Cycle Ride to and Around Werneth, Oldham. Now & Then. Days Gone.
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- Опубліковано 21 кві 2022
- After moving to Shaw in 1965, ten years later in 1975, I visited the place with my 35mm camera and again in 1977. First in my Hillman Imp and then in my Hunter. Upon reflextion, I should have taken more pictures (slides). But I didn't because I couldn't afford the film. Watch the first few minutes of this video and I think you'll get the gist of this electric bike ride. Question is, how many cars (now classic) can you spot meagerly parked up here and there?
Well done Derek. I was born at 35 Plum St , 91 years ogo, i never thought i would hear of it again..
when i lived there, it was a dirty old town, but i loved it, and the people. , Proud Oldhamers.
Alan Walkden
Hi Alan. Acording to my channel I haven't replied to you. I have, last week. But this is strange. As I get older (71) I think about Werneth and my childhood more and more. At the time it all seemed magical but there again I was a child. Still weird though. Do you remember a building which I think was abandoned on Manchester Street. It was situated between the bottom of Coppice St and the bottom of Plough St. A dark forboding dusty building that could have been a church, maybe? Thanks for the comment.
HI Derek, The building was Werneths Mechanic's Institute. Used to teach basic engineering and wood working skills. It was used during the war to feed poor children with free meals AW.
Thanks Alan. All that time and I never knew that. I assume when I started taking notice of thing around me it had closed down as it had that abandonned lost look about it. There was another building right at the bottom of Windsor Rd on the right just before the terraced houses started. This was higher than the terraces but again looked lost. Before it, on the corner, was Windsor Motors. I remember it had showroom windows wrapping round the corner onto Manchester St. The other mystery building can been seen on the slide of Windsor Road down at the bottom on the left. Thanks again.
Hi Derek, I was born in 54 Block lane, whole family immigrated to Australia December 1963 , grandmother lived at Cowhill , dad returned and lived in Mora Avenue Baretree estate Chadderton cheers 🍻 and thanks
I'm very impressed with your cycling in the past. I had a bike in the 60's but never went as far as you did. And if you moved to Australia in 1963 you did the right thing. Whatever you do, don't even think about coming back here. The country has gone to the dogs. When you lived here it was still okay but not now. Compared to Australia it's only a tiny island. But the population is going through the roof. That's all I'm saying on the subject! Cheers.
I grew up in oldham I lived in Claremont nursery before it closed down in 1979 that was in wernerth then lived in failsworth John street then Marion walkers werneth then Franklin street children home would have loved to see how these places are now as I don’t live in England anymore thanks for this video glad I came across it 😊
Hi Martine. I'm sorry to say but Werneth isn't the place it used to be, well, not around the Manchester St area. Developers ruined it by running a dual carriageway right through the middle. Where was Claremont Nursery? Would I recognise it? Everything in those days seemed hunky dorey but I suppose as a child it would do, wouldn't it. Even Werneth Park isn't what it used to be. They removed a large chunk of it to build the other lane of that dual carriageway. But now there are that many trees in the place you can't see anything. At one time you could see all over Manchester. Miles and miles. But the trees are blocking the view. I could go on moaning which what you do when you get old, lol. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713 it was in werneth I can’t remember the street name it was on but the house was like a mansion it was for children and babies that was put into care. I know it closed down in 1979 it’s such a shame that the history and the buildings got destroyed by so called development I know that Tom my field market is no longer around as well I loved that market it was cool
I'd think where I lived was mainly terraced houses. If you are talking of mansions and well to do type houses I think they start to appear on Windsor Rd further up. Or Frederick St near the park. Werneth was once a place for well - off people on Windsor Rd and Frederick Street. Go on Google maps. You might be able to see these houses many of which are still there. I'll have a dekko later myself. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713 thank you I will and I think it could have been Fredrick st it rings a bell
Enjoyed that Kid. Hard to think I was born in the front bedroom of that house with the black door (341 Manchester Street) in the final photo almost 65 years ago on the 29th April 1957!!
Hi Kid. Yes, I'd forgotten about you being born upstairs at 341. If it was during the day, I would be downstairs trying to read my Beano comic. I should have taken more pictures. Like Folson St at the top end of Plough St or bottom end of Coppice St which has gone. Or the paper shop on the corner of Bright St where me and Billy Greaves would buy our bubble gum, jubblies, Sherbert Fountains and liquorice sticks and caps for our toy guns. The mystery is the front door on Manchester St next to Marion and Alan's with a white sign overhead. I don't remember that at all. Next doors was 343 so that could be 345 and then the corner shop - Parker's. I remember late one night a drunk ran his car right into the shop. The buildings shook. Alan England, donning his dressing gown and slippers, ran down to the police station to raise the alarm only to be told 'calm down grandad!' He was only about 30 at the time. And next door the other was Ogden's sweet shop later to become Mrs Cropper's. No wonder I needed loads of filling when I was in the juniors lol. If I remember we had our very own outside toilet at the top of the communial yard but many other must have been sharing with neigbours as there wasn't all that many places to go. No central heating. Single glazed windows. Tin bath in front of the fire. One tiny gas geyser for hot water in the only sink in the tiny out kitchen. People moan these days about living in poverty. Thay haven't a clue. Living there at Manchester St was living in poverty but no one thought it at the time. They all just got on with life. Happy days.
