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READER MESSAGES LATE JANUARY 1999

From: Brit165@aol.com (changed from Brit142@aol.com)
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 14:52:30 EST
To: aidan@anamaria.u-net.com

Subject: Great Manchester pictures

Dear Aidan:

What great pictures of Manchester they really put you there making me realize just how much I miss it. I grew up in Harpurhey, I'm sure you know where that is?

My daughter just put a picture of myself my mother, and brother, on Sharston St. 1955 on my screen saver. I will never turn the computer off now! I was in Manchester last July with my daughter Candice the last time she was in Manchester she was six, she's now twenty-one.

We went to London to try and get papers for her to work in England. To cut a long story short it would only happen if her father was British so we had to return to the States. Candice was very upset as she loved England especially Manchester and the people. She will keep trying.

I am living in Atlanta, Georgia far removed from Manchester your pages and photos make my day. Thanks again.

Regards Barbara Cunningham
e-mail: Brit165@aol.com (changed from Brit142@aol.com)

Yes, I know Harpurhey very well - lots of Eyewitness in Manchester readers come from there. Sharston St doesn't exist any more! How about sending me the picture so I can include it here. Sorry to hear Candice didn't manage to get a work permit. She should keep trying - a firm job offer from an employer here would help a lot. I know lots of Americans working in the Manchester area. Thanks for your kind comments.

From: Brit165@aol.com (changed from Brit142@aol.com)
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 15:09:46 EST
To: aidan@anamaria.u-net.com

Hi Aidan. Here is the picture of my family that you requested. I am standing with my mother, Alice Doubleday and my younger brother, Stephen Doubleday. It was taken on Sharston St., in 1955.

Also, I attended the Alfred Street Girls School, 1950-1961. I was wondering if any of the readers might have also been. I have some very cherished memories that I would love to share.

Thank you very much. Hope you like the picture!

Regards, Barbara Cunningham

What a wonderful picture! (click on it to enlarge) Probably taken casually at the time, but now it's a precious link with the past. Looks like a happy family, though the expression on your face is a bit serious! Maybe you didn't want to have your photo taken! The street scene behind is classic - the corner shop, the flagstones, the pedal-car and the lack of full-sized cars! This has all gone now, replaced by 1970's housing. I'll have a look for Sharston St on an old map. If anyone else has a classic family photo like this one, I'd like to include it here. By the way, do contact "In Touch" via the Manchester Online front page. They can include your "looking for" request on the In Touch page in the Manchester Evening News. Here's the location of Sharston Street in 1999

Thanks to Eyewitness I'm kept updated on events and developments in Manchester. Just one question: what are the plans for expansions of the Metrolink? I have noticed that works are progressing in Salford Quays, when is the new line due to open? And are there plans for more lines - the last I heard was that the proposed link to the Trafford Centre has been called off?

Thanks again for some brilliant work!

Kind regards,

Hans Lokoy

Here's a Metrolink notice I photographed in Salford Quays in 1997. As far as I know, the line should open in 2000, as indicated on the sign. The next line to be built will be from Piccadilly, through Ancoats, along Ashton New Rd, through the Commonwealth Games village, and on to Ashton-under-Lyne. A further line is planned to Manchester Airport, though I'm not sure of the exact route.

I believe there are also plans to run Metrolink trams along the old railway line from Didsbury village, Palatine Rd/Lapwing Lane (see pic), Princess Rd/Hough End playing fields, Chorlton and Stretford. In my photo (right), you can see the new Metrolink bridge across the Ship Canal. At the moment they're putting up the pillars for the overhead cables. The link to the Trafford Centre has been cancelled, as Trafford Centre owners Peel Holdings were refused permission for two further retail sites next to the Trafford Centre, and weren't willing to put up the private money towards the Metronlink line.

To: "Aidan" aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 12:06:24 -0000
From: "Elizabeth Campbell" lizee@mailcity.com
Reply-To:
Subject: The New EWM Page

Dear Aidan,

Congratulations! The new Eyewitness page is great. It is so comprehensive, colourful and interesting. I can't wait for the maps to come online and am looking forward to showing my uncle EWM. He's an old Manchester boy. My father grew up in Manchester and I love being about to explore his home town through your words and photographs, all the way from Australia. My Dad grew up mostly in Longsight (Copthorne Crescent). It was the Anson Estate then. His youngest brother still lives in the same house with his own family now.

I hope the "Manchester Evening News" realises how fortunate they are to have your creative talents!

All the best,

Elizabeth

Here's a scene just a stone's throw from Copthorne Crescent, which should be familiar to your dad and family. The Anson Estate is to the lower right on the mini-map. I have a hi-res version for print available too, if you're interested. Thanks very much indeed for your kind wishes, and as for your last remark, well, I hope so too.

To: aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 18:24:42 -0500
Subject: Eyewitness in Manchester

Aidan,

I want to thank you for your wonderful website. I have lived in Canada since 1977 with only one trip back to Manchester in 1986. It is great to see all the latest photos of the area - how it has changed!!

I lived on Mount Road in Gorton and would love to see any photos you have of that district. I have lots of family shots but not a one of Gorton. Hope you can help.

