Wigan Album
Mariebonne
5 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 34817
Opens the debate over where the Laxey wheel was made, it quite clearly states Haigh foundry.
I went to the old Woodfield School in the 1940's. It was practically opposite to St Clements Rd. I remember the place as a large house that had been converted to school use. Someone did post a pic sometime ago of a class posed at the front of the house for a group photo.
Jack no it is an urban myth The Laxey Wheel wasn't made at Haigh Foundry. You hear tales of relatives seeing teams of horses pulling the wheel up Brock Mill Lane... Have you seen the size of the wheel??? That is not to say parts of another wheel, near to the Laxey wheel wasn't made at Haigh? But there is no documentation or any names cast onto the wheel to verify this
The Wheels axle was made at Forrester and Co. Vauxhall Road, Liverpool, the rim, cast by Gellings in Douglas and the timber spokes formed locally. It was then assembled on site.
I too always thought there was a connection with Brock Mill Lane. Your mind plays tricks on you but thought I had seen something to that effect on the wheel in when I last visited but that was 1963!!!!!