That's how I remember it too.......
Hi Kid. Right I've looked at the slide of Manchester St and managed to zoom in enough to see what the white sign above the front door says - Hair Stylist! and next door's sweet shop is saying - G Hadfield Family Butcher. Now, when we lived there, the butcher's shop was right across the road. I can't remember the name but it wasn't Hadfield's. So that's a puzzle. Next door was Wardel's Bread shop. Helen reckons her aunty Joyce did have an hair dressers somewhere on Manchester St. It could have been upstairs above Parkers. There's something at the back of my mind that tells me it was there when we lived there. 70er. oops.
Me and dad were cyclists, no motor, raced and touring, always training through Hebden Bridge to Leeds etc , once road to Scarborough
Great to see how time changes places. My Ancestors lived on Windsor Road. You cycled past it in the video. I was hoping to see some old photos of Platt Brothers' works. My family worked there in the 19th century. Thank you for taking us on a trip around Werneth.
the good old days less traffic on the roads more grass and old classic cars beautiful times Derek
Dad, Eric Schofield was a member of Oldham Century cycling club
Oldham born and bred. You're right, there was a great Bohemian community when I lived in Werneth, before the dual carriageway destroyed it. I'm watching from the Republic of Ireland. Thanks for the video. Time for a visit 👍
Just got back off a holiday and found your comment. Thanks for watching this video and as I've said before, I wish I'd have taken more pictures. Cheers.
Watching this from South Africa where I've been for the last 42 years. I went to Werneth school from 1957 to 1964 and it still looks the same to me. Your video brought back some happy memories. When you got off your bike across from the school, that used to be the coal pit hills leading over to the red flats.
Hi Peter. Wow. South Africa. They say that Africa is the very place where modern man originally came from and spread around the world. I always feel some deep rooted feeling when I see anything on TV about Africa.
Now here's a thing. Born at Woodfield Maternity Home (bottom end of Werneth Park) on the 29th Sept 1951, I went to Werneth when I was 5 in the infants where my mum left me clinging to the railing and crying for her. That would be the infants and juniors about 1956 to 1963 probably the year before you. Teachers I remember were Miss Thornly, Mrs Broadbent, Mr Powel, Mr Taylor (Deputy Head) and Miss Baker (Head Mistress). She reminded me of The Queen Mother lol.
It seems to be a modern trend these days in the UK to demolish oldy worldy schools to make way for flashy modern rubbish which after 30 years or so need serious repairs or demolishing themselves.
The older photo I took of the school and clock tower clearly shows I was stood on an elevated grassy postion high above the road. That is now all flattened leaving it not possible to take a good comparison shot without stepladders. Happy memories of a very different world. Oh, and by the way, I'd like my Hillman Hunter back and I'll tell you summat else. Getting older is greatly overrated lol. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713 Hi Derek. I was born August 1953, just over the hill on Kennedy St. I don't remember Miss Thornly, but I do remember the other four now you mention their names, I also recall a Mr. Simpson who I think was an English teacher on the junior side. Lots of places on this video I didn't recognise now they have changed so much. Reminds me of the Oldham Tinkers song "Is the Owl becoming a Flamingo"
Hi Peter. I tried replying yesterday but either UA-cam or my laptop was playing up. Anyway, I can now type.
You must have been just behind me at Werneth School and when I left the juniors, I and nearly all the others moved on to Hollins Secondary Modern seniors on Lyndhurst Rd off Hollins Rd. It's been demolished - of course it has. replaced with some shiney modern tack.
But it must always be Werneth School and living on Manchester Street for 13 years that I remember fondly. It was totally different then than it is now. As I've said in other comments for this video, Werneth was practically a small village with everything you'd wish for. But all has gone never to return.
Am I the only person on this planet that can just about remember Mrs Watson? She was a little old lady that lived next door when I was very small. A dark and dingy house with one sink and a cold water tap. No electric and a shared toilet at the top of the yard next to an air raid shelter. Gas lights in each room and open coal fire places in each room downstairs and up. Even when I was small she seemed tiny. Always in black with a shawl over her head. Long gone and forgotten I expect.
There are pathetic people these days that complain of living in poverty in the UK!!! Well, I'd love to have a look at their living conditions and compare them to Mrs Watson's house. Even illegal immigrants flooding into this country would faint at the prospect of being housed in a house like her's. Cheers.
Thank you for showing this 😊
Will show this to mum she will love it ❤
Yes, I should have had a ride along Burlington Avenue and then around St Thomas's church but really I just wanted to do the film and get the hell out of it lol. The thing I noticed was the apparent absence of dogs! No barking or dog walkers anywhere. I think we'll move back there. Cheers.
Hiya Derek,
Thanks for the very useful information about street view and the update on Oldham,
Last time I was up there Hollins was closed and had notices stuck here and there showing it had been used for other things before that. I stood across the road and took some pictures.
As a pupil I used to stand in the upstairs corridor and look onto the houses facing the school on Lyndhurst Rd. I thought they were rather "Fine" houses and loved the bay windows and little shelter thing above the door. They looked a bit fancy to me but still cosy to my mind!
I often thought when I grow up if I was ever rich enough I would live in one of the houses that faced the girls gate. It never happened but it was the dream at the time, the expectations of Youth.
