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Showing posts from January, 2010

Birkenhead Photos

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This is a mystery. My mother was into singing in a big way. However all I have is 2 photos of her with people who are not really her generation. The people seem similar and the place where they were photographed were similar too.  The only clue on the back is a Stamp with Birkenhead on. My mother was known as Pat Lomax at the time. I don't recall any links with Birkenhead. She is the one that is so obviously youthful as compared to all the others. The date would be late 1940's I guess

Greenmount Primary School

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I went here in the late 1950's. The primary school teacher was called Mrs Meadley - forgetful woman, once lost her glasses, searched everywhere but were on her head all the time! She also set fire to the Christmas tree. However she taught me to read, not so much success with sums! I recall one of the pupils dying whilst I was at school. Not at school. I do remember a lot of sadness - a girl I think, must have been about 1956. Most of the kids in the class just moved up, all at the same time. Moved to middle school. I think the teacher was called Miss Platt, I must have been about 8 at the time. I remember being taught joined up writing. At the same time the school started to cook its own dinners. I have a feeling our class room was commandeered as a canteen at this time. And a life long aversion to rice pudding was started. The used to keep us in if we didn't eat our dinner - just one spoonful!!! What use is an extra spoonful of rice pudding. The head was called Mrs Sally Cr

Walshaw Primary School

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This is a large file- It is clear to see the abject state of the building here Taken on the Playground at the front of the school My Father's class. It must have been the late 50's or very early 60's. I recall him applying for jobs at his time, he had not long since qualified at Huddersfield College. He was certainly at Huddersfield when we were living at Whitelegg Street, but we were at Brookhouse when he was teaching here. The school is still there and I believe little has changed to the outside since. This area is on a steep right angle bend and I think there is quite a drop at the other side. Walshaw was only 2 to 3 miles away from where we lived. He probably walked to school at this time. I recall my father taking and passing his driving test first time. He bought a black Morris Minor convertible, which had the roof renewed. It used to crack on the supports at any speed. It was not possible to have a conversation in the car. I fail to recall any of the name

Brookhouse about 1900

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This is first photo thats I have. The date unknown. Brookhouse is lower left. The bottom of hill. Peel Tower is the distance. Brookhouse, taken from the Greenmount side. Brookhouse is the furthest building.  The girls are standing on the old bridge. It was replaced with a wider bridge. The nearer buildings were cottages and one looks like a shop. My family remembers these cottages. I feel that the line of the road has not changed. The road widening must have been on the left. This photo is of Brookhouse near Tottington. I moved here when I was 5. Lived initialy with my Grandmother. Jane Lomax nee Dunn(e). The postal address was 133 Holcombe Rd, Tottington. The cobbled road was replaced with a tarmacadamed surface. The view looks towards "Totty" from the Greenmount side of the stream. The upwards slope is called Stormer Hill. There are some steps leading up on the right to Kay's cottages. They were designed by my Grandfather Tom Lomax, Jane's hus

West Hartlepool UDC

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Picture of the officers or West Hartlepool circa 1930 to 1935. My Grandfather (Tom Lomax) is on the top-right corner. This was his second appointment as he climbed up the "Borough Surveyor" chain. He later moved to Rhyl in North Wales. He was the designer of the sea wall there. He used a comparitivly unknown and untested contractor for this job. George Dew always delivered a fine turkey at Christmas to Tom. One year it would not even go in the oven!