Wigan Album

Surprised you allowed your photos to become slack, Barrie.

I love these photos, it was always exciting being invited to a party in the fifties. The fashion of boys' clothes are so familiar. Better than Pizza parties in McDonalds.

Long socks and sandals, regulation summer attire for 1950s lads. Photos like these make you feel blessed to have been born around that time.

Philip, Photography started with me in 1957 when I got my 1st camera and then started with photo albums. When Father died in 1984, and I cleared the bungalow, all the family albums that he had I boxed up for later viewing. Never did get round to see them as one of my Sisters borrowed the box and it is now mislaid. One day I will find it. So these"loose" photographs are what remains of the family album.(I have hardly any photographic record of my early childhood growing up in my collection. This is why I like the WW album that shows the pre & post war era of our area. It is education looking back on things long gone.)
As a rider to this photo, my parents collected me after the party and we walked back to the village via "Pongo" Lane & Grove Lane.

The shortest way back Barrie, up Pongo lane, what is now Cranleigh, past the 2 old stone barns, with red doors, up past Birkett's shop onto Grove Lane. Passing the stables on the left, to the Horseshoe, across the road to Moss Grove. A nice walk, all ' up brew '

Sorry about that, Barrie; so let's hope that you can nail those wayward albums. Your use of the word 'Pongo' reminds me of Aston Villa's former goal machine and Birkenhead's very own Pongo Waring - perhaps you've heard of him.

I don't know if any of you have noticed, but the bottom of Grove Lane now ends at the side of the Mill Pond !!

As a rider to my comments about the family albums, 2 years ago (2023) my 2 sisters passed away within 8 months of each other. Robina (Bobs) was 86 & Osa (Bunty) 90. Now I'm the caretaker of the the family albums from the end of the 1st world war up to present day. Hence, every so often, I'll upload a local photograph onto the album page. The problem of today with digital camera's /phones is that people have stopped using Albums and store them on the Computer etc. so history is being lost to a certain extent. When my Wife passed away 2 months ago, for the funeral card, I chose a number of photos from our albums to be printed onto the card over the past 54 years. They are a living memory.
Looking at the photograph above, I often wonder how my friends then, fared as they grew older. I chose Civil Engineering/Construction from the age of 16 to 65. It was a good life but tough at times. The final 20 years was in the Construction Health & Safety /Environment having gained Chartered status. One final comment -when Geoff & I used to dam up the outlet stream on Pongo Lane then "blow it up" with stones little did I know that 10 years later I began working on the construction of the M6 Wigan section as a budding civil engineer.

Hi
Just come across this photo, it’s my dad’s 80th birthday tomorrow (I’m Geoffs daughter), he’s on facebook if you want to get in touch

barrie what a fantastic opportunity you have to contact one of your old friends from 75 years ago..

Wow Joanne & Ron, what a surprise and that cheered me up from the doldrums. Pass my regards to your Dad for getting to 80 years. I managed to reach mine 4 weeks ago. Social media is not my scene but if you contact Ron I'm sure he will pass my email address to you. (Is that Ok Ron?)
For my 80th, my son asked me what I wanted to do in view of our bereavement. So I chose a meal out for the 3 of us (Son, Daughter in law and I ) which was ideal as there was a 4th seat by me that remained vacant but not forgotten.

Barrie click on the black envelope at the side of Joannes name and you can email her direct..