I went to Hollins from 1961 to 1965. I remember My Dowson too and Mr Rawlinson as Headmasters.
Mr Clough and Mr Farrell were really nice as Form teachers and Mr Farrell was a good story teller about famous people and their little quirks. These were random stories he would come out with just after register or something.
He was very engaging, looking back. He kept our class on board with with some story or other rather than a rod of iron or being noticeably strict. He imparted information in a conversational manner which seemed more palatable to the class in general. (those who liked to mess about for instance!)
Mr Simpson made who us sit up and was quite scary, always making a grand entrance.
As the door was flung open, he would walk in without a word then bang his brief case down.
Silence would descend on the whole class at his presence, but this rather terrifying man turned out to be the only teacher ever, who told me face to face that I was good at something.
In that moment he was so gentle and softly spoken I saw another side of him. It was a bit surreal because I'd felt sick, I was so scared when I walked up to his desk at the end of the lesson.
He praised my last piece of work and made very generous comments on my ability. I listened to him thinking, "Are you sure this is me you are talking about?" I was so taken aback.
At first I thought I was in trouble because he wrote in my book "See me at end of lesson." It was in red pen too which usually meant trouble for somebody!
Mr Selby, Mrs White domestic science. Mr Marsden who married our history teacher, and Mrs Yates, were a few during my time.
Mrs Pilgrim and Miss Pierson seemed like very old ladies to me when I started at eleven.
Mrs Pilgrim was someone you didn't mess with. She always wore big round beads to match colours of her outfits and Miss Pierson liked to wear pearls.
With her white hair in waves and thin rimmed glasses she looked like a story book maiden aunt to me. I always felt this belied the true nature of the beast and I was right!
In Mr Simpsons class one day, as he used the blackboard he said sternly, the next person to speak will get the strap.
The lad behind poked me in the back a couple of times. After the third sharp jab of a ruler or something I turned and mouthed to him, "Pack it in!"
I must have been more vocal than I intended and in that second Mr Simpson whizzed round and asked who spoke. I hesitated then put up my hand. I was sent to Miss Pierson who it turned out dished out corporal punishment if it was for a girl.
I stood in front of this tiny woman who looked like a little bird in build. She didn't flinch but without a word took out the strap and said, "Hold out your hand!
She brought the strap down on my hand with such force my brain reeled with the stinging pain.
"Other hand." She said. The pain that tiny woman inflicted!
She was like when a pro whacks a tennis ball with all their might, and it makes them grunt.
Walking back to the classroom I shook my throbbing hands to bring them back to life.
The exertion that woman put into it! I kept thinking after, "I knew she was more dangerous than she looked.
I loved going up town with my mum and we would sit in the indoor market cafe. I loved the ranch style boards which enclosed it but you could still see over the top of.
The biggest treat was hot Vimto and a kit kat bar. Pure joy!
There was a toy stall across the way that we viewed from our table and we would play the game of, "What would you get if you had all the money in the world?"
Thankfully I didn't have to compete with a mobile phone during these thoughtful times of wishful thinking.
Mum joined me in sharing her choices of toys as we went across the rows in turn bags-in what was to become ours in our time of plenty!
The old roundabout was still on Tommy field when I left Oldham and I remember the stall with piles of piled up muffins so high they tended to lean over towards the top.
You do remember the best bits you want to remember, it's true but I know much of the joy we shared back then was from each others company and using what there was about at the time rather than bought stuff.(Chance is a fine thing!)
Bricks lying around were stacked into armchair shapes and big dock leaves were used as plates. Red brick dust and other bits were carrots. We had rich imaginations and is perhaps why as children we viewed things differently.
There were tragic cases of extreme poverty even more for the generation before mine and I know that but it seemed a lot of decent little houses got bulldozed rather than bring them up to scratch.
I even knew and was known by every one on my Grandma's street and across the road.
That is the lower end where she lived because it was a very long street.
They bull dozed her end which were stone cottages with a long communal yard but kept the red brick house at the top half of the street intact, even to this day.
Speaking of which, I'm not a fan of what they've done on Shaw Rd Oldham. (Higginshaw.)
I spent a lot of time up there in school holidays at my Grandma's.
I joined the kids outside who played kick out a ball on a side street off Shaw Rd, Higginshaw.
It was so frowned upon to kick the ball so hard it rolled close to the main road going across. Not for our own safety's sake but you couldn't risk the ball getting popped under the wheels of a passing bus or lorry. We only had that one ball.
I loved the back yards in Higginshaw with the old outdoor loo's and coal sheds.
We used to jump from one dustbin lid to another and then climb on the coal shed roof to sit and chat or view a game of marbles from above.
All those hundreds of houses and yards, once a hive of activity are now just a wide empty grass verge.
Getting off a bus late at night must feel a bit risky. We always thought if something dodgy was happening or you felt scared you just had to go to the nearest house and knock on the door for help.
The houses I saw on street view were well set back from the road behind the green verges and with back gardens facing. It would be a job to get there in a hurry and then round the front of building.
It just seems very alien to the interesting lively buzz of the place I remembered from a kids perspective. Lot's of little shops. Paper shop, chippy, toffee shop, herbalist that sold sarsaperilla for an old penny or tuppence for a bigger glass Bakers and a launderette and cobblers.
However if the people living there now are happy to have the empty green verges then so be it. I am now just an on looker with fond memories!
