My Hometown
 

Its now 46 years since I left Accrington to try and build a better life. This I did but in the process I gained and lost 3 wives, 3 houses and loads of money that was either taken from me or that I squandered on whatever. Now at 66 I think its time I stopped being daft and settle down By Myself. I visit Accy from time to time, but not as often as I would like to. Now that I have decided to live a nice quiet life, I can visit my hometown more frequently as I have no other ties. I was just thinking about my working life at Bankhall, Huncoat and Hapton Valley Collieries from 1962 till 1968 when I moved away. Lots of good times at the Pit and in and around Accrington. Times up Spring Hill, The Arc’s, Morts and the Con. Loads of great memories and all those Beautiful ladies that I had the privilege to spend time with. Cannot mention their names on here but when I visit next time, I shall try and look a few of them up to see how they are.
One thing that’s always been on my mind all these years is the friends that I had, that passed away for whatever reason in the short period between 62 and 68.
I am sure we all have lost mates in the past. Tragic loss of young life. From the Pit Billy Poole and Willie Cooke, Terrence Seamore Drinking buddy of Bob Burnside and myself. Dusty Harry from Huncoat, Flash from the Bridge and My good mate Tez. I am sure some of you guys remember him. Handsome guy, bit of a Ted.
I am coming home in a couple of week’s time and I am looking forward to a few glasses of wine or Jack Daniels in the Railway on Blackburn road, and maybe meeting up with one or two of you guys.

Re: My Hometown
 

Am sure yeh mean Tez B. Mog? knew him pretty well. Also knew Cooky well, n Billy Poole n his younger bro Bobby.:)

Re: My Hometown
 

we will be in the Railway on Sat at 12 till about 2 if your in mog check out back in the smoking area you might find a few members there:D:thepint::thepint::thepint:

Re: My Hometown
 

Yes thats them Cashy. Only young men. Never got to older like me and thee mate.

Re: My Hometown
 

Will do Mick.

Re: My Hometown
 

Dusty Harry may have been Harry Tootle, who lived near and worked down Huncoat pit under Mr Oldcorn & Jimmy Cregg. Harry died a couple of years back.

Re: My Hometown
 

Billy Cooke, now there was a lad, always lived life to the full during the time he was here. Incidentally, Mog, if you are going to be visiting Accy more, could I possibly suggest that at some point you join Cashy and our little crew in the Oaklea and from there onto the Clayton End for the match. A good craic guaranteed! ;)

Re: My Hometown
 

I remember Billy Poole, think he was killed from motorbike crash. His brother Bobby was a mate of mine. Haven't seen him in years. Think they lived on Hudson Street at one time.

Re: My Hometown
 

Cookys step brother G.N. i also knew very well. Lived on Maden St in Church when he got wed, to a lass P.G. used to sup in Oak Tree in those days, last i heard they had moved abroad.

Re: My Hometown
 

Just remembered Bobby Poole. Used to sit on the deck with him as a wide-eyed 16 year old in '67 while he told me tales about his life in swinging London, visiting all the top clubs, buying his gear in Carnaby St etc. Was well-impressed! ;)

Re: My Hometown
 

You heard right Cashy:)

Re: My Hometown
 

Sorry Bob, I remember Harold Tootle. He was too nice to be a miner. Nicest bloke I ever worked with. He nearly came down to Coventry with me in the late sixties. Yes he passed away a year or so. No, the dusty Harry was the son of Dusty Harry who worked at Huncoat. Harry,s job was stone dust Barriers and dust suppression. Hence the name dusty. I think he commited suicide on the road in Within Grove. Billy did die in a motorbike accident. Willie Cooke in an overdose. And I think if Cashy can remember Tez died on the railway. Going down Clayton seems a good idea as I married a gal from Clayton the first time. Big mistake though. I called in the pub at Accringtons ground last time I came up. I knew Bobby Poole but lost track with him and everybody else when I left. Looking forwards to meeting some of you guys and Gals if poss.

Re: My Hometown
 

I think Harry was a conductor on Accrington Transport before he worked at Huncoat Pit. He got the name Dusty as his job was to spread a white powder over all the tunnels to prevent a fire hazard in the road ways. The manager was Bill Oldroyd with Bob Brooks as undermanager, when he went to Bank Hall Pit, Jimmy Clegg came as undermanager and Dick Oldham was the day time overman,

Re: My Hometown
 

As you can see Mog and I worked at Huncoat around the same time and we have sent PMs to each other.

