Eccles memories
Here are memories of Eccles and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Eccles or a Eccles photo.
M62 Motorway Bridge
I remember being taken to Peel Green one Sunday, and witnessed the opening of the new bridge over the canal. On that day, the bridge was closed to all motor traffic, and thousands of people walked across it, quite a unique experience. Try doing it today! There was a carnival atmosphere about the whole day.
Lyndale Eccles
When I left school in 1962 me and my pal Chris Marks used to go to the Lyndale over Burton's tailors. We saw some great acts - Herman and the Hermits, Rockin Berries, loads of local groups that didn't make it, Brian Page and the Chapters..Stylos, and lots of others. Then we graduated to the Jungfrau in Manchester where you could dance the night away without the need for alcohol - it was coffee (frothy) and coca cola or pepsi. Or the Twisted Wheel where we saw acts like Long John Baldry, the Rolling Stones, Hollies - what a fantastic time to be a teenager! I actually saw the Beatles at the Ardwick Apollo....live! I worked afacing Granada TV and met The Kinks, Karl Denver, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Stones and The Beatles in the early 60s, what wonderful memories...if only we could go back. By the way, if we missed the bus home we would take off our shoes and walk, no fear at all. How things have... Read more
Childhood Memories of Eccles And Surrounds
I was born in 1924 in Salford. My parents moved to 254 Barton Lane, Eccles, corner of Barton Lane and Fairless Road when I was 4 years old. Dad was an electrical engineer and fitter with Eccles Corporation.
In 1927 my sister Olive was born.
My first school in 1929 was Lewis Street School, Patricroft, where I met my first friend, Joyce Locket. I went for a time to St Catherine's School at Barton, just over the swing bridge. My last school was St Andrews, Eccles. I left school at 14, so I lived through the depression years. We played ball games, whip and top, hop scotch, and rolled hoops along the pavement with a stick. We had cycles and used to take picnics to Barton and Astley Moss areas in school holidays.
I used to watch the gas man light the street gas lamps with a long pole just before dark. The Co-op bread van would deliver bread at 4p a loaf. The rag and bone man came round... Read more
Some of my Early Years in Old Eccles
I lived in Eccles from 1939 until 1942 and went to Eccles Parish School. I lived in Evelin Street, off Salters Lane. There was a big gang of young kids inbetween the the houses. At Ladywell Hospital there was large reservoir - we spent hours in the summers taking turns rafting. My grandmother, owned a corner shop opposite the church on Salters Lane.
ABC Broadway
The cinema was the ABC Broadway, but the main road through Eccles was (and hopefully still is) Church Street. The cinema was at the bottom of Church Street, where it met with Liverpool Road.
St Catherines School
I went to St Catherines School prior to going to Australia. Have very fond memories as a child growing up in this area. I lived at 513 Barton Lane, and my Grandparents lived at 569 Barton Lane. Would love to correspond with anyone who lived here in this era.
Lyndale/Broadway, Eccles
Good days at the Lyndale nipping out to the Hare and Hounds for a pint, also the town hall pub. Yes, fantastic nights there from about 1961-1964, I saw Herman's Hermits, Dave Berry ect, had some good times there, I wish they could come back. I went to Broadway (which later became the Court School of Dancing), saw the Hollies and other great stars of the day. I wish we were all 18 again.
Church Street, Eccles
Just at the top of the photo, and out of camera, was a pub called the Railway Tavern. Locally it was known as the 'Top House'. Around the back lurked a bookies runner, and I was sent by my grandad on many occasions, to 'put a bet on' for him. I was always told to watch out for policemen, before going down the ally. The runner was a spiv of a man, who would disappear once I had handed over the bet money, wrapped in paper. Any winnings would be collected from the bar later, by my grandad, and probably ended up in the pub till!
Parrin Lane
I lived on Parrin Lane in the early 1960s. My parents had a shop that sold bags of coal and hardware and fancy goods - S & D Hodsons.
Monton Green c1950
In 1950 the paths and green at Monton Green had been newly laid out as it exists today. The paths were red gravel and if you so much as scuffed your boots in the gravel there was a 'park keeper' to reprimand you. I had my photo taken at this time, just by the bush on the left, and in the background my father was sat on one of the benches.
At the foot of Monton Green Station steps on the Monton side was a small irregular shaped newspaper kiosk run by on Charlie Cousins of Monton Green. When Charlie retired the kiosk was taken on by Gordon Wharmby, who later became Thora Hird's screen husband, Wesley, in 'Last of the Summer Wine'. At that time Gordon lived in Mitchell Street.
Saturday Afternoon Pictures
Going to the Eccles market in the morning putting lights up for the stall holders for two bob, that was after doing the shopping for my mum and sister for half a crown. That was more than enough for the ABC Broadway ticket, or your mate could go in and open the emergengy door at the back. They put on at least 7 films, some cliff hangers, and lollipop sticks went flying through the air. The place was packed every Saturday.
First Pop Concert
I was 11 years old and allowed to attend a pop concert at the Broadway. Top billing was The Kinks supported by Gene Pitney and Marrianne Faithfull. My memory tells me that it was The ABC; Broadway being the name of the main shopping street. Wonderful memory.
