Long time no squeak...

Hello folks... I'm back under another guise. How have you all been?
A certain turn of events has precipitated my return. I've a little story to tell..

I grew up next to a well known pie shop in Springfield... Did the whole go off to uni thing to Exeter when 19... Lived in Dorset, and Kent, then Cumbria, then Canada for a year, then Cumbria again before landing in Worcestershire... Been around a few blocks..

Got married etc. Now the fantasimal bit.

Christmas days are now spent with my extended family on the very edge of the Cotswolds. We all go to my in-laws. Sister-in-law brings husband and also husbands dad.

Husbands dad pipes up "my parents came from Wigan"
"Eh?"
"When I was little we would go to visit my granny up there"
"What a coincidence" says I.
"Throstlenest Avenue" says he. Cue me spitting wine everywhere.

So you see, one escapee from Wigan, who has by my own admission, worked her way through a few counties, ends up at a Christmas dinner table with the son of a pair of Wigan escapees who lived ABOUT TWO STREETS AWAY FROM WHERE I GREW UP!!
The reason I'm going through all this is that, the man - John Hardman - died just before last Christmas and it got his son, my brother-in-law, talking.
My bro-in-law's grandparents were Eric and Nelly Hardman. Possibly from Throstlenest Avenue. I'm guessing they left in the early to mid 1930's and ended up in Warwick, as John was born in 1937. My brother-in-law mentioned that he had made a couple of trips to Wigan when he was perhaps a young teenager. He rolled off Glebe End Street.... That made me spit my tea out this time.. The house at the very end that belonged to the Ahlgreens.. their daughter had a pony... he isn't sure if they were friends or relations. Another little nugget that John (the sadly deceased) had mentioned was that his uncle had been a manager at the Lowes department store.
So in truth, I'm kind of looking for any possible relatives of John (and his son, my brother-in-law).
i'm taken aback by this funny connection and how its come about and it would be nice to find a few things out...... i know you lot are more than ready, willing and able, you always have been! :D
Nic

Hello LH, welcome to WW, You have an interesting past and I'm sure you will be a great contributor to Wigan world, come in, set a spell take your shoes off,

Hi Tom...
thanks for that
I did a good long stint on WW a few years ago, but since forgot my login etc! I think I just went as Nicola... I'm hoping a few old familiar names are still knocking about! Gwim - are you out there?!?!?

A lot of the good uns have left due to squabbling etc, Gwimm , Dustaf and a lot more went, Tonkers still here,

Gwimm....Left?......ohhh.......I thought he was banned

C-mon Tom, tell the truth

just to explain , the above poster is on my ignore list so I can't read his nonsense, In my opinion, he is one of the reasons the forum has dwindled and most of the good posters left, But please stay a while and form your own opinion,

And I along with several others could say the same about you Tom

But anyway.......did Gwim leave or was he banned?
I think the nice lady has a right to know the true story........dont you?

Well, well Plummy, didn't take him long to jump on to what looks like to be a very nice thread. He really can't leave you alone, can he? So needy!

I can't see what he's saying, he's on my ignore, but I suspect it's not very nice because that's what he does.

Are you still doing the running, Nicola?

Toms telling lies again and you see it as a nice thread.......really?

Not much I can say to that

After you have been honest and told the nice lady what really happened with regards to the aforementioned person Tom perhaps the pair of you could then also explain to her why you keep telling everyone you are ignoring me.................but dont!!!

I do so hope you stay LH many of the females have left because of the above posters, Nanajaquie came back briefly after a long pause and I think she regretted it, I shan't say anymore because I believe you are intelligent enough to figure out for yourself where the problem lies but I hope to bump into you
( figure of speech) in other threads,

Many have left because of the tasteless comments and antics of you and your associates too Tom......I know its embarrassing but lets not deny it

And while we are on the subject of tasteless comments don't forget to tell the nice lady the real reason why your mate Gwimm is no longer here

Hobo, are you the 'Nicola', who said my friend and neighbour, Dr Rogan Jenkinson, the archaeologist, didn't know his arse from his elbow?

