Wigan Album

What a brilliant photo of Wigan Park in the 1970s....The Summer Show! I had a black and white sketch on display in one of the marquees shown on the photo and my Mam and Dad came with me on the day of the show. It is ingrained in my memory! It was 1974. We were in the marquee when a rather large lady spotted my Dad and bellowed across in a voice like a foghorn, "Is that thi dowter, Bob?", (meaning me). "Aye, Florrie", replied my Dad. "'Ow owd is 'er, Bob?" boomed Florrie all down the marquee, which wouldn't have been so bad if I had been six but I was twenty-two, and my Dad had to give that information, (everyone was looking at me by this time!). Have you ever wanted the floor to open up and swallow you?! I can't recall whether my sketch won a prize or not but I remember my Dad muttering, "'Er con whisper o'er three fields, con Florrie". I had the sketch hanging on my chimney breast for years and it never failed to remind me of Florrie and my moment in the spotlight at Wigan Summer Show!

Rylands factory top left; what a sorry sight today

Heinz had the best tent. You got free cups of soup.

Another of Frank's photos of Wigan. Frank has published a few books showing Wigan in the 1970's They are all on sale at the newsagents in the Market Hall. They would make a great Christmas present for a parent or grandparent who remembers Wigan as it was back then.

That story tickled me Irene. Scholes had its share of 'ladies' who spoke their thoughts aloud aswell! Also the street 'toot' stood at their doorway or behind the lace curtains if it was raining! No harm in them really, but when you are twenty trotting down the street in your high heels and best clothes meeting a date, then it was exasperating! You could feel their eyes noting every step and what you were wearing!

Thanks for all comments and thanks for the plug Ron. All pictures that I submit for wiganworld are in various of my 9 books that are on sale at the moment. Four of the books cover the four decades of the 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties. Other books concern Wigan Rugby League, Wigan Athletic, Amateur Sport, Wigan Leisure scene and a book on Wigan in Times Gone By which has pictures of Wigan from the late 1800s up to 1971.

When did Rylands become John Englands ?. i remember there was a fire at the mill in the 70,s and a load of damaged toys were dumped on the Gant, all the kids off Marsh Green and Worsley Hall had a field day.

Wiganers are lucky to have Frank publish the nine books that he as on sale that show Wigan in 70s, 80s, 90s and Wigan Rugby League, Wigan Athletic Wigan
Just think how many other towns in Britain have a photographic record like Frank as put together in book form for us Wiganers.
If you fancy a drive out into the countryside, you will find that the books are also available to purchase at the The Physio and Foot Surgery, in the village of Shevington
Yes they would make a nice Christmas present for a parent or grandparent who remembers Wigan as it was back then.

This picture almost feels like a period piece. It encapsulates a bygone era of summer fetes and annual fairgrounds coming to Wigan, before the age of social media and mobile phones when being young felt more simple and enjoyable.

I live not far from Mesnes Park and I feel it has lost all of it's character and charm these days. The bowling greens and tennis courts are lying abandoned and neglected and there is just a feeling the park has no atmosphere anymore.

The Pagefield Mill is a really sorry state now - they really need to demolish it before someone is killed as local youths seem to ignore the constant warnings from the police and fire service to keep away.

Thanks Mick for your comments. Unfortunately the books are no longer available at Shevington Physio and Foot Surgery. They are on sale (depending on new lock down restrictions) at Shevington Library, Pemberton Flowers and Rydings news stall in Wigan market hall. A few are in stock at the Museum of Wigan Life in Library Street. Also you can order online if you go to Frank Orrell Photography and follow the instructions on the Pinned Post. I can deliver the books myself within a reasonable distance without the delivery charges if you message me.

I remember the free soup in the Heinz tent served up in plastic cups - great when you were 9 !

If the beer in the Walker's tent had been free it would've been even greater no matter what age you were.