Re: My Hometown
 

Will do. My son plays for Folkestone in the Ryman league. He had a spell at Millway but they ran out of Money so all the young lads were sent away.
Last time I saw Willie was in the Broadway with a young gal and a large funny smelling fag on the go. He used to hang about with another pit lad called Roy Evans or as us pit lads called him. Roy pep pill. Think he lived on Blackburn road either over the road from Cairns Bike shop or maybe near to Jas Aspin. I think thats his name. His dad was a tatoo artist.

Re: My Hometown
 

It's now 47 years since I left Clayton to try and build a better life. This I did, but in the process I gained and lost 2 wives, 2 houses, 3 cars, a cottage at the lake, a boat etc. and loads of money etc.:eek::D Now, at 66, I have every intention of staying "daft". I think I'll pass on the wine, but bring on the Jack and the dope:alright: Anyhow, best of Canadian luck to you buddy ... hope things work out for you. And remember, "daft" is always an option;)

Re: My Hometown
 

Yep was the line right behind Wm Blythes at church, I was working yon at the time, was hell of a shock.:eek:

Roy Evans thats a guy i aint seen fer 25 yrs or so. He used to catch last train back from Blackburn on Friday nights wi me n loads others, Just caught him one night or he would have gone under the train as it pulled in, Alcohol to blame fer that un.:D Jas dad everyone called him jasper, got all me tattoos done yon,always gave us a discount, top geezer.:)

Re: My Hometown
 

Yep, that sounds like Billy! :D

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Here is one I found of Tez. We were in the Bridge. Bob Burnside looking over.

Re: My Hometown
 

Here you are Cashy. Who do you know on these Photo,s

Re: My Hometown
 

only tez on num 1, all 3 faces familiar on 2 but names are long gone.:confused:the end 2 on num 3 also seem familiar.:confused:i put it down to a combination of age,alcohol, n other substances.:D

Re: My Hometown
 

Is that you Mog, and your Brian on number 3?

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Tez and Joyce ? on number one? Lass looks familiar on number 2. Not your Josie is it?
?

Re: My Hometown
 

1. Joyce, Tez and Bob Burnside looking over.
2. Our Josie, Malcolm Taylor and Bob Burnside.
3. Our Brian, Our Dave and Me.

Re: My Hometown
 

Hells bells, me memorys shot at,Malcolm Taylor is a name i'd completely forgot, dunno what he became? Your Brian supped wi us lot in Black Bull, that was in Janices day, n couldn't remember the faces.:o

Re: My Hometown
 

I am looking forward to a very enjoyable weekend visiting My Old Hometown. Also hoping to bump into some of you guys in the Railway on Saturday lunch time. May even watch some football.

Re: My Hometown
 

Won't be in the railway sat mate Stanley are at home, Mick n Less plus whoever will no doubt be in yon.:)

Re: My Hometown
 

Well it has been a very interesting weekend. Went home to have a good look round. Why are there so many houses boarded up throughout Accrington. But it is still the town I grew up in and it was damn good to be back and walk round all the old places that I knew as a young man. I went in The Derby. Something about bee,s knee,s. The broadway met a chap who I knew years ago but only because he knocked about with an old mate of mine called Mick Birtwistle. Tried to get in the Bridge. Shut. or Closed. Went in the spread Eagle for what is Happy Hour or was it Happy All Day Hour. Went in the Railway to find some Accy Webbers. Only couple of blokes in. I asked 1 chap if he was a Accy Webber and he said no but he did come from Accy. Had a good chat with him ( Ray or Roy Bleasdale. ) He was at School in Clayton with our Dave. Met another chap who I swear was not on the same planet as me. He called himself Kitchen or something like that. Couldnt get away from him and he told me the Whole of his working career. After 1/2 hour of this I had to get out. So didnt see any Accy Webbers. Went in The pub by Accy Stanley ground. Is it the Crown. Jam Packed so had couple of drinks and headed to Clayton and the beer festival in the Forts Arms then back to Sparth House and had a good drink. Just a cracking Saturday. I must come up and try again. The smoke room in the Railway is something of a talking point now in my local here in Kent.