Now, I know it’s a cheap bit of history, not to say very lazy, but here on a warm summer’s day is that bit of Parrs Wood beside the Gateway pub.
Today, the spot is dominated by that huge footbridge, which I am the first to concede is entirely appropriate in the interests of safely crossing the road, but how ugly it is.
And how it sets the scene for the surrounding area, which is dominated by entertainment complex, that plethora of road signs and of course the incessant whiz of traffic.
I have been trying to date the footbridge which was not there when I would wander down from Didsbury to sit in the small island of tranquility which was the small park.
But back then there was still a bus garage, the old high school was still new, and the Kingsway was less busy.
So, for all those that share my memory, and for everyone else who might yearn for a quieter Parrs Wood, here is what it was like a full 61 years ago ……. Nothing more nothing less.
Location Parrs Wood
Picture; road works at Parrs Wood, 1959, Courtesy of Manchester Archives+ Town Hall Photographers' Collection
https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/albums/72157684413651581?fbclid=IwAR35NR9v6lzJfkiSsHgHdQyL2CCuQUHuCuVr8xnd403q534MNgY5g1nAZfY
And how it sets the scene for the surrounding area, which is dominated by entertainment complex, that plethora of road signs and of course the incessant whiz of traffic.
I have been trying to date the footbridge which was not there when I would wander down from Didsbury to sit in the small island of tranquility which was the small park.
So, for all those that share my memory, and for everyone else who might yearn for a quieter Parrs Wood, here is what it was like a full 61 years ago ……. Nothing more nothing less.
Location Parrs Wood
Picture; road works at Parrs Wood, 1959, Courtesy of Manchester Archives+ Town Hall Photographers' Collection
https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/albums/72157684413651581?fbclid=IwAR35NR9v6lzJfkiSsHgHdQyL2CCuQUHuCuVr8xnd403q534MNgY5g1nAZfY
Just as I remember it in the 50’s. Lived in Parrswood road
ReplyDeleteI remember it in the `50`s and `60`s .Lovely spot. My father worked at the garage. I still return there frequently
DeleteWould nice to have a new bridge which is a fitting gateway to Manchester from the south
ReplyDeleteI remember Parrs Wood just like this in 1959, I lived in Parrs Wood Court.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Gateway as it was in the 1950’s. My grandma lived off Kingsway, further down towards Burnage, Then als went a few times to the Galleon Open Air Swimming Pool, which was between the Gateway and Cheadle, by the River Mersey.
ReplyDeleteThe footbridge for the kids of the elite to cross Kingsway is in marked contrast to the absence of a bridge for the council house residents of the Merseybank estate to cross Princess Road in West Didsbury. Every once in a while one can see who the really influential people are in this country.
ReplyDeleteMemories, memories. I went to Manchester Central High School, as it then was, and being inner city and no playing fields, once a week we got a tram down Princess Parkway to Parrswood playng field. Played a lot of rugby, football and cricket there. This was late '40s early '50s.
ReplyDeleteWe still did that in the 60s, cross country running too. Then with the move from Whitworth Street to Kirkmanshulme Lane (with its own playing field) it stopped.
DeleteI thought the school wasn't built till late 60s? I assumed the bridge was put in at the same time. Before my time though. Bridge was certainly there when I moved there in 80s
ReplyDelete