Heaton Park Prefabs

[baz1947]

Hi Everyone,
I delivered papers to the prefabs - the ones across the road from the Ostrich Pub, every weekday way back in 58/9, I think the name of the news agent was Halfords corner of Bury Old Rd and Whittaker Lane. On Saturdays I delivered meat to the prefabs, that was for the Co-op butchers down Whittaker Lane.
Some of the posts refer to the 'swimming pool' in Heaton Park, Well I can tell you exactly where it still is! if you stand with your back to the boathouse then head off to the left, you can walk round the lake - turn right, walk about 100 yds somewhere there is the water outlet for the lake which runs under the road and off the other side, the swimming pool is down in the hollow - just follow the stream I think it fed the pool. You can still see a part of it - steps if I remember, it was there 3 years ago I do know but over grown.

Hope this is of some help

regards Baz     

[uk2003]

Hi baz1947

Welcome to Rootschat.

You are correct in the location of the pool, page 6 of this thread will help as well as it shows you a plan of the park and page 9 will show a couple of photos taken of the pool a short time ago and what to expect when you find it.

[writerpat]

Hello
I write fiction for women's magazines. This thread has been great for research - trying to capture the feel of those times and what it was like to live in a prefab.
I have a story in The People's Friend Spring Special set in an imaginary prefab village - based very loosely on the Heaton Park area. There'll be another story set here in June's Jubilee issue and (I hope) more stories to follow.  I think the illustrator has done a fantastic job in capturing the era (1950s), the area and the characters.
I thought some of you might like to see the prefab painting on my blog:
http://writeupthehill.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to leave comments there!

[Barbara.H]

Thank you for the link Pat 

So glad you have enjoyed the thread! I haven't read People's Friend for ages, used to buy it for my mum. The illustration is lovely, I'll certainly look out for the story in the Spring Special

  Barbara

[writerpat]

I hope you enjoy Daffodil Days, Barbara.  I've bought the original artwork from the illustrator of that story and the next one (I'll show the second picture on my blog after the story has been published).

So sorry about your lovely cat. It's hard losing a pet. Our old cat was 23 when she went to Rainbow Bridge. We've four dogs there, too.

Best
Pat

[margaret mc]

HI I LIVED AT81 BROADMERE DRIVE I WAS A MARGARET MCLOUGHLIN BRILLIANT TO FIND THIS SITE LOTS OF HAPPY MEMORIES

[writerpat]

There's another lovely painting on my blog  - the  illustration for the second of my stories set in my imaginary prefab village. Please go have a look, and comment if you'd like to.
 http://writeupthehill.blogspot.com/

[2bobsdog]

hi everyone
just found this site.I lived at 44 perrivale ave with my mam,dad and sister.we came there in 1952 I was 1 month old and lived thier till I was about 9,we then moved to moston.I now live in Tasmania but was back in m/c. last year with my eldist son.Had a good walk around the park was not how I remembered it but a smile came to my face when I saw the 2 trees that used to be in our back yard.O almost forgot ime so excited about this site my name is robert foley.I have a few photos from back then will find them and put them up.

[Barbara.H]

Welcome to Rootschat Robert, and Pat again, and Margaret!

Glad you found 'your' trees Robert, would be great to see your photos

I've just found this photo in the Manchester Local images collection - is that one of the prefab estates in the background of the bowling green? If so, which one would it be? I think its looking towards the houses off Sheepfoot Lane where Perrivale Avenue was?

http://images.manchester.gov.uk/Display.php?irn=60168&QueryPage=%2Findex.php&QueryName=BasicQuery&QueryPage=%2Findex.php&Anywhere=SummaryData|

  Barbara