Wigan Album

Happy days,I started work at Lowes in1960 it was a great place to work,unfortunately it was taken over In 1963 by Greenwood's gent shops
and although they retained the name ,the whole ethos changed.It was never the same again,and died a slow death finally closing its doors about fifteen years later.it was then demolished and replaced by Barclays .

I loved Lowe's; it had an olde-worlde charm, and always reminded me of Grace Brothers on "Are You Being Served?". Was it true there was a ghost, Tom?

Tom, Did you know my sister mrs Mac as she was called, she was the company book keeper,

Irene,there was always talk of a ghost,and no one wanted to be in the shop alone,although many people heard noses etc,only one man who was working overtime in the workroom had an experience , he was working late one night on his own ,he took his dog with him for company,the parish church clock rang 8 pm,and almost immediately the dog froze and refused to move in any direction and he said a terrible chill came over the room.He had to carry the dog from the building,and everafter that it wouldn't come near the shop,Old timers said that these things only happened after Lowes took over the adjoining White Lion,some time in the1950s.how true this tale is I don't know but it certainly concentrated the mind ,when working overtime in the quiet of the evening.Ged, I didn't know yor sister,but I did hear talk of Mrs,Mac,the bookkeper in my day was Mrs, Vera Moore

Thankyou Tom, that was really interesting and made me go cold! I'm sure there's some truth in it. I believe animals can see, hear and sense things we can't.

Irene,animals do sense and see things we don't..once had a boxer cross bull-terrier who was frightened of nothing..but the house we lived in..which we couldn't wait to get out of..was certainly haunted my statue in our back bedroom started playing a tune all on its own..there he was at the bottom of the stairs growling but would not go up..and never went up the stairs again..we got told years later that the occupants kept that back room locked..I could write a book on that house and it's happenings.

If you ever do, Maureen, I'll be first in the queue to buy it. Where was the house?

Irene..it was in Norley Hall..some horrible things happened in that house...we've been past it a couple of times since and it still gives me the creeps.

I think it was the White Lion part that Dixons took over in the early 1970s. They had the ground floor and basement while Lowes retained the upper floors. The basement ran the full length of the building and it was creepy at the best of times. Dixons used it for storage - and there were rats.

I am fascinated, Maureen! Does someone live there now? I wonder if they have experienced anything? I know of a haunted house in Swinley Lane, and I have no reason to doubt the tale I was told by the lady who lived there. I actually stayed there overnight before I knew of the story, but luckily saw nothing. After the house was sold, it was back up for sale within a week, and apparently the new owners had "had a visit"; it was then that I learned of the ghost. Sorry everyone, I am going to get drummed off Wigan World Album for going off the subject,and I mean no disrespect to Margeurite's wonderful photos, but Wigan World pics trigger off so many things! Sorreeee!

It even stops me spelling the word `passed` correctly as well.

Maureen the spelling is neither here nor there.....the story is everything!

Irene..I knew the person that went into the house after we left..her Daughter used to be a Wigan World member..but I could never pluck up the courage to ask her in case it offended her..the person in question was also in my class at School..and the house now looks terrible from the outside.

Maureen, Peter and I have been in Uppermill, Saddleworth, all day today on a fantastic 1940s day, so have only just gone online to see if there have been any developments. I would love to hear your stories of the haunted house.....do you have my email address?

when my sisters worked at woolworths in the early 60s they said that there were underground tunnels running all around wigan they said they led to the parish church,they went to have a look once but ended up running back !!!!!!

Irene,I have sent you an email..and have tried to condense it as much as I could..happy reading...glad you enjoyed your day out.

where is/was the house on norley, maureen?

I'm very sorry P,but I would sooner not say in case the occupants read any of this.

Irene I help at hospital radio at Wrightington and we have a few ghosts. Two of them used to work in the building where are radio station is.

How fascinating, Jimmy! Have you had personal experience of them?

Irene I have the first time about 22 years ago and then the other week.

Please tell!

I would like to tell you but I don't want to put it on here in case the people who passed on have relatives who read this.

I can understand that, Jimmy.