Henry
Wiggins was situated in Wiggin Street Ladywood and was there long before
the 2nd World War. It was a delightful place to work and they
looked after their workers very well.
I worked there from 1956 when I came out of the army until they moved to
Hereford in the 1960s. My father-in-law worked there from about 1940 until
he retired in 1961.
You were right they were nickel smelters, but they did a lot more than
that. On site was a casting bay, a rolling mill and a wire drawing
department.
Wiggin Street went from Icknield Port Road to Northbrook Street and
Wiggins occupied the whole of one side. During the war Wiggin Street was
bombed but Wiggins was untouched. They did a lot of pioneer work on the
jet engines and also work for the atomic energy authority; in fact the
work carried out was many and varied. All nickel scrap was returned to
Wiggins and reprocessed.
Alan Sorrell
Wiggin Street early 1930's
Photograph courtesy of Peter Crouch
Wiggin Street early 1960's
Photograph courtesy of Peter Crouch
Wiggin Street looking towards Icknield Port Road, 2007
Wiggin Street 2008
Photograph courtesy of Peter Crouch
Wiggin Street 1969
Photograph courtesy of Peter Crouch
Wiggin Street early 1950's
Photograph courtesy of Peter Crouch
Wiggin Street looking towards Northbrook Street, 2007
Wiggin Street looking towards Northbrook Street, 2007
Wiggin Street looking towards Northbrook Street, 2007