I loved the programme made about St Mary's before it was bulldozed.
A Granada production called The Street, I think.
It was very moving. An elderly lady called Mrs Brown notes how people passing by would always say, Good morning Mrs Brown and she answered "Good morning love." She added, "If I didn't know who they were it was still, Good morning love.....Well, it's worth living for love." It was stated with such compassion I always find it moving.
She had beautiful high cheek bones and such soulful eyes as she spoke to whoever was doing the interview. She was speaking from the heart so unaffectedly.
A little man from London said the friendliness of the North only comes from the fact that it stops people killing each other on a daily basis because they are living cheek by jowl in terrible conditions. That always stuck in my memory and I thought, "You know nothing, mate!"
He "saved us all" by replacing these conditions with a pile of flats known as muggers alley that were knocked down after a short time because they had a bad reputation and many faults. The community of that area having previously been dispersed all over the place it seemed.
My Grandma's row of stone cottages and communal yard are now just another grass verge since those flats were knocked down.
The cobbled road outside her house was defiantly wearing through the tarmacked they covered it with. That was on on my last visit.
I will definitely take a look at all the pointers you have directed me to, Derek.
Thanks for reviving so much good stuff for me and I wish you well on your future journeys.
I will follow more of your trips and travels. Till then, all the best my friend!
Wow! Was that the longest comment reply ever lol. Very intersting and it brought back memories. I remember Mr Simpson. At the time he taught us art. I'd been off scool poorly for two weeks when I found myself with a dilema. First day back, in his class, he sternly belowed 'All those who haven't handed in their homework come out to the front!!!' Well, I hadn't had I. I'd been a poorly little chap. So I went out to the front with a few others. We all got the strap on both hands. With stinging wrists and finger ends, (he was a bad shot) I explained to him my problem to which he barked 'Stupid boy. You should have said something'. No apology.
But Mrs Pilgrim was the one to fear. Rumour had it she failed to get in the SAS due to being too cruel lol. She taught us English - or attempted to. As she entered the classroom you could hear a pin drop. Unfortunately other teachers didn't have that level of control. In reality all teachers deserve medals because I wouldn't like to teach kids now, especialy with there being no deterant at all. Teachers dare not breathe on a child no matter how naughty they are.
I remember Mrs Broadbent at Werneth School in the second form. A first class battle axe probably in her sixties. A big woman who seemed to get bigger every lesson. She had weight and an unforgiving temper on her side. Poor little Tony Salt would often be slapped on his back because he kept getting things wrong. He came from a deprived family. When she hit him, which was a daily ritual of hers, if the light was just right, you could see faint clouds of dust rising off his school jacket and flying off to explore different parts of the classroom. When it reached you it had that smell of musty poverty about it. He was the dunce of the class but get this, later, in a higher form, he was the only kid in our class to even pass the Intelligence Test. Like all the others, I failed in such a spectacular manner that only I could do. At the time, I must have been a bit thick. But to fair, they didn't prepare you for some of the mind bending questions that were put before you. It might have well been written in Russian. But spuling has nevver bean a stung point wit me lol. There's no spell checker on UA-cam is there. Even now I'm struggling with words. Can you spot any mistukes?
I have another video I will be showing shortly. It just needs tweeking.
Good luck and comment in the future on any of my videos.
@@derektaylor6713 Yeah it was a big comment! I didn't check that before I sent it!
I can imagine Mr Simpson saying "Stupid boy!"
That was harsh, though and I can imagine you wondering which way to go with it because he was quite intimidating. My dad used to quote, "When in doubt do nowt."
He also used to quote, "Better to keep your mouth shut and people think you a fool, than open your mouth and prove it."
The poor little lad in that horrible Mrs Broadbent's class was probably so nervous just being in her presence. What a terrible thing to do when a child can't understand something. Poor love, I hope he did well in his life in spite of his background and bullies such as her. Sometimes people like that get the last laugh.
Mrs Pilgrim had a soft spot for my sister who went ahead of me by a few years.
She was top of everything. Sports, swimming, academic and wasn't bad in the looks department either.
All those house points for Mrs Pilgrim in Elgar. (Remember the Houses, Elgar, Shakespeare, Newton and Livingstone.)
Mrs Pilgrim may have had high hopes when I came along years later to join "Elgar," but In fact the only thing my sister and I had in common at school was our surname!
I've enjoyed sharing memories.
No doubt I will be seeing some of your travels again.
Till then, all the best!
Great video 😃
Hi again Derek,
I just wanted to say, since I was in touch last time I have had Covid. This is my third week now which is a bit greedy!
Every time I think it's on the way out it comes back and knocks me down again.
I just wanted to say how much the positive influence of your wonderful videos and sharing reminisces of school life bucked me up.
It built me up against what was to come for a start. I was in a good place and I am sure that has helped me as I haven't been out anywhere for three weeks tomorrow.
Anyway, I hope you are keeping well and thanks again!
That is in my town thanks mate it was amazing
Thanks, Rena, glad you liked it.
your pictures are from before i moved to oldham, even before i was born, but it's interesting to see how some parts havent changed much and some parts have changed entirely.
you went past my house at one point lol
thanks for this video
Hi Sameer. Yes, everything changes in the name of progress but at what cost. I have something in common with Billy Connolly. Both houses where we lived as children have been bulldozed to make a road. Glad you liked this video. When I made it, it was a bit different from other videos that I have made. I didn't think it would get many views. How wrong I was lol. Cheers.
