Heaton Park Prefabs

[Maureen720]

I've only just found the site as I was looking for info. about the prefabs. I was born in 1949 (at home) at 91 Broadmere Drive. We were near the bottom - known as the frying pan. On our small avenue there was Whalley's Mc Loughlans, Mrs Morris, Skinkis's, Morrisons, Mrs Flynn, us Kelly's (Bernadette, Maureen, Colette and Rosemary) and Mr and Mrs Mathews (Mr Mathews was a policeman.) At the back of us were the Murray's
We didn't go to Parkside School as we are catholic, we had to go, be train, to Our Lady of Grace in Prestwich. There were a few families who went there Roach's, Riley's, Dorans, Pluples. There must be more but I can't recall them. When we were rehoused we moved to Riverdale. Quite a few of us went there  and many went to Darn Hill as well.
I still go in the park with my grandchildren and feel so proud to say that the Pope said mass almost on the spot I was born.
I remember trains going under the ground. we once started digging a hole so we might see them!

[mrbothered]

Hi Maureen, I remember a lad called Murray, Gerald I think. I remember they had a quite mangy looking dog. Gerald dropped a Bengo match down my brothers wellie once and caused a small burn on his foot. Wonder if it was the same Murray?

[Maureen720]

It sure is the same Murray. Ged still lives in the Blackley area. His sisters, Carol and Lynn both died at a young age.
Do you remember the mobile library and the mobile clinic that stunk of meths?  What address were you at? 

[uk2003]

Friends reunited have a forum on on the Parkside Primary School.

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/School.page/Parkside_Primary_School/379043/Details

[mrbothered]

Hi Maureen, we lived at 94 Broardmere drive. I lived opposite Angela Hilton who I tracked down a couple of years ago. We had a brilliant day out in Blackpool with her and her husband.

[Maureen720]

Were you in an avenue on the right, we were on the left.The bottom of our back garden looked out towards the lake. Were there 2 lads called Rudd, don't know their 1st names but they were very quiet.They were rehoused near us, on Riverdale in Blackley There was a family called Ladkin who  my mum rented a caravan from (in Morecambe) I remember the Simpson's (bus driver?), Chadwicks (they had a tortoise!), Roscoes who went to Darn Hill, Jean was in my class at school.
other names I remember are Thornicroft, Lynn Kane, Gary Mitchell?, Duncan Jones, Ian and Geoff Taylor.
Isn't if good how after all the years we all have such happy memories. Did you have a doctor called Mac Callum on Whittaker Lane? Remember Harry Ogden's off licence and a shop on the next block, run by 2 very old ladies, we called it the herbalist and it had a penny box with 1d sweets.

[Barbara.H]

Hi to all Prefabbers,

What a great thread this has turned out to be! Lovely to see so many people sharing their memories 

I wonder if any of you remember the statue of the 'Running Man' that was put up in Heaton Park in 1960 (sadly stolen in 1968)?

Rootschatter Spanton is looking for info about the sculptor, John Longden of Ashton-u-Lyne and later Clydebank, but also would like to see photos of the statue. Can any of you help at all? If so, post on this thread:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,537227.0.html

there is also a request for help on the Scottish board regarding John Longden
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,537573.0.html

Thanks!
  Barbara

[GeorgeK]

Hello All,
Just found this terrific thread, as I was searching for info about Heaton Park Prefabs where I was born in 1960 at the bottom end of Sheepfoot Lane (! now live 2 streets  away on Windsor Road !!!)

I do not remember anything as my parents were told at the time that they were going to improve the estate ! and moved us all to Bantry Drive, Blackley in 1961. Then they pulled them down according to my mum in 1962 !

I will find out more information and pics and post them in the future.

Not sure if anyone remembers my family, My parents are named John and Gina, from the Ukraine and Italy. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister Olga who attended Parkside school in the late 50`s.

I remember the running man which was sadly stolen in 1968 and never recovered 

I noticed nobody has mentioned the bandstand, or was it a figment of my imagination !

Hope to have some pics or more info on which street we lived soon.
George


 

[aggiebagwash]

No George the bandstand wasn't a figment of your imagination. I'm sure that there are many of us remember sitting on the hill and watching the brass band contests and the talent competitions.

I don't remember the running man though what was it and where?

Margaret