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Ashton's cafe'd

Started by: brendan (1502)

Does any one remember the three cafes in Ashton.Dickinson's, El toroe and I can not remenber the other one.

Started: 8th Mar 2008 at 20:38

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

the cafe you want was at rhe top of gerard st near the little alley that led to the scala picture place . the name was richards but it always got called rickards is that the one you mean

Replied: 9th Mar 2008 at 13:05

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Yes it was and thank you.A hot glass of vimto.

Replied: 9th Mar 2008 at 18:35

Posted by: dianne (827)

i dont remember these how far are you going back

Replied: 9th Mar 2008 at 20:17

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

hi dianne going back to round about 1951-52

Replied: 10th Mar 2008 at 09:25

Posted by: dianne (827)

i was only born in 1958 so its no wonder i dont remember

Replied: 10th Mar 2008 at 16:41

Posted by: brendan (1502)

not that long frank, i was going in the cafe's in about 1963.

Replied: 10th Mar 2008 at 17:42

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

5o-51 was the time i used to go in them at the age of 15 dont remember when they closed

Replied: 10th Mar 2008 at 18:40

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

so just where was this eltoroe cafe in 1951 frank,i remember dickinsons,rickards & the one just down warrington road which much later became the makerfield cafe but can·t quite remember its name in 1951 BUT i do certanly remember you at that time,
you was never out of larges cake shop always buying their one penny hot cakes
(next door to the queens cinema)also remember mrs norcross british school

Replied: 10th Mar 2008 at 20:14

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

th el toro was opposite the congregational church just up from Sharrats paper shop miss Norcross Mrs callow Miss sides Mr Cottom headmaster happy days plenty cane

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 10:02

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

frank,that would be next door to middleton & woods then,but i don·t recall any eltoro in 1950s but what was the cafe in warrington rd called in 1950s,you don·t mention mrs litherland, mrs pigot mrs hodge or mrs hughs, come on frank shake off the old dust

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 10:12

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

hi fred nice place in menorca plenty dust there el toro opened a bit later probably 58-59'i'll find out about the one in warrington rd and let you know by the way it was mrs hodgkinson remember making raffia mats, litherland was good wit cane [img]http://bestsmileys.com/cats1/6.gif[/img]

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 11:22

Posted by: bentlegs (5295)

Ferdy, Wally, was it the Cosey Cafe in Warrington road?

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 12:54

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

thats the one bentlegs they also came on the M6 wheniworked on the bridges selling soup,pies etc but i can't think of their name.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 13:21

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Bentlegs,Fred it was Deardens ice cream parlour and then Dixon's changed it to Cosy Cafe then a chinese chippy my big brother told me he's 83 but a better memory than me

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 14:37

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

gerry, frank,thanks for the memories,cosy cafe thats the one, always a bit too up market for me at the time,frank was jack your brother who married olga partington

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 16:48

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

your right woodentop he did marry olga sadly she's not with us anymore

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 18:34

Posted by: brendan (1502)

The cafe was know as Mo's.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 18:39

Posted by: pfoster (58)

i remember one at the side of the catholic club in ashton opposite the kings arms, it was in a row of terraced houses which are no longer there. i was very young at the time and only just remember it. must have been in the early seventies sometime. does anyone else remember that one?

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 18:57

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

don't r emember a cafe there was a pub there The Oddfellows everybody called Johney Harts

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 19:11

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

there was another pub in that row called the queens head (top house)Two other cafes from way back gorners opposite johnie moggies on garswood street & pillings opposite red lion on the first floor, ground floof was a cake shop
Frank, sorry re Olga I knew her sister Joyice what became of Joyice

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 20:45

Posted by: brendan (1502)

What about Morgan's cafe, were the chinese is now.We used to call there after going to the Monaco at Hindley. Chips, egg, peas and bacon. The cost was Three and six.About 17 pence.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 21:26
Last edited by brendan: 11th Mar 2008 at 21:27:11

Posted by: bicky (106) 

WOODENTOP I remember the qeens [tophous] 1955/56 my first drinks were in there, under 18 we would come out of the [old pro]danceand stand in the pub doorway to drink, loads of lads did it.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 21:47
Last edited by bicky: 11th Mar 2008 at 22:37:07

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Ray Doyle was once the landlord there, he also had the butchers shop across from the Kings Arms. He then took over the Red Lion.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 21:51

Posted by: ozzie (79)

remeber dickensons used to be a biker cafe.

