Your Messages

2000

Thursday, December 28, 2000

Dear David,

Just found your website and I'm absolutely fascinated! I was born April 11, 1949 at 689 Stockport Rd. which was on the corner of Longden Rd. next to the petrol station. Went back to Longsight several years ago to find that they had turned it into a car wash. What a complete waste of people's spaces. Went to Crowcroft Park School and eventually Spurley Hey School, Spogger, as we called it. I have recently obtained a fair number of pictures of the Whitwalks, from the late 1950's. These are from the walks of St. Peter's Church in Levenshulme, combined with some other small churches around the area, would you be interested in any of these? I'm looking to find anyone who remembers the names Cummins, Turner, Fricker, or Bowes (Peter). I lived in the house until 1971, married, moved to Cringle Rd. and worked at McVities until 1977 when I moved to Calgary, AB, Canada. Please feel free to publish my email address. I would love to hear from people I knew!

--Frank

mcfcok@home.com

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Thursday, December 14, 2000

Hello David,
I have just found out that my uncle was christened at St. Joseph RC Church. It was written in a bible that was long forgotten. I have been trying to trace my family for a year now and am still struggling with the grandparent stage. My dad, who is in his eighties would love to know about his family. I am searching for Bertram Garside, born 1884, and registered in Chorlton and Adelaide Cole, his wife who was born in 1891. They were married in 1908 in the registry office. Sidneus,their firstborn, was born in 1910 and christened at St. Joseph, leading me to believe that this is where the family was residing at the time, perhaps even with his/her parents. They came to Canada shortly afterbecause they show up here in 1911. Is there any directory or record that is available for the area in which they may be listed. Could their families be listed. Any help would be appreciated.
Have a wonderful holiday season,

Jane

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December 1, 2000

Good Night David,

It's 2:33am Friday night in New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Some time ago I saw this site, it was merely a seed compared to the nice big juicy apple it is now !! Me and my family lived on Portland Crescent off Plymouth Grove about 16 years ago. My grandparents moved to Lister Street (doesn't exist anymore) in the 50's in the hope of prosperity and riches. From there they bought No. 9 Portland Crescent from St. Josephs church, who had at the time, built a new presbetery. I went to St Albans RCHS, of which the first 3 years were spent in Gorton and the last 2 in the upper school located behind a Franciscan Friary (at the top of Kirkmanshulme lane, after the greyhound track and take a left towards city centre and then take a right (perhaps you remember this place ?)

Anyway, I don't want to bore you with my past. I just want to say thankyou for publishing a BRILLIANT site on Longsight. Myself and my brother will be visiting Portland Crescent area in January / February 2001. If there is anything I can do e.g. take some pictures, pick up some brochures etc. then I would be more than happy to do so.

Cheers & Thanks for the memories,
My mother is going to love this in the morning.....

Darren.

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November 29, 2000

Dear David
I was very interested in your photos and memories of my old school, Ardwick Technical High School and congratulate you on your sites. What a great discovery! I was a pupil at the school from 1956 to 1962. My name was Gladys Miller. I now use my name Anne, and have married. No wonder it is hard to trace the girls!!! Do you happen to know where I can see a copy of Mr Woodhead's book, 'A Century of Schooling'? Is it kept at the Central Library in Manchester I wonder? I have downloaded chapters 15 and 16 from the net and am finding them fascinating reading. I would love to read the rest of the book. I still have my prize-giving programme from 1962. I left Manchester in 1965 so I'm afraid I have forgotten most of what I knew of my old school, though the memories have started to come back during the last three days (since I came across your site, in fact). Somewhere I think I have the copy of 'The Lord's Prayer' which I often played at assemblies (when allowed to do so by Miss Greenhalgh!) and I may still have our old hymn book (pianists' version) which I was given as a prize at Speech Day. I asked for this prize because I wanted a permanent memory of my old school. I remember other students remarking that it was a strange prize to choose, but I was a sentimental old thing even then, at the age of 16. I hope to drag up some other memories about my old school. Please let me know if I can make a contribution to your site.
Very best wishes
Anne

Mrs Anne Doney
Camberley
Surrey

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November 20, 2000

I was extremely interested in your Longsight Memories web site as that was where I grew up and where my other lived until a few years ago. I shall be going back to the Uk in a couple of months and am sure I have more photos of Stanley Grove school, Northmoor church Whit week walks, St Agnes's church etc. would you be interested in them?
Regards

