Wigan Album

I remember a number of this class, as I was in the year behind. The small guy sat cross-legged on the right of the picture is J S Green, also known as "Lou". I can remember why, but can anyone else?

The girl 3rd from left on back row of girls is Brenda Berry who I believe moved to Chester on marriage. Where are you now Brenda?

I'm actually on the left of the picture.and I was known as Lou because I was thought to look like Lou Costello!
Many never knew me as anything else!

Yes Lou, I get my right and left mixed up! Last I hear you were in Somerset; or am I remembering someone else?

On the second row left-right the third one is Sheila Edisbrugh,standing next to her is my eldest sister Enid de-Luce,they remained good friends for many years.Also on that row is Kathleen Cunningham,many will remember the family fruiter business on Warrington Rd.,there are houses and flats on that land now.

My cousin, Walter Hurst second from right on back row. Sadly, Walter died very suddenly in March 2009

Hello Alan Halliwell - Yes I did move to Chester and am still here. Would love to hear from you. They were happy days at HAGS. Evelyn Green and Trevor Davies also live in Chester.

Hello Brenda .Marjorie nee Wilcox sent me a message on the Ashton Gs site asking if I remembered you. I have replied and left a message for you. In this photo you are sitting just below my first husband Raymond Howarth.What a coincidence. I am now retired having worked for Cambridge Exam Board for many years as an Inspector of International schools taking Cambridgw exams.I still teach Spanish adults English at home on a one to one basis. Lovely to suddenly hear from childhood friends. keep well.

Brenda, waiting for the phone call. Give me a ring on the number I gave you and I will give you my e mail address.

Hello Jean, how lovely to hear from you. I found this site purely by accident and told Marjorie about it. I always asked if she had kept in touch with you. Fancy you marrying Ray Howarth. I still remember so well our days at primary school I believe it has now been demolished, do you know where Olive Rowson went she went to Ashton G with you? Are you still in Wigan? Would love to keep in touch.

I have no idea what happened to olive. She left AGS after a year just like Roy Ashurst. I have had a fascinating career . After teaching Home Economics for 25 years in and around Cambridge I worked as a teacher trainer for the exam board in Zimbabwe, Mauritious and Singapore as well as in the UK. In 1990 I remarried and moved to Spain to work for Cambridge again as an Inspector in International Schools in Spain Portugal and Morocco for 15 years. Now I teach one to one English to Spanish Adults at home. Ray and I lost our eldest daughter but our other daughter lives in Lyon France.More to follow .Lovely to have your reply.Remember so much about our Primary years together.Take care.

Thankyou for you reply Jean it is lovely to catchup with you after all these years. My primary school days are still crystal clear i.e. Mr Barnes the headmaster and the helping at his farm with the haymaking - wonderful days. I live on Chester but still go back to Ince a couple of times a year. How about you? My phone no, is 01829 782838 If you would like to call I can give you my e-maill address

Jean Minett, this is a long shot because it is a while since you posted to Brenda Smith nee Berrybut do you remember me? You have had a wonderful career, would you like to get in touch? My mobile number is 07790920595.I would be really pleased to hear from you.

Hello Jean Minett would love to hear from you again. you mentioned in one of your comments did I remember Marlene Wilford Yes I do she married a local lad named Frank Parker and they came to my wedding. But once I moved to Chester we lost touch sadly. A lad from Ince named Alan Halliwell would like to get in touch if you have an e-mail or phone number. Hope to hear from you soon.

Yes I do remember you Alan when I used to go down to Ince Bar in the evenings. You had a friend, can't remeber his name and we would chat together. I recall you talking about my father who you had seen coming out of a pub near St Catherine's church.He was a naughty boy!!! Imagine that comment nowadays. Must have been just before he died at49 in 1957 when I had just started Uni.We left Ince in 1960 moving to Bolton, Southport and Cambridge where Ray Howarth my husband and were able to get teaching posts. we divorced in 1989. He is still alive living in Cambridge.Do you remember hie friend Fred Taberner??Do you still live in Ince? You must be early 80's now?? Bye for now.
Brenda do you remember Dorothy Dwyer and Rosalind Rigby.You and Iare bridesmaids for the marriage of Dorothy to Kenneth Moss at Belle Green.The photo is on one of the localpages. We look about 7.

Hi Jean you remember far more than me. I remember Dorothy Dwyer she was in my class at Hindley GS but I don't remember the school wedding I found some photos of headmaster Mr Barnes & the vicar Mr Stoneley he married my husband and I in 1959. Do you come to England often it would be great to meet up, but do keep in touch.

Jean Minett,lovely to hear from you. So much to talk about, So many memories. Any chance of exchanging e- mail addresses? I left my mobile number if you would like to talk.07790920595

Jean, further to my previous message, my friend was Don Crank who married Rosaline Rigby. Sadly Don died about5 years ago. Rosalie lives in Hindley, I spoke to her this morning.
I remember Fred Tabener and Ken Moss who you mentioned. I moved to Standish in 1953 and we had 2 girls and 2 boys. One of my granddaughters went to Homerton College and graduated with a 2:1 in Natural Sciences in 2017.Hope to hear from you again.

Jean, should have said moved to Standish in 1963.

So many memories and coincidences.Barry, my husband and I lived in Stsndish fo 2 years when my Mother needed help. She lived in Southport. We lived on the corner of Wigan Road and Victoria Crescent. I remember David Beatty who went to school with Ray also lived on Wigan Road.

Sorry Brenda, it is Rosaline Rigby not you in the Bridal Shower photo. Fancy her marrying Alan-s friend. In the photo of the football team I see Fred Taberner who was best man at my wedding.Such a small world now that we are getting older. I must admit that I am in good health with plenty of energy compared with the Spanish ladies in the village of the same age. They seem to have had very hard lives especially during Franco-s regime. As a generation we were very lucky even after the war.Chat again another day.

Jean, I wish that I had known that you lived in Standish. I would have called round to see you. We live in Green Lane, a 5 minupte walk from where you lived on the corner of Victoria Crescent. Small world indeed. Please keep in touch.

I believe my life long friend Peter Latham lived in Green Lane,last bungalow leading into the coutryside where my Great Grandmother lived at house called Speckled Holly!!
He has 2 brothers John and Christopher. Christopher has bakeries in Southport, possibly retired now. Did you know the family. Father a solicitor in Wigan , Mother, a teacher at Manchester Grammar School??

Jean,I didn't know the Latham family.the bungalow is no 109, I live at no54 just past the school so I am about 200 metres from there. I was really pleased that you remembered me,I played only a very insignificant part in your life and was pleased when Brenda told me that you had been on Wiganworld site. There are so many things that I would like to talk to you about. a lot of do you remember this or that,I remember the first time I saw you in Ince Park and the last time I spoke to you which was when you were sitting by the swimming pool at that holiday camp in North Wales. you had gone for the day(wednesday) with some friends who had a caravan on the site. I swam across to you and had a short chat with you. and there the story ends. I remember a lotof things inbetween. I wonder if you do as well.
Brenda and I are now in touch via e-mail and mobile phone and I am hoping to meet up with Brenda next month when she is visiting Wigan. I know that she is keen to talk to you about your Belle Green days and we wonder if you could swap e-mail addresses with her? This site, good as it is for Wigan expats is not very private and it is not advisable to say too much on it.
Are you at all worried about Brexit? do you think it will affect you? I hope that you are in good health and that you will keep in touch. It has been so good to hear from you.
My best wishes to to both
Alan

Hello Jean Minett, I would just like to wish you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New year. Do you stay in Spain for Xmas or go to France to be with your daughter?
Have a lovely time.

Hi, Jean Minett. Like Brenda I would like to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was great to find out where you are now living..Please keep in touch.

Brenda and Alan.
Thank you for your kind festive wishes and A Healthy and Peaceful New year to you both.
Here the villagers are collecting their olives and oranges so few bodies in the village. So eerie the quietude
This morning we are removing old bouganvillas to be replaced with large pot plants which will be easier for us to manage.The daffodils are just ready to show their lovely faces and the pansies are so colourful bright yellow and purple. Cool mornings but up to 18C mid-day. I much prefer this time of year to July and August. Keep well both of you-

Jean, sounds idyllic where you live now. Cold and damp up here in Standish. Will you ever come back? Lovely to hear from you again, please keep in touch.

We have such a comfortable and happy existence here Alan that returning to the UK is not on the cards. Having said that I have in my mind a list of places I would like to see again. For example , we had a second home in the Lake District and the local walks were very inspirational, so a return to that area would be very gratifying I'm sure. Hope the Winter blues are not affecting you !!!Bye.

Jean, having the first snow of winter today. Only showers and melting quickly. Only 4 degrees though. Brrr.

I chanced on this site and all the names you mention seem so familiar, also talk of Ince Bar....I used to live in Engineer Street, Ince before we moved to Market Street, Hindley and I went to HAGS. I'm in the 5Lit photo on this site. Do let me know if there are any reunions planned - I'd love to come. Now living in Bath, working (at 76) as a psychotherapist and still loving it.
Was a Fleet Street journalist for 30 plus years before changing career. It's great to hear how you've all got on, though I was sad to find our grammar school is no more. I was Susan Williams at Ince C of E infants and junior school, then HAGS.

Who would have thought that Ince-in- Makerfield would be in the news in 2019.I am 4 years older than you Sue and ,as you, have had a long and happy career. Our respective Primary schools were excellent and afforded us so many opportunities compared to the unhealthy comments we hear nowadays about most schools.Here in my village the sun is warm and the birds are singing as I polish the floors but take time off to reply to your unexpected comments. Do you remember thr Vicar Mr. Stonely from Ince Parish church? He had a questionable reputation!!!!I remember Ince Green Lane either for the school dentist or Walking Days.As a student working Christmas post the bottom of the Lane was my area.Such a depressing environment but it was home and I was always happy.Keep well.

HiJean, I hope you don't mind me contacting you. My son and family are going to Spain in summertime and are thinking of going to Valencia so I wondered if you could recommend anywhere of interest for them to visit. Hope you are well and enjoying the warm sunshine we are having a small taster at the moment but it is chilly in the mornings. Would love yo hear from you My e-mail is mikesmith313@btinternet.com

Nice to hear from you Brenda.Valencia!! So much to see and do. I recommend you visit 'Things to see and do in Valencia' on the internet.Your son will not be disappointed if he chooses to visit the city. An excellent hotel on the beach and easy access to the city is 'Hotel Neptune'. Hope this is helpful. Keep well.

Hello Jean,Thankyou for your info on Valencia. I have passed it on to my son. They have a property not far from
Alicante where they spend the summer and want to see more of Spain. Keep in touch.

To Jean Minnett
Would like to wish you A merry Christmas and A Happy New
Year - are the celebrations the same as England?

Jean Monet, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope that you will keep in touch with Brenda and me.

Jean Minett, are you OK. Spain has been hard hit by the Corona virus and I wonder if you are well. Hope that you are. If you see this message, please reply.

Jean Minett,
Hi Jean, hope you are safe & well. MY son's in-laws went to Spain in their motor home and are now locked in. Keep in touch
Brenda

Alan and Brenda. Thank you so much for your concern.Barry and i are fine. Our small village has no covid 19 patients at the moment and in view of the fact that we have been in lockdown for 5 weeks we feel pretty safe. Will continue to keep in toych. Hope you two are both well.

Jean, so good to hear that you are safe and well. We are on week 4 of lockdown with 3 more to go. I will let Brenda know that you have sent a message. As we say in England, stay safe, stay well. Best wishes to you and Barrie.

