St Patrick's School

A Memory of Collyhurst.

I was born to Michael and Mary Murray (nee Williamson) at 79 Reather Street - a long terrace street running between Rochdale Road and Oldham Road about a mile and a half from the city centre. I remember going to Osborne Street public baths and washhouse with my mother on a Saturday morning and the corner shop on Reather Street., where my mother used to get groceries 'on tick' each week. I remember going to Bogart Hole clough during school holidays with sugar and cocoa wrapped in newspaper and the long walk home. I also remember going to collect coal in a handcart whilst my father and mother were at work - my dad as a postman and my mother at the nearest rubber factory where she made Phillips leather soles; I also remember the smell from the boneworks near where she worked. I remember the Whit Walks and the excitement of getting dressed up and being part of the processions that started off at St Pats and finishing in Albert Square, Manchester. I used to love going into town with my mother and on the way back either stopping at Yates in Oldham Street for bread and pea soup, or stoppintg at the Herbalist on Oldham road as we walked home for Hot Sarsparella drinks. I remember having to clean the steps up to our house with a brown and cream stone we used to get in exchange for rags from the rag and bone man.