Here are a selection of letters I have received. I have acted upon requests from readers and they have given me many ideas which I have included in the website. I hope you enjoy reading them. Of course, I will always try and ask permission before I publish any letters and omit any names and email address if the author requests this. If you wish to contact anyone here, either email the person direct or write to me and I will forward your email on to the people concerned. Thank you.
Click
on the email symbol please.
Hi there , Just
visited your sight and must say it gets better all the time, its nice to see that a lot of
people are using the
site to contact people, I lived in Stalybridge from 1964 to 1979, living at Back Demesne
street and later on Bower Grove, I attended St pauls and later West hill and completed my
studies at west hill in 1969, I have been in the Merchant Navy for the past 27 years and
live with my Family in Malta, I was just wondering if anyone out there still remembers the
sacky fields near St Pauls, and the foot ball teams at St pauls boys club, must say would
love to know what happened to some of the lads at west hill, names likePaul Moulding,
Nigel Bancroft, Dave Brooks, Steve Artinstall , and some of the girls from the central
,used to get thrashed for waving to the fifth form walking down to the baths?? great
times,
Alan Carter email address supplied
Hello again.
I have just revisited your Stalybridge web site and still enjoying it. It seems there are
many changes in the Bridge and I hope to rediscover them when we come over for a vista in
August. Through this site I was contacted by an old friend
from my school days at St Peter's which I attended from 1952 until the early 60's. It was
great fun
hearing from a school chum and we both remembered many people from those days. After
reading all the e mails, it is interesting to see Stalybridge folk from all over the world
and still have lots of good memories of the old
days... I remember most the folk going off to work in the mill in their clogs and
would lie in bed listening to them rattling over the cobbles, going clickity clack . I
remember the horse drawn milk wagon. Bonfire night, collecting old wood and going on
raiding parties to steal other kids wood. Black peas and treacle toffee, potato's in the
fire.
The Whit walks and wakes week when the fair came on the market ground. Lots of good
memories from
Stalybridge. Keep up the good work the site is great.
Sheila Robinson (Turner) Canada
[email protected]
Hi there,
Just new to surfing the net. Think your website is excellent. I lived in Stalybridge from
1929 to 1939, at 70 Mottram Road - small sweetshop. Went to school first to St.Pauls then
to West Hill Boys Central School where Mr. Geo. Fletcher was the Headmaster. Went to Old
St.George's Sunday School and was in the lst Stalybridge Company of the Boys Brigade. Mr.
Bert Wainwright was the Coimmanding Officer. After I left school at 14 in December 1934 I
was employed as a clerk at Stalybridge Mill and later at Atlas. I am now in my 81st year.
As it is over 70 years since I first went to live in Stalybridge it would be quite
surprising if there were many people there who would remember me, but I thought it would
be a bit of fun to try ! Just for the record I left Stalybridge in 1939 to
join the Regular Army in the Royal Corps of Signals and served 7 years being demobilised
as a Lieutenant in 1946. If any of you remember me I would be pleased to receive an
e-mail. I am retired living in New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand. With all good
wishes.
Joe Rodrigues
email address supplied
Brilliant
Website! My cousin and I have had a really good time looking through the site, hoping that
someone is looking for us. No luck. I am Judith Heap (nee Waterhouse) and until I was
13yrs lived on Grasscroft St in Castle Hall. I went to Castle Hall school and then on to
Astley Grammar. I was born in 1953. My cousin is Diane Bake (nee Walsh) and she spent her
early years on Walmsley St Castle Hall and then moved to Shakespeare Ave Millbrook.She
went to St James School and then Astley Grammar. Diane was born in 1949. We would love to
hear from anyone who knew either or both of us. I still live in Stalybridge and Diane
lives in Dewsbury West Yorks.
