Nostalgic memories of Harpurhey's local history
Share your own memories of Harpurhey and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 20 in total
My name is Beryl Dawson (nee Mallard), I went to Alfred Street School Harpurhey in the 1940's. I lived in William Street, I remember playing with Dorothy Wood, Maureen Charlesworth, Johnnie and Rosie Wolfe. I also remember Ethel and Roy Hogg, I think they were some relation to Dorothy Wood. We used to play kick the can and rallyvo, fall out and pull each others hair, then make friends and play again. I ...see more
Going swimming in Harpurhey swimming baths, in the old stone steps pool, then when we finished, was allowed to have a bath in the cast iron baths - brings back memories.
Hi Teddy Peacock, If I can remember, you lived on Dalton Street. How about Freddie Turley (used to sell the late night final). Remember big Millie who lived near Peggys shop who's son Alan fell from the CIS when window cleaning? Anyone remember the big train crash when the bridge on Collyhurst Road collapsed and derailed the train on to the road? Remember Wilcox the barrel place on Bobs Hill - before that ...see more
Teddy Peacock, I think you knocked about with Freddie Turley? And yes, Mrs Jelly, loved her except when they put us in those camp beds in the afternoon. Yes I was the one forced to walk every Whit Monday with Cathrines with my two sisters either side and if we didnt make front page ma went mad. I used to love big Millie who lived on Dalton Street near Peggys shop, a tragedy when her son fell ...see more
I was born at my grandmothers house no 30 Queens Road in August 1945. Mum, dad and me later moved to no 18. I went to Collyhurst Infants School in 1950 to 1956. My best friend was Cynthia Wilson, she lived in Smedley Road and we remained friends through the years - unfortunatley she died 4 years ago. I then went on to Smedley Secondary School and left at the age of 15. My friends there were Beryl ...see more
Loved being brought up there, moved into the Collyhurst scene from Langley Middleton, soon got to know Ralph Spencer, the Heaneys and Youngs, also Mcewans. I went to Albert Memorial School. I lived on Thornton Street. What a place to be brought up in - or toughened up in. The Sellstroms were quickly accepted into the Colyhurst scene, then we all were a very close knit crew. I loved supping in the Manhattan pub ...see more
When I was born in William St in 1942, Harpurhey was very different from today. Horses and carts delivered the milk and coal, the horses following the carters down the st, knowing where to stop for the next drop. Mam would let us give the horse a crust covered in jam, as it waited at the step. The rag and bone man was a regular sight, with his cry echoing the surrounding streets. Out we'd run with ...see more
How we must have given this lady a headache. She lived at the bottom of the lane and we children used to go to the side of her house and play ball. Many times she came out, not to complain, just to ask us to move further up the wall away from the room they were sitting in. What a lovely lady, and a belated sorry for the noise. Another time we were playing on Rileys wall, and the windows were covered in wire ...see more
It was around this time the old Hippodrome closed. Well everyone thought it had, us children knew better, we could just open the loading door slightly and squeeze in, many costumes had been left, but we never tried them on, just looked at them and said how nice they were, but we knew all about the ghost that walked the stage and we talked in whispers in case they heard us. Someone must have realised what was ...see more
Let me amend my memories of Harpurhey, after looking at some old photos of Manchester I can now remember and recollect other things, like for example holding on to the rails outside St Edmund's Junior School on the first day and my poor mother having to take me home, only to bring me back one week later, I think that was 1951. My first clear memory of Harpurhey was the Coronation in 1953. I ...see more