Another Hollands Pie Van photo

Paul Anderson has kindly sent the above photo of the Hollands Pie Van which I will shortly include within the Hollands Pie Blog. Can't recognize the area where the photo was taken! it looks a little bit like the Stacksteads area of Bacup but dont recognize the businesses.

Mr. Wrights - Chemist Shop - Lr Deardengate.

Hi,
Just came across your Haslingden Old and New. My mother Dorothy, is the daughter of Mr Wright who used to own the Chemist shop that you mentioned (click Here). They lived in a house called "Brentwood" that was on Helmshore Road in Haslingden. This would be around the 1930s I guess. Mum is now 89 so we are going back a long way. She was a pharmacist at the chemist shop and married in Haslingden church. Probably there are a few bits of history that she will remember about the area etc. Just thought I would make contact as the grandaughter of Mr Wright and if you need to add more I have some pictures. Will try to dig them out and also I will get in touch with my cousins and my sister who may also have some.

It's been interesting reading such a vast amount of info on the site.

Thanks

Anne-Marie Newman in Birmingham

Haslingden Conservative Club - Further information....

I am indebted to Jackie Ramsbottom for kindly sending in the above early article about the move of Haslingden Conservative Club, from George Street, to John Street. (Published by the Haslingden Guardian - Feb 17th 1911. Please click over the article once, and then to supersize click over yet again. I will shortly add this article to the already Haslingden Conservative Blog.

New info on Doctors blog and Police blog

Just returned from holiday and currently catching up on things, I have just kindly received additional information as follows:-

1) Information on past doctors of Hazelwood - now included in the blog please Click Here

2) Also a correction in the dates of Police photographs etc please Click Here

Haslingden St. James Football Club - c1971

Ian Warburton has kindly sent this photo of Haslingden St. James Football Club. (Please click over photo once to enlarge and then click over again to supersize)

This is a team photo from my days playing for Haslingden St James' FC. I'm fairly certain this was August 1971. It is taken on Houghtons Road pitches (*now Haslingden Sports Centre) before the final of the 'Haslingden Competition' against Haslingden FC . The tournament was held before each season for all Haslingden and Helmshore teams.
Back Row :- Ian Warburton, Brian Tomlinson, Brian Thompson, Jack Pilling, Ray Howarth, Clive Whitehead.
Front Row :- David Holland, Steve Walkden, Mark Barnes, Stan Barlow, Dave Vipham

Best Regards,
Ian Warburton

Walking Day and Church Processions and Other Events

Helmshore Methodist (Holcombe Rd) Whit Walk 1970

 The above 5 photos are of a Whit Sunday Walking day at Helmshore Methodist Church on Holcombe Road during 1970.

Photos: Kindly shared to us by Chris Wilson

 The above 5 photos are of a Whit Sunday Walking day at Helmshore Methodist Church on Holcombe Road during 1970.

Photos: Kindly shared to us by Chris Wilson

 The above 5 photos are of a Whit Sunday Walking day at Helmshore Methodist Church on Holcombe Road during 1970.

Photos: Kindly shared to us by Chris Wilson

The above 5 photos are of a Whit Sunday Walking day at Helmshore Methodist Church on Holcombe Road during 1970.

Photos: Kindly shared to us by Chris Wilson

The above 5 photos are of a Whit Sunday Walking day at Helmshore Methodist Church on Holcombe Road during 1970.

Photos: Kindly shared to us by Chris Wilson

Wesley Church (Blackburn Road and Hud Hey)

Kathleen Eva (nee Gibbons) has been kind enough to send in the following photographs

Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

 Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

 Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

Wesley Walking Day photos

Thanks to Julia Haworth

This beautiful embroided tablecloth with the names of supporters was for the Wesley Xmas Fayre which was held on Nov 15th and 16th 1963. It shows Mr. Birtwistle as the Mayor and the Rev. Duerden and Mrs. Boyson. The cloth kindly shared to us by Julia Haworth

St. Peters Church, Laneside.