Yours Judith Heap
Hello, my name
is Russell Stewart and I was born in Stalybridge where Mum still lives( Hollins Estate). I
went to Christ Church Primary in about 1957 then Hob Hill and onto West Hill. I joined the
Merchant Navy after leaving Ashton College in 1968. After travelling around I eventually
met Noeline Winters ( from Hyde) we got married in 1976 and emigrated to Australia in
1977. We live in Brisbane, Queensland and have 4 boys.
Originally we lived at 57, Bridge St (behind Stanley Square)backing onto the canal. It was
wonderful. Oil drum rafts drifting up and down, we were real pirates. Although I have some
treasured memories there are also some tragic ones.
I remember the accidental drownings of Anthony Winterbottom and on another occasion Brian
Chatterton. I was there at the time it was so sad, they both lived within 20 yards of us.
Anyway I'll drop another line sometime. Thankyou for a great website !
Virtually Yours...................Russell Stewart.
[email protected]
Wonderful
website!
I have spent the last hour or so perusing the site, following a lovely relaxing couple of
hours at the centre of Stalybridge taking my young son on a canal boat! Stalybridge
seems fit to burst with visitors, I can't remember ever seeing the town so busy!
Fantastic! Any chance of bringing the e-mail site a bit nearer to the 80's and 90's?
I went to Astley Grammar from 1979 to 1984 and regularly see the odd face I know knocking
about, but are there any old class mates out there who wish to swap notes on what they've
been up to in recent years? Names I remember are Catherine Cheetham, Jennifer Marsden, the
Heath twins who lived near Ridge Hill, Louise Brierley, Catherine Morris, Joanne Nolan, I
could go on for ages!
Would be nice to catch up though!
Andrea Brammer(nee Heaton)
Email address supplied
My family, the
Faricy's, lived in Stalybridge from about 1947-1967 when we moved to N. Wales. I was the
fourth of 6 children. We attended St Peters RC school and church and my parents, Jack
& Elsie, were active members of the parish.
We do keep in touch with Colin Bowker, but I would like to get in touch with any of my old
school friends. I was born Jan 1951 so I suppose I must have started school in 1956. Some
of my best friends were Sheila Grogan, Irene Macowak (that is the phonic pronunciation),
Mary Bailey, James Cusick, Nigel Hodgkinson and Michael Goddard.
If you have a "where are they now" page, or any information where I could try
and find these people I would be most grateful.
I did enjoy your web site - thank you
Catherine Peters (nee Faricy)
[email protected]
Hi, My name
is Chris Jones from Wales and I used to live in Stalybridge between 1985 and 1990 and went
to Gorsehall Primary, and was wondering if there is anyone out there who I knew from then.
[email protected]
Hello
Stalybridge
My name is John Horbury. I lived in Stalybridge from 1965 to 1980 (having moved to Mottram
Road from Dukinfield where I lived on Cheetham Hill Road until I was 7). I went to St
John's C of E Primary School in Dukinfield
(1963-68) and then to West Hill Sec Mod on Stamford Street (1968 to 74), where I was Head
Boy in 1973. I've lost touch with almost everyone who I went to school with now but it
would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me. I'd love to know if my name is still
up on the "head boy
board" at the school!!! One last thing ...... my "local" used
to be the Dog and Partridge on Mottram Road in the days when the landlords were Bill
and Elsie Bottomley. Those were great days!
Enjoyed visiting your website! I'll be calling again!
Bye for now!
John Horbury
26 April 2001
Email address supplied
Hello does anyone remember my parents...Mum, currently aged 63 was Lucy Chapman, daughter of Harry and Doris and sister of Dot , Phyllis and Tom. My Dad aged 65 is Bill Sidebottom, son of Bill and Lucy. They both grew up in Stalybridge but we are all now living in New Zealand . I'm sure they would love to hear from any old friends.
Yours is a
very nice site- and very interesting. I lived in Stalybridge from 1965 until 1976 and I
can see there have been changes....(!) I used to catch the SHMD bus to school (Hyde
Grammar) at the Guidepost and I barely recognised some of the views, particularly
Melbourne St. I often wonder what happened to my old friends, particularly
"Chip" Scholes, Dave Blythe and Alan Headdock.
