Wigan Album

By a coincidence this picture is in this week's Wigan Observer... chosen by Frank Orrell as one of the most favourite photographs of all those taken by him in his 40 years as their staff photographer.

I worked here in the early 1960's as an electrician.

Does anyone remember my grandad Carl Bibby, also known as Slippy?

I started my mechanical apprenticeship at this colliery on the 4th August 1974 and have some very fond memories. I worked here until the end of my apprenticeship in 1978 when I was transferred to Sutton Manor Colliery. I had left Golborne Colliery (otherwise known as Kid Glove) just weeks before the disastrous underground explosion.
Kirsty, in answer to your question, Yes, I remember Carl Bibby. He was the fitter who I was assigned to as an apprentice. He had curly reddish hair and I always remember his fringe used to keep dropping in his eyes under the brim of his pit hat, so he would curl his mouth in the corner and blow upwards in a bid to blow his hair away, he could do this every minute, I used to think he was brilliant.
Another fitter I remember was a guy called John Dardiss who lived in the houses at the back of the colliery car park.
Those were the Good Old days and ones which I hold close to my heart.

Jimmy Higham, are you the same Jimmy Higham who was arrested when you broke a window in the surveyors office while playing cricket on the picket line?

Thanks David, sorry for the extremely late reply. It's nice to know someone remembers him, he was a good man. He passed away when i was young. Thanks for replying

Ha ha ha Steve,I can't remember any windows being broken in our office during the strike but there were plenty more funny incidents even though the whole experience was sad and deadly serious.

Hi, I served my time at the colliery from 1970 - 1976 under Jack Sudworth & Brian Tunstall played football for colliery untill signing for parbold Utd . Many happy memmories Names I remember Ethel in telephone Exchange Harold Seddon Joe Farrel( we used to go to pub on Fridays . Jimmy Hunter ,Painters Bill Stein /Bill Stevens ,George Cunliffe.
Peter Varculis. Harry Maddison . Jimmy Flynn,Norman,( Shafts man, right misserable lol )Arthur Engineer2 Bill Unsworth, Jacky, Kendrick, Austin Garnett, Harold Mason .Welders -- Jimmy , Dennis,Fred Kenny Hasslingdon.
Tommy Rogers ( had a daughter who lived in platt Bridge )

Hope these names jog a few memories

CORRECT TOMMY ROGERS WORKED THERE MY GRANDDAD WERE STILL LIVING IN PLATT BRIDGE

i remember carl bibby & he was a boss fitter at golborne . sad to hear off his passing coming home from spain .john dardis i remember . austin garnett(fire officer) , jacky kendrick used to get changed in the same alley as me , harry maddy union man as well .