St. Peters Walking Day Photo from 1959
Photo kindly sent in by Stewart Smith who can be seen at the front

Holland Family (Holland Pies) - further information

David Stevenson has kindly sent in this information on the Holland Family, which I will also shortly include within the Holland's Pies blog...

Hi Bryan,

I have further information on the Holland family which may be of interest. This shows that in 1851 when John Whittaker opened a confectioners shop in Deardengate, his future wife, Sarah Titley was employed as a cook at Flaxmoss House for William Turner a prominent mill owner and JP.
On the 8th October 1852 at The Parochial Chapel in Haslingden, John Whittaker married Sarah Titley (whose father was Walter Titley, an attorney at Alton in Staffordshire).

The 1861 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker living in Deardengate together with Sarahs daughter Sarah Ann aged 16 who was born in Macclesfield on the 25th July 1844, with the surname Titley and no fathers name recorded on the birth certificate.

In 1866 Richard Henry Holland, born at Wood farm in Staffordshire, joined the Whittakers to work in their shop, after an apprenticeship at Bollands in Chester and Moseleys in Accrington.

On the 2nd November 1869 Richard and Sarah Ann were married at St. James Parish Church, also this year they bought into the confectioners business and changed the name to Hollands.

The 1871 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker,Richard and Sarah Ann Holland all listed as confectioners living in Deardengate together with Richard and Sarahs son Walter at 5 months old.

The 1881 census has John Whittaker, Richard and Sarah Holland with their children Walter,Sarah and Ada living at 77 Deardengate.

On the 21st November 1882 my grandmother Florence Edith Holland was born to Richard and Sarah Ann in Deardengate.

Around 1890 Walter Holland took over the business and changed the name to Walter Hollands.

In1891 Richard and Sarah with four of their children and John Whittaker were living at 10 Church St. whilst Walter Holland, his wife and son Harry lived at 15 Hartley St.

The 1901 census shows that Walter Holland and his family had moved into 10 Church St. whilst Richard, Sarah and three of their children had moved to 342 Blackburn Road.

From David Stevenson,
Rising Bridge Road

Haslingden Council School photos

Clifford Hargreaves has kindly sent in the above photo of Haslingden Council School from c1935. Click over photo once to enlarge...

"Hi Bryan,

Forwarding a photo of Haslingden Council School taken when I was about 6 years old. I can remember a few of the pupils and teachers names and some of the faces are vaguely familiar".

Clifford.

And below are more photos of the Haslingden Council School as follows:
1) Whilst under construction, during 1915. 2) Grand Opening Day in 1915. 3) School Mass group photo from the opening during 1915. 4) Class 1 1922. 5) 10 year olds. 6) No information. 7) Top Class in 1924 8) Group photo from 1928. (Click over photos to enlarge)

More Recollections from a Graner - Mrs. Ada Barlow (Nee Nuttall) 1906 - 2000....

Ada Barlow. Nee Nuttall 1906/2000. “A Graner” 

My mother- in- law who died at 94 in 2000 wrote a little history of her Haslingden Grane family in 1971. Thought you might like an excerpt. There may be a copy of her “book” in Helmshore mill’s records. I feel Chris Aspin may have known something of it. I realize there is a lot of conjecture here but years do tend to fly by and my memory’s flying with them! EXCERPT. …”the traffic in those days was mostly horse-drawn. There were big drays drawn by carthorses, and carriages and traps and of course the funeral horses with their black lancer plumes, Dr. Stewart, our doctor, stuck to his horse and trap to the end of his days. Dr. Harrison (always known as Dr. John), was the first to have a car in Haslingden. We all used to turn out to see him pass. May Day was a great day; all the horses were dressed up with paper flowers and little straw bonnets on their heads. Manes and tails were plaited and they were plastered with shining rows of horse brasses. We had a variety of street criers. There was the Bellman who wore a long coat and rung a bell. People used to rush to their doors when they heard it. He relayed news items of the day. There was a fish seller. He carried a basket with his fish in and scales flung over his shoulders to weigh the fish. Also a muffin man with a basketful of muffins. He rang a tiny bell. There was an organ grinder who ground out his tunes from his barrel organ. He had a monkey on his shoulder. Then there was a man with a performing bear: children used to rush out with their halfpennies to these two, then there were German bands. At dusk the lamplighter appeared with his long pole turning on the gas- lit street lamps. I was in my teens before with got electric in the house. The gypsies used to come frequently. We had the Suffragettes delivering pamphlets and talking in the road, mostly on Saturday afternoons. All this I watched with great interest behind my little garden gate. Dad used to call me Mrs. Pankhurst.. Vine House ( Warburton’s) was then in its heyday. The gardens were lovely. They employed 2 full-time gardeners and a coachman. They were famous over a wider area for their grapes and orchids. About this time George V and Queen Mary (1911?) had heir coronation. I walked in the procession which assembled in Marsden Square. I carried an outstanding basket of flowers made for me by one of the gardeners. One little girl pinched one of my roses. I was very affronted…………. Regards, joan b.

