Wigan Album

Caroline,
This pic has got me thinking - I'm 72 yrs.
Some of my recollections could be wrong - but here goes.
I left the coal mines in 1959 - went working in Sussex - met my wife to be - moved back to Ince.
Harold Moss employed me to dig a trench near to the machine shop (as an ex coal face worker - it was back to the pick & spade).
For reasons best known to Harold - he took me under his wing and brought me into the forge - this included my training on a number of machines, and then trained and became operator of the big o/h crane where the large billets were forged.
I left (3 shift working) AND WENT TO THE WAGGON WORKS (2 SHIFTS).
At one stage, I do recall Brian Park driving up in his 2 seater sports car, hopping over the side of the car (wearing sports shorts) and ran through the forge.
Brian was known as a playboy and spent little time at the forge - he was later bought out of the business and and bought or part owned the golf course in Lytham St Annes - Southport.
I also recall Brians father walking round the forge at Christmas - carrying a "shoe box" of cig's.
He visited each person, wishing them a merry xmas and giving them a cig.
Brian also had a brother who and along with Oliver Lacey, ran Wm parks.

I will add further commets to the pic.
Thanks for the memories