“That Do Again”

We wrote earlier that church people in Wigan enjoyed themselves. Parishioners went to church, attended Bible Classes and made their weekly offerings but there was so much more to parish life. To find out about the social life of Wigan’s churches the best place to start is the Parish Magazines. What a goldmine they are. Events were announced in advance and people were encouraged to buy tickets before they were all sold out. Accounts were written up after events for all to read.  Choir outings were amazing, leaving Wigan very early in the morning often by train venturing to North Wales and the Peak District. Bowls, tennis and cricket tournaments were eagerly anticipated, often held on church recreation grounds with trophies awarded and potato suppers prepared, of course, by the ‘ladies’. We fondly remember parish pantomimes at St. Michael’s Parish Hall with Cissie Hooper and Jack Bradley bringing the house down. The pantomimes at St. John’s Pemberton, still held, are legendary.

One account, though, stands out.

St, Anne’s, Beech Hill in 1952 – the building of the new church had started. The council estate was nearing completion with the brick-built houses in delightfully named avenues, Acacia Crescent being one of our favourites. New people were making the area their home and there must have been a real air of optimism.

The Annual Dinner Dance was advertised in the October Parish Magazine, partly to raise funds for the Furniture and Fittings of the new church. We publish it unaltered and in full. (Best read aloud!)

That ‘Do’ Again

Here is the announcement you’ve been waiting for. Details of our 4^th Annual Dinner Dance to be held on November 14^th 1952 at the Baths Assembly Hall (in Library Street). Plans are going forward to make this event even better and bigger than before, but from your point of view the important thing is to make sure of your ticket.  If you haven’t got one by the end of the month (October) then you’ll have to be getting a move on. We shouldn’t like you to be disappointed but we cannot guarantee places to within a few days of the event, so will you help us as well as yourselves by BOOKING EARLY!

Important Information

Now for the details. The function includes supper, whist, and dancing. Supper is served at 7.15pm and dancing and whist follow at 8.15pm. The inclusive ticket costs 10 shillings 6 pence but for dancing and whist only (including light refreshments later in the evening) the tickets are 6 shillings.

Catering

Catering is by Booths of Westhoughton and the enticing menu in addition to a soup and a sweet includes roast lamb or beef (no vegan option in those days!) and boiled potatoes with other vegetables and concludes with cheese and biscuits and coffee.

Still undecided? There is a saying ‘He who hesitates is lost’. In this case he will have ‘lost his supper’ so if you haven’t got that extra 4 shilling 6 pence handy, go and borrow it or something.

Prizes

There will be some valuable prizes for winners at the whist drive and plenty of prizes for spot and novelty dances.

Entertainment

During the interval there is to be a dancing display by pupils of the Moss School of Dancing prepared by Miss Hilda Moss, which we know from previous experience will be very attractive.

Saloon Coaches to Wigan

Now, how are we going to get there and back? We’ve even thought of that one and arrangements have been made for saloon coaches to leave the church at 7pm and 8pm. The coaches will pick up passengers en route provided prior arrangement is made with Mr. Green.

Well! There you have the details. We hope we’ve whetted your appetites, but if not, take our word for it, it will be a ‘grand do’ which you should not miss, so don’t forget those tickets, obtainable from members of the Church Council, leaders of organisations or at Mr. Green’s shop.

 The level of organisation to put on this event is frightening but not an Excel spread sheet insight. Heavy reliance on cash receipt books and over the counter banking no doubt.

So next time you drive along Beech Hill Avenue picture those happy merry makers getting off the coaches after what must have been a simply lovely time at the Baths Hall.

No selfies, no Insta but surely someone must have had a camera to record that highly anticipated event. Rummage through your photograph boxes. See what you can find.

We hope to share more of these gems in the future. Churches! Hang on to those precious parish magazines!

50 years earlier a social event, altogether different in character, had taken place at All Saints, The Parish Church.