http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/ Top stories for Nostalgia http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1048668_st_leonard_and_the_dreaded_stocks IN SOME early photographs, taken when the area (now Jubilee Park) was still agricultural land, the church could clearly be seen, proudly overlooking the town that had grown up around it. Mr Wheeler lived in New Lane. Part of the field was his well manicured garden. The church is now surrounded by trees and can no longer be seen from some areas. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1048668_st_leonard_and_the_dreaded_stocks Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1047723_disgraveful_cemetery "YOU can tell the state of a nation by the way it cares for its dead". I heard this quote a number of years ago though I cannot find who originally said it, or where. However, it bears truth. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1047723_disgraveful_cemetery Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1046665_dont_put_your_daughter_on_the_stage_mrs_worthington_ IN 1924, five local men met to consider forming a Middleton Amateur and Dramatic Society (MADS). http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1046665_dont_put_your_daughter_on_the_stage_mrs_worthington_ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1045602_h2ho_ho_ho THIS week we take a look back at what was making the news during the 1880's. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1045602_h2ho_ho_ho Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1044658_chop_chop__no_no THE prospect of winning a floral decoration from 'Bluebells' tempted many readers to enter our recent quiz. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1044658_chop_chop__no_no Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1043651_real_ale_makes_billy_a_champion IT WAS during a sort out of old family papers that have been handed down over the years that Derek Stott from Accrington discovered a collection of old postcards that he thought could be connected to Middleton. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1043651_real_ale_makes_billy_a_champion Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1041539_the_ultimate_sweet_tooth_shop OUR Empire cinema feature certainly brought back many happy memories to many of our readers. Corporation Street has a rich history of being a place for social gatherings over the centuries. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1041539_the_ultimate_sweet_tooth_shop Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1040544_beats_a_garden_shed AFTER waiting 30 years for a tram a Middleton woman became the proud owner of her own carriage when she retired. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1040544_beats_a_garden_shed Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1039534_sweet_smell_of_success OUR star photograph this week shows the fair in Market Place taken a century ago. It is rare to see the fair in this location, its usual place was Jackie Booth’s field. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1039534_sweet_smell_of_success Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1038523_that_darn_cat LAST week we featured the Empire cinema/theatre at a time when Thomas Baker ran the business. Thomas also owned the Victory on Wood Street and advertised them as 'Middleton's premier entertainment houses'. The Victory gained the title the 'flea pit,' so I will leave the judgement to you. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1038523_that_darn_cat Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1037503_fall_of_the_middleton_empire READER Freda Joyce from Hollin kindly loaned Bygone Days a group photograph showing the staff of the Middleton Empire cinema which was taken at a time when she and her sister Eunice worked as usherettes during the early 1950s. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1037503_fall_of_the_middleton_empire Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1034454_changing_faces OUR images this week depict the visual changes that have taken place at four locations in the town. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1034454_changing_faces Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1033416_times_change RECENTLY this newspaper proudly celebrated its 130th anniversary. Looking back exactly 40 years there was cause for celebration when sales had increased to an all time high, more than 14,000 copies were sold in one week, this was the highest number in the paper's 90-year history. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1033416_times_change Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1032406_the_lights_are_out_in_junction THIS week we feature classic bygone images of Middleton Junction - some are new and previously unseen. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1032406_the_lights_are_out_in_junction Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1031293_born_to_dance FROM a very early age Vera Dyson enjoyed the delights of dancing.  It was the result of constantly pestering her mother that she became enrolled as a pupil at Madame Peach’s School of Dancing at Harpurhey. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1031293_born_to_dance Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1030367_out_with_the_old LANLGEY Library on Windermere Road will close its doors for the final time in the next few weeks. But the great news is, a new up to date facility is to replace the old library only a short distance away. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1030367_out_with_the_old Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1029074_let_it_snow_ I HAVE to confess that for a number of years I was the person who organised the building of the Christmas Crib in Middleton Shopping Centre. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1029074_let_it_snow_ Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1028188_its_quiz_time THIS week we have four great prizes up for grabs in our festive quiz. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1028188_its_quiz_time Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1027246_the_shops_of_christmas_past SHORTLY the shops will be a hive of activity with Christmas only two weeks away. This week Bygone Days takes a nostalgic look back at the town centre shops in the late 1950s. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1027246_the_shops_of_christmas_past Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1026343_a_birds_eye_view AERIAL photographs always prompt our readers to send in favourable comments. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1026343_a_birds_eye_view Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1025370_hard_days_night I SHOULD have realised that when my mate Alan McEwen invited me to a night out it wouldn’t be spent in a bar enjoying a few drinks. It was back in the 1960s at a time when I was employed by the Co-op that Alan had started his own boiler repair business. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1025370_hard_days_night Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1024423_goodnight_mr_tom RECENTLY I had a reminder of an incident that occurred during my time as a pupil at Durnford Street School. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1024423_goodnight_mr_tom Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1023412_have_your_say "I LOOK forward to thumbing through the pages of the Guardian each week,” is a comment from an 89-year-old Alkrinton resident. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1023412_have_your_say Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1022344_moving_memories GEORGE Orwell wrote in his novel, '1984,' that the government, 'Big Brother', would be watching the population and cameras would be recording our every move. Here in Middleton it was Tony Robinson in 1964 who was walking around the town capturing some fascinating moving images with his cine camera. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1022344_moving_memories Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1021466_saturday_blues IT’S not that long ago that townsfolk would spend Sunday afternoons having a leisurely walk through the green fields and country lanes that once surrounded the town. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1021466_saturday_blues Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1020352_oz_memories FRANK Jackson who was born at 54 Boardman Lane, Rhodes, has decided that the time is right to put pen to paper and record his childhood memories of growing up in Rhodes. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/1020352_oz_memories Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533318_an_avenue_of_opportunity IT WAS during the clean up operation following the Middleton flood of July 1927 that the council required a place to dispose of the tons of vile smelling mud and silt that carpeted the centre of town. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533318_an_avenue_of_opportunity Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533134_groom_took_the_hough THIS week we feature some recently unearthed photographs of the Moston area. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533134_groom_took_the_hough Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533131_soil_soaked_in_the_blood_of_middleton_men "MEN stumbled forward through mud and slime. At every step they sank over the boot-tops in sodden soil; not a few sank waist-deep in the yawning, water-filled shell holes - but they staggered on with the grim persistency which is the outstanding attribute of the average Englishman and the source of wonder to foreign nations." This appalling, but chest-swelling, scene is painted by Major Chesnutt-Chesney, officer commanding the Middleton company of the 2/6th Lancashire Fusiliers who attacked the infamous Passchendaele Ridge on the morning of October 9, 1917. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/533131_soil_soaked_in_the_blood_of_middleton_men Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532994_aah_biscuits CO-OPERATION - 'working together for the good of all' - proved to be a successful business strategy for the Co-operative Wholesale Society. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532994_aah_biscuits Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532502_past_and_present THIS week's collection of 'how it used to be' images feature a shop that was once well patronised by the town's motorists who performed their own vehicle repairs. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532502_past_and_present Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532323_pop_and_ale_boys REGULAR readers will remember the audio tape recording made by Mrs Taylor from Alkrington in 1988 when she recorded the memories of 87 year old Annie Whitely, nee Waterhouse. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532323_pop_and_ale_boys Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532322_mud_blood_and_hopeless_bravery "I AM very sorry to be the one to write to you on the subject I have to do, but in this case I think it is my duty. Your Tom was killed in the advance. He was very well liked and cheerful as anyone." 'Tom' was Private Thomas Worsley, of Oldham Road, killed in action with the Middleton territorials on September 6, 1917 - 90 years to this very day. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532322_mud_blood_and_hopeless_bravery Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532078_all_mod_cons SOME months ago an interesting map of the town arrived at the Bygone days office, dating around the time of the Jubilee of Incorporation, 1936. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/532078_all_mod_cons Wed, 29 Aug 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/531859_delivery_days THIS week we feature feedback and photographs from our dedicated readers. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/531859_delivery_days Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/531660_help_at_hand THESE five photographs were taken at the time of the Great War 1914-18, depicting Middelton soldiers. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/531660_help_at_hand Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530975_coining_it_in RECENTLY in conversation with an old friend, boilermaker, Alan McEwen, he made a comment that in my time 'I'd done a variety of work'. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530975_coining_it_in Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530712_stanycliffe LOCAL historian Geoff Wellens steps back in time and explores Stanycliffe ... http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530712_stanycliffe Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530362_the_great_flood_of_1927__part_2 ON THE evening of 11 July the George Hotel, Manchester New Road, which was at the fringe of the flooded area, had barrels of beer floating about in 3ft of water. More pictures and audio special here ... http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530362_the_great_flood_of_1927__part_2 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530133_the_great_flood_of_1927__part_1 OVER the last few weeks parts of the country have been submerged under water. Thankfully Middleton has escaped the worst of them. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530133_the_great_flood_of_1927__part_1 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530002_give_us_a_leg_ RECENTLY I have met up with a person that I have known for more than 25 years - Larry Brindle, who was well known in the Alkrington area for delivering milk at lightning speed. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/530002_give_us_a_leg_ Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529658_horror_as_middleton_floated_by TODAY we hear reports of flash floods mainly due to climate change. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529658_horror_as_middleton_floated_by Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529336_not_innkeeping TODAY we witness a number of public houses standing empty and boared up with an uncertain future. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529336_not_innkeeping Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529084_can_you_help THERE'S no doubt about it, Bygone Days readers enjoy viewing old photographs that are published each week. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/529084_can_you_help Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/528812_pride_of_the_town PORING over the wartime jottings of an un-named Middleton fireman makes interesting reading. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/528812_pride_of_the_town Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/528214_wet_wet_wet_ LAST week we published a selection of images that had been reproduced from a collection of old negatives. One reader said: "Seeing those photos of Market Place brought back memories and some sad ones too." http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/528214_wet_wet_wet_ Wed, 23 May 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/527981_a_graceful_exit OUR recently unearthed black and white negatives have now been converted into digital images. This week we have published a selection of these images taken at a time when Market Place was due for demolition. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/527981_a_graceful_exit Wed, 16 May 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/527411_schwabe_death_stuns_village THIS week's interesting images have been reproduced from an album of Rhodes related photographs owned by Bob Chapman. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/527411_schwabe_death_stuns_village Wed, 02 May 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/526982_lanky_twang THERE'S no doubt that job satisfaction is an important part of working life. Read the full story and listen to some genuine Lancashire dialect here ... http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/526982_lanky_twang Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/526702_memories_flooded_back IT IS always gratifying to read letters and emails sent in by our readers when one of our articles has brought back memories of happy times. http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/526702_memories_flooded_back Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:00:00 -0000