Frank Bott Avenue

A Memory of Crewe.

Living toward the end of Frank Bott Avenue, just before the circle where the road bends round into Rigby Avenue. With mum, Doreen, Dad, Cyril (he adopted Cyril as his first name because he didn't like the thought of his christian name William being used to make his initials W.C.), and my two sisters, Kristine (she adopted the K from the C), and Janice. Our immediate neighbours were Mr & Mrs Robinson; he was a first world war vet, and used to use all of his garden front and back for home grown veg, and fruit - I can still remember the gooseberry pies mum would make. On the other side was Mrs Hamilton and her son Don, she was an Irish lady who would call through the hedge," Mrs Waine, Mrs Waine...can I borrow a cup of sugar?" Kids in the immediate area at the time, when we would play footy under the lamplight in the circle, until my Mum would call us in, were; Mick Mason (masog), Dave Hough (good footballer Dave in the Denis Law mould), Steve Palin, Alan Williams, Alan Oakes, Frank & Tony Asprey and many many more. Have great memories of collecting and making bonfires for Guy Fawkes night on the spare land at the back of Houghies, and keeping an eye on the Totties Hall / Wheelman Road guys, making sure they didn't steal or torch our 'bommie'. Looking back all seemed so simple then, and although it must have been hard work for Mum and Dad; she being on shifts at the 'Food Centre' (School Meal Preparation, and then travelling to work as a seamstress (jacket lapels), at County Clothes, and he being on a permanent 3 shift pattern on diesel test, at the works, (mornings, afternoons, and nights), but we didn't seem to want for anything. Happy Days. Any memories to add or comment, then please get in touch, all the best Sidge, or Orace, or alternately the obvious Wainey!