Trip to Accrington
 

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.:)

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Mewmories...... eh Terry. 1988...that's now a long time ago. You wouldn't believe the changes that have happened since then. Remember its 16 almost 17 years ago.

Didn't know you were an ex-trainspotter...so was I. Spent many a happy (and lonely) hour, on Church station or near Accy Sheds waiting for a "Namer" to come through.

I may be in your neck of the woods next winter. Sydney.... to see our son, plus a little tour of the little island of Australia!!

If you come over again. Bring some armour and get a bouncer for protection at night!!!

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Hi Darby. Fortunately for me, I lived next to the railway line not far from the iron bridge.(Burnley line) I used to see all the weekend specials coming through to Blackpool and other places. Lots of 'namers then. Preston was my usual haunt or crewe. I am surprised in hindsight that my parents let me go so far afield. There was always one namer that frequented Accy. It was 'India' a jub.

Don't know if you remember it?

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yeah, I remember "India". It was quite a rarity to see a namer going through Accy. Usually, just mickeys, black-5's and crabs (I know this will all be double dutch to non-trainspotters). Spent many a happy hour sneaking round Charter Street sidings.

Terry, I bet you had a shock when you walked past Peel Park and saw that what was once a well-appointed football ground had completely vanished, stands, floodlights and all.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yeah Winonie I can remember walking up past the Peel Park area and there no pictures in my head at all of the area which must have been the footy ground. I am bound to have made remarks about it to my wife because I used to watch Stanley regularly. But for the life in me I can't recall any reaction I may have had:o

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Incidentally, Terry, next time you come over whenever that may be, you might care to take a look at the IES (or even take in match). You'd be surprised at how the phoenix has risen from the ashes.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yeah I remember the Jubilee's and India, as I then lived on India Street.

W-H: The sidings on Charter St., and the sheds. Use to get chased away most times though. Now there's a small housing estate where the sidings use to be!!

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yes, I've seen it and it's so quiet round there now. I always remember the area as a cacophony of noise from the engines working up a head of steam, the trucks being shunted around, the coal rattling through that giant concrete coal bunker and, of course, the machine sounds from Bulloughs' Charter Street works.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Terry, would Joe Addison be from fern gore area originally, my grandma who would be 104 if still living was called Addison before she married her name was martha and married John Edmundson in the 1920s.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Janet. Oh gee whiz I don't know. They both would be in their 70's now. Beth used to be manageress in the store(woolworths I think) that was built on top of the sunken gardens in Broadway. A friend of my mothers. She married Joe soon after that. Joe, as far as I know worked in Accy from that period. A storeman (engineering somewhere) I don't know anything about his history before that. Sorry I can't help. Wish I could. They live at 14 Birkett Rd, if you want to follow up.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

I know my grandma had a brother called joe, he moved to Australia donkeys years ago i did'nt know him, thought he could be related to the joe you know.Next time you speak to your friends you will have to ask them, you never know we may be distant relatives.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Terry...you serious.....your aussie wife laughed at the name Oswaldtwistle.....What about Murwillumbah?????? Woolloomoolloo (not sure if I spelt that right)..... but as you must know there are some real strange place names on your side of the world.
Seriously though...glad you saw the difference......and it is a good view from the top of the coppice. There used to be a lectern sort of thing with a brass plaque on it and it told you all the names of the places when you looked towards the horizon at a particular point.....it pointed out Pendle hill, Hameldon etc.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yes Margaret she laughed. There sure are some wacky names in Oz, mostly aboriginal, but I guess it's what you get used to.:D:D

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Like Indooripilly and Mooloolabah.......yes I suppose you do.....I was there 8 weeks ago and if they built a road I would walk it back! Love the bones of the place..... but I suppose that is because my baby sister is there (QLD).

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

I am sure joe addison went to springhill council school was a big mate of teddy barnes who along with his wife irene are well known singers

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

hi all this brings it all back to me standing by the railway at within grove in the early 60s jubs unrebuilt scots queen victories riflemen was often on blackpool spls b1s stembok reindeer also any body remember the railway that used to go from huncoat mine to altham coke works used to go over wooden tressle bridge taking coal to altham used to spend a lot of time in huncoat brick sdgs signalbox near to accy cricket ground used to also spend many hours at rosegrove shed mostly doug dees 8fs jintys trainspotting what a hobby in those long past days

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

I know what you mean Rosegrove...but a few full stops would let me get my breath back :D :D :D

Blackpool specials....Stembok I saw one Sunday morning going through Church Station.............Train Spotters.....real ones themdays...Ian Allen Number Books....mi mum threw mine away-........cried for days afterwards :D :D :D

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

hi anybody remember when accrington loco shed ;closed to steam locos .i know 1963 it was all diesel units no steam. can anbody remember the coal mine in the centre of accy just past the old swimingbaths. just mists of times coming back to me while i have been using this site

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Is that Scaitcliffe Pit you are referring to?

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Accy sheds closed to steam in 1961. It was an important depot in its time - the main depot for the North East Lancs region with sub-depots at Lower Darwen and Rosegrove.

Scaitcliffe pit, at the top of St James Street, closed in 1962 or 63.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

I was once told that Eric Morcambe worked at Scaitcliffe pit, during WW2 I believe.

My father-in-law also worked there, and always said that the coal seams were too low, and had too much water in them!

