The swing … the roundabout …… and the sliding horse ……

You will have to be a certain age to remember and perhaps mourn those old-fashioned play appliances which were a feature of our public parks from the beginning of the last century up till quite recently.

There was the roundabout, the seesaw, and the sliding horse along with a bank of swings. 

Some have survived, with just a hint of design change, and others like the roundabout seem to have vanished.

What they all had in common was that they were all placed on a hard surface, which proved unyielding if you fell on it.

Added to which some of the playthings were not always well maintained.  

The wooden platform of the roundabouts could be rotten, the swings and seesaws rusty, and the sliding horses didn’t always live up to their name.

Now there will be those out there who bewail the passing of these creaking paint chipped ways of hurting you, even citing accusation of wokeism and worse.

Not me …… I had enough nasty tumbles and scratches from these “accidents waiting to happen” in the 1950s and judge the safety of our grandchildren as such that bouncy surfaces, and well-maintained playthings are paramount.

That said the ones in Beaumaris by the pier all looked to be in excellent condition, and had I been 65 years younger I might have given them a whirl.

That I suspect is the real cruel observation about the passing of the decades.

Location; Beaumaris

Pictures; nostalgia at play, 2023 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

75 years of the story of the NHS ..... at Trafford General ..... TODAY

 Now, l am a baby boomer and l was born just one year after the NHS was established meaning we have been constant companions over the last 73 years.  

It has seen me through heaps of minor illnesses, two cancers and looked after my sons and grandchildren, so I have a lot to thank it for.

And to take every opportunity to explore its history.

All of which is by way of an invitation to a look at the story of the NHS through pictures, memories and conversations with staff and local historians at Trafford General Hospital, which as Park Hospital is where it all started in 1948.

The event has been organised by The NHS Retirement Fellowship.

This is a registered charity, which is the organisation for NHS retirees and their partners. 

Offering social, leisure, educational and welfare activities, the Fellowship has more than 100 branches across England, Scotland and Wales.  Established in 1978 with over 8,000 members, we provide a bridge between life in employment and new opportunities in retirement. Members enjoy a range of activities and interests meeting former colleagues and making new friends.

So that is it …. All you have to do is come along and celebrate with us the 75 years of the NHS.

Pictures; Poster for the NHS at 75, NHS Retirement Fellowship, and seen on a pub wall in Meania Bridge, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

On finding Miss Wright of Chorlton .............. unlocking a bit more of our history

464 Wilbraham Road, home to Miss Wright circa 1900

Now Miss Wright of Chorlton has been found.

She was and continues to be a clue to the story of the Girls Friendly Society and the Chorlton-cum-Hardy Church Institute which have featured in stories over the last few days.*

The Chorlton-cum-Hardy Church Institute was based for a while in one of the big houses in St Clements Road and the Girls Friendly Society met there during the early decades of the last century.

In 1928 Miss Wright was the President of the G.F.S. and I always knew that if we could find her we would come to know more about both the society and the Institute.

And yesterday Sandra Hapgood came up with Miss Wright’s story which came to light in the 1934 St.Clement’s church magazine in which “she is mentioned as Branch President Miss Wright of 464 Wilbraham Road (now the RBS)

The Acting Branch President was Mrs Evans of 99 Claude Road [and] in 1934 they met every Thursday in the New School (St. Clements) 7.40 - 9.45pm.”

It may also be that the short description of the "G.F.S" in the magazine was actually written by Miss Wright.

"The long, light evenings have gone, so it was with a certain amount of pleasure that we turn to meetings indoors for our recreation and instruction.

During October, on Thursday evenings, G.F.S members will commence their various activities, including musical drill, country and ballroom dancing, ping-pong and other games, needlework - and chatting by the fire.

The evening of Thursday, October 18th, has been reserved for a Lantern Lecture, to which an invitation has been extended to all. Details of the lecture will be announced nearer the date."**

Looking down Wilbraham Road, circa 1900

Sandra adds "it is signed M.I.W and I thought we had Miss Wright's initials but sadly not. 
M.I.W is Miss Wilson the headmistress of the Infant school at that time.”