DENISE HURST
MALAGA
SPAIN

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November 13, 2000

Dear David,

I cannot thank you enough for your Longsight Memories. My grandmother whos last name was Deakin lived on Stanley Grove and We would visit her
several times a year from Hitchin in Hertfordshire. She died when I was quite young but we still visited Longsight every year because she had 15
children, 10 boys and 5 girls. My mother Anne Jane was the oldest girl and she married John Kay. My memories are so strong and so warm of
those visits. I know I have a lot of cousins out there somewhere, unless they all left England for other parts of the world as I did. If your Family name was Deakin or Kay please contact me.

Jackie Wing (nee Kay)

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November 7, 2000

david

I am trying to trace information about my grandfather and his mother. I have very little information, but this is what I do know. My grandfather was called Joeseph Herbert and he was born at Withington (what was at that time the poor house) in 1897. His mother was called Mildred (or Matilda) Herbert and she was born around 1866/7 and died in 1904. My grandfather attended St Joesephs school from 1904 and left well qualified in 1913. My grandmother lived in Chorlton-on-Medlock and I think she worked as a housemaid/teacher in one of the big houses in Victoria Park. If anyone has any information about Mildred Herbert or Joseph Herbert it would be very gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Claire Cowell

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October 8, 2000

Hello David.

My name is Arthur Kynaston . Born 1928 Victoria Street Longsight.Moved to Sandringham Street Gorton around 1932.Went to Gorton school on Hyde RD. Dad worked at Kendal & Gents engineering. 1939 moved to Nelstrop RD, Levenshulme. attended Spurley Hey School.After leaving school went to Joseph Cotton& co.as an apprentice mechanic Later on joined R.A.F. went to Germany 1946 demobbed 1949 [Berlin airlift] used to play crib at the three arrows, and danced at the Levenshulme Palace Also worked at Mirlees Bickerton & Day Stocport. diesel engineers Migrated to Australia in 1953 been here ever since. I still mis the old pubs of Manchester. Is the Coach & horses still standing [outside Belle Vue]
Its 46years since I last saw Manchester.and I stil long for good old pub crawl ,all up Hyde RD. and then we would finish up at the Yates wine Bar Nr. Picadilly and have a bloody good laugh, Happy days

Thanks David for letting me bend your ear.
Arthur kynaston.

atkynaston@iprimus.com.au

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September 30, 2000

David,

excellent changes to your site. I loved the section about the Daisy Works. I grew up on Longford Place and walking up the road I could see the Daisy
Works every day but I never knew anything about its history as through-out my life it was always unoccupied apart from a few TV repair shops at the
base of the building.

I was quite surprised about the Sand Park as I never knew it existed. I remember & love Crowcroft, Birchfields & Platt Lane parks but I never knew
about Sand Park. Did you ever go to the costume museum at Birchfields?

Next week my mum & dad are visiting so I will treat them to an evening of Boardman/Longsight web surfing. Whereas my memory is a blur they both have
an excellent memory of Longsight & Ardwick from 1945 onwards.

Will email you again soon.

Martin

David,

I've now moved on to your virtual guide to North West Longsight.

The Longsight Spritualist Church. - When I was about 8 years old I remember walking past the Longsight Spritualist Church and seeing spooky orange
lights floating around inside. Add to this the fact that in 20 years living in Longford Place I never saw one single human being walk into the Longsight
Spiritualist Church you will understand that in my formative years I thoughtthat tthe church was inhabitated by Satan.

I was in Manchester in August as my brother was married in Manchester Town Hall.

I lived in Manchester for over 20 years and never stepped foot in Manchester Town Hall - it is a magnificent building - At the Wedding reception I was
talking to a friend of my brothers from ths States and I was explaining that the start of the Industrial Revolution (and therefore modern western
society) was born in Manchester.

