Name: tom walker
E-Mail: tomster2k1@aol.com
Website:
From or connections with: stockport
Present Location: reddish stockport
Subject: st georges church
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
I've just read about the plans to covert the old church into apartments, WELL... a few years ago a number of my mates had a look around the place while it was derilict, they said inside there were all sorts of weird things writen on the walls and strange things laying around the place. They told me it was a very scarey place, not very nice at all... I tell you what, 'good luck' to those who decide to live there, because I will most definitely not be one of them.
later
tom w.

Yes, those well-heeled residents on their way up to their flat after a few too many continental beers might possibly be confronted with evidence of the long departed souls whose remains lie interred inthe graveyard. Community centre, open plan office space, small business bureau, tv studio yes, but a place to live, no thanks. I wonder if they'd allow a mosque to be converted into apartments? And what about the descendents? How would you like it if your long-lost ancestor's resting place turned out to be someone's back garden?

Name: Charlie Pottins
E-Mail: cfpottins2@netscapeonline.co.uk
Website:
From or connections with: Hightown, Higher Broughton/Cheetham boundary
Present Location: London
Subject: Thanks for the memories
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Thanks for the pix of old parts of Cheetham, memories and some info. I didn't have (I didn't know there was a Torah Street!)
My Mum and Dad grew up around Strangeways, went to Southall Street school, and often reminisced. My Dad lived in "the Buildings",
near Cheetham Hill Rd, my Mum in Perkin Street which was nearer to Blackfriars. Some of my earliest memories are of being taken down to Perkin Street to visit my Aunt and Uncle, who later moved to Blackley.
Later my Dad would sometimes take me to the area around the Buildings and the old Talmud Torah etc. on Sunday afternoon walks.
I got to watch the trains coming out of Victoria and heard stories such as how the lads from the Buildings repelled the Red Bank
scuttlers.
Thanks too for the tribute to the northern quarter of town. Afflecks and Brown gone? How the mighty have fallen. As a kid I was never
that keen on shopping expeditions, but at least they had a bit of variety to make for interest. Can't remember much about Afflecks except that
it seemed to be respected by my Mum and Dad, perhaps for quality; and I think I also went to see Father Xmas there. I do remember Pauldens, from when they were at All Saints ("Worth the bus ride" was their advertising slogan). My mum took me there after school and we had toasted teacakes which were a novelty to me then.Later the store had an American-style ice cream parlour, and as a birthday treat one year instead of a party at home I was able to entertain a few pals to ice cream sodas, which I thought was very grown-up and sophisticated.
But I digress. What I wanted to ask about were Tib Street - it used to have lots of pet shops, and as a kid I thought it got its name from a pet cat or dog's name And Shudehill - second-hand book and record stalls, where you can spend a morning or afternoon browsing, and maybe come away with an old illustrated childrens book, or some National Geographics, for a shilling.
And between Shudehill and Tib Street was the market, big halls with fish on slabs, and fruit and vegetables - my aunt
was working for a wholesale greengrocer, keeping big ledgers in a little wooden office at the top of stairs, one of many over the stalls.
Ah, them were the days, when a trip to town could really be interesting. No wonder nowadays the kids get so easily bored, and into trouble. Our city centres are so boring!
Charlie

I'd disagree that the city centre is boring - it's just different to how it was before. I don't know of any pet shops on Tib St, but there are still plenty of second hand book stores in and around Shude Hill. I'm not sure of the origin of either of those street names. The market halls have long been silent, empty and roofless but redevelopment is planned. Thanks for sharing your experiences of this area, which help to bring it alive.

