Memories of The War Years

I was 6yrs old when war was declared, and as I became older I realised Ushaw Moor had been a very safe place to be, although it did have its moments, like the time a bomb fell in the graveyard I remember and felt it well.

As I was going down the stairs to to our air raid shelter which had been built under the stairs I suddenly felt violent vibrations through my feet, and the house seemed to be moving,very scary. Off course there were other signs of the war, I wonder if there is anyone around now who remembers the soldiers and ATS girls who were billeted in the Memorial Hall, Somehow the word must have got around the army camp that there was always a warm welcome at the Webster house at 48 Temperance Tce, it gave my mum great pleasure to give these soldiers & A T S girls a cosy home to come to for a few hours.

Often at night tucked up in bed I would hear their laughter, while my dad slaved over a hot fire cooking dozens of potato fritters, if I was lucky my dad would bring me one all golden and crisp with salt and vinegar. I also remember the soldiers having drill practice in front of our house.

Remembering your Street Parties – Community Celebrations

Street parties are for life, not just for Jubilees.

Do you remember having any street parties in and around Ushaw Moor, maybe it was for the Royal Wedding, or another celebration,

What sort of things did u do ?

Did u decorate the entire street with bunting ?

Would you or are u having a street party for the Jubilee ?

Tell us all about it

 

Streets Alive promotes street parties for good neighbourly reasons and it is a great excuse to hold one for a Jubilee as a national occasion. This has a long tradition which started in 1919 and 1 million joined in for last year’s royal wedding. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will take place over an extended weekend from the 2nd to the 5th of June. You may want to hold your street party on the Sunday or Monday when most people would be around.

 

Street Parties for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012.

Dale Street, Maple Park, Aldridge Ct

I was quite struck by the comments about Ladysmith Terrace and who lived there in the 1970′s.

It seems like so long ago that I grew up in Ushaw Moor. My parents seemed to love moving house. In fact I lived in four separate houses there. I started in Dale Street. From what I can remember the following kids lived in our street. David and Andrew Richardson, Colin Hird, Dawn and Paul Smirthwaite, Stephen and David Hagar, Paul and Karen Macalevey.

By the time I was seven I had moved to Maple Park, which probably was the most community spirited place I have ever lived. Once again loads of nice families and lots of kids. There was Michael Melia who lived near the Hutchinsons, who had a couple of kids. Across the gap was Dennis Hunter and his sister Tracy. Next Door to them was the Moralee family, James, Paul, Susan and Stephen. The next Family across the gap was The Cross family, who had Kevin, Alan, Carol and Alison. Next door to them as the Willis family who had a few kids although I can only remember Stephen. Next door to them was the Tones family who had Christine and Barry. Further up the street was the Graysons who had twins Neville and Tom and their sister Sandra. Two doors along from them were the George family who had two daughters one called Susan and I cant remember the other one. Myself and our kid lived in 22 facing the green. Just down from us were the Morgans Alan and Bernadette and next door to them were the Thompsons Robert, Stephen, Gary and their sister who’s name escapes me. Finally there was the Elwick’s on the end house who had two daughters one called Anita.

I moved from there to Aldridge Court, which was far more spaced out, but at least the houses had central heating and finally Hall avenue, which is where I lived until I left the village in 1988.

I loved living there and wouldn’t have swapped my childhood for the world.

 

Posted on behalf of Michael