Catch up with old friends and neighbours
Dear HYS
I am writing further to Joyce Chadwick's (nee Curran) letter in issue 29.
My Sister Marion and I were in the 1st Manchester Girl Guides at the Women's Institute and also attended St. Jude's School in Ancoats. Joyce will probably remember my family who were the Robinsons and we lived in Mill Street. Some of the Guides that I can remember are the Nightingale girls, Mavis Crolla, Muriel Edwards, June Cronin and my twin cousins Marjorie and Mona Annison.
I am not sure if Joyce is aware that Marion passed away in 1954 aged 22. I would love to meet up with Joyce and any of the other Guides if possible to discuss the good old days! Please feel free to get in touch!
PS I have attached a photograph of St. Jude's School and a photograph that was taken at the Gongo Guides in 1946
Dear Maggi,
I am trying to find out any information about my grandparents and their children, my grandparents were called John & Catherine O'Brien. They had 4 son's named William, John, Joseph & Francis O'Brien. They lived at 3 High Burton Street, Miles Platting, Manchester in 1908 and then moved to, 3 Whitehouse Terrace, Off Clough Road, Blackley, Manchester 9. I would be very grateful if any of our readers could let me have any information that they may have about them.
Dear All,
A friend handed me a copy of Have Your Say issue 30. I found it very interesting. It brought back lots of memories. I used to live at No. 1 Oran Street, back to back with Hygienic Dairies. My sisters Brenda, Joan and brother Phil sad to say all passed away at an early age. I attended the Albert Memorial School, Queens Road, from 1947 to 1958.
On page 8 there is a mention of a family called the Berry's, I don't know if they can remember me, but they will remember my cousins; Ann and Val Barton, they lived opposite. (I remember shops) my Gran lived in Ollerton Street also my aunty Mrs Noden. I have passed the issue onto my cousins. I remember Annie Jackson's, my sister Brenda used to help in the shop. Rogers shop, that was at the corner of the row the Berry's lived. Schindlers Chippy and the Foresters Pub Anna Bishop? My dad Phil Walsh was a regular there.
When the houses came down we moved into Collyhurst Flats where I met my husband, Michael Rule. He went to St. Patrick's school. We moved to Failsworth in 1966; we have since divorced. I have lived in Failsworth ever since. About the photos on the front page; I do not recognise anyone, only the headmaster Mr. Liversedge!
I have got lots more happy memories, but not many photos. I would like to ask if anyone has a photo of me Edna Walsh, I would love to get my hands on one! Please get in touch by email.
Dear Have Your Say.
In response to a letter in the spring issue 30, I can tell the writer that 42 Jersey Street was the address of the Royal Oak Public House. The reason I know is because I was born there in 1942. My grandmother Albina Marrochia moved to the premises with her family Mary, Tony and Winnie, in 1938. When it stopped being used as a Public House, I do not know, perhaps somebody will know the answer.
My family used to hire out Barrel Organs and make Brown Twist cones on the ground floor of the premises and we lived above on the other two floors. Albina was well known in Ancoats, as she also made and sold ice cream trading as Maroccas.
It was strange seeing my old address in your magazine. It was my daughter that noticed it and it brought back so many memories. I wonder if any of your readers remember Albina and my dad Tony. I now subscribe to the magazine and look forward to reading all other issues.
Dear HYS Team,
I was reading your magazine and on the front of it took me back to Ancoats where I was born and raised. My mum and dad lived there until they knocked down the maisonettes and we moved to Miles Platting. What a good time we had as kids, we lived right next to the opening (The stairway to the upper floor) and loved playing in there. The amount of times my mum had to shout at us to "Get out of there!"
I went to St. Jude's school and as far as I can remember I started there when I was six until I was about eight, I then went to a school called Bradford Grange. I would love to hear from people from any of my schools. Also I wonder does anyone know my parents Mr. & Mrs Hough from Ancoats, it would be nice to hear from old friends and neighbours again.
PS. I know Martina Convery, she is my best mate. Nice picture dear!
To the team of Have Your Say,
I am now 88 years old now and cannot remember when subscription is due to be paid, and would ask you to accept the enclosed in any case.
Incidentally I wonder if anyone has a photograph of my long-defunct primary school St. Phillip's Bradford Road? Or also Newton Heath Technical school?
Dear HYS team,
Just to say thank you for the back copies of the magazines. I was surprised to see my brother Billy Ratcliffe in the Winter issue 29. He was in the football team for the Albion, Miles Platting. We were brought up in Rhodes Street and went to St. Luke's school. My wife was also brought up in Miles Platting, in Sandal Street. Happy times then, we walked along the Red rec' many, many times going to the playhouse pictures, and the railway station, which sadly neither of them are there now.