Hello Jean, Lovely to hear from you and that you are safe and well. Alan messaged me to let me know. We are lucky that my son & family live next door so I can see and talk to them over the garden fence. It is his in-laws that are still in Spain and say they feel safe, a holiday they will always remember Our highlight is going outside on Thursdays at 8pm to clap the NHS. Keep in touch Jean. Regards to you and Barrie

thigs are looking u`here in Spain-Tomorrow Barry and I willbe allowed to walk out together for one hour!!!!We haven.t to go further than a kilometre and not converse with other neighbours!!!So strict with the deescalation .Hope you are coping with another month to go-Keep well Jean

Hi, Jean. Hope you enjoy your first walk outside in weeks. We have to wait another week before we hear about easing of the restrictions in the UK. Had a walk to the doctors last Friday but apart from that not been out for 6 weeks. Getting bored now. All the best to you and Barry. Keep in touch and stay safe.

Jean, enjoy your first outing with Barry. We have to wait another week to find out if we are going to be allowed out. Not been outside for 6 weeks now except for our weekly Thursday night clap for the NHS and all the front line workers at 8 pm. All the best to you and Barry and please keep in touch. It is great to hear from you.

Hi Jean & Barry, You must be so relieved to feel that things are getting back to some normality. We are starting
to feel more relaxed, in fact we are hoping to have small social distancing VE Day party tomorrow and the weather promises to be good. Lovely to hear from you Jean & Barry. Stay well & keep in touch. Brenda

Found the album.!!! hope you are both well Brenda and Alan. We are into Phase 3 tomorrow when parts of Spain become almost normal. Final on the 21st June. Our valley inland from Gandia has had no cases of the virus but at the same time we are all heeding the regulations. Shopping requires a mask and gloves.The next 3 months will be 35-40C so not a lot can survive.!! We have a cool house and air conditioning if necessary. So different from our years as children?? Keep well. Bye -Jean

Jean, great to hear from you again. We are slowly easing restrictions here, some non essential shops were allowed to open yesterday and year 10 and 12 children have gone back to school. The daily death figures are falling and someMP’s are calling for the 2 metre distance rule to be relaxed.We also need masks to use public transport but it is not compulsory to wear masks when shopping. I will be glad when we are allowed out again, Marianne is in the vulnerable group so we are still in limbo. All the best to you and Barry, will keep in touch.

Hello Jean, Lovely to hear from you, I have been without a computer for a few days so was late picking up your message. It must be wonderful feeling free to go out as & when you like. It is getting easier now, my son & his family are so pleased the restriction have been lifted in Spain, they are due to come out in August for a month. Can you now go back to teach your Spanish friends English. Take care and keep in touch. Brendak4

Jean Minett, I hope that you will see this message. Sadly I learned yesterday that Rosaline Rigby. Our mutual friend, passed away shortly after Christ mas. I have passed the news to Brenda also. Hope that you and Barry are keeping well. Stay safe and please keep in touch. Alan

So sad to hear about Rosaline. I remember her as a very pretty girl in Primary school.Lots of photos of her with me when we were about 7 or 8. Life in masks carries on here. Today I actually taught wearing one as visitors to homes by law have to wear one. My student 18 Elena wore hers and we were comfy with the restriction.!!!! Sadly my eyesight is marred by cataracts but am on a list to have them removed. She reads very small print for me so we get on well. She saw my piano so I tild her about my teenage years when i played the organ at Belle Green Mission for Evening service and at Sunday school. Perhaps Brenda remembers.?? Still play occasionally with stiffer fingers. Growing old not much fun!!Hope you and Brenda are okay. Why is Marianne vulnerable..presunably she is your wife- Take care of her. Bye._

