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Hanley
Hanley maps
Historic maps of Hanley and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Hanley maps
Hanley area books
Displaying 1 of 4 books about Hanley and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Hanley
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Staffordshire memories
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
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
Critchlows Corner
The building in view was a Post Office and General Stores, the area was known as "Critchlows Corner" after the name of the family that owned the shop. The post office was the only one in the area. At the age of 10 I would cycle to the Post Office to collect our familys child benefit.
The bridge in the background was used by railway engines taking coal from Hem Heath Colliery to Florence Colliery. The trains travelled slowly and on many occasions I have "caught" the train to Longton Park as the line passed it.
Sadly the shop no longer exists and the gardens in which it stood are now a small housing estate. The rail line is no longer used due to pit closures.
Them Were The Days
I remember going to Critchelows corner shop to get my sweets before I went to school, I also remember walking across the fields with my brother to get to Blurton Road Chemist because that was the only one in Blurton at the time to get my mums prescription, we used to buy a liquorice root stick to eat on the way back we always went back via the brook so we could jump it Happy Days!!!!
My Memory
I remember I was about 10 and Critchilows Corner was a derelict building at this point, probably in 2000, and we used to try get in to see what it was like inside. I moved away but do visit the area from time to time and it's a housing esate now, seems a shame.
I Went to That School
I went to that school. I went to the nursery and stayed there right up until the year 2000 and then moved away to Scotland. It was a great school.
Brings Back Memories of my Childhool.
I lived in Blurton from 1964 to 1983. My memories of Critchelow's Corner, called so because of the Critchelow sisters who ran the Post Office, is of walking past this corner to get to Gom's Mill and then walk on to Longton. In my dreams when I dream I am back in Blurton, I am often walking down this road, past the Post Office. I can remember in 1970, it was a really hot summer, and I was fascinated with the giant sunflower plants that the Critchelows had grown in their back garden that summer. They were enormous, over 6 feet tall. I was very sad to hear about the closure of the Post Office.