And here are more excerts from Ada Barlow (sent in by Joan on 24th Dec 2010) FROM ADA BARLOW 'S (nee NUTTALL) More excerpts 

The Barlow Brothers.(All born 1884-1880) "There was a dyed in the wool Tory in Helmshore called Owd Brandwood. He was standing for the council. In those days elections were really rip-roaring affairs. It seemed he kept pigs and on voting day one of the pigs was painted blue. It made headline news and is still talked about today. No-one knew who had done it. The first time I heard about it was when I was at school. We were being told how we "breathed" through our pores. The teacher said,"Remember how the Tory pig died at Helmshore just because they could not remove the paint?". Well you've guessed it. It was the work of the Barlow brothers. They were Liberals." "A rag and bone man used to come to the village and it was his custom to call in the pub and leave his donkey and cart a little higher up the road tethered to a gate. He had the shock of his life one day. His cart was on one side of the gate and his donkey on the other. Once again the Barlows had been at work. They had taken the donkey out of the shafts and stuck the cart on the other side of the gate and were in hiding watching the fun. They were still at it when they moved to Blackburn road, Haslingden. They had some white mice and let them run into the walls of the house. Very soon the neighbours were complaining of black and white mice.Just imagine what a handful they must have been for grandma." "Haslingden market was very well-known in those days.People came from far and near. The stalls ran all down Deardengate near where the Big Lamp stood. There used to be a big marquee where they sold black peas and hot pies. Saturday nights it was full of customers eating their pie and peas sitting on forms which ran along the sides of the tent. The bulging bottoms were just too much for the Barlow scamps, they ran along outside jabbing with a large hat-pin.Alas, the old market was scrapped to make way for a market hall which proved to be a white elephant. The allure was the old stalls which traded until very late, lit by napthaline flares. One Barlow brother,Frank used to organise family outings and holidays. One year they all went to Ireland and stayed in a farm near the Giants' Causeway. The farm must have been pretty primative. Some of the rooms were divided by thin curtains. Frank's sister,Ruth and her husband shared a "room" with a curate and his new wife. They guessed they were honeymooners and put health salts in their 'jerry'. Luckily they had a sense of humour and enjoyed the joke with them!" These lads were possibly born in Hollin Bank or Helmshore. Does that count them out as true Graners? Joan.

(The above excerpts from Ada Barlow's Recollections, was kindly sent in by Joan Barlow (Ada's daughter in law) (received 24th Dec 2010).. thanks Joan..

Dr. Jonathan Atkinson Harrison & Family of Hazelwood

I have just received the above photograph along with the below communication with regards Dr. Harrison and the Harrison family and any further information would be warmly welcomed, especially by John Blake. Please contact me if you can provide any further information.

Hi Bryan

Have just stumbled across your site as I have been trying to research the background to my great grandfather and his sons. He was Jonathan Atkinson Harrison, and I believe he set up the first GP surgery in Haslingden, first in Regent Street, and then at Hazelwood, on Bury Road. He was the town Medical Officer. He was a farmer’s son, originally from Warcop in Westmorland. He married Margaret Whitaker, a mill owner’s daughter in Haslingden. He died in 1905. His eldest son, John Atkinson Harrison carried on the practice until he died in 1920. I attach a family photo, taken in the garden at Hazlewood, probably in the 1890’s

I have quite a lot more information if you are interested, and I would love to know if any of you readers have any recollections relating to the Harrisons.

