Another early view of Loftus; the are of Loftus known to many of the older generation as ‘The Brickyard’; being close to the original brick production yard near the Mars Inn (originally Mars Farmhouse). The style of dress of the young lads lounging against the window of number 1, give and idea of the date.
Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.
The Brickyard was at the bottom of St Hildas Terrace, my Gran lived in 20 Hartington St where she died in 1973. As a youngster in the 1940s I spent a lot of time playing in and around that area. We lived in 4 Chapel Row before getting a council house at 1 Coronation Road in the late 40s. Gosh how all that makes me feel old but they were good times.
I lived in number 3 Lumley st. from birth to 3 years old commencing in 1965. Our family was Richard and Kay Aitken (nee Wilkin) plus me, John. My Grandmother lived a few doors down I think, Constance Wilkin (nee Gott). I don’t recall a lot about the house, other than my parents removing the stained glass windows, and a fish pond out the back I dropped a radio in.
I remember Gott’s fish and chip shop well, it was opposite Lumley St. It was a wooden structure in my childhood days and eventually rebuilt at a site above the Empire, built of brick by then of course. The old wooden one was knocked down when the Deepdale estate was built.
I never heard we had a fish and chip shop in the family, hurrah. I still don’t mind a fisherman’s basket, even here in Australia. Thanks.
I lived in number 9, with my Mam, Dad and sister until 1973ish. We lived next door to the family that ran the chip shop – I have forgotten the name, but remember the gentleman who used to come prepare the potatoes in their back yard was called Mr.Binks! We had family in High Row and Hartington Street. I’m also feeling very old now!
My Dad was born at 1 Lumley Street in 1922. I think they moved when he was 2 to South Yorkshire. His father was to work in the pits But at the time of the 1921 census he was a motor mechanic at J P Brown Motor Mechanic. His Uncles Charles, and Ralph, also worked there
John Aitken – we bought 3 Lumley Street in 1988, from what we were aware the people before us were called Thompson. They were very old and the house had been empty for a few years previously. We were always under the impression that Thompsons had lived there for many many years x
My Auntie Elsie (Elsinor) lived in Lumley street about 2/3rds of the way along from Loftus bank end, I can’t remember the number. Her maiden name would have been Garton or Heywood, I don’t know which side of my family she was from or her married name, she was a widow and didn’t have children. I was told her husband was an electrician killed in Skinningrove mine by a runaway wagon, I knew her in the 1960’s, her house was painted blue, she was very kind to my brother and I. Did anyone know her ?
Lived in 24 Lumley from age 4-17, I’m not a massive supernatural person but honestly some of the most weird things I’ve ever experienced happened in that house. Couldn’t wait to move out.