Jean, good to hear from you again. I had cataracts removed from both eyes about three years ago and the results were brilliant but unfortunately I have a new problem and I will have to give up driving soon. Marianne is indeed my wife of nearly 62 years and has several health problems the biggest being that she was diagnosed with vascular dementia 5 years ago. Life is hard but it was for better or for worse, in sickness and in health so it is my turn to look after her. As you say, life is not much fun if you are in poor health. I will pass your message on to Brenda, I’ve are in weekly contact via e mail. Still hoping to meet up with when she comes to Wigan next time.
Stay safe and all the best to you and Barry. Alan

Hello Jean,
Lovely to hear from you with memories of Ince - I do remember sitting on the organ bench, I went on to have music lessons for a long time, but
preferred playing hockey. My Mum played the organ at her church in Hindley, I still have her piano which is over 100 years old. My son & his family should be in Spain just now but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. So take care Jean and Barry and keep in touch now & again.

Brenda

Jean Winett, hi Jean, don’t know if you look at this photo but it would be good to know that you and Barry have survived the second spike of Covid 19 that hit Spain. Hopefully you are both OK and I wish you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Things must get better in 2021. Please keep in touch. All the best
Alan

Hi Alan you know my husband Donald Smith we both went to HAGS He did put a message to you a while ago .I am sorry to say Don passed away on the 3rd June this year. We were married for 61years met at school so there is a big gap in my life.Don was a Wigan Warrior fan and loved his home town of Wigan.

Hi Alan you know my husband Donald Smith we both went to HAGS He did put a message to you a while ago .I am sorry to say Don passed away on the 3rd June this year. We were married for 61years met at school so there is a big gap in my life.Don was a Wigan Warrior fan and loved his home town of Wigan.

Hi Alan you know my husband Donald Smith we both went to HAGS He did put a message to you a while ago .I am sorry to say Don passed away on the 3rd June this year. We were married for 61years met at school so there is a big gap in my life.Don was a Wigan Warrior fan and loved his home town of Wigan.

Hi Margaret, I am very sad to hear that Don has passed away. He sat next to me in room 14 on our first day at HAGS. He came with us on holiday to Blackpool and I will never forget how he dived off the 10 metre platform at the Derby baths. I wasn’t brave enough to do that. We also played for the same football team and Don was a great goal scorer at centre forward. Please accept my condolences on your loss and thank you for letting me know. Alan.

Hi Alan thank you for you kind words regarding Don.I learned something about him that I did not know. I did not know he was capable of diving into a swimming pool. I knew he could swim and so many people have commented on how good he was on the football pitch. Nottingham Forest would do with him to score some goals!!
The reason he went to Keele Uniwas that Gordon Crompton and Donald Ellison and a few more from HAGS (most of the team came from HAGS. They wanted Don to be on the team.
So good of you to remember him.
I have read the comments on this website and what a lot of people who went to HAGS have excellent professions.
Bye for now

Hello Alan and Brenda.A late Happy New Year.We are fine although we have a few restrictions.Masks are mandatory.Bars and cafes close at 5pm and there is a curfew from10pm until 6am.All shops are open but we tend to food shop only once a week.Have had both cataracts removed and am enjoying the wonderful changes the ops.have made.Drops for another 6 weeks.Hope you are both well.

Jean, so good to hear that you are safe. This variant is spreading very quickly in the UK and we are in full lockdown until at least mid February. I had cataracts removed from both eyes 3 years ago and the results were fantastic.unfortunately I now have a new problem in my right eye which the consultant says that nothing can be done to cure it.We are still waiting for our Covid vaccinations but hopefully we can have them done soon. Please keep in touch and stay safe. Alan

Hello Jean , Alan messaged me to say that you had been in touch. Good to hear that you are fit & well & what's more surviving in this dreadfull
pandemic..Have you had a vaccination yet? We had ours about 3 weeks ago but we have to wait until April for the 2nd one. We have just had quite a bit of snow and lots of rain, so still locked in. Take care & keep in touch now and again it's great to hear from you and brings back many happy memories of our days in Wigan. Bye for now, Brenda X

Such a long time since we last corresponded Alan and Brenda. hope
you are both well. Barry and I are fine enjoying some cooler weather .We were both vaccinated in April but still wear masks outside as they are mandatory. The UK is having a lot of problems. Are you affected?






pri.

