Now I always appreciate the way that people share their histories with me, and in this case, it was a short testimonial to Norman C Hayes, from Harold Richardson, “High Class Boot Repairer, 99 Manchester Road and 71a Beech Road”.
In an age when many will think nothing of replacing possessions after just a short time, it is well to remember that there was a time when “make do and mend” was the norm.
Look through any old street directories and there will be a long list of businesses dedicated to repairing shoes, watches, jewelry along with televisions, radios and other goods.
Mr. Hayes had completed a seven-year apprenticeship and was judged to be able to “perform most jobs incidental to the boot repairing industry.”
And have given a sound recommendation, his employer added “His training has been received on high class working machinery in a modern factory under very strict supervision”.
Today, I suspect that testimonial would have been sent down the line, to a computer or smart phone, ready to be used in a job interview or attached to an electronic application form/
But not so in the 1930s, when the idea of an e-receipt would not even have featured in a science fiction novel.
So, this is a nice bit of history a well as being a treasured personal link to the past.
And it was also a reminder of just how little most of us know about the shops we pass each day.
In my case I had never given much thought to 99 Manchester Road, which stands on the corner with Ransfield Road and has set me off looking for the businesses which operated from its premises.
Even more interesting for me was 71a Beech Road, which is now the site of Ivy Court, but which for centuries was the home of the Renshaw/Bailey families who were tenant farmers.
Just before its demolition it had been the home of Mrs. E A Riley who ran a grocery shop from the adjoining no. 71A.
And there will be plenty of people who remember visiting the shop, and in the decades before getting their milk from the Riley family who had a dairy.
This much I knew but didn’t know that during the 1930s it had been boot repairers, which underlines that simple observation that there is more history out there.
Which just leaves me to thank Pamela, who got in touch yesterday offering to share the testimonial, and then popped round today to show the note to me.
Leaving me just to make that usual appeal for more such wonderful memorabilia.
Location; Chorlton
Picture; the testimonial of Mr. Hayes, circa 1930s, courtesy of Pamela, and Mrs. Riley’s shop, 1976, m 17836, and m17664, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
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| The testimonial, circa 1930s |
Look through any old street directories and there will be a long list of businesses dedicated to repairing shoes, watches, jewelry along with televisions, radios and other goods.
Mr. Hayes had completed a seven-year apprenticeship and was judged to be able to “perform most jobs incidental to the boot repairing industry.”
And have given a sound recommendation, his employer added “His training has been received on high class working machinery in a modern factory under very strict supervision”.
Today, I suspect that testimonial would have been sent down the line, to a computer or smart phone, ready to be used in a job interview or attached to an electronic application form/
 |
| Harold Richardson, circa 1930 |
So, this is a nice bit of history a well as being a treasured personal link to the past.
And it was also a reminder of just how little most of us know about the shops we pass each day.
In my case I had never given much thought to 99 Manchester Road, which stands on the corner with Ransfield Road and has set me off looking for the businesses which operated from its premises.
Even more interesting for me was 71a Beech Road, which is now the site of Ivy Court, but which for centuries was the home of the Renshaw/Bailey families who were tenant farmers.
Just before its demolition it had been the home of Mrs. E A Riley who ran a grocery shop from the adjoining no. 71A.
And there will be plenty of people who remember visiting the shop, and in the decades before getting their milk from the Riley family who had a dairy.
 |
| Mrs Riley's shop and house, 1976 |
Which just leaves me to thank Pamela, who got in touch yesterday offering to share the testimonial, and then popped round today to show the note to me.
Leaving me just to make that usual appeal for more such wonderful memorabilia.
 |
| Looking across from the Rec, 1976 |
Picture; the testimonial of Mr. Hayes, circa 1930s, courtesy of Pamela, and Mrs. Riley’s shop, 1976, m 17836, and m17664, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
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