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Wigan Album

Orrell

14 Comments

Church Street, Orrell 1987
Church Street, Orrell 1987
Photo: Duncan
Views: 7,892
Item #: 19416
Most of the shops that used to be in Church Street have now long since gone.

Comment by: Helen on 1st January 2012 at 18:38

The Post Office used to be Norman Wilkinsons Chemist & Opticians in the 50's and 60's. I remember it well!

Comment by: james hornby on 2nd January 2012 at 12:36

was dandy caravans on the same row ? i went for an interview there in 1994.

Comment by: Duncan on 2nd January 2012 at 12:49

James, Dandy caravans was further along the street on the left, not visible on the photo.

Comment by: SJB on 27th January 2012 at 11:44

I used to go to the pie shop before they pulled it down and replaced it with a new line of terraced houses - was told it was going to be a funeral directors, and then lo and behold a row of houses appear, despite the protests! surprise surprise. I wonder how many of our worthy council members got a tidy back hander from that one....

Comment by: Robin Grainger on 17th March 2012 at 08:22

Is this where you turn right at the Grapes coming down St James Rd? I've lost track a bit here :)

Comment by: Duncan on 26th March 2012 at 15:04

Yes Robin, you would turn right on to Church Street if you came down St James Road, the photo is actually taken from where The Grapes used to be.

Comment by: Robin Grainger on 1st May 2012 at 16:04

Thanks for that Duncan,
I can remember walking to Far Moor Infants to the right (I don't think that's still there) and then Hallgate Juniors straight on (rebuilt and a little bit bigger than the school I used to go to !) and on up to the reservoir, station and rugby ground. Shame what's happened to Orrell Rugby Club over the years.

Comment by: Liz Brown on 15th September 2016 at 07:38

Can any one tell me the history of the shop right next to the Rose and Crown pub ? I live in the house that is there now , does anyone know the names of former shopkeepers as well as well as photographs ? Reason im asking as i believe iv got a ghost ... :O

Comment by: Jane on 21st August 2017 at 00:50

I used to attend Holgate Infants School which was on Church Street on the left. Headmistress was Miss Wilkinson. I then went yo Holgate Junior School which was around the corner on Moor Road.

Comment by: Helen Rogerson on 29th August 2018 at 23:42

I used to work in the bank opposite the post office, which at the time Granville ran (such a character!). That was in the 70's-80's. The bakery was just up the road on the RHS of the photo and the further up was the butchers Huxleys. There was a chippy on the same side of the post office and the Rose and Crown was just a few feet up from that. The Rose and Crown was a very busy thriving pub in the late 70's and well into the 1980's, serving excellent meals. They were always full at lunch and evenings. Now the bank RBS that I worked at has been closed down and is now a cafe/wine bar, which has very good reviews. Anyway, I've had a good reminisce of this photo. Happy memories

Comment by: Elayne on 17th November 2019 at 16:20

The bakery was owned by Myyra and Maurice Monk

Comment by: Peter Davies on 23rd November 2020 at 13:08

I also went to the infants and then to Holgates junior school. I was at the infant’s in 1964 - I remember desks with inkwells and using big fat brightly coloured ink pens. At juniors from 1965-1969. I remember teachers Miss Wilkinson, Mrs Guest and the head was Mr Ward. I moved away from the area after finishing junior school but still remember a few names - David Glover, Ian and Ruth Wilkinson (who are twins), Stephen Bailey. There was a shop selling sweets next door to the school- I suspect that’s where much of my pocket money ended up!

Comment by: Susan Glover on 7th August 2021 at 19:26

The sweet shop next door to Holgates was Polly Alkers

Comment by: Mary Wilson on 16th October 2022 at 18:47

Speaking of Church Street. My Great Grandparents, who's name may have been Moss or Taylor, had a Haberdashery shop in Church Street possibly 1930's or 1940's. It was situated in a row of terraced houses with steps leading up to the houses and would have been in front of the Salem Church. I believe there was a photo in one of the Orrell Calendars, in the Old Post Office window. One of the photos had a lady standing on the steps. May be my Great Grandma. It would be lovely if anyone had more details or even a photo. Thank you.

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