Wigan Album

My Dad used to go here every year after he retired in around 1984

My granddad went to the home in 1960 after working at Wigan pits from 13 to 63 years old, he did complain when my dad picked him up" what do you think, we had to be back in at 9 o'clock for bed ".

I always think he (the then Prince of Wales)l60ooks a bit mad !

I spent a week there on a course in 1979. None of us were back for 9 o'clock.

never been & neither did my old chap .

It does show how well thought of were the miners at the time. I can imagine them grumbling because they had to be back for 9 00 at night. But it was a Convalescent Home. I bet they enjoyed themselves even so - making new friends and talking about old times. They deserved their time spent there.

The carpet in the foyer, as I remember it, was sky blue, and designed with miners’ safety lamps. In later years several bungalows were built, to accommodate those previous miners’ that were dependent on help, with a physical disability, and a family member could accompany them.

My dad went here in the 50's and later went to a place called Oakmere Hall when he broke his leg to convalesce.

I spent a week there. The NCB used to send their 4th year apprentices there for a week long training course. I remember the library had more books than the local library where I lived. Also remember the staff putting out huge plates of sandwiches at 9pm in an attempt to get us to come back early at nightime, but there were too many chip shops in Blackpool. If you came back really late, you had a 'please explain' the next morning. There was snow on the ground outside, so sleeping out wasn't an option.