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‘Billy’ one of the town’s celebrities from a century ago – his ancestors seem to like Middleton Gardens
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Real ale makes 'Billy' a champion
Harold Cunliffe3/ 4/2008
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.
Derek who left the town as a young boy often reads the Guardian online (www.middletonguardian.co.uk). He thought that if these pictures were of the town, maybe the readers would enjoy viewing them.
He said: "I see no point in them being left in a drawer where no one can benefit, it’s far better to share the images with people who are interested."
Our sentiments entirely.
Derek was curious about a card showing a pigeon named Billy, who won several races. We were also intrigued to see that a pigeon had been immortalised on a postcard.
The champion bird was owned by Albert Fallows who bought the Hunters Arms – located at what is now the rear of Middleton Shopping Centre – Factory Street. He ran the hostelry from 1896 to 1917. He advertised, 'Home brewed ales, guaranteed pure’.
Billy won the Easter Sweeps of 1903, 1904 and 1908, and also the New Year Sweep of 1903.
He was rated within the first four for many other races, winning 55 trial belts.
His sporting achievements saved him from becoming an old Lancashire favourite, 'pigeon pie’.
Another card had little information other than, ‘Walkers in a Lancashire town’.
I believe that we have solved the mystery.
Tram lines are visible so the shot was taken on a main road. In the background is a building that looks like a chapel.
The film being shown is, ‘The Bells’ a 1926 melodrama starring Lionel Barrymore and Vera Reynolds, which was based on Alexandra Chatrian and Emile Eckmann's 1869 play, ‘Le Jeuf Polonais’ (The Polish Jew).
Could the building in the background be the Palace cinema? If so the Whit Walkers would be from Parkfield Church, on route to Kemp Street.
When the Palace was built is was a single story building.
The following report was written by the Palace cinema management in 1936: 'The Palace was erected in 1912, and had all its share of prosperity associated with silent pictures. This form of entertainment continued until 1929, when there were extensive alterations involving the wiring of the whole of the premises for talking pictures and the latest Western Electric appliances were installed. Since then, a magnificent new circle has been added and the premises are now capable of seating somewhere about a thousand people.'
I believe that when the balcony was fitted the front was extended to accommodate the balcony area. Danny Hardman has kindly digitally superimposed the top section of the Palace from a 1970’s photograph onto the 1926 postcard image.
Ironically, the 1970s photographer stood in the exact same spot as the 1926 photographer when the photos were taken.
Is this image that we have reproduced a correct account of how the cinema looked in 1926?
If you have an early photograph of the cinema please contact Bygone days.
Both 'Then' and 'Now' Palace pictures can be inspected at the Local Studies Library at Long Street.
We would like to thank Mr and Mrs D Stott for donating the images featured this week.
Click on 'View gallery' for more ...
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Maud never married but Annie married Billy Hilton an went to live at 18 Heywood Old Road at Rhodes.
Bernard Partington
4/04/2008 at 00:08