Memories of Eccles
My mum Mary Booth, worked at the cinema around the above date - I have a photo of her dressed up from the film 'Annie Get Your Gun', selling tickets outside. I went to Eccles Parish School in 1958/9 until I left in 1963/4. I remember some of the teachers, Miss Whiteside and Mr Norcross - I absolutely loved it there. My sister Linda Sharman, also went there, she is four years younger than myself, so went at a later date. I remember the old market hall next to Tesco, which incidentally I worked at for a short period of time. The old outside market where my friend and I once found a ten shilling note and we thought we were rich. We lived on Evelyn Street, which has long since gone. All the pubs; The Town Hall, The Bull, The Fox, The Hare and Hounds and The Cross Keys - loved them all. I went in them all from being 16 ooops! Haha, fond memories.
Knights Hat Shop
Just wondering if a anybody has any memory or knowledge of this shop - it was either in Peelgree, Patricroft or Eccles. I have a pic.
Living in Eccles
I remember when I lived in Pembroke Avenue, as a youngest but before that we lived in Crambrooke Road, Einton, then in 1967 on St Patrick's Day we left to emigrate to Australia, I have not returned there since then but still have family living there and keep in contact with them, they tell us all about changes, what is still there plus what's been demolished. It seems so odd that I can still remember certain things and places there but have never gone back.
Monton & Eccles
I was born in Monton, lived in Monton during my childhood and moved to Eccles. I went to Eccles Parish School which at the time was run by nuns. They taught us pretty well and watched over us even when we washed our hands, and if anyone remembers the school they will know it had cobbled hallways too which gave the school character. I have a couple of not-so good memories but many were good ones too. I later went to Ellesmere Park School. I live near the vicarage near the parish school. I remember the indoor market next to Tesco and the family clinic around the corner. I also remember the outdoor market which was still there years later. The cinema was near the outdoor market. Then after Church Road there was the Cooperative, the mall and many other shops all the way to the outdoor market. On the other side there was the public library (I have heard that is no longer there!- I thought that was a... Read more
Jack Bailey Turf Accountant
Does anybody remember a Jack Bailey, turf accountant? I am trying to trace Jack or John Bailey and his son Clifford. The address was 141 Creamer House, St Mary's Road or Street, any info would be appreciated. The shop was there in the 1960s but from when I don't know.
Post War Memories
I was born in 1950, in the front room of 168, Wellington Road, Eccles. This was my grandparents' house. My mother, Barbara, worked as a telephonist for the GPO, at their exchange on Half Edge Lane. My grandad, Lionel Payne, was a railwayman driver, at Patricroft sheds, whilst my uncle Leonard Payne was an accident inspector for the railway, later rising to become area controller. My grandad rented a small allotment, next to the Railway Mission, which was tucked away under the Four Bridges, across the road from our house. I attended Eccles Parish School, and also the Emmanuel Church Sunday School, also on Wellington Road. Sadly, all the above have now gone, (with the exception of the Four Bridges), which was named so by the engine drivers, because it was the fourth bridge from Eccles Station.
I grew up on the railway shed at Patricroft, and as a child had unrestricted access to all. Try that on now, with 'elf & safety!
In later years, I attended Winton Senior... Read more
A Walk For A Pint
I can remember vividly walking from Trafford Road in Salford, all the way up Eccles new Rd with my new wife. Why did we walk? because we had nowt, as we said then. We walked all the way, talking and planning our future. When we got to Eccles we called into The Hare & Hound pub..still there. I had a glass of bitter she a glass of lemonade. We would make it last a hour, then we went to the 'chippy ' bought a bag of chips between us, loads of salt and vinegar, and we made the journey back home, still chatting and planning our life together. That was our 'night out' in those far off days. I don't think it cost more than 5 bob (25p in funny money) - that's a lot when your skint. We are still together, still planning, but we would both trade it all to go back and start again. Those were the best times of our lives.
Memories of Lancashire
St Joseph's Home, Worsley Road
I was at St Joseph's Home from November 1947 to july 1953, and had many happy times.
Patricroft Shops
There was an ironmonger's shop on Patricroft Bridge ( the Eccles side) owned by a man called Richmond, whose daughter May attended Eccles Grammar School - though she was too nice a girl to have anything to do with a yob like me! Over the other side of the bridge was the Majestic Cinema (later the "Talk of the North" club). St. Joseph's Home was not always the happy place your correspondent remembers - my mother used to threaten to "...have you kids put away in there" if we misbehaved, so we were much in awe of that big green front door with the big brass knocker.
Patricroft , Liverpool Road
There was a fish shop named Tommy Cockers' I think and old Tommy used to come out and chase us with a wet, slimy fish.
Tommy Cocker
Yes, I remember Tommy Cocker, I was born in Patricroft in 1941 and lived in Mellor Street. After school I used to go to Tommy's shop to do odd jobs for spending money. One of the jobs I did was to pluck chickens, he used to keep them live in his cellar, he would take me down there where the chickens were running around, he would then screw their necks and give them to me to pluck whilst they were still warm, apart from the little cash I received I also finished covered in fowl lice. Some job. I now live in Australia. Just interested, do any of you who remember a Barry Wilson from 1940/50?
St. Joseph's Patricroft.
I also have memories of St. Joseph's I, along with my sister & brother were placed there. We had an aunt at the convent she was Mother Hilary. Sr Cecilia was in charge of the girls and I love her to this day. She was a very creative artistic nun. While everything was not like a typical home, we were well fed, well educated and well looked after. Can't speak for the boys though. I remember being in the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas + Pearl the fishermaiden, I was also in choir. I remember going to the movies on Tuesday nights, and to the Seminary in Freshfield every year for our holidays. What fun we had! Also walking to Elocution class in Eccles on Monday nights. I left there and went to live with my Dad in Salford.
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