Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Lowther, Fox & craven street

Just had a word with my father-in-law, who used to be a 'solid fuel merchant'.
He remembers 'Wiggie' the one-armed coal merchant. It seems that he was one of three Wiggins brothers, all in the coal buisness. He thinks he lost his arm in WW1. Aparrently, he used to work with the crew on the waggon, organising their work, not carrying coal himself.
And every day, he would cycle to and from the coal yard - with just one hand on the bars.

Another grey cell jolted back to life.... Wiggins the Coal Merchant. Mum & Dad used to get deliveries of coal from Wiggins when we lived in Prenton in the 50's/60's. I recall their wagon at the time was an ex-army Bedford lorry. Sometimes grossly overloaded or maybe it was just knackered springs ?

That was John,, he lost his arm, when he caught it on barbed whilst being captured in WWI and it went worse and the Germans removed it, he did deliver coal and I can remember him delivering it himself, I believe there were four of them, Richard and Freddy and Jimmy, and I expect Limeymum will let you know a bit more info, so be careful what you say.

On the theme of memorable tradesmen, does anyone remember a Co-op milkman called George? His round included Lowther Street; in the late forties he would deliver milk from a horse drawn cart. I think his horse was called Peggy. The delivery vehicle changed with the times going from horse drawn to lorry to electric cart. He was a real character

I remember wiggins the coal merchants.Used to be on my paper round. alway give me a good christmas tip They where asda is now.

Phillhere,
Is there any possibility of getting a better quality copy of this picture .....that's my Dad in this picture and he passed away nearly 10 years ago .....he did a few jobs for the Marriot's ....such as house clearing and was always browsing for bargains .....he would bring home what he thought was a great find .....only for my little Mum to throw it out .

Cheers

Hi George
I hope you are well?
I believe you know my Dad - Maurice Cartwright?!
I came on here to find out info on Gladstone Street and noticed one of your messages : )
Jan

OOh that is my Auntie Elizabeth you mentioned!

Hi,
Just looked at your message.
I am a Cartwright too and have a David Cartwright in my family (my uncle).
My Grandad was Charlie (Chuck) and worked at the brickworks in Moreton. My Nan was Margaret who he was married to and they had 7 children.
I think we could be related maybe

JAN i do know your dad we were best mates in the 50s we went to the same school HEMMY we were in the same class , went on holidays together BUTLINS went drinking together at 16 +
We went clubbing together at the Empress and the Craftsmans
going to sea split us up we were never home at the same time
Iwent to his wedding but we lost touch as i moved
I did call to see him months ago it was great to see him, we
were a good team together, he was a diamond

JAN i do know your dad we were best mates in the 50s we went to the same school HEMMY we were in the same class , went on holidays together BUTLINS went drinking together at 16 +
We went clubbing together at the Empress and the Craftsmans
going to sea split us up we were never home at the same time
Iwent to his wedding but we lost touch as i moved
I did call to see him months ago it was great to see him, we
were a good team together, he was a diamond

Hi George,
Thanks for messaging!
I believe you was his Best Man I'll have to get their wedding photos out!
I was talking to my Mum and Dad earlier about seeing your message on here. They said you called to see them earlier on this year then my Dad had the stroke but he's recovering ok
I've been working on the family tree lately and it brought me to this site! I've been trying to find some old photos of Gladstone Street or family pics - they said you could tell me all sorts of stories of the past
Jan x

We used to live in lowther street no15 with our nan and granddad mr& mrs pew.also over the road, at i think no31 with mum.irene.Had to move to the woodchurch i think in about 1968.Remember getting run over in the next street, i was about 3 at the time,the story goes the butcher came out to pick me up.My nan said it was a nurse that ran me over.She (my nan) kept the trousers i had on with tyre marks on.i never seen them,so i think that was just a family myth lol.

This is another request to an earlier posting some 6-months agao regarding obtaining a copy of the photograph showing Marriots ....in a posting from 2008



Unsure whether this is the yard at Exmouth / Gladstone street as mentioned earlier, but underneath the main signage, you can make out the words motor cycles and spares...

can't figure what the building in the background is, relative to where this might be....



any ideas let me know....
Phill




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The building in the background of the Marriots yard shot is the Lord Exmouth. I used to live there.