You are here:
Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Does anyone have any pictures of Church Road in 1930 or any old pictures of Haydock or the Cat Pit? My name is John Gleave, age 52 years, and my father's name is Jack Gleave, does anyone in Haydock remember me? If so give us an email at: dorrengleave@talktalk.net, Don't panic, it's my wife's name. I look forward to your replies.
Memories Links
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How does Haydock feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of Haydock?
How has Haydock changed over the years?
Share memories about your local community, its history and people.
Comments
8 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Jack Gleave from Haydock. When I was14 (early 1950s) I delivered groceries for Alice Latham. On my round was a very dear old lady (Mrs Gleave), she lived lived at the rear of a shop opposite the council offices. Mrs Gleave was very deaf and I used to look through the window to catch her eye. That was nearly 60 years ago. I was wondering if she was a relative. Regards, C. Roberts (now living in Abergele, North Wales).
Comment from Colin Roberts on Thursday, 2nd December 2010.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hayfock Reservoir, nicknamed the Cat Pit. Hello, Mr Colin H Roberts. Thank you for your kind reply. Jack Gleave was my father, born in 1924, who became a collier. The elderly lady who lived at the back of the shop opposite the council offices in Church Road, Haydock, from the 1890s to the 1950s as you mention was my grandmother, whom sadly I have never met and have thought about all my life. Would you please tell me more about what she looked like and her personality? Lathams shop was owned by her family, could you tell me anything about them? Also my mother and father lived with my grandmother, do you remember them? I think your family are relatives somehow. I remember many times my father mentioning Roberts and Lathams but I did not undersand the connection as I was very young. Please tell us more about you. Did you ever do any fishing, how long did you live in Haydock etc. PS: My grandmother's maiden name was Lathem or Roberts. Please reply...thank you.
Comment from Doreen Gleave on Tuesday, 25th January 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
My name is John Gleave, I went to Haydock Secondary Modern School part time, as I spent the rest of the time fishing...from 1968 to 73. I remember the headmaster Mr Bell and his cane, I say bring the cane back, not Mr Bell of course, as he died many years ago, only joking...but not about the cane, as it was in part the makings of a young man to know right from wrong. Crime figures were much lower in ration to the population everywhere. People had mor respect for teachers and feared the police and were less likely to cross the line more than once, and I believe the old ways of schooling helped. I hope everyone in Haydock is well. I miss Haydock and my friends as a young man. There used to be farms, lots of fields, woods and we would go fishing at the Cat Pit, Lilly Pit, the Dubs and the Signals Pond and build huts in the fields. We were a gang of 10 at night: Anthony Spencer, John Harrison, Danny Greenall, Malc Trigg, Stuart Brown, David Pengleberry, Ste Smith, Alan Hurst Ste and many others. Where are you all? Get in touch at my wife's email: dorrengleave@talktalk.net or anyone else. My Haydock years were 1957 to 1980 approx. Many thanks and kind regards, John
Comment from Doreen Gleave on Tuesday, 25th January 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hi, John, we lived on Chapel Street, I went to Haydock Secondary Modern when Mr Fitton was headmaster. He seemed about 20 ft tall, then Mr Bell took over. I did lots of fishing. The first time was at the Rock Pit near the East Lancs road. We used sticks cotton for line and pin hooks. We fished at Cat Pit, Cocky Pit just over the Navvy lines just by the dirt ruck, Lily Pit, and one through the Stable Yard. Kids these days miss a lot. Mind you, health and safety would have a fit. Regards, Eric
Comment from Eric Bond on Monday, 28th February 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hello, Mr Eric Nond. My name is John Gleave. Thankyou for your kind reply regarding the memories of Haydock Secondary Modern School and all the good places for fishing which were free, and produced some good sport, not like today, being charged an arm and a leg for everything. We will probably be charged for breathing one day. Eric, I remember Chapel Street very well. Do you remember Arthur Gleave? He was my uncle. He has two sons, David and Allen, who are miserable and unfriendly, but I liked Uncle Arthur and Auntie Doris. I remember my dad [Jack] having fond memories of Bonds, do you remember him? Or my grandparents who had a shop in Church Road? I think my grandmother owned houses in Chapel Street. She was Lilly Bond. Also the Lathams and Cooks seemed to have some connections with my family. Do you remember my dad's sisters? One was called Renie and lived in Chapel Street. Lots to talk about, I will catch up with you in future updates. Bye for now. Kind regards, John Gleave
Comment from Doreen Gleave on Thursday, 3rd March 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hi John, I live in Southport now, when we lived on Chapel Street we lived at number 4, a two up and two down. I and four brothers slept in one room, it was very crowded. There is me, sadly George passed away 2 years ago, Bernard still lives in Haydock, also David Neville lives in Rainford. I did a lot of fishing with Norman Mills who lived opposite St James. I am going out now but I will contact you again. Regards, Eric
Comment from Eric Bond on Thursday, 3rd March 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hi John, did you ever fish the Ram Pit reservoir? It was behind the shops near the Rams Head, Peter Quin's paper shop and the chip shop. Jack Case had a big yard opposite the Rams Head, it was full military vehicles after the war right up to the wooden head gear of the Ram Pit. There was even the body of a glider up there, like the ones they used at Arnhem, the vehicles went right down to the water and we could fish off the backs of them. It was great before they built the council estate off Peel Road, Farmer Picton used to herd his cows up Peel Road many times. We used to play in the fields where the council estate is, there was a hill where Peel Hall once stood and the remains of a moat. One hundred yards either side of Church Road and you would be in fields. I'm 71 years old by the way.
Comment from Eric Bond on Sunday, 6th March 2011.
RE: RE: Haydock Reservoir, Nickname Cat Pit
Hi, is this John Gleave from Wycliffe Road? If so, do you remember me, Ian Bettle from Marian Road? I have been digging out old pics of Haydock and stumbled on this site, I couldn't believe what I was reading, so many happy memories. Anyway if you are the John I think you are, let me know. bettle_1@hotmail.com
Comment from Ian Bettle on Thursday, 23rd February 2012.