pwwm - you'll be glad to hear that you'll arrive to the sunshine of north west england, particularly Wigan, which is bathed in sunshine this morning.

I'm originallly from the Springfield area myself, and could see the flloodlights of Springy Park from my bedroom. Also went to the Deanery which isn't far from Mesnes Park. I too, laugh at non Wiganers attempts at pronounciation... I've since moved to Ashton in Makerfield, but my mum and dad still live in Lingfield Crescent, I can park there and it's just a short walk to the JJB to watch the Latics.

I agree with Kevin, Wigan is a fantastic place, and a million miles away from the stereotypes. Things are changing fast too, with lots of development and regeneration around the Pier area. It'll be great, and there'll be even more reasons to stay. We've bought in Spain and will be using our propertly as a holiday home, with the thought in mind of maybe retiring over there. The weather, cost of living and general lifestyle are very tempting.

Karen

Sorry to bring the thread back to pies, but I normally post in the US forum and was trying to do a search for a pie shop in New York. Anyway, I made a mistake and searched the whole forum instead of just the US forum and this came up as my first hit. Had to take a peek to see what you had to say as I'm originally from Wigan ...well I guess that is obvious if I'm searching for pies in New York!

We used to get our pies from Greenhalgh's and I remember they also did fabulous parkin....drool....

Hi Lottie
Another exiled Wiganer, nice to hear from you. Greenhalgh's is still going with many shops in and around Wigan. Pooles Pies (owned by Dave Whelan) are also around together with Waterfields. Agree about the Parkin btw.

If you do find a pie shop in New York, will you just pop out for a meat and potatoe in the snow plow
Regards
Kevin

Being from Merseyside and a life long Liverpool fan i have but one thing to say.

One - Nil

LOL - actually in Philadelphia at the moment, but we got a good 12" of snow yesterday. About the only efficient thing in the US is the ability to clear snow so we can all get to work the next day

Will be visiting a friend for St Pats day who is currently in NYC on secondment. He's only been there 2 weeks and is missing fish, chips and mushy peas, plus pies. Know that there is a good chippy and good pie shop in NYC so was searching to find it for him now and for me in about a months time...can't wait.

Are any of you old enough to remember Wigan Casino? At 14, my one aim in life was to persuade my dad to let me go to a Northern Soul night in Wigan. Never happened though. Was it a good night out or just hype?

Hi Lottie, Wiganer in exile. It raised a big smile, the thought one of us Wiganers searching for a pie shop in NYC. Still smiling about it now..... Hope you find one, but I doubt it'll match a good old fashioned Pooles Pie, one of them that you could get from the shop/cafe on Wallgate. When eating in, you'd get loads of mushy peas with it, and plenty gravy. We love gravy up north!!! Shame it had to shut. Nothing else quite matches up.

Anything else you miss about Wigan?

Montgomail - not quite old enough to have partaken in a northen soul night at the Casino, but remember it being demolished before I had a chance to go. Sad day for many Wiganers. Lots of friends of mine did go, and confirm that it was a TOP night out, very sweaty, not the cleanest, but definitely a night to remember. There's been a few documentaries about the Casino recently, and people from all over the world have recounted stories of how brilliant it was. I think we missed out. PS - My husband is from the West Midlands; Halesowen, now loves Wigan, but I still can't persuade him to ditch the Baggies and support the Mighty Latics.

Britbull - glad you're pleased with the result, and I hope you go on to finish 2nd (or the new 1st since Roman bankrolled Chelski). I had a tear in my eye at KO just to see little Wigan on the same pitch as the Reds. It's a dream season for all us Wigan fans, and a small thing like getting beaten at home didn't knock the big smile off my face, I promise you.

Love to all,

Karen

Wigan's reputation for a top night out is founded on the fame (or infamy) of the Casino All Nighters. Now it is being continued in King Street on a Friday and Saturday night. About 15,000 people visit the clubs and bars in King Street at weekends, and my kids assure me it is a good night out. Not so sure about it, but perhaps I am turning into a grumpy old man.

Although Wigan born and bred, I am not a Latics fan. Always supported Bolton Wanderers for football and also followed Wigan Rugby. So the results on Saturday were great for the mighty whites as we went above Wigan in the table. Took a lot longer than I thought it would, so well done to Wigan Athletic for a great seasson so far.

Regards
Kevin

billybassett - Thanks for confirming that I did, in fact, miss out. It would somehow have been more disappointing to find out that it was all hype and I had missed nothing. Will look out for the documentaries though. BTW I am from Northants so know nothing about Halesowen and what I presume are football teams?

Anything else you miss about Wigan?


The people, the humour, Pier nightclub when I was 16 on a Wednesday night (17-18 years ago now - ouch!) - Glad I brought a smile to your face!

I'll let you know how the NYC pie quest goes in March. Have traded in my pies and newcastle brown habits for Philly cheesesteaks and cosmopolitan cocktails for the time being.

L

Everyone leaves wigan because it's a dump with a bottom six rugby team

Well 310,000 (and increasing) have not left Wigan (including me) so it can't be that much of a dump.

Regards
Kevin

Better the devil you know?

Had a fab rugby team when I was there

Was in the HR department before Christmas and one of my US colleagues was checking out the premiership football division. Was very shocked to see both Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers there. My grandad would have been pleased as punch , having supported Bolton Wanderers all of his life.

oor, reet, I am a Wigan Girl moved to Perth in Scotland and then over here to Oz to years ago. Went to Abraham guest high School lived in orrell, my family still do.

I left as the UK is just cold for me but loved it.