Talking about 'doss houses' .. my grandmother used to tell us that there were places they called 'the penny lean' ... the mind boggles ! I get a mental picture of tramps leaning trying to sleep !
Talking about 'doss houses' .. my grandmother used to tell us that there were places they called 'the penny lean' ... the mind boggles ! I get a mental picture of tramps leaning trying to sleep !
It does bring strange images to mind lindy doesn't it !!Originally Posted by lindylou
She was right, Lindy.
In fact they paid a penny to sleep over a rope which was hung from one side of the room to the other.
Sounds like the "Penny Lean" to me.
When was your Gran born, mine was born in 1880.
My grandmother was born in 1905.
She did tell us about the ropes .. but I never believed it! I thought she was having a joke and winding us up.
A rope for people to lean on !! ??? I find it incredible - I can't imagine how you could lean on a rope and fall asleep !! It's hard to imagine the sight of some poor unfortunates slumped over a rope- most uncomfortable I would think !!
must be where that saying comes from about being so tired that you could sleep on a clothes line ! ha,ha.
Seriously though, was this really a fact do you think ? Surely not ! ?
I've got some pictures of these old doss houses, mainly because they were very well built looking residences at some stage in their lives.
The one Gerard is thinking of in Shaw Street was called the 'Unique' - the one Dave is thinking of was in Springfield street, known as Springy locally.
The most famous penny lean was a place on Scotland Road called 'Champion Whates'.
There was also another on William Henry street around the corner from Cotters barbers, it's in Ainscough's Liverpool.
I wanna' see a picture of the rope !!
how did it go today Ged ?
There was one in on the corner of shaw street and the brow called petrus, it only closed a couple of years ago, all the old town characters used to stay there.
Glad you like em pixie,I'll try and get hold of some more mate.
......
Spot on Ged...I forgot about the one on Springy.
Thank you so much for taking the time to find the pictures, they have brought back many happy memories for my dad, (i think he might be the one on the left). The glass place was defo on st anne street, my grandad was still working there in 1960, so greenbergs might have taken over.
My grandmother was born in 1905.
She did tell us about the ropes .. but I never believed it! I thought she was having a joke and winding us up.
A rope for people to lean on !! ??? I find it incredible - I can't imagine how you could lean on a rope and fall asleep !! It's hard to imagine the sight of some poor unfortunates slumped over a rope
must be where that saying comes from about being so tired that you could sleep on a clothes line ! ha,ha.
Seriously though, was this really a fact do you think ? Surely not ! ?
Definitely a fact, Lindy.
It was a rope to sleep against for people too poor to afford a bed.
I suppose you were also supported by the person next to you.
BTW, my Mum was a year older than your Gran.
Rope
Lindylou, just for you!
Today went great thanks, i've posted another ugly pic of me on the 'In a city living' review thread.
You's can all use it for darts practice.
Or to stick on the Back Door to keep the Dog Out the Ouse !!
There were a number of lodging housing along St. Anne street which was once an affluent area of merchants houses until the courts of the inner city encrouched towards them, whereupon the wealthy fled to the southern suburbs. One of these was the Beresford Hotel. There is still a residence next door or next door but one to the new fire station and Queen Victoria and Albert once stayed there and because of this the owners were allowed to put a small bust of the pair either side of the doorway portico which are still there today.
My mam and dad lived in Queen Anne Place before moving to Gerard Crescent in 1960. Some photos attached taken in the 1950's. Sorry the quality is not very good on some of them.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks