Rock Street

A Memory of Oldham.

My mum was born in Rock Street in 1921, her parents were Fred and Nellie Ashton. Although I was born in Oldham in 1946 we moved down south when I was about 2 or 3 because my Dad, a Wiltshire man, didn't want to live in Oldham. We used to visit my grandparents a couple of times a year until they passed away in the '60s and the whole environment was a complete contrast to my country life! I always say I had the best of both worlds though - learning about the countryside and learning about town life with all the attractions within walking distance. I went back in 2011 for the first time since the '60s and it was quite an emotional experience. My grandparents house has gone and a medical centre is there now, but, the warehouse opposite (now a fitness centre?) where the coffins used to be stored is still there. As a kid I used to be able to walk along the ledges from one end to the other without getting down - no wonder my gran used to shout at me! I also remember the horse and carts delivering their loads to the warehouse - don't know what the loads were but the horses belonged to the railway company and one day at the invitation of one of the carters grandad took me to the stables and I was plonked on the back of an enormous shire horse! Happy days.

---

---