Again best wishes

Martin

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September 18, 2000

Hi
I am enjoying looking round your website. I was born & brought up in Levenshulme (Cuthbert Avenue) and my wife was born in Bickerdike Avenue
Longsight. We both went to Crowcroft Park Primary School and recognise some of the names and faces in the pictures. We were also both regular visitors to
Belle Vue and the Cinemas in both Longsight & Levenshulme - days before Television when you would expect to go to the flicks two or three times a
week, programmes changed twice-weekly so there was plenty of variety.
Keep up the good work--

John Dean
Oxford

john-dean@msn.com

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September 16, 2000

Congratulations on your Longsight Memories site.I am new to the internet and have just discovered it.I came to live in Longsight in 1941 at the age of 2 years old.My father was an officer in the royal army pay corps based at the pownall works on Stockport road.We lived at 49 Birch lane and i attended St Johns school and church.

Are you aware that in the local history library at the central library there are much older pictures of Longsight including horse drawn hackney carriages outside the Waggon and Horses.

Ifinally left Longsight in 1967 and have many memories both good and not so good of life there.
regards.
John F Goodwin

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September 7, 2000

Dear David.

I want to thank you for all the good work and effort you have put in to Longsight Memories and the other Web Sites you have created I really enjoyed reading the Web Site on canada such a beautiful place. I used to live in Longsight ( Melling Street) and attended Stanley Grove School until I left in 1950. Will you please print this letter for me. I would like to contact any old school pals of mine names that come to mind are Ron Faulkener(Melling Street) Edith Senior(nee) (Stainer Street) Mick Collins (Melling Street) Barbera Jones(nee) (Mackenzie Street) Ken Green(Melling Street) Joyce Smedley(nee) (Greengrocers North Road and Grainger Avenue) Jean Brown(nee) (Hollins Grove) and anyone else I have failed to mention who remembers me and would like to get in touch. Just one more thing David, the lady who sent the pictures of Stanley Grove to you (Edith Arnold) did she ever go to the school the same time as me and did she ever live in Stainer Street(No.80?)? Please print my full name and address and E.Mail.

Best Regards.

Eric Pillinger
25 Cheviot Avenue
Berwick. 3806
Victoria.
Australia

eric@ime.net.au

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September 4, 2000

Dear David

Congratulations on your terrific website 'Longsight Memories'.
My wife, Diane, was born in St Mary's Hospital Prestbury on 1st May 1946. The hospital was an extension to St Mary's Maternity Hospital Manchester. Diane lived at 330 Dickinson Road from birth to the age of 7. Her mother unfortunately died when she was 8 and she then went to live with foster parents in Withington.

Diane's mother, Enid Birch, wasn't married to her father, Arthur George Minter but he had a wife in London. We are particularly interested in Arthur who we believe was a captain in the Royal Army Pay Corps stationed at Daisy Works (Pownalls). He died in 1956 aged 54, just 2 years after Enid's death at the age of 42.

We wondered if you could advise of any contacts where we may find out the date of Arthur's posting to Manchester and his ultimate date of demob plus any further information relating to Daisy Works as a RAPC centre.

Many Thanks


Alan & Diane Beaumont

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August 30, 2000

I've just come across your fabulous Longsight Memories Web Site. (I'd last done a Web search maybe two years ago with little results.)

My maternal grandmother (1887-1980) had lived in that area before migrating to Australia in 1910. Most of her siblings, aunts and uncles,
and her mother did so before/after that date.

The family is shown in the 1881 census as being in Moss Side. Their later address was 41 South Street, with a move to Purcell ("...more out
in the country ...") near the Crowcroft Park.

Before leaving she had worked at a cloth mill. One her sisters had gotten an arm injured by a large mangle iron machine. Only a lone
brother remained behind in Manchester as a cloth salesman.

We were in the UK 1952-54 (Suffolk, near Bury St. Edmunds) due to my father (1920-1978) being in the USAF. We never got the chance to visit
the Manchester area though - the nearest being the train ride thru York on the way to Ayr via Glasgow to fly back to the US from Prestwick with
a stop in the Azores. (Far better than the 5-day sea trip from NY to Southampton across a stormy North Atlantic in Feb 1952!)

Pat(rick) Dyer
San Antonio, TX

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August 28, 2000

David,
Just a short note in appreciation of your additions to the Longsight web site, particularly the virtual tours. Noticed in the mail box that my sister had contacted you. In my last letter dated 17/7 I didn't attach my email address. royt@idl.com.au Could you please insert it in case anyone remembers my name and would like to contact me direct.

