Helmshore memories
Here are memories of Helmshore and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Helmshore or a Helmshore photo.
Helmshore 1950-1968
I was born in Musbury Road at the bottom of Tor Hill and spent 5 years with Tor as my back yard; my name is still chiselled in the rocks at the top. Anyone remember the Tor Mile race? In 1955 we moved up to 3, Lancaster Avenue, the first of the new batch of Council houses built there. I, too, went to Helmshore County Primary School (55 to 61) and vividly remember the above mentioned Messrs. Jenkins and Smith. I remember Mr. Jenkins had an uncanny knack of being able to flick a lump of chalk and hit anyone, anywhere in the room, never missed. One classmate was Michael Crossfield whose mother, Joyce, had the shop mentioned above, you can just make out the name 'Joyce's' in the Broadway photo. A couple of shops down was a grocer's owned by a chap called Alec who would spend hours with you, looking through all the bubble-gum wrappers until you found a picture card that you had not got in... Read more
Helmshore 1950-1964
We lived at No 23 Broadway, Ronald my dad, Ruth my mum, Colin, me, Glenda and Kenneth. Next door was a working farm as the houses had only just been built. On Thursdats they used to run cows from the railway station to the auction market, fun and games they were in the gardens. There wasn't a lot to do but they were happy days. I went to Helmshore Primary School, headmaster Mr Jenkins, then to Haslingden Secondary School, headmaster Clem Hill. Helmshore is very built up now, but it has still got that village feel and I go back from time to time. I go walking down Ravenshore reliving those childhood days when myself and John Rothwell went rabbiting with the dogs and ferrets.
#69 Broadway
I was only 11yrs old when we moved from Helmshore to America. Helmshore was a wonderful place to have your childhood.
Sometime between 1963 and 1965 we built a snowman that made the front page of the local paper, that year was a huge snow storm. There was a shop called Joyces on Broadway, where we bought the nice gifts. I remember attending Helmshore primary school till May of 1965. The headmaster was Mr Jenkins, and the top class teacher was Mr Smith. In those days the punishment was too extreame hard and cruel, but I survived. Apart from that I have fond memories,and I must say the
steam train rides were great.
Peter Chadderton
Memories of Lancashire
Easter Sunday
I remember St Mary's church as a child on Easter Sunday, my foster mum was a wonderful dressmaker and she always made myself and her two girls lovely dresses and matching cardigans. Life was so uncomplecated then. I'm hoping to go and visit Haslinden around September so that's one place I will be visiting again.
Hoyles
I would like more info on the Hoyles of Haslingden, plus the Burns family from Accrington, and Baxendale. My great grandfather was a accomplished runner Samuel Brookes Hoyle, and also delivered mail in the locality especially Grane Road. Mr Burns was an accomplished tailor, from Ireland, but died suddenly, I'm interested if anyone knows the circumstances circa that era maybe around 1920; I have quite an extended family in the local area, that I'm interested historically.
I would also be interested in knowing about Randall's Bakery where my grandmother Kathleen Burns (nee Hoyle) worked before she married my grandfather.
And I believe Im related to the Rothwells...year unknown at moment....
any info greatfully recieved
Brita
Happy Days
My memories of growing up in Haslingden are happy. I loved where we lived on Lime Road. My dear friend lived on Hillside Road. What joy we had. We used to play in the valley or go to the local cinema. I still love the movies. I went to St Mary's junior school and then to St Aambrose (it's changed names so I've heard). I used to be in the church's pantos, I even played the dame once, what a laugh. As a teenager we use to go to the Milky Bar and hang out, as they say. Then there was the local youth club, I even remember going see 'Herman and the Hermits' in the town if my memory serves me well. It's been a long time since I last visited Haslingden, in fact it's been 15 years, I must make the effort to make another visit. If anyone remembers me it would be nice to hear from you.
Childhood Memories 1950 Onwards.
I was born in 1948 and we moved to Irwell Vale (Bowker Street) in 1949. We moved again onto Hardsough Terrace when I was five years old. I lived and worked in Irwell Vale until 1972. The village had a Co-op, a Methodist Church and chip shop/grocer’s shop (owned by the McDowell family), which was on the corner of Bowker Street. The shops were used by the villagers, as in those days not many people had cars and the main towns were not easily accessible as there was no train station in Irwell Vale then.
The red brick building adjacent to the Church was a canteen for the mill workers.
I remember the streets being decorated with bunting to celebrate the Queen’s accession to the throne.
The village was owned by the Dewhurst family, who also owned the local cotton mill (Thomas Aitken & Sons). John Dewhurst – commonly known as J.D. was the owner along with his sons, Geoffrey and Tom. Both of my parents worked... Read more
Edenfield
I was born in 1950, and lived in Edenfield from 1955-1961, when we moved to Stubbins. I went to the primary school, where the teachers were Mrs Horton and Mr. Parker. Then he was followed by Mr. Howorth. My friends at the school at this time were Michael Southern, whose mum and dad had the Coach and Horses pub for a time. My main pals were the Magnalls, Rob n David, who lived in the big house (now demolished) on the corner of Gincroft Lane. I lived at 4 Rochdale Road. The shops in the village at this time (1960) were the butcher, Mr. Birch, Duckworths had a sweet shop in the same block. There was the chippy (Mrs. Turner), paper shop, there was a bank, a Co-op, Whittakers, Sixsmiths (both bakers), Waterfields (a grocers). Another grocer in the same row, whose name I don't recall (Nuttals?), Mrs Fitzjohn (haberdashers), a chemist too, all in the "market-place". Half way over the village, towards the church (vicar, Mr. Marcroft), was... Read more
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