Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 17th March, 2025)

All colours of a rainbow there Dennis, lovely show.
In this neck of the World the polys are way behind that delightful array in your photo. So cheerful !

Another good place in Wigin and a bright display.

Folk must be feeling spring in the air behind Wigan Parish Church.

Good job Dennis.

That's a really beautiful photo Dennis, The Spring flowers look fantastic and the colours exquisite.

Blooming Heck, a lovely display of brightly coloured primula vulgaris.
Unfortunately, in the village where I live, it hasn't got any of vulgaris plants growing, but we do have beds and roadside borders of Narcissus Carltons that can be seen fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Research tells me the common primrose is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Eurasia. The common name is primrose, or occasionally common primrose or English primrose to distinguish it from other Primula species referred to as primroses

Lovely colours and plants, they look well cared for.
So safe too in the Church grounds.

A lovely heartening sight Colin. Almost Spring.

A beautiful display of colourful plants. They bring joy to any garden.
Spring is a great time of year were plants, trees and birds come to life.
Dennis very good photo, thanks.

So beautiful. Thank you Dennis. The colour and different shapes and sizes of the stonework adds so much character to the church building. Lovely.

A lovely display at the Parish Church..there must still be money in the coffers for flowers thank goodness. Good photo Dennis as usual.

I stopped walking through the churchyard when I was a young girl because the tower doorway always looked like a giant vicar who I believed was going to chase me.

Irene Dennis took the photo.
Just a beautiful rich colours love it.
Thank you Dennis.

Sorry, Dennis....I looked at this on my phone before I got up and can't see the small screen very well and and for some reason I thought it said Colin..... I know Colin mentioned recently on another p-a-d that he had taken some photos of the flowers near the church. Now that I'm on my laptop I can see the writing better. Apologies to both Dennis and Colin for mixing you up! I won't go into details, but please put it down to my not being myself at the moment.

It’s no big deal Irene,
Tek care of thisen lass.

Thanks for the compliment Irene, but this should go to Dennis! Happy St Patrick's Day by the way to you all.
Dennis and I must be of like mind with this photo, I submitted two from different angles, one entitled 'Secret Garden' or the other might appear on PAD, you never know.
Apart from the lovely flowers on display not many people will have read that Civil War Plaque above the arched doorway at the base of the tower which reads:
On 1sr April 1643 on top of this Ancient Tower 86 Royalist Sharpshooters held off against the Parliamentary Forces killing more than were killed in the storming of the town. Surrendering only when the Commander of those troops made preparations to blow up the tower.
Even more shocking times were to come for Wigan as in 1649 the town and its ravaged population was hit by Bubonic Plague, but perhaps more on that another day!

Yes, I know, "Kath", and have apologised. I looked at it on my phone when I woke up and thought it had said "Colin". In fact, it may have "flipped" from one photo to another as I haven't had the phone long and can't get used to it and sometimes find myself on the wrong photo. Colin and Dennis are lovely gentlemen and I'm sure they will forgive me.

Very nice of you Irene to be apologising for getting a name mixed up, well done, yes I'm sure Colin and Dennis are lovely gentlemen and I'm sure they will forgive you.

In answer to Mick’s comment. I am very surprised there’s no natural primroses in Shevy. I have them all over my garden in Howfen growing naturally. So much so I have to dig them up and give them away! The land around Howfen is very rich indeed and famous for its wide open spaces. Although it’s starting to be taken over for building on. Watch out Shevy you’ll be next if Rayner finds out about that elusive village.
(All in a light hearted vein Kath.)

Good colourful photo of All Saints Gardens Dennis, they've certainly packed the plants in tight.

But Shevy has its own forward-thinking parish council so nobody can touch our land.
When the ICI Robrite factory closed down a few years ago, the parish council jumped and bought most of the land a wildwood land that surrounded the factory.
Then they went to the Sports Council of Great Britain and got a grant to make a football and a rugby pitch, a clubhouse and 30 new allotments.
Last week the Wigan council opened a brand new care home on the site of the old recently closed Shevy Junior
school.
I spoke to one of the residents 3 days ago and he told me he couldn't be happier living in his new home which is right next the surgery and clinic.
No we never had the Houghton weavers but we did have Harry Pem

Mick, I have known Shevington and Appley Bridge from the 1950’s and have seen so much land built on in the last fifty 70 years.
Good to see that new build estates have come to an end and that its has still kept its village and community feel.
My wife was born in Shevington, went to the Primary School and when we married we lived there for 25 years. My son went to Millbrook Primary that replaced it.
When I go back it never really seems change which is refreshing and the land and views around Gathurst Golf Club are beautiful.