Replied: 11th Mar 2008 at 23:11

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

brendan, yes ray doyle took over the red lion from lily & maurice casey did you go there in the 50s, Bicky you must have been in the top house the same time as me, the novice priests were regulars there, it was a really good pub to go during the interval at the old pro, the hit record at the time was "put another nicol in the nicolodian" happy day·s

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 09:58

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Hi woodentop sadly Joyce passed away as well . Do you remember old Sankey who used to go round the pubs doing card tricks for ale Ray Doyle,s still knocking about Bryn Club,Bowling Club.

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 10:10

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

frank can·t recall old sankey,is austin doyle still living in the ashton area

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 12:43

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

dont know woodentop last i knew of him he lived in a bungalow on Alexander road just before the strand

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 13:41

Posted by: bentlegs (5295)

Ferdy , Frank, Top house was known as the aprentice boozers pub, you could get a drink at any age before Ray Doyle took it over,Remember Dezzi Myler snooker player ? he bought me my first pint in there, Spent many a night in t'dall,

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 19:22

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Bentlegs quite a few lads served their time in top house,owd Mary's and kings arms Dezzi comes into Bryn Club on saturday night

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 19:37

Posted by: brendan (1502)

I was with Ray last week in the Red Lion.Those were the days straight from church into the Top House.Sankey used to do his tricks in the Oddfellows on a Sunday afternoon and also the Rams Head at Stubshaw.

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 19:59

Posted by: bicky (106) 

WOODENTOP yes I remmember the record nicolodian [was it kay star singing it]? my best mate at the time was martin walsh,a big family. BENTLEGS. saw dezzi myler last week on the market. I worked at the mill same time has him.

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 20:51
Last edited by bicky: 12th Mar 2008 at 20:55:08

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

Bicky not sure who sang it but can you remember the band that played at the old pro, ithink it was jack kitts & his band, jack was the drummer

Replied: 12th Mar 2008 at 22:03

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

woodentop the band i remember playing at the Pro on saturday night was Wally Thompson nothing but records on thursdays

Replied: 13th Mar 2008 at 11:08

Posted by: bicky (106) 

WOODENTOP I seam to remember the name jack kittsband from somewere, did thay do the baths hall as well, or did the baths only do private dances,I know I went there a lot, saw lonnie donnigon there, I was around 1954 up to1958 then national service took me.

Replied: 13th Mar 2008 at 18:53
Last edited by bicky: 13th Mar 2008 at 18:57:28

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

bicky,was that after Ron Hall and his band of renown because the army took me in 55

Replied: 13th Mar 2008 at 19:08

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

hi I remeber all 3 places went in then in the 60s we used to drink hot sasperella and play the juke box I remember the Haydock lads hung out there and in Dickisons the bikers Dickies always had a big fire going in the winter time the other one at the top of the st the mods hung out so you had the mods the rockers hahaha fun days some teddy boys too

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 05:55

Posted by: norman prior (817) 

Does anybody remember "SQUEEZE BALLY ENTRY" to the right at the top of Bryn St. Ist it satill there?

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 15:41

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Hi Norman th'entrys still there,its a good while since we went up it go to Scala[bug house as it was known].

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 15:46

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

yes I remember SQUEEZE BALLY ENTRY had to go though it to get to work at the mill

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 16:34

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Hi Norman, again, i,m a bit mixed up the one at the top of Bryn St was in Liverpool rd really,at the side of the Catholic Club, is that the one you meant.or the other one inGerard St

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 16:53

Posted by: norman prior (817) 

frankwalford, yes that is the one next to the Catholic Club.Didn't it lead to the Council offices and tennis court.
We used to go in the Catholic club on sunday night because snooker and darts etc were legal there but not in pubs.
There were two pubs up liverpool Rd one was the oddfellows the other I don't remember the name but they sold Farrimonds ale there at two pence half a pint against two and a half in others.
Again,on sunday night we had "Spelling Bee" contests several teams competing.
At the bottom of Ashton the Salvation Army used to have a Service and we joined in the hymn singing.
My first drinks were in the Angel pub, I think it is Warrington Rd at that point.
Three opf us, three gills.We couldn't afford any more.
Norman