I am now in Aberdeenshire, but often think of my time in Stalybridge. All the best to
anyone who remembers me,
Iain Robinson. Email address
supplied
Hi!
I Love You Web Site!!
My name is Nicky Strang (nee Wilson), I live in the Bayside suburbs of Brisbane in
Queensland, Australia. I used to live a 9 Boulderstone Road Stalybridge when I was a child
and have fond memories of growing up there. I particularly remember a lovely lady named
Ann Revel or Rebel who lived at No:1 at the time, I understand she still lives nearby.
On March 20th, I will be arriving in Ashton-Under-Lyne to stay with my uncle and intend
living and working in the area in which I grew up. I was born in Ashton-Under-Lyne and we
also lived at 5 Market St, Mossley just before we left for Australia.
I would love to hear from anyone in the area as I wish to re-connect with my past.
Yours
Nicky Strang [email protected]
My name is
Pat Brumpton (nee Morris). I am looking for contact of anyone who may have known me. I
went to St Pauls School from 1945 to 1952 & I would love to here from anyone who may
remember me. I am also looking for any school photo's which were taken around that time. I
loved school, my good friends were, Susanne Wynroe (whom I have contact with) Avril Wilson
, Hilary Sykes and lots of other lovely people. I lived at 24 Back Demesne st
Stalybridge, From when I was 2 until the year I turned 16. I have 2 sisters - Barbara, who
is 2 years older than I am & Lynn who is 6 1/2 years younger than me. When I was 11 I
went to St Peters School and had some lovely friends there, my (best) friend was Kathleen
Eyre, Kaths granddad lived next door to us. Kath's uncle was called Bill Bailey. Sadly
Kath passed away a few years ago.
Some of my friends at St Peters were, Barbara Mcculloch(spelling?) Joan Drabble and many
more. Kath & I went to "The Brushes Ranges " youth club together, where I
won a Christmas pudding, I must tell you it was January. Such luck!! Love to hear from
anyone who knew me.
Pat.
Email address supplied
Kathleen
Mitchell
24th Februrary, 2000
Through your magnificent site i got in touch with an old school chum of mine who now lives
in Canada. I was born in Stalybridge on Walkers ave,I am trying to get in touch with some
childhood pals to reminisce about days gone by also to know how life has treated the
walker ave kids of the fifties the Armstrongs, Powells Murphys also the Jonston girls. I
would also love to know what Jimmy Horrigan has done with his life,also any one who was in
Mr Murphy's class of 1959, Keep up your good work lass, keep the
e.mails coming.
Email address supplied.
What a lovely surprise to find your site on the internet. I have just spent a pleasant half hour touring round Stalybridge. I particularly enjoyed reading the emails - didn't find anyone I knew but I will visit again, perhaps you change them or add new ones occasionally. One photograph I couldn't place - Staly Wharf - where is the photo taken from? So many changes around the town. I lived in Stalybridge until l970 went to New St Georges, Old St Georges and Stalybridge Secondary School, as it was then on Waterloo Road. Happy days. Best regards Dorothy Jones, Victoria, Australia.
Email address supplied
My name is Alison Stirrup (Mackleston). I lived in Stalybridge from 1965 to 1981 when I married and emigrated to South Africa. I went to Gorse Hall School then on to Astley Grammer. We have just been back for a holiday there as most of the family still live there albeit not in Stalybride anymore, but Dukinfield, Royton, Mossley and surrounds. It was great to find this site, my son is doing a project at high school and he found this site as he wanted to talk about something he was familiar with. If any of my old school friends want to contact me it would be great to hear how everyone has faired. [email protected]
Hello Kath,
Feb 10th 2001
My nephew, Billy Callaghan, sent me this website today and I found it most interesting. I
was born in Stalybridge, at home in Brierley Street in 1949. My name was Susan Johnston. I
attended St Peters school, (Sister Vianney was my teacher) which was across the street
from my house. I was married at St. Peters church in 1967. My husband, two children and I
emigrated to North Carolina USA in 1979. I visit "home" as often as possible as
my sisters amd mother still live in England. Elizabeth (Johnston) Hall still lives in
'Bridge.
