Communities

West Ender · 29-12-2006, 16:24

When I was a child in West End (admittedly a smaller place than it is now) I knew just about everyone who lived there. Some I didn't know as well as others but I could put a name to most faces. And almost everyone knew me and my family.

Within our community there were "sub groups". There were the "Wesleyans", who went to the Methodist chapel, and the C of Es from St Thomas'. I went under another, wider, sub group which took in most of Oswaldtwistle, I was "One of St Mary's". There was also the Spread Eagle Lot, who lived in and around Spread Eagle St., the Thwaites Rd. Lot and "Them from th'Hare" who patronised the local tavern.

To our (my mother's) family there was a group known as "The Co-oppers". They were neighbours who shopped at the local Co-op. In the late 1920s my maternal grandfather, who was a local councillor and owned my aunt's baker's shop in West End, had fought against the opening of the Co-op - purely on the grounds of his own self-interest as he didn't want his trade damaged - and he and my aunts looked on Co-op shoppers as traitors.

School catagorised you too. I was a Paddock Houser, from age 11, and then became one of a new sub group - a teenager - but I still was a West Ender.

The point was everyone knew each other, knew other families' histories, knew each other's business and would rally together in times of trouble or celebration. There was a real feeling of community and of belonging. I don't think you find it so much now and I think we're the poorer for that.

garinda · 29-12-2006, 18:28

I've only just realised my Mum lived over the West End, on Thwaites Road, in the flats next to Dr. Stewart's(?)

She's a year younger than you, perhaps you knew her, although she was a Wesleyan.

steeljack · 29-12-2006, 19:56

My Mother was raised in/at West End , I seem to remember family talk that the wedding was at Immanuel/Emmanuel ? Where in Ossy is that ? and what type of Church ?
thanks

West Ender · 29-12-2006, 20:59

If I remember correctly, Emmanuel church is/was on New Lane in Ossy. C of E as far as I know.

When did your mother live in West End, Steeljack?

garinda · 30-12-2006, 00:34

Westender's right, Immanuel (strange but correct spelling) is C of E, and is on New Lane, and is the only church in Oswaldtwistle with a church yard where you can still purchase your burial plot.

cashman · 30-12-2006, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Westender's right, Immanuel (strange but correct spelling) is C of E, and is on New Lane, and is the only church in Oswaldtwistle with a church yard where you can still purchase your burial plot.

bet theres not a big queue for that.

garinda · 30-12-2006, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

bet theres not a big queue for that.

Lol, no, well not exactly.

There are only as very few places left.

Roll up, roll up...or rather roll in.

ossy kid · 30-12-2006, 01:36

How can you say there isn,t a big queue for graves at Immanuel, people are dying to get in there! That was where part of our wedding took place a long time ago.

steeljack · 30-12-2006, 01:41

The name seems odd somehow , I allways thought C of E and Catholic Churchs were allways named after/dedicated to a Saint

cashman · 30-12-2006, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossy kid

How can you say there isn,t a big queue for graves at Immanuel, people are dying to get in there! That was where part of our wedding took place a long time ago.

people who purchase burial plots aint usually dead,

garinda · 30-12-2006, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

The name seems odd somehow , I allways thought C of E and Catholic Churchs were allways named after/dedicated to a Saint

Nearly all Catholic churches are named after Saints, the only C of E ones that are, seem to be pre Reformation, when all churches in the country were connected to Rome.

I found this out the other week when I went to a concert at this church.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/s...t=church+opera

West Ender · 30-12-2006, 13:15

Isn't Emmanuel (Immanuel) another name for Jesus? Well, if he's not a saint..............

garinda · 30-12-2006, 14:50

Instead of pm'ing again I'll post it here.

My grandfathers cousin Kathleen (married name Howarth, can't remember her maiden name,) had a bakers shop over in the West End. I think that would have been in the 50's though. Wonder if it was the same one, they're weren't many over there?

West Ender · 30-12-2006, 16:27

Can't remember who bought my auntie Elsie's shop (429 Blackburn Rd), which she sold about 1951. She had been there since about 1928. There was only one other baker, Mrs Smithy, and she was still there until the 60s.