Wigan Album
Orrell
14 CommentsPhoto: Duncan
Item #: 19416
The Post Office used to be Norman Wilkinsons Chemist & Opticians in the 50's and 60's. I remember it well!
was dandy caravans on the same row ? i went for an interview there in 1994.
James, Dandy caravans was further along the street on the left, not visible on the photo.
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....
Is this where you turn right at the Grapes coming down St James Rd? I've lost track a bit here :)
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.
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.
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
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.
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
The bakery was owned by Myyra and Maurice Monk
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!
The sweet shop next door to Holgates was Polly Alkers
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.