I am interested in contacting any old school mates who may remember me. Some names I
remember from my old class picture are: Christine Mosely (I ran into her last year in
Ashton), Barbara Simpson, Ann Marsland, Jennie Entwistle, Paul Schofield, Christine Clark,
Bridie Doherty, Susan Shaw, the other names escape me. They will all around 50/51 years
old. I loved the old pictures, I have printed them to send to my mother, who now lives in
Moston. I will visit again.
Susan Johnston Clegg [email protected]
Hi, My sister
put me onto this site. She authored one of the e-mails published and was successful in
making contact with an old school chum. So I thought I would try my luck. My name is
John Turner. I was born in Mossley, lived on Waterton Lane and attended St Josephs school
until I was 9. Then we moved to Stalybridge where my mum and dad had a grocery shop on
Stocks Lane. I went to St Peters school for two years and then Hyde Grammar for the next
five (where my nickname was "Cassie"). In 1965 I emigrated to Canada (Toronto)
where I stayed until I took early retirement in 1995 to the west of Ireland. I recently
made contact with a boyhood friend - Peter Jennings and would be interested in hearing
from anyone out there who thinks they knew me all those many years ago. I would be
especially pleased to hear from John McCormack (spelling??), Jack Morris, Harold
Dransfield, Malcolm Crew, all who will be 57-58 years old.
Great site - will be back.
John Turner [email protected]
Hello. I recently discovered this website and am really interested in it as I lived in Stalybridge from March 63 to July 64. My name then was Anne Ollerenshaw and I went to Hob Hill school. Miss Lawton was the headmistress and Miss Raymond was my teacher. My friends included Andrea Hough who lived on Brierley Street, Wendy Line, Anne Marshall, Anne Farrar, Janet Kitchen and Lynne Wrigley. David Corcoran was in my class as was David Brownhill. My family lived on Astley Street at the time and my Gran Gwen Ollerenshaw lived on the same street but further up towards the Drill Hall. There was a family called Grantham who lived near us. I think there were twelve in their family. I have very happy memories of Stalybridge and would love to correspond with anyone who remembers our family. Bye for now.
Anne. Email address supplied
Wonderful
Website! It was passed on to me by a couple on eBay from Ashton under Lyne. I am trying to
learn more about relatives who lived (and may still live) in the Staleybridge area.
Perhaps you could point me in the direction of additional information and/or local
historians? My maternal grandmother, Mary Hannah Greenwood was born in Staleybridge on 1
October 1888 to Alfred Greenwood and Charlotte Greenwood (nee Parker). I believe she
was one of 6 or 7 children. After completing the required 4 years of public education, she
worked in the mills before emigrating to America in 1904. Some of her
siblings names were William, Albert, John, James, and Bessie. Mary, (nicknamed
Annie) married Matthew Peebles Conley of Glasgow, Scotland, also of a large family. His
sister, Margaret Conley, married Albert Greenwood. My other relatives on this side of the
puddle have little interest in history, family or otherwise, so I have naught else to go
on. Thank you for your time and consideration,
Matthew Deming
Charleston, W.Va., USA Email address supplied
I have just
spent a very pleasant time perusing the Stalybridge Web Site. Congrats. on your work. I
lived in the 'Bridge from 1953 until 1980ish and indeed my parents still live there and I
visit frequently. I am now living and working in Essex but my heart still lies at home. I
was at Hob Hill Junior School from 1961 'till 1965 when Mrs Horsfield was head - any
readers out there go to school with me? It would be fantastic to hear from you.
I shall write again soon.