Name: Mike Clarke
E-Mail: www.budotasmania@ausi.com
Website:
From or connections with: C-on-M and Fallowfield.
Present Location: Launceston,Tasmania
Subject: What happened to my old school ???
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Hello again.I've just spent a happy half hour walking around Manchester (a la internet). Bloody Hec !!! The've gone and pulled my old school down (St.Pius X) I was an inmate there from 1965 to 1970 and got out for good behaviour and a promise to never come back. But I did return for a visit in 1997 only to be told I couldn't come in because of the school shooting up in Scotland a year or so earlier.Kind of sad that my old school had changed names, been re-painted, and had huge brick plant pots built in front of the main entrance (to stop ram-raiders no doubt ?)
I did manage to have a walk around the outside of the school though. A different gym building was standing where the original had been burnt down by former students I'm told (not me,,,honest!).The caretakers bungalow was still standing in the back corner, close to where the 'Gerards" ice cream van used to pull up each afternoon. The 'Ding-Dong' bells causing us all to sing;"Gerards ice cream, tastes like brilcream". Still we ate it anyway.
I took my 11-plus there in 1965 and failed the test deliberately so I could go to the same school as my two older brothers (Big Mistake). Not that I didn't enjoy my time there, I did, but now I'm older my thoughts of what might have been, with a better education behind me, often cause a long outward breath and a small scratch of the head.
I found a map of Longsight recently on the net, only to find that its boundaries had been changed, and High St baths was now in Longsight ? All very strange to an ex-pat of little brain.And try as I might, I could not find my old primary school, St Josephs, on Plymouth Grove, at the top of Daisy Bank Road. I know it was there in '97' because the headmaster DID let me take a walk around. And guess what ? it had shrunk ! I kid you not.
Anyway Aidan,thanks once again for a very intersting tour, I look forward to the next one.Your views regarding the city planners and their dreams of turning Manchester into a steel and class city, are close to mine in many ways. As I no longer live there though, I feel my views on the look and feel of the city are of little value. I do look forward to seeing all this 'New' stuff for myself in the not too distant future.
All the best,
Mike Clarke.

I disagree, your views are highly relevant - the city doesn't just exist in bricks and mortar, it also exists in peoples minds. By the way St Josephs is still going strong - the 7 year old son of a friend of ours goes there. And as for your secondary school it is now a pile of rubble! Thanks very much for your message and comments!

Name: Jenny Lord
E-Mail: Katzpro@aol.com
Website: Katzpro@aol.com
From or connections with: Blackley
Present Location: Erin, Ontario, Canada
Subject: Piccadilly Gardens
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan,
Being a 12 year old in 1962 I remember the gardens when I use to go and visit my Father in Baguley Hospital. My Mother and me would have an hour to wait between buses and the flowers made me feel at peace for a while. My Father died and I think the gardens died as well. I now live in Canada but was back in '99 and to see the ferris wheel made me want to throw up!!!
I lived on Chapel Lane in Blackley and that really upset me when I saw it because it's now a "no go zone area"

The area formerly occupied by Piccadilly Gardens is now a building site. Peel has been moved a few feet to a new spot. Foundations for the Manchester City Council-sponsored brick and glass office block are being laid. The old Piccadilly is well and truly gone. Thanks for your information and opinions.

Name: Sid Lloyd
E-Mail: cid.jil@paradise.net nz
Website:
From or connections with: Cheetham Hill, Crumpsall, Hightown, Blackley.
Present Location: Paraparaumu, NZ
Subject: Nostalgia
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
This is my first attempt at communicating with MEN. I have just been reading the latest bulletin on Cheetham and the Jewish connection, and it invoked a lot of memories of my childhood.
One memory that stands out was as a child of 7,(1934). At the time we were living in a big apartment building. Formerly a rich merchants house, but now used to house multiple poor families. I'm sure a lot of people remember them. The house was situated at the top of Waterloo Rd near Halliwell Lane. On one side was the old British Legion and on the other side was a similar house which was a Jewish Synagogue.
Remember, Iwas only 7, but I somehow got the job of light switch operator. I had no idea what was going on, but every Saturday I would go to the Synagogue, the Rabbi? would pick me up, carry me around, and I would switch all the lights on. Later I would switch them off. For this I was rewarded with the princely sum of sixpence which I gave to my mother, and this would provide a very nice meal for the family.

The houses now have long since gone, but the memories remain. If you have access to any photo's of Cheetham Hill it would be lovely to see them

Love your column.
Cheers Sid Lloyd

Thank you very much for your comment. I'm hoping to be able to present old photographs soon. Your childhood memories are extremely interesting and help give an insight into an area steeped in history and character.

