John Farnley of Ashton

Yesterday morning I was in Ashton town centre and there was an elderly chap sat a few feet away and he kept holding up photos to me of war planes and muttered something which I couldn't understand. I thought "weird bloke", but then he came closer and showed me a b/w photo of the Flying Scotsman. As he did I asked him "you don't know John Farnley do you?", to which he said " I'm John Farnley". It was the steam train photo that made me think of him. I said to him that I've heard my dad mention you a few times that you're well into photography, particularly steam trains and planes.

I heard hes keen on steam photography that he will try and try until he gets the best photo.

He mentioned about when there used to be trolley lines in Gerard St.

I bet he must have some really interesting photographs, past and present. I couldn't stay longer to chat to him as I was in a hurry. I know my dad went school with him. I think he lives near Bryn Labour Club.

Anyone heard of him?.

yes i was sat waiting for my train the other week and he was showing me the pics of the train which were in black and white new every train by name .

I've heard too that he only photographs them in good old black and white (or prints them in b/w), whether he uses the (better IMO) film cameras or digital I don't know. I bet some people must think he's abit strange, and sadly no doubt you'll get some taking the mickey out of him.

I remember John Fernley at school, he came across as being autistic but that was in the 1950 & i had never heard of it then, He was in the remove class & was considered a bit strange,

This must be the chap I came across the other day in Ashton, he was looking up in the sky.
"Look at that plane." he said. I couldn't see it then it started making a vapour trail.

"Oh I see it now!" I said, "You've got better eyes than me." Then he got his photos out; Planes, locos, some wildlife, ducks on a railway line. They were good black and white pics, there was one of a crashed Hurricane at Duxford, quite a collection.

I was in the same class as John at the British school,he kept himself to himself,never mixed,had no mates.