Wigan Album

This is at least 1967 because John St is no longer there. Where the machinery is -is where the Scholes Picture House stood. Why half of Vauxhall Rd was left standing and other older and even better property was demolished is beyond me! Anyway building new property to my mind is when the rot set in! It was never the same Scholes afterwards.

It looks like a miniature village built from Lego bricks with a miniature bus on the road. I didn't know Scholes very well but the old photos give an impression of a close-knit community and I imagine a lot of that was sadly lost when the old homes went under demolition. It wasn't just buildings they demolished when the bulldozers moved in, in Scholes and other parts of Wigan.

Brilliant description Irene....when I think on I took my young granddaughter to Lego Land about 4 yrs ago I should have recognised Scholes from that!

Old and new....The old being better!

The problem is though that some of the houses in Scholes were relatively well built and remain eg around Darlington Street East where my parents house still stands, to the north of Vauxhaul road etc. Whereas I well ermebera lot of the housing just to the north of Hardybutts and the area around Caunce Street, Linney Street were often in a terrible state of construction (nothing to do with the people living in them I might add who kept there houses lovely). Also we need to remember that in the 1960s many people living here including several of my relations and family friends were desperate to have what was seen as a modern house with a lttle garden and a garage , and had the ability to move to many of new estates springing up in Aspull and Whelley.

I do think though, and I've said it before on this site (and its beautifully illustrated on this picture) that a huge design error was made in building blocks of maisonettes and flats, and a shopping precinct and new pub well set back from the old street lines with a lot of meaningless grass (green concrete) which was alien to the old community format. I think it would have been far better to have built terraces of new houses complter with rear garden and rear access to garages, along the old street frontages. The same with shops and pus. these should have lined Scholes, Greenhough Street etc. This form still works well along most of Darlington Street East, and I'm sure would have worked well here.

Think this is after 1967.i worked on the construction of scholes supermarket,in a 2and1 gang.that was 1967.we would get in the dust ole.before 3 in the afternoon,for a shandy.that pub looks like it's been knocked down.so I would say this is after 1967.cheers eric

I think you have some very valid and well-thought-out ideas there, Carolaen, and can I just say how refreshing it is to see someone put "I would have" as opposed to "I would of", which drives me absolutely potty!

I agree with both of you. It is heart wrenching seeing that desolate picture though to think of the wonderful community we had. Without becoming too maudlin there won't be any of us left who were brought up at that time in Scholes- so it won't matter. On a lighter note perhaps Scholes will be like 'Brigadoon' and come back every 100years! Just joking,,,,,!!!!!(

Ooops should have said in about 20to30yrs

My memories as a rare visitor: Whit Monday, Silver Street; Mother Griffin's jam pies; and waiting for the 'walk' to begin. It was a big day out, even for us Pembertonians. The sun shone between the odd shower, and the 'Scholers' put on their best show...Unforgettable.

The city's gone, nought but ' The Flamingo ' remaining.

great photo - old St Cats school, the Rockies with the Greyhills in the background, the Flam (awful pub!) and the old clock-tower on the Precinct where the clock never worked! - happy days!

Oz I don't think it is the Flamingo now! Anyway how could 1 pub make up for dozens all the way up and down Scholes! (not that I ever went in them)

I had to walk down Vauxhall Road twice a day in the 1960's on my way to and from WGS. I well remember watching both the Flamingo and the Precinct being built and thinking even then "Is that it!" and not in a good way.

Without wishing for this to turn into a diatribe Carolaen - in my humble opinion the whole purpose of the demolition of Scholes' shops and pubs was purely economics. It was to bring the business generated into the town centre. Much the same is happening now with local libraries closing - it is solely for the Town Centre Library to be used by all. The building of the flats is another story! The buildings being built now would have been like going to Heaven for my parent's generation.

Vb, Great points. My parents leaving Prescott St and going to a brand new council housing estate was like going 5 star to them. That ,was my parents journey, either way , they left me, God Bless them, with values not found on a mobile phone. Super photo Ozy, thank you

Vb. I don't disagree on the shops pubs etc. When the Precinct was opening my mother looked into the possibility of renting one of the shops. The costs were astronomical and no way possible for a small trader unless you were par of a big chain like McColls or selling high value products like an off license. And you are right about the flats etc. One of my Mum's friends was one of the first tenants in Douglas house and we went round. She was over the moon with it, central Heating, constant hot water etc. Its all about suitability. Even high rise falts can work very well - single people, etc providing there is good management and the lifts allways work, but not, in the UK at any rate, for families.

What strikes me about this picture is the number of chimneys around St Catharine's. It's no wonder those 1940/50s smogs were so appalling.

The high rise flats are far more superior with regard to security nowadays. In the early days they were open for anyone to enter -which they did. People lost touch with old neighbours. It was an event if they bumped into each other! They may as well have been banished to Timbuctoo in some cases. Many a time whilst shopping around Wigan I would see old neighbours - I would say "Hello Florrie how nice to see you - how are you? The answer invariably was....."Oh!Well you know.....it's not the same......How's your mam and dad?". They only lived about 500yards away! If only they had built those lovely bungalows that line Hardybutts now as well as the houses.In many cases they just did not want to leave Scholes because they had been born there. The planning of all the flats, maisonettes and upside down houses were a huge mistake which everyone knows now - but did not then. With hindsight the older generation were guinea pigs!

The high rise flats are still open for anyone to get in. The main gate has not worked for almost 2 years and the door has been broken to one block since Christmas Eve. The residents pay £15 per week each to cover security and cleaning. Not getting much for their money are they.

I hope your problems are soon resolved Prue. I'm talking about 40yrs ago and the problems a lot of people went through -including my parents. It was just as bad living in the maisonettes for them until they got something better and quieter.

The problems with the flats won't be resolved soon because the council do not care about the people or their safety or welfare.