A Taste of Honey

[Henry Mantell]

I know this is a popular film and memory of Salford and Manchester from the 1950's and 1960's for many forum members.
I just wonder if you knew that one of the children in the opening scenes of the film, filmed in Brindle Heath Salford is Hazel Blears now Salford M.P. and campaigning to be Deputy Leader of the Labour party.
If you go to Youtube and watch Hazel Blears Salford she will tell you of her role in the film.
Also mentioned is St Thomas Church Pendleton, which was where a teenager used to board the bus to take him into Manchester to change buses en route to Xaverian College in the 1960's I am pleased to see that St. Thomas has been well preserved, it is a survivor in an area which has undergone great change since my youth in Pendleton.

[aidanorourke]

Thanks for that tip - Now that's interesting that Hazel Blears appeared in 'A Taste of Honey' one of my all time favourite films, whose lead actress Dora Bryan I had the privilege of meeting last year.

That Hazel Blears YouTube video - one of several - is here: YouTube - Hazel Blears' Salford

After watching it I feel like saying 'That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Labour Party', but it's a false criticism to criticise a politician for being political!

If anyone finds any interesting snippets like this, please let us know.

[Henry Mantell]

Share the feeling Aidan and if I could change something in broadcasting and politics it would be to remove party political broadcasts from terrestrial TV, which is becoming extinct in a few years time anyway.
The You Tube campaign is for the Deputy Leadership, this one is at least informative and is good to know of her local roots. The Blears of Salford go back several generations incidentally.
It was known on the film sites that Hazel and her brother were the children in the opening scene, but it is good to hear her own account of the appearance as well. As you know I love the film and our mutual acquaintance Dora Bryan!
I'd be interested too if anyone else knew/knows St. Thomas Pendleton with its triangular graveyard?

[regentroad5]

There's an interesting website called reelstreets.com which indicates that the smoky old fashioned pub in which Dora Bryan belts out "Why,because he loves me",is The Midway on Stockport Road in Levenshulme which is still standing today.Great stuff.

[Ashtonian]

poor teenager couln't get in at De La Salle? He could have walked to school!