pictures of oldham past

some pictures of Oldham in the past

[@gesball4358]

Love those photos of my lovely old town xx

[@michaelroebuck1340]

Had some colourful areas when I was a youngster. Pinch backs, Little Africa, West Street. Though rough areas the people hearts of gold , hard working , knew right from wrong. Proud of the ethic of hard work, always ready to help a neighbour. Thousands would attend remembrance service at the War Memorial to honour those who had made ultimate sacrifice. Over Whit Weekend people proudly walked in the parades showing their religious affiliation, after 1945 ,Polish, Ukrainian, Catholics brought thier National colorful costumes into these walks. I was last back in the town around 2000 / 2004 on a business trip to Scotland from South Africa . Very different to the place I grew up in. Having lived in Africa since 1966 in South Africa / Malawi / Zambia/ Swaziland/ Kenya / Mozambique / Botswana/ i could never go back. I have good memories of my childhood , school days , 1st Job at Ferranti Hollinwood and West Gorton Plant , then at Platt Bros . Playing Rugby at Ferranti & then ORFU KEB LANE.great bunch of guys . Places like that give you a grounding in life and how to face it . You understand nothing worth having comes free. I don't think it would be a place I want my grandchildren to grow up in my sons both born in Malawi have been to UK but are rooted in Africa.

[@davidturner483]

I used to drink with you Mick .Dont know if you remember me Dave Turner. Live in Australia now.

[@michaelroebuck1340]

@@davidturner483 I am not 100% sure David but I think so. I have lived in Africa since 1966 now in Johannesburg. Never regretted moving here. Africa gets into your blood and I have been lucky to have travelled from Cairo to Cape Town. These days I keep active in our family business with my sons , blessed with a wonderful wife who is South African . We have been back to UK on pleasure trips and business. We lived in Malawi for 11 years which is a beautiful place. Keep Safe hope you have had a good life in Oz.

[@davidturner483]

Had to get the old brain box working Mick. Last time i saw you was in Jersey 1966 ibunked in with you and Kevin for a couple of weeks whilst i found somewhere to live. Me and Brian Diffley went to work in Torquay Devon in 1968 thats where i met my wife bought a house there and started a family. Emigrated to Adelaide South Australia in 1984 never regretted it lovely country .My wife passed away in 2013. I have two beautiful children and five grandchildren ao i am not lonely.Before the covid my brother who still lives in Oldham bumped into Brian in one of the pubs he is living in France he also mentioned that Mick Kerwan had died. Just thought remember that weekend away when me you Ernie Kevin and Mick went to Nottingham and finished up in Blackpool on a Sunday. I think you had a injured ankle if i remember right. Good times. All the best Mick stay safe stay young and best wishes to you and your family. Dave.

[@paulwild3676]

I lived next door to a family called Roebuck in Glodwick. Andrew was slightly older than me. I was born in 1963. His Dad was called Norman and his Mum Edna I think. He had a Sister. I think that she was called Sheila but not sure on that to be honest. I know it isn’t that uncommon a name but you might have a connection?

[@michaelroebuck1340]

I do not know of any of my branch of the Family living in Glodwick or any family member named Norman.

[@mrmyorky5634]

Lovely slide show. It was always a poor town, although we didn't realise it at the time we lived there. Thanks for the happy memories of Oldham.

[@Bobdennell]

I was six. We moved to Oldham in 1943, top end of Waterloo Street. I'd been born in leafy Southampton so the dusty smoke and little old ladies in clogs and shawls in a northern town were a bit of a shock and my accent was bullied out of me at a long demolished school down the hill. Alexandra Park was nearby as were The Lows, barren heath where we played and sledged during the harsh 1946-7 winter. We were rattled out of bed the night a V1 bomb took out several houses on Abbey Hills Road less than a mile away. Joy was Saturday morning kids Club at the Gaumont and seeing Learie Constantine bat at Werneth Cricket Ground. I escaped the bullies and went to Hathershaw School for a year (that's gone too) and scraped into Oldham Hulme before we upped and went to live in Sheffield but that's another story.

[@apunkman]

Those old photos made Oldham look ok, some of them good times, However the town has never been in a worse state as it is now!

[@marjanabegum8174]

i live in oldham

[@doodlers72]

My Mam, Aunty and brother are in this video at the market meeting the lord mayor I think. It's at 1.46.

[@laughinjohn]

Michael Meacher

[@andrew7241]

Why is there an Irish song on it.

[@derrickwalsh5087]

You will find it was about Salford

[@urseliusurgel4365]

Written by Ewan MacColl, about Salford. Only much later appropriated by the Pogues.

[@paulwild3676]

@@derrickwalsh5087 Oldham is not Salford. There are some terrific folk songs about Oldham. Owdham’s burnin sands.

[@wideyxyz2271]

On Oldham edge the grass is green nicest view you ever seen. If tha stands on top and looks about nowt below but chimney spouts (or similar variations)