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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Standish

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Lady Betty & my 2 sisters October 1940.
Lady Betty & my 2 sisters October 1940.
Photo: Barrie.
Views: 3,281
Item #: 32202
This was taken somewhere on Standish Wood Lane by my Father as they went for a Sunday ride.
The pony was named "Lady Betty" and was bought as a present for my sisters (7&4 at the time). I found out that the pony was one of a pair that used to pull a ice cream carts around Wigan up to and early start of the war.Like today with the Coronavirus pandemic, ice cream vendors lost their trade and so the ponies were sold. Father & elder sister went up to Regent Street (not far from Santus Bros) and bought her from a Mr.Johnson. My sister then rode the pony back to Standish with Father leading her.She was sold in July 1945 to a farmer in Golborne. Can anyone throw any light on the Ice Cream vendor in the Scholes district prior to the war?

Comment by: Veronica on 22nd October 2020 at 20:22

Lewis's snack bar in Greenough St near Regent St sold ice cream and I think they used to have an ice cream van outside the Market Hall Barrie , I don't know whether that could be a connection. Might be wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

Comment by: Barrie. on 23rd October 2020 at 10:14

Thanks for the info Veronica and possible connection as Father mentions throughout his various diaries up to the 60's of using Lewis's snack bar.
What is interesting about this period (August 1940) when the pony was bought (paid £6-15shillings for her and the saddle) it was the start of the blitz and the pony was temperamental, going for my sister once. Father went to see Mr Johnson about taking the pony back but "no-go" as the saying goes. As a coincidence to this story, when I met my wife in 1971, she to had a horse and pony. The pony was sold to pay for the wedding outfit but the mare we had until 1980. I did ride the mare once in the field where she was kept. I preferred 4 wheels rather than 4 legs for my transport.

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