Name: Dominic Cowen
E-Mail: dominic@cowend.fsnet.co.uk
Website:
From or connections with: Moston
Present Location: Stone Age Blackburn
Subject: General Observations
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Great picture of the Urbis building. I think it's brilliant that we are getting buildings like this in Manchester (there's something European about it, though I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Wasn't there a triangular shaped building there in the past?). It's great to see the city being redeveloped but I wish they were doing things like making large open places. I know it's too late now but Piccadilly Gardens would be so much better as a large flat paved square like most European cities have.
I left Manchester when I was 11 and though it's only just down the road and I have been back loads of times it's only now, approaching 40, that I really enjoy the place and what's happening there.
You've probably done it before but what about some shots of the Moravian village in Fairfield? I was there I few weeks ago on a sunny day and took some photos and was fascinated by the place. I know people have to live there but it's unfortunate that they have to park their cars in the beautifiul cobbled streets. It spoils the atmosphere.
I also went to Chapel Street in Salford. What superb buildings there are on that street although it's not an area to hang about too long in!
On a recent visit I bought a brilliant book at Gibbs' Book Shop called The origin of street names in the city centre of Manchester:- A selection by L.D.Bradshaw‚. I really recommend it.
Anyway that's all for now. Keep up the good work.
Regards
Dominic Cowen

I agree about the open spaces. The main square in Milan, in front of the cathedral, is magnificent. On the site of the Urbis centre was the Lancaster Arcade - I don't have any memories of it and there are few photos of it. The Moravian village in Fairfield is a remarkable spot, and Chapel Street certainly retains a lot of character. I used to walk along there at night when I lived in Salford. I will purchase and feature that book you mention. Thanks for your comments.

Name: Terry McAloon
E-Mail: tmaloon@home.com
Website:
From or connections with: Radcliffe/Whitefield/Broughton
Present Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Subject: Recent visit to Manchester
EWM Photo: Photo of the 'New' Synagogue in Cheetham Hill.
Reader Message: Dear Aidan,
Firstly I would like to compliment you on this excellent site, it is a fitting tribute to Manchester, which naturally is an 'excellent site' in itself.
I left M/cr in '67 during what was then considered a 'boom time' also,(pardon the pun). I have just returned from spending a week (and a great deal of my hard-earned dosh) at an hotel by the Lowry on the Salford Quays. This particular district absolutely amazes me when you
consider its transformation from a no-nonsense, tough, grimey, busy docklands to what has become a pristine, peaceful, parklike setting. I can speak from experience as I sailed from there many times as a merchant seaman in the 60's from what was one of the busiest inland (deepsea) docks in the world. You could say the Port of Manchester has been put out to pasture in the most dignified manner.

I foresee lots of future development there although to disagree with your goodself, I believe any 'real' skyscrapers should be confined to downtown, provided theres a good injection of residential projects. I took the handy Metrolink into the city a few times and must admit that I could feel a 'buzz' about the place--its not there yet--but its getting there!

I only hope that whatever they are building in Piccadilly doesn't look they surround it with...err...something...anything? I'm not sure the loss of a square will matter to a city that seems to have squares and 'centres' to spare, in fact Manchester leaves most comparable-sized N.American cities in its wake as a 'people-friendly' place.

Although I enjoyed my dinner and Imax movie at the Printworks, and had a good chuckle at the Comedy Store, the nightlife DOES seem to target the 18-30 crowd, whereas in the 60's it (seemed) to cater to all ages. Maybe some of these proposed 'classy casinos' will bring back the cabaret shows that made Manchester's night-clubs the envy of the land. The 'Greater Manchester Thingy' and I am aware of your feelings on this matter, and agree that M/cr is misrepresented---but not really enough for Mancunians to be worried about. Even PRIOR to 1974 the M/cr area was referred to as 'Gtr.M/cr in postal/judicial/telecoms cases, this was unofficial of course. Most big cities evolve by annexing smaller neighboring towns and villages. When referring to London do we mean the 'City' of London, which is in the 'City' of Westminster? Of course not, we generally mean Gtr.London, which like Gtr.M/cr no longer 'officially' exists. Why do people from Croydon, (a Surrey postal address) seem to have no problem with being considered a district of London, yet Bolton/Bury/ Oldham/Stockport etc have this abject paranoia of 'Big M' stealing their identity? Doesn't Radcliffe and Hyde have the same argument?

