Wigan Album

This is fascinating! I don't remember Clubland Magazine but I remember "Scene" magazine, which was the same sort of thing, from the 1970s. I used to love it. Ron, where on earth do you keep getting all this fascinating stuff from?!

In Scene Magazine there was a humorous story every month called "Mild and Bitter" about the regulars in a club, and their speech was in Lancashire dialect. I have a much-battered copy of a paperback book that was published separately containing the stories and they can still make me laugh. The author was Cliff Gerrard and he was a brilliant poet as well as story-writer, Some of his poems are hilarious and others can still move me to tears, despite having been read many times. One, called "To Sarah", was once read out in an episode of Coronation Street by Albert Tatlock.

Irene, you can get Cliff Gerrard poems on line.
There was one called Dad's Medals. Google it and see what comes up.

I remember those Scene magazines Irene, they were a mine of information to what and who was on and where, and folks could plan ahead as where to go and who to see performing, they were printed, if my memory is right, by a publisher on Bridgeman Terrace, Geoff also had some of his books about Wigan printed there.

Thanks, Winder and Cyril. Winder, "Dad's Medals" is in the booklet, "Mild and Bitter" which I have. SO moving! x.

I recollect one time in Lower Ince club, one of the club's officials getting up onto the stage, and making a comment about a forthcoming club outing. "There'll be ham sandwiches, and chicken butties,"

bring back these beers

LION BITTER.... used to drink that in St. Cuthbert's Club One of the best beers around at that time, but only available in a few pubs. Never had a Hangover from drinking it.

It fascinates me how the 'bus-numbers were given. with the times of the last buses back, in the days when few people had cars. These posts are absolutely fascinating! Thanks, Ron.

Peter and I went in St. Cuthbert's many years ago, Ron, with a friend of mine, Carmel, who sadly died a few years ago, and her husband, Ian. Labour Clubs and Royal British Legions were such a part of life in those days.