One always goes to sister Teresa Taylor, who after devouring every word about Plattin’ and surrounding areas returns her copy North to her sister also a Sheila, who for nearly twenty five years had lost touch with her special friend Eileen Edwards who had married Louis Hannett. Sheila and Eileen were in the same class at Corpus Christi and went on to St. Joseph’s together, left there and started working for ICI together, got married on the same day and had baby girls within a couple of days of each other.

Not long after that, the Hannett’s moved South due to Louis employment, Sheila also moved and they lost touch. Seeing a letter in a previous copy of Have Your Say from Louis Hannett, Sheila set the ball rolling by trying to locate the Hannett’s whereabouts, she contacted sister Teresa in Burnham- on-Sea, who then wrote to see if I could help, I rang Alf Almond who earlier had put me in touch with his eldest brother Charlie, who I hadn’t seen for more than half a century! Alf thankfully retuned my call and gave me the Hannett’s address. We then contacted Sheila who now lives in Bury; she was really excited, rang the operator and obtained the Hannett’s phone number in Cheltenham. Lo and behold these two old friends were reunited. I will never forget how delighted Sheila was when she rang and said everything had been a wonderful success.

Best wishes for even more success in 2004.
Jack Fairclough

Dear Editor
My friends and I love to re-live old memories of our childhood, it was nice to read familiar names such as Walter Rimmer from the Coal Yard, and Cissy Johnson who kept the George public house.

I would be interested to know who supplied you with the photograph of Culcheth Military Band (Tall Hat Band), as I may know the person in question.

I was dumb-founded, by the letter from Alan Jay. (Issue 14) he seems a very unhappy man and I feel sorry for his feelings towards his earlier life. I lived in Albion Street for thirty years. Our house was like a palace, a credit to my dear mum and dad. Yes, we had the occasional mouse, but nothing like he talks about. Yes too, our toilet was in the backyard, but we had a gas geyser, which supplied us with hot water for washing pots etc.

Miles Platting may have been a little rough, but we could walk the streets anytime day or night in safety. Three school friends I had then, I still have today which says a lot for our loving family upbringing. We are proud of our roots and love reading your magazine. Long may it continue?
Olwen Grimshaw.

Dear All,
Thank you for sending Have Your Say magazine, I so enjoy reading it. It takes me back such a lot of years, all of them happy ones. I lived in Energy Street Miles Platting. My son took me back a few months ago, and I didn’t know where we were, it had all been knocked down and in its place lovely detached houses.

I have lived in Blackpool for 62 years. Believe me I would rather have Manchester. That’s where my heart is.
Mrs. W. Chard

Re Louis Hannett +Joe Larkin
Yes Louis, I am the brother of Joseph Larkin, who attended Corpus Christi School with you. Joe was the youngest of the family. My mother & father were Tom & Ethel, my sister Mary, brother Thomas, myself and Joseph. We were all born at the family home in Lime St, and we all attended Corpus Christi. Around 1936 we moved house, and went to live on Bradford Rd where we remained until the Blitz. We then found our new home in Clayton, but Joe & I carried on our schooling at “Corpus” Although it meant a trudge through Philips Park along Bradford Rd and over “Varley St Bridge” and the same trek home after school. (No School-runs in them days) I left School in 1942 and Joe in 1946.

Joe became an apprentice Painter/Decorator, and when he was able volunteered for National Service and spent time in Germany. After the forces, Joe married and settled in Levenshulme where he ran his own painting & decorating business for many years.

With the pressure of D.I.Y. Joe took up employment at M/c airport transport section until ill health forced his early retirement. Sadly Joe passed away in 96. He and Anne had no children.

When he was 7 years old Joe was privileged to be the Cushion Bearer* at the first crowning ceremony in the new Basilica, I believe the young girt who did the Crowning to be Ann Kenny. Does this jog any memories for anybody???
James (Jim) Larkin
*see front cover

Dear Have Your Say
Just to say thank you for sending me the Annual Report for 2003, good to hear the news regarding the grant from the Community Fund.

Also I must say your team are more than worthy entries for the Queens Jubilee Award and wish you all every success in your entry.

Just remains for me to wish you all the success in 2004 that you all more than deserve for the great job you are doing.
Wilfred Lowry

Dear Team,
I enjoy reading the magazine and I pass it on to a friend at work, Justine, to give to her mum; Justine’s gran and mum (Mrs. Morgan) used to run the Grey Mare pub in Varley Street. Mrs Morgan’s mum also had the Alliance pub on Rochdale Road in the 1940s & 50s. Mrs Morgan is now 79years and enjoys Have Your Say magazine.
E. Dwyer.

Dear Sir/Madam,
Your wonderful magazine, the layout and the commitment of your team to produce such a highly informative and colourful item constantly impress me. Keep up the good work. Kindest regards and very best wishes to your continued production.
Anthony Schiavo

Dear All,
I love to receive your great magazine; it brings back so many memories. Although it is 54 years since I lived in Newton Heath. Keep up the good work
God bless you all, Beryl Thorneycroft.

Dear friends,
Thanks for Have Your Say magazine, great as usual.
Good luck and may your magazine be a huge success all around the world. It certainly gets around. Tell Marie Pandolfo Thanks for ‘Where are they now?’ (Issue 14) I’d like to know, where is Johnny Raffo with his lovely ice cream? I couldn’t make my mind up which I loved the most Johnny or his ice cream!
Edie Pilkington.

Dear Magazine Team
Many thanks for the magazines, they brought many memories back. I didn’t know about your work until a lady who was a member of a writing group at Collyhurst told me on the phone and gave me your address.

We worked with Stella Fitzpatrick on the “Pen to Paper” at Queen’s Park Library. I had been a member of a writing group at Newquay, we were being taught by someone from Bristol University, how to write for TV and Radio.

I enjoyed working with Stella, I will have to get my machine overhauled as it hasn’t been used much, only by my grandson when he has been home from Scotland. He’s a lecturer at Strathclyde University.

I hope in the near future I can send you some work in. Many thanks again
Yours Sincerely, Edna Bumby

Dear Have Your Say
My dad Stan Martin was born in Holland Street where his father had the Half Moon pub for many years before moving to the Wheatsheaf on Oldham Road, which is still standing today.

He was a very good local boxer and promoter in the late 20s and early 30s starting his career on fairground boxing booths.

Later with his partner Eddie, he became a very well known entertainer. The Martin Brothers as they were known, became radio comedians as well as appearing in most of the northern clubs and doing summer stints on the Isle of Man. They also entertained whilst in the army during the war.

In issue No. 14, you mentioned Renee Rhythm and Big Beattie Watson. They were great pianists, often working with the Martin Brothers and becoming family friends.

In May last year, my dad died at the age of nearly 91. He enjoyed reading "Have Your Say" and looked forward to receiving his copy. Your magazine brings old memories back to life and jogs many more in the process.

Keep up the good work and many thanks once more.
Mrs. Val Dean.