Just a quickie while I can access my own site, lol...

1&1 (hosts) are poor. I'm getting yet another server so have to move everything again! The site and blogs will be down for a day or so whilst I do this. Apologies in advance - its necessary though...

If anyone is looking for hosting, don't go with 1&1.

Will move a couple of smaller sites first to test the water - more news soon...

I apologise for the lack of updates and replies to emails.

Virgin Media are taking the mickey - connection speeds are pre 56k modem days. The saga continues... 11 days of problems and still no solution. In fact still not a reply! Service at its worst - still, I can look forward to a phone call in December if they remember.

In the pipeline... More updates for the cemetery index, maybe photos of gravestones? Maybe 'clickable' grave numbers that list relatives?

Another competition? Cryptic quiz not just Wigan related, but about things we remember like sweets/chocolate names (Bar Six, Opal Fruits, Space Dust, Texan Bar)...

I mentioned a new page for the "photos of wigan" section a while ago. This is still on the go and top secret, lol.

As always, I'm open to suggestions for any new content. Let me know, anonymously if you prefer.

Once again, apologies... but Virgin Media are Virgin on the Ridiculous!

Volume 12 of the cemetery index covering 11th March, 1942 to 16th Jan, 1956 has been updated.

It was originally compiled by Gerald Marsden. Freda Chorlton has since added the religions and grave numbers to each record, over 9,000 of them.

The missing dates (volume 7) should be ready in a couple of weeks or so... watch this space.

I've finally managed to get on the Internet, yay! The recent problem with Virgin Media is an 'intermittent' one, which is usually more difficult to pinpoint.

I actually wrote a letter (snail mail) of complaint as I've had a poor connection for over a week now. Got a reply yesterday thanking me for getting in touch and apologising. Last paragraph of their letter reads:

"We'll try to get back to you within the next two weeks to help you resolve your complaint but we're really busy at the minute so it could take a little longer"

Great. December it is then.

Other news... I have a few photos to put on of Rememberence Day + more pics for Photo-a-Day. Thanks for sending them.

Working on 2 new websites, one for Southport and the other for Preston. Both local towns to Wiganers. They will be launching in a few months.

Finally, 1&1 Internet (wiganworld host) are not very good. The server is crashing on a regular basis so we may need to move again, lol.

Bloody Virgin Media

I'm struggling updating anything at the mo... my broadband is playing up. In all the years I've been with Cable, the service has been excellent. Recently Mr Branson took over and the service has gone downhill rapidly.

It now costs 25p per minute (premium rate number) to report a fault with broadband. So, you're paying for a service which doesn't work then they take the mickey by charging you to report a fault.

A local guy (close to the River Ganges) assured me it would be fixed in the morning. Yeah, yeah. lol. Another local guy (from Delhi, I think) told me to check my scart socket on the TV (another fault) for dust. You couldn't make it up.

Can you help?

Kayleigh Wiggins is a third-year History student at Oxford University and is working on a dissertation about Walking Days in the north-west (1950 to 1980). Kayleigh would like to interview some locals about their memories of Walking Days.

Kayleigh is back 'up north' between 5th Dec and 6th Jan - if you can help please email kayleigh.wiggins [at] hertford.ox.ac.uk

Thank you.

The 2 ad slots on the home page have been taken.

Please show your support by visiting Wedding Cars of Wigan and Kittywake Canal Cruises - thank you.

More bowling photos have been added, 52 of them, of the Bowling Final Day between several local schools.

Thanks to Tony Haslam for sending them in.

And the winning school is...

You'll have to view the latest gallery to find out.

Bowling gallery

Unfortunately, trouble has flared again on the messageboards and forums.

Just a quickie... I have locked some more logins, and will continue to do so until it returns to some normality.

I'm all for debate, lively discussion and arguments, but when it gets personal its not right. Please remind yourself of the rules as I've had too many emails and threats than I care to mention.

I don't get time to read every post. If truth be known, I read very few. There is talk of a clique? This is nonsense as there are over 1,500 members on the site of which almost all are unknown to others. The clique does not exist, as I say, everyone is welcome, just abide by the rules, simple, eh?

I have made a few more improvements to the blog interface and control panel.

On the blog home page, you can now view all blogs instead of just the recently updated and new ones. You can also view all blogs by activity (blog entries or number of photos).

Visit your control panel to see basic stats.

Also, view the last 20 comments left on your blog as well as the last 20 comments left against your photos.

Still open to more suggestions... keep 'em coming.

Long overdue are the photos promised of the Wigan Youths Bowls Scheme sent to be by Tony Haslam.

There are 7 galleries with 134 photos of schools in and around the Ashton area bowling in the Summer of 2007.

Schools include Byrchall, Edmund Arrowsmith, Cansfield High, Golborne and others.

View the Bowling Photos.