Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 26th April, 2018)

What a good idea for the artist to have input from the children. You can imagine them expressing themselves in their art lesson after learning about Thomas Woodcock- which is has it should be. Although I went to the same school I never knew about him until years later. Going to school with his grandchildren and playing in the street a few doors from where he was born and having no knowledge of him! All I can say about that is people just did not talk about war. I am glad it's different now and children from St Patrick's know of his heroism.

I like the way they have put on the houses and St Pats church

I haven't seen this as I haven't been catching the 'buses that pass it since the 'bus-station closed. I love the lit-up terraced houses portrayed with a gas-lamp in front of them, the pit-head wheel and the miner's lamp, all of which would have been familiar to Thomas. It's lovely and very fitting.

excellent!

An excellent memorial

Iovely one Joanne.... along with the memorial you have caught a part of the neighbourhood he would have used, although buildings are different from his time.

It is very rare for modern art to get a thing right. This piece does and in spades. It reflects someone in time without being mawkish or over sentimental.
An excellent photo - but not a Scholes I recognise. In my mind's eye I'm on the 15 bus, passing Central Park, uphill along Greenough Street and left by Tetsill's butchers.
Has anyone ever thought how far our past experience was determined by bus routes?

I see Tom's V.C. set in modest position beneath two poppies and, also, a vision of mothers' plaintive cries of "Bedtime".
And doesn't 'Woodcock' House read and sound perfectly well.

It's a lovely tribute to him.

That's great. Thanks Joanne.

I like Veronica's mention of input from children and Philip's memories of Mothers calling them in at night...."Come on in now, it's gerrin' dark"....."Aww, Mam, just another five minutes!". It's a sound you don't seem to hear any more but those lighted terraced windows and gas-lamp bring it all back.

The houses on the slope are still there. We used to roller skate down there many a time. It was safe playing out in the dark then - sometimes I go and have look and memories come crashing back. I come away with a lump in my throat. The picture of Thomas covers what I imagine was Higham St. Yes you are right Irene - all the mam's stood at the doors shouting 'come on in now' ..in all weathers!

You've nailed it Irene!
And Veronica's right, as well: The childrens' search for more of this war hero's story, had been a success.
By the way, I managed to locate the photo relating to your 1975 hike, this afternoon - Item 14091.

The council are supposed to be laying a poppy field in front of the memorial. Mark did an absolutely wonderful job with this. More happenings on this front come November. Keep tuned.