Wigan Album

That postcard must be quite old. In the 60`s those trees were well established and so the church wouldn`t have been so conspicuous. I actually was there today with my grandchild and haven`t visited the park for a long while. Although it is still well maintained, I couldn`t help thinking of of beautiful it used to be with all the mature trees and flower beds that aren`t there now. Also the putting green and access to the fountain. Spent many happy hours in that park.!Interesting postcard.

looks a damn sight nicer then than it does now,thanks for the pic

And as usual much better than the modern day alternative!

Looks early 1900's before the bell tower was added to the church.

Is the church in the background named St Mark's?

I played in there a lot when I was little, everytime I used to go visit my aunt and uncle.... I had lunch in there a lot in the late 60s and early 70s when I worked at Plessey Union Bridge... It was always beautiful.... Haven't seen it in decades, but going by how everything else has gone downhill, I know it can't be anywhere near as lovely as it used to be....Andrew, I usually get shot down whenever I say something about how the old Wigan was so much better than the rubbish of today.....See how I go on today....

The photo brings back lots of memories for me too. Thanks for the photo , John. I spent many hours in here on the swings and roundabout.
Don't let them shoot you down for telling the truth, Janet. I have said, in the past, they have ruined our once Ancient and Loyal. We should try to put a stop to it before its too late....

Thanks Tricia... I live in the States now, so don't have any input, only what I see on here....Andrew Lomax has a 'Save Wigan ' site.... for the life of me I can't find the link... but he's working really hard to try and SAVE Wigan from any more destuction..... If he sees this, maybe he can give you some info....If I'm out of order mentioning the S W site on here... I aplogize...

Local Government Act 1972 and the removal of the UDC's practically ended the pride and identity of not just Wigan but many other places.

If you notice, there is no tower on the church. Must be old.

Hello Janet
I now live in South East Spain. I know about the 'Save Wigan' campaign. There used to be a link on here somewhere.

Albert, yes you are right, the church in the background is St Marks

So you are in the same boat as I am Tricia, just not as far away.... The link used to be a 'Sticky' on the General thread, not there now.....

Andrew, maybe you should post it again, so more people can see it and maybe get involved.....

Does anyone know when and why the pond was filled in? My Mum is 75 and lived in Newtown most of her life and can't remember it being there.

It looks like lake in the post card

Thank you Evelyn. The reason I ask is this.It brought back a memory. In the early 60s I was a policeman at Newtown Police Station. In mid July 1964 I transfered to the Kent Police,. One morning,about 1 30 A M in the mid 1970s I was on mobile patrol on a road by the side of the Borstal Young Offenders Institute, Rochester, I saw a man walking his dog.On questioning him , he told me he was the Padre at the Borstal. We had a chat.It turned out we had something in common. During the early to late 60s he was the curate at St Mark's,Newtown , Wigan.So at one time we worked just two to three hundred yards apart. After a cheerful cheerio, we went our different ways. Our paths never crossed again.

The view is from what looks to be the end of Kildare Street

I am still thinking about Alexandra Park this morning. I don't know about you, Janet, but it will always be ROBIN park to me !!!!

You're right Tricia, that was the name it went by... now they moved down the road and put Robin Park there....Can't figure some peoples way of thinking....At least we have our memories Tricia.....

I have enquired with my Uncle Alf,who is now 83 years young to try and solve the mystery about the lake. He was born in Kildare Street (houses now demolished and yes the Street does run along side the park off Warrington Rd). He cannot remember the lake as a child but he seems to recall it was filled in around 1920-25ish. He remembers the area were the tennis courts are now, was always waterlogged after the rain hence being were the water from the lake had settled. As others have commented, I am a born & bred Robiner and to me also, this park will always be Robin Park !

The church is not St Marks which is built of stone and has a tower.

Frank

It is St marks. The tower was added later. Look at a street view on google, and you'll see the church has a big round window, which is visible on the postcard. The fountain in the park has four paths leading from it - visible in the postcard. The fountain is directly infront of St marks Church.

St Marks is a grey stone building, but as that is a postcard of Alexandra park it may be a painting.

It certainly is St Marks Church I was married there in 1961
with the Rev. Baty officiating.

In relation to St Mark's Church, and the slight controvercy,it may help looking under " Places" at "Newtown". The memorial plaque, Relative to the 1914 war.

St Mark's church was built in 1890, the Chancel was added in 1901 and the tower was completed in 1927. The vicarage (not yet built in the photo and which has recently been demolished) was built in 1925. that should help date the photo.

Is this postcard going for the record, of the most comments?.

Yes Mr Short! Also the lake seems to be situated where the swings and roundabout used to be. By the way, fascinating story about your encounter with the curate.