Wigan Album
Worsley Mesnes Ironworks
6 CommentsPhoto: Mark Chapman
Item #: 21706
From left to right, Max Taylor, Brian Chapman & Geoffery Peel.
What is the contraption that they are standing around?
Also, Can anyone tell me, please, when Worsley Mesnes Ironworks ceased?
It closed down in 1967 I was an apprentice and finished my time at gullicks
I believe that the "contraption" is a winding-speed controller for the colliery winding engines made by WMI - invented and patented by my great-great-uncle John Melling, this and other designs from the 1880's onwards (which I have drawings of) must have protected and probably saved many lives over the years. Such controllers were made compulsory in the early 1900s I believe. WMI was started and run by my family - Thomas, John and Samuel Melling and descendants.
I Worked at W M I in 1944 as an apprentice until 1951.
Returned after 2yrs National Service for a couple of years
I remember working with Max Taylor on a job in South Wales
Jeff Peel was an apprentice with me and died very young
I was good mates with Norman Wignall when we were both at WM Ironworks as lads. We lost touch but I would love to know how he is if he’s still around. I’m 90 now. Please pass on the email address and my daughter will reply for me
My dad worked there in the 1920s.