Derek I enjoyed that Now & Then going down memorie Lane with pictures imagine if we had ebikes then with less traffic on our roads 😊
Hi Rory. Yes, there are generally more cars about now and definately where I filmed. Compared to the good old days. Hardly any yellow lines. No speed bumps. No daft mini roundabouts. No roads blocked off with concrete stumps. When you think about it, years ago when hardly anybody had cars there was loads of parking places. Now nearly everybody has a car and there isn't as many parking places. This is largely down to double yellow lines but going off this film some people don't take much notice of 'em lol. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713 that is so true Derek anyway I'm still enjoying your earlier videos I'm watching Sennen Cove right now 😊
Hi Derek
That was a really original and we'll put together film, it must be so Poignant if you are from around them parts like you are. I often revisit area's of My past via UA-cam and other media, but never thought of putting together something like that, I bet it was quite touching for you in places mate, I could hear it in your tone.
Well done Derek, I really enjoyed that
Hi Daron. Glad you liked it. I suddenly got the idea of re-visiting the place a few weeks ago but to go back in the car. But then, being short of bike videos I thought why not kill two birds with one stone and make it a bike ride but not too long. And of course going on the bike is cheaper than using expensive fuel - and a bike can get places easier than a car can. Like going up Bright St which is now blocked off to cars. Windsor Rd is also blocked off at Napier St. So to get on the other side of those small pillars I'd have to drive back up Napier St and around to Oldham by-pass, go down to the roundabout and turn left onto Manchester St and go right down the dual carriageway to the bottom of Windsor Road and turn left. Go up Windsor Rd and take a right onto Bright St. Few!!!! And they talk about pollution. I couldn't take my laptop with me to look at each slide so I could get in the right place as a comparison. So I had to remember each picture off by heart and stop or slow down in the right place. I think I nailed it lol. My only regret is not taking more pictures. There were many more to take. But knowing me I probably had half a roll of film that needed using up before sending the film off to be developed into slides. It's really laughable that 90% of all the pictures I've ever taken are in no way as interesting as these around Werneth. They weren't interesting at the time but as time passes they do become more interesting. You may also have noticed the small writing at the bottom of each picture. That writing in not on the original slides. I changed the style on the laptop and shrank it down and tucked it in a corner to look more oldy worldy. You'd never know would you lol. Cheers.
Aces leeses used to be on Huddersfield road back in the 60s
Hi Susan. Yes, my dad worked for platts for a while and referred to the Acaleeses clock on Featherstall Rd. Is that how it's spelt lol. Did they have another place on Huddersfield Rd and if so, where abouts? Oldham has changed over the years and not really for the good. The Oldham I remember as a kid and teenager is gone. Werneth is nearly unrecognisable. I remember the buses, some really old smokey ones, chugging along but I loved them. I remember the simple life when nearly everything people acquired was secondhand or even thirdhand. There was Windsor Motors and showroom at the bottom of Windsor Road. I remember the town centre with traffic running through it and the friendly market place and Oldham Wakes week where they always had a fun fair set up near where the Civic Centre is. I remember all the different shops on or near Manchester Street in Werneth. The smiley faces. The Parade going passed our house at 341 Manchester Street to Werneth Park. The streamers and balloons and it always sunshined. I remember being surrounded by family and friends, many whom have gone, so questions about things like Acealeeses clock can't be asked. I could ramble on. Thanks for the comment, Susan.
@@derektaylor6713 Please ramble on. It's like music to my ears!
Oh Derek! Thankyou very much. You have no idea how wonderful I found this journey you took me on.
I had to leave Oldham and move across the country 40 years ago. I never wanted to leave Oldham or Lancashire in general.
When you were at the Werneth school area and going along. I said out loud, Osborne Rd must be coming up.
You then said you thought Osborne Rd was up here. (or similar!)
I paused-played-paused-played again before you turned the corner and I was saying, "Please, please, turn the corner!" You did!
Then I watched that bit twice as you turned into Osborne Rd because I had a bedsitter in the last bay windowed front room of the house at the end of the block facing the phone box that you mentioned. This was back in 1972.
Happy Days and a great set of people shared the house.
Kind friendly lot and everybody so different with their own story. It was like a street within a building.
I moved in on Christmas Eve and decorated the first week with my last bit of money.
The following Friday the land lady called for the rent and put my rent up on the spot by 30%. She said it looked so much better now and she could get more for it now than when she quoted the lower price to me.
I reminded her that I paid for it myself and did the work myself.
She answered, "Ok, to be fair on you the new price won't start until next week."
She was elderly and had a massive house on Broadway I think. (No wonder!)
Just after I said how the phone box on the corner had gone, you too remarked it had gone.
I loved hearing you speak. I love hearing the Oldham accent it's so warm and homely to me and I still miss it.
You gave me a lovely bit of company tonight and I feel so chuffed with your video. You probably don't realise how much good you are doing even for people you will probably never meet.
You're brilliant and I will watch this video again, when I feel home-sick. Thankyou again.
Well, I must say what a nice heartwarming comment yours is. This video has without doubt been arguably the most popular video I've posted. Funny, because I didn't think anybody would watch it lol. You, like myself, have fond memories of Werneth.
