My Eli Memories.

A Memory of Euxton.

Just found this site.
I was born in Euxton in the early 50s, went to school there for a while and finally left in the early 70s.
My dad's family had lived in the village since the late 19th century. They came from Wrightington and before that from the Preston area, I believe.
I remember Eli - he was a village fixture and everyone knew him. I knew his son too who I seem to remember was the porter at Euxton Balshaw Lane station before it was closed down.
Unfortunately, I can't remember his first name. But being a train spotter in my younger days, me and my pals - one of whom was Robert Matthews whose grandfather was Bob Matthews, the builder and funeral director with a yard behind the Euxton Mills - used to spend many hours sitting on or around the station and we were often allowed access to all areas. We also knew the signalman - Billy Halstead I think - who always allowed us in the signal box and let us pull the levers to change the signals when a train was due. Imagine that happening these days.
His daughter Margaret was a friend of my older sister and they are still in contact to this day.
It's all many years ago now so maybe some of my facts are a little lost in the mists of time but I can still see Eli in my mind and can remember him as a popular and active member of the village community.
Thanks for reminding me of those days.

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