Bramley (Lincroft Crescent) In The Years 1951 To 1967

A Memory of Bramley.

Bramley In The Years 1951 To 1967
A conversation with Lynden Flint
From: john.holliday11@btopenworld.com
To: Lynden Flint

Hi Lynden. I do hope you are well and still on-line. I have JUST seen your fascinating ‘Memory of Bramley’ and it rang so true for me too. I loved reading about your time there which was before I was born. You lived at 31 Lincroft Crescent, Bramley and my family lived at No. 33 (adjoining your house) from around 1949 when my parents, Ron and Mary Holliday, were married - at St Peters Church. An elderly lady, Mrs Mawbey (always wore back) lived at No. 35 next door to us going up the street.
I was born in 1951 and we moved further down the Crescent (when I was about 9 or so) to No.11 as our family got bigger. We lived there until 1967 when my father got a new job and we moved to Weetwood Lane, Headingley.
At 11 Lincroft Cres our garden backed onto Mount Cross, Salvation Army hospital for expectant unmarried ladies. Myself (John) and my younger brothers Nigel and Keith also went to Wyther Park school, before going to Gott's Park CS school.
My brother Nigel and I both sang in the choir at St Peters church (the one you mentioned) and, when I was old enough, I delivered newspapers for Johnny Kaye’s shop at the bottom of the street. We lived next door to Dennis Kaye (son of Johnny) and his wife Sylvia and children Steven and Jacquie.
As youngsters life on the Crescent was lovely and we had loads of fun with other kids on the street. My mother was blind but it didn't stop her doing all the usual 'mum stuff' and if we were going on the No.77 bus to Bramley Town St. or into Leeds, I was her eyes and provided commentary on our journeys. I had a couple of good mates, Ken Barnes and Phil Bruce, who played in a small band with me after school. We'd practice at each others houses.....then we all went our separate ways. Wonder where they are now? (I'm still playing in bands and gigging).
We knew the rhubarb fields you mentioned as 'Tuskey' fields - I guess that was 'local speak' for rhubarb...? Of course these were all cleared to build a housing estate. I was fascinated by your account of a bomb coming down so close to our houses all those years ago..!! Do you remember the ginnel at the top of the Crescent? There was a very nice stone house at the end of it which had large iron gates and a driveway. Very posh. A local Doctor and his family lived there.
We also went to the flicks / Lido but it was 6d when we went some years after you. I gather that The Sandford Arms pub has recently been demolished to make way for more houses. Do you recall the tunnels which ran under the ground right behind it, off Broad Lane? The entrances were concreted up but you could still see through gaps beyond. It was rumoured (kids talk) that they were used by the monks and they ran all the way to Kirkstall Abbey in the olden days.
I also had a part-time grocers round and delivered groceries on a bike with a huge basket over a very small front wheel. I delivered for Gill's Grocers up on The Astons (off Bramley Town St) next door to My Poppy's The Chemist - a lovely chap I recall. Our grandparents lived on Aston Road / Back Aston Street on the cobbled streets nearby. Riding up and down with a full load of groceries on those cobbles in ice and snow was no joke..!! I earned my 7/6p per week..!!
I could go on and on but we're going out shortly so I must dash. I do hope you see this and I thank you for your entry which I really enjoyed.
Kind regards,
John Holliday.

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