Regards
Roy

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August 21, 2000

david
just thought i would let you know that i e mailed kathleen massey from your "mailbox " about the lady who used to live at 1 seddon st longsight the one that went to south africa. i have had a reply from kathleen who was thrilled because she was a very good friend of beatrice
years ago. when they was both young . they went to the same school. spurley hey together both born 1933 . and even went to isle of man on holiday with a gang of others .what the net can do
mavis

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August 18, 2000

Hi David, just wanted you to know how much we enjoy your site. A friend in England told us about it and since then we have been regulars. We moved to
the U.S. in 1977 and have lived in Dallas since that time. I went to Crowcroft Park School which was right on our doorstep as i lived in the
police house across the road. In fact i am in one of the photos on the site my name was Susan Hill [Jones is my married name]. My brother Barry Hill is
on the 1966 photo, we have a sister Alison Hill who went to the same school. Susan Dickert who sent the photo of Mr. Watson's class and i have been in
contact, we were in that class together, about 40years ago. My husband is English and lived in Withington his name is Barry Jones. I would love to hear
from anyone who remembers me or any of my family. We appreciate your hard work, you are doing a great job. \

Sue Jones

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August 17, 2000

Hi David

I loved your website - just been introduced to the internet by my daughter-in-law.

I was born in 1933 at No. 61 Audley Road, off Matthew's Lane, and went to school at Gorton Mount and then Spurley Hey (where I was Head Girl!), until
1947. We attended St Peter's Church, Levenshume. My Dad was Cecil Massey, served in the RAF and was known locally for his Crown Green Bowling Skills. My Mum was Lilian Massey (nee Dawes). My brother, Derek Massey was born in 1928.

Fascinating to read everyone's memories of Levenshume and Longsight. If you could post this and if anyone remembers me or my family and wants to get in touch please also feel free to post my daughter-in-law's email address:
CarolineEmma@aol.com.

Regards

Kathleen

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August 7, 2000

hi david

just been into your site found it very interesting ,i have passed it on to family in south africa!! can you tell me anything about seddon st longsight i had family that lived there in 1940--60 a john charles healer and wife beatrice healer and daughter beatrice john charles used to play darts at the midway hotel and football and i believe once a jockey have you any photos of seddon st longsight for my family history, can you tell me anything about seddon st ,i have a photo of john charles when young
thank you
mavis

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August 3, 2000

Hi David, What a great site you have created! I was born in Levenshulme and now live in Alberta, Canada. My link with Longsight is that my Mum
was born there in 1905,she lived in Longden Road. She went to Stanley Grove School, and I still have a school report of hers, handwritten!! I
was born in 1949,yes my Mum was 44 when I was born! It was interesting to read Graham Todds memories, as his childhood somewhat mirrored my own
experiences. He even mentioned a boy whom I knew at secondary school. I went to Didsbury Technical High School with Paul Lineham. I was
interested in the memories of the Longsight cinemas, as I remember them all. I remember going to the Queens & Shaftesbury, but I never went to
the Kings. Does anyone remember the Levenshulme Cinemas? There were five, namely, The ABC Regal, The Grand,The Palace (Farmside),The Arcadia
and The Kingsway. Does anyone have photos of these buildings? Finally does anyone know of a Levenshulme Web Page or site? Would you be
interested in creating one David?

Once again congratulations on a great resource. I will be making regular visits to it.

Best wishes,

George Nixon.

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Dear David,
I came across your excellent website purely by accident and was amazed to read about my old school. I left in 1951 so the photograph of all the teachers was very relevant and brought back happy memories, if a bit hazy of my time there. The Headmaster before Mr Woollard was W. Peake I am not sure when he left. I remember having to stand outside his office for punishment due to a confrontation with some other boys on tram going home to Levenshulme. I wonder if any of my old school chums are still around. Keith Huyton, Keith Bridock and my best friend Paul Riley, Bill English. Well there are heaps more to look at on your site so I will get on.
All the best
Peter

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July 30, 2000

Excellent web site David! I grew up in Levenshulme-Longsight border and attended Central Lower and Higher schools in the late 70s.I now live in
Droylsden, but my parents still live in Levenshulme.There were many changes along the stockport road corridor in the middle 70s-a lot of
houses, pubs and shops were demolished,to make way for those horrible looking council houses along the front of stockport road.
Anyway you cant holt progress,but its a shame in what is happening in the Longsight Levenshulme areas of Manchester. Nice to see though that The Midway Pub iis back on the map again! For a number of years it has been called Broody Mulligans-
i shall be visiting the web site again...........