Replied: 21st Apr 2008 at 19:35

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

Hello Norman the other pub was the Queens but it always got called The Top House the Oddfellows was Johny Hart,s,prices have changed a bit since then. Plenty young lads served their time in th'Angel do you remember the little public toilet at the side of it

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 10:14

Posted by: bicky (106) 

HI LANKY
Reply to your comments walking thro the entry to go to work at the mill, i myself have done the same walk for meany years 1954 to 1963 i wase in the wearhouse, I met my wife there BOO HOO. bye

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 14:34

Posted by: brendan (1502)

What about the Gerard Arms, over the top of Greensway.Also the Dull Pic.

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 17:17

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Hi Bicky I worked there 1960 till 1967 I worked in the winding room on the stripper most of the time our boss then was joe do you still live in Ashton do you remember any of the weevers?or winders?

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 17:33

Posted by: norman prior (817) 

As I read the replies on this one it brings back lots of memories. The Gerard Arms was not one of my favourites, I only went in there once.
But it seems everyone started their drinking in Rickards or Dickinsons and graduated to the quieter pubs for their first alcholic refreshment before progressing to the more regular ones.
The closing of most of the temperence bars has contributed to the waywardness of some of todays youth I think.
Such is Life
Norman

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 19:24

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

that is a shame seems like it was a safe place for the young to meet and your family knew where to find you seems like today there is no places for the young I guess we had it good in them days even here in the usa kids seem to get bored really fast

Replied: 22nd Apr 2008 at 19:37

Posted by: ©art© (6154)

Couldn't resist this Woodentop

By Theresa Brewer:
Music Music Music

PUT ANOTHER NICKEL IN
IN THE NICKELODEON
ALL I WANT IS LOVING YOU AND
MUSIC, MUSIC MUSIC
ID DO ANYTHING FOR YOU
ANYTHING YOUD WANT ME TO
ALL I WANT IS KISSING YOU AND
MUSIC, MUSIC MUSIC

CLOSER, MY DEAR COME CLOSER
THE NICEST PART OF ANY MELODY
IS WHEN YOURE DANCING CLOSE TO ME

PUT ANOTHER NICKEL IN
IN THE NICKELODEON
ALL I WANT IS LOVING YOU AND
MUSIC, MUSIC MUSIC

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 10:35

Posted by: ©art© (6154)

Anybody ever see Eric Winstone (sig tune: Stagecoach)& his band at Ashton Baths.
When they had their interval, Ray Ellington (of the Goonshow) & his band filled the gap.
Rays' singer was Marion Ryan..This was about 1957/58

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 10:57

Posted by: bicky (106) 

@ART@
I saw the two bands you mentiond at the baths hall 57/58 went there a lot. anothere singer on the scene at the hall then was EDNA SAVAGE i dont remember the songs she had in the charts at the time she didn,t last long on the scene. sorrey about your name dont know the settings.

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 16:42

Posted by: bicky (106) 

HI LANKY 11. I live near ashton moved to bickershaw 6 yrs ago, i worked in the wearhouse cloth inspecting i remember afew names only; it was a long time ago. ha ha I WONT bore you with a lot of names. w/housejohn white, arther foulds,frank/H MYSELF. weaving winifred morly now my wife for 48 yrs from[bryn]syblle wilkinson, edna grundy [haydock]barbara wild nellie edwards tommy wright[all ashton].did you ever go on the shed trips to blackpool? a good bonuse every year. all the best from frank,

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 17:26

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Bicky I think I remember Edna and there was a boss in the winding room called Arthur I think I remember you too but the majic eye was just outside of the ware house I remember Ann and Nancy from the winning room they would be in their 60s now I need to fish out the pics I also remember the trips well Ann and I missed the bus home hahaha too much fun back then I remember twins weavers black hair but don't temember their names also shirly wilson she was a big flurt with the lads also remember the union womem no name again and the woman who cleaned the bathroom she used to look under the toilet to see if you was smoking lol

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 19:34

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

do any of you remember the beatnic girl that used to go in Dickisons caf'e she came in alone always and would sit near the fire telling us strange tails I think she had a french name like morece or something like that I also remember a biker called Tommy his mate got killed on his bike

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 19:40

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

From the El Toro I remember Bimmy Cook a guy they called cadgie Joe Ashton and Shirley wilson When I was there a spanish woman ran it she had long black hair she ran it with her her husband

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 19:47

Posted by: bicky (106) 

I Lanky, I to remember the twins but like you no names as yet, the name of the cleaner in the toilets was [linda wright]. looking through your blog you lived in clifton rd my wife was brought up round there lived in linden avn till 1961, by speak to you again, frank.

