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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Roby Mill

9 Comments

ALLOTMENTS
ALLOTMENTS
Photo: Ron Hunt
Views: 1,281
Item #: 34507
CAN ANYONE NAME ANY OF THESE MEN?

Comment by: Bruce Almighty on 11th July 2023 at 22:36

Gerrard Winstanley could be one of the diggers.

Comment by: Dave Lewis on 11th July 2023 at 23:46

They look to be enjoying themselves Ron, love their pride with waistcoats and flat caps thanks for pic.

Comment by: Helen of Troy on 12th July 2023 at 07:20

A clue may be had from the building in the background, a church or school ?

Comment by: Tony L on 13th July 2023 at 05:44

Helen - the building looks very much like Roby Mill school, which would put the men working in the fields bordered by Roby Mill/School Lane/Lafford Lane.
The field is still there, but this particular view is now blocked by houses built opposite the school.

Comment by: Philip Ashcroft on 13th July 2023 at 23:18

Ron this image is already on the site @10720 provided by Christopher Alex Darbyshire. He provided the following "This is a photo of my grandfather Norman Speakman (holding spade in middle) and his father William Speakman (holding barrow) on the allotments which were once behind the Fox Inn. Mawdesley's Charity Farm on School Lane is at top right, and the anglican school top left. If anyone knows the other men, or have similar photos, please let me know.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 14th July 2023 at 09:39

Philip, Thanks for the update..

Comment by: Cyril on 14th July 2023 at 15:36

Philip, I have sent an email to Tim Fielding at Roby Mill Community Allotments, asking if he or anyone in the group has any info about the photo, and if so for them to post on here or to contact Ron, hopefully someone in the group shall know something or may know someone who does.

Comment by: Cyril on 25th July 2023 at 20:11

Doesn't look like the folks at Roby Mill Allotments are to be getting in touch, that is if the allotments are still going and Tim Fielding is still the chairman and/or still has the same email address.

Comment by: Philip Ashcroft on 2nd August 2023 at 17:44

Cyril the allotments in Roby Mill are on the opposite side of the road to where this picture is located; I'd suggest perhaps only a few people in RM nowadays would have an idea that the Mawdsley's Charity Farm ever existed; I stand to be corrected.

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