Do you know what happened to the bowling green? We sat in there lots of times, watching the matches. I could write all day about Miles Platting. But I will do that another time. Once again Thank you and keep up the good work.
The Sandal/Iron Street Bowling green is now Sandal Street Park, Our editor's claim to fame (Kathryn Bates) is that she wrote a poem about a game of bowls, it was carved onto several marble disks and set into the ground next to the play equipment area! Also one of our editorial team Alf Almond was asked to perform the cutting of the ribbon ceremony when the park was opened. (Alf used to play for Iron Street Bowling club)
Maggi,
Have just re-read the article on page 5 of Issue 28 about the 'Italian Walks'. In the 1950's & early 1960's I used to take part in those walks as a Brass Band Player. The band was either 'St. Mary's Church Band' from Beswick or ' Beswick Prize/Silver Band'. If anybody can clarify this for me please do so. The 'Italian Walks' I took part in were always held on Trinity Sunday Evening, they were so colourful with the floral arrangements around the Statues and the traditional dresses worn by the females. On Whit Monday St. Mary's Band would lead their own Church to Albert Square then around their Parish on Whit Sunday. On Whit Friday the Band would lead St. Brigids in Bradford to Albert Square then on Trinity Sunday around their Parish.
I left Manchester in 1966 to join the RAF, occasionally I go back to there and take a walk or drive past these Churches, well those that are still standing that is.
Dear Have Your Say
Hello my name is Leslie Morris, I was born on 10th October 1936 at 49 Hobson Street, Failsworth. I went to Dob Lane School, my school mates were called Ronnie Callen, George, Harry and Beryl Lyons, the nearest pubs were the Bulls Head, The Cloggers, the Lamb Inn and the Weavers Arms which was opposite Broadway, Oldham Road.
On the corner of Hobson Street and Corn Street was Halliwells where my mother did her shopping, her name was Florence Morris. There was Kemp's the butchers, Roby's Hardware, Garside Electrics, Renshaws for any colds or flu' remedy's, Dunkleys newsagents, Haigh's chip shop and at the bottom of Hobson Street was the Ebenezer Church. I would love to hear any more information about that area.
Could you please forward any info on to me?
Hello,
Does anyone know of or is a relative of Sam Gilbert who married Agnes Donohue?
They were married at St John the Evangelist, Miles Platting Manchester in 1908.
They lived on Sycamore St Miles Platting from 1901 to at least 1911, they had seven children. The reason I am enquiring is that Sam Gilbert's sister Emily was my Grandmother, and I'm doing my family tree so if anyone could give me any information it would be greatly appreciated.
Both Sam, and Agnes are buried in Philips Park cemetery, Manchester
Dear HYS
In issue 30 Margaret Lord (Molloy) two letters really interested me. One was from Margaret herself. I would just like to say I do remember her and it was nice to be reminded of the other girls especially Ada Wright, who was one of me friends when I was growing up in Collyhurst.
The other letter was from David Holmes who wrote regarding the Queens Arms in Hannah Street, always known to us as Barnes. That pub was my dad's local and he knew Jim Barnes very well indeed. I have some photos of pub outings from Barnes and when I eventually find them I will send them to HYS.
Many thanks to you all
Hello,
I wonder if you can help me. I would like to leave a message for the Marjorie Jones who wrote a letter in "Love to Hear", Issue 23, or anyone who remembers St Oswald's Grove where Marjorie Jones's family about the time of WW1 (I can't even find it on a map now - can anyone point out where it was?). I am trying to find out about a man called Peter Archibald who was killed in WW1. He came from St Oswald's Grove, went to war, died of wounds in 1919 aged 29, and then all trace of him disappeared so he is not remembered on any roll or memorial. As far as I am aware, he had no immediate family. He was just another soldier but I think he should be remembered because he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He served with my dad in the Royal Fusiliers in that war. I'd very much like to try and find his grave to make sure it's looked after. How do I go about leaving a message?
Hi
You printed a letter and photograph of my Mum, Elsie Farrow nee Molloy in the Christmas edition. A lady called Agnes Humphreys nee Farrell wrote to you and you printed her letter in the Spring issue. page 9.
I notice that Mrs Humphrys who must be in her late eighties is modern enough to use the computer for her shopping. I wonder if she would like to email this address and I could pass it on to my Mum.
My Mum doesn't mind Agnes having her phone number but she doesn't want it published in the mag. What is your usual procedure if people want to get in touch.