Take for example the town of Bolton (which seems to have NO trouble being a 'Metropolitan District'), just WHAT metropolis does it claim to be a DISTRICT of? Would it be MANCHESTER by any chance? Why was it okay for the 10 districts to almost quadruple THEIR areas and populations and not the central hub, the one thats recognised the world over? The answer to that is probably jealousy, nothing less.

I believe it is inevitable that M/cr will one day annexe the 10 districts--probably starting with Trafford and Tameside as they were 'invented' and have no historical foundation per se, and Salford because of its proximity.

'Pears Cyclopaedia' describes M/cr as the "commercial,cultural and recreational capital of the northwest". Because of its geographical
position it is also a major transport and communications centre,and intending no offence to our 'rival' cities of Liverpool and Leeds, they don't even come close. According to the British Tourist Authority, M/cr is the 3rd most visited tourist destination in the UK (after the 2 capitals of London and Edinburgh).Why isn't more mileage made of this?

In my humble opinion what M/cr or indeed Gtr.M/cr needs is an elected mayor, modelled on the large N.American cities--preferrably a high- profile controversial but charismatic person that will blow M/cr's trumpet at every opportunity, and make unilateral descisions DESPITE Whitehall. If this ever happens, just watch the likes of Stockport and Wigan jump on the bandwagon for a piece of the action!

I love your features on the various districts and the latest one on Cheetham Hill was most educational. I wonder how many people are
aware that the modern state of Israel was spawned next to a Holts house!! My wife saw Peter Noonan of 'Hermans Hermits' perform at the
Ice Palace before he was famous. I remember playing in a rock band (circa 1958) in a seedy old club on Queens Rd. called 'Frankenburgs'!

Its fantastic that M/cr was chosen for the Commonwealth Games, what an opportunity to showcase the city to a wide TV audience! I just
hope they seize the chance to do some neat aerial video shots from various approaches using the latest 'Wescam" equipment which filters out pesky aircraft engine vibration---and make sure the TV people USE them! I don't know the actual route but I believe the marathon starts in Heaton Park and finishes in Wythenshawe, that CAN'T be 26 miles!---so where does this course do some major meandering?

I just hope that some fine weather has been ordered, although it probably won't matter as nobody will be expecting it anyway! Sorry to get a tad long-winded Aidan, got carried away! PLEASE keep up this magical site,

Terry McAloon, Burlington, Ontario.

Some good points there about the Manchester identity. Salford Quays would be great if there was more life there, and particularly, more activity on the water. It reminds me of Dubai but it lacks the buzz! And as for Manchester city centre on a Friday or Saturday night, it's an 18-25's jungle, apparently boycotted by the old fogeys of 26 and over. Thanks for your last comment, it means a lot!

Name: John Duffield
E-Mail: John.Duffield@Dial.Pipex.com
Website:
From or connections with: Various
Present Location: Poole
Subject: New developments
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan,
I liked the picture of the new appartment block in Salford quays. More of the same please! Less of the crappy old buildings huh?
Regards

You mean buildings like the ones in Cheetham below right? OK, more new buildings on the way!

Name: Paula Singleton
E-Mail: arfeuse@hotmail.com
Website:
From or connections with: cheetham hill
Present Location: crumpsall
Subject: thanks!
EWM Photo: http://www.aidan.co.uk/eyewitness-in-manchester/ 001ewm/nd/DSCN2589.jpg
Reader Message: Dear Aidan, I joined the mailing list when I was working in the scottish highlands for a few years, never thought I'd end up back in manchester but I have after 12 years away. Thank you so much for the info about the heritage tour of cheetham arranged by the jewish museum, i found it fascinating & will make an effort to go to the next one. I used to go to the museum when it was still a synagogue and am so glad it has been restored to its full glory. I love the picture of the derelict street, it's great to know I'm not the only weirdo who loikes the odd bit of urban dereliction. Top site, ace photos, good man. Best wishes, Paula.

