Hi,
A very interesting site and I was led to it in doing a search on Google for my old school, which was then called the Crosland Moor Council School, and which stood next to the St. Luke's Hospital not far from the Blackmoorfoot Road Methodist Chapel.
My memories of the 'Holy' Well go back to my boyhood when I lived at 20 William Street, and I used to play cricket on the recreation ground to which William Street led, and extended beyond Frederick Street. I was then 8 years old and it was 1946 when we moved to Crosland Moor from a village near Shrewsbury, when my Dad came out of the Army. So I got to know the area very well and in the summer my friends and I would walk to cricket matches at Marsden, Slaithwaite, (yes I can pronounce it proper!) Golcar, Broad Oak and Padock!!
We would play cricket all day in the rec and go down to drink water from the sandstone 'trough' full of crystal clear water, though where it came from I don't know, but it never stopped running.
The photographic views are very interesting and particularly the view looking down to the cottages in Milnsbridge, at the side of the Manchester Road. When strong winds blew against the moor we would stand at the edge looking down to these cottages and see how far we could lean into the wind!
I last went back to have a look at the old house and tried to find the 'well' about 1976 but I must have taken a wrong path along the moor and being short of time missed it. However by chance when I went down William Street to number 20, I bumped into the 'boy' who had lived opposite our house.....Geoffrey Pearson! We were amazed that we both still recognised each other as we had not met since 1949! My friend at 50 William Street was no longer there, nor my friend from 16, Frederick Street.
Happy daze! I have bookmarked your site to return again as it is full of interest and for me some very nostalgic memories. Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Andrew M. Ockenden now living in Nottingham
e-mail me at [email protected]
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