On Hardman Street, in Didsbury on March 12th 1924 reading the adverts

Hardman Street, March 12th 1924

We are on Hardman Street in the March of 1924 and for the discerning reader of adverts it has got the lot, including the announcement of the films Reef of Stars and Within the Law, both made in that year and showing at the cinema in Elm Grove round the corner.

Reef of Stars was set in South Africa and included panoramic views of the countryside, while Within the Law followed the trail of a young woman wrongfully sent to prison seeking revenge on her release.

But for those who didn’t fancy steamy melodrama and vivid scenes from the other side of the world, there was always the Halle Orchestra, performing Bach, Beethoven and Brahms and advertised as the Last Halle Concert.  Or for those in need of advice there was Mrs R. Ray at the Houldsworth Hall giving a talk and “Free Demonstration” on "How to Dress Well.”

Posters and adverts

That said my own favourite amongst the rest has to be the announcement of a “Public Meeting and Concert” organised by the Fellowship of Freedom and Reform held at the Public Hall to be held on March 14th.

The local speaker was Dr T Watts and the subject was Against Prohibition.  Now this is interesting because the Fellowship of Freedom and Reform was itself a temperance organisation.

But one that campaigned for more responsible trading arguing for family orientated pubs which offered food, skittle-alleys, billiard-tables, gardens, and concerts.

They published their own magazine called Sobriety along with pamphlets like “The Improved Public House, [which can be] obtained at the price of one shilling from the Fellowship, at St. Stephen's House, Westminster; and it contains some excellent photographs and much encouraging information of the progress being made in the provision of places where food and other amenities are obtainable as well as drink.”*

Badge of the Fellowship, circa 1924

Now there is more to find out about the Fellowship not least its links to the drink trade and their general political position of the rights and freedoms of the individual.

And maybe with more research s it might just be possible to discover who attended that Friday evening meeting and just what the mood of the audience was.

Looking towards Wilmslow Road

In the meantime I shall return to the picture of Hardman Street on what looks to be a bright sunny morning.

Our photographer has captured just three people on street that day along with the parked bike.

In the distance is Wilmlsow Road and the junction with Barlow Moor Road.

It is of course a scene that has long since gone.

The cottages were I am told demolished for a road widening scheme which never happened although it did also lead to the end of Hardman Street which became the extension of School Lane.

*The Spectator, October 26th 1929

Picture; courtesy of Didsbury Civic Society, and the badge of the Fellowship of Freedom and Reform  courtesy of Andrew Whitehad from his blog, http://www.andrewwhitehead.net/1/post/2011/10/fellowship-freedom-reform.html