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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Ellsey's Vinegar

14 Comments

Ellseys vinegar works.
Ellseys vinegar works.
Photo: Keith Beckett
Views: 3,394
Item #: 30738
From the Betty Shaw collection.

Dick Brown, a cooper, working on the barrels at Ellseys vinegar works. Date unknown.

Comment by: Philip G. on 6th September 2018 at 16:46

It looks to me as though Dick Brown is shown here using a bung-hole auger.

Comment by: GeorgeB on 7th September 2018 at 09:56

That's a first for me, to "see" inside the Ellsey vinegar works, after passing it for many years and to see someone who actually worked there. Brilliant photo, thanks for posting.

Comment by: Albert. on 7th September 2018 at 16:29

In the early sixties, I bought a barrel from Ellsey’s for a garden feature.

Comment by: Philip G. on 7th September 2018 at 19:25

Albert.
A great purchase by yourself, sir, and I can see them now … blue lobelia, white alyssum, nasturtiums …, tumbling over its edge what.
You did buy it as 'a planter', didn't you.
I'd noticed hewn barrels being sold as planters across the road from Wrightington Hospital just a few years ago, and that their asking price had been £25? - quite large they were.
I've also realised how many and varied are the cooper's tools - a quite gob-smacking range -, and that those from much earlier times remain highly-prized by enthusiasts and museums alike. I've even seen a cooper's chisel that, at first glance, appeared to have been a hand hammer; the art of the cooper, eh?
The old wooden plane that I bought about fifteen years ago at a car boot sale 'still handles reasonably-well, but I seem to recall as having gained more pleasure from it by reading-up on how to have sharpened that particular plane's cutting-edge correctly, and to then set the blade in prime position - I love Car Boot Sales. Regards.

Comment by: Roger on 7th September 2018 at 23:32

Hope everything augured well.

Comment by: Albert. on 8th September 2018 at 12:48

Yes, I did buy it as a planter Phillip. I wouldn’t have given much for it, probably half a dollar.

Comment by: Philip G. on 8th September 2018 at 14:18

Thanks Albert.

Comment by: Mac on 8th September 2018 at 18:12

Hi Phil, my father was a top class cabinet maker so I can relate to what you say . He had his plane and tools in the wooden case he made . The days of true skill . He made a musical box that I hold to this day , wish I could show you .
I followed his trade but went into the sharpening section. I sharpened all manner of tools , from circular saws to bandsaws, from chisels to planes .
I learned , as I am sure did , the art of the ‘feathered edge ‘ I learned how to bend the saw tooth to cut and the angle it needs . I prepared drills etc etc I only got one comeback when a spindle plane edge was shown to show light on inspection , this determined it was not true , even though it
held the required feathered edge , which , I am sure , you sought yourself with your plane.

Comment by: Philip G. on 9th September 2018 at 11:45

Mac.
Thanks for your kind response.
You mention of cabinet maker, musical box, and wooden case each add their share of romanticism to your dad's obvious talent, and also to 'the days of true skill'. Your further mention of 'only one comeback' - from what must have been many successes - also tells of your excellent strike rate.
I hope that you find the details of my Car Boot Sale 'snip'? interesting:
Alex Mathieson & Son
8 1/4" wooden smoothing plane ('coffin shape')
2 1/4" blade with Crescent and star trademark.

Comment by: Janet on 10th September 2018 at 02:43

Believe it or not, but for few years, I actually bought Ellsey's Vinegar, here in Tallahassee, til the store went out of business..

Comment by: TD,. on 10th September 2018 at 11:31

Janet I don't believe it! Don't go short girl order your 5ltr bargain supply of the product now, via your very own amazing, American Amazon.

Comment by: Mac on 10th September 2018 at 16:00

Hi Phil , Thanks . Indeed I do . I always read your posts , not only for their knowledge and interest value on many different subjects , but also your poetry and your art work (especially your first draw sketches ) I like the little notes artists like yourself put on their sketches, which always makes me wonder about the places and circumstance at the time of the
sketches . Your poetry and art work Philip would work especially well if used together in a book .
Regarding the plane Phil . I was required to learn the skill of sharpening the blade on a hand stone , without a jig , before I could use the grind stone
This also applied to chisels as well . It was so I knew the basics , ‘true skill’ previous post . Now this is leap frogged which is their loss .
The skill with the planer blade was to first hold it flush with the stone , then raise it a fraction more to the front edge , as you push it forward on the stone . Doing it this way the edge, front back , were covered . Gone with the wind now , as the computer age took over . I am sure nowadays they would shoe a horse by machine if they could .
Keep posting Philip .
Ps You should have seen the trolley my father hand built for me as a child .
My friends just gasped ! Went like the clappers . Thanks Phil for triggering a memory. Best Wishes .

Comment by: Philip G. on 10th September 2018 at 18:10

Mac. Thank you for your kind compliments.
And further thanks for telling me a little more about how you had learned the art of sharpening blades and chisels, in 'the sharpening section'; each description being, without doubt, worthy of subsequent readings.

I'm not sure if Lord Derby would take kindly to his thoroughbreds being 'shod by machine', though, … just imagine his long-serving farrier saying "Nay lads, Nay, gimme yon hommer, un a bag 'o' nails, instead.".

Comment by: Mac on 10th September 2018 at 21:19

Good Cheer to you Phil.

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