A Gorton Lad

[jude]

I was sent a little memoir today of Alan Ainsworth - A Gorton Lad (2005). What a lovely read it was and really helpful in letting the reader know what Gorton was like in days gone by. Can anyone recommend some other little gems like this from around the same area?

[mo]

Hi benland i have been trying to get a book called. GORTON The Second Selection it has photos of VE Day and some of the street parties that were held at the end of the war. I did get Images of England GORTON MONASTERY sent out to me from the Monastery shop and that is very interesting for me has i went there.

[jude]

Thanks for the info. Will check it out. It is fantastic that this stuff is documented. I'm loving it!

[mo]

Thanks for that info Benland . Now i know they will be no photo's of out street party . we lived in POLLARDS BUILDINGS only about four house's in that st. right at the bottom of SAVOY ST and that's where our street party was. and wow i remmber it ( a bit) I must have been about 7/8. I got some images from Manchester of both street's . got tears in my eyes when i saw them. My sister was born in pollard building. but she doesn't remmber it at all we moved soon after the war

[mo]

Hi benland had a look at that webb site and can get them books. Just waiting for a reply from them to see if they post to australia. Of course have to pay by card. How safe do you think they are. I dont worry when it pay-pal but they dont have that ;(

[0urkid]

May 29, 2010 22:41:00 GMT -1 mo said:

Hi benland had a look at that webb site and can get them books. Just waiting for a reply from them to see if they post to australia. Of course have to pay by card. How safe do you think they are. I dont worry when it pay-pal but they dont have that ;(

Mo. Try to get hold of an online virtual card, something like Entropay. You have to pay to load the card each time, but it is perfectly fraud-proof inasmuch as the vendor can only take what is on the card.

[mo]

Thanks our kid. that sound's like what happen's with the pay/pal its a on line way of paying savely

[bodzy3]

May 28, 2010 5:19:44 GMT -1 jude said:

I was sent a little memoir today of Alan Ainsworth - A Gorton Lad (2005). What a lovely read it was and really helpful in letting the reader know what Gorton was like in days gone by. Can anyone recommend some other little gems like this from around the same area?[/quote


Bodzy, I have removed your post of Alan Ainsworth's account of Gorton because I think his portrayal is wrong. Gorton is no better or worse than any district in Manchester (in fact he even mentions Clayton, Reddish and Longsight in the same manner) or indeed any British city for that matter. In fact, it is today's youth culture, and it appears to be world wide, as far as I can see. So it is not helpful or fair to portray Gorton like this. Also, the section of society he is referring to is only about 0.01%. The other 99.9% are good decent hard working people. Finally, I don't think it is keeping within the nostalgic material of this site.
What do other people think of this? Am I right or wrong. please comment if you wish.

[jude]

Wow Bodzy. Thanks for the update. I've only been to Gorton once 20 years ago. Mum will be going back for the first time since in a week or so. I'm very interested in how it used to be and your report shows just how much things change. Not just Gorton I'm afraid, many of the things you describe can be found in the inner areas of most big cities. I guess this is why I like watching"Shameless". Hope you have found happiness in Clayton. Cheers Mate.

[Casso]

I disagree with your statement and the actions taken Alan. Not least because I didn't get a chance to read the offending item.

Of course it only takes one member to declare something is 'objectionable' and that's it! Down the gurgler per the rules.
(Mind you, if what he said is factually correct then censorship shouldn't be applicable).

I've had a cursory google for Mr Ainsworth. There were plenty of links but nothing about Gorton - if you discount houses for sale ads from the Ainsworth who's a real estate agent.

It's 50 years since I lived in Gloucester Street, so perhaps it shouldn't be any great concern of mine - but I still avidly grab at anything concerning Manchester, and especially Gorton.

Incidentally when I first saw his name my mind flew to the Northern Variety Orchestra and Sheila Buxton doing the bizzo on the mike. Alas that was ALYN Ainsworth.

Regards,
Cass Cassidy

"Bodzy, I have removed your post of Alan Ainsworth's account of Gorton because I think his portrayal is wrong. Gorton is no better or worse than any district in Manchester (in fact he even mentions Clayton, Reddish and Longsight in the same manner) or indeed any British city for that matter. In fact, it is today's youth culture, and it appears to be world wide, as far as I can see. So it is not helpful or fair to portray Gorton like this. Also, the section of society he is referring to is only about 0.01%. The other 99.9% are good decent hard working people. Finally, I don't think it is keeping within the nostalgic material of this site.
What do other people think of this? Am I right or wrong. please comment if you wish."

