Memories of Quarry Hill by Martin McGuire

Martin McGuire recalls his early memories of the Quarry Hill flats complex in Leeds. He remembers each different section of the flats and recalls growing up and playing with his family and friends.
Digi Story created by Marek Romaniszyn
Transcription disclaimer
(Please note: the transcription provided for this film is a work in progress. Please let us know if you spot any errors by commenting below or emailing us at [e-mail])

[@nodrog2160]

Fantastic podcast video or whatever you want to call it,Fantastic!!! Thank you ❤

[@intercoreuk]

Thanks m8 I really enjoyed that.

[@kevinmoyles9007]

Hi Martin,im an old colleague of yours...Kevin Moyles...excellent film on Quarry Hill i saw because someone posted a link on a Leeds nostalgia site on Facebook called Leedsbook,you can find me on there.It would be great to chat to you again.Ive always loved local history...even back in the old Burton`s days! Get in touch!

[@mickbolton2276]

Great memories Martin. Regards...

[@tokenspirit6140]

Martin, it warms my heart to hear how happy you were living here. Great doc' and pictures of this famous landmark. I remember it well, growing up in Leeds 8. Name "Lupton" indeed after a prominent family in Leeds, solicitors, with Olive Lupton marrying into the "Middletons" (of Katherine Middleton a.k.a. Cambridge, Princess of Wales).

[@shazikouk5057]

My father lived here in York House. We used to go there and my Grandparents used to look after us on weekends and school holidays. What an amazing place back in the 70's. I remember Hagenbachs the bakers, the post office, the fish shop, the office where you paid your rent, the newsagents and if I am not mistaken a library and a nursery there. The familiar green iron fencing all around and the football pitch. You were right there were a million things to do. I live in Greece now and everytime I come 'home' to Leeds and see the roundabout still with the little hutch on it at the front of the arch I still see the wonderful Quarry Hill Flats. Thanks for sharing this lovely video.

[@annm777]

Martin this is wonderfully narrated and includes some great photo's! My dad's uncle lived in these flats. His name was Walter and he had 1 leg. Only remember as my dad used to visit him in early 70's.

[@wendycuthbert3901]

My mums family lived in quarry hill. Moynihan house I think. I remember going to visit as a kid. Her name is Carol Hezelgrave. Can't wait to show her your video!

[@tph2558]

wonderfull story Martin I could sit and listen to your storeys all day many thanks

[@amarillagriffin7427]

I attended st Charles's school from 1954 to 1960 I could see the flat's from the classroom window and the daffodils blowing in the breeze in spring,I visited a school friends flat in quarry hill, happy day's.

[@TheRaspberry28]

My great auntty lived in Quarry Hill. Thank you for sharing

[@sandraabbott4683]

Thank you loved this history

[@micky9229]

So nostalgic. An awesome historical insight. Many thanks and best wishes.

[@ElBeeEss]

I moved into Saxton Gardens in 2002 and so never saw Quarry Hill flats in real life, but had heard stories about them and seen a few photos. The design of them was amazing. Those archways! I wondered why they'd been demolished. Fantastic to hear Martin's stories of life there.

[@Robby334]

Great I lived at Oastler House 147 when I came to Leeds from the south - Flats were ok Moved when they knocked them down to Lovell Park - Great times

[@TheArtist8077]

I grew up in Quarry Hill, in Priestley house .. 1970 to 1978, loved it, had a great childhood with my friends, Steve Elvidge, Graham Thompson and others, miss the place, wouldn't swap my childhood with anyone.

[@brianmcgrath9329]

Great film and story. I lived in Jackson house number 80 from 1946 to 1956ish lovely community atmosphere. went down that slide so many times wore out my trousers, Mam went mad with me. We had piped radio in each flat plus waste disposal. We were on the top floor opposite Marsh Lane, our cat used to fall off the balcony all the time , then 10 minutes later you could hear him meowing at the door to be let in, he used up about six of his nine lives. Great times.

[@paulrose9189]

Brilliant, I could listen to people talk about QHF all day. Thank you :)

[@mickbolton2276]

Hi Rosey!

[@azillliasmith2734]

God bless Leeds as was ❤

[@stevenjohnson3918]

Thanx Martin for sharing i remember Quarry as i use to visit a friend there got many lifts on coal truck from burley road MEMORIES.....

[@davidgibbs7232]

My cousin lived in the flats with his parents in the early 60s.He and I went in when in his parents were out and got drunk on bottles of Babycham.He was 10 I was 8.We were in a great amount of bother.Lovely to see the photos of a lost world.

