Wigan Album

What memories. A crisp Saturday morning in December: the Market Square alive and busy. And in the Market Hall itself, the hustle and bustle. This is the place where we bought real pork sausages from Greens for Christmas morning, and real wholemeal bread; the likes of I'll never ever taste again.

The ladies wearing their hats and coats and low heel shoes and using 'proper' shopping bags. The men with their usual attire and obligatory flat cap. Retirees in their sixties and seventies - the same age as my generation now. The difference, I feel is they do look older- or is that my imagination? But oh, how smart they look just to go shopping! No trainers in sight - they would have wrinkled their noses at the very thought.... Strict dress codes at all times for them. No anoraks - they would probably have had plastic, hooded macs rolled up in those cavernous shopping bags! Dependable, sensible people, up early to get their shopping done! How nice to see the glistening cobbles of the old Market Square...

I recall going to the Photographers for my first passport photo at that 'studio' but I thought it was Elizabeth Wildings. Eric Thursby's for wedding album and Coleclough and Massey for wedding head dress- always the best places to go at that time. People go much farther afield these days!

If you still had the same taste buds that you had when you was young you wouldnt have a problem tasting your sausages and bread again

First of all, thanks to Frank Orrell for some great pics.
Veronica, you've got it spot on when you say "dependable, sensible people" Not the case in modern times I'm afraid.

That was a rum do: each shop having changed its respective signage for one of a completely different font, and to then sustain its neighbourly fight every inch of the way for lofty supremacy.
And despite Mr Smith's most-striking font, surely, Mr Conroy's British Rail font would have rested most comfortably on the eyes of those beholders?

Mick: My point being: they don't make um like that anymore...Doh!

We went to Cholerton's for our wedding album. It cost 14 guineas and it was all black and white. I have put names n all the pix so that when I'm gone. they'll know who they all are

The shop next to the Photographer is JJ Blackburn which became JJ Bradburn and then bought by Dave Whelan and became JJB. The cricket stumps sign is outside.

Battye's shop right hand corner.Mrs Battye joined Spring View School when they closed Brittania Bridge Girls school. About 1961/62 .If i remember right she was an English Teacher.

Some of those shops can be seen close up on Item 27186 - just a mention.

joe harrison - itwas actually JJ Broughtons, not Blackburn, before it was Bradburns.

What a bloody depressing scene, nothing festival about it just a wet day in a dark town.

As a kid I was fascinated by the small coach they had in the window of SMITHS TRAVEL AGENTS It was just big enough to seat a young lad in. How I wanted it... I wonder what happened to it?

Lovely photo of a Wigan we once recognised. As you say, no trainers in sight, but also unlike todays annual fanfares Xmas markets noone wearing hi Vis jackets, no security, no police, PCSOs walking around everywhere and all that nonsense to keep Joe public in fear and feel we need protecting in the nanny state we live in.

Smiths coaches was previously Websters. You could get tickets for the coaches to Wigan's away matches there and you boarded them on the market square just across the road from the office

I think beauty must be in the eye of the beholder Joseph. Yes it is damp, as most days are in this region. I don't find it gloomy, if the photographer had turned to his left slightly he would have shown the Christmas tree, which would have made it a bit more festive.

Is that YOU, Our Joseph? How are you? Hope all is well. Irene. xxxxx

What, Christmas again already? Only went in for bunions.
That bloody Ralgex, alreet, but don't half give you an itch come morning.

all swept away on the tide of stupidity

It is me Our Irene, I'm fine thanks. I don't post on many photos now and rarely visit Wiganworld unless someone tell me about something on the album section. It's nice to hear from you and thanks for asking, have a Happy Easter.

Same to you, Our Joseph. I hardly go on "Communicate" these days, but I do like to look at the photos. I will always say Hello if I see your name. xxx

Thank you Our Irene, that's nice and much appreciated.

Great pics later on Eric Thursby moved to near Pendelbury's had interviw there but no job. 5 years later i started at Elzabeth Wildings Studio 62 Market St down the opening between Edward Grounds and JJB's in 1978 took over the ownership of studio had 12 great years there, Frank Orrell who took pics used to do some work for us back in the days,