Newton
Memories
Your magazine brought back many memories of Newton, Ancoats and Miles Platting.
I was born in the 1930s in Whalley Street, Newton, (off Holland Street) and close
to Royle’s Bridge and the canal, when I was very young we used to watch the
barges going up and down the canal. My auntie Maggie lived in one of houses right
on the side of the canal bank, we used to watch the men opening the locks to let
the barges through.
In John Graham’s little
corner shop, he made clogs to order, with rubber or iron soles on them, us kids
chose irons. We loved the noise they made.
In the Half Moon, (a little
pub on Holland Street) the neighbours had some good times, piano going, everyone
singing, little old ladies in clogs and shawls sitting in the snug taking their
snuff.
We moved to Ancoats in the
early 40s Perrin Street just off Ridgeway Street. The neighbours were very friendly,
we had a piano in our front room and it was any excuse for a knees-up with the
neighbours. Ours was a big family, 6 girls and 4 boys. I was the 9th. Dad worked
at Holland’s Mill as Night watchman for many years, how we managed in those
little terraced houses, No hot water, No bath, an outside toilet, freezing in
winter, makes you wonder.
I can remember going to
the chapel on Bradford Road, dancing to records for sixpence also Ancoats Lads
Club, New Islington Hall, Jimmy Burns, The Lido on Ashton Old Road. Happy days.
My husband Tom lived on
Bradford Road. Right opposite the gas works, his father worked there for many
years. Tom went to Holland Street School, I went to St. Mark’s. I’m
glad to have been born in the 30s, people were more friendly, no stealing or
mugging; nobody had anything to steal we were all in the same boat.
M Barker (nee Walker)
