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Edgar Roebuck, second from left, back row with a group of workmates. Brian and Malcolm Roebuck think man top left is Tom Hargreaves.

But what was the occasion?

And what were those funny sticks they were all holding....were these the Chorley Morris Dancers?

Well, I was both pleased and pleasantly surprised when the following extract arrived in an email from my Cousin Cynthia:-

The sticks you refer to are probably tally sticks given to people before they go down the mine. They are counted out before going down and counted again on the return above ground.

This was to ensure no-one got left down there. As far as the people on it are concerned, yes, you were correct in thinking that the man at the top left was Uncle Tom. The lady below him is Aunty Alice, mum's younger sister. The lady on the extreme right is aunty Ellen, Mum's older sister. I suspect that this was taken on some I.L.P. (Independent Labour Party) outing, since they were all very involved with this organisation. Even when I was a girl I remember going down to the socials which were held every week. There was always a big banner up at the front of the hall, and everyone danced or played games etc. as in the old fashioned way.

The four remaining men, and the five remaining women on the photo are very familiar, and although I can give you a few possible names, I can't actually put the names to the faces. I know that at that time a whole bunch of friends went around together, so I'll give you the names and then I suggest that you contact Cedric and Carol, whose address I'll add to this email. The reason for this is that Aunty Ellen was the one who kept more in close contact with the folk in Chorley, and had regular visits from them and to them, so Cedric may be able to help where I can't. The names I remember are May Sandham, Betty Crook, (I think they may be the ones in the middle of the group) Bob Edwards, Eli Moorcroft, and Eli's wife, whose name escapes me at present. Bob Edwards later became a labour MP. They were all very active in the group, and I'm sure that I must have some more photos of them in Dad's old stuff."

- Cynthia Roebuck, (2002)

(Thanks Cynthia - you must tell us more when you return from New Zealand.)