An injured fireman is helped by colleagues during the huge fire at John England's Gidlow Mills factory near Mesnes Park on Monday 20th of October 1969. An injured fireman is helped by colleagues during the huge fire at John England's Gidlow Mills factory near Mesnes Park on Monday 20th of October 1969.
An injured fireman is helped by colleagues during the huge fire at John England's Gidlow Mills factory near Mesnes Park on Monday 20th of October 1969.

RETRO: What was making the news in Wigan in the 1960s?

By Michelle Adamson
Published 4th Dec 2022, 12:30 BST
Here’s a fascinating selection of photographs accompanying Wigan news and features taken by our now retired press photographer Frank Orrell in 1960s.

Retro – 1960s

Crowds gather to watch firemen battle the huge fire at John England's Gidlow Mills factory near Mesnes Park on Monday 20th of October 1969.

5. 1969

Crowds gather to watch firemen battle the huge fire at John England's Gidlow Mills factory near Mesnes Park on Monday 20th of October 1969. Photo: Frank Orrell

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Legendary steam engine the Flying Scotsman stops at Wigan North Western Station where it was hauling "The Moorlands Rail Tour" in October 1968. The locomotive was built in 1923 and could reach a speed of 100mph.

6. 1968

Legendary steam engine the Flying Scotsman stops at Wigan North Western Station where it was hauling "The Moorlands Rail Tour" in October 1968. The locomotive was built in 1923 and could reach a speed of 100mph. Photo: Frank Orrell

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Enthusiastic train spotters wait on North West station platform for the Flying Scotsman to come in on its last journey through Wigan in 1968.

7. 1968

Enthusiastic train spotters wait on North West station platform for the Flying Scotsman to come in on its last journey through Wigan in 1968. Photo: Frank Orrell

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Workers at Eckersleys Mill, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan, still in full production in 1967. The cotton mill finally closed down in the early 1970s.

8. 1967

Workers at Eckersleys Mill, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan, still in full production in 1967. The cotton mill finally closed down in the early 1970s. Photo: Frank Orrell

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