Henry's Tour of Littleborough in 1986 (Part 5)

 This post concludes Henry's tour of Littleborough in 1986.

The same field, looking towards Hollingworth Lake. The ‘pavilion’ stood just behind where I am here. The valley down from the lake embankment became a site for the council tip. As the refuse crept nearer and nearer to our cricket field, I suppose the air became less fresh.

On one occasion we were playing Littleborough Baptists. Robert Holt, an ill-natured youth, fancied himself as a fast bowler. Aided by his brother, Raymond, more by the Baptists’ umpire, diminutive Joe Howard, he ‘dismissed’ me after a monstrous series of false appeals. Joe’s patience did not hold.

 

 

 

Durn Baptist cricket field, as it is in 1986, little better than it was in 1935. Rochdale Canal in the distance.

This picture was taken from the site of the Baptist Chapel. We used to play billiards on a small table, darts, and table tennis, in the cellar. Derrick was scorer before he started to play. Barbara was organist. She and I were married there in 1944. The chapel closed soon after the end of the war. It was used for light industry until it was destroyed by fire in 1985. One or two very elegant dwelling houses now occupy the site.

Look out for more excerpts from Henry's memoirs in forthcoming posts in this Blog