Chester in The 1960s And 1970s
Chester for me, in the 1960s, was, first, the Museum. It was a full day out. The C4 or C3 bus from Overpool or the C6 from Rivacre, small pack of sandwiches and some orange squash in my school haversack and I could spend the day with the Roman Army. Having a very eidetic imagination (I think in pictures) it was easy for me to see those Roman Soldiers marching along.
Later it was rowing with E Port Grammar School where I was a pupil and then the 70s arrived and we had left school and the ports of call then were The Kings Head in Lower Bridge Street, The Boathouse and Quaintways. I became an apprentice watchmaker with W Hyde and Co in Ellesmere Port and often had to go to Chester to collect and deliver engraving to Mr Shoebruck and jewellery repairs to Irwins.
In 1983 I set up a watch and clock repairs workshop above Irwin's Jewellers at the top of Northgate Street and stayed until 1984 when I moved the business to Heswall.
I now live on the Isle of Wight and visit home once a year. I always manage a day in Chester. The city may change but essentially it remains the same with the Rows and the cathedral and of course the river. Sitting on a seat down there in the sun with an ice lolly watching Bithell's boats come and go (I was at school with Hugh Bithell) is a pleasure not to be missed.
I will return to Cheshire later this year to live and Chester will become once more my pleasure ground.
Memories Links
Other memories of St Mary-Without-The-Walls 1906
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
1 comment has been shared so far in response to the memory "Chester in The 1960s And 1970s".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Chester in The 1960s And 1970s
Dear Stephen,
Just to let you know my father, Wallace Hyde passed away yesterday morning (8th February 2012) in Chester. At 82 he was still working at a bench in a home workshop and this is where he was happy, surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of horology and being close by his second wife Linda.
I remember as a youngster visiting the shop in Ellesmere Port town center and seeing all the apprentices at work upstairs. I also have recollections of Mr.Blower who had trained my father as an apprentice and who himself came to work for his pupil. My Grandfather also worked there and you will no doubt remember him.
Myself, I worked with my father for a short while as an apprentice in a small Chester workshop abuting the walls and basically below the Eastgate Clock. Horology was unfortunately not for me as being confined to a bench severly restricted my wander lust. I also would never have the skills and talent of my father nor the learning experience of being an apprentice in wartime and having to make most things yourself, including the electric heater for Ellesmere Port winters!
Chester was my home growing up and despite living away for a majority of my adult life it will always be home and I was fortunate to experience the place before some of the modern changes.
Comment from Andrew Hyde on Thursday, 9th February 2012.