It was touch and go with my slide collection years ago. All my slides were taken in the 60's 70's and 80's and were just sitting in a big cardboard box year after year. I later started taking photographs instead. I took the slides with me when I got married in 1986 but like most things they were shove in the loft and forgotten. We've moved quite a few times since and they always ended up back in the loft. Extreme heat. Extreme cold. Largely forgotten until the good old internet came along and computers. In around 2010 I got a conversion kit that puts slides onto a computer and did them all. Then they all got thrown away. But the pictures now all survive on my laptop so if it ever blew up that would be the end of them. (They are backed up on an external hard drive) I used to look at them from time to time and get a funny feeling.
Fast forward to May, was it? last year and I got the idea of making this film. All done in one take on a fine afternoon and back home to edit the film. As I've said to other people, I regret not taking more than I did.
The place you stayed at on Osbourne Rd was maybe just out of camera shot. I don't know but there used to be a rather safe, warm feeling in Werneth. As I've got older, I think about the place more and more. I'm really pleased that you've enjoyed the film. You're not on your own.
I can think of at least six other shots around there that I should have done, the paper shop on the corner of Bright St, a look up Folson St to Coppice St, a shot of the other side of Manchester St at the old shops and more, but alas, I didn't. I'm only grateful that something made me go over there to take the slides when I did. It's all a bit spooky when I think about it. It's as though it's finally all come together with this video.
If it's made other people and yourself happy then it was all worth while.
It's funny how people don't write with an accent. I could try talking a bit posher but that wouldn't be me, would it. It's nice to know that somebody likes it. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713👌
😊Thankyou for your interesting reply, Derek.
Yes, it did feel a bit spooky to me too. You were meant to make this very touching video.
My close relatives have mostly crossed over to Heaven now. Oldham being such a hard act to follow, it was the obvious choice! I haven't been up there for a while now sadly because I thought it would be too hard to know they wouldn't be there any more. It's people who can share your memories that you miss so much.
Your voice and accent are so very comforting to me and many who miss the North. My Oldham roots go back to, "When Adam was a lad!" (quote my Mum and Grandma used to use!)
It's only when you go away to where everybody sounds different than you that you appreciate the importance of an un-meddled with Oldham accent.
The accent is like the rich gravy and the way Oldhamers use words and phraseology, it's like the content of a good, "Tata Pie!"
Please don't ever underestimate how beautiful and comforting your natural way of speaking is. It makes your videos even more authentic and was a big bonus to the enjoyment of your video for me.
Sorry if l this makes you feel self conscious but I know from my own background that a lot of Northerners don't realise how gorgeous a local accent is until they go away and then miss it so much.
When visiting Oldham in the past I used to love sitting on the bus and just overhearing the conversations and witty remarks made by other passengers. It was just the accent and fond memories it brought back. I loved the way people said buzz rather than bas or bus.
I paused the video as you turned into Osborne Rd and it does catch the downstairs bay window that was my bedsitter just before it goes out of shot when you go across the road. I had to try to stop it a couple of times as you missed it if you blinked.
I sat there looking at it my old downstairs bay window for ages (not the original window maybe) giving a very Oldham-like, "Aww, look!!!"
At the top of the road showing St Thomas church (photo) there was a road that went along just off it. The name Napier street comes to mind.
I used to do all my food shopping almost daily from a little corner shop on that road (it wasn't actually situated on the corner, but in the row). An Asian family ran it.
They were so gracious and friendly. I could buy 1 egg, 1 tomato and one or two slices of bacon as thick or thin as you like. I would buy two thin slices as I thought it was more filling that way! (First time away from home, so I didn't know any better!)
I would fill a small brown paper bag with a few spuds and I was treated the same as if I had spent £100. Talk about service with a smile...they were so kind and obliging, I loved them.
You mentioned that you wished you had taken more photos but at the time you couldn't afford to.
It was a different time back then wasn't it? Photos were special and costly and a palaver to send away and wait for their return. It was exciting when you received the packet and anticipated how they had turned out. Now thousands of pictures are taken just for the sake of it!
When I got married a family member took some casual photos on a 24 picture roll of film. Over the following months I asked many times if I could get them developed but was told the roll hadn't been used up yet.
When I eventually received them a lot had turned white where the light had got in or something.
We only had about six pictures turned out. In retrospect I should have just bought them a new roll of film and asked for a swop. Like I said it was a different world back then. I didn't even have a camera so it sounded plausible to me that they had to use up all the whole roll before getting them developed.
Ah well! You are performing a service that reaches out to people on many levels and capturing history.
I loved the Werneth area too and went to Hollins school on Lyndhurst Road. I spent many hours in Werneth park swirling round and bumping from side to side on the Umbrella or the blocked in turntable affair called the "Wedding Cake ? "
I remember the American swing which was one long piece of wood which a number of people sat on in a line. Sometimes "big lads" would get on at either end and have it go so high it was scary! You hung on for dear life.
No bark chippings back then, just concrete. The big slide was really high with a constant queue of kids forming quite an orderly queue to say there was no adult supervision involved!
That concrete knocked a lot of sense into my generation I should think!
Sorry to ramble on it has been great though for me to speak to someone who knows the area and hear someone else actually saying the names of places I hold dear.
I can't tell you how much it has meant.
