Wigan Album

The three workmen digging out the cellar for the new Crispin Arms, Birkett Bank seen here in 1955, were employed by the contractor Dicconsons from Bolton who were re-building the pub for the Brewery, Greenall Whitley.
What they found when digging was mainly sand and it was said that the old pub (built probably in the 1890's) had virtually no foundations. Shovels and brute strength were the order of the day, I don't recollect any mechanical diggers but there was a cement mixer that the bricklayers used.
The workman to the right, holding a spirit level, if my memory serves me correctly, was named Joe Gough. I'm afraid I can't name the other two but remember them clearly as excellent workmen and very decent blokes.