Sorry to be a nuisance but could I get back to Nicola's thread.
Too many years ago there was a Hardman's grocers shop on the corner of Throstleness Ave and Springfield Rd I was a paper boy for Joe Greenwoods newsagents just past the Springfield pub.
There was a son yes his name was John and he went to WGS in the fifties his sisters name escapes me . If you need any more background about the area I will do my best.

The shop on the corner of Throstlenest and Springfield was owned by Leslie Hardman, the brother of Eric, (see Wigan Residents 1968 , 29 Springfield Road) Leslie did have a son John born 1940
Eric Married Ellen maiden name Butler in 1936 then John was born in Warwick 1937 I think he was their only child?? in 1939 they lived at 54 Hanworth Road

The children of Leslie were John, Ella and Geoffrey.'Photos from St.Andrew's1948,1949 and 1950 have John as a taller member of class in the middle of the back row.I hope,Nicola,that you have seen the one from 1957 with your dad on.
One with Geoff in middle in 1953

Hello Nicola, I thought that was your voice! Welcome back!

Name: Eric Hardman
Registration Date: Jul 1936
[Aug 1936]
[Sep 1936]
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration District: Wigan
Inferred County: Lancashire
Spouse: Ellen Butler

Sorry wrong thread

What’s your current take on “Cocciumgate”, Nicola?

Posted by: tomplum (10346) View tomplum's page

A lot of the good uns have left due to squabbling etc, Gwimm , Dustaf and a lot more went,

don't forget Tom, lapis lazuli, Joseph, erontquay

oh, and they didn't go they were skimmed off.

amongst others

When ignorance screams, intelligence is silent.

Its been a while Boardy, can you remind us of who you do and who you don't have on ignore please?

The shop which is being spoken of here at the top of Throstlenest Avenue was a nice little shop.

I work very near there, and my then colleague and I would take a walk to that shop to get their meat and potato pasties for lunch. I called them "Policemen's Feet" because of the size of them, and they were darned good as well.

Long time no squeak... ?

actually pardon me for being pentonic but, that is a not a lubricant, WD stands for water repellant and will do exactly what it says on the tin, it repels water,
A more apt lubricant for a squeak is
3 in one

"Read the Label"!

Then - "Sign the Contract"!


A QUESTION OF LUBRICATION

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.

Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

sign nowt,
Don't volunteer for owt
Me Dad said liaaaake
peddle thee biaaake
Go't pub
eyght thee grub
and wash in't rain,
Thee con got't Spain,

Posted by: basil brush (18931)

Posted by: tomplum (10346) View tomplum's page

A lot of the good uns have left due to squabbling etc, Gwimm , Dustaf and a lot more went,

don't forget Tom, lapis lazuli, Joseph, erontquay

a lot of people left because of the above "nasty uns"

they went around in a pack, like "some people" on here, do.

wonder why you have nt been forcibly EJECTED WALSHY

BB he picked his new username from Bazils famous sound " Boom Boom"
As in Boomerang , The throw him off and he comes right back,

sign nowt,
Don't volunteer for owt
Me Dad said liaaaake
peddle thee biaaake
Go't pub
eyght thee grub
and wash in't rain,
Thee con got't Spain,

Please Tom......no more infantile comments.
****ty gets terribly upset when he sees them

Orrellite, JAMB, My Griffiths and others, thank you for your info, i'm just going to re-read it all now to make a bit of sense of it, sorry about the delay in getting back to you all!

lectriclegs - no, but I aim to restart (after the dog!) just picked up on circuit training (i've got a physical job, doesn't leave much at the end of the day!)

Tonks - Hiya! Couldn't give a stuff about that anymore - archaeology has long since been kicked into the hedge!

Jo anne and Mollie M, nice to know you're still about

Sooo, Eric had a brother, interesting to know.... I wonder what has become of his grandchildren, I would suppose they wouldn't be much older than my bro-in-law Mike..