Best wishes

John Harrison Blake

And below is a photograph of Dr John A. Harrison, the eldest son of Jonathan.

And here is another photograph showing Dr. Harrison with the St. Johns Ambulance

Could it be possible that Dr. John A. Harrison had the first motor car in Haslingden? Yes he did and here is a photo of the chassis of that car:

His younger brother was William Sandilands Harrison (John Harrison Blake's grandfather) who joined the Army. He was one of the team that developed typhoid vaccine before WW1. He became Medical Officer in Jamaica, but sadly caught one of the diseases he was researching, and came home to die in Haslingden in 1915. Another brother was Lawrence Whitaker Harrison, who was also in the RAMC and he was a pioneer of VD treatment for soldiers in WW1, and became a major expert on the subject. There is a wing of St. Thomas’ Hospital in London named after him.

Generally the family seems to move away from Haslingden after Dr John died, quite young, in 1920. His sister Beatrice had worked with him as a nurse. She moved to the Lake District, and his wife Etta (nee Worsley) moved to Scotland, I think.

(Notice of the death of Dr. Harrison, Taken from Haslingden Guardian Friday August 25th 1905)

The Late Dr. Harrison, J.P. A Zealous Public Officer

Dr Harrison being greatly respected by the people of Haslingden, where he had attained considerable popularity as a skilled medical practitioner, and as the medical officer for the borough for a lengthy period. Dr. Harrison who was sixty-two years of age at his death, was educated at Appleby Grammar School, while later, he served his apprenticeship with Dr. Blades at Kirkby Stephen. Proceeding to Glasgow he subsequently graduated and obtained the degrees of Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (1866), Bachelor of Medicine and Master in Surgery (1867), and Doctor of Medicine (1870). In 1866 or 1867 he commenced to practice in Hawes, North Yorkshire, but in 1872 he took over the Haslingden practice of the late Dr. Binns. Subsequently he married a daughter of the late Mr. John Whittaker of Waterfoot House, Haslingden, and since that happy event he devoted himself to the duties of a Haslingden citizen and displayed a keen and intelligent interest in local affairs. In the year 1873 Dr. Harrison received an appointment to the Rural Sanitary Authority under the Poor law Union regime. At the first meeting of the Local Board on September 9th, 1875, he was appointed medical officer pro tem, and in January 1876, he received the full appointment. In September 9th 1885, Dr. Macpherson was appointed medical officer, and on September 16th 1889, Dr. Harrison became a member of the Local Board. Following upon the subsequent death of Dr. Macpherson, Dr. Harrison was again appointed medical officer, on June 19th 1890, when he resigned his seat as a member of the Local Board in order to take the appointment. As medical officer for the borough, Dr. Harrison displayed commendable zeal, and he never hesitated to indulge in straight speaking when he conceived that the best interests of the people of the borough were endangered.. Although probably for economical reasons, some of his recommendations were disregarded by the Health Committee, he was so persistent in his advocacy of sanitary improvements that he gained the admiration and esteem of the members of the local authority and several of his suggestions were ultimately adopted, notably that referring to the discontinuance of the old smallpox hospital at Clod, which he denounced in and out of season as totally unfit for the accommodation of patients. In 1884 Dr. Harrison was deservedly honoured by being placed on the Commission of the Peace, and since that time he regularly and sealously attended to his duties as a magistrate. Another of his local offices was that of police surgeon. He was also a Past Master of Wolsey lodge of Freemasons, Manchester. Dr. Harrison was a staunch adherent of the Church of England and practically ever since the formation of Laneside Parish, he has held the honourable position of churchwarden, in which capacity he frequently elicited warm tributes from the vicar and parishioners of Laneside. As a total abstainer, Dr. Harrison evinced considerable interest in temperance work and he was a trustee of the Haslingden Blue Ribbon Club, upon which the flag was hoisted at half-mast on receipt of the news of his death. For some years, one of his sons, Dr. John Harrison, has been associated with him in his practice, while another son has attained recognition as an able member of the Army Medical Staff. Dr. Harrison is survived by his widow, five sons and three daughters. (Thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for sending in this information)

