Childhood Memories
Born in Bradford in 1956, emigrated to Australia in 1969 (40 years this year). Memories of my grandma's house in Arum Street, Canturbury where I was born in her lounge room and going to church every Sunday morning in the snow. My mum and dad were both born in Bradford and still have family living there. Remember going to the Alhambra for Christmas pantomines and seeing Freddy Frinton (think that it how it is spelt) and seeing the Beatles at either the Alhambra or the Gaumount Theatre. Remember being first in the door when the ice skating rink opened. Remember catching the trolley bus up to my other grandma's in Thornton. Memories of 'chumping' the 2 to 3 weeks before Guy Fawkes night then having huge bonfire with potatoes in their jackets. Both my parents worked at the AIS, so did my grandma, and aunties. Mum then went on to work at Empire Stores for many years and Dad continued to drive 'lorries'. Spent plenty of time hanging around Acre Mills and playing at Shailly Hills. Went to numerous schools, Princeville, Swain House, Park Road (Batley), Horton Bank Top Primary, then Great Horton Junior High before coming to Australia in 1969. Still miss Tizer, Dandelion and Burdock and going to Peel Park. Memories of walking from Wibsey all the way along Beacon Road past a huge park and Buttershaw estate (where my auntie lived) and to Ascot Drive (where I lived) seemed like miles but probably wasn't. Have lots of memories of Bradford and would love to take my kids there one day but it has probably changed from my memories
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RE: RE: Childhood Memories
Love the memories Sandra.
Wibsey Park was the large park you walked past, with its boating lake, I went around on the rowing boats many a time when I was a child.
I also remember Chumping for weeks and building a large bonfire on the junction of Donisthorpe Street and Ryan Street and the firemen coming to tell us it was too near the houses!
Comment from Catherine Harrison on Saturday, 29th August 2009.
RE: RE: Childhood Memories
Hi Sandra, am I right that you were Sandra Dalton who lived on Ascot Drive and went to Horton Bank Top School, with Roy Hemmingway as a teacher? Regards, Chris.
Comment from Chris Edmondson on Thursday, 15th October 2009.
RE: RE: Childhood Memories
Hey, there so many memories. Born and bred in Low Moor, went to Wyke Secondary Modern School as it was known, then played along with my mates in Harold Park, Low Moor at all the usual games. Like Sandra, I emigrated to Australia in the same year, 1969, came out on the 'Australis' from Southhampton. Love Australia but sometimes miss the old country, but like everywhere I suppose it's changed and even though we miss the childhood and younger days we can't get them back, only remember them.
Comment from Eric Smith on Thursday, 30th June 2011.