regards philip auld

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July 29, 2000

To David
I was contacted by my brother Roy Thurnham[in Australia] through my sons computer re your Longsight Memories. I would be interested to share more information, photos ect. if you would like me to.I went to Fallowfield school between the years 1956-61 approx. I was so pleased to see the photo of my old home in Rushford st. again. I thought it may have been pulled down by now. The photo was supplied to my brother [I think by Graham Todd.]
My sister and I hope to visit Manchester again in Sept. after many years. Do you still live in there?
I would also be interested to here from anyone who may know me from the old days. My mum and dad Elizabeth [Cissie] and Tom Thurnham lived at 67 Rushford St. between approx 1930 and the late 60s. I left in the mid sixties for Australia and now live in Banbury Oxon.
Look forward to your reply at my sons e-mail address.
Margaret Finch [nee Thurnham]

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July 16, 2000

Hi! David,
Just a short note to add my thanks for a great web page. I was born the end of 42 & spent all my happy childhood years in Longsight. Lived in Rushford St; the Crowcroft Park end and attended Stanley Grove School. Played cricket for Levenshulme C.C. & then for Longsight.I haven't seen that part of the world for some 40 years so have really enjoyed the memories & photos of contributors. I have some 50s' school photos if they could be of interest. Will look forward to the "page" growing & no doubt more comments from Mancunians "down under".
Thanks again.
Regards
Roy Thurnham.

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June 6, 2000

Hello David

I came across your site quite by accident tonight. I am a former Longsight girl 1958-61 and I have very vivid memories of the area. I attended Crowcroft Park School and Manchester Grammar after the 11 plus. My family lived on Barlow Road in Levenshulme and then Crantock St. in Longsight. We were the last house on the street which abutted a large pit that was being mined at the time, although I am not sure what for. I remember the little trucks running all day on a small "railway" line, going into the factory full and coming out empty. We used to go down into the bottom of the pit looking for tadpoles in the pools of water that collected there. If you think it is worthwhile I would like to get in touch again to share some more memories. I also have a class picture of the 11 plus class from 1960 from Crowcroft Park. Would that be useful to you? My maiden name was Susan Chester. May 28, 2000

I just stumbled across your website by chance. But am I glad I did. I found it most interesting, and in it's own way tells some of the History of the
Great City of Manchester.

David, it's a credit to you and the site will give many hours of pleasure to people who love Manchester and in particular the Longsite area.

Best wishes,
Martin MOORE
On the South Pennines in Lancashire

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May 28, 2000

Hi David,
Having found my way to your lovely web site for Longsight, I am wondering if with the knowledge you have of Longsight, you have any old street maps at your disposal for Longsight pre 1920-1930 ?
My late mum was born in 1919, and lived there until she moved to live with her older sister and her family in 1933 (when my grandmother
died). I know the address they lived at was 7, Dalton Street, Longsight. Right now I am doing or at least trying to do my Family Tree, but am
'failing' miserably !! Without burdening you with all the details, I am trying to discover the Catholic church my grandmother and the family would have attended, or at least where my mum and her younger brother born abt 1921 would have been baptised.
Also, do you have any idea, what the 'local' paper for Longsight would have been in the 1920-1930s ? Last but not least, do you know if there is a local library in the area which may have items of archives covering the same years ? While I appreciate you may not know the answers to these questions, I do hope you will not mind my asking for you help ?
Right now I really am hitting my head against a brick wall, as I do know that my grandmother never actually married the father of my mum and her younger brother, but they were actually in a relationship of some kind from at least 1918 till my grandfather died from being in an incident outside a pub on Stockport Road abt 1922/23. Also, so far I have been unable to obtain a birth certificate for my mum's younger brother, yet I am sure he would have had his birth registered at the same registry office (Chorlton, sub district Ardwick) as my mum's birth had been registered in 1919.
David, if you cannot help with any of my questions, do you know of anyone who may be able to oblige me ?

