Two for the price of one!
The Rt Hon. Charles R Morris P,C. D,L. and Alfred, (Lord Morris of Manchester)
Don’t be thrown by the grand titles, these two lads are offsprings of George and Jessie Morris, two ordinary people from “Round our way”. Their sons attained their positions of high office by merit, and not by way of an accident of birth.

George was disabled while serving in the “Great War” and the boys, Alf, in particular, took it upon himself to cater for all his dads needs and assist him in general. Both lads attended Brookdale Park School in Newton Heath where the family had moved when Charles was just a “Nipper”, In childhood they went through all the normal stages of growing up, mischief, sports, they were just like the rest of us.

Charles was born in 1926 in a little street off Every street in Ancoats, and the move to Newton Heath happened when he was two years old. After leaving school he worked for the Post Office and became a counter clerk in Spring Gardens Manchester, he became interested in Politics through his connection with the Union. He served in the Royal Engineers as a National Serviceman. He met Pauline Dunn, one of those smashing “Plattin-girls”, and when they got Wed, their reception was at the Co-op over the shops on Oldham Road near the Playhouse, (Mamma needed the DIVI !)

Alfred was born in 1928, After leaving school he started his employment in the office at Wilson’s Brewery in Newton Heath, and furthered his education by attending evening school after finishing his daily job. He served in the Forces as a National Serviceman, He went to Ruskin College Oxford, St Catherine’s University, and Manchester University getting a (CoE) and (M.A). He married Irene Jones (another Plattin’ girl) in 1950, They had their reception at a Co-op too, this time in the room above the Butchers on Varley Street, But!, not until they both had to roll up their sleeves to clean the place first, (a great experience for their feet on that first rung of the long matrimonial ladder). Charles related the story to me, Apparently, the room had been used previousely for a local wedding reception and all was going well until a derogetary remark was made against the Groom, all Hell broke loose and the aftermath left the room resembling one of those Cantina’s in Cowboy films after a brawl, tables and chairs were thrown all over the place.

Charles’ wife Pauline, recalled having to go to the wash house in New Street, she used a box-cart to carry the washing on and took a short cut across the Red-Rec, the cart had a dodgy wheel which came off and left her stranded.

Both men are examples of determination to succeed, they rose from humble beginnings to attain the heights of Parliament.

Charles, local Councillor (Miles Platting), Member of Parliament (Manchester Openshaw), Shadow Deputy Leader. Education Minister. Minister of State (Civil Services),and (P,P,S.) to Harold Wilson were only some of his Offices.

Alfred reached the title (Lord Morris of Manchester), but only after a political life of caring and specialising in the problems facing the disabled, already experienced when he was a youngster). After doing his National Service he put all his energy into working for the disabled and in Parliament his “Private Members Bill” was successful. Apart from other Offices he’s held, he became the very first Minister for the Disabled and only recently he was presented with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition for his work