Not Too Rough and More Than Ready

Although my home’s in Wythenshawe
My memory serve’s me well
A good look through your magazine
Did more than ring a bell.
I’ll go back forty years or more
When Ancoat’s was our treat
Our relatives we’d visit
Round about Elizabeth Street.
“Prussia Park” was filled with kids
Who’d not waste time on washes
Our Sunday-best brought fearsome looks
Perhaps they thought us “poshies”.
The grown-ups for a good night out-
No wine bars, Pizzas’ or curries
Instead a good old sing-song
In the “Oddfellows and Murray’s”.
All spruced up they’d saunter down
“We’ll bring you crisps” They’d say
We’d wave until the pub they’d reached
Then off we’d go to play.
Cousin Brian-left in charge
We felt safe in his care
Until “St. Barney’s” Churchyard fence
Was challenged for a dare!
Next- “step bridge”- a favourite haunt
We’d scramble up to gaze
The sqaulor of the old canal
Played on our mind for days.
Butler Street, “Ben Hartley’s”
In their window- suits galore
We’d “bags” our Whit week outfit
Which would dazzle ‘em for sure.
Back to Brian’s- tired now
We’d listen ‘til we’d hear
The harmonising tones which meant
Our crisps were getting near.
From noise filled house, us kids would make
Our way up stairs so steep
With so few beds I’d ponder on
With whom and where I’d sleep.
John Morris.

A Final Thought
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Fax 205 9644
E-mail: maggi@haveyoursay.freeserve.co.uk

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