Eric and Ellen, that's right and John (who recently died b.1937)

this is why i love this site

Thank you Winnie [t]

Mygriffiths - Argh!!! Going to look at all of those photos thank you !!

ok you marvellous folks, serious question - does anyone know of the children of John, Ella and Geoffrey, as they would be Mike's cousins

If you check information on Lancashire bmd you will find an Ella Hardman married an Allan August Ahlgren/Ahgreen(transcription problem) [n 1972
Geoffrey Neil Hardman married Jacqueline Skerrat in 1970 (Chorley)
and possibility that John married Margarer Elizabeth Davies in 1966 at St,Anne's Wigan
You can also check that Eric and Leslie had a sister Vera b.1911 who married Thomas Moore in 1938

Marriage: 6 Jun 1938 St Andrew, Wigan, Lancashire, England
Thomas Moore - 32, Coal Dealer, Bachelor, 42 Mort Street
Vera Hardman - 27, Cashier, Spinster, 95 Throstlenest Avenue
Groom's Father: John Edward Moore, (deceased)
Bride's Father: John Richard Hardman, Draper
Witness: Annie Bentley; James Moore
Married by Banns by: Frederick J. Alsop, Vicar
Register: Marriages 1932 - 1938, Page 117, Entry 234
Source: Original register at Wigan Archives

Geoffrey had 2 children born in Wigan, Benjamin James 1976 and Oliver John born 1970 last known whereabouts Chorley, I think Geoffrey is living in Bolton and maybe seperated from wife???
John may have had a son Mark Lee , and they may be living in Skelmersdale??
It looks like Vera never had children ? and also the same with Ella
Ella died 1996 in Wigan name recorded as Ahlgreen

I would like to thank Littlest Hobo for her very interesting thread. It has brought out a lot of knowledgeable Wigan members and lifted this forum up to a level not seen for a few years,
Well done that wigan Lass

I think there is a possibility that Amanda Jane Ahlgreen b.1967 was Ella's
daughter maybe your relative might recognise the name?

Electoral Registers 2003-2005
Amanda J Ahlgreen , 22 Glebe End Street WN6 7DF
Since moved to WN5 District ??
If I am right about Geoffrey his Address is 189, Devonshire Road
Bolton BL1 5LD

JAMB and Mygriffiths,
Little starlets!
Mike (my-bro-in-law) remembers Amanda, he said he had visited Wigan a couple of times when he was a young teenager.... its always good to have names and locations, it may be that in time he'd like to try to contact some of his cousins...
I wouldn't do it myself, that would be a bit presuming and rude of me, but i'll be passing him all this info... He's on a mini break after his dads funeral the other week, i'll be catching up with him in a few days, and then i'll probably have another flurry of questions...
I've even asked my brother who is a few years older than me if he remembers and Hardman from school... Every little helps!
This is the Wiganworld I remember

No worries Tom..

I found this relating to a photo from Wigan Grammar school
Comment by: Fred on 24th June 2008 at 13:23
Present at reunion: Norm Melling, Geoff Hardman, Billy Brown, Noel Smith, James Holding, Bernard Dowdall, Cliff Higham and Joe Fairhurst.

Geoff, his usual assured and confident self warmly greeted his long lost pal Curly Dowdall with the words, "Who the **** are you". Geoff’s garage "Elmer's Autos" is located at the Ford Garage on New Chorley Road, Horwich. So if you are thinking of changing your car - Geoff will offer you a good deal.
Also if you type in 'Geoff Elmer Hardman' in the search box a more modern photo with Geoff on.

I remember a Geoffrey and Helen / Ellen , Ella ( not sure how her name was spelled ) Hardman from around the Gidlow area. She went to Wigan girls high school she would be in her mid 60's now. She used to knock about with a girl called Angela who lived in I think, Gidlow Avenue. Im not sure if she is the lady in question in this thread though?

Posted by: tomplum (10395) View tomplum's page

I would like to thank Littlest Hobo for her very interesting thread. It has brought out a lot of knowledgeable Wigan members and lifted this forum up to a level not seen for a few years,

which is more than you can say about your site....eh Tom

Yoo Bitch

its the truth

Back in a bit, promise!

only saying

Cheshirecat - thank you for that info, the brother in law is having a whale of a time gathering all this info!!

another question for you fabulously knowledgeable kids.....