Many Thanks,
Moofy (Yvonne Barnett)
Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

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May 28, 2000
David -

I've just come across your website, which fascinated me because my great-grandfather, grandfather and father all lived there, in various streets including Upper Morton Street, Albert Road, Pemberton Place, Pine Grove, Ash Grove, Albert Grove and South View. My grandfather's sister and brother lived for a time in Longford Place.

My great-grandfather was connected with Ivy Congregational Church, which I assume is the one you refer to as the Independent Church. I was disappointed to find no picture of this church - although I know it was demolished many years ago. I was also disappointed that the link to Victoria Park would not work for me.

You can read about my Longsight ancestors in my family history (URL below), Chapters 4, 7 and 8. There are pictures of several of the houses where they lived.

Geoff Heath
Mellor, Stockport, Cheshire

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May 11, 2000

Dear David

What a wonderful surprise I had when I came across your web site this week - congratulations on a splendid achievement! Reading Longsight Memories
brought back bittersweet memories of my own because I grew up in Longsight in the postwar years and relatives had many links with the suburb
throughout this century.

I have a formal photo of my Mother as a maid-of-honour with other children taken c. 1927 at St Joseph's, Plymouth Grove that might make an interesting
addition to your 'Churches' section; also, I've a few pictures of everyday life on Pink Bank Lane in the 1950's that I would be happy to share with you
and your readers if you so wish.

Sincerely

Shelagh Street

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April 23, 2000

Hi David,
Came across your site whilst looking for a trip down memory lane and I sure found it when I landed here.
I used to live in Longsight (19 Slade Gr.) and my dad was still living at No19 until his untimely death in Jan 1996.My down and out brother sold the property to the first 'gentleman' that knocked on the door the day the For Sale sign went up.Boy did that guy get himself one hell of a deal.I believe the house has been turned into flats for Univ.Students.Too bad!
Would you by any chance have any pics of Slade Grove?
How about St Agies School or St.Robert's R.C.Primary School, or even St Robert's R.C.Church?Sorry, I got so excited that I got carried away.
Do you have a thread in which visitors can ask and answer questions? Excuse the question,I'm new to this.
Hope you can drop me a reply,

Cheers, and Thank You Very Much,
Sue Griffiths(nee Szczepanik)
P.S. Will go through my old photos and see if I can find anything for you.

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Dear David,
I came across your Longsight site through Brian Frost of Christchurch, New Zealand. Brian is the brother-in-law of Agnes Clarke, nee Mitchell,who used to live in Plymouth Grove and is a friend, since school days, of my wife. I believe that Agnes's mother was on one of your photographs with Mrs. Boardman (your mother?).
My mother's family, the Hassalls, used to mention a Harold or Harry Boardman. The parents were John (Jack) and Sarah Hassall their children were Marion (my mother), Norman, Elsie, John and Bill.
Before moving to North (now Northmoor) Road Longsight, they lived in Ardwick in Cowells Buildings which used to be behind Chancery (now Chancellor) Lane.
The HB connection might have been through Chalmers Methodist church or a cricket club. Norman was a keen cricketer, John & Bill less so and I remember going with Norman & others to Mellands playing fields on Mount Road. He might also, have had something to do with Longsight CC.
Perhaps you could let me know sometime if we are the right Boardman/Hassall crew or if all this a lot of incomprehensible nonsense to you.
Anyway, Longsight is fascinating and my wife (Jane, nee Wells), a Longsight girl, and I will be up all night for many nights working through it.
Norman Shaw

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April 12 2000

Hi my name is Brian Riley . I was born and lived on south street I am 50 years old . My mother used to leave me out side while she did her washing.
I don't know if you remember the sandpark in the area.

Mrs Dutton used to give me scrapings for free I went to St Clements school on Grey St and then onto Plymouth Grove Mr Greenhalsh was head teacher
At St Clements school the head was called Mr Dean. I would like to talk longer about this subject Could you please give me your website details

Thank you
Ps iInow live in Openshaw not too far from Longsight I have many happy memories of Longsight my dad used to have a scrapyard on Plymouth Grove and one on Grey Street
Do you remember Johnny the ragbone man ?

E mail me - aceriley@hotmail.com

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April 6, 2000

Dear David

I have just received a contact in relation to my document on your web site Longsight memories. She went all around the houses before her letter reached
me. I must say after 50 years it was a great surprise and a great thrill. Is there any chance of having a contact address included in the document
just in case somebody else wants to make contact and is not a good detective.

