Burslem memories
Here are memories of Burslem and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Burslem or a Burslem photo.
School at Burslem Junior Tech
I lived in Blythe Bridge and travelled to school at the Burslem Junior Technical College in Moorland Road, Burslem over a period between 1943 to 1945. The journey by train on the old loop line was a lot of fun. I remember the screeching noise the coaches made when coming into Hanley station as the line had such a tight curve. We used to play football on a pitch in Hamil Road, this was lost when Port Vale took over the land to build their new ground. After a match we were run through Burslem Park back to the school and for a shower we were hosed down by someone who would be excused sports, he would use a stirrup pump and ice cold water. Then there was a mad rush to get the train home. Another memory was going to look for Molly Lea's grave, she was reputed to be The Burslem Witch and was supposed to be buried in a Burslem churchyard, but with the grave facing... Read more
Memories of Staffordshire
Smallthorne as A Child
I was born at 27 Croft Court, Smallthorne, in 1948, my father was born at 8 Back Crof in 1920. From when he left school in around 1934, he went to work in the coal mines. During the war years he went to join the army and was told he could not as he is in a reserved occupation. He worked Norton Mine, I believe it was called Bellerton pit. He also worked at Chaterly Whitfild, and Snyed - he was on stand by on 1st January 1942 with the rescue party. He married my mother at Saint Saviours Church, Smallthorne in May 1944, Bill and Pat Turner. My brother was born in 1946 but sadly only lived two weeks, he is buried in Saint Saviours in a family grave, then in 1948 I was born. We lived with my grandmother and grandfather at 27 Croft Court - my great grandfather lived next door at 29, William McIntyre, my grandmother and grandfather Harry and Annie Turner. We... Read more
St Johns The Scary
As a child I was terrified of the churchyard, we had to walk past it to get to Wilson Way where my Nan Lizzie Grocott lived. It wasn't so bad in the summer but in winter when it got dark early we would get off the bus opposite the Church and it would loom up like a big dark monster as we crossed the road towards it. My sister and me would grip onto Mum's hand so tight we would get told off. The Church yard backed on to my Auntie Frances' and if we were told to go across and visit her we would only go to the front door because we were terrified of what might be hiding just over that fence in the back garden.
One night at about half past six we walked past the church yard up the lane to go and get the bus home to Talke, we heard an owl hoot and fly across the wall above us, we took off up... Read more
Fishing Equipment And Cakes
Every year we would go to Pooles on the High Street to get yellow fishing nets so that we could go and collect tadpoles from ponds around the area. We would deliberate for a good while over what colour nets to get but we always ended up with yellow because our Dad said they showed the tadders up best.
Tiko Bakery was at the top of Elgood Lane (Church Lane) behind the Swan and we used to walk past ever so slowly just so that we could smell the bread and cakes cooking, on warm days we could still smell it as we turned up Wilson Way to my Nan's house.
Happy Days
Goldenhill (Happy days)
My first memories of Goldenhill are visiting my grandparents during the terrible winter of 1947, the snow was said to be five feet thick on Oldcott Drive where it had drifted from across the fields.
I also remember flying a kite my grandad had made, we flew it on starvation banks at the top of Kidsgrove bank, I think these were the waste tips from old coal mines which had been worked out, although there was still a footrill working, I remember it had an old ex US army truck which used its winch to pull tubs to the surface.
My grandad used to take me to the working mans club on a Sunday lunch time, it was on the High street close to Stoniers bus garage, he would treat me to a bottle of pop & a bag of crisps.
There were lots of bus companies in those days, Stoniers & Jeffreys... Read more
Goldenhill Gangs From The 1950`s
I just wondered if any one of the top end gang would remember my memories of playing football, I was born and bred in Alice Street in 1945. My mum and dad were Hannah and George Etheridge. I also had relatives that lived down Wilson Way by the name of Roberts. I also would like to know if any school friends are still around - Billy Yates, Wilf Simpking, Todger Heath, Joey Brough - I would like to hear from you all if possible.
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