Axe and Cleaver, Altrincham.

[Yvonica]

I remember the dances at Stamford Hall and the Locarno (usually Thursday nights at Locarno) plus I remember Altrincham Baths (nearly drowned there too).   Remember Flash Gordon at 11:00 am Saturday mornings at Altrincham Picture Theatre - next to the baths?

[Yvonica]

Did any of you go to the Tuesday and Saturday night dances at the Stamford Hall.  I saw some wonderful groups and artists in the 60s, it was a great night out for a few shillings.

I remember the old Altrincham Baths, I learnt to swim in them, I recall being dragged around on a rope by the instructer, I think it was a case of learn to swim or drown!!!!

I was dragged round by the same rope - from what I remember it had a sort of belt on it that was put round your waist to hold you up in the water.  Plus I saw the wonderful groups/artists of the 60s at the Stamford Hall.  Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Drifters, Nashville Teens, Rattles - to name a few.  Those were the days.....

[Loretogirl47]

I was back in Altrincham in January of this year.  I was shocked by the changes, it was hard to recognize old haunts as so much has changed.   

Is it just my impression or is every small town in the UK now filled with charity shops, what's with that?

I expect childhood memories are flawed by time. 

Does anyone recall a rather nice shop, in my memory it had a black and  white, sort of tudor look to it.  It sold gourmet items, special cheeses and jams etc.  If I am recalling correctly it was near the Don, fish and chip shop?  I think they had a delivery service by a young man on a bike.

Does anyone remember the telegraph boys on bikes, you knew if you saw a telegram being delivered to someones house it was probably bad news.   Telegrams seemed to suddenly end and it was such a common sight on the streets of Altrincham, the red bike of the telegraph boy.

[LizzieW]

Lots of high streets in UK are full of charity shops and, until the recession, building societies and estate agents.  Now unless a charity takes them on, many of the shops are empty.

Lizzie

[littlej]

I still live in the area, in Sale actually, and my granddaughter goes to my old primary school Navigation Road. The old town has changed immensely, and not for the better I think. There have recently been more 'improvements' and apparently still more to come, it will be completely unrecognisable in a few years. There is no longer any character in the place, and anyone who remembers the Market on Saturday mornings would weep to see it now, a shadow of its former self.

To answer Yvonica, I did go to the Locarno and the Stamford Hall, some of the happiest memories of my teenage years are of these dances. I really shouldn't think about he old days, it only makes me wish I could turn back the clock.

Jac

[Yvonica]

I know exactly what you mean when you say "wish could turn back the clock" - people don't have the same values nowadays do they?

[Yvonica]

Lizzie,

I've just replied to your post re the Berry family, .........
Jac

Sorry must have missed that message - what about the Berry family?  I am a descendant of the Berry family.

Yvonica

[LizzieW]

Yvonne

I think Jac meant on the other thread called Berry Family which you've already found.

Lizzie

[sanb]

Hi. Yes I too remember the stamford hall, our school st hughes was in a poetry competition held there-involving other schools in the area- around 1969, (we didn't win!). Also alty baths- I too learned to swim there, got my 'length' cetificate but was dragged along on the tow-rope the last few yards!!!there was a funny cartoon poster on the wall, of the 'rules'-eg- no diving, no petting etc!   Does anyone remember the north western bus station with the 'red' cafe at the top of the steps (leading out on to george st?) My mum worked at dorothy perkins on george st (now holland and barrat)