Wigan Album

My uncle Jimmy (Blackburn) worked at Harbens, in the 60's I think. Harbens must have been the largest employer in Golborne in those days, along with the Colliery. I had a few pints with John Blackburn a few weeks ago when he was over here from Holland for his mum's funeral. I used to live at 64 Legh St
many years ago and now live in sunny Wigan

Harbens would have been a Cotton Mill at the time the photo was taken. Later it became Harbens Rayon Mill, I worked as a maintenance electrician there from the 1940s to the 1960s. I remember your Uncle Jimmy he was a maintenance fitter.

my dad Bert Ashcroft worked there late 40s

iworked here when it was tattons i remember jimmy blackburn we went to switzerland in 1967 together me and colin blakemore

My father Leslie Charles Goodwin was chief engineer at Harbens in the 1930s - 1950s. I remember names like Sharratt, Harold Crighton, Mr Mandleburgh, Mr Leon, Mr Spibey, Christopher Thorp and my uncle Ainsley Linton. My family lived in Golborne on Park Road. All a very long time ago!!

My Grandfather, Fergus Young and my father Peter Young both worked at Harbens. My dad went on to work for Intex Yarns after it was taken over by ICI. Does anyone know if there is a collection of items from Harbens days anywhere? I have inherited a few bits and bobs, such as magazines and such like. I'd be pleased to pass them on if there was an official collection anywhere. If anyone out there remembers m dad, I would be pleased to get in touch too. Thanks.

Julie,did your dad play cricket for golborne...if he did then I played with him probably late 60's when I was16..he would have been one of the 'seniors' then....I always looked upto him with such respect

Julie I remember both your Grandfather Fergie and your father Peter.Your Dad was a Fitter I was an Electrician, we worked together on many occasions. Im sure Golborne Library would be interested in any memories of Harbens. Regards Steve.

Hi, my Grandad used to work at Harbens, Harry Bryning. Anyone remember him? My mum is Christine Bryning

Hi Peter I remember your Grandad Harry he was Foreman Joiner. A long time ago.

On the right hand side of the factory gates there was a big house i went to school with a girl who use to live there .i think here dad was a manager .ive often wondered what became of her ,i think her name was marilyn ? she would be 64 now .
can anyone help .

I remember the house you refer to David,it used to be occupied by the Production Manager Mr Hepburn.

From sometime in 1948 until perhaps late 1952, I lived in Sunnybank, a large house attached to the Mill. My father, Ernest Paul was, I think, the company engineer. We were very close friends of the Hepburns. I remember that Sunnybank was next to the Mill and we would climb the fence to watch the workers arriving and leaving. Would be pleased to join in any discussion about these times.

Roger during the time you mentioned I was doing my National Service,however on my return I recollect your Father being Night Manager.

Message and greetings to Louise Blythe
On 13 -3- 1954 in Huyton ,our family in Newlands Huyton Hey rd met Chris Thorpe who brought in stray kitten . I was 14 .He talked of his daily trip with you father in his all Brit[Yorks ] car-a Jowett Javelin ,to Harbens where he was a senior engineer-
An amazing friendship for 25 years -Hes buried in Huyton Church Cmy. in 1980. He rekindled my musical star on the violin and had friends in the RLPO -Harry Wilde and dancer wife and little girls -in Nw Brighton and in Rainhill and Liverpool -helped my string
teaching after after my Lucas Apprenticeship as well as introductions to Theater dance class organisers in St Helens for my two sisters.
I still have a model autogro rotor bearing he made for me as well as a tool makers blanking die. He knowledge of mechanics/aeronautics /astronomy was amazing - Radio[ HG4Q was his 1930s Radio Ham Call sign from a transmitter he built in a garden of the Arcles family in Marlfield rd West Derby.] A good tennis player in Huyton and W Derby clubs -He was great friends of the Turner family at Romiley Mill Lane in Rainhill -Daughter Joy [GRMCM]helped me through my ARCM diploma -Hed built a movie camer [clockwork]
in the wartime -and a film unit he founded made "Fancy Meeting You "
featuring local actor Keith Smith [On the Buses] He met Alec Guiness on the set of "The Man i the White suit " at Harbens Mill in the 50s and Bill Pratt in Elstree [Boris Karloff]
He ran a rare Jag in the 30s but had a Ford Consul in Huyton -
He lived at the Firs St Marys rd then near us -His workshop has planer lathe drills -amazing. He went to L/pool Uni BEng -in 20s /30s ?
Born Rhyddlan N Wales -He moved job to Brit Enka in Orrell Aintree in 1960s then worked on patents -Truly remarkable personality and impeccable manners
Phil newton -st Johns Rd Huyton 07444 31 30 11 -07503 930690 notwenmp@gmail.com

I remember Mr Goodwin and his Jowett Javelin together with Mr Thorpe. I rigged up the lighting for the camera crew filming The Man In the white suit .Many Years Ago !

To Louise Blythe
I have just come across the comments on Harbens Rayon factory and see that you mention my father, Maurice Leon. He worked there from the late 1920s until the factory was bought by Courtaulds, in the 1960s I think.
I remember your father's name, Mr Goodwin and some of the others that you mention and I have a photo of four rows of Harbens employees, but don't know the date of it. If you would like to see it I could scan it and email to you.