Yes, urban dereliction often makes for more interesting photographic subject matter than the latest industrial prefab trading estate! Thanks very much for your words of praise.

Name: Natasha Bradshaw
E-Mail: tinkerdust30@hotmail.com
Website:
From or connections with: Cheshire
Present Location: Chester
Subject: Help to find knoledge on a local artist.
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
I was wondering if you had any information on the artist Liam spencer who works locally in Manchester. As I would be very interested to us him for my A'level local artist as I am very interested in city art and architecture. Our aim is to find a local artist in the field we are interested in and to collect as much information about the person an their art work.
I belive Liam Spencer had an exhibition at the Lowry centre in April. I wondered if you could tell me where the exhibition went from there and is now.
If you have any information on Liam Spencer I would be most greatful.
Yours Faithful Natasha Bradshaw

I interviewed Liam and featured his work not long ago. Go to this page...

Name: Jay Hanson
E-Mail: jnordic@swbell.net
Website:
From or connections with: Didsbury
Present Location: Dallas, Texas
Subject: A Wall in Piccadilly
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan:
I cannot imagine a wall in Piccadilly! It has been many years since living in Manchester, but I loved changing buses there as it was always a beautiful respite from the fast pace of life in the city. I couldn't wait to see the flowers at Easter. I must have "hundreds" (slight exageration) of pictures from Piccadilly from every season, including the rare dusting of snow.
I support progress as life does not stand still. But why can't we keep somewhat traditional?
Thanks for the opportunity to respond.
Jay Hanson
Dallas, Texas

I caught sight of the 'wall' again today. I have to avoid Piccadilly these days it's too upsetting to witness what's going on there.

Name: W. Eric Johnson
E-Mail: ejohnson@nrtco.net
Website:
From or connections with: Hulme, Zion Institute, Whitworth street.
Present Location: R.R.1 Westmeath, Renfrew County,Ontario, Canada
Subject: About the old days growing up
EWM Photo: http://www.aidan.co.uk/eyewitness-in-manchester/ic11/21mx.jpg
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Seeing the photo of The Zion Institute and the one of the plaques brought back instant memories of my childhood,and teen
years of the area called Hulme. I was born in the old St. Mary's Hospital on Whitworth Street in 1927 and lived in a house
on the corner of Pickering Street(#2) and Rutland Street(The Long Row it was called). I guess my first experience of the area around the Zion was going to to nursery school in Mulberry Street school (on the street behind The Zion). and where I spent most of my growing years, with the exception of of the start of WW2 when I was evacuated to Blackpool.

I have good memories of Mulberry Street school. Of Miss Robinson, Miss Higgins, Miss Moss et al. Who ( whilst I was not
aware of it at the time ), gave me a thorough grounding in the 3R's which have proved very useful over the years and enabled me to go to
M/CR Central High School (Boys) located then on Whitworth street and which is now I believe part of UMIST.
And Zion What a great asset it was to the area Thank god for Mrs John Rylands who provide the funds to build it so many years ago
It had a billiards and games room, meeting rooms, an assembly hall Underneath what was the Zion Congregational Church
with its pipe organ played so well by Mr Shephard.

I well remember a Labour Party Election meeting held ther to listen to Aneurin Bevan M.P What a speaker the place was packed,They had loudspeakers outside on Mulberry Street and Stretford rd for the overflow. The P.S.A. orchestra which played on Sunday afternoons and gave concerts throughout the year.The Ladies P.M.E. Monday nights, The Boy's Brigade, The Girls Life Brigade, the Amateur dramatics ,Badminton Club, Army Cadet corps during the war, so many activities that today's youth could well use. The Zion was and I hope still is an intregal part of Hulme. I well remember walking with my father along Stretford Rd.in the depression years to United's ground at Old Trafford to watch the Reds ( I still have the ticket stub from Wembley Stadium from the 1948 winning cup-final against Blackpool and Sir Stanley Matthews) and to the Lancashire Cricket club where we would take our lunch and drink and spend the whole day from 10-30 to 6-30pm watching the stars of the day perform. I well remember spending long nights in the street air raid shelters as the bombs fell all around us.Tipper street was destroyed by the blast from a bomb. I left Hulme in May 1945 conscripted to join the the Royal Navy and spent time in the Palestine and Malta Area of the Mediterannean Sea, returning home in Dec.1947.

