Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 16th September, 2019)

Stop trying to live in the past Tom its better hidden because modern Wigan does need that eyesore on full view.
Just like the old fashioned Wigan Pier area, it didnt work and now thank god its going to be redeveloped into something modern that Wiganers of all ages can use.

I don't understand why the trees have been planted in such close proximity. I think the wheel would look better in Hewlett Street off Library St.

it would be great in the Market place

I agree, Tom, although perhaps it wasn't realised at the time of placing the wheel that foliage would eventually hide it. I agree that some people, (by no means all), seem ashamed of our heritage, and have even altered the speech they have used all their lives, suddenly having "lunch" instead of the "dinner" they grew up with...WHY?? It drives me potty! xx

I disagree with you Mick, the Wigan Pier project did work for quite a few years before it reached a natural conclusion, nothing lasts for ever. I see no reason to be ashamed of any part of Wigan's heritage.

Yes Tom it would appear so.
The original college was of course named Wigan MINING and Technical College where generations of Wiganers benefited from the training it provided.

Irene we have lunch up here in Shevy but not until 1pm, now Im just getting ready for my elevenses.
If I was in charge of Wigan heritage, I would make use of the old pit wheel by turning it into one big round bench, and putting it in the Market place it would be easy just lay it down and put on a short pedestal, put some wooden planks for seats all around the outer part of the wheel so people could sit on it.
It could be a great meeting point for people who on blind dates, lost kids, photo spots for sports teams, and used for album cover photos for pop bands,
And you never know when Tim Martin from Weatherspoons hears about it he may change the Moons name to The Old Pit Wheel.

If the wheel was laid down with planks on it to make a seat it would be defeating the object of seeing it.. I think the wheel would be good upright near the Mining College near the entrance. Good photo Tom.

I am not sure which Mick says what..but making a pathetic seat out of that wheel or any of the many mining wheels we have seen in our travels, would be another of your Wigan Metropolitan Councils poor gimmicks.

On the contrary I think the Wheel is a magnificent piece of engineering - far more aesthetic than The Face that launched a thousand quips! Why hide away the wheel - it was one of the greatest inventions of all time as history has proven.

It's dinner here too Irene..and I too am proud of my hereitage...that wheel belongs at the very top of Wigan town centre.

Agreed, Helen and Veronica. Each to his own, Mick, but if I lived in Shevington my mid-day meal would still be my dinner. It will never be my "lunch" as long as I never find myself paying "homaaaaaage" rather than homage to The Queen.....another pet hate of mine! Where do they get these daft words from?

Lunch in Shevy - pull the other one, it's always called having us Snap up here.

If you were in charge of heritage; Wigan wouldn't anything worthwhile displaying, just a pile of only fit for scrap iron - rusty bikes museum exhibits.

whats up with Mick, he sulking because its not one of his, He always needs to say something for attention, from the proud son of a miner, never forget our heritage, never forget or history, never forget the people who made it.

Nobody was complaining when they did away with the wheels wire.
You can see it in the old location with the wire on

https://flic.kr/p/2hgjhph

Another word I hate is 'draring ' instead of 'drawing' ... They make these words up as they go along... Yes dinner is at dinner time and lunch is a mid morning break when I was working. If I am going out for a meal it's a 'meal' not dinner...

And, surely, it would stir the imagination even more if it were sited on the lead-up to the likes of a mining museum where - with, or without, good ken of other large exhibits inside - the cry of approaching visitors young and old alike would be 'Just look at the size of that wheel, eh?'.

I value my heritage as much as anyone on WW , but that was ‘our’ history. I just think the young folk of Wigan , it’s not that they care less , they simply have a far more interesting world online. They can click their mobiles , watch a movie , join with friends , not only in Wigan , but all over the world !! Why would they want to look at a wheel?
Who is heritage and history for if not for the next generation. Sorry they are online !

Mick stop your moaning, you don't own the site.

It's a unique monument and should be in a more prominent place. As Mick says, the section of winding rope, and the capping has disappeared, it's pretty rare stuff these days, I hope it hasn't been scrapped.

Thankyou so much, Philip G, for my beautiful gift of an old trivet, which now has pride of place on my fireplace, displaying my old flat- iron, and to Ozy for delivering it. I know Tom won't mind my going off the subject when it comes to one Wiganer passing an object of beauty and history to another one. xx

It is right and proper that we remember our past . Wigan and coal are intertwined; thousands of men women and children died in the mines many thousands more died in their beds with lung disease, why would not want remember their suffering ?
Yes look to future with enthusiasm but to the past with pride . I am often chastised for look at the past through rose coloured glasses but better that than looking back in anger.

History is all around us and part of us- whether you are young or old, it can't be ignored. Think of the Pyramids or all the antiquities around the world, even the very rocks of the Earth.....we live and breath History and inevitably we all become history... In the making.

Had to check what a trivet was online.
A first to me. The internet is wonderful, just key it in and up it pops, knowledge on a plate.

Xpat I agree the Internet is wonderful but it didn't just 'happen' - history, the war and Alan Turin and others like him played a major part in its development. Remember the decoding machine, that helped bring the war to an earlier end? Give thanks and remember them. That's all we are doing for the miners - remembering them in a small way.

Well said Tom.

No problem, Irene.
I'm very confident that it had been made by F&R Keane in Ireland, the manufacturer which also made cast iron tractor seats. Tractor seats: As cold as they were, I imagine you'd have look rather dandy sat atop as you plewed for Victory - With Tom walking beside and calling the tune, of course.

I used to test the Pithead Winding Gear during shutdowns.
I would love to see it in Market Place too.

When researching my family history and there were quite a lot of miners in mine, I was told, to know who you are, look to your past.

Veronica , what you say is well said and correct. Unfortunately, young people are now on a different plane to us . The internet and social media allows them to pick and choose .

I bet you Veronica, the best dinner you enjoy , they are not even thinking of the valued moments you mention . They are living in a racing internet world where 5gs goes to 6 and so on. They are not thinking of the contribution of Alan Turin , just what they have on their screens before them . Veronica, I say to you respectfully, you are deluded, if you think they are looking at Pitt wheels . They are looking for the latest something . Such is change , but such is progress . Shove it I know , but also recognise.

Perhaps not now Xpat but in time, technology doesn't have the answer to everything. I'll grant you some may not be interested in the Pit Wheel and what it represents here, but there will be some who do question what and who has gone before.
As for being on a different plane, so was I when young... But we do grow up eventually.
Regards

Mick, it is not a wheel. It is a head pulley.