History of Wigan   (Help with ancient and recent history.)

almost gone but not forgotten.
A poetic tribute to the humble washing line

A clothesline was a news broadcast, to neighbours passing by,

There were no secrets you could keep, when clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link,for neighbours always knew

If ‘company’ had stopped on by, to spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets", and towels upon the line;

You'd see the "posh” table cloths", with intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth, from folk who lived inside,

As brand new infant clothes were hung, so carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could, so readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed, you'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe too, haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "On holiday now", when lines hung limp and bare.

It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged, with not an inch to spare!

New folk in town were scorned upon, if wash was dingy and gray,

As neighbours carefully raised their brows, and looked the other way.

But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make work much less.

Now what goes on inside a home, is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life, it was a friendly sign

When neighbours knew each other best... by what hung out on the line.