I had been waiting for the poem of the late Tony Hankinson. When it appeared on the back of your Christmas edition, I had to write to you to confirm that what Tony had written was true. As boys, Tony and I both walked to St. Anne’s infants school in Carruthers St, then later to the boys school in Cambrian St.

We were class-mates until 1951; that was when our family’s house got pulled down (88 Cobden St.) Ancoats.

My family moved to Collyhurst flats where I continued my education; 6 months at Corpus Christi and 18 months at St Marks, leaving school in 1953.
In our class was Ronnie Green (deceased), who was goalkeeper for St Anne’s 1949/50, our star player being Brian Lowry. Ronnie wore his clogs to go to church on Sunday and as he walked down, the aisle in them everyone knew “Clogger Green” was at 9am mass.

I am enclosing the photo of our class 1948-49 hoping you can publish it in the next edition. As far as I know, the following names are still living and maybe, they could join our Have Your Say club. John Slattery, Norbert Scott, James Thomas, Brian Parkinson, Arthur Duty, Tommy Kelly, Michael Grogan, Kevin Gannon,
Terrence Eadsforth, Victor Longden, David Wall.

Here’s hoping these people will attend our next magazine open day.
Tommy Rooney

Hi everyone,
Thanks for Have Your Say. I read with interest the letters from Harold Foulkes and also Rose Buckley*. (Issue 22) I hope Rose saw the photo of my family which her husband took sometime in the 1940’s, she was quite right about the children, there were ten at the time but my mum Alice Boardman (nee Hill ) had one more child, making it seven boys and four girls, all alive and fairly well. Ten of us are married and all have had children; who are also all married with children of their own!

My Brothers and sisters names are; Olive, Roy, Jack, Peter, Margaret, Joyce, Arthur, Ruth, Paul, Phil and of course there’s me. (Alan) Most of us went to Nelson Street School. Some of us were born in Lime Street, Miles Platting, where our Mother and Father had the shop (fish fruit and veg) and dad had his horse and cart. (she was a Welsh Mountain Pony called Dolly) Dad only had 2 horses in about 40 years and never had a donkey, although his brother, my uncle Arthur always had donkeys. My grandad, also called John or Jack Boardman had mules and a shop also in Lime Street. Sometime in the 1950’s we moved to another new shop and a new house, the shop was on Attleboro Road just off Lightbowne Road, and the house was in Oscar Street. Dolly, dads pony was put out to grass and a well earned retirement on a small farm at Daisy Nook. Dad then bought a lorry and had to learn to drive, he was in his 50’s at the time.

My parents eventually retired and Peter took over the business and moved on to Lightbowne Road. (He has recently retired) I went to Newton Heath Tech’ after leaving Nelson Street. I started work at Mather and Platts just before my 15th birthday. I also worked for North Western Gas Board, Baird and Tatlock, M/c, George Lindleys butchers shop on Briscoe Lane, (my brother-in-law) I then became a rep (salesman) for E Griffith Hughes, Salford who made Rennies, Radox, Trugel etc. They were later taken over by Aspro Nicholas of Slough Buckinghamshire. I also sold beds for Dunlopillo and Slumberland.

In 1972 we took the tenancy of the Lion Hotel in Cadishead we were there for 10 years. We now live in Shropshire, still married to the girl I met when I was 16 — 51 years ago, we have three wonderful children and five fantastic grandchildren.

All the best to you all, Alan Boardman. alanboardman@uwclub.net

*Sorry we were informed of Rose’s death soon after issue 22 was published.

I Have just finished the latest issue, reading the letters pages makes me feel so nostalgic, and I wonder if anyone recalls St Augustine’s school? I went there from1955 to 1961 and did my last year of schooling at the new one that was built at corner of Queens Road and Rochdale Road. This school wasn’t up long before the land started to subside, and although they tried to save it, eventually it was demolished! Does anyone have any old photos of the classes at St Augustine’s? I would like to have one, with myself on if possible; I was dark haired, with brown eyes., I think I was about ten years old on one photo, I became bored as the photo-grapher was taking a long time, I started pulling faces, so I didn’t hear him say “say cheese”, so there I was on the photo with a distorted grimace, but nothing was said, except by a few classmates.

I am 59 years old and have lived in this area for most of my life, but when I was about seven years old, the family moved to Langley but my parents didn’t like it so we were only there about 10 weeks. We were lucky enough to find another family who wanted to move there so were able to exchange. Does anyone remember the ‘Norry’ family?
Other places we lived were Lodge Street, (which got demolished) and Margate Avenue in Newton Heath. I now live in a flat in Sheridan Court.

Your magazine make me recall so many things, such as, local shops, there were a few I remember, Bessies, Gerald and Hugh Fays, and what about Chippys’? On the same block as us, there was Minnie’s, and at least three more in easy walking distance. So if you had the cash; there was no need to cook lunch, tea or dinner.

If anyone does remember the Norry family I would love to hear from them.
Well that it is for now.
Edward Norry

Dear team,
I attended Holland Street School for 7 years and left in 1951.

For the two years 1952 &1953, I attended the youth club at the Joynson Memorial Hall on Bradford Road and we put on variety show which we performed at a couple of other youth club venues. Either people were kind or we were not too bad… can’t remember!!!!

From 1953 to 1956, I did three years in the army, then returned to 186 Bradford Road near the gas works. I would love to hear from anyone who might remember me.
Regards, Allan Clapworthy

Dear Maggi
I was very interested in the article by Doris Bennett (nee Hassall) when I read my friends* issue No. 22. Could Criney Street have been mis-spelt because my family lived in Crissey Street in the same area when I was born. If that is so, Doris may remember the Bagshaw family, I think we lived at No. 23.

I remember a family called Hardy who lived opposite; two of the children were Tommy and Florence. We moved to Victoria Avenue when the properties were demolished. I started school at the Albert Memorial.
Mabel Farrar (nee Bagshaw), mabelfarrar@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Team,
Once again thank you for your magazine, I pass them on to friends who think they are a wonderful read.

I went to Corpus Christi School from 1944 onwards; if any of your readers have any school photographs, I would love to see them.
Sheila Pelham , nee Armstrong

Thanks for the magazines. About the deer in Miles Platting (issue 22) It was the first I'd heard about it!
Margaret Ross.
We got a 'phone call from Josie Fletcher 'Friends of Philips Park' She also spotted a deer actually in Philips Park, so she was very pleased to convince her friends that she hadn't been seeing things! ed.

Radio Programme Request
Do any of your readers have a recording of the radio programme entitled “Collyhurst?” I think Les Dawson was in it. I have a recording but the quality is quite poor and I would love to hear from anyone who is able to provide me with a clearer copy. If anyone can oblige, please write to me.

Audrey Slater, 32 Green Meadow Road Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 4DE.
Have Your Say Magazine are very grateful for the loan of readers photographs; if you have any old photos that we could use we would love to hear from you