Wigan Album
Royal Visits
17 Comments
Photo: Rev David Long
Item #: 33003
Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh
During this the year that the nation was celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, a royal tour of the North West had been arranged which included a visit to the Borough in order to view an arts and crafts exhibition being held at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. The original arrangements being based upon Her Majesty leaving the royal train at Lowton Sidings, this later revised on the basis that Wigan North West Station would be a more suitable disembarkation point. Here the Queen was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, the Mayor of Wigan, the High Sheriff and local Members of Parliament.
A military guard of honour was provided by the Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry and a military band played the National Anthem.
After the brief ceremony in Wigan, the royal party departed Wallgate travelling via Standishgate, and through Higher Ince, Hindley, and Hindley Green to Leigh Town Hall Square and from there to their tour of the Turnpike Gallery.
I remember walking from St Pat's school with others in my class in the early fifties to see The Queen. We were led down the side of the River Douglas to come onto Wallgate and walked just past where she is stood. We seemed to be stood waiting ages only to get a glance at her and the Duke as they sped past! From excitement to disappointment in seconds. The crowds then were far larger than in '77.
Ho! My goodness, thank you Rev David for this lovely memory. We were there, stood just near Queen st.I remember it well.
The Queen came to Wigan again in March 1986 to officially open the new Wigan Pier complex. There was a plaque outside the entrance to the Orwell for many years to commemorate the occasion.
Sadly the site fell into complete disrepair (again!) during the 2010s and is now undergoing another multi-million pound face-lift.
Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any more recent official visits to Wigan by her Majesty. Anyone on here got any further knowledge of this?
She visited the HJ Heinz food plant on 21st May 2009. She was there along with Prince Phillip to comemorate the factory's 50th birthday and 50 years after the Queen Mother had visited the site, 24th June 1959, shortly after it's opening.
I was 10/15 feet away from the Queen in 1954 when she and Prince Philip were on a tour of South Lancashire, which included Wigan, when she opened John McCurdy Hall which is now Wigan and Leigh College situated on the corner of Parsons Walk and New Market St, she opened the building via the New Market St entrance. I was then a 13 year old pupil at Thomas Linacre School, which, for the younger WW readers is / was further down Parsons Walk opposite what was Wigan Grammar School, now Thomas Linacre Outpatient Centre.
I was on Springs road Kitt Green when she came out of Heinz in 2009 and she saw me she give me a wave
I bet that made her day Mick
I was in the rear rank near the bridge away from any cameras
The Queen has been four times to Wigan, in 1954 when young to open the new college. In 1977 for her silver jubilee, in 1986 to Wigan Pier, and in 2009 to Heinz.
Graham, I was in front of Bean Filling near the Canteen. We tried to get into the Canteen but we weren't on the guestlist :). Prince Phillip was brilliant with the apprentices who were very nervous
WN1, I did 20 years at KG on maintenance, Bean Filling 8 years then Soup Manufacturing 12 years, i took early retirement in 1992.
Roy, You may have come across my Father in Law Jimmy Shepherd on your travels
WN1, it's an old story, the name rings a bell, but, i was on nights for the 20 years apart from a few courses etc over the years.
Where did you do your skiving ?
Roy, I was just into my 36th when the time came. Did 20+ years in Bean Filling then 12 years behind the wall, all on double days. Got inducted onto the Wailing Wall in 2015
In June, 1959, I was on static duty, on Seven Stars Bridge, relating to the Queen Mother’s visit to Heinz Factory.
I was in the middle rank trying to hide Graham Taylor ( Spanners ) from the Queen........
my husband was in the second row.I still have a few of the christmas cards they printed he was on them.All the men looked really smart.His name was Maurice Trevor-Jones sadley no longer with us thanks for the memorie