Wigan Album

Thanks Colin. I do remember the house on the end at the corner of Library St. It’s strange how I remember the old buildings but not the ‘newer’ one in the middle. It’s also strange how new buildings were built in the middle of the old ones. The building mustn’t have been all that old when it was demolished for the next swimming baths.

The roofline of Pavilion cinema at the bottom of Library St. stands out, and next to it the roofline of the old baths likewise. I remember as a kid going to wedding receptions that were held in the old baths.

Derek, the baths were used for various functions. When covered by floor boards. i.e. Dances, Christmas Parties, Weddings etc. Besides used during the day time. it was probably used most Saturday nights too. I always think back to those days when I watch the scene in the film "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"

St Patrick’s Annual Ball was held there. That was an exciting event for the children. I remember someone getting a taxi for some of the John St. kids. I had never been in a taxi before.

Ron, I think it was at the baths that I went on a couple of occasions to watch boxing matches with my father. My strongest memory was, at the entrance, after you’d paid to go in, there was a beer barrel full of sawdust. For 3 pence you could have a lucky dip in the hope of winning a ‘valuable’ item from the barrel. What that might have been I never found out - this would have been the late 1940’s I think.

Love it. A great picture.

This is an extract from a much larger picture that I have, it was taken around 1957/58 for a bound document detailing the Proposed Comprehensive Redevelopment Of The Central Area of Wigan.
There are many more photo's, plans and visualisations that I have sent to Ron which might feature at some time.
You would be amazed, perhaps even horrified by the extent of the destruction and redevelopment planned redevelopment. Thankfully it never happened.