Unfortunately I personally don't have any photos but there may be
some at Mum and Dad's stashed in the loft. I am going to visit my
parents tomorrow, Thursday, and will ask them. My brother Bob may
know where some are hopefully too.

Sorry I don't recollect Derek Shaw. I was born 1951 so would have
gone to Briarcroft in the early/mid 60s. Was he there then? I
remember a Donald Shaw who lived next door but one to me who had a
sister Rosemary. Any relation?

I attended Lee Street school 1955 - 1962 and Hesketh Fletcher 1962 -
1967. My brother was born 1945. He went to Lee Street until age 11
and then transferred to Greenhall School, off Bolton Road. I could
never understand why I didn't attend St Georges Primary school as it
was five minutes away! I used to spend my bus money on icecream and
had to 'leg it' home to beat the bus. Happy days!

We considered ourselves lucky as kids to live next to the football
field with all that open space to play. Our bonfires were always the
biggest and the best - well we thought so! Food cooked on the
bonfire tasted lovely. I doubt if they allow bonfires on the field
now. There used to be football changing rooms at the opposite side
of the field which have long gone. There is, of course, the Hag Fold
centre now on the corner of the field.

Did anyone do the annual trek to Rivington Pike, probably at Easter
time? We used to walk all the way and climb the monkey tree as we
cut through from Oxford Road to North Road. Yet another ritual you
just had to do! When we finally arrived at the top of the pike there
were stalls and a funfair. A visit to one of the barns before
walking back home completed a great day out.

We used to play in the woods on the other side of the railway line
and collect bluebells. We made regular visits to the old pit ruins
(Pretoria, I think) You can't do that nowadays, not to mention how
dangerous it must have been. Shame really, as we seemed to have much
more freedom to wander as kids.

I have kept in touch with three childhood friends. Sadly, we all flew
the nest and left Atherton.



--- In hagfold@..., "Philip Warburton"
<philip.warburton3@...> wrote:
>
> Now thats what I call a post. Thank you Elaine it is very
interesting. My freind Derek Shaw Used to help run the youth club at
church house. Do you remember him?
> He still does charity work but I think its for The Childrens
Society nowadays. Have you any old photos of Hag Fold? Perhaps you
could put them in the photo section if you have. Once again thank you
for your post I'm going to have another read of it before I turn out.
>
> Phil
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Elaine
> To: hagfold@...
> Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:26 AM
> Subject: [hagfold] Re: somebody please post
>
>
>
> Hi
>
> I am Hag Fold born and bred and visit Mum and Dad every week. It
> will always be home to me. As my parents are very elderly and
> practically housebound, I don't hear much news now. I read the
> Journal but that seems to be full of adverts and little news too.
> They are lucky if they have one delivered!
>
> In my teens I was a member of YPFS (Young People's Friendly
Society,
> I think!) held at Church House. Also fond memories of being part
of
> the St John's Ambulance Brigade team which were very successful
in
> competitions. I wonder if there is still the interest in First
Aid
> and team competitions in Atherton? Eileen Wilkinson was our
leader
> and Dr Cecil Thompson used to undertake our badge tests. Formby
Hall
> used to hold parties for underpriveledged children and I loved
> helping out there. I was also a member of Briarcroft Club. We had
> great fun there. I used to go to the Hag Fold Working Men's Club
> with Mum and Dad and remember the club being built. During
> construction there was someone injured or killed. Very good acts
> appeared there and of course the bingo organised by the
committee.
> What amused me the most at the time was how everyone had their
> territorial table where they sat and woe betide anyone to sit on
> their table. I remember when the stage layout moved from the top
> end of the room to down the side and oh what a calamity that was.
It
> caused chaos and raised a few blood pressures.
>
> Many of my childhood buildings have disappeared. I remember the
fire
> station with its rail at the front. On my way home from school I
> could not resist swinging upside down and then continue on my
way.
> It was a ritual you just had to do. I used to go to the swimming
> baths near to my Primary School on Lee Street with friends. At
the
> time I probably didn't understand but some of them were Catholics
and
> they couldn't pass the local Church without calling in and
crossing
> themselves. I remember quite vividly that this put the 'fear of
God'
> in me and I wouldn't dare do it because I was C of E. I never set
> foot inside that Church. Funny how childhood thoughts can be so
> compelling.
>
> The Temperance Bar has long gone. The variety of drinks made from
> herbs were great eg sarsaparilla, Vimto, dandelion and burdock,
lemon
> and ginger, ginger beer and cream soda to name a few. The old
sweet
> shop which used to be set back opposite my old High School (HF)
was
> magic to a child. Sadly, these type of places don't seem to exist
> anymore.
>
> Atherton will always have a place in my heart. I have fond
memories.
>
>
> --- In hagfold@..., "Dave" <binnit1@> wrote:
> >
> > Hear Hear!
> >
> > Come home now.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In hagfold@..., "Steve Glover"
<stevie2112002@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Phil, I'd just like to say that you are doing a magnificent
job
> for Hag
> > > Fold. Ignore what other people on other groups may say. If it
> wasn't
> > > for people like you, Hag Fold would be a poorer place.
> > > Keep up the good work. We need more people like you.
> > >
> > > Steve (who doesn't live in Hag Fold but appreciates the work
that
> Phil
> > > does.)
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In hagfold@..., "Philip"
<philip.warburton3@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Its about time somone had something to say about Hag Fold
and I
> don't
> > > > mean sarky comments. Is there anything interesting going on
> anywhere?
> > > > Births Deaths and Marriages anyone?
> > > >
> > > > Phil
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
>
>
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>