Matlock To Moscow

A Memory of Matlock.

Between 1961 and 1964 I attended the The Matlock Teachers Training College at Rockside and was resident at Rockwood for 3 years. It was a wonderful time for me with my highlight being the co-organising of the double decker bus trip to Moscow in 1964 when we took 42 students on a travel experience behind the iron curtain to discover first hand how communism really 'worked'. We drove a green 1951 Leyland PD1 Low bridge decker, ex Crosville which we bought for £200.

I certainly kept fit with all the walking up and down the hill to Rockside, although I can remember driving up the hill in my 1951 Hillman Minx when the rear spring burst through the chassis and lifted the rear seat. They did not have MOTs in those days, so I repaired it with a block of wood.!!

Matlock was my second home as in the late 40s and 50s I spent many holidays away from Manchester visiting family friends in Church Street. One Easter we stayed in the old pub next to St Giles Church. I remember it had a stable door and the church bells woke us up on a beautiful Easter morning and there were our chocolate Easter eggs. We washed in a large red floral bowl which we filled with cold water from a large jug.

We used to walk up to Riber Castle which was quite a drag, but we then played in the ruins and talked to the gypsys who camped up there. The three Bailey sisters lived in the cottages and I can smell the bran we used to feed the chickens when we went to collect the eggs from the orchard opposite. I can remember the taste of the nettle beer and the smell of home grown tomatoes and pears. Overlooking the cliff was a summer house made of old white telephone boxes. It was so peaceful to just sit there and look out over the park.

In the town we swam at the lido open air swimming pool and I can remember walking through the park and having a ride on the model train which ran along the river bank and listening to the band playing on the bandstand.

I have so many happy memories of Matlock. John Brown.


Added 24 February 2015

#337415

Comments & Feedback

Hi,
After all these years I have read John Brown's memories. I was one of the 42 students who travelled to Moscow on the double decker bus. Fantastic experience. I remember John very well, he and other organisers worked hard to organise the trip. He may not know, the following year we travelled on coaches with the intention of travelling to the Black Sea. Unfortunately, the coaches were not fit for purpose, I returned home from Brussels. Elaine Watkins (ne Elaine Pearson)
Hello Elaine,
I remember you well and would love to get in contact again. I drove the other coach to Kiev and we made it. Pity you were not with me in 1965.!! Do you remember getting stuck in the snow outside Sheffield and your step dad picked us up. My exam was the next day which I consequently failed. Ha Ha Ha many years ago. Much water under the bridge. Do contact me. www.drivingincludesu.co.uk

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