[@adrianazu2809]

Hi great film. I was in Jackson house on the third floor i think. I probably played with you up on the roof tops.😊 And I went to the catholic school. I was a brown boy 😂 probably the only one. Lot of memories great place

[@MadaboutMotorsLeeds]

Hi Martin , Great video mate , Im only 32 so I never seen the flats but watched loads on them they seemed a great place to live. My Grandad used to deliver coal to the flats his name was Eddie Manning or Edwin Manning

[@dianehaile7028]

I love your memories and stories, it must have been a lovely place to live. 😊

[@johnallen3607]

martin just found your film thanks for the memories. john Neilson house

[@sylviapingleton5354]

Martin, just listening to your speech on Quarry Hill Apts, well when I moved into Saxton Gardens as a 11 yr old, and they were called the first luxury apts in Leeds, and some kids we got to know from Quarry Hills didn't like us cos they thought we lived in better quarters, which when I remember we were, as quarry was going downhill, really. I used to come over there to see some friends and the smell was bad, and I would see garbage laying around. I left 1972 to live in USA but remember Quarry Hills, sorry Martin it did help get people and famalies out of the bad areas but Quarry Hills became slums, and heard they were slightly sinking dues to what they got built on, but such good memories

[@elizabethbower2168]

What a wonderful video of your memories of Quarry Hill flats… I live in Huddersfield but I have seen these flats in the past and always wondered what it would be like to have lived there… Thanks for sharing your memories

[@cherrybullimore4177]

Good information. I have shared it with the group on Facebook. Memories of Quarry Hill Flats. You brought back some memories I had forgotten. We lived at 56 Nielson House. You didn't mention the concrete dumps? It's obvious we all have different memories according to which House we lived in. Do you remember the Yorkshire Evening Post report about the air raid shelter? They filled it in after that. I went down, really scary!

[@edwardbarr1533]

A fascinating and enjoyable social,oral history.I always will associate the flats with Waterhouses and Halls “ Queenies Castle”. Thankyou for the Video

[@nodrog2160]

Lived there 1955 and I think the fist picture we lived on the left 3rd floor, walter and betty clark,gran and grandad, neilsen house , Gordon and june Carrick mam and dad

[@brianmoorhouse8921]

I remember my mother taking me to see uncle & auntie there I was young then but love the history of quarry bill flat,s I would love to see & taik someone who knows that area like to hear more

[@markrobbins9232]

i think my mate lived below you in kitson house the jonhsons joey, my dad was the landlord of woodpecker terry robbins ,and george ibbitson used to work in the woodpecker in the 60s about 66 onwardsstill iam still in touch with his daughters today.great place.

[@bernardthegwp71020]

My Uncle Albert Whincup was the last resident to leave Ostler House in 1978. My mam and dad lived there after the war with 2 of my older sisters and brother until 1953 when they moved to Seacroft and Morsedale Lane.

[@mickbolton2276]

Priscila Thompson lived above us at 20 Lupton House. Had many a slap from her! ;o)

[@MrJehcor]

Brilliant - Jim Roche 68 Thorsby House

[@paulrose9189]

Hi Martin, I live in Lupton House between around 1968-1973, Am I having a false memory or was it possible to go underneath Lupton house where there was some sort of storage area? Also, was your friend Terry Pickles a carpet fitter with a couple of brothers?

[@elephantsmemory3142]

Very nice pal but I am surprised by a lad off the flats calling his mam his mum

[@fionahunt6258]

Brilliant

[@MAADMO]

Is this Martin McGuire the primary school teacher from rose-bank primary school? From roughly 1992 onwards?

[@jackwatson3944]

Yes.

[@ianbennett1491]

I worked with a chap call Jack Doughty at Maenson clothes in the late 70s. He was the last person to leave the flats.

[@nodrog2160]

My mother had a bad accident at the shops,she was a pillon on a scooter and the scooter crashed into the concrete/ marble support

[@annmorton5258]

Had Quarry been preserved they would have been a great monument to Leeds Ann Robinson

[@paulbaker8003]

My mam an dads family’s lived here the bakers and Taylor’s.

[@edwardbarr1533]

Seems such a shame they were knocked down they were of great architetural merit today they would have preserved and perhaps being purchased by the middle classes, as I recall their demise was not accompanied by cheers like Leek Street was

[@SkyratsvsSeachickens]

Ace

[@atrekwithdave]

I know a Debbie Thompson who grew up in QH, I wonder if she’s connected to your sisters friend, she’ll be in her late 50’s now?

[@TheWalker0224]

My grandparents anf my mum lived in them flats it was a big family the last name is Richards and my mum is Ann Richards wonder if anyone remembered them

[@paulbarrett22]

cheers great vid (barrett descendent :) )

[@michelformika]

13:00. What’s a “Beck”. I don’t know that term.

[@mickbolton2276]

Yorkshire name for a stream. As Martin says the 'Beck' was accessible from Hope Street and ran under various roads and buildings up to the bottom of Meanwood. Spent many an happy hour with my best mate Dave Gorner wandering up and down there.

[@nodrog2160]

Margate pub,my mam had to get granddad's pay from him before he got to the pub!!!

[@mariaellender6014]

Who's here during fake croney LOCKDOWN 🙄