Memories of Tottington

Brookhouse

I used to live at Brookhouse with my parents, great aunt and maternal grand mother. Brookhouse was split into 3 houses at the time (131, 133, 135 Holcolme Road). My grandfather (Thomas Lomax) visited at Christmases and holidays. My parents were Pat (Lomax)and Andrew Martyn-Clark. My aunt who worked at the local Tech (Bury) was Mrs Irene Cosgrove (nee Lomax). My grandmother was Jane Lomax (nee Dunn). She was known as Jennie Dunn in the village. My great-grandfather was Frank Lomax. He was one of several Lomax siblings. They were related to the majority of the Lomaxes at this end of Tottington. He was very active until his late eighties. I can recall the houses being built in the field at the bottom of the hill. There was also an electricity sub-station there. I think it still is. The first house on the right was owned by a Mr Jones,  Ernest I think - not sure. I do recall he had a Wolsey or Riley 1500 saloon that he drove at 20 mph everywhere! I think his wife died there and he upped sticks and left. I think he may have been something to do with finance in the local government. The bungalow below this was owned by the Bradshaws, a much travelled couple who used to throw things over the hedge into our garden, stuff they thought a small boy would be interested in like a test tube of ashes from the Mt Vesuvius eruption!  Not clear but I think they were carted off to a rest home. The house was subsequently owned by a very nice couple, John and Jean Schofield. The had a daughter, Lisa. Jean Schofield was an Occupational Therapist, I think at Whitefield. Got to know the family quite well. My mother and I got involved with swimming with the disabled and I also did archery too. Jean Schofield died of cancer. John moved out. John gave me my first ham radio, rescued from a Lancaster Bomber. Many electic shocks from that thing. Very, very dangerous. Started me on my electronics career. He was the owner of the Manchester Rubber Company. It may well still be going. Had a sister Freda. On this side of the road there lived Mr Jim Brooks. He was involved in the towel making business. He also lost his wife too, and then he married a young lady called Ingrid, talk of our house for ages. He was always fastidious about keeping the weeds from his garden. He used to pay me to dig them out. Piece work!  Never earned any money there, however a really nice gentleman who tried to teach me the rudiments of cricket.

Platt Family

My grandfather was born at Horncliffe Lodge, Tottington Higher End on Nov 15 1882. His name was Arthur Owens. His mother was Mary Platt whose family I believe were a  prominent family in the village. His father was Richard Owens.  Arthur, a cabinet maker, left England around 1910 and settled in Australia.

tottington, market street c1955

I remember this view of market street. At this time Tottington was an Urban District with its own council of 14 members. The gates and building on the right of the picture were Tottington Town Hall and council offices.The building also housed the public Library. I was a member of that council in that year. I am now 80 years old and take no further part in politics.Denis Wood.