Wigan Album

hi colin, remember me, Terry Hateley : i worked at the Observer from July 73 to Dec 83 before setting up in business. You still working at The Obbie?

No Terry, I've never worked for the Wigan Observer although we had strong family links with the paper that span almost 80 years. The first was my grandad Robert (Bob) who started at Rowbottom Square in 1904 and retired after 56 years service as machine manager. My dad Tom followed the footsteps of his father who started his apprentice from leaving school in 1932 and worked his way up to machine manager, he sadly died in 1979 aged just 61, a week after the death of his father. Uncle Gordon, worked on the press for a time then went on to the Evening Post and Chronicl and later the Daily Express then in Manchester. A fourth member of the Harlow's was my auntie Jessie, she worked in the book binding department.

I arrived at the Obby, as a 15 yr old cheeky scouse git who got brought down to earth with your dad and the other lads caustic wit, but had a great time there. I too, have pics of the press and the staff which i'll post soon...part of my schooling process was to watch your dad stir the Black peas!...if i learnt the craft - after about 5 yrs, then i may actually be allowed to stir them myself!!! Great Days!

Hi Terry, it would be great to see more photos of the press, this Crabtree spearhead mk3 10/50 web offset machine, installed at Woods Street in 1966, was 20years ahead of it's time. Two were built, the other one was for the Chester Chronicle. Its sad that Crabtree of Leeds are no more, they were the biggest press manufactures in the UK.