As you know(from other posts) I have been away from Accy for more than 40 years. In 1988, I had occasion, for various reasons, to visit the U.K., in company with my wife. Firstly N.Ireland, which was scary and then Glasgow. My wife and I were on a tight schedule but since we had to get from Glasgow to London Heathrow, we decided to complete the journey by train( being a railway lover and old trainspotter). The ticket office had told us that it was cheaper to get a return rather than a one way because it was cheaper.
I didn't know the logic of that but who was I to argue with B.R. I decided to stop off at Accy for a brief spell for a nostalgic look and introduce my Aussie wife to the local delights
. We got off at Preston and caught this two carriage 'thing'(not like the old days with nice 3rd class and steam) that was to take us there. On the way I told her that we would shortly come into a station called 'Oswaldtwistle' She burst out laughing and said that I was pulling her leg. When we got to there station she just stared at the station name in utter disbelief. We eventually got to Accy station and I remarked "OH NO!" My wife says'whats up' I said 'they've taken the Manchester line away.' Says she 'is that all, I thought you were having a heart attack'
Anyhow, we rang our friends, Joe and Beth Addison who picked us up and we stayed with them in Birkett Rd. On the way throught town I noticed that things looked a lot cleaner(like a patchwork quilt of colour) than the dirty old sooty blackness I remembered. Then I recalled that in the early 60's there was a push for 'smokeless zones' when everybody had to stop burning coal. Looked a success to me.
The next day I decided to take my wife up my beloved coppice. We went via peelpark school and hotel and on the way up the path that's still there, I noticed lots of shrubs and bushes. I told her that there didn't used to be one dam bush here when I was a kid. Eventually we reached the top and the view was breathtaking. I looked across Accrington and said "My God". Wifey said "What now"? I said "Accy is in a bloody valley" I suppose logic dictates that it is in a valley since the Hyndburn runs through but I could never see that as a kid because of all the smoke and haze. I was totally amazed. I had my binoculars and I reckoned I could see Blackpool Tower.(well not really
) I could see for miles past what was visible in the old days. It was probably Darwin tower. After that revalation we continued to walk towards what I used to know as Hapton Scouts. Now I have just asked my wife if she can recall seeing the hut that used to dominate the skyline. She says she didn't see a hut. I thought it was still there.(memory) Perhaps someone can settle that for me by the date it was taken away. A bit further on we came across some sort of monument about 4 ft high. From memory there was something wrong. It either had been vandalised or the plaque had been stolen. Don't know where this memory comes from but it's there.(please help with info). A bit further on and I swore very loudly. Wifey says"oh for goodness sake, what this time?" Says I " Some silly sod has built a freeway(motorway) here cutting t'coppy in two". I was absolutely beside myself with this, but I suppose it's what one calls 'progress'!!!
Looking towards Burnley Rd I noticed that the rectangular reservoir, which had always been full in my youth was now empty. I had lived briefly in Huncoat(sawdust city)1946, and had been frightened with stories not to go near it because it was a 100 feet deep. Ha Ha. Now I discovered it couldn't have been more than six. I also tried to find an old shale quarry (probably the first that Redac used. But can't recall seeing it. This used to be a favourite fishing hole of mine . It contained huge Perch which I was never able to catch. I learned that Accy Anglers had taken it over as one of their fishing grounds but I am hopelessly out of chronological order on this one.
To be continued.... my brain hurts just like others in here trying to recall things although this adventure isn't that long ago.