Wigan Album

Thanks Cathy and John for the map.
Was the "powder works" called Cookes Explosives. I can remember small vans, perhaps 3 tonners or simmilar going up and down Carr's Lane which is now Carr Lane.

My mother worked in the office at Colliery Explosives in the 1950s.
I think the explosion referred to occurred during a 'controlled burning' of waste/defective explosives.

Hi Jim,
John remembers Cooke Brothers and Roburite vans, a dark maroon colour, going up and down the lane but only after ICI took over. Hawkley Colliery Explosives vans were black. John's uncle Harry was one of their drivers and went all over the UK delivering to mines and quarries.

Excellent stuff Cathy and John. I remember this well, but have never seen a map of the works before. Thanks.

Hi John and Cathy.
Uncle Harry's surname wasn't Richmond by any chance?

John, I remember your uncle Harry (Bolton). He and Kitty lived next door to us on Poolstock Lane. I also remember you too. You took me to school on my very first day.
I remember you having an accident at the powder works and later became a keen potholer. Good to see you're still with us!
Norman Eastham

No Mick - he was Harry Bolton.

Thanks John.
Think I heard my mother mention him.
The reason I asked about the Richmond surname was while she was at Hawkley she bought a record collection from a Harry Richmond who worked there.

Hi Norman,
I remember you well.
Do you think the air raid shelter is still in the back garden of your house in Poolstock Lane? Your dad wasn't too pleased about us going in there!
Sadly no more potholing or climbing for me, thanks to arthritis but still in the land of the living!
By the way my accident wasn't at the powder works or connected at all.
Everyone should have had an uncle like Harry, a brilliant guy, always good fun.
Nice to hear from you, do you still live around here?
John

Hi Mick,
Your mum probably would have known Uncle Harry, he always had a smile on his face. He really liked his cars so maybe we can find a picture of him too!
I visited the office (where two ladies worked) several times when I was 13 trying to get my model aircraft back, in about 1956, so I might have met your mum.
Anyway they were very nice to me.
Mr. Hirst was the works manager I believe.
Do you know how many people worked there?
There seemed to be quite a number coming down Hawkley Pad, as it was known, when they finished at 5 o'clock.
John B

Hi John.
I remember Mr Hirst from the '60s when I was a lad; he'd retired by then. He lived near us in UpHolland. A lovely chap, one of natures gents. Still hear from his daughter.
My Mum was Lily Morgan, she worked at Hawkley from 1950 to about 1957. Other girls in the office were Annie Antrobus from Kitt Green, and Sheila Dickinson from Lower Ince.
Mr Hirst can be seen on this pic, leaning on the gatepost on the right hand side of the shot - http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=1&id=11404&gallery=Upholland+St+Thomas+the+Martyr&offset=0

Hi John.
Further to the above - Edwin Yates also worked in the office. Originally from Goose Green, he later lived in Leader St at Pemberton.

Hi John
The air raid shelter has long gone. The House was sold about 24 years ago after my dad died.
Have lived in Cornwall for the last 35 years. Are you still in Poolstock Lane?

nice to hear your alive and well norman best wishes i live on hawkley hall for 38 years mick