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

thanks darby about info accy steam shed. plus info on coalmine yes thats the one i was thinking of .remember it working you could see the winding wheels back of the baths .and when it closed we used to play in the old buildings the shaft had been filled in yours rosegrove

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

We used the old pit buildings as a hangout round about 1964 for a crafty fag, well away from parental observation. We also had a stash of "Parades" (a well-known girlie mag of the 50's/60's) which we hid in one of the old lockers. One day we discovered that some unscrupulous individual had nicked the lot! Wasn't you, was it, Rosegrove?

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

hi what have they done with the land were the pit and the swimming were , i suppose that chip shop has also gone which was oposite the ,baths oh for a english chip shop not any in birmingham regards rosegrove

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

The chip shop across from the baths was great........I can almost taste the lovely hot chips liberally sprinkled with vinegar...... and the lady who ran the shop used to take pity on us because she knew we were from a big family and we used to get broken bits of fish put in with the chips. The whole area has changed and there are offices where the chip shop and the pub used to be. John Smiths Junction Pub. Not sure if anything has been built on the old site of the swimming baths.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Good chippy, but not as good as the legendary Leonard's! :)

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

the young lads of today probably have the updated versions of parade stashed at the skate park not to far away from the old baths site winnonie harris.and sneek an odd fag LOL

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Is there still a swimming pool in Accy? - Oh, I am sorry, a LEISURE CENTRE - as we have to call the baths now. - Or do I have to nip down to the Tinker Brook on a nice morning and frighten the ducks?

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Yes pendy there is & it's only about 100yds from the Stag, so while you're going for a swim David can go for a pint of Staggers real ale.
:drink:

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

sports centre at church nearest

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Ahhhh Lens...That's where the worlds best chips were made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

personnally used to like the chippy on church st.dosnt seem the same now maybe it changed hands

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Anybody remember Barnes Street Chippy on Saturday night in the sixties it was packed
out,you had to que for both the sell out and back room cafe.
The best chippie at the moment is Clayton Street chippie at Gt Harwood (bloodie good
stuff),.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

I have so many fond memories of going to -- and through -- Accrington in my youth (from Burnley). Going to: Saturday night dances at the Ritz in the late 1940s -- Trying to find a lost love (Accrington girl I fell in love with on holiday at IOM in 1948 - never did find her!) -- Lancashire League cricket matches. Going through: mostly to Blackpool on August Bank Holidays in the 1930s & during the war years -- "Passion Express" Saturday night excursions to Blackpool (Tower ballroom) in the late 1940s -- going to Burnley FC away matches at various destinations in the post-war years -- changing trains to southern destinations.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

an old miner from scaitcliffe told me you could get up into huncoat pit through one of the shafts, hes passed away now but he was known as a straight guy. i was never down it but was at bank hall for a while.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Scaitcliffe pit thats was a place I know a bit about first my late father worked there till he moved to the ncb garage working nights driving one of the two coaches used to take miners to there homes after the late shifts and picking them up for the early shifts secondly my late eldest brother ronnie worked there for quite a long time as an electrician along side albert Illingsworth his mother had a chip shop first in ormerod st then willows lane both albert and my brother worked under mr tom redmayne the pits engineer thirdly I myself was a ncb driver and when things got busy there did the odd load all the coal was off poor quality and put through a crusher at huncoat to be mixed with better coal to make it burn even the coal for the scaitcliffe boiler had to be brought from bankhall burnley The two regular drivers based at scaitcliffe were the late tommy o,brian driving a sixwheeler leyland tipper and the late albert <dodger> green overseeing the whole pit the pit top foreman joe wright who believe me was quite a character

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

interesting recollections keith.

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Lived on Leyland Street in the 70's and a lad from across the road fell through one of them Shed roofs.Must have been about 10 ´then.He was a wild one but not that bad

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

The lad involved in the shed incident father was a lorry driver who for a while worked for the firm who took over the sheds from british rail that firm being jacks motors which was part of the gilbraith group this was well after the lads fall, as quite a lot of money was spent on making the building waterproof the first thing was of course the roof the second was a 25ton crane as part of the space was for platt saco lowell exports jacks had the contract for all there storage and export transport The third job was the floor as the train lines had to be taken up a firm from rishton did most of the work except the crane that was done by the firm that built the crane morris then an established crane maker Two years in a lot of the space was taken by a firm called TAR RESIDUALS who imported all sorts of chemicals and powders most of it coming through preston docks ask any one who lived in the vicinity about the queue of wagons along charter street For a few years it wa kept pretty full then came the demise of platts and then chemicals started coming in containers that was the beginning of the end TAR RESIDUALS bought part of a dock at goole hey presto there we where gone shut down it is know owned by a steel firm

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

One of the best Chip shops was on the right hyand side of Whalley Rd,Accrington almost opposite a Methodist Church

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Milton Street, Clayton, theres still a chippy there am I right Kate, it was there a couple of years ago, but it was closed, so do they still put on a good feed??

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Clayton Street Chippy in Great Harwood used to be a good un too Barry, don't know whether thats still open either but the F & C there were first class

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Still there Alan .. was going to take a piccie for you tonight to show you how the outside has not changed. Unfortunately, big muscled people sat on that little wall and didn't think they would appreciate it.

Haven't been in for yonks .. think some Chinese people have it now, although the sign still says 'Milton Street Chippie'

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

There are maps of the old coal workings under Accrington in the library, they should show what you the links were.

Retlaw

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

cheers retlaw, will check them out if i remember, am away fer 1 month on sunday.:)

Re: Trip to Accrington
 

Looks like you got of lightly cashy, thought you'd have got longer than that:D:p