(Photo: kindly sent in by Keith Burton showing the medical and nursing staff together with the wounded Belgians whilst at the Haslingden Public Hall)

The photo here clearly shows Dr. John Atkinson Harrison who is to the right of centre on the second row.  Also Dr John's sister, Kate Evelyn Harrison is fourth along from the left on that same second row and next but one to Dr. John. Kate has a nurses cap on, but does not seem to have the same uniform as the other women.   Kate later married Walter Hayhurst, a chemical engineer, and they lived at The Laund, Baxenden.  

Hazelwood (41 Bury Road, Haslingden)

Was used as a Doctors Surgery ever since the establishment by Dr. Jonathan Atkinson Harrison in 1881 (at Hazelwood, although he personally had established his practice much earlier from Regent Street). Hazelwood continued as a Doctors Surgery right up until 1985 (a period of 104 years). Hazelwood in the mid to late 1900s was the home of Dr. Arthur Ramsden and Coun. Dorothy Ramsden, but was also a Doctors surgery for Dr. Ramsden. In the latter years (70s and 80s) it became a partnered practice which included: Dr Arthur Ramsden, Dr. Richard Pettigrew, Dr. Marsden and Dr. Rishton. The practice at Hazelwood closed its doors in 1985, when it moved to the current Haslingden Health Centre on Manchester Road. Since 1989, Hazelwood has been used for a Nursing Home for several years. After which it closed down and was empty for sometime and in more later years has been the Offices to a Contracts Company.

Kathleen Eva has kindly sent in the following information (6th Jan 2011) I have some information to add to the passage about the doctor's on Bury Rd.

During the early 1950's just after the N.H.S. was formed, there was a Dr Weir who had that practice, then he was joined by Dr Armistead. Dr Weir later retired (I think) and Dr Armistead was joined by Dr Ramsden. Dr Armistead left Haslingden about 1960/61, when Dr Ramsden took over the running of the practice. The surgery was in the celler of the house, you went in by the side door and turned left down the stairs, you all sat round the outside of the room till it was your turn. Somtimes we would move up as people went into the Dr.when it was your turn you were called through to the passage by Hilda the receptionist where you waited till Dr was ready for you. I remember it as always seeming to be dark.

I think these dates are about right , Dr's Armistead and Ramsden were my doctors when I lived in Haslingden. -Kathleen.

Below is a couple of photos of Hazelwood from back in 2003. When the photos were taken it had just closed down after having been a "nursing home". The old garden which lay to the South East side of the building enclosed within its own perimeter wall bordering both Park St and Bury Road, has all been dug out, and is now a car park for the Offices. Also a extension has been attached to the South West side of the building.

And also information about Doctor Carr who practiced at No.4 Helmshore Road.I kindly received a email today (12th Feb 2011) from Michael Carr (Doctor Carr's son):

"Good afternoon Bryan.

I grew up in Haslingden and lived there until 1966 when at the age of eight the family moved to the North East.

So why my discord to you? – well my father was a doctor and had his practice in Haslingden at No.4 Helmshore Road.

He may also be remembered for being the local Conservative Councillor and we have many press cuttings from his days; it seemed the local papers were plastered with his picture all the time or maybe we were just a big nepotistic! Lol!

My father, alas died some ten years ago at the age of 85 and now rests quietly on a hillside in Southern Eire. Mother was/is some twenty years younger than may Dad and still lives happily there.

Added Further Hollands Pie Van/Wagon Photos

Added further Hollands Pie Van/Wagon Photos today, kindly sent in by Paul Anderson, and thanks also for permission from Peter Davison. To check out new photos CLICK HERE

Haslingden Workingmen's Club, Spring Lane - And a few memories....

 

(Many thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for sending in this photo of the "workers" just before it was demolished).

