We were going do a “please buy our t-shirts” article to go with the launch of our new range of designs, celebrating the great, lost, aspects of Wigan’s social scene but we decided to give you a real treat instead. If you enjoyed Tony Topping’s memories of Puffers the other week, then you’re going to […]
On the fifth anniversary of the demolition of one iconic Wigan landmark, we take in some 2009 memories of the place from Tony Topping… This summer a legend passed away, loved by some and hated by many. If your thinking Michael Jackson think again dear friend, the legend was Barbara Calderbank. My association with Barbara, […]
As you wake up with the fear from your work’s do and head towards the chaos of Mad Friday, Tony Topping reminds us that, sometimes, you do want to remember those Christmas nights out. Dancing With The Ghosts Of Wigan Casino, 1973 The cold December wind cut through the hole in the window and its […]
One of the great pleasures in life as you grow older is looking at photographs from the past. Images of people and places that existed for a little while in your lifetime are whisked away in the blink of a magician’s eye and if you’re lucky you have treasured old photographs to remind you of […]
No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of a great man. Carlyle, Thomas “Heroes and Hero Worship”, 1841 “In the summertime when the weather is fine” sang my little Japanese transistor radio in the summer of 1970. Mungo Jerry’s song would never reach the heights of a […]
One of the great pleasures in life as you grow older is looking at photographs from the past. Images of people and places that existed for a little while in your lifetime are whisked away in the blink of a magician’s eye and if you’re lucky you have treasured old photographs to remind you of […]
Seventy years ago today, n the 9th of March, 1946, 33 people died in an overcrowded Burnden Park. Here, Tony Topping looks at the tragedy and its effects on football On the morning of Saturday the 9th of March 1946, Bill Hughes left his home at 28, Byrom St, Poolstock to attend a football match. […]
I’ve done it, the one thing I have avoided to do for so long. No it’s not cooking or hoovering, I’ve looked at the Division 3 table (League One) and now the torment has started. When Wigan Athletic were plodding around in the backwaters of mid table I was carefree and running through the slag […]
Ah Christmas, my favourite time of the year, dark nights, heating on, lights twinkling in the window, carols from Kings College, tons of chocolate, sacks full of nuts (Oooer Missus!) and of course the presents! Every Christmas present pile since I can remember has contained at least a couple of books. The first thing I […]
England was a troubled and turbulent place in 1942; the 2nd World War overshadowed everything, well nearly everything. Life went on as best it could around the terraced streets of Wigan. I dare say the children of the day would have been quite pleased that soap rationing meant that Mam could only use one bar […]