic drinks only ; on Friday night dances an occasional licence would applied for on the grounds that the dance was for some particular firms /works-dance or parish dance , in truth it was a way of circumventing the licensing laws . I must confess that Friday night dances were my chosen ones, the atmosphere always seemed more friendly, I can't think why ( hic ).

Many readers will remember the sofas round the dance floor , I think they'd been in situ since 1916 ! they were the most uncomfortable couches you could imagine- springs sticking out at every conceivable angle, rough moquette covering, not to mention the horsehair stuffing finding its way to the surface ready to impale any unsuspecting legs that may seek rest from dancing , it's no wonder girls gave them a wide berth particularly after the advent of the mini skirt ! Friday nights in the mid sixties the entrance fee was 5 shillings (25p) and the cheapest alcoholic drink was cider 10d (4p). People danced till 1am to Jess Greenough and his orchestra , mid week it was Ronnie Carr and Beat Boys. When The Rolling Stones appeared in November 1963 the entrance was 5 shilling in advance or 5 shilling and sixpence on the door, seems incredible by today's silly money. I wonder how many people alive today in Wigan and indeed around the world owe their existence to The Empress Ballroom . There must have been thousands upon thousands of marriages that happened because of a first meeting at 'The Emp ' .In the forties and fifties the venue was a particular favourite of the 'Yanks ' from their Burtonwood base and many girls from Wigan became G.I. brides .
This comment from Wigan World will give some idea or how far it tentacles reached -

Arlene Norton- Everett, Washington USA , May 2012.
I was looking for information about The Empress Ballroom as a way of connect wmy Mother's past, she passed away in 2005. My Mother was Edna Green, was born in Wigan in 1922 and live there until married in 1951 and moved to America. She had so many wonderful stories about dancing at the Empress. I was just I'm surprised to see one of her dance partners mentioned here she spoke a lot about Joe Bertrand and the the fun they had dancing at the Empress. I have a piece of the dance floor from the Empress that he had given her on her last trip home I'll treasure it forever thank you for the memories shared here

On a more parochial front ,most 'Wigan folk' would have gone to the ballroom at sometime or other ; times were very different young men would ask a girl to take the floor in a polite way -'May I have this dance ' , the offer was usually accepted as it would seem churlish to decline, however it was made very very clear if it was to be 'one' dance only , by refusing to engage in conversation and looking anywhere apart from her would be suitor . An often asked refrain " can I walk you home " would often be rebuffed with a firm " I can't leave my friend " If they hit it off , an arrangement to meet would be made the following week . Favourite meeting places for a first date would be Woolworths Corner or Lowe's Department Store ,alas now just memories like The Ballroom itself !

When the venue was renamed 'The Casino' it also got a full licence. I was fortunate to have tickets for the opening night, the star was Shirley Bassey ,who performed fantastically ; however not everyone was delighted when it was announced ' The bar will be closed during Miss Bassey's performance '.

As 'The Casino ' it went on to find worldwide fame as the home of 'Northern Soul ' it closed in 1981 - not for lack of enthusiasm , the town council owed it at that time and had plans to extend The Civic Centre, in the event the plans came to nothing, the cost being prohibitive . People still bemoan the closure of this icon to northern soul but that's another story for another day !

The Ballroom had an unhappy ending , engulfed by fire shortly after the last 'all-nighter' . So many memories blighted by the sight of the ashes , but as we all know memories can't be destroyed ! That is clearly exampled by the remarks from Washington USA cited earlier ,the piece of the dance floor mentioned must be even more treasured after the inferno . These memories of yore will remain - when we 'tripped the light fantastic'. Where so many made friendships were made and where many, metaphorically speaking, took the first step down the aisle !

Irene, I tried what Keith suggested, and I got Dunhelm, selection of green curtains.What did I do wrong? I ask myself.

Edna, in the Search box at the top of the page next to Login and Register, type Green Curtain pub, a list of posts of the Green Curtain pub should show, click on any of those to read them. It beggars belief that anyone should have wanted to go into there, seemingly with all that went on.

Thank you Cyril, I'm curious now.I will have a look.

Good Memories Tom, I remember the two seater sofas , once you sat in them you couldn't get up ! They weren't comfortable at all.

Tom, no one seems to remember the Ken Hewitt Orchestra , resident at the Emp.

After the Ken Hewitt Orchestra came Bill Blackledge and his band which is the one i remember best.
Of the artists i saw who appeared at the 'Emp', the one that sticks out most was Jerry Lee Lewis in May 1962, exactly 4 years after his fateful UK tour when he arrived with his 'new' wife who was Myra, his 13 year old cousin (once removed}, and, removed they were !! He was advised to return home, which they did, after just 3 shows in 3 days, all 3 in London, which all resulted in a poor response. It didn't stop him returning on several occasions, the last time in 2015. He obviously likes wedding cake, he married 7 times and is still tinkling the ivories at 85 years of age, that said, he never DID tinkle them.

It was the entrance to Gerry's Inn as well.

Tom Jones is the one I remember seeing - around 1968... I have never seen so many women in the Emp at one time, they weren't all young either.

I remember seeing some really good groups at the palais, ( later Mr M&s ) round about 1970/71.as I recall, The Foundations, Jonny Johnson and Bandwagon, The Equals, Detroit Emeralds, and more,I started my teenage years with my mates at The Beachcomber, then later the Casino, great times and happy days!

Ron Hunt Have you any Photos From the Palace D Dance later Mr M

Mike I'm sure I have seen some newspaper cuttings? but where they are ???? If I come across them I'll post them on here