Growing Up In Abbeyhills

A Memory of Oldham.

I was born at 102, 12th Avenue, Abbehills, my maiden name being O'Brien. I have very fond memories of my childhood and the freedom that we had to roam around the rolling hills and moors, Hartshead Pike etc. I was born in 1939, but my fondest memories were in the 50's. I went to Alexandra Park School and to Waterloo School (school dinners, yuk!) I worked at the Thornham mill in Royton. I met my husband-to-be, at Billingtons Dance Hall and, married at Oldham Church in 1959. My husband Joe, was a Shaw boy and quite proud of it. I came from a large family and we were poor, but never knew it. Everyone was the same in those days, and most people were friendly and helpful to each others needs. We emigrated to Australia in 1966 and now live in Tasmania, but we are still drawn from time to time, back to Oldham and Shaw. Things have not changed that much and the people never change, indeed, some of the friendliest people we have ever met come from Oldham or Shaw.