I emigrated to Canada in 1953 just after the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 2nd. which the whole population of Pickering Street watched on a B/W T.V. in turn, it being the only one on the the street. That must have been a sign of things to come for my future life in Canada. I spent 35 years in the Telecommuncations Industry and five of those were spent working on the original Trans Canada Microwave System which took live TV across this large country. My first visit back to England was in 1958 and by then The Hulme I knew was being rebuilt. My Parents were living in a Seniors flat in Moss Side, Holford Av. to be precise.and on my visits since I have seen the rise and fall of the Crescent Flats, the very last one I believe was in an episode of the TV series Cracker where I got a glimpse of that same landmark of Hulme, Zion standing alone. I have many memories of Hulme and was proud to be a member of that community. We may have been poor moneywise but we were rich in friendship and spirit and I am always proud to say that I came from Hulme Manchester.
Sincerely
Eric Johnson

Manchester Central High School is now Shena Simon College - not part of UMIST. Yes, Hulme is another fascinating and 'quintessentially Manchester' place. The present day Hulme is a super-modern district of gleaming new flats, office buildings and a new supermarket, Asda, where we frequently go shopping. But in the midst of it all, the Zion Centre is still standing. It has been renovated and cleaned, so it almost looks like a new building. The plates embedded in the pavement on Stretford Road opposite the Zion Centre give a fascinating account of Hulme's history, but are all too easily missed. Thanks for your contribution.

Name:
E-Mail: lidgard@ntlworld.com
Website:
From or connections with: Openshaw, Higher and Lower
Present Location:
Subject: Trying to find Godparents
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
This is a long shot I know but here goes.
I was christened at St Barnabas Church, in the Diocese of Manchester in the county of Lancaster. What I am trying to do is find info on my Godparents, the reason being up to 3 weeks ago I never knew I had been christened it is only thru doing family history I found out.
I was christened on the 26th July 1944 at the time my mum and dad, JACK and IVY SHERRIFF lived at 27 Lord Street, Openshaw and my dad was in the Merchant Navy.
The people I would love to find out about are my Godparents
MAY TOWNLEY
VERA BRITLAND
JACK BARON
If anybody knows these people I would love to make contact with them obviously with there approval. Or if possible to get photo's of the
above. You see at the age of 57 I am soon to be confirmed, and to know something of these people would be a added bonus.
My mum died 1977 and my dad 1979. We went to live in Grimsby Lincolnshire when I was 14 because my dad was a fisherman so I lost contact with all my friends in Manchester. Our last address in m/c was Port Street Openshaw.
Regards

I hope you find your godparents. I would also contact the In Touch section of Manchester Online. They can print your notice in the newspaper. The page is linked from the EWM home page. Very best wishes for the future!

Name: George Greatbanks
E-Mail: George_Greatbanks@telus.net
Website:
From or connections with: Openshaw, Bradford
Present Location: Abbotsford, BC., Canada
Subject: Movie stories
EWM Photo: Hi Aidan,
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Long time, no write. I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth, but events have been a little hectic around here for the past few months. Reading your latest 'Readers Letters' triggered some memories of my own, as Eyewitness in Manchester usually does.
Berne Leng for example mentioned 'Hobson's Choice,' a movie that I too enjoyed immensely, but one that had a few faux pas. For example, the shot panning over what I believe was Peel Park, showed the panorama of the park looking out towards the Irwell showing the layout of the paths. If you look closely, you can see the paths trace the shape of the Rugby League Cup, they were installed to commemerate one of the times Salford won it, obviously way after the era of Hobson's Choice. Another error is again in a panorama where you can see the outline of a modern cooling tower at a power station in the distance. Hobson's Choice obviously isn't the only movie where such errors appear, I can recall dozens of occaisions where I have seen errors that were missed during the editing, many of which were in scenes essential to the movie and therefore couldn't end up on the cutting room floor, what they wouldn't give to have the tools we have today to do their editing with.

