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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Standish

12 Comments

June 2nd 1951-Birthday Party.
June 2nd 1951-Birthday Party.
Photo: Barrie.
Views: 5,422
Item #: 32575
Rooting through a pile of loose photographs I came across this one. The birthday boy was Geoff Fairhurst ( in centre), I'm second from right but can't put names to the others. We were all pupils at St. Michaels school 1950-56 and from the Standish area. The photograph was taken at Geoff's home on Chorley Road (the sawmill).I had just turned 6. I lost touch with Geoff in the late 1960's after his marriage and I was in Scotland working.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 4th July 2020 at 17:41

Surprised you allowed your photos to become slack, Barrie.

Comment by: Veronica on 4th July 2020 at 19:10

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.

Comment by: DTease on 4th July 2020 at 20:18

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

Comment by: Barrie. on 5th July 2020 at 11:57

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.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 6th July 2020 at 09:06

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 '

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 6th July 2020 at 14:03

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.

Comment by: WN1 Standisher on 16th October 2022 at 10:53

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 !!

Comment by: Barrie on 7th May 2025 at 09:49

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.

Comment by: Joanne Roberts on 30th May 2025 at 19:45

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

Comment by: RON HUNT on 30th May 2025 at 21:32

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

Comment by: Barrie on 31st May 2025 at 10:46

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.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 31st May 2025 at 18:55

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

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