I suppose my first recollections of Haslingden Workingmen's Club, Spring Lane, was once a week, getting a nice suprise when my dad would go off there for his game of snooker, and it felt so special to get a treat which was a bag of crisp made by either firms of the name Rishy (XL Crisp), Bensons or even Smith's Crisp, and it would have had a little salt bag with twisted top, very much like the shape in miniature of what ladies used in their washing and called a "dolly blue", I would try and stop awake excitedly awaiting those crisp, but more often than not would drop off asleep and I would then get my treat the following morning. To think that those days little things (or where they big things?) seemed so much more exciting and worthwhile and yet today we just take things like that for granted. It really meant something special then.... and how values have changed... What was once one bag of crisp per week, could now be two bags per day. Also going to their Annual Christmas Parties which started for me when I was about 6 or 8 years of age. I can clearly remember being met at the door by Peggy Flynn the stewardess and then chatting with her husband Tommy who was behind the bar.....

My father at the time played snooker on a weekly basis for the "Workers", and very occasionally he would let me go with him to watch. Sometimes I also managed to go to some of the away games, at places where they did not sell alcohol. I remember going to St. Peters Church Hall, and also the Liberal Club at the bottom of Park Street, a beautiful old building with wide steps with timber polished balustrade from where you would go upstairs into the main room where there was two full size snooker tables. I must have gone with him many times because I can still remember some of their (Haslingden Liberal Club) players from that time (Mr Duxbury - the Auctioneer and later his son), Veril Riley, Josh Knowles, Ernie Taylor.... Another place I remember going to was Townsendfold Social Club which them days seemed a million miles away!!

Back in the 50s and possibly into the 60s top snooker/billiard players would visit the "workers" and do exhibitions. From memory my father used to tell me about the famous names such as Jackie Rae, and Fred Davis (top man in billiards those days), and John Spencer would also come to the Club.

When we first got married I remember us going on many a Saturday night, where we would play bingo, whilst sat on the well upholstered seating which bordered the full perimeter of the snooker room.....

There where also concerts at the Club and I can remember a great local performer "Willie Horan" a local popular drag act, who would from time to time pack the Club. Jimmy Hill was the pianist at the Club and he was also in the "workers" snooker team along with my dad, and also Jimmy Collinge, Dick Garnett and others.

Nearer to the latter days of the Club, I remember attending a Charity function which was organized by Jimmy Paton and can even remember him saying to several of us that were sitting with him at the same table, "we have all these variety acts coming and appearing here tonight, but we need a "name personality" to do the raffle etc.", no sooner had he mentioned it to us that he jumped up and proceeded to the phone and there and then rang Granada Studios in Manchester, and asked if "Tony Wilson" the newscaster would be able to appear at the event..... its was quite unbelievable when I think back, but sure enough Jim managed to persuade Tony who said he would come straight after presenting the evening news, which he did, a couple of hours later. What a fabulous chap he was, I remember him asking one of the variety acts if he did'nt mind if he could use his guitar for a number or two, and up Tony got to the stage, and what was to come was a real treat..... I don't think anyone was ready for Tony Wilson (the great local newscaster of the day) to play out some raunchy heavy blues, before us and it was really quite superb.... he brought the house down.

After witnessing that evening, that great mans kindness, and enjoying such insurmountable skills he provided that night, I couldn't help but then be attracted by various news reports over the years of Tony's career. I was never suprised that he later took time out from television to open and promote Factory Records with such involvement towards Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, and the list goes on and on. In later years his energies furthered and he opened up the famous Manchester Hacienda.... It was such a tragedy that he died in August 2007, but what a legacy that man left us.

Going back in time! I can sort of remember sometimes when going home from the "Top Church School (St. Jame's) would go through the Churchyard, and then follow the pathway past a long row of cottages which overlooked Blackburn Road (been demolished years ago) and then would go past the "Workers" Club on the right, and then it was all waste ground at the side of the Club (long before the West View Estate was even thought of). And I remember somewhere around here there was some very large "air raid shelters", or at least that is what I was lead to believe they were.