Kind Regards

Bernard Carroll, 17, Woodland Ave, Thirroul, NSW 2515, Australia.

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February 14, 2000

Dear David


I was most pleased to find your Longsight memories site which I came across quite by accident. Although from Ardwick/ Chorlton on Medlock myself, ( I lived off Shakespeare Street ) I attended Plymouth Grove school between 1959/60 to 1965 as did many of my friends from the area. What is particularly interesting, is your picture in the Plymouth Grove section of my class, the class of 60/61. I am on the front row far right. I think that I am able to add a couple of more names to those already supplied by Terry Mellor although time dims the memory on faces and apologies therefore to those which I may mismatch - Tony Brammer 2nd left, front row - Faret Malik, 2nd row centre - Claire Churchill 2nd right, 2nd row - Jennifer Roylance 3rd right, 2nd row - Gary Whitbread 2nd right, back row.

If memory serves me well, I seem to recollect the class as being slightly larger in later years as I note the absence of the Caplan twins, Bill Parker, Roy Walker and Billy Phythian, from Terrys photo. I have despatched my dad to his loft to unearth any class photos he can find, which may shed some light on this. If you are interested, I will email these to you if found.

I have many fond memories of Plymouth Grove and remember some of the teaching staff, Miss Ravensdale, Miss Lyndon ( I think she was Australian), Mr Smith, Pop Walker, and Mr Greenhalgh the Headmaster. I also remember how each spring, the window ledges in the hall were full of "home grown" hyacinths, and even now whenever I smell their scent I am reminded of the school. I also have an everlasting memory of Roy Walker, the class and Plymouth Groves boy soprano of the time, singing in perfect pitch to an awestruck audience "Braid the Raven Hair" from the Mikado, accompanied by Pop Walker on the piano.

Congratulations on the excellent work you are doing with your web sites. I am sure that many people appreciate the obvious time and energy which you devote.


Best wishes
Geoff Knight

PS
If anyone from the class of 60/61 would like to get in touch please email me at geoff@moopet.freeserve.co.uk <mailto:geoff@moopet.freeserve.co.uk>

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February 9, 2000

Hi David,

I thoroughly enjoyed your site. My great grandparents were married at St. John the Apostle & Evangelist in 1880. I tried printing the picture
of the church, the picture of the interior and the map of the location of the church, but they wouldn't come out. Any chance you could send
copies of these to me either by E-Mail or snail mail?

Gayle Mann in Manitoba, Canada

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[February 7, 2000]

David, someone sent me a link to your site. I find it very interesting. My mother and family are from the Collyhurst area of Manchester. They
lived on Collyhurst Road, off Eggington Street. Do you have any ideas of how I can find out more sites that may cover this area. I spent a lot of
time in Collyhurst as my dad was a US Airforce man stationed in places we couldn't go so we lived with my nanna on and off all through the 50's
and then came back to live in the south of England (Lakenheath) for my dad's last tour before he retired. That was from '65-68. My mom goes
home often but I havn't been since 1975. My heart is still there, in those grimy old streets (and I say it with love). Your site is great except I couldn't look at a few things for some reason.

Thanks for your time.

Patricia Pauley Johns

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[February 6, 2000 - The 42nd Anniversary of the Munich Disaster]

David,

Sorry for not being in touch lately - Sufferred major IT failure which I have only now managed to resolve.

Cinemas!!! - Have you ever managed to obtain any information on cinemas in Longsight. My DOB was 07.09.1963 so I believe that the major cinema in
Longsight had been pulled down by the time I was was entering my teens.

I remember a cinema in Levenshulme where I went to see James Bond movies (down a side street off Stockport Road on the right heading towards
Stockport) and I remember a cinema in Rusholme called the `Trocadero' which burnt down to the ground in approx 1976?? which was the epitome of
`fleapit'. I remember the Trocadero because my bus-stop to my grammar school in Wythenshaw was opposite it. One day I turned up at the bus-stop ( the 53
to wythenshawe) to find a smouldering heap where once a fleapit was.

I was in Longsight in August 1999 because my brother got married at St Josephs church on Plymouth Grove. The reception was at `The Grove' which is
on the site of what used to be a dealership for Lotus cars and many other exotic vehicles. I used to go to church every sunday (St Josephs) and
remember drooling at the cars in the showroom. I could never work out why some thought it was a good idea to sell flashy cars in such a deprived
neighbourhood!!!!.