Another of my memories concerns the screening of 'The Robe' (the first Cinemascope movie) at the Odeon, which I saw several times. I so impressed by the 'new' techniques in filming. The one that stands out the most is the judicial use of a tree in the foreground of a scene, that as the camera panned to follow the actors in the background gave a real impression of 3-D.

I also remember vividly going to the Gaumont to see the showing of 'South Pacific,' another technical first, this time it was 'Todd-AO. The most amazing demonstration of the new technique preceded the actual movie and people were warned of the shock it could cause to some viewers. This particular scene was looking at the screen as if through the eyes of a motorcycle cop in LA, you could see his arms and the handlebars of his bike as he chased a speeding car. The theatre was totally blacked out with only the screen for illumination and the swerving of the bike in and out of traffic gave you a feeling of movement even though you were sat in your seat. All of a sudden, a vehicle crossed in front of the motorcycle and the bike crashed into it with all the surround sound of the smash that was immediately followed by the screen suddenly going black and the sound cutting out. A few people fainted and many more screamed in true fear. I'll never forget it.

Movie theatres also played a big part in my own life too. One evening in 1954 I was walking down Ashton Old Road in Openshaw, having just broken up with my girlfriend of 3 years. As I walked under the canopy outside the Metropole, I saw a young lady that I had known since I was 9 years old, we had been good friends, I guess you could say childhood sweethearts. We had stopped seeing each other a number of years earlier, as my 3 year relationship would have indicated and June, who is now my wife, was also between relationships. I walked up to her and asked her what she was doing that night, she replied she was thinking of going into the Met.

I replied by saying I was going to the Queens, further down the Old Road in Ardwick and asked her if she wanted to come. She accepted and the rest, as they say, is history.

I don't know if you have the picture of the Metropole from Jim Turner in Australia, if you do, it would be a fitting one for this story. If not, I'm sure you have others that will fill the bill, maybe even the Odeon or Gaumont. Reproductions of the play bills for the movies above appear in the pages of 'Magic in the Dark' if copyright will allow you to reproduce them
TTFN
George

Hmm, I will replay my copy of Hobson's Choice and see if I can find those 'errors'. They weren't as rigorous about complete historical accuracy in those days as in later years. I don't have Jim Turner's picture to hand, but I've included Berne Leng's photo of the Gaumont. Thanks as ever for your contribution. Talking of 3D, I once went to see Emanuelle III at Studios on Deansgate - purely for research purposes, of course! Today you can see a 3D Imax movie at the Printworks - It's called Cyberworld 3D and features lots of cartoon characters - it's great!

Name: Thomas F.Travis
E-Mail: Thomas1935@webtv.net
Website:
From or connections with: Ashton-Under_lyne
Present Location: Somerset,MA USA
Subject: St. Michael's Graveyard Ashton-U-Lyne
EWM Photo:
Reader Message:
Dear Aidan
Hi, there:
I really enjoy this site, I've never visited Manchester, but I have a genealogist friend living there. My great grandfather, James Travis was married at the Collegiate Church on June 27,1848. If you ever visit, Ashton-u-Lyne would you take a picture of St.Michael's Graveyard? Most of my ancestors are buried there. Thank you very much. Tom

Thanks for your message. Hope to stop by St Michael's graveyard in Ashton some time soon, and hope it hasn't been turned into someone's back garden!

Name:
E-Mail:
Website:
From or connections with:
Present Location:
Subject:
EWM Photo:
Reader Message: Dear Aidan
just a quick message to say (after looking at the article on cinemas) an update on the many in Bury would be nice also just a suggestion as the Commonwealth Games are nearing perhaps a good article would be one from all the venues for the sports
Dave

Good suggestions - I have already featured the new stadium under construction. I hope to pay a visit to the new visitors centre soon, and will feature some of the new buildings as they take shape.