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 22:10

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Hi Bricky ask your wife if she knows Barbara and sheila Gregory they moved to sefton rd later back to back with my mums house I went to school with Barbara I used to short cut my way to their house by cutting though the Wilcox back yard hahaha and jump the fence then right into the Gregory's yard ask her if she remembers old fagon from the old house's going towards Wigan rd I used to be scared to go by his house hahaha

Replied: 23rd Apr 2008 at 22:52

Posted by: bicky (106) 

HI again LANKY,my wife knew the gregory family and old fagon. but from replys [ie] starting work 1960 and us starting 1955, it will put us about 5 yrs older, and different [circles],joe fairhurt lived in clifton avn but on the other side from you,he also work,d at the shed. the brittania pub as now been pulled down but you probbably never went in with it being just a drinking mans pub.i have enjoyed our chats it as given me computer practice i am new to this game, thank you. by the way my wifes family name is MORLY 3 sisters younger than her, sheila [65] eileen[60] christine[57] sorrey to go on by frank.

Replied: 24th Apr 2008 at 18:11

Posted by: brendan (1502)

One place we had not mentioned is Kenyons chippe at the bottom of Old rd. You could have a good fish meal in there 6 nights a week.

Replied: 24th Apr 2008 at 20:55

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Hi Bricky Was Joe a short guy got married to a girl I think her name was Doreen if so I remember him he was madly in love with her I used to walk up the road with him sometimes Look at my old pics on my blog black and white pics there are some Shed girls on there from when we went to Blackpool and rented a caravan I remember the number to it to this day it was L5L The computer is a fine thing who knew back then you could type and some one at the other end of the world could read it right away
Just about everyone has a computer here in the states even the little kidsI think my Brother Jimmy went in that pub I started at the shed when I was 15 I am 62 I left when I got Married I had my first born in 68 January so I worked till I was 6 months then I moved out of Bryn to live in Wigan Did you know Norman Anderton he and his Dad worked at the shed Norman was my very first boy friend but broke it off with him cos I wonted to hang around with mi mates and go into Dickisons and the Eltorohe he was a nice lad tho his dad was nice too

Replied: 25th Apr 2008 at 03:22

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Posted an old pic in my old pics in my blog I am standing in the El toro

Replied: 25th Apr 2008 at 22:01

Posted by: bicky (106) 

i lanky, NORMAN ANDERTON and son knew them both, another name from the shed and wearhouse aboute your age to,dennis bolton is sister worked there same time, from stubshaw cross, I lookd thro your photos,i liked your flowerd dress in london ha ha,your son looks like you in your teens, good night speak to you soon, frank. p,s [lanky] were is the name from,? i have an idea but not sure.

Replied: 25th Apr 2008 at 22:21
Last edited by bicky: 25th Apr 2008 at 22:28:29

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Name was made for me by John my son short for Lancashire the 11 is I was born 11 11 45 so now ya know lol Ok Smiles The dress my mom made hahahsa ps your the only one that knows now shhhhhhhhh ha just kidding

Replied: 26th Apr 2008 at 06:27

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Bicky, I played football for many years with Dennis.

Replied: 26th Apr 2008 at 22:15

Posted by: bicky (106) 

HI BRENDON, I to playd football with DENNIS BOLTON, for makerfield mill and ashton town he was a better player than me,were did you play with him?

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 15:46

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Bicky I played with him at the Town. Do you remember Micky Mycock. He did hell of a lot of work for Makerfield Mill and Ashtom Town.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 15:49

Posted by: bicky (106) 

brendon, I knew MICKY MYCOCK verey well we worked together at the mill i started 1954 till about1975, i have put some photos of ashton town on the album under sport, but these photos were taken when a was doing my national service so i am missing, our pathes must have crossed at some stage.i played town not the first team till about 1972, reg folding~longstaff~pomfritt. [ect]seeyou from frank hich.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 16:46

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Bicky I must know you.I know all the names that you have mentioned.In the 1960's the Town had one of the best teams in Warrington.Don Langford, Len Reily, Roy Parkinson, Peter Mortell.Many more.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 18:01

Posted by: bicky (106) 

brendon you are right it was a good team then but as i say to good for me i only playd a few times, most of my games were in the reserves, i went to station rd haydock for two seasons then came back to finish my playing days at the town age 37/38, i am new to this internet thing and dont know if one should put there names on it, but sod it mine is hitchen, buy speak to you again frank.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 19:20

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Frank Hitchen who used to play in goal.I can remember you going to the Calie for a pint or two before the game. If I am correct.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 20:32

Posted by: bicky (106) 

brendon spot on with just a few clues,i did not have far to go for that pint i lived in hazelhurst grove then, idont know if we are in the same age group, i am 70 this year ,i know denise/b is about7/8 years younger,by till next time good to talk to you.still no thoughts about you

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 21:15
Last edited by bicky: 27th Apr 2008 at 21:19:05

Posted by: brendan (1502)

Glad to hear from you Frank, hope you are keeping well.

Replied: 27th Apr 2008 at 21:20

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

@art@, thanks for the lyrics, I can almost hear that tune being belted out of the old juke box in the top house & memories of two sisters who went in there during the interval at the old pro, they were the Lythgo sisters from Earlstown----a bit too far for me to walk back home from, having missed the last bus home

Replied: 30th Apr 2008 at 10:26

Posted by: bryn156 (193)

In the early 50s there used to be a cafe cum temperance bar set back from the road opposite the Queens Cinema.Do any old times know what it was called.Had many a hot vimto at the other one up Gerrard St next to "Squeeze Bally Entry"..Happy Days.

Replied: 30th Apr 2008 at 21:42

Posted by: frankwalford (1098) 

HI Bryn 156 it was called Dickinson's the bloke who ran it was called Hughie I cant remember his wifes name but somebody on here might

Replied: 30th Apr 2008 at 23:07

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Bricky The names Dennis Bolton name seems to ring a bell Did you see the mill girls pics on my blog I know one was ann another Nancy both winders but the others I can't recall their names now I know the other ones where weavers and two of them where sisters any clues?

Replied: 1st May 2008 at 00:10

Posted by: bicky (106) 

IH LANKY, yes i had a good look thro your photos,could not remmember there names, but there again i am aboute 7/8 years older than yourself it is a big gap at that age,i did not know you lived in GOSPORT my sister lived there early 60s about 5 years it is a nice place,DENNIS BOLTON lived at stubshaw x when he worked at the mill he liked the girls he was aboute your age.speak to you soon all my love frank.

Replied: 1st May 2008 at 19:14

Posted by: woodentop (126) 

Lanky 11,from your photos i feel I know your mum & dad, was your dad ever a waiter on, in the old garswood hall institute & went by the nick name of Dusty & before moving to clifton rd did they live on nicol rd
I may be completely wrong as I am going back approx 60yrs if so appologies

Replied: 3rd May 2008 at 13:43

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Dusty was my dads brother both my dad and dusty lived in Nicol rd but then we moved to Clifton rd I think Dusty stayed on Nicol road

Replied: 8th May 2008 at 01:19

Posted by: lanky11 (4091) 

Bricky did you see the pic of the 2 weavers on photos of Wigan then click work and scroll down to Makerfield mill

Replied: 8th May 2008 at 01:30

Posted by: bentlegs (5295)

Talking of Dickinsons my Dad who was born in Old road said that Dickinsons was known as The Band House when he was a lad.

Replied: 8th Aug 2020 at 13:20

Posted by: gaffer (7929) 

It was Bentlegs. It was the band of the Lancashire Hussars of which Lord Gerard was the Lieutenant Colonel. It was also the armoury from which Armoury Bank gets it’s name.

Replied: 8th Aug 2020 at 14:20

 

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