Abbot Street School

A Memory of Collyhurst.

We moved from Northumberland to Collyhurst after the war. My Dad worked at Victoria Station and my Mum got a job at Phillips Soles and Heels. We lived on Knoll Street which was next to the railway and had the gas works at the bottom of the street. At the top of the street was an old man who had a wood shack with a fence round who we called Chippy, he sold firewood. In those days we all had open fires. I remember a family called Marsdons, O'Donnell, Walton and Sweeny. My brother played with a boy called Paddy Price. Next door to us lived a family called Jones. I remember some of my friends, Brenda Crowe, Stan Wilson, John Parker, Sylvia Smith, Brenda Kennedy. We went to Bolton Abbeywith school and to the Festival of Britain - so long ago. It was a great school, Mr.Warburton was the Headmaster while I was there. I remember the Queen's coronation and the street parties. My maiden name was Appleton and I have a brother called Michael and sister Susan who all started at Abbot Street. The kids from St. Pats and our crowd often had running battles. Remembered the Whit walks with St. Catherines where we went to Sunday School.Great times and fond memories. Now back in Northumberland and come to Manchester as a tourist so much has changed, but I still enjoy it, plenty to do and see.