The First 8 Years Of My Life In Levenshulme

A Memory of Gorton.

I was born Joan Mary Waters and lived in George Street, which is now Greenway Avenue, Levenshulme. We had a fish and chip shop next door but one, and when I visited Levenshulme in 2005 I believe it had just burnt down a few weeks before. We emigrated to Australia in 1956, much to my dislike.
I remember playing in the streets and having backyard concerts at my friend's house, going up to the fields past Highfield Road and there was tripe works at the back of our street. I went to Chapel Street School, St. Marks Sunday School and Mum used to shop at some shops on Broome Lane, not far away from George Street. There was a butchers shop, but I cannot remember what other shops there were. I remember a family whose surname was Black, I remember a young boy called Michael Black and his Mum was Joan Black. There was a woman called Edie Meely who I think, was the street gossip, I believe she had a nasty tongue.
We lived at No. 3 I think, my Dad planted a privitte hedge which is still there today. I also loved to walk with the scholars on Whit Sunday, I believe this is no longer done. One always received new clothes at Whit week.
I have been back to Levenshulme five times and it is like coming home. I was eight when I left and am now 64, but shall never forget my roots, Levenshulme.