Name: John Morley
E-Mail: morleyj@sympatico.ca
Website:
From or connections with: Sale, Cheshire
Present Location: Hilton Beach, Ontario, Canada
Subject: Oxford Road cinemas
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Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Your photo's and correspondence on Oxford Road cinemas brought back many memories. Stanley Tudor used to play his Wurlitzer organ on the BBC in a morning programme. I remember being taken as a little boy (pre WWII) to see him in person while he played a tune written by my srep-mother's father - as far as I know it was never repeated.
The last time I was at the Gaumont was the night before I left for Canada in 1958 when I took my family to dinner and then to see 'South Pacific'.
I well remember the Odeon from University Rag Days in the early 50's. Some dozen students invaded the auditorium during the show and pressured the audience to make donations. They were all charged, and we supporters trooped to the court in Minshull Street to hear the judge fine each student two pounds (a lot of money then for impoverished students). He also made the comment that "The maximum penalty is far from adequate". During the Rag Day parade the following day the same twelve miscreants dressed in striped pyjamas and chained to each other, carried a banner stating "The maximum penalty is far from adequate" through downtown Manchester.
The Odeon cinema on Washway Road in Sale was built around 1930 and opened as the Pyramid; its Egyptian design motive being inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922.

Very interesting stuff. I thought students in those days all wore suits and glasses and were well behaved. I'm obviously wrong! Yes, the Odeon Washway Rd, like many cinemas and other buildings of the time, was heavily influenced by discoveries in Egypt. Conversely many of today's buildings look like computer visualisations made real. Thanks for your contribution.

Name: Berne Leng
E-Mail: Berneleng@AOL.com
Website:
From or connections with: Kersal Sedgeley Park
Present Location: Littlehampton West Sussex
Subject: Salford in the 50's
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Reader Message: Dear Aidan
In your comments concerning the film Hobsons Choice you seemed surprised that Salford in the 50's was unchanged since the late 19th century. Salford in those days had character. As a child and youth I looked down fron Vine Street Kersal over the Manchester Golf Course, River Irwell and Manchester Racecourse at a panorama of back to back houses (just like Coronation Street)and factory mill chimneys. From our high position we heard the factory sirens sound every morning summoning the workers to their toil. I was chucked out on each freezing New Years Eve with a piece of coal, some money and another item which I forget until those same factory chimneys sounded in unison announcing the New Year. If you went out you could leave the back door open and the postman would come in and leave your parcels on the draining board and you gave the milkman a cup of tea whilst his horse had a carrot. Different times Aidan and happy ones. Maybe brass was short but ee lad we enjoyed ourselves. Berne Leng.

Having lived in contemporary Salford, I can vouch for the fact that what you see today has very little in common with what was there in 1953. The changes over the past 50 years have been enormous. If they wanted to do a remake of Hobson's Choice today, they'd have to build a set - it would not be possible to do it on location. Thanks for this and all your recent contributions!

Name: sue shuker
E-Mail: sueshuker@hotmail.com
Website:
From or connections with: Sale, Manchester city centre, Heywood
Present Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Subject: update
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Reader Message: Dear Aidan
Firstly, my thanks for your dedication and continued updates. I will be flying into Manchester on Wednesday 22nd due to an unexpected death in my family.

I was last in Manchester in 1992 after the death of my mother so it is sad to be returning under such circumstances. I will not feel like such a stranger this time however, due in large part to your continued photographs and text. Despite the sad circumstances surrounding my trip, I look forward to visiting many of the areas which you have 'showcased' over the past few years.

I will be taking my camera to record any of those places seemingly unchanged by time and memory and if happy with any of the results I will send them on to you. I'm also an artist, reborn, so will be sketching and painting any particular favourites.

I'm sure you will understand my emotions are rather high at present but just wanted you to know that what you are doing goes deeper than a pleasant update to many of us, it helps us feel connected to childhood memories, happy times and our roots, good and bad.
Thank you
Sue

Sorry to hear about your bereavement. Thanks very much indeed for the comment at the end of your message. Some people think I just go around taking pictures of buildings, but actually I'm recapturing an important aspect of peoples lives, i.e. our shared local environment with all its personal associations for each individual. Though it's not directly relevant to your message, I wanted to include this recent photograph of one of Manchester's most famous religious sites, the church of St Francis, Gorton.

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