Spring Lane

Family In Spring Lane It was our last walk along Spring Lane before setting off for Blackpool the next morning. Grandma, the Aunts and Miss Carter (who wore Pink) called for us and as they walked along talking about all the little things they had to do before the cabs came the next morning. Willie and Annie Murgatroyd came running up to George and I, Annie saying that they would see us at the station the next morning as they were going to their Auntie’s at Blackpool. “What’s the matter with Willie”, said Grandma. “He’s got the mumps” shouted Annie. “Oh dear me”, said Mother, “that’s the last straw. Children, put your hankies to your noses”. “I’ve never had the mumps”, said Miss Carter, “and look, Mr. Taylor (the Bank Manager) is coming. Let us all turn back quickly”, and the year was 1908. Finished mounted size 20” x 27” Finished mounted size 20” x 26” Finished framed size 25” x 31”

Gathering Blackberries

Gathering Blackberries It was our last afternoon at Blackpool, so Mother said, “Let us go gathering blackberries in the Enchanted Garden. We’ll take them back with us tomorrow, along with all the apples Grandpa got from St. Michaels”, so our last afternoon at Blackpool was a very happy one, except for the thought that we had to say Goodbye to our pond, and the little moorhens and the lovely Enchanted Garden, “But never mind George, when we get back home to Lees, it will soon be Christmas with that little horse you want, then, after Christmas it will be Spring and Grandpa’s and Blackpool again”, and the year was 1906. Finished mounted size 16” x 21” Finished framed size 21” x 23”

The Map In The Newsagents

The Map In The Newsagents It was always sad to see the little red Flags on the Map in the newsagents shop in Lees Road. I always got off the tram there so that I could see how near to Paris the war had got and as I looked each week it seemed as though the war would never end. Life was very hard for all of us. There was no time now for holidays, it was always work! and the year was 1916. Finished mounted size 13” x 15” Finished framed size 16” x 18”

Buying Ducks for Christmas

Buying Ducks For Christmas Mother said it wouldn’t be long before it was Christmas and that we’d better be thinking about Ducks! Grandpa was coming to stay with us for a few days, and Grandpa loved Duck, so, although it had snowed through the night, the Aunts and Miss Carter (who wore Pink) called for Mother, George and I, decided to go up to Warfe’s Farm and see if they had any Ducks. When we arrived there, Annie Warfe was feeding the hens, and, there quacking along in a line were the Ducks, so Mother asked if they could let us have four, and they arrived in time for Grandpa and all of us to have a Good Dinner and the year was 1906. Finished mounted size 13” x 15” Finished framed size 16” x 18”

The Park in Manchester

“The Park In Manchester” On Saturday Afternoon, whilst staying with Uncle John and Aunt Josephine in Manchester, we always went for a walk to the Park, because, as Uncle John said, the children could run about, the Ladies could take turns in pushing Marion in her pram, and the Gentlemen could talk to their hearts content. How George and I loved it. I always begged to walk as far as the little gate so that I could look through to the beautiful houses and the quiet road where only smart carriages drawn by dainty horses went and there were nurse maids taking tiny tots for a walk. It was very quiet and peaceful and someday, I told George, I would go and live in one of those lovely houses and he could come and live in it with me and the year was 1907. Finished mounted size 13” x 15” Finished framed size 16” x 18”