It sometimes feels like I'm the only one who knows these places ever existed.
That's why I love You tube, and more-so because I love Oldham.
Thanks Derek x😊
@@utawkinterme9428 Now here's a thing. I also went to Hollins School from 1963 to 1967 and left at 15 years old. You do realise it's all gone. Demolished along time ago and grassed over (See Picture Locations Part 2) A new school has been built on what was the all weather pitch. That's progress I suppose. The Head Master was a dour bloke called Mr Dowson. I never saw him smile once.
As far as Werneth is concerned I'm sure if you go on Google Street View the Google car will have been all around that area pretty recently. So you'll see more that a fleeting glance of the bay window. It would be spooky if Google could bring out a street view and using CGI show how it was years ago. There are some old black and white photos and films around of the old Oldham from years ago if you can find them.
Boyle Street Bus Museum in Manchester have at least one Oldham bus. A bus that I could have caught whilst going somewhere. A Leyland Titan. Reg No NBU 395? I think. It's been a while since I was last there. I've looked round this bus at the museum and it gives you a lovely feeling.
But the Oldham we remember is fast disappearing. No one I know will go anywhere near the town centre. Oldham Council are doing their best to comletely ruin the place. They've even blocked off Union St with some sort of tram station. Yes, according my friend it's half way along. And the world famous Tommyfield Market is dying on its feet. I'm pretty sure it going to make way for flats and a park that no one will want to go to. Even the Civic Centre, opened in a blazed of publicity, is down for demolision to build - yes, you've guessed it - more flats! The council have moved into the Spindles Shopping centre. It beggars belief.
Yes, I too have happy memories of Oldham as a child but as a pensioner I can see it's all gone pear shaped. According to the Council the number of people living in poverty in Oldham is increasing. But of course we know different. Their idea of poverty is having a weak wifi signal and only three 20 inch televisions and a ten year old car. Whereas in Werneth in our terraced house we only had an outside toilet at the top of the yard. No bathroom. Only coal fires. Single glazing and a kitchen so tiny, I've seen bigger rabbit hutches. One cold water tap in the house and an ancient gas hot water geyser. Everything my mum and dad had was second hand but hey, they were happy and proud.
My god, I'm on my soapbox lol. I'll leave it there. Cheers.
Hiya Derek,@@derektaylor6713 Thanks for your reply. I received notice of your reply in my email and like a gawp I answered it from there on the reply. Today I found in my spam "it would not go message."
Anyway I am off to an all day family do today so I will answer again but in the appropriate place tomorrow hopefully. All the best!
I left the uk forty+ years ago its totally forign to me .👁😳
At 8:34 it’s amazing how many people are incapable of stopping at a junction properly!
Hi Matt. Yes, you're right but at least they did stop lol. Helen was horrified when I said I was heading for Werneth with an electric bike and a Gopro strapped to my chest, but it was all okay. Mind you, it was just after dinner. I wouldn't fancy it trying it later on after tea. As Billy Connolly said 'it's not the fact that I miss the place I grew up in. The fact is I miss my youth.' The same goes with me. I know I'm looking at Werneth through rose tinted glasses and maybe my mum and dad would think differently. Thanks for the comment.
the world a different place these days i noticed no TV arials now, crazy traffic , road markings if only a fella had a time machine.nice video Derek.just thinking cars are distroying everything,the devils own invention.
Hi Anthony. I completely agree. I hate modern day living. Trouble is these days most people seem to have too much money. I spent most of my childhood in this area and from what I remember no one had much money and most new things were actually second hand or even third hand. But everybody was happy with their lot and appreciated things. The picture of the terraced houses on Manchester Street, shows what was once our rented abode in the middle with the black door. Life was simpler. No one had a phone and just two channels on a tiny black and white television that had nothing to watch after ten thirty. Not many had cars then. My mum and dad had a motorbike and sidecar, the sidecar having been made by my dad. No crumple zones there. We went all over in that. The anual Carnival went right passed our house to Werneth Park. Relatively unknown, Morecambe and Wise gave us a wave as we hung out of the upstairs sash window waving paper streamers. Everyone was so happy. There was also nearly every type of shop you'd need within easy reach. No bloody great supermarkets, just a very small Brown's Stores and other small essential shops (too many to mention here). On the corner of Frederick Street was a fire station and just round the corner, Werneth had its very own cop shop. Bobbies always walking up and down Manchester Street. Can't remember any crime - at all! But you certainly wasn't spoilt in those days but little did I realise I was spoiled by being brought up in Werneth. You had to experience it to know what I mean. I for one, didn't want to leave and move into a modern house with an inside toilet. Cheers.
@@derektaylor6713 yeah my childhood wasn't far off yours being the youngest boy of 8 4 sisters i was kinda spoiled big family but if you stepped out of line you were in big trouble lol.kids now are spoiled rotten bloody smart phones internet face book tictok my god they havent a clue about the great outdoors .thanks for videos Derek there great i mean that.
Thanks Anthony. Yes, I feel just the same as you. How long before some idiotic buffoon designs a mobile phone for small toddlers with a built-in dummy at one end. Cheers.
That was great. Do you have any more photos in Oldham you could also show?
