Halcyon Days!

A Memory of Salford.

My name is Geoffrey Pidd, I was born in Hope Hospital in 1944 and lived in Devonshire Road until 1952.
Devonshire Road lead to a small enclave of six roads some cobbled and some, as was Devonshire, of compressed cinder/dirt. It was a childrens playground as there was virtually zero traffic.

I attended Broomhouse Lane school from 1949 until late 1952 (I remember getting our 'Coronation mugs' to celebrate our present queen's accession to the throne). I also recall Miss Brome, Mrs Smith and Mrs Morris our teachers.
Paul Reynolds, Helen Carr and Pamela Stratton I remember, also Richard Chadwick, my best friend, Tony Gibson, John Salter, Ian Margrove, David Cheetham, and David Memory.

There was a sweet and tobacconists shop next to the school run by Mr. Mawdsley Ford and his wife. He was the image of David Suchets' 'Poirot'. Black jacket, yellow waistcoat, bow tie, thick black spectacles, toothbrush moustache, brilliantined black hair (he probably wore 'spats' as well).

Rationing was still in force and sweets were a real treat. I can remember my mother cutting the sweet ration coupon from her Ration Book for me.
I was, briefly, a choir boy at St James church and also a soldier in the Rose Queen parade, the only one with his white 'Sam Brown' belt on the wrong way!
Training spotting on Cock Robin Bridge close to Eccles Station was a popular past time for boys.
Climbing the gas street lamps and hanging from the ladder support arm used by the 'gas man' who periodically replaced the 'mantles' was for the more nimble of us.

Free and easy times, no talk of paedophilia, sex rings, drugs etc. Just children, without a care, forever 'playing out' climbing trees, searching for conkers and gathering 'bonny wood' for November 5th.
Whatever Happened?