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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Beech Hill

4 Comments

Beech Hill 1947
Beech Hill 1947
Photo: Keith
Views: 3,209
Item #: 31130
A still taken from a path film entitled “Leisure Shift Mill Workers” in 1947. The film follows Nellie Smith (of Beech Hill) and other women workers in the cotton mill, thread winding onto spools on the huge machine. If anyone wants to see the film go to the pathe news website and type “Wigan” in the search engine. I’ve posted images previously but not this one.

In the film, Nellie is seen setting the table for her two children for tea before she leaves for her evening shift, 6pm to 10pm. We see her shopping in Beech Hill Avenue and then giving her husband his tea before she goes to work. Her husband when he comes home, is served his tea and later is seen playing cards with friends.

I wonder if anyone might be able to put a name to this gentleman who is leaning against a picket fence on land that has a distinct slope. My guess is that Nellie lived in or near Thickness Avenue (Shaftesbury Avenue end) and I wondered if those are bungalows in the background rather than houses and possibly in the same area of Beech Hill - a complete guess.

Comment by: Philip G. on 11th April 2019 at 22:29

I enjoyed your suggested viewing, Keith. Thanks.

Comment by: Graham Taylor on 11th April 2019 at 22:49

Nellie Smith's maiden name was Mason, born 1917. Her husband was John born 1915, and they married in 1938. Their daughter in the video was Shirley born 4 March 1939. They lived at the same address,14 Ascroft Ave, (corner of Eastwell rd)Beech Hill on the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sept 1939. the young girl in the video is their Shirley aged 6 months old. The young lad is Derek born 1941. The shop she went in was on Beech Hill Ave. Nellie died in 1974 aged 57 and her husband in 1981 aged 66. I don't know who the gentleman is but I have compared the still with Google street view and it looks like he his stood in the front garden of No.1 Olive Grove, about 50 yards away from Nellies house. The houses behind the bungalows are the rear of the houses in Eastwell Rd.

Comment by: Keith on 12th April 2019 at 08:22

Brilliant stuff Graham. Thank you.

Comment by: Cordyline on 12th April 2019 at 12:19

I have put relevant links on the Communicate forum; which can be found at the top tight of this page

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