Berry Family

[Reiver]

When Bill Speakman came to Altrincham with his VC and Lizzie waved her flag alongside her classmates on Hale Road Bridge, the new Woodlands Road Bridge and the associated roads were probably a gleam in someone's eye.  Hale Road I think is the A580.

At that time the only way into Altrincham from the Stockport direction (A560) was across the level crossings.  With a twenty minute train service between Altrincham and Manchester the crossings were often closed to road traffic for a long time.  Once across the crossings thru' traffic would go up Kingsway, passed the Axe and Cleaver on to Chester Road.

I was able to pop along to The Firs this afternoon to look for Wilton Villa on the gateposts but with no success I'm afraid.   Could not find William Berry in the 1911 Slater's directory which is on'line.   They probably have different years on open shelves at Trafford Local Studies, Jac as I think has already been suggested.

Best wishes
Reiver

[LizzieW]

I remember it took forever to get to Stockport or Wythenshawe, from Altrincham, going across the level crossings, now it's a stone's throw.

I often used to catch the electric train from Altrincham to Manchester and wander around, Piccadilly, Market Street, Deansgate etc. when I was only about 9 or 10.  My grandchildren of that age are not even allowed out of the house by themselves.  How times change.

mshrmh - Quick's that's right, Quick's for Fords if I remember was their slogan.

One of these days, I'll have to return and drive around the area to see how much it's changed.  My cousin who lives in Lymm, says we wouldn't recognise the place now.

Lizzie

[mshrmh]

Lizzie - your friend is probably right (I remember taking my dad around the area that he worked about 15 years after he'd retired - it took a while to convince him we were in the right place as there'd been so many changes). There's still a level crossing in Hale, by the Cheshire Midland (trains) and another at Navigation Road (trains & trams), though as Reiver says the others have gone.
Apologies jac - for veering off-subject on your thread, hope you manage to find something of use in your search.

[littlej]

Don't worry about going off subject, it's nice to be on familiar ground and be able to help people with info about my home town. The remarks about Speakman bring back memories.

The Berry question is a little confused, Basil Morrisons book 'Looking Back at Altrincham' says that his daughter lived at Parklands on Charcoal Road. I've found a William Berry in Knutsford Road Dunham. There's also the Firs Road address, and one on the Downs which Lizzie suggests and my family seems to favour. Still, it all adds to the fun!!

By the way, I entirley agree about the changes in Alty, more's the pity. The place used to have  character, now it's fast becoming just another clone town.

Jac

[Reiver]

How superb

A lovely puzzle to solve 

Best wishes
Reiver

[Loretogirl47]

Off topic but couldn't resist when I saw the mention of the level crossing at Altrincham, one of my most exciting memories as a child, was being asked into the crossing operaters hut and helping him change all the levers and turn the wheel to open and close the crossing gate.   Of course being a child in the 50s, we didn't get the chance of going to Disneyland or other exotic places, so level crossing boxes were exciting. 

Another thrill  for me was to ride in the milkmans float and help deliver the milk and how about buying a goldfish from the rag and bone man, they barely lasted a day, usually.

[littlej]

OK, way to go! as they say.

How about riding on your Dad's crossbar (elf and safety would have a fit) and being able to go out all day on you bike with a bottle of pop and a bag of broken biscuits?

Jac

[Loretogirl47]

Sorry Jac.

Have been away a couple of days.  My Dad didn't have a bike but I can imagine it would have been fun.  I was back in the UK in January and February, its hard to envision what the old Altrincham was like, it has changed so much.  It seems like that has happened to a lot of places, I didn't recognize Atlantic Street and the area around it, aha the old days.

We used to take the bus to the Bleeding Wolf and then walk along by the Bollin and pick blue bells, it was so beautiful, or that's how I remember it.   We also used to ridde our bikes to Castle Mills outdoor swimming Pool, that was a day out for us in the summer.

[coffeyc1]

Hi - what amazing stories!
Has anyone come across a Joseph Berry b: 1812 in Tadcaster, Yorkshire who married Sarah Harper b: 23 Jun 1805 in Haughton, Staffordshire, England. They were married on 30 Aug 1834 at Knutsford, Cheshire?  I am trying to find out how they came to be married in Knutsford and what their occupations were. Any assistance greatly appreciated - thankyou.