Julie Wagner
wagners@ican.net

Thanks for your message. did you go to Debdale Park? Hope to include more photos of Gorton soon. There's also a recently-published book about Gorton. Please e-mail me for more info.

Dear Mr O'Rourke

As you may have read or seen, our transplant went really well. We are both doing better than expected. I am writing to you in hope that you will let your readers know that I and Teresa wish to thank them for all their good luck wishes we received.

I also have some other news that may or may not interest you, and that is that I am to receive a medal and certificate of merit along with other donors from the US Surgeon General. I believe this is quite an honor because this is the first ever award ceremony for donors.

Some bad news is that I am having quite a lot of problems with Immigration and my savings are slowly running out. If any of your readers are willing could they please write me a supporting letter so I can present it with my papers.

Thank you and your readers for everything

Ian and Teresa Fleming

Very glad to hear you're doing well health-wise - that's the most important thing of all. Congratulations on the medal and certificate of merit. You deserve it - I'd be very scared to go through what you went through. Sorry to hear of your problems with immigration. Readers, if you can help Ian, please contact him at IanUSA420@aol.com . I'm sure there are many readers who've gone through the US immigration process, and may have advice or assistance. If you have any further suggestions, you can contact me too. Here's another pic of Newton Heath to remind you of home!

Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 16:32:06 -0500
From: susan healey-mills ride4311@ride.ri.net
Reply-To: ride4311@ride.ri.net
Organization: barrington school department
Subject: "DARTS"

Hi,
Really good information on your site. I left Cheadle (Bruntwood Park area) nine years ago for the East Coast of the U.S. so I have indeed enjoyed your photographs of Manchester, etc. Just a quick question you may be able to help me out with, regarding the game of "darts" - I would like to know how I can get information about the game as played in Manchester - is there a Manchester, or, North West "Association" address that I could contact for further information? Any help would be appreciated - many thanks.
Meanwhile: "C'mon You Blues....."

From: "Henshaw, David" David.Henshaw@BestBuy.Com
To: aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Subject: great site
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 00:14:19 -0600

Hi Aidan... just finished surfing around the EWM site and it's great! I'm a ten-year resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, but I grew up in humble Lower Broughton, Salford.

Would love to see some pics. of Salford Quays on your site. Back when I lived there, I was part of a Viewpoint photography group who went there in the late 80's to photograph the ongoing development -- tied in with a great photography exhibit they had at the time called "The Big Ditch"

Also, if you've got nothing better to do, check out my web site... not thatI would call them highlights, but has some of my b+w photography and somecrazy house parties (if you're ever in town, stop by!)

David
www.pobox.com/~dhenshaw

How about these? I'll be doing more soon - the camera is lying unused due to the cloudy weather at the moment. I remember the "Big Ditch" exhibition. I've visited Minneapolis, a very nice city, St Paul too.

Hey! I've been rifling through your latest efforts. I thought that itwas terrific as it was. Now it is superlative. I especially like the
re-appearance of the QTVR's. You have also triggered the contact of a kindred soul who lives 40 miles away. Best wishes from snowy Northern Ontario.

Eric Brennan (note my new E-mail address)

Glad you like it. More QTVR's coming fairly soon.

From: "Shelley Owen" Shelley.Owen@tesco.net
Subject: photos of Manchester
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 23:08:33 -0000

Aidan, I have just accessed the Manchester Online page, and felt I had to let you know how much I loved the photos of the City you've taken, especially the Former Daily Mail Building on Deansgate. This is without doubt, my favourite building, it reminds me of a mini skyscraper and is quite Art Deco in its design. I have taken a few b&w pictures of my own of this and other buildings around the city but none compare to yours

Shelley

ps. Is there a link for all these fans of Manchester to get together, I think it would be a great idea for a club!

Thanks for the message. This photo was taken on the tiny Kodak DC20 digital camera - I'll do a version on my "proper" camera soon. This building may soon change, so I'd better hurry up! Good idea about the "Fans of Manchester" club - I'll see about that.

 From: "Johnnybgood"New E-mail: johnnybgood42@hotmail.com
To: "Aidan O'Rourke" aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Subject: THE OLD ALLIANCE INN
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 20:13:17 -0800

G'DAY AIDAN , JUST HERE AT EWM,

DO YOU REMEMBER SOME TIME AGO I ASKED YOU IF YOU KNEW WHERE I COULD GET A PIC OF THE (OLD ALLIANCE INN) PUB ON ROCHDALE RD BLACKLEY. WELL I JUST HAD A EMAIL OF THE YOUNG GIRL WHO USE TO LIVE IN KATE ST, A LITTLE DEAD END ST THAT RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE PUB. I KNEW HER THEN BACK IN THE 70'S AND SHE REMEMBERS ME . SHE NOW LIVES IN CANADA BUT WAS BACK IN MANCHESTER FOR XMAS TO SEE HER FATHER WHO STILL GOES IN THE NEW ALLIANCE .

