Wigan Album

It would be great to have these training schools now for apprentices.

any of you guys on there remember Mary from Wigan works canteen ?, see previous picture, it was her 93rd birthday on Monday this week.

Thats the Tory regime for you ruined all the engineering industry throughout the north west.

Tommy the lad stood next to you on the back row 3rd from right is my brother Peter Sutch. Great picture Tommy

bit less hair now tom ,ha ha ,still got mine but very GREY !!
as regards to mary from the canteen what a woman always had a cheerie smile and a joke for everyone
, must have been something good in her food if she is 93 !!

when you think that 50 boys was the normal intake each year ,it beggars belief that it is so difficult for young people to get a single placement .so sad

Bernard,
she certainly is 93 and in the main living independantly in Pemberton with family support, she is alert and cheerful as all those years ago but not as mobile. I will mention your name ,I am sure she will have some tale to tell.

Bernard your on next to back row fourth in on left next to the late Kieth Bithell who is on your left.It will be three years next week since the fold up

Next to last row third from the right, I know the face but I cant put a name to him. I think it was from Wigan College or All Saints. Not Walmsleys. Or Walmesleys. What@s in a name?

hi all im kevin valentine i worked at walmesleys for a good while and Kieth Bithell was my apprentice

Nice one Tom, brings back great memories.

stuart I remember your brother Peter sutch he worked witj me in the Top Erecting Shop . I left Walmsleys in 1969 joined the Merchant navy and in 1974 left to go to Oz greatest decision I have ever made in my life . Nice to look back at the old phots . Remmeber Big Mary inthe canteen with fondness

I only started my apprenticeship in 1973, but I recognise a couple of the instructors on there.... Eric Gathergood and "Piggy" Martin, a real tyrant if ever there was one!!! George Adamson is on the front row too.

Dennis Ratcliffe, we used to go to school together (St Pats& Fisher). If you want to get in touch go to the Memories section ( where you left a post asking about memories of Walmesleys) and you will find a post with my email address. It would be great to catch up after all these years.

Hello Tom its been a long time. Good to see all the old faces.Thats me 2nd row far left{the hair is no longer with me}

went to training school myself 1969 after 12 months went into fitting shop meet a lot of good people many i still see today great times

I'm in this picture from around 1971 along with around 62 other apprentices taken in from Bury, bolton & Wuigan areas. Remember a lot of names, but not all. fond memory of George Adamson offering any/all of the Wigan hardnuts out in the toilets (you know who you are!). Geoff hall's attempt at the bonfire drivethrough on the dump truck (later in the research centre). Happy days looking back, not always at the time (Mr Martin!).

Hi all. Nice to see this photo.I’m on the 2nd row back 3rd from the left. Originally from Bury but now living in Wigan