Originally Posted by
Duncan Disorderly
I was brought up in this area - on Spofforth Road which is the top end of the first photo. I actually remember the Gas Board tower being built in the (I think) late 1960s. During the space race of that era, all the kids thought we were getting our very own space rocket.
It looks like the first photo was taken outside the greengrocers that was on the corner of Webster Road and Earle Road. Many a memory of lugging 10 pounds of spuds all the way up the road. Just as heavy as my paper bag. I was a paperboy for Parkers just around the corner from where the photo was taken. My round was Webster Road and all the streets off it, Spofforth Road, Cadogan Street around to Alfred Street and all the streets off it. It kept me fit I suppose, something that stayed with me to the present day. I went to Webster Road School from 1965 and then to Earle Road. I visited about 10 years ago but both schools had been demolished.
The photo of Kirkwood’s shop on the corner of Spekeland Road and Webster Road brought back some memories - I even remember the MG sitting outside (I think it was fashionably (for then) orange). Each Thursday that’s where my 2-bob pocket money was spent. Again, I think the photo was taken in the late 1960’s. In about 1972, the then owner - Mr Pope, installed a Polo Mint dispenser outside the shop on the wall between his shop and the house next door. The cost was 5 new pence (this was just after decimalisation) but he kids in the area (me included) discovered that you could use old happenings and still get a packet of polos. It didn’t stay there very long. The adverts on the side wall of the shop are for the ABC and the Scala cinemas - both of which were on Lime Street. I always looked forward to seeing the new posters go up, even if I was far too young to go and actually see the films.
I also note that the roads were still cobbled in the pictures. The day they laid tarmac over the cobbles was a day to remember. We all built go-carts (from old prams and planks of wood with steering by means of a bit of string) that went down Spofforth Road from the top of the hill like the clappers, it really wasn‘t the same being rattled to bits on the cobbles.. If you wanted to go even faster, it was bikes down the newly laid tarmac on Spekeland Road (but it was a bit of a hike to the top) .
A lot of locals worked at the Gas Board works and we were never allowed to play football in the street when they let out - far too many cars, my youngest brother actually got knocked down one night - not too much damage though, just a HUGE bump on his head. The car park opposite the works was only put there in the early 70’s, I remember it as being full of prefabs - some of mum’s friends lived there - and they were posh - they had a fridge!! Actually, when the prefabs were knocked down, we got their fridge!
Thanks for posting the photos (I know it was a while ago, but I’ve only just found the site). They brought back some great memories of growing up there from the early 1960s until we moved in 1977.
The slum clearance era in that was an adventure all in itself. I might get something together, but I think this post is long enough already.
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