Hi Asif. Sorry for the delay in answering your comment. It's all a case of cudda, shudda, wudda! In those days in the seventies there was no digital cameras. You had to buy a film and use it sparingly whereas now you can take as many as you like and delete what is rubbish. On reflection I should have taken more up and down the place. I do have a few piccys of here and there but not really enough to make a film. It's annoying and frustrating that I should have taken more. For example, the picture of the row terraced houses on Manchester Street where the dual carriageway is now, is where I lived. The one in the middle with the black door. Next door was a shop but it was a toffee shop when we left in 1965 but close examination reveals it as a butchers!!!! I can't believe that. There was already a butchers across the road in a long row of shops. Also a Bread shop. Iron mongers. Barbers. Hair dressers. Cobblers. Browns stores. Paper shop. Plough public house. Even further down was a chip shop and back on this side a cop shop and a fire station. Further up passed Plough Street was a green grocers and a post office. Across the road further up a clothes shop and a shoe shop. In fact, Werneth was a little town all on its own. You didn't want for anything really. When lovely Oldham Council decided to run a dual carriageway through the centre of Werneth it decimated the place. Well, what can you do. That's progress I suppose. Glad you liked the film. Cheers.
Hi Asif. Right I've gone through my collection of old slides and have picked out the only real local ones I could use. In fact, I've made more than one film. I can't say they are as good as this Werneth one but they are watchable. See - Cube Hybrid E Bike: In Search of Old Picture Locations 1970' to present. Cheers.
When did they move Werneth to Shaw ?
Hello again, The title says Werneth, Oldham. But most of it not that’s why I don’t watch it all as the bulk of what I watched was not Werneth therefor it wasn’t interesting to me as I wanted to see a trip around Werneth. That’s why. Simple, if you think about it for a minute or two you’ll understand . Perhaps the video should be called ‘from Shaw to Werneth’ - it would make more sense. Who wants to see shitty Shaw when thinking it’s a video of Werneth.
One hell of a boring video. I am 3.52 mins in snd seen one photo. No shots of Werneth. I tuned in to see photos of Werneth. Not one so far- I’m done. !!!
Yes your right it's a boring video like all my other videos all boring that's why I get no views. I'll take this on board.
Hi jonkino, Maybe you need to try to increase your attention span flower! You missed a treat. The journey reached remains of Hart ford Mill 11.47/ Werneth Park 13.48/ It shows Hulme Grammar, Werneth School, St Thomas Church. and from my perspective I loved all of this video journey. It does say at the start, "Riding to and around Werneth." Quite hurtful and very unappreciative to call it a hell of a boring video just because it didn't jump right to the only bits you were interested in. Were you in a rush?
If the first word in the title refers to it as being in and around Werneth I really don’t wanna waste 13 mins of my time before I see any shots of Werneth - yes which is what I am interested in. Why not call it “Oldham now and then with a shot or two of Werneth near the end”. Come on!
@@jonkino Hi again, Thanks for your reply. Ok everybody has their own reason for watching these clips. You've made your particular reason quite plain.
As the clip starts to run, it says "To and around Werneth."
He wasn't teleported there, he was on a bike. To me that suggests pictures on route.
I don't honestly care if you enjoyed it or not.
My issue with you is that you assumed and stated it was boring without even watching it all? How does that work?
When someone has invested a lot of time and effort in doing a great and thoughtful piece of work they deserve better than such immature behaviour.
Maybe hurting people's feelings makes you feel superior or is that just me making a snap decision?
@jonkino you do know you can fast forward videos? Probably would have been a better use of your time to do that rather than leave snarky comments...
Cheers Derek, Just spotted this on the tube. Great video. I grew up in t' Gloddick and was a keen snapper wi th a camera. I'm glad I managed to snap the mills before they all came down. All the best.
Hi Ray, I've had no notification about your comment so I've just found it. Glad you liked this video. What you say about mills, I agree. The latest casualty is the Vernon mill in Royton. See Green Green Grass or Concrete video. Another mill gone! And as usual new houses in its place. In this case 59 of 'em. Apparently the first at the top of the site are flooding when it rains. They are having to use sand bags against the back doors. That's well thought out. I miss the Diamond Rope works mill on Cockermill Lane. Not very big but it had character. Replaced with houses. I remember the Derker mill as a little lad. My dad worked as a fitter there in the fifties. I remember him taking me in the mill. The incredible smell of cotton, age and industry was memorable. He kept the huge mortice key for the outside door but it's got lost somewhere in the past. I think the mill was on Derker Street near Ripponden Rd. The mill on Oozewood Rd is destined for oblivian to be replaced with flats I think? Interesting mystery buildings were everywhere but all we'll have in future is houses - houses -houses. It's a shame.
@@derektaylor6713 Hiya Derek, I grew up on Nugget Street - my back bedroom window overlooked a part of Lees & Wrigley's Cotton Mill. The light from the mill windows was enough for me to read my Dandy and Beano in bed at night. A new industrial unit stands there today but all the houses have gone. Just a patch of grass now where my home once stood. The Owl is changing her cloak, and not for the better in my view.
@@raybeaumont7670 Not quite sure where Nugget Street was. But you're right it's all gone pear shaped. What killed Werneth town centre was the dual carriageway. They could make one through the centre of Oldham. We never go there anyway lol.
Hi Have you any photos of Sandy Mill in Royton?
@@jonkino Sorry, I gave all my Oldham prints away a few years ago. I now live in South Wales.