I assume you have not been to Longsight recently given where you now live!!.

The pubs have either been knocked down or have had their names changed,particularly the pubs towards Levenshulme. Longsight Market still
stands & appears unchanged since the 70s'. ASDA supermarket changed into DALES supermarket but has now changed back to ASDA
and pretty much dominates Longsight as a retail shopping area. Woolworths no longer exists in Longsight and has been turned into a pub. In fact Longsight (Stockport Rd) is now a series of takeaway food shops stretching from Levenshulme all the way through to Ardwick.

Longsight Police station was knocked down & rebuilt on the same site but with modern materials.

I was only in the Police Station once when I was asked to take part in an identity parade in the 80s' . Got paid £5 for standing in a line for 10 minutes!!

At the end of Longford Place was a catholic girls schools which i believe was called St Joseph's Convent which was run by catholic nuns until it
closed down in the eighties. I remember being bit by the school guard dog when I tried to reclaim a football from the school ground in the seventies!!. This school has now gone and has been replaced by houses which now join up Longford Place with Greville St.

I went past Longsight library.( the `new' one on Stockport Road) Does anyone remember the `Library Quiz' which used to be held at the old Longsight
library opposite the Ducie Arms.??? Formative memories of a bookish childhood!!!

Love your site - recollections of other ex-residents are often before my time but I presume this will change as time goes on.

Please carry on

Martin

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[February 1, 2000]

David,

Came across your Longsight Project via the Lancsgen email group..... absolutely brilliant.

It brought back many memories... some of whick I had forgotten I had.

We lived in Fallowfield when I was born in 1944 and moved to the top of Old Hall Lane (Slade Lane End and technically just in Levenshulme) in 1949.
Lived there until the early 60's when we moved to Rossendale.

I was one of the first batch of boys into the new Central Grammar School Building on Kirkmanshulme Lane in September 1957 ( The 'official' opening
was the following summer) and it was interesting to see what happened to the school after I left.

There was a Robert Boardman in our year... No relation I suppose?

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed

Terry Haslam-Jones
Bacup
Lancashire

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[January 31, 2000]

Can anybody help me?
I am tracing my family tree and my gg grandfather was born in the parish of St Clements Longsight.
Does anybody have any information about the church and the area? His address of birth in 1856 was 6 Myrtle Street.

All comments welcome and much appreciated.

jenny.chapman@zoom.co.uk

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[January 5, 2000]

What a very good site you have created. I have been a resident of Longsight for all my life. I was born at home in 1958 at Leedale Street, (late Leech Street), which is situated off Longden Rd near the Midway Hotel. (still open but now renamed to a "so called trendy style of Irish Pub name" to reflect the large Irish community in Longsight.
The large car park which adjoined the pub has now been redeveloped into a netto supermarket. Opposite is the local sub police station which replaced the sub police station at Crowcroft Park. (that is now an insurance agents..although the building has not been altered to any extent).

The old club that was next to Leedale Street and at the back of Crowcroft park is still there..except it was up for sale the last time I passed. It had changed hands many times from being a night spot (the vaudeville I think it was called)...to a skating rink..(which eventually re-located to Belle Vue) for its final death throws..then it became the home of The Longsight British legion for a number of years. This has now re-located to Belle Vue.

Belle Vue had now a large new private housing estate on. (This is where I live, right over firework island near the pens)....I'm sure I can hear the animals even now. I remember the elephant rides that we used to get at BV..outside Kings Hall. The old wall foundations of Belle Vue are still the to be seen on Kirky lane.

My favourite memories are of hopping on and off the open back 92 buses at the Midway whilst they were still moving. The Longsight Stockport Rd corridor, as now it is called, is undergoing major improvement changes..bike and bus lanes being put in....New Bank Street has traffic Calming humps every hundred yards or so.(there goes the mud flaps again..) but good for the kids...anyway...

I'll visit your page again when I have longer to study indepth..and thanks again...its good.....

Geoff Prunty.

Oh, by the way...the wagon and horses pub in Longsight...remember the mounting step outside for the horses..(sandstone steps they were..),,,
apparently they were saved by someone when the building was taken down..