Wigan Album

Stephen - this looks like the Miners' Convalescent Home at Blackpool, where pitmen could go for a stay when convalescing from illness and injury. I've seen quite few group photos from there similar to this.
It closed about twenty or twenty five years ago, and I believe it has since been converted to yuppy apartments.

Thanks very much, Mick. I initially thought it was Haigh Hall. I'll try searching for similar photos. It might explain why my Gt Granddad's daughters spent some time working in Blackpool, although they lived in New Springs.

Similar pics on links below, Stephen.
http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=3&id=603&gallery=Mining&offset=0

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=3&id=5047&gallery=Mining&offset=60

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=22030&gallery=Blackpool+Miners+Home&offset=0

Hi again Mick, You're absolutely spot on. Just found another group photo in a similar room with the same checkered flooring.

Hi Mick, that's interesting. Were there many of these homes you mention.? Did the unions organise these do you know. Good info again Mick

Fred - not sure if it was union organised, but it was built by the Miners Welfare Fund, and opened in 1927.
I think men could apply for a stay there via a doctors' note/recommendation, when they were convalescing after illness or injury. I believe the home could also be used by retired miners.
A couple of pitman mates who stayed there said the facilities were wonderful.

Thanks Mick,

Thanks for the links, Mick. The top link leads to a photo with a few faces which match those above.

My husband went there in 1960 for 2 weeks after he broke his leg. Facilities were very basic, about 12 men to a dormitory and communal washrooms. They all had to be indoors by 9 30pm or they were locked out. Security men would eventually let any latecomers in but they were sent home the morning after.

The time I speak of above Evelyn, was the late 1970s/early 1980s. Things had clearly improved by then.

There is/was a Miners Convalescent Home near Skegness. I think part of the building is still used & it occupies a prominent position right by the beach. It is a huge building.

In 1989, I, together with my wife, and sister in law, were passing the miners' home, Blackpool. Three residents were seated outside of the main gate. On having a chat with them they invited us to go and have a look around the next day, which we did. They each had separate comfortable rooms, and said that their meals were very good. The foyer was covered in a beautiful blue carpet, it was impregnated with miners' safety lamps. (I have wondered since, what ever became of such a beautiful carpet)
To the left of the home, they had built five, or six bungalows, for miners' so incapacitated, that they required a carer with them.

I never saw any ladies there, ones who had worked in the coal industry. I am not aware as to whether any went, or not

There is still a Miners Hotel about half a mile along the prom from the former Convalescent Home. We stayed in the hotel next door last month.
It's run by a Charity - at least one Trustee being someone I see I know, from Wigan - and is mainly for ex-miners from the western coalfields.
There was also a large convalescent home, known as the Miners' Home, at Grange-over-Sands. That is now a Nursing Home.

I should have mentioned in my last comment, that there is a hotel on the Blackpool Promenade, named the "Miners' Hotel"

I have been informed that it caters for ex miners, or they are given special rates, for their accommodation. I am not certain about this.

My Dad spent some time there,recovering from rheumatic fever,the NCB had another place, in Cheshire,Oakmere,I went there for about 12 weeks after an operation,there were non NCB patients there too,but NCB men came first,Oakmere was excellent,some men were there for over a year.

Thanks Mick,