There’s no escape Mick even for Shevy..good luck anyway.
That’s if this Government have their way.

Colin, I was born at 3 Church Lane. The old blacksmith stable. In front of us was a stone wall that went all the way down church lane and up Old Lane and Shevington Lane all the land belonged to Mr Dixon who lived in the Shevington hall
All the land from Highfield Ave was farmland belonging to farmer Ormrod, who ended up hanging himself in the barn after the council took his land. The barn was where the muffin man stands now.
Elnup area was also all fields, Barratt estate was a big claypit that was used to make bricks at the brickwork
Before the M6 arrived, the land next to New Miles Lane belonged to Mellings Farm; the farmhouse later became the golf club.
The Oval estate used to be Shevy cricket pitch, and the Vicarage was a big house occupied by Sammy Crabtree the vicar his sister


Constance and his bloodhound-like
dog named Jack
Sammy the vicar was a good sportsman and played football, tennis and cricket for Shevy; he also umpired tennis at Wimbledon.

Mick, surprised you didn't mention Joe Gormley who resided on Miles Lane Shevington, remember him, he was the man who got us rationed with electricity and having to burn candles for light, and put everyone on a three day working week, then poor Ted Heath got all the blame, though that wouldn't have bothered you then.
https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/nostalgia-the-wigan-lad-who-became-powerful-trade-union-leader

Would you care for another Mark Twain quote Veronica? … I know you’re quite fond of Mark Twain quotes … so here’s another one that’s often attributed to the gentleman…

“ I have spent most of my life worrying about things that never happened . “

I ain’t worrying Ozy …what will be. By the time the loonies get around to what they want to do they should be out hopefully. You have to admit it’s all up North with their plans.

Mick, was No 3 the end stone cottage? What years did you live there? Did you know Jimmy Tyrer who lived on Shevington Lane? He and his sister owned a lot of property and land in Shevington and elsewhere, both my In-laws and myself bought land from him, great bloke very much of the old school. Don’t think he ever ventured far from Shevy.
Cyril, I timber Mrs Gormley in The NatWest bank in Shevington and insisting she be referred to as Lady Gormley, well she was right. Poor old Joe did deteriorate rapidly, a sad sight last time I saw him with his family in a restaurant. A tiny shadow of his former self.

I must say l'm getting fed up with hearing about Shevy . Everyday the damn place weaves its dull boring irrelevant way onto the PaD . I'm starting to hate the place .

Cyril, Joe was from Ashton he only moved to Shevy when he became wealthy.

Veronica, the chances are , given their huge majority that this government will last at least two terms. That being the case then most people of my age will have popped their clogs and gone to their just reward, so why worry about it.
The World, at least our part of it, belongs to the next generation and they will make their own decisions.

Well said that Dastardly fellow … and furthermore eloquently expressed .

We saw Jo Gormley in the Boars Head, Standish, on numerous occasions. Didn't realise he lived locally.

Joe Gormley lived in Ashton in Makerfeild up to his passing in 1993, Joe was the President of NCB mine workers.

On 1st April 1643 on top of this Ancient Tower 86 Royalist Sharpshooters held off against the Parliamentary Forces -

but that tower wasn't there in 1643. That's just like putting a notice on the grand arcade car-park saying "one day in 200 years AD, 86 Roman soldiers stood guard on top of this ancient car-park looking out for raiding brigantes" - but that car-park wasn't there in 200 years AD either.

Well said DDastardly. I’m the same.
Something tells me we never will hear the last of it…no matter what…

Colin, Jimmy Tyrer was our landlord, I lived there until I was 7 so that would be 1955, what was your in-laws names?
Cyril, Joe lived in Princes Park of Gathurst lane.
Dick, I agree with you, where do you live?
Thank you Irene, I don't know what for I just thought I had better say thank you.

It's not just Shevy Dick, it's the use of the name Mick as well, I also wish it would stop.

It comes as no surprise to me to learn that Joe Gormley’s wife insisted on being addressed as Lady Gormley Colin , but
I’m afraid I’m unable to reveal on a public forum why I know this .
However , if by chance we should ever bump into each other in the pub , be sure to remind me to tell you .

Just stop going on about your hometown Michael.

Owd Deputy, have you not noticed the date on Colin's post? 1st April? You've been FOOLED.