George

Re posts 39/40

It was probably Lizzie's first sick note as well !    I don't think she was one of those who took 2 weeks off for a broken eyelash  (as happens today) !!!  Lizzie worked at the Manufacturing Co. (in her earlier working years ) with Win Winterbottom and in the "Mr Henri" era (he of Henri-Lloyd fame).  I often went to work with Win when on a week's visit - very entertaining and interesting (elf and safety wouldn't allow it now).  They were nice girls in the factory and I'd spend the afternoons in the park - wouldn't be allowed to go there on my own at that age nowadays !!    I also remember going to Horwich End to watch a big chimney being "blown-up" (the Mevrill ?) - early-mid sixties.  Happy days !

Thank you George for the "blast from the past" 

Gnats.

Edited by user 20 August 2009 19:04:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hmmm

My memory isn't that good that I would remember who was standing next to me (although I did think it was a chimney I was watching) !! What a shame I didn't know you were watching too, we could have discussed the merits of chimneys vs. gas towers 

Gnats

Edited by user 20 August 2009 20:20:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Good grief R.S-S !!

Its the same woman isn't it? How long has she been standing there? Perhaps she is a "cardboard cut-out" created by Mr Turner to give the impression that business is doing well.      It appears she may be the only person left in the village judging by the lack of personages in Market Street.

Excellent photo. What replaced the shop - did Plants extend (I seem to remember it being bigger than in the picture).

Thanks 

Gnats

Edited by user 23 August 2009 11:32:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

What a mysterious photo! Who is the woman? What has happened to the child? Where are all the people? What time of day is it, indeed what day is it? Your photo throws up more questions than answers R.S-S.

Yes Gnatalee, you are quite right in thinking that Plants expanded into Turners.

Edited by user 23 August 2009 19:04:29(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Looking at George's fine photograph of the Austin 10 outside Turner's brings back vague memories of the Dr Who-style St John's ambulance box on the right.

Does anyone have any idea what it was for? (No prizes offered).

Mr Stephenson-Smythe's photo of the same area looks like it may have been taken on a Sunday afternoon  judging by the lack of traffic and angle of the sun. The clock on the Mechanics, Plants modern-looking illuminated sign and the street lights would put it in the 1960's, but at the time as I recall nothing was allowed to open on Sundays apart from the newsagents, so it's maybe a bit surprising that Cecil was open for business.

I can add very little to the story of the ambulance boxes. Some of the photographs published by Furness Vale History Society show the box in front of the building which now houses the chippy. These photos are undated but the dress of people in the pictures appears to be Edwardian. The box carries the words StJohn's Ambulance FV & WB Division. The boxes are obviously an early feature and predate the 999 service. Perhaps they were not locked as people were much more respectful of such equipment at that time.

The chippy building, by the way, appears to have been part of the shop next door, now Spencer's.  It straddled the colliery tramway which ran from Furness Clough, under Buxton Road and the railway, down to a canal wharf.

Frankie

I'm afraid I just don't know.  The photos don't show a key cabinet but your supposition might well be correct.

Hi

Looking at the shop window I see that Darts Cigarettes are 4d for 10. Now inflation was quite high in the 50's from 51 to 56 so if anyone can remember when ciggies were 1/- for 30! it might be useful.