Dear Have Your Say
I heard about your publication through the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society of which I am a member, and I hope to make use of it in my family research. I am trying to find information about my late grandmother, Mary Morgan, who lived in Teignmouth Street, Collyhurst, until she married my grandfather, Harry Humphrey, in 1924. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Chapel. I believe she was active in amateur dramatics in the area and would like to know if there is an existing society which may have archives from that period.
Joanne Humphrey.
Can anyone help? Ed.

Dear Have Your Say
Thanks for issue 4. First class, as usual. I was so pleased you put a map inside, of the pictures on the front cover. It was very helpful.

I watched a programme on TV the other day, which reminded me of the rationing during the last war. I was a young girl. I wondered how we would cope these days, with all the ready meals and fast food and plenty of everything in the supermarkets. We are really spoilt aren’t we?

I can remember we used to get about 1 ounce of butter and 2 ounces of margarine per person, each week. Our mum would put our rations in a basin, add a little milk and beat it all together. We all had a turn at mixing it. I suppose it would be a bit like the spreads we get today. When it was all gone we had to make do with a bit of dripping off the meat. It would be nice to know if anyone else’s mum did the same.

I am looking forward to issue five. I love all the chit-chat.
Marian Ross. (Nee Fox)
Well readers; any more rationing memories? (Ed)

Dear Have Your Say
Many thanks for issue four. The picture on the front cover of Bradford Road junction brought memories flooding back, especially the left hand corner, the clayhills. Last time I passed, they had been excavated and part of my childhood had been ripped apart.

The clayhills were our play area. In the summer we would climb up and take a bottle of water and jam butties and have a picnic. We played all day and we watched the trains pass by. During the winter, the hills became The Alps, covered in snow and ice. We would make a sledge out of an orange box or even a dustbin lid! The snow would eventually melt and become a mucky mess, and so would we, covered in thick clay and mud. But it didn’t put us off, never mind the trouble we got into arriving home in that state.

They were happy days. Is it any wonder, the sadness I feel at the clearing of the hills?

Marie Pandolfo. (Nee Jordan)

Dear Have Your Say
First of all congratulations for your great magazine. My Aunt Agnes McGeary sent me issue four last week. I really enjoyed reading about all the exciting things that are happening.

Although I was born in Beswick, my family lived in Ancoats for many years. As a matter of fact the above mentioned Aunt has lived within a two mile radius from where she lives now, for all of her 85 years, and can tell many a tale of life in Ancoats over the years. On my trips to see her I have often wished I had a recorder to capture the many interesting and often funny experiences she has had over the years.

John White (Canada)
Thanks John. We are always happy to follow up local stories, so watch out for Agnes’ tales in a future issue! (Ed)

Dear Have Your Say
After receiving a copy of issue two, I was delighted to see a class photo including myself, it made me remember my schooldays. Mr. Jones was such a good teacher. He made you think for yourself more. He was very influential. He left Nelson Street and went to Every Street School as headmaster. I met him at a swimming gala at Hathersage Road Baths in the 1960’s. I was so pleased to see him again.

Barbara Camm.

We received these words from Barbara just after issue two, but we mislaid them! Sorry Barbara! (Ed)