[mo]

I agree with you Alan it is today's youth culture and it sure is world wide sounds like a lot of cities' everywhere . And we are talking about our memories of days gone by . so is not in keeping with the nostalgic material of this site . what is going on now iam not interested in. Just material from our past and liveing in Gorton in our time .

[jude]

I'm with you Mo. A Gorton Lad was a lovely tale of his life in days gone by. My family will always look at Gorton and surrounds through rose coloured glasses as it is their home. When I went there there was nothing but good times and generosity shown to me and mine. We can all find fault on our doorstep wherever we go. I never mean't to cause such a stir or bring out such strong opinions. We are all entitled to our opinions but we need to be careful not to offend. Maybe someone out there has a lovely story about Gorton they wish to share? I for one would love to hear it. Jude.

[mo]

hey Jude i was so young when i lived there.. But do remember the air raids and mam dashing us into the Air Raid shelters but than i also remember a bit of that from Bradford manchester where i was born. Mam & Dad seem to have moved around manchester alot. we also lived in ardwick for a while Till we moved to wythenshawe and even than i was only about 10/11. And lived there till i came out to oz in 1960. BIG excitement in west Gordon for us Kids was when the men came with a big truck and BIG ball to knock down all the air raid shelters. word would get out what street they were in and all the kids would go to watch. this big ball swing at the wall's it was great fun for us Kids

[Lisa]

Hi Alan, I agree with you removing the article from the Message Board of Manmates. I have read it and it could cause offence to some people reading it, especially people now living in Gorton. What was written could be indicative of any city in the UK but we have to be careful not to cause offence to the decent, hardworking people of inner-city areas. Remember, its only a small minority that give an area a bad name.

[gortonboy]

hot vimto in the cafe on gortoncross street,,,playing football on Mellands playing field..looking for frogs and newts in the jacksons claypits...those were the days....showing my age now.. ;D ;D ;D

[0urkid]

Jun 1, 2010 18:17:13 GMT -1 gortonboy said:

hot vimto in the cafe on gortoncross street,,,playing football on Mellands playing field..looking for frogs and newts in the jacksons claypits...those were the days....showing my age now.. ;D ;D ;D

During the war, we could hear the anti-aircraft guns on Mellands fields, as we called them. Oddly enough, I never felt any fear during the blitz and other bombing raids. At that tender age, the dangers aren't apparent. I remember picking up a hot piece of shrapnel, one night, on the way home from the Stockport Road bomb shelter. Much prized by me and my school pals.

[gortonboy]

brings back another memory...we used to play on the site of the old aa gun emplacements.......germans and english... ;D......always had a fascination with all things historical..especially military.....guess that explains why i was pleased to recieve a 1/72 die cast scale model of a spitfire and a messerschmidt bf 109 today.....thanks mum........still a big kid ;D

[jude]

I wondered where our Gortonboy had got to in defence of his neigbourhood. My mum always says "we had nothing in them days, but neither did anyone else and what we all did have we shared round". My great grandmother Kitty Whittaker worked at A.V.Roes (AVRO) and my husband just loves that - Lancasters are one of his favourites. We only said the other day we need to get a model of one. All big kids at heart my friend and there is nothing wrong with that.

[OLLY]

Jun 1, 2010 18:17:13 GMT -1 gortonboy said:

hot vimto in the cafe on gortoncross street,,,playing football on Mellands playing field..looking for frogs and newts in the jacksons claypits...those were the days....showing my age now.. ;D ;D ;D

GORTONBOY..... ....ITS AS IF I PUT THAT POST ON..... ....I DID....AND WENT TO THE SAME PLACES... ....REMEMBER THE NISSEN HUTS ON MELLANDS?....THINK THERE WER TWO....I DONT MEEN THE CAMP......AND... SHOWING MY AGE LIKE YOU SAY.....I FED THE COWS ON MELLANDS....AND PICKED COKE ON JACKSON KILNS....WHICH WE SOLD FOR 3d A SACK......

AR KID USED TO FLY HIS MIG 15 MODEL ON MELLANDS....HE WAS INTO MODEL MAKING..WITH THEM LITTLE PROP-ENGINES...CANT THINK WHAT HE PUT THEM ON THOUGH....

[Lisa]

Hi Jude, Whilst on holiday in Anglesea one year with friends. We were walking along the coastline when we heard a droning sound but couldnt think where it was coming from. Then I looked up and saw the most wonderful sight.......Lancasters flying overhead in formation to the local air show. If we shut our eyes we could be transported back to the days when planes were aeroplanes and the sound is magical.

[jude]

Hiya Lisa. You've got that right - magical. There are some things in life you just don't forget and the postings here are testament to that. Isn't it great that the simplest things in life are truly often the best?