Alan Ahlgreen and Ella used to run or own a club / pub.... Mike can't remember the name of it.... he seems to think it was something "showbar"

Al taught him to play pool there, and he still has two cues! One of them may have been their daughter's - Amanda...

one more question for this evening - I promise!

Concerning Geoffrey... if he was born in late 1946 and went to St Andrews primary there is a chance that he was in the same year as my dad - Brian Gaskell (this is getting too random to be true) .... Does anyone know anyone who may be connected to this period at St Andys?

I wouldn't be surprised to learn the bar was Clowns Bar on Woodhouse Lane, I believe this was a popular haunt for Lily Savage ( Paul O'Grady) and he reputedly stayed at a friends house on Springfield Road when he visited???

Sorry Nicola,
Name Geoffrey N Hardman
Event Date 1946
Event Place Ince, Lancashire, England
Registration District Ince
Event Type Birth Registration
Page 130
Volume 8C
Affiliate Line Number 149
Registration Quarter Apr-May-Jun
Registration Year 1946
Geoffrey was in the class a year older than your dad and my brother.

https://yellow.place/en/geoff-hardman-s-horwich-motor-company-bolton-britain .Contains a photo of Geoff as a child.

Nicola, might well be on the wrong track here and may be a repeat of an earlier thread but did your dad live on Woodhouse lane behind Ted Greens repair shop and immediate neighbours to the Mehan family. If so let me known and I will post some memories.

Some old posts which might interest you.

Comment by: owd dave (wigan, england) on 21st December 2008
Hi Geoff I remember you well and your sister Ella i lived in Rylands st and we often used your parents shop good times eh


Comment by: Geoff Hardman (Bolton, United Kingdom) on 3rd December 2008
ALICE KENNARDS CHIP SHOP !....I remember it so well,she used to let me and my mates Bill & Chesh in the back sitting room at night (she normally only opened it at lunch-time), and we used to get a "wet six", and stay out of the cold....Incidentally, we had a grocers shop on the corner of Springfield Road and Throstlenest Avenue. My father, Leslie Hardman, was a 'Master Grocer'....i.e. he was also a provision merchant,so used to bone and roll his own Bacon etc., boil his own hams, all our butter, lard,cheeses etc. were cut and weighed by hand. My contribution was initially stocking shelves as a 7/8/9/ year old, and graduated to the 'shop bike' at the grand old age of 10 !...I used to deliver up to Beech Hill and surrounding areas, all around Rylands St., Gidlow Lane, Walkden Ave., and even to the Black Horse at the top of Market St., in the town centre.(Licensee was Mrs.Wade,she had a vicious terrier that used to bite me every time I delivered there. (Well, that was until my Granny put pepper in my trouser turnups....)Ours really was a family concern, every member of the family had to do their bit,but I remember it as a happy time !......Geoff (Elmer) Hardman

Also from this site (Eric's dad with Lowes connection).
1943 Jan. 12.
Death of Mr. John Richard Hardman, a director of Messrs. James Lowe (Wigan) Ltd., Victoria House, of Wigan, aged 68 years. Probate at Llandudno names Leslie Hardman as beneficiary. Llandudno was used during wartime rather than more local offices.

Interesting reading about KENNARDS chippy a favourite haunt of me and my mates in the early 60s great times

Some more information from this site
LOWES DEPARTMENT STORE
9 Comments
This thread contains pictures of John Hardman and his daughter Vera

Lowe's 50th Anniversary Booklet 1937
Photo: Barrie
Views: 2,028
Item #: 29016
Judging from the comments seen against the upload of this booklet, this is page 28 highlighting some members of staff in 1937 who had been with the shop for over 10 years. (page 29 will follow).


Comment by: Thomas(Tom)Walsh. on 12th February 2017 at 14:17
Miss Hardman (Vera) was still employed untill the takeover , she went to work at Taylor's Westhoughton afterwords . Vera married Tommy Moore the van driver when I started to distinguish between the two I was know as little Tommy even though I was much taller then Big Tommy, confusing ! Tommy and Vera lived in Springfield Road . I still have some initialled handkerchiefs Vera gave to me after 'Big Tommy' died they are still in the gift box. Vera was the most popular member of staff on Fridays she used to go to each department in turn with the wages .