Login   |   Register   |   
Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 29th May, 2020)

The Iron Masters


The Iron Masters
A sculptural tribute to the once industrious Ince Wagon Works.

Photo: Joanne  (iPhone 8)
Views: 2,650

Comment by: Joanne on 29th May 2020 at 00:19

The artwork was created by sculptor Andy Shaw and installed at Claire House Lower Ince Health Centre in June 2005. The full inscription reads:

A sculptural tribute to the once industrious Ince wagon works. To the men and women who contributed so much to a unique part of the local coal industry.

Comment by: Mick on 29th May 2020 at 06:57

Been here loads of times but never took any notice of these sculptures JoAnne, next time I will stop and have a look.

Comment by: irene roberts on 29th May 2020 at 08:36

My Dad worked at Ince Wagon Works and would have been proud to be amongst the men and women remembered but I'm not sure what he would have made of the artwork! I personally would have preferred to see more traditional figures than modern art, but I AM old-fashioned and I am the first to admit that. We all see thing differently and it's each to his/her own view. But I am glad they have been remembered. I have very happy memories of waiting outside the Wagon Works gates, aged about 10, for my Dad coming out. He was 44 when I was born and his workmates used to think I was his grand-daughter, but I am proud he was my Dad.

Comment by: Fred Mason on 29th May 2020 at 08:44

An indication of the changing times.

Nice pic, joanne.

Comment by: Veronica on 29th May 2020 at 08:49

Good to remember what those men and women contributed, going through Ince these days you would never know about the industry there. Not forgetting the cotton mill..where my mother worked.

Comment by: Cyril on 29th May 2020 at 13:53

They found a lot of stonework and ironwork when they was building Claire House, they had it on display on the edge of the car park, they thought it was from either the wagon works or the scrap yard that was there later, the family (who's name I can't remember) that owned it lived on the bad bend (now replaced with a roundabout) and their front garden wall was always getting hit with out of control vehicles.

Comment by: janet on 29th May 2020 at 16:34

I think this sculpture as signs of a militant past good photo joanne

Comment by: Elizabeth on 29th May 2020 at 17:43

Used to live across from Wagon Works while growing up,always remember it being a hive of industry.

Comment by: Joanne on 29th May 2020 at 18:45

Thanks for your comments everyone. Mick, the sculptures are easily missed as cars can park in front of them, but they’re not far from the main entrance on the left.

Leave a comment?

* Enter the 5 digit code to the right of the input box. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you will get another chance. Your comments won't be lost.