The evening before Whit Friday, I would go to Sunday School with my Dad, as he would be helping the other men prepare the banners- the 'big' banner was rich reds and golds with a picture of Jesus in the middle and long white ribbons for the older girls to hold on to. The smaller banner was blue, silver and gold- when I was 10, I was allowed to walk with the banner- a great event! The "Ground" did have a Painters pen on it at one time. This was situated fairly centrally with the railway wall enclosing it along one side. When it fell into disuse it made a smashing fort for cowboys and indians and nobody would chase you off. I feel sure that we will have some friends in common, both from Moorside School and from Droylsden in general, and it should be quite exciting to try to discover them. Imagine my surprise once inside to see old photographs of St. Gabriel’s. I was even more surprised when I realised I was on one of them – taken during the annual “scholars walk” at Whitsuntide. I remember the dress, white, long, organdie and very itchy. Ugh! The can was filled half full with the lumps of cotton then lit with a match. We would then fill the can with more cotton and put the lid down. A piece of string was tied to the can so that it could be swung to and fro. The holes in the can allowed air into it to keep the cotton burning and your hands nice and warm.

I used to go to Bob Dale's ballroom dancing classes. That would have been around 1956-1959 when I was 13-15 years old. I loved it there and, of course, fell in love with him! If was thrilled in later years when I saw him on TV as a judge on the original Come Dancing. The classes took place in the Alhambra Dance Hall in those days. Learning to dance in 1954 at Pillings dancing school. This was above a car showroom on Katherine street.

Tameside Memories

When The Schoolhouse closed for refurbishment and re-naming I tried to get hold of those photographs, but sadly they had already been “binned”. I’m pleased to note that it is once again “The Schoolhouse” I passed my bronze and silver medal tests but after that, Bob told my Mum that to continue towards gold was really more for those with talent! Subtle ...! I remember that we used to pay six shillings for a half-hour private lesson so it was probably a relief to my Mum to learn that I was no Alesha Dixon! Besides, I was doing 'O' levels then leaving Fairfild High School by then. I remember that soon afterwards, Bob moved his school of dancing from Openshaw to Droylsden. I am assuming that it was to the Droylsden class that you went. TheTop Twenty Club, was it? Incredible to think that Jimmy Savile was the regular dj there. I used to catch the number 19 (later the 169) bus to Ashton Old Road to go to that Alhambra Palace, as I lived in Droylsden, in Abbey Road, just off Springfield Road, off Greenside Lane. My bus fare, three halfpence, one way. Donkey stone- did you know that you can still buy donkey stone in Ashton Market? I have some right here! My Mum used to stone our front step and woe betide you if you stepped on it whilst it was still wet! Meg

A Droylsden native, Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Crowe, won the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery during World War I. The tripe shop on the corner of Camp Street and Henrietta Street. My Dads favourite dishes were tripe and vinegar, fried slut or elder and jellied pigs trotters Ugh!Of course we had a Guy Fawkes, once we’d collected enough wood we would go around to neighbours houses begging old clothes and anything to stuff him with. He was placed right on top of the fire and a big cheer went up once he had succumbed to the flames. Hello Skid! It's really exciting to read your response - thank you! I hope that we can begin to share some memories together. The fish and chip shop on the corner of Boodle Street and Turner Lane when fish and chips were cheap. I am sure I can remember a pennyworth of chips or is this just wishfull thinking ? The fish that we had was white salmon as this was the only fish my Mam would eat. It was the nicest fish anyway.

The Bowing Green. The Feathers. The Angel. The King William ( King Bill). Yates' Wine Lodge. The Commercial. Growing up I was a fanatical ballroom dancer and danced mainly at the Premiere Ballroom and at Pillings in Katharine Street. I had a big crush, as did most of the other young girls, on the teacher, Norman Pilling! Because I was so keen and quite good I was so-called ‘on the staff’ of this dance school. That didn’t mean you were employed, it just meant you got in for nothing and helped Norman and Doris Pilling by dancing with those young lads who couldn’t dance at all and trying to teach them a few steps. Ashton Palais ballroom was only for big events as I remember, and not a favourite of mine.I, too have so many happy memories of Ashton. George Osborne’s shop in the market hall, strolls across Henrietta Street to see my Dad's aunt, Marian Hatton, who lived on Alexandra Road, and the iced custard creams and jap cakes from Howarth’s at the corner of Henrietta Street and Penny Meadow. Oh, and Harry Blease’s opticians shop - on the corner of Cork Street and Market Street (I think) - who supplied my first pair of glasses at the age of about 10. It is home to unique museums that celebrate its musical heritage, offering a fascinating journey through its melodious past. The city has produced numerous famous musicians and composers as a result of this. 2. Secrets of The Ashton Canal Tunnel Geograph