My Salford Irene Court.

A Memory of Salford.

I lived at 26 Gerald Road in a big old house at the side of the river Irwell opposite St Bonifaces church and attended St Boniface's school with my two elder brothers Bernard and Terrance, my younger brother Michael and my sister Brenda Court. The bridge crossing the Irwell gave us no end of pleasure. We raced paper boats in the water, played hop scotch chalking the grid at the bottom of the steps leading over the bridge and made a swing on the bars crossing the gas lamp light which the lighter used to come at dusk in his iron clogs to light the mantle and in the morning to extinguish it. The dog track was over the bridge was great near Bomb Fire night because the punters were always more than generous with their Penny For The Guy. I remember Cross Lane Market on a Monday afternoon going with my grand mother to buy fresh fish which we always had for tea and buying out of date toffees which we savored independent of the date of freshness.

I remember Miss Battle was the headmistress at St Boniface's and my first teacher Miss Gillian who's father was a local doctor. St Boniface's was a cold dismal building with outside toilets. I had a friend called Pat Ryan who was one of seventeen children and the love of my life at the age of six was Terry Smith.

My sister moved onto St Sebastian's school and I after a long illness I went to Claremont Open Air school and what a difference. There was coco and a hot breakfast waiting for us children as we descended form the bus which picked us up from various places around Salford. Mrs Rostron was the head mistress and Mrs Evan's my teacher nearly throughout and looking back, I think they spoilt me. One thing I hated was having to have a sleep after lunch. It was in a large covered area but opened to the elements area and O K in the summer but I froze in the winter.

On leaving school after many temporary jobs and when old enough I started my nursing career. Later marrying John Kerkham and emigrating to Australia and settling in Melbourne where I still reside but my heart remains in magical Salford.

I had cousins who lived in Weast who I lost contact with many years ago but would dearly like to regain if anyone can help.Their names being Marleen, Barbara, Malcolm and Melvin Stirrup.

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