Wigan Album

Earlier, I think - the River Boards disappeared in the mid-70s when the Regional Water Authorities were formed.

Ron, it's Adam Bridge, not Adams.

Ron and David, it may be a lot earlier than the 1970s too, there aren't any aerials to be seen and I'm also looking at the Player's tobacco sign on the wall of the shop which is vintage, as is the lamp above the central bridge pillar, pity there isn't any clothing to be seen to give an idea of the time.

I agree could be the early 1960s, the crane is a drag line from that era.

The machine is registered pre-1963 and looks in good order so not very old. I'd go for the late 50's.

There used to be a derelict machine similar to this just around the corner by the side of the red pond. It was at the end of the sixties, early seventies when we used to play around there. I think it was a Priestman.

The registration plate dates the machine as registered in 1961/62.

The vehicle registration is STC 708 so it is pre 1974. Based on construction plant in the early 1960's I would hazard a guess that this machine was during that era. It was registered in Preston, as TC is a Lancashire prefix for number plates up till 1974 when they changed to Bolton. Unless a wagon is out of camera shot, I think the operator is dredging up to the side of the wall maybe deepening the centre channel. Always the "rubber neckers" watching from a bridge as to what s happening.

The reg is STC 70B which is 1964.
And the machine looks relatively new.

A previous photo on page 8 shows the left bank overgrown with long grass and is from The Wigan Observer 1967. I would say the flags were put down on the edge since then.