My Hometown

Mog · 08-11-2012, 07:36

Its now 46 years since I left Accrington to try and build a better life. This I did but in the process I gained and lost 3 wives, 3 houses and loads of money that was either taken from me or that I squandered on whatever. Now at 66 I think its time I stopped being daft and settle down By Myself. I visit Accy from time to time, but not as often as I would like to. Now that I have decided to live a nice quiet life, I can visit my hometown more frequently as I have no other ties. I was just thinking about my working life at Bankhall, Huncoat and Hapton Valley Collieries from 1962 till 1968 when I moved away. Lots of good times at the Pit and in and around Accrington. Times up Spring Hill, The Arc’s, Morts and the Con. Loads of great memories and all those Beautiful ladies that I had the privilege to spend time with. Cannot mention their names on here but when I visit next time, I shall try and look a few of them up to see how they are.
One thing that’s always been on my mind all these years is the friends that I had, that passed away for whatever reason in the short period between 62 and 68.
I am sure we all have lost mates in the past. Tragic loss of young life. From the Pit Billy Poole and Willie Cooke, Terrence Seamore Drinking buddy of Bob Burnside and myself. Dusty Harry from Huncoat, Flash from the Bridge and My good mate Tez. I am sure some of you guys remember him. Handsome guy, bit of a Ted.
I am coming home in a couple of week’s time and I am looking forward to a few glasses of wine or Jack Daniels in the Railway on Blackburn road, and maybe meeting up with one or two of you guys.

cashman · 08-11-2012, 08:03

Am sure yeh mean Tez B. Mog? knew him pretty well. Also knew Cooky well, n Billy Poole n his younger bro Bobby.

Mick · 08-11-2012, 08:06

we will be in the Railway on Sat at 12 till about 2 if your in mog check out back in the smoking area you might find a few members there

Mog · 08-11-2012, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

Am sure yeh mean Tez B. Mog? knew him pretty well. Also knew Cooky well, n Billy Poole n his younger bro Bobby.

Yes thats them Cashy. Only young men. Never got to older like me and thee mate.

Mog · 08-11-2012, 12:36

Will do Mick.

Bob Dobson · 08-11-2012, 12:41

Dusty Harry may have been Harry Tootle, who lived near and worked down Huncoat pit under Mr Oldcorn & Jimmy Cregg. Harry died a couple of years back.

Wynonie Harris · 08-11-2012, 13:51

Billy Cooke, now there was a lad, always lived life to the full during the time he was here. Incidentally, Mog, if you are going to be visiting Accy more, could I possibly suggest that at some point you join Cashy and our little crew in the Oaklea and from there onto the Clayton End for the match. A good craic guaranteed!

lindashanks2 · 08-11-2012, 14:33

I remember Billy Poole, think he was killed from motorbike crash. His brother Bobby was a mate of mine. Haven't seen him in years. Think they lived on Hudson Street at one time.

cashman · 08-11-2012, 14:51

Cookys step brother G.N. i also knew very well. Lived on Maden St in Church when he got wed, to a lass P.G. used to sup in Oak Tree in those days, last i heard they had moved abroad.

Wynonie Harris · 08-11-2012, 16:04

Just remembered Bobby Poole. Used to sit on the deck with him as a wide-eyed 16 year old in '67 while he told me tales about his life in swinging London, visiting all the top clubs, buying his gear in Carnaby St etc. Was well-impressed!

BERNADETTE · 08-11-2012, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

Cookys step brother G.N. i also knew very well. Lived on Maden St in Church when he got wed, to a lass P.G. used to sup in Oak Tree in those days, last i heard they had moved abroad.

You heard right Cashy

Mog · 08-11-2012, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

Dusty Harry may have been Harry Tootle, who lived near and worked down Huncoat pit under Mr Oldcorn & Jimmy Cregg. Harry died a couple of years back.

Sorry Bob, I remember Harold Tootle. He was too nice to be a miner. Nicest bloke I ever worked with. He nearly came down to Coventry with me in the late sixties. Yes he passed away a year or so. No, the dusty Harry was the son of Dusty Harry who worked at Huncoat. Harry,s job was stone dust Barriers and dust suppression. Hence the name dusty. I think he commited suicide on the road in Within Grove. Billy did die in a motorbike accident. Willie Cooke in an overdose. And I think if Cashy can remember Tez died on the railway. Going down Clayton seems a good idea as I married a gal from Clayton the first time. Big mistake though. I called in the pub at Accringtons ground last time I came up. I knew Bobby Poole but lost track with him and everybody else when I left. Looking forwards to meeting some of you guys and Gals if poss.

claytonx · 08-11-2012, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

Dusty Harry may have been Harry Tootle, who lived near and worked down Huncoat pit under Mr Oldcorn & Jimmy Cregg. Harry died a couple of years back.

I think Harry was a conductor on Accrington Transport before he worked at Huncoat Pit. He got the name Dusty as his job was to spread a white powder over all the tunnels to prevent a fire hazard in the road ways. The manager was Bill Oldroyd with Bob Brooks as undermanager, when he went to Bank Hall Pit, Jimmy Clegg came as undermanager and Dick Oldham was the day time overman,

claytonx · 08-11-2012, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonx

I think Harry was a conductor on Accrington Transport before he worked at Huncoat Pit. He got the name Dusty as his job was to spread a white powder over all the tunnels to prevent a fire hazard in the road ways. The manager was Bill Oldroyd with Bob Brooks as undermanager, when he went to Bank Hall Pit, Jimmy Clegg came as undermanager and Dick Oldham was the day time overman,

As you can see Mog and I worked at Huncoat around the same time and we have sent PMs to each other.

Mog · 08-11-2012, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Billy Cooke, now there was a lad, always lived life to the full during the time he was here. Incidentally, Mog, if you are going to be visiting Accy more, could I possibly suggest that at some point you join Cashy and our little crew in the Oaklea and from there onto the Clayton End for the match. A good craic guaranteed!

Will do. My son plays for Folkestone in the Ryman league. He had a spell at Millway but they ran out of Money so all the young lads were sent away.
Last time I saw Willie was in the Broadway with a young gal and a large funny smelling fag on the go. He used to hang about with another pit lad called Roy Evans or as us pit lads called him. Roy pep pill. Think he lived on Blackburn road either over the road from Cairns Bike shop or maybe near to Jas Aspin. I think thats his name. His dad was a tatoo artist.