[gortonboy]

i have a mig 15 and the wonderful lancaster in my collection ;D
I lived on Longsight Rd, directly opposite Jacksons clay pits..spent many an afternoon exploring...i remember when i was very small the sound of the hooter from when the brickworks was still in operation,you could still see the tram tracks on pink bank lane. It could be a dangerous place though..those large ponds iced over in the winter,,i remember that a couple of kids were drowned after going through the ice.I never tried skating..we used to slide down the banks of the claypit on a dinner tray though....remember getting my finger caught underneath,,not a pretty sight by the time i got to the bottom....And got a crack from my mum for playing on there ;D We once nicked detonators from the gorton railway yard then went to the gun emplacements and threw bricks at them ,,only did that once ,, scared me silly !!

[jude]

Yep, that did it. we went out and ordered our Lancaster model-we went for G for George which is on display at the war museum in Canberra. Your mum must have had her work cut out for her with you Mick . It must be a boy thing as my husband relates to your detanator story. He says they used to take 22 bullets to school and throw them as hard as they could on the concrete in the schoolyard but of course this didn't happen in Gorton.

[jackaitch]

May 31, 2010 7:21:24 GMT -1 bodzy3 said:

May 28, 2010 5:19:44 GMT -1 jude said:

I was sent a little memoir today of Alan Ainsworth - A Gorton Lad (2005). What a lovely read it was and really helpful in letting the reader know what Gorton was like in days gone by. Can anyone recommend some other little gems like this from around the same area?[/quote


Bodzy, I have removed your post of Alan Ainsworth's account of Gorton because I think his portrayal is wrong. Gorton is no better or worse than any district in Manchester (in fact he even mentions Clayton, Reddish and Longsight in the same manner) or indeed any British city for that matter. In fact, it is today's youth culture, and it appears to be world wide, as far as I can see. So it is not helpful or fair to portray Gorton like this. Also, the section of society he is referring to is only about 0.01%. The other 99.9% are good decent hard working people. Finally, I don't think it is keeping within the nostalgic material of this site.
What do other people think of this? Am I right or wrong. please comment if you wish.

Quite Agree!!!!!

[bodzy3]

Alan, (Webmaster) Thank you for giving everyone who saw the offending article, the chance to agree or disagree with you you (are not normally so kind )
In my defense I must state that in no way do I agree with the statements in the said article also I must state that in no way do I agree with your decision to censorship
I have written to many web sites , never once "slagging off " Gorton , As a Gorton lad born and bred I had a wonderful childhood and wonderful memories from Gorton but alas now its not the same , and at times I do dispair ,
I could did agree with you Alan about your percentages 99% hard working, you would be very lucky if you found 50% working but thats not why I replying to you
The article refered to was not my words , they were of what someone else thought of Gorton , a very cynical thought but to me a lighthearted thought
At the end of the day Alan its your website , your thoughts that count , your the man , so do as you please
But again thank you for allowing us the oppurtunity for saying so

bodzy

[jude]

Hi Bodzy,
I wonder how my mum will find Gorton she hasn't been there for 20 years so I expect she will find big changes too. My granddad lived in Western St but half the houses are empty now and my aunt lives around the corner from there and systematically as tenants move out they aren't replaced as they are just waiting for everyone to leave on way or another and then the lot will get knock down so needless to say many of her childhood landmarks no longer exist.

[Alan]

Jun 6, 2010 9:19:39 GMT -1 bodzy3 said:

Alan, (Webmaster) Thank you for giving everyone who saw the offending article, the chance to agree or disagree with you you (are not normally so kind )
In my defense I must state that in no way do I agree with the statements in the said article also I must state that in no way do I agree with your decision to censorship
I have written to many web sites , never once "slagging off " Gorton , As a Gorton lad born and bred I had a wonderful childhood and wonderful memories from Gorton but alas now its not the same , and at times I do dispair ,
I could did agree with you Alan about your percentages 99% hard working, you would be very lucky if you found 50% working but thats not why I replying to you
The article refered to was not my words , they were of what someone else thought of Gorton , a very cynical thought but to me a lighthearted thought
At the end of the day Alan its your website , your thoughts that count , your the man , so do as you please
But again thank you for allowing us the oppurtunity for saying so

