Axe and Cleaver, Altrincham.

[mshrmh]

Lizzie

Was/is there a theatre on Barrington Road, called The Garrick?

- it's still there. There was a big refurbishment a few years ago, so you may not recognise it
http://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/

[littlej]

Lizzie,

I was at ACGSG until 1960 when I left the Vth form to work in Manchester. Did you know Miss Okell died only a few years ago? It was reported in the local Messenger. I think she was living in North Wales.

 We came straight down the Downs and then usually turned into George Street via a little link road which was an extension of Railway Street. I used to get all my comics from a little newsagents at the bottom end of George Street right near the Axe & Cleaver.

Does anyone remember the Stamford Hall?

I lived very near to the Garrick and Reiver's right, the refurbishment has made a great difference, it's much more professional looking now.

Jac

[LizzieW]

Jac

I do remember Miss Okell.  We didn't like her (to put it very mildly).  In our first year we had a lovely old headmistress called Miss Drought.  When she retired, we were all expecting someone just as nice, instead the Governors appointed an old girl of the school who came from a well off local family  The first thing she did was start to change the school uniform, which had been very traditional, and I know after I left the girls had green duffel coats.  There were other reasons we didn't like her and one or two other teachers, which I won't give.

I did know she had died.  My friend (who died recently) who was also an old girl of the school, had a younger sister who worked in an old peoples' home,  along Dunham Road or that area I think.  She told us about Miss Okell.  I got the impression she had died in the nursing home, but perhaps not.  I know we were told that a garage door had fallen on her head.  Was that right?

I remember the Stamford Hall.  My dad used to take me to wrestling matches there when I was about 9-10 years old.  Also the swimming baths, which were nearly opposite the station.  I used to be outside waiting for them to open every morning during school holidays, but that was before I went to the Grammar School.

mshrmh - Thank you for the Garrick website.  I was interested to note that they started a Young Garrick Club in 1958 for 15-18 year olds.  When I used to go with my friends, all dragged along by one girl who wanted to be an actress, it was around 1954/5 and even if it was a group for young people, it didn't have a special name.  I've a photograph of me on the stage - I've no idea what the play was, I was only an extra near the back - but from the clothes must have been something set in the 19th century.

Lizzie

ps.  Sorry to hijack your thread inprincegeorge

[Loretogirl47]

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!!!!

[littlej]

YYou know it's great talking to someone who remembers. Did you ever go to the Locarno on a Saturday night?

Jac

[SwissGill]

Hi

That all brings back memories. I went to Culcheth Hall on Ashley Road but my best friend went to Altrincham Grammar and I remember her mentioning Miss Okell frequently. Our head was Miss Ruth Brownson and she was like a 2nd mother. My cousin went to Loreto Convent and Mum was always going on about how much better mannered she was than her own unruly daughter

Also went to Altrincham Baths. We had to form a "crocodile" and march very nicely through the town. Nearly drowned - we had to form a line, ready to jump in from the side and I was at the wrong end! Thought I'd never surface.

Gill

[LizzieW]

inprincegeorge - That's how I was taught to swim too - probably the same teacher.

I never went to dances at the Stamford Hall, but did go to the Locarno, although I always had to leave early as my parents insisted I was on the last bus home from Altrincham to Hale Barns which was 11pm.  Often I missed it and used to run along Hale Road to Hale Barns, whilst wearing stiletto heeled shoes hitching a lift from anyone who would stop.  I was more frightened of my parents than any driver.

Liz

[littlej]

Lizzie,

I agree about the fear of parents' wrath. You remark about stilettos made me think about sitting on the bus going to the Locarno, my friend & I had so many petticoats on, we could hardly fit on the same seat!

When I returned to Altrincham in 1975, it was like going to a different town altogether. The development at the lower end of George Street was a bit of a shock, gone were the Axe and Cleaver,  library, Stamford Hall, Swimming Baths, Bus Station, Co-op etc, etc. I was looking at what remains of the Station Buildings the other day, they're looking decidedly worse for wear now. I assume that they're listed, so can't be touched. I wouldn't like to be occupying one of them now. It's such a shame, they would look fantastic renovated.

Jac

[LizzieW]

Jac

When my eldest son was a teenager (18-19 not a young teenager), he was going out one night about 10.00pm and my dad told him that when I was his age, at 10.00pm I had to think about getting ready to go home.  My son told him that he must have given me an awful time.  My dad thought a bit and then agreed with my son that he had been far too strict.

In later life, I realised that the strict one was actually my mum and that she just used my dad to back her up.  On his own, he would have been much more lenient with me.

Lizzie