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Jean, it is great to hear from you again. Brenda and I look forward to seeing messages from you. We are fully vaccinated and have had our flu jabs. We are about to get our booster Covid jabs soon. I have had to give up driving since April due to failing eyesight and I am waiting for an appointment for scans on a recently diagnosed heart problem. Otherwise I am fine. I will tell Brenda that you have left a message. Stay safe and keep in touch. Alan. X

Hi Jean , Brenda has been trying to reply to your message so I will try to send this.
Alan

Hi Jean, I have been trying to send you a message without success. So
I will try again it was lovely to hear from you and to know that both you and
Barry are well. Covid is still on the rise here mainly amongst school
children. Our son went to spain in the summer with his family and said
that they felt very safe. Take care and keep in touch. Brenda X

Hi Jean, hope that you and Barry are well. We are now triple jabs due to Omicron variant.sending you BestWishes for Christmas and hoping for better things in the New Year. Stay safe and keep in touch. Alan. x

Hello Jean & Barry, Calling to wish you both a Merry Christmas and
hopefully and better 2022.
Take care and keep safe.
Brenda X

So long since we were all in touch. Hope you are both well. A lot has happened since we last communicated. Barry has been diagnosed with ,hydrosophalia which is water in the ventricles in his brain. This has affected his memory but otherwise nothing else. His gait is perfect but tends to rest more. He now has hearing aids which has helped us both so much. I am still teaching two Spanish adults at the moment which I really enjoy. Hope to hear from you. Jean x

Hi Jean, so good to hear from you. Brenda and I have been getting worried about you both. So sorry to hear about Barry’s problems, hope that you can cope with the situation. Marianne had an accident three weeks ago trying to get back into the house after we had been sitting in the garden. She fell backwards from the door and badly damaged both legs. It meant an ambulance trip to Wigan Infirmary and three times a week visits from the district nurses to re-dress her legs. It will be several weeks before the legs heal. I hope that you are coping with the excessive heat in Spain, we are expecting temperatures in the high 80’s next Monday and Tuesday, never had these in England before. I will let Brenda know that you have been in touch again. Keep in touch. Alan. x

Should have said high 30’s for the expected temperatures..
Alan.

Jean Minnett
Hi Jean & Barry,
So good to hear from you and to know that you both OK. although sorry
to hear that Barry is not too good. You must be used to the heat in Spain
but the last few days have been so hot. Alan keeps in touch with me which lovely. I must make a trip to Wigan whilst I am still driving - this
growing older brings baggage with it doesn't it?
Stay in touch and keep well.
Brenda
is lovley

Jean Minett, please let Brenda and myself know that you are OK.We have seen that there have been wild fires raging near Valentina.

Valencia, predictive text strikes again.

Thank you for your concern Alan but no problems here in this valley. Pleased the hot weather is moving away ,although still 33C / 35C/ We have air conditioning throghout the house so we are comfortable.
How is Marianne coping. Barry is okay,Still driving in spite of his memory.Doc assures me this normal. Keep well both of you Brenda and Alan. Regards Jean XX

Hi Jean,
So pleased to hear that you and Barry are OK.
I spoke to Alan the other day as we were supposed to meet up after 70+
years in Standish where he lives. His daughter is arriving from Australia
so we have postponed our meeting for a few weeks.
I suggested that we wear a buttonhole to recognise each other after so long.
I was also concerned about my son and his family who are out in Spain
for the summer/ They sent me pictures of the fires so close to where
they are, but apparently the fire have died down and they are all OK
Pleased to hear that Barry is OK Take care.
Brenda X.

