Childhood In Berry Brow

A Memory of Berry Brow.

I lived at the very top of Ladyhouse Lane, in a farm cottage with two staircases, two large rooms and two bedrooms, one of which you had to pass through the other. No bathroom in those days just a tin bath in front of the fire.
I played cricket on the playing fields at the bottom of the road, and also at Armitage Bridge, Went to St. Pauls church with the lovely long driveway. I attended Berry Brow County School as it was then, and remember Miss Beaumont and Miss Turner as teachers, Mr.Richardson was the head master. Used to slide down the hill at Castle Hill on cardboard waxed with mothers best polish and then to my friends at Cold Hill. We watched the calves being born right outside our front door. Picked bluebells in the field opposite the house. Waingate was cobbled and had a lovely set of shops including the paper shop. We used to be able to go anywhere and explore without any thoughts of danger.
My mother worked in the mill at Taylor Hill, and we would go to meet her after school.
I have lovely memories of my time in Berry Brow, I remember the first high rise flats being build on the private estate off the main road Penistone to Honley, only because my friend Ursula lived there.

The more I write the more I remember.

I really wanted to go back and see the house I lived in, but got no reply when I wrote to ask, very sad as I wanted to see it now it has been renovated. And to see if the stile was still there in the garden, and the barn next door.

Christine Redfearn (Garfitt)

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