Proud To Have Come From Shaw

A Memory of Shaw.

I think to reminisce is great. At 76, I find myself doing this quite often and am drawn back to Shaw, and to High Crompton, where I was born. The house I was born in on Rochdale Road, near the Bull's Head
Pub, is still standing. Just like cars, houses were built out of solid materials in those days!. Later on, when I was 11, we moved into Shaw, but went to Crompton House School. I do have very happy memories of those days, growing up in Shaw. At 13, I delivered newspapers from Howarth's at East Crompton, up Liney Lane, across George Street and up Buckstones Road, all the way to Shore Edge and in all kinds of weather; It was worth it though, because I was buying all my own clothes out of the money I earned, plus tips; I also delivered groceries for Jackson's. I was winning most of the cross country running, while at Crompton House and 'no wonder', when I think of delivering those papers up Buckstones Road and then running back through the fields!
My wife and I were married at Oldham Church in 1959 and we then moved to Fleetwood until 1966 when we emigrated to Australia. We now live in Penguin, which is in the north of Tasmania. Penguin so much reminds me of Shaw in the 40's and 50's, t hough we do live at the coast; everyone is so friendly here and everyone speaks to you; just like it used to be!!!
If you lived in High Crompton or Shaw around this time period, I would love to hear from you.

Joe Hagan.


Added 07 July 2017

#392256

Comments & Feedback

Hi Joe, I hope I haven't duplicated my message/ comment to you. My mother was born on the Rochdale Road , I think number 333, she also went to Crompton House school, along with Ian Greaves who went onto become manager of Huddersfield Town Football club. Her name was Margaret Street and she was born in 1931. She worked at Briar Mill and then I believe this became the base for Osrams where she worked for a while until she married my father and then came to live in London. She was a Cotton queen and I still have some cups from the 40s and 50s and newspaper cuttings. Funnily her brother Jack Street lived in Buckstones Road he died there when he was very young late in the late 1950s leaving a young daughter. I can understand comments about Penguin, my mum would chat to anyone . I hope you are enjoying Tas. Granville
Ps I have some photos of Buckstones Road and a few other places that are in storage. I have a picture too of my mum with Sonny Ramadhin, a famous West Indian cricketer who lived in Shaw and played in the Lancashire league I believe.
G'Day Granville,
Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. I was born in 1940, but remember those names.
Where do you live now? Joe H.
G'day Joe, I live in New Malden now , previous to that Kingston. Was born and bred a Londoner.However lived in Australia for eighteen months back in mid 80s. When you say you remember those names you mean the 'streets'? Can you remember the teachers names at school? I have a soft spot for Rochdale F C and Oldham! My mum lived in Sumner street for quite a while too! Granville
Hi Granville, Mr Hargraves was head master. We had Grindrod Science. Pop Jackson History. Miss Smith Maths. Stan Howarth Wood work Mr Derbyshire and Mr Stanhope------
Where is new Malden? I am planning a trip back to the UK and Switzerland in November. Our eldest son Dean lives in Geneva. I was known as harmonica Joe for obvious reasons.
Joe
Hi again Granville, I have found New Malden
near London Iinternet)
Where in Australia did you live while here?
Joe.
Hi joe , lived in north dandenong , then to williams road in Melbourne . Great that you recall the teachers names were the old? Any stories about the school or teachers? Hopeful that next week I will get an opportunity to look for photos!
Hi Granville, I know the Dandenong area, as we lived in Ferntree Gully for a short time and went up into that area for BBQ Brekkies on Sat' mornings. I visited Crompton House School for years ago with an old school mate, Brian Scott. They found my name in the archives re cross country champ'
My visit made the Oldham Chron' WHOW! The school is about 4 times bigger now. Joe H
Hi joe, small world heh! Used to go and watch Carlton Aussie rules football team! Nice memories. I wrote to Oldham chronicle about my mum, got a few people who wrote to me with some memories of her! Haven't got the pictures yet. We are having an extension so all photos boxed up to stop dust. Will get them as soon as I can . Granville
Hi Granville. I had a guy come to see me last week. he was from Shaw/Oldham
He wrote a book called the wanderings of a ten pound pom. I had seen this 8 mths ago on the web and sent him a message; he finally got back to me last week and he lives just 30 mts from us in Devonport. Quite an interesting bloke and of course, we got to 'telling stories' about our past; he is about a year older than me. You can find this Google, just type in the name of the book. His name is Bob Horsman. Joe
This was our very good friend Bob Horseman. He was in our wedding party as an usher. Many good memories of him
Hear from him from time to time
My mum, Alice Garforth was born in 1931 and lived at the cottages on Mossgate just behind High Crompton Park. She went to St Mary’s school and the to St James when the family was rehoused to Neville St after her house was bombed when she was about 7 years old. From there she attended Crompton House before leaving school and going working as a winder in the cotton Mills. Later on she worked at Osram.
She also knew Ian Greaves. She married Alan Buckley from Worsley Place in Shaw and lived at 152 Rochdale Road until she died in 2014.

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