Also just to the right hand side of the Club, was the "Spring Well", a natural Spring well which is fed from the side of Cribden, the well is still in the same place today. In the past I would often take refreshment here! (so pure a water!). This same waterway in the distant past would have been collected higher up, by the Baxters Brewery, before reaching this point. On the opposite side of Spring Lane and almost directly across from the Club was a couple of terraced properties (still there today) and one of them used to be the stewards house, and was owned by the Club. Spring Lane itself in those days was a steep cobbled road with well worn shiny "setts", and it was one of the last places in Haslingden to receive a tarmac covering (probably in the 80s).

Closeby to the Club was the Baxters Brewery (pre: Beverleys, Wilsons). I can remember the building well from my childhood days, but not has a brewery. I would pass the building regular and it would have wagons either delivering or picking up large bales of cotton waste...

It was so sad for some of us when that Club closed down.

Lots and lots of happy memories.....

Another photo here which shows the "workers" in situ and also the long row of houses which have long been demolished which overlooked Blackburn Road.

Haslingden Workmens Club at one time must have had a Library Section
Scan: thanks to Marie Ives and uploaded here on 26th February 2016.

This is a email I received from Chris Reid on 10th January 2012:

Hi Bryan, I have just finished reading your blog on the hwmc. we must have spoken or met that night tony wilson appeared as i was on the committee with jim patton who i had known all my life. we had just had the club refurbished. tony wilson actualy got up on stage to play a guitar, not succsessfully. however. i helped jim run the club for a good while before i left haslingden.
there were some great nights there. i was gutted when the club closed as i was in canada at the time. i used to take horses to drink at the well on spring lane, i often wonder if it is still there running. i think it is time i revisited haslingden with a new pair of eyes. i am sure we must be close to the same age 55. i can only thank you for the time and effort you have put in to the site.it has helped me no end to restore my memory. if i can recall anything more as i read through i will e-mail you. please feel free to post any info i send that you consider useful.I think there should be a list of town characters and some of their antics.
all the best
chris reid
Response: "Housey Housey" them days not "Bingo"

Hi Chris,
Like you say it was a really great Club and held special memories for me (like yourself), especially going to the Christmas parties as a child etc etc. I then became a member at the start of drinking age, and went regular on Sat nights when I got wed, it was a sort of bingo night (I think they called it housey them days - not bingo)
Yes the Spring is still there and running. Well it was a couple of years ago.
I am a little older than you at 64, and have for the past 3 years been living in Burton In Kendal in Cumbria, but I do get chance usually at least bi-monthly to visit the old place.
I am extra pleased this is helping you to get better with your memory illness, that makes it all the more worthwhile.
Keep remembering!
All the best,
Bryan.

Three of the final stalwarts to the Club
Jim Patton, Laddy Pilling and Ronnie Clough
Photo: Kindly shared to us by Peter Fisher

Haslingden & Dist Snooker League Fixture Handbook 1958-1959

It was a thriving snooker league back in the 1950s and 1960s and thankfully I was able to attend some of the Workers (Haslingden Workingmens Club) matches whilst supporting my dad's team.......

In email conversation only this week we have been privileged to receive several photo contributions from Geoffrey Heap who I personally can remember from when he was with the St. Peter's Scouts. But I also mentioned to him that I thought I could remember his dad playing for the St. Peters Church Snooker team, at times playing against my dad on the opposite team.  

He confirmed back that this was the case and memories came flooding back for me and obviously for Geoff as well.

I am not sure how old I was but would have thought perhaps about 12 or 13 and although I wasn't allowed to go to the Clubs that sold alcohol, my dad did used to take me along to watch and support the Workers when they played at alcohol free clubs such as: The Liberal Club on Park Street, and St. Peter's in one of the schoolrooms at the back of the Church, and rarely we would catch the bus to Rawtenstall and then another bus over to Townsendfold Social Club (with this last one! was I supposed to be there or not!! - alcohol or non alcohol?)

They were cracking nights watching my dad (the team Captain), and his mate Jimmy Collinge, Bob Fisher, Jimmy Heald (who also played the piano at the Workers), Joe Clarkson and George Garnett amongst others.  I think they were a pretty good team and always did well in the league as I remember.

