Midway Street, Levenshulme

[Anniegill]

It was a very long Street. My Grandmother lived at 24 Midway Street for 50 years as a young mother in the 20s to old age in the 70s. Her name was May Josephine Hassall. Although she was married to John Hassall, unfortunately, she was forced to raise four children up single handedly. Their names were Joan (my mother) Frances, Tom and Jack. Jack went to the the Beth Shan tabernacle. We used to visit Midway street as children in the 50s and 60s. It was a very dark uniform Street with a cobbled road and when you used the outdoor loo at the same time a train went past, it was like a monster coming. The stairwells were really narrow and their was a parlour (never used unless the vicar visited) a room at the back with a tiny kitchenette and Two double bedrooms. The stairs were incredibly steep and creaked. I think they finally demolished it not long after my Grandmother left in the late 70s early 80s. It's just been a short Street since then but a very long Street prior to this. I will try very hard to root out a photo of it. Their house was in the middle and was number 24.

[Anniegill]

I remember Mrs Hassall very well, she lived on the opposite side to us a couple of doors down from my Auntie Ethel and Uncle Bill (Ethel and Bill Hall and their sons Bill, Sam and Gerry). Mrs Hassall used to hold a religious service (Beth Shan?) in her front room on Sunday afternoons. Yes, the trains did take visitors by surprise but we just didn’t notice them, likewise the steepness of the stairs (until when I was quite ill when I was 8 years old two ambulance men had to get me down the stairs on a stretcher - I was almost vertical!) I think the houses were demolished in 1978, it broke my Mum’s heart. I know the street must have appeared grim to other people but it really wasn’t to us, there was a real sense of community and I remember it, and the neighbours, fondly.

[Max24]

Thanks to you both,

Yes I has tried several modern maps aerial photos.  J.R.'s son in law, Arthur HANDS always said his brother Charles had a hand in re-designing The Midway.  I think the photo of Midway Street, might show the house, but I don't know for certain the numbering system.  Would Number One be on the left entering from Stockport Road?

Old-Maps.co.uk new facility of transposing maps shows the houses typically being narrow with little in the way of a 'kitchen' extension.

Mike

Nr 1 is indeed on the lefthand side when entering Midway Street, I knew a family that lived there.

M24