Wigan Album

I can remember climbing up that metal staircase/ladder of No2 shaft as an apprentice to grease the bearings of the headgear. Think it was Ted Hughes who used to take me up there.

What a brilliant photo!

Stephen. I think it was Ted Hurst. If I remember right his brother fell down the fan drift and fractured his pelvis. The chains broke on the diverter door. The ladder on the headgear was a bad experience especially when you had to start to come down as it leaned inwards and you could not see the first rung.

Yes your right John it was Ted Hurst and his brother did have a very pronounced limp but I think his accident must have been before my time there. I was getting him mixed up with Eric Hughes who was assistant Engineer. You're also right about that ladder. I can remember the very top section used to lean backwards slightly and it used to feel like your feet would slip off the metal rungs.

Don says you mean Eric Halliwell the assistant engineer.

The man you went up the No 2 headgears was Teddy Hurst, He oiled the headgears with Jackie Osborne

Hi John, I think I worked with you in the fitting shop for a while as an apprentice. Did you live in Platt Bridge and drink in the Vic?
I spent most of my time with John Cunliffe

Bob Hurst was the brother who had the fall. He was a friend of my father Eric Halliwell who as you say was the assistant engineer. Eric is still going strong and 90 yrs old in a week or so.

yes I remember john cunliffe, he broke my arm on the screens,ouch.

i remember cunny breaking your arm, didnt he hit one arm and said swap over then broke the other

I removed the the girder hanging out of the cathead on No2 headgears, i worked in welding shop.