From The Beginning!

A Memory of Collyhurst.

I was born in 1938 in Needwood Street off Rochdale Road. My Mam and Dad were allocated a new flat in Kingsley Crescent when I was a year old so all my memories are of the 'flats'. I, along with my two sisters and one brother, went to St James. I was 3 years old when I went to school and of course the war had started so it was necessary for each child to carry a little gas mask with us. The teachers were Miss Lock and Mrs Fellows. A more caring couple of ladies you would never find. They loved us and we loved them.
Our headmaster at St. James when we got in the big school across the road from the nursery part was Mr Wm. Roe. Complete silence fell when he walked into a classroom. He was feared and respected in equal measures. He was a lovely man and always wore a light beige suit or jacket, sported a crew cut either ginger or blond. My favourite teacher was Mr Warburton. All the teachers, Mrs Caulfield, Mrs Smith, Miss Williams all took a real interest in the kids and their welfare and the impression left behind even after all these years was of care and concern no matter what your background. I ended up passing my Eleven Plus and going on the Central School but the background came from my beloved St James.
Our flat, number 78. looked over the croft (our playground) and the railway line was in the distance. When Belle View eventually was able to do a firework display which must have been after the war we had a full view of the fireworks.
There was also a cotton mill and when the women finished work they would be covered with the fluff from the cotton they'd been working with.
I remember vividly the air raids and my Dad was away six years in the army so when all the soldiers were demobbed, what a celebration. All our flats had balconies so we had Union Jack flags draped from most of them. The bonfire that was lit in the centre of the flats lasted all night and we kids were allowed to stay up very late. The air raid shelter weren't dismantled for a good long time after the war so another play area for we kids was available. We had to be called in for bedtime. No television or computer games in those days and I don't think we missed a thing!!!!
Mavis McGrath (nee Charnock)


Added 13 October 2011

#233690

Comments & Feedback

Be the first to comment on this Memory! Starting a conversation is a great way to share, and get involved! Why not give some feedback on this Memory, add your own recollections, or ask questions below.

Add your comment

You must be signed-in to your Frith account to post a comment.

Sign-in or Register to post a Comment.

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?