At the Liberal Club I remember some of their players which included Josh Knowles (Brian's dad), Mr. Duxbury (the Auctioneer) and later his son (also Auctioneer), Veril Riley, and one guy who stood out to me, he seemed a great player and ever so young for that team and that was Ernie Taylor (carpets etc)  at St. Peter's I can only just about remember Mr. Heap, but remember better a really tall chap with glasses who was another friend of my dad's in snooker and that was Frank Riley (lived on Townsend Street)

It was great to hear a couple of stories from Geoffrey about when he also used to go and watch his dad playing with the St. Peters Snooker team.  I have printed the tales here for all to enjoy....

The following tales are submitted by Geoffrey Heap:

Yes my dad was captain of St. Peter's Church Institute snooker team and I also used to go with him to watch the team play, when aged 13 and 14.  I then played for the team when I was 15 and 16 and yes a Frank Riley played for the team.

I have a couple of vivid memories of those days - I remember us playing an away match against The Irish Democratic League, a game the team needed to win to finish top. My dad and I arrived at the club early and the only other person there was the Steward, who happened to be playing the one armed bandit, which was one of the old tic tac toe machines.  As usual dad wanted a drink and the steward had to leave the bandit in order to serve him. At most matches, my dad used to let me have a few tanners to 'lose' on the bandits and this night was no exception; as soon as the steward walked away from the machine, I began to feed it with tanners, three or four coins later the jackpot dropped, well ten bob in tanners did, the rest of the £5 had to be collected from the bar.  I walked quickly towards the bar, with a broad grin on my face, to be met by a stony faced steward who very ungraciously paid me the £4.10s.  I then asked my dad what I should do with the pocket full of tanners and he suggested that he would keep hold of them until our next away match.  I agreed but asked to keep a few back as I had not had much of a play on the machine.  By this time the IDL team had arrived and we could see the steward in deep conversation with them, no doubt expressing his annoyance at having to be pulled from the bandit to serve my dad and by rights the jackpot should have been his.

I walked back to the bandit and proceeded to try my luck again, fully expecting to quickly lose the lot, unbelievably I hit the jackpot again, this time I dispensed with the broad grin and sheepishly asked the steward for my winnings, if looks would kill I was lucky to leave the club alive, needless to say I remained at dad's side for the rest of the evening.  To cap it all we won the match, thus denying the IDL the title.  By the end of the evening the atmosphere felt quite tense and we thought about asking for a police escort when we left the Club!

A match against Loveclough Printworks is also etched in my memory.  This club used an old set of snooker balls, the colours of which were very faded, green and blue looked the same colour, the reds all looked like pinks and so on.  Dad was in the middle of a nice break when he nominated "blue" and potted it; to our amazement the referee called 'foul stroke five away', dad asked why and the ref, pointed out that the green ball had been potted.  Dad lost his temper and eventually had to go outside to calm down and have a fag.  

Haslingden and District Snooker League

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Notification from Brent Cleever on Jan 31st 2021

I came across your blog page and thought I might contribute to the discussion.

I know that up to 1980 whilst the working mens club was still open, the properties  opposite were numbers 2 & 4 Spring Lane with Spring Cottage adjacent to the club.

Number two was in 1980 owned by Ida & Peter Riley who sold to a young couple from Manchester in the same year. Ida & Peter moved to wardened bungalows closer to town.Number 4 was the old club stewards house which had been empty for some years. In 1984 number 4 was bought by Mrs Anne Lees,  who was determined to renovate the property with its far reaching views over the valley. Number 4 also owned the walled garden to the side of the house. Unfortunately due to ill health Mrs Lees did not complete the work on the house and sold to her neighbours in 1986.The following year both properties were renovated into the Pagg house as seen in your blog.

I believe the whole property was sold around 2000.

The Working Mens Club I think stopped trading mid 80's but stood empty for many years becoming derelict and was demolished in the 90's.Please find attached a photo of that sad day.Hope this is of interest.