[email protected] (I'm
Alan, by the way)
What a nice
surprise to find Stalybridge on the web! I am searching for my grandfather's ancestors,
too. It was wonderful to see the photos youhave placed on line for us to view. I am new to
the world of computers...learning every day. The name I am searching for is BLANCHFLOWER,
William, born abt 1865. I wonder if there is anyone out there who is a relative? My e-mail
is: [email protected]
Thanks, lass!
Hi - I have
just visited your site and found it very informative. My great-great grandparents came
from Stalybridge arriving in the United States in 1881. My great-great grandfathers
name was Benjamin Barnbrook, his wife's name was Ellen Dark Barnbrook. I am curious to
know if there are still any by that name in the area. Can you tell me where to look. Thank
you.
Anna Jones Email
address supplied
I have just
had a good vist at your site for Stalybridge. I was born in Mossley but we moved to
Stalybridge when I was five. We owned a grocery store on Stocks Lane, and I attended St
Peters School from 1953 until around 1960. My parents owned the shop until the mid 1980's
when they retired back to Mossley. I later moved to Merseyside and married and we
emigrated to Canada.
This is where we have lived and raised our family for the past 26 years. My parents name
was Turner. I would be interested in you having a spot on your web page where we could
look for old school friends from years ago. I enjoyed the web site and congratulate you on
its content.
Sheila Turner (Robinson) [email protected]
I wonder if
you can help, I am trying to locate a couple called Andrew and Shirley Willerton
originally from Croft Street, Stalybridge. Andrew played for the local cricket team and
their local pub was the Rowcross, we met them in Barbados in 1996 and would like to hear
from them again. Many thanks
Peter And Jane Church. West Midlands
Email address supplied
Hi! My Great
Grandmother was born in Stalybridge in 1854 and came over to America when she was 3 or 5
years old. Her name was Elizabeth Bottomley Randall. Her parents were James and Mary Jane
(Bagley) Bottomley. My Grandfather wrote down the name Stalybridge as Staley Bridge. So
this looks right. I want to know if an ancestor might be living there in Stalybridge yet?
Thanks for the website. It's nice to see where my ancestors were born!
Liz Randall Askov, MN
Email address
supplied
Hello. I am visiting from Australia, and understand that my great grandfather, Mr Thomas McDermott Taylor was manager of a cotton mill in Stalybridge (probably around the turn of the century). Are their any cotton mills still standing in Stalybridge (or any milling history museums)? If so, I would appreciate it if you could let me know where, as I would like to visit the area and see if I can find any references to my great grandfather.Many thanks. Email address supplied
I've spent
the last many minutes going through the Stalybridge web site. Excellent site! My interest
in Stalybridge is because one of my family lines (Platt) came to America from Stalybridge
in the mid to early 19th century. John Platt, Sr. (a manufacturer of textile equipment)
had his son John Platt, Jr. arrange for the shipment of machinery to South Carolina. John
Jr., against his father's wishes, accompanied the equipment and never returned to England.
Apparently he brought his family over also. His son Able Platt (born in Stalybridge in
1826) is my Great-great grandfather. Able's descendants in America are well documented by
me. I know very little of the line in England. One of these days I'd like to come to
Stalybridge and do research on the family.
Again, the web site is outstanding.
Albert H. Creasy (Al) Tryon, North Carolina
[email protected]
Well
done.....it is good to see my old town on the Internet and pleased to see that the canal
is flowing again. I lived in Stalybridge from 1966 to 1969 and went to St Peters. The
family moved to South Africa in 1969. In 1996 I moved with my own family to New Zealand
currently living in Auckland. I have frequently returned to Stalybridge as we still have
some good friends living there. I will be showing my kids your WEB page as they are very
interested where I lived when I was a child.
Regards Stephen Elliott Email address supplied
G'day! I now
live in Australia but used to live in stalybridge. I came to Australia in 1965 when i was
13 and was born at Carrbrook and lived in Millbrook. I found your site very informative
and it was great to see and read about the town. Well done Thank you.
Steve Edwards Email address supplied