SHE TELLS ME THAT THERE IS A BOOKLET CALLED (OLD PUBS OF MANCHESTER) WHICH HER FATHER HAS SEEN A PIC OF THE OLD PUB IN IT. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SCAN OR RETAKE A PIC OF THE OLD PUB AND SEND IT TO ME ? I THINK I TOLD YOU THAT MUM AND DAD USE TO BE THE LANDLORD/LADY THERE BACK IN THE 70'S AND NOW IN THERE 70'S ALSO WOULD LOVE A PIC OF THE PUB.

MY DAD SAID ONLY THE OTHER DAY I'VE GOT A LOT OF FOND MEMORIES OF THE PUB, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NEVER GOT A PICTURE OF IT.

SO IF YOU CAN HELP ME (AND IF YOU CANT , MAYBE ONE OF OUR READERS CAN) I WOULD BE VERY VERY VERY GRATEFUL. MANY THANKS..........JOHNNY.

PS . CANT WAIT FOR THE VIDEO CLIPS.

Well, there's the New Alliance Inn - I happened to be passing today. I'll see if I can find a pic of the Old Alliance Inn, but leave it with me. As with all these requests for pics, I have to deal with them in turn. If anyone else has a request to see a pub, please let me know, but unless you're lucky, please be prepared to wait!

Aidan
These latest layouts are really GREAT!!!!!!!
I would like to thank you for all the hard work you have been doing over the last year that I have been accessing your site.
You really do keep us up to date on the many changes to MANCHESTER and all its areas.

KEEP UP THIS GRRRREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob (from Chorlton-cum-Hardy now living in Toronto)

Thanks very much for the kind comments! Here's a location which will be familiar to you.

Yes, the www.aidan.co.uk/ewm page went offline as I was changing from Warrington-based U-Net to my new ISP - Sheffield-based Force 9 Internet. If you'd like to re-bookmark www.aidan.co.uk/ewm, and have a look, you'll also see my new screensaver banner advert! Thank you for your kind words, they are most appreciated.

Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 11:06:00 -0800
From: Ihor ihor@ihor.com
To: aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Subject: Looks marvelous, congrats Aidan
A job well done!
Can't wait till Monday
Ian

Thanks

From: "Norman & Jean Buckley" nbuck@pacificcoast.net
To: <aidan@anamaria.u-net.com>
Subject: eyewitness
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 20:55:19 -0800

Hi Aidan , read your eyewitness every monday night, just enjoy it
tremendously, was delighted to see the picture of salford city hall better
known to me as Swinton town hall. I remember the building opening in 1936 i
think it was ,I was just about 5yrs old, all th children from my school went
to see the king and queen who came to swinton to open the town hall, but to
you a big thank you for putting it in your programme, hope you don't mind
but I have printed it just for my own use. keep up the great work.

Thanks very much indeed - very interesting comments about Swinton town hall - it really is an impressive building. Have you seen the night time shot above right?

Hi--

Just saw your pictures. As a transplanted Mancunian, I appreciated them very much. Although no-one can ever understand why, I still miss Manchester even after 10 years of being away. To me, it's home--and a great city.

Anyway, as a resident of Mass I can confirm that the church in question has a decided New England "look" about it. Westboro', where I presently live, is what you might call an archetypal New England town, with more white-spired churches in the tiny town center than buildings of any other kind.

Thanks again for the pics.

Mark Bates.

Thanks - glad to hear my impressions confirmed.

I've just been reading your mail from the States and Canada and how the snowstorms have been real bad this year. Tonight we have just had 17 tornados come through which is really strange for this time of year.

I would love to hear from anybody in Rochdale that went to Bishop Henshaws school now named St Cuthberts from 1974 -1977 or Birch Hill Hospital from 1978 - 1983.

We love your page we'll be keeping in touch

Mark and Maria Jolly Little Rock Arkansas USA.

Nice to hear from you - I'd love to see a tornado - I loved the movie "Twister" despite the plot and acting! Make sure you contact "In Touch" as well - your request can be included in the Manchester Evening News. Please do keep in touch, and all the best

If they can reach a gal in Brookshire, Texas, USA then you deserve some form of recognition.

Adios.

FMLook (Michele) 10309219 fmlook@lycosmail.com

Thank you very much indeed for your kind message - I like "young man" and "recognition" though I think in the long run, I have better chances with the latter rather than the former! I'm glad you like what you see - there's a huge difference between Brookshire Texas and Manchester UK, though I'm sure I'd find interesting things to photograph there too! Please keep visiting, an I hope you enjoy your stay when you come.

From: "Rich Cook" rac@fwi.com
To: "Aidan O'Rourke" aidan@anamaria.u-net.com
Subject: A couple of photos
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 18:30:01 -0500

Aidan, I finally got my photo's. "Snow" (right) is looking out of my driveway down the street, it is hard to see the amount of snow on the ground, at this point the snowfall had been around 18" with drifting up to several feet. "play snow" (inset) shows my son standing on the driveway with the drifted/shoveled snow behind him. He is 42" tall, so this gives a little idea of what we had. Other areas North of Ft Wayne had more snow and worse conditions overall. Forecast for the weekend.........up to 48F on Sunday.....get out the sun tan oil and swimming trunks!!! Will keep you posted. Rich Cook

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