Wigan Album

Gerrard Winstanley could be one of the diggers.

They look to be enjoying themselves Ron, love their pride with waistcoats and flat caps thanks for pic.

A clue may be had from the building in the background, a church or school ?

Helen - the building looks very much like Roby Mill school, which would put the men working in the fields bordered by Roby Mill/School Lane/Lafford Lane.
The field is still there, but this particular view is now blocked by houses built opposite the school.

Ron this image is already on the site @10720 provided by Christopher Alex Darbyshire. He provided the following "This is a photo of my grandfather Norman Speakman (holding spade in middle) and his father William Speakman (holding barrow) on the allotments which were once behind the Fox Inn. Mawdesley's Charity Farm on School Lane is at top right, and the anglican school top left. If anyone knows the other men, or have similar photos, please let me know.

Philip, Thanks for the update..

Philip, I have sent an email to Tim Fielding at Roby Mill Community Allotments, asking if he or anyone in the group has any info about the photo, and if so for them to post on here or to contact Ron, hopefully someone in the group shall know something or may know someone who does.

Doesn't look like the folks at Roby Mill Allotments are to be getting in touch, that is if the allotments are still going and Tim Fielding is still the chairman and/or still has the same email address.

Cyril the allotments in Roby Mill are on the opposite side of the road to where this picture is located; I'd suggest perhaps only a few people in RM nowadays would have an idea that the Mawdsley's Charity Farm ever existed; I stand to be corrected.