Wigan Album

Not sure about the date,would think around the mid to late 40s excuse the two spelling errors on the above caption I was in a bit of a rush.

I didn't know about all this, great stuff! I remember my grandma telling me how they used to follow the coal trains collecting the coal that had fallen off. If they were so poor those swans wouldn't have lasted long.

As lads during the winter we would skate on the Bricky (sides of clogs of course) I remember all the places you mentioned John. Happy Days!

Thank you for this John. it does bring back many memories. I do not recall seeing swans on here. I do remember the ice, I tried to skate on it wearing my brother's skates, but gave up after a few bruises. The cricket field belonged to the Wesleyan Chapel, I remember Walking days, Saturday evenings, all kinds of things went on there. I used to walk past here to go to Chapel. I keep trying to pluck up courage to recall a sad story about someone my brother & I met just about from where this was taken, but I can't do it.

Pam your commemt about coal reminded me about the time the Brickcroft was filled in,they used the spoils from the slag heaps as you can imagine lots of coal was mixed up in it,it didnt take long for word to get around that there was free coal to be had,it was a coal kebbers paradise,people rolled up with sacks,bags,and boxes anything to put coal in.some people were diving in before the wagons had tipped to get the big cobs,the best coal kebber was Ronnie Ralphs he had the biggest fire in Millers Lane for a long time,just as a matter of interest are there any coal kebbers out there.

I have just written about the incident I mentioned on my blog. it took some courage.