bodzy

Bodzy, Reading between the lines, in your first sentence, it appears there has been a third party involved in your post. Yes, Lisa and I are so kind that we give our time freely, receiving no money in running this website, for the benefit of Mancunians and their nostalgic articles. So, we don't benefit by people visiting, or not visiting the site. We can do with out any hassle or friction. And believe you me, when things like this are written we do get a lot of extra unnecessary mail. If it was fact I would have left it, but it is not, it is pure fiction. It is not fair to just run down one single area. Not even if it was light-hearted, which I don't think this was the intention of the writer. I know you are a Gorton Lad, now living in Clayton which, incidentally, is no better or worse than Gorton. I know you didn't write the article, that is why your text was left. However, you did post it. I find this peculiar, as you state in your post, 'in no way do I agree with the statements in the said article (This, only after my reply).' So, for the life of me, I can't understand why you would want to post it in the first place. You have read the
percentages in my statement wrongly. I actually said, 99.9% are good decent hard working people, Which actually means they are either good, decent, hard working or indeed all three. As opposed to the "Chaves and Scallys." It might have been better, had you stated that you found this article, and wondered what people thought of it. Finally Bodzy, I built this website to pass the time, and to give me something to do which would also benefit Mancunians. As you know, I am a Scot. I then added the forum at later date so everyone could also discuss nostalgic articles. Now I don't have the time, due to health reasons, to police anything that might offend others and increase my time at the computer. So, my options are either to discontinue the forum or nip in the bud anything that I think that will give me problems. This is what I do. It is nothing personal. Alan

[jackaitch]

Jun 6, 2010 13:27:10 GMT -1 Alan said:

Jun 6, 2010 9:19:39 GMT -1 bodzy3 said:

Alan, (Webmaster) Thank you for giving everyone who saw the offending article, the chance to agree or disagree with you you (are not normally so kind )
In my defense I must state that in no way do I agree with the statements in the said article also I must state that in no way do I agree with your decision to censorship
I have written to many web sites , never once "slagging off " Gorton , As a Gorton lad born and bred I had a wonderful childhood and wonderful memories from Gorton but alas now its not the same , and at times I do dispair ,




WELL SPOKEN ALAN....AS STATED IT,S YOUR WEB SITE CREATED FOR

MANCUNIANS ALL OVER THE WORLD!!! I AGREE THAT YOU AND LISA
DO A FABULOUS JOB IN MAINTAINING AND CONTROLLING THE SITE.
WE DO HAVE THE OPTION ...OF THE DELETE BUTTON IF YOU DISAGREE...ENOUGH SAID





I could did agree with you Alan about your percentages 99% hard working, you would be very lucky if you found 50% working but thats not why I replying to you
The article refered to was not my words , they were of what someone else thought of Gorton , a very cynical thought but to me a lighthearted thought
At the end of the day Alan its your website , your thoughts that count , your the man , so do as you please
But again thank you for allowing us the oppurtunity for saying so

bodzy

Bodzy, Reading between the lines, in your first sentence, it appears there has been a third party involved in your post. Yes, Lisa and I are so kind that we give our time freely, receiving no money in running this website, for the benefit of Mancunians and their nostalgic articles. So, we don't benefit by people visiting, or not visiting the site. We can do with out any hassle or friction. And believe you me, when things like this are written we do get a lot of extra unnecessary mail. If it was fact I would have left it, but it is not, it is pure fiction. It is not fair to just run down one single area. Not even if it was light-hearted, which I don't think this was the intention of the writer. I know you are a Gorton Lad, now living in Clayton which, incidentally, is no better or worse than Gorton. I know you didn't write the article, that is why your text was left. However, you did post it. I find this peculiar, as you state in your post, 'in no way do I agree with the statements in the said article (This, only after my reply).' So, for the life of me, I can't understand why you would want to post it in the first place. You have read the
percentages in my statement wrongly. I actually said, 99.9% are good decent hard working people, Which actually means they are either good, decent, hard working or indeed all three. As opposed to the "Chaves and Scallys." It might have been better, had you stated that you found this article, and wondered what people thought of it. Finally Bodzy, I built this website to pass the time, and to give me something to do which would also benefit Mancunians. As you know, I am a Scot. I then added the forum at later date so everyone could also discuss nostalgic articles. Now I don't have the time, due to health reasons, to police anything that might offend others and increase my time at the computer. So, my options are either to discontinue the forum or nip in the bud anything that I think that will give me problems. This is what I do. It is nothing personal. Alan

[mavis]

Hi
I have just looked on google and read a letter from a Lou Burns, talking about all the shops along Gorton Cross Street, he described it in such a way that you could almost smell the baking of the oven bottom muffins!! The story was under Gorton Lad is that the one you are referring to Jude. how old is your mum I may know her I came from Gorton I am 70 next.

[mavis]

Hi I see that there is a site called {Chavtowns.} Gorton found it on google where lots of things are said about all towns in England, including the offending one for Gorton, could anyone tell me what chavs means ?