Happy Hartford

A Memory of Northwich.

When I turned 13 my family moved from Warrington to Hartford, and although I only lived there for a little over four years, these four years provide some of the happiest times of my early life. 13 must be one of the worst times to start a new school in a new town, that I can think of. I attended Hartford Boys School (I believe that the name changed shortly after I left the area) However, I was befriended and accepted quickly. This of course was the time of Mersey beat, and what an exciting time for 13 and 14 year olds. I was fortunate enough to live in Abbey Way, Hartford right next door to Richard Oakes, and across the road from Martin Perry, who were two guitar playing members of the Hartbeats (a local group). Well, it was instant hero worship. They were not only in a group but played at dances for money!. So I did what any self respecting teen would do, I got them to teach me to play the guitar. They did, and I eventually joined the Hartbeats as bass player when the existing guy (sorry, name forgotten) left. Oh what days! We even played a gig at the Morgue (the name we used for the Memorial Hall in Northwich), even the Beatles played there - No I'm not comparing. I had some great mates in these times which, to my everlasting shame I have lost touch with. They are :- Alan Evans, Roger Hubbard, Ralph Hodkinson, Bill Gee, and all others whose names I have forgotten. All good times have to end, for a variety of reasons. In my case it was to go to college in Oxford, now normally this wouldn't present a problem with keeping in touch with mates, in my case however this wasn't the case because my Dad who was a Service Manager at the local Ford dealership, got himself a better position at another Ford dealership - In Oxford. I never ever returned to Hartford. Please, if you know me, or lived in Northwich/Hartford from 1963 - 1967, then post your memories please. Ian Fackrell, Albany, Western Australia