Now all of that helps with the Institute which was the home of Mr and Mrs Crowhurst in the 1890's who ran a “Ladies School” there and which may have been rented out to the church by its owner William Batty around 1900.

The house was still listed as a club in 1934 but as the new school had been built on St Clements Road some at least of the events that were hosted there had moved across the way.

All of which for me is a fascinating little bit of our local history more so because it is a bit that now sits very much in the shadows.

So I shall go looking again for Miss Wright, Mrs Evans and the others who will tell me more about the Institute and the G.F.S., which just leaves a thank you to Sandra.

Picture; the corner of Wilbraham and Barlow Moor Roads and Miss Wright’s house, circa 1900 from the Lloyd Collection

*The Girls Friendly Society, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/The%20Girls%20Friendly%20Society

**St Clement’s Church Magazine, 1932, courtesy of Sandra Hapgood

75 years of the story of the NHS ..... at Trafford General on July 21st

Now, l am a baby boomer and l was born just one year after the NHS was established meaning we have been constant companions over the last 73 years.  

It has seen me through heaps of minor illnesses, two cancers and looked after my sons and grandchildren, so I have a lot to thank it for.

And to take every opportunity to explore its history.

All of which is by way of an invitation to a look at the story of the NHS through pictures, memories and conversations with staff and local historians at Trafford General Hospital, which as Park Hospital is where it all started in 1948.

The event has been organised by The NHS Retirement Fellowship.

This is a registered charity, which is the organisation for NHS retirees and their partners. 

Offering social, leisure, educational and welfare activities, the Fellowship has more than 100 branches across England, Scotland and Wales.  Established in 1978 with over 8,000 members, we provide a bridge between life in employment and new opportunities in retirement. Members enjoy a range of activities and interests meeting former colleagues and making new friends.

So that is it …. All you have to do is come along and celebrate with us the 75 years of the NHS.

Pictures; Poster for the NHS at 75, NHS Retirement Fellowship, and seen on a pub wall in Meania Bridge, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

Making a new story ..... when the old one didn't work

There is always a story ….. even when the one you planned turns out to be a dead end.

And so it is with this picture postcard, which appeared to be about Teynham in Dorset.

It often pops up in popular history as the “lost village where time stopped in 1943” because “it was evacuated in December of that year ….. and has been deserted ever since. The area was needed for military training but after the war ended, the villagers were not allowed to return. The Village remains part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School, an important training establishment of the British Army.*

It would have made a compelling story, only our card was destined for another village called Tyneham in Kent not Dorset.

Which meant that the story became the story of the Stickles family and how you go about dating a picture postcard.

The Stickles were living on Station Road Tyneham in 1911 and were still there in 1939.

Just when Mrs Stickles received her post card is as yet unclear, the post mark is illegible but the half penny green stamp of George V stamp dates from 1912 and 1924. 

That said the picture postcard is older.  It was produced by the Valentine company and their catalogue shows it was registered in 1895.

In time I will go looking for the history of the family, tracking them back and forwards across Kent.

Mr. Stickles worked as a labourer in a brick works and Mr. Stickles and his wife Emma had been married for 31 years, had had ten children, of which nine had survived and in 1911 three were stll living at home.

At this point I could comment on the contents of the card but I shall leave that to you to read.

Location; Kent

Picture; postcard circa 1912-1924 from the collection of David Harrop

*Visit Dorset, https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/tyneham-village/13633301/

Bright spot on a grey day

We never asked his name, but the chap who sold “Family fun” on the pier at Bangor had been doing the business for 25 years.

And his bright yellow shop brightened up an otherwise grey day.

We bought some postcards to send back to Italy, and behind us patiently waiting were two girls wanting to purchase a crab catching kit.

