My Childhood In Astmoor

A Memory of Astmoor.

I lived in Astmoor with my grandparents. My grandma sold sweets, pop and cigarettes. I went to Halton School and walked down Astmoor Lane which we called Summer Lane. Grandad worked at Astmoor tannery. We lived next to Ivy House, it used to be a farm. I have pictures of Astmoor before Astmoor bridge was built, and of Astmoor tannery. Gran used to take me down a path to the ship canal and we used to watch the boats. Mr and Mrs Lou Varey lived in a little wooden house that we called Ferry Hut. I remember the tannery being demolished, and all the houses in Marsh Lane, to make way for factories. I have so many memories, some good and some painful. We used to walk to Sandy Cove where boys went swimming till a boat came past and they swam to the side to avoid the waves. I also went to play at Wardles Farm, Mr Wardle was a dentist and his sons ran the farm. My childhood was taken from me when the new town was built. Although my old house is partly still standing sadly it was set on fire and now is in ruins. I often drive past and get a lump in my throat remembering all that used to be there.