The Tunnel And Canal c1955, Barnton
The Tunnel And Canal c1955, Barnton Ref: B518006
Memories of The Tunnel And Canal c1955, Barnton
Boat Road, Barnton - What Happened to The Houses?
Hello. I've just been looking at a picture of the canal and houses at Boat Road, Barnton. The photo was taken in the very early '50's and I was thinking what a lovely-looking 'canal village' it looked - something that would be a tourist attraction or a film-set location if the houses had been allowed to remain! It seems that all (or nearly all) of the houses were pulled down about 1953. Does anyone know why all this happened? Thanks, Paul Watkin ex- Grange Avenue, Barnton.
Marbury & local memories
Read and share memories of Marbury and Cheshire inspired by Frith photos.
Simple Childhood
I was born and brought up in Barnton and remember fondly how we used to walk across the fields to go to marbury swimming pool. We spent many happy hours there in summer. Like many others my father was housed in Marbury Park by I.C.I until the housing estates were built. We lived in Green Avenue most of my family still live in and around Northwich, I travelled furthest [ha ha] and live in Warrington but still class Barnton as home. Unfortunately all the familiar things are gradually disappearing they have recently demolished The British Legion for even more houses. My social life was at Winnington Youth Club where we spent many evenings playing table tennis and listening to music. There were so many more shops in Barnton than there is now. Does anyone remember Mrs Curzon on Runcorn Road? What a lovely lady she was. And Mrs Platt's farm where you could buy 1lb pears for 3d.
Life in Marbury as A Child
My surname was Campbell when I was born in Marbury in 1952. My sister Christine told me about this memory page and I was really excited because I remain fascinated by Marbury even though it is 48 years since I left. I go back as often as possible with my other sisters and when I am there I often think I could be walking past people thatI knew as a child. Marbury was a close-knit community where everyone looked out for each other. Some of the family names I remember are the Templemans, Judith Edwards and family, the Bidewells, the Fonteynes, the Thackhams and I am sure Alan Bleasedale the TV producer lived there. I also remember the Toker family whose son Peter went on to become a TV presenter. The memories I have of Marbury are all good and I think it was a heavenly place for children to be brought up. I would be delighted to share any memories other people from Marbury may have.
GROWING UP IN MARBURY
I was born in Marbury in 1954. My name is Christine Campbell and I was one of 6 children born to Paul and Kathleen Campbell. My dad worked for ICI. We were allowed to swim in the local open air swimming pool for free. The pool is just as it was all those years ago, it still has the chalk board on the wall to give the temperature of the water. I took part in a swimming gala and won first prize when I was about 6. I was christened a Methodist and attended the church in Marbury and even won certificates for good attendance. I can remember going to a small corrugated hut to buy paraffin for the heater. Mrs Haines ran the small shop and she had adaughter called Jennifer. I have such good memories of me and my sisters picking bluebells in the woods and collecting fir cones which we would take home and paint. I loved to fish in Marbury Mere with a stick and a... Read more
My Happy Memories in Marbury
My dad was Ron Watkin and we lived at 44 West Park (Marbury Park was divided in to a 'West Park' and an 'East Park' - I seem to remember that West Park was regarded as the 'posher' of the two!) . . I remember lots of things, even though my family left for Barnton when I was only 4 and a half (I attended Winnington Park Primary School for just one day before we left!). It was an idyllic place for children: I remember the water tower where the 'bogey man' lived. And Mrs. Johnson's television, which I think was the only one in Marbury at that time! And Marbury Baths (the aroma of whatever they put into the water, probably chlorine, was great - seemed far more pleasant than chlorine though, a lot nicer than 'sea-air' in fact! And Cheryl Puddyfoot whose family left for London, but that's another story . .
A Beautiful Place
I arrived in 1953 to live with my father and stepmother in Marbury. I have very mixed feelings of my life here. The countryside was beautiful, my love of nature and animal life has never left me. Bill's lawns (our name for the beautiful gardens outside the hall) was our playground and I new every rhododendron bush, yew tree and of course the three big beeches between the hall and the mere. The fountain in summer by the swimming pool was very picturesque.
I remember the annual sports day organised by ICI, I was so proud when I won a Davy Crocket hat and gun. Bobby Bennet, Pete Fontaine and Athelston Fuller are the only names I can remember from those days. If any of you read this I wish you well. I loved Marbury but my home life was full of cruel beatings and despair.
I served 27 years in the army and still hate my stepmother. I have been back to Marbury a few times since... Read more
A Happy Place to Grow up
I spent most of my childhood at Marbury. My parents moved south from Scotland when I was 5yrs old around 1953. Like many others who lived at Marbury my Father worked at I.C.I. In fact I think at that time Marbury was owned by the company, and the housing [converted P.O.W huts] was "tied" to the job so to speak. Looking back it seems like there were many nationalities as well as people from every corner of the British Isles. We were among the very last to move away when the place was closed down in the late 1960's. The hall was still standing although it was in a very sorry state by then. I still wonder why the Hall was pulled down. It was such a beautiful old building with some outstanding craftsmanship both inside and out. What a wonderful place to grow up as a kid, woods and fields to run wild in. So many happy memories. I was quite surprised to see from the pictures that there... Read more
