Wigan Borough Celebs

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Frank Randal

(1901-1957)
Frank Randle was born in Standish in Wigan in 1901. He was a childhood friend of George Formby, (also a Wigan man), who later became his main rival. Randle was probably one of the best music-hall comedians of his day. Curiously, he always appeared on stage without teeth. His career began in 1916, when he appeared as an acrobatic with the stage name of Arthur Twist. His stage acts were distinguished by his wild, extravagant, cheeky dialogues, frequently filled with risqu� topics and bad language. Of course, none of this was permitted in his movies, where he appeared as an honest comic cheeky chappie. However, it was to be much later, in the 1930s, before he would achieve notoriety as a comedian and popular entertainer with his own touring company known as "Randle's Scandals" . He was also a popular movie actor/comedian and starred as top of the bill regularly in summer season shows at Blackpool. During the early fifties his health declined and he died in Blackpool in 1957.

  Sorry! just trying something.

Corky Ringspot.

(Born: Up a Nick in Russia. Near Wigan. 19xx...)

Posts :
46094

Join date :
2013-12-04

Location :
Up a nick in Russia

Job/hobbies :
Strangling animals, playing golf and trying to remember Python (Monty) quotes.

Humour :
Being pedantic about Americanisms.

Has a weird brother in the Caribbean, and an ugly sister. Belongs to a fairy story group of three sisters.

Dislikes bottomage in any form especially the rear end of said stuff.

Great sense of humour and pleasant personality. Beware of him though, DO NOT CROSS him, as he shall fell thee with a mighty blow as he warns us of others.

(Beware! For thine admin wallah could be a vindictive god who may smite thee a mighty blow.)

I've just remembered that Monty Python quote.

The Tansads

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tansads

Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Mary_Drew-Baker

Louise Fazackerly

The performance poet – winner of the Radio 3 Verb New Voices award.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/the-northerner/2014/jun/06/wigan-poet-louise-fazackerley-radio-3-verb-new-voices-award

Unsung heroine Mary O’Shaugnessy from Leigh

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/52/a2082052.shtml

Ada Smith trained at the Marsh Gymnasium in Ullswater Street, Leigh. She was part of the first ever female Olympic Gymnastics Team to compete for Great Britain. The team was made up of the best 12 gymnasts in the country. Her team mate Hilda Smith (no relation) was also from The Marsh Gymnasium. Ada then went on to coach members of the Leigh Club at the Marsh Gymnasium .
"For 84 years theirs was the only women's GB gymnastics team to win an Olympic medal for Great Britain.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/northwest/9927535.Ada_s_blazer_glory/

One of the most important people to hail from Wigan, and arguably one of the most significant women in British history, was Martha Hogg.

One of the most important people to hail from Wigan, and arguably one of the most significant women in British history, was Martha Hogg.

A pioneering political figure, she also made a huge contribution in the town as a midwife. She worked in the poverty-stricken communities of industrial Wigan, later immortalised in George Orwell's book The Road To Wigan Pier. She was so shocked by what she saw that she joined the Labour party and stood for election as a local councillor.

At that time it was highly unusual for a woman, particularly one from the working classes, to become involved in politics.

Read more here

"And now Pathetone Weekly presents the World Famous Operatic Tenor - Thomas Burke". (new title) "Singing to disabled ex-service men at a Concert at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. (Organised by the Stock Exchange War Wounded Entertainment Fund.)"

Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker

Born Kathleen Mary Drew in Leigh, Lancashire, she attended Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury and won a County Major Scholarship to study botany at the University of Manchester. She graduated in 1922 with first class honours and subsequently studied for an MSc, graduating in 1923.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Mary_Drew-Baker

AL and AL
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@AL00100110AL
10h10 hours ago
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Discover Kathleen Mary Drew Baker, the ground breaking scientist born in Leigh who is worshipped as a Goddess in Japan. One of the 5 local ICONS celebrated in our magnificent Manifesto #TheFireWithin launches May 11 11am-4pm The Galleries Wigan

Yoo know I sometimes wonder if George Orwell was talking crap when he wrote yon 'Road to Wiggin Peer' I think he might have exaggerated how bad Wigan was back then, just so that folk would hate Wigan and buy his books ....

@Sir Bob wrote:Yoo know I sometimes wonder if George Orwell was talking crap when he wrote yon 'Road to Wiggin Peer' I think he might have exaggerated how bad Wigan was back then, just so that folk would hate Wigan and buy his books ....

I don't think he wrote much about Wigan at all !

Isaac Bentham





Born: October 27, 1886 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, Great Britain

Died: May 15, 1917


One of the strongest swimmers in the country at the time, Isaac Bentham, a forward from Wigan, and Arthur Hill were the only members of Britain1912 water polo team whose Olympic success was restricted to one gold medal. All the other team members won a second gold, either in 1908 or 1920. A former grocer, and then tram conductor, Bentham served as a sergeant in the Royal Field Artillery during World War I and was sent to France in 1915. His was killed in action during the Battle of Arras in 1917.

James Hilton, Best remembered for the best seller Goodbye Mr Chipps

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hilton_(novelist)

Lily Brayton, Hindley born actress.
Known for her performances in Shakespeare plays and for her nearly 2,000 performances in the First World War hit musical ‘Chu Chin Chow’.
She was the daughter of Doctor John Grindal Brayton (1842–1892).
His memorial is in Hindley Cemetery’
If you walk through the gates to the cemetery on Castle Hill, pass the lodge on your right hand side, when you get to a fork on the road, ahead next to the tree is an angel monument.

Lily Brayton