Boyhood And Teenage Years In Chopwell By Douglas Hind

A Memory of Chopwell.

I was born on 23rd. September 1928 son of John and Frances May Hind; we lived in Hall Road Bungalows until 1935 when we moved to Joseph Terrace. I attended the Infant and Junior schools-headmaster Mr. Leckenby;teachers included Messrs Turnbull, Bramley Ballan and Kirkup. I was a choirboy at St. John's and in my teenage years was a member of the Methodist Youth Club-happy days. My Dad worked at the local Power Station and was a member of the Chopwell Male Voice Choir- we have a photograph of the Choir standing in Dr. Henderson's garden taken in 1935 or thereabouts hanging in our living room. After attending Hookergate Grammar School I left Chopwell to do my National Service and subsequently went to Manchester University. I married a Mancunian and we have lived in Huddersfield since 1953 bring up three sons. Chopwell was frequently visited and our sons have happy memories of the village and where"Dad" was brought up. My wife and I visited about 5 years ago and noted many changes-no pit, and my old school is now a housing estate. The new school is where my Dad's garden was. I remember my childhood days were very happy despite the difficult times of the 1930's!