In 1967 my husband, daughter and I, emigrated to Canada. My husband Eric Howarth and I both grew up in Moston my name was Sybil Robinson and we both went to Lily Lane School. I lived in Spreadbury Street, which is still there, Eric lived in Doris Street.
Much to my surprise I read an article from Ern Mercer; Eric worked with him and also Alf Almond who is a very dear friend of ours. I think they had many happy times working at Fred Buckenham’s.
And now another surprise as I was reading the magazine, I came across another name of someone else I knew who now lives in the ‘States’. Her name is Marcella Hall, I worked with her at ‘Pickerings Peas’ in Ancoats. She was my supervisor in the typing dept. I hope she remembers me. ‘It’s a small world’
My dear husband passed away and I now have a wonderful companion and best friend, his name is Leo and he is from Dublin. Last year we went to Ireland and England. We had a wonderful holiday showing each other the places of our childhood years. I had never been to Ireland before and believe me it is a beautiful country and I was welcomed with open arms.
We spent two weeks there and then off to ‘merry ol’ England’ where I visited my family and had a lovely time. We visited Stratford on Avon and spent three days in the Cotswolds then off to the Lake District and we had excellent weather during May and June. I guess we were lucky.
We finished our trip with family and friends at a pub called the Spindles, met Alf and his dear wife Elsie, John Simpson and Jean. Ern will remember these guys from work.
It was a very memorable holiday for both Leo and I.
Happy times and good memories.
Sybil Howarth
I remember Nelson Street School, St. Luke’s school and Holland Street or Miles Platting County Secondary Modern School to give it its full title. Didn’t it sound posh?
In fact when I joined the work force, one company I was employed by, had its head office in London, people used to say “I bet Miles Platting is a lovely little village, it sounds so nice.” I never said anything to the contrary.
I remember also Bonfires on the croft at the back of our house, Mrs Jordon, Mrs Woods, Florrie Tranter and Mrs Gannon bringing out the Parkin and treacle toffee! Harry Woods giving us Bangers-the fireworks not sausage! The amount of old furniture we burnt was enormous; bet it would be worth a fortune today!
Bill Jones.
I was born in Miles Platting in 1928 and lived in Ancoats ‘til I was 9 and my parents were advised to get me away from the damp of Manchester because of my health. The memories I have! St. Jude’s school, if you were late, you held your hand out for the leather strap; we called the cat of 9 tails. I always wore clogs and was called Cloggy Emmet. Going to the corner shop for 1 1/2d (one & halfpenny) worth of S.P. snuff for gran. Ancoats hospital, playing in Cats Park. Going to visit my aunt in Ardwick during the war and going dancing with my cousin to the Joe Loss band at Belle Vue. Also playing in the street, hearing a drunken man “Tilly” shouting we all went hurrying into our homes.
I too remember Kick-can, going with dad to see a ‘silent film’ and a piano playing, the Saturday afternoon 1d (Penny) rush etc.
May Burrows nee Holland