I have to say the kit was not that sophisticated containing as it did a bucket, a stretch of twine, and a net.

That said on previous visits the kit did the trick, as clumps of visitors added more crabs to their buckets, before throwing them back at the end of the day.

Location; Bangor Pier

Picture; Bright yellow spot on a grey day, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

So goodbye to Carlton House on High Lane ……… well almost

Carlton House is that building on High Lane and Acres Road.

Carlton House, 2022

For well over a century, it has been in the business of education, starting out as a convent school and then becoming the Islamic High School for Girls.

But all that is about to change as the Islamic High School is relocating to West Didsbury and the site is about to be redeveloped.

Cube Homes propose to build “22 high quality, energy efficient and sustainable new homes comprising 14 four bedroom townhouses, 6 two-bedroom apartments, and the retention and refurbishment of Carlton House, which will be converted into 2 homes”.*

We are at the early stage where Cube Homes have bought the land, had preliminary discussions with the Planners at the City Council and have floated a “Preapplication” statement and consultation.

The Convent, 1959

All of the details are available online and make for an interesting read, particularly because the developer amended the plans in the light of conversations with the City Planning Department.

One of which was the retention of Carlton House.

It is a building I have passed countless times but never once gave it much thought.

For most of the time I have lived in Chorlton it was the Convent School before becoming the Manchester Islamic Grammar School For Girls.

But it started as the home of Thomas and Catherine Harrison who I suspect were pleased with their impressive property which consisted of 10 rooms with a garden which stretched down towards Beech Road and included stables, a greenhouse and heaps of ancient fruit trees.

I have written its story and always intended to go back.  That first story set off a heap of memories from those who attended the convent school and no doubt the second will bring forth more from its time as the Islamic High School.**

Carlton House and garden, 1894

Now the historic records offer up heaps of possible avenues of research including the cottage which  stood on the site in the 1840s and 50s, when this strip of land was owned by William Brundrett.

But also highlight just how twisty turny historical research can be, because I came across Carlton House almost by accident as I was looking for the story behind 97 Beech Road which if I have got it right dates back to 1886, and has in its time sold many different things

Carlton House dates from 1866 and may have been sold in 1898 when Mrs Harrison died.  Either way sometime between 1903 and 1909 her grand house became the Convent. The 1911  census records it was home to the Principal, six teachers, one pupil teacher and the house keeper.  

Walking the garden wall, 2020

They ranged in age from 49 down to 18 years old, all were single, and were drawn from across the country and beyond.  So, while four were from Ireland, one was from Dorset and the remaining three had been born in Woolwich, Hackney and London.

And now that link with education has come to an end.

I could at this point reflect on the proposed plans, or the bigger issue of new homes in Chorlton but I won’t, suffice to say the proposals recognises that despite real  environmental concerns provision has been made for more than one car per house hold, which in turn may prevent the squeeze on on road parking.

Added to which Acres Road is to be widened, which clearly makes sense.  The historian in me acknowledges that this will alter the historic character of what was popularly known as “Acres Crack” and originated as a small watercourse covered over sometime before the 1880s, but the trade off is the retention of Carlton House.

That said the scale of the development does seem over large for that corner of Acres Road.

So, the rest are stories yet to come.

Location; High Lane

Pictures; Carlton House, and the line of what was once the garden, 2022,  from the collection of Andrew Simpson, Carlton and house and grounds 1894, from the OS map of South Lancashire, 1894, courtesy of Digital Archives, https://digitalarchives.co.uk/  and Convent of the Sisters of the Christian Retreat, 1959, A.E. Landers, m17917, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass

*Cube Homes High Lane Consultation, https://www.cubehomeshighlaneconsultation.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0RpY4WJSNMpEm-cSD6fIFNrQfHjnh9M1Dhccez1k9WCISxdPBYZTNpfyA

**Carlton House …… the convent on High Lane and …….. the trail that led back to a Beech Road bar

https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2022/10/carlton-house-convent-on-high-lane-and.html