Heaton Park Prefabs

[butterflywings]

Hi there Tony, I too went to the school in Heaton Park called Parkside, would love to hear more about "so called experiments" do remember the cots and the naps. Mother wasent impressed as I caught nits from said cots. Not pleasant. I always thought it was just an ordinary infants school and although hated the school dinners , very unpleasant memories of being forced to eat liver, had quite fond memories of school days there. Have one or two photos taken in the hall during gym lessons but will have to search to find them and will put them on line when I do. All the bestxxx

[butterflywings]

Having wandered off-topic on the Wedding Photo for Kooky thread, thought I had better start again here.

Around the end of WW2, my mum and her parents moved, or were moved, into the 'temporary' prefab housing built in the grounds of Heaton Park. Grandad was still there when he died in 1960!

Does anyone have photos of the prefab estates there, or has anyone encountered websites with references to the prefabs? I couldn't see anything on the Manchester Image Collection, or on Heaton Park's own website apart from a short mention. I have fond memories of visiting Grandad in his prefab but they are a bit hazy as I was only 4 when he died. 

It's as if the prefabs never existed, yet hundreds of people must have lived there. Would be delighted if anyone has any memories of them to share.

  Barbara

[butterflywings]

I too lived in the prefabs in Heaton Park and was actually born in one in 1948. We lived there until I was about 7 or 8 when we were moved out because we needed a bigger house with more bedrooms for my brother and I. Some say the school called Parkside was experimental but it just seemed like a normal school to me, perhaps it was new teaching methods? Do remember going out for lessons in the park sometimes though. Don't remember a swimming pool but there was a paddling pool near to where the lake is. The bandstand had many happy memories . Seems that all who had contact with prefabs all hold them with extremely fond memories. Wish the planners of today would take a look back. It seems we were moved out around 1955/6 and believe some were still lived in until the 60s. "Would definitely have loved to stay there. Don't remember round roofed prefabs, do remember some had wire fencing and did look like allotments around them, We must have been posh (ha ha) as we had a privet hedge .We danced round the Maypole at school and we had Father Christmas come with presents at Christmas, (you had to take your own spoon for the trifle in small greaseproof dishes) Happy memories. xx
 

[Maggi Dignam nee Johnson]

Winifred fieldhouse you were in my class at parkside, I have two class photos and you are on both - Maggi Dignam nee Margaret Johnson on face book if you want to see the pictures

[Lindavynne]

I lived in the prefabs which were near to the heaton park train station, I have to say that the huts I remember were just the same as the one in the photo, I was under the impression that they were used by the army in the war.
I went to Heaton Park school, from 1954 to 1962 it was known as an open air school. I do remember the folding cots, which we had to use every afternoon in the nursary, "not something I appreciated"
But I loved going to school, My favourite teachers was Mr Hargreaves, Mrs Mathews and Miss Walton the Head Mistress.
Does anyone remember a school trip to the Manchester Ship Canal? We went on a barge I think! The smell of the canal was pretty bad. I remember Shirley Whitehead. Barbara. and  Roberta
Write soonx

[waltandphyl]

Hi my name is alyson stringfellow.  You mention a peter stringfellow but my dad was called walt and my mum phyllis. I had three brother's mike robin and andrew (who sadly died) I was born in 112 broadmere.

[Jenny hampton]

Hi my name is jenny Comrie and I was born in heaton park my mum is Elsie and my dad is jack. I also have a sister called Brenda Janice, and two brothers Stewart and graham are we the Comrie you know. I was born in 1959. If you are I would love to hear from you.

[JoanneGrady]

Hi Everyone
My mum lived in the Prefabs in Heaton Park, she lived there from being 5 - 13. My mum was adopted and her name is Margaret Gillett, she would always be found playing in the trees. My mums parents were Mary and Fredrick Gillett.
It would be great to hear off anyone who knew my mum.
Thanks Joanne

[JoanneGrady]

Ps. My mum lived on the white heather camp near sheep foot lane.