Hi Jean, very pleased to hear that you are both OK. Our daughter is over from Australia and we are having a family reunion meal today so was unable to meet Brenda. Hopefully we will be able to meet soon. Marianne still has her legs bandaged from toe to knee 9 weeks since her accident otherwise we are both fine. Keep I’m touch and take care. Alan x

Cooling down here with light rain showers which keeps my plants happy.
We are busy having some changes to our patio at the back ,,,,, new tiling and a special paint for the walls to keep out the dampness, and the patio at the top of the house now has a new covering of white fibre and 3 coats of paint, Looks like a house in Andalucia/ Watched the Queen<s funeral but it went on too long .So many comments about Harry and Megan___Hope you are well Brenda and Alan. Bye for now XX

Hi Jean
So good to hear from you again. We are getting the first Autumn weather. Chilly in he mornings and showers during the day. You must be getting your house ready for winter, very wise move. The Queens funeral was very long as you say, I felt sorry for all the forces personally having to stand around before it started.we are having the usual trouble in getting a home visit four autumn Covid booster jabs. We are being sent from one place to another and still not got a date. It’s like being on the Magic Roundabout. Apart from that Marianne and I are keeping going as best we can. At least we will be able to pay the vastly increased energy bills this winter. A lot of people will not be able to do that despite the government knocking £60 a month off the bills until next April. The energy and petrol companies are making record profits but our new Prime Minister is refusing to impose a windfall tax on them. I will let Brenda know that you have posted a message for us. Lovely to keep in touch, it is a pity that we can’t have a chat on Skype or something similar. It would be great to see you both. Stay safe.
Alan x

Hi Jean,
Lovely to hear from you and from all accounts you are both very busy
making your house look beautiful. the weather here is getting colder
and we have had a lot of rain and Covid is on the rise again. I am off for
my vaccination and flu jab on Saturday. I was hoping to meet up with Alan in Standish where he lives but his daughter and family were over from Australia. Our son and family have a house in Spain and are going
to spend Xmas there this year which will be great. Like you we watched
the Queen's funeral which was something only we can do well but as you
say went on a bit too long.
So have a lovely Xmas and keep in touch. Stay safe.
Brenda X

Yes, cooling a little but still 23C on average in the afternoons, Cool mornings, today 10c at 8,00am.
Pity about your boosters , they are important for we elderlies!!!
We are lucky in the village with Doctors and Nurses, Barry and I had boosters for Flu and Covid early November,
Have been tidying up after paInters and tilers but everywhere looks clean and bright,
Lots of people sitting in the sunshine on the plaza ,a popular spot in winter. Good to see happy campers,
Been fascinated with the fun and frolics in Westminster. Wow.
Anyway peace and quiet in our little village/Keep well and bye for now/ X

Hi Jean, nice to hear fro you again. December is here and Christmas is just around the corner. I will be putting my winter coat on for the first time today when I go out. It’s getting cold outside. Marianne had an accident last week whilst getting on the stairlift to go to bed. She fell backwards into a radiator and finished up on her back in the hallway. I couldn’t pick her up so I rang999 for an ambulance only to be told that it would be 4to. 5 hours before they could get one to us. Luckily, one of our neighbours was still up and he came and got Marianne back on her feet and we got her upstairs and into bed. I got a lovely young lady doctor to see her the next day and after a thorough examination found that she was OK but had a chest infection and put her on a course of antibiotics.
After the fun and games at Parliament, this week we have had a spot of bother with fascism at a function at Buckingham
Palace and next week we are going to haveHarry and Megan’s documentary revealing racism within the Royal Family. All good entertainment for the rest of us.
I wish you and Barry all the best for Christmas and the New Year and hope that 2023 is better than this year.
Stay safe and keep in touch Jean.
Alan. xx

Great to heat from Jean, you are obviously in the best place weather-wise
as it is so cold here. My son and his family are going to spend Xmas at
their place in Spain which is not too far from Valencia so he will be pleased
when I tell him about the weather. Do you have a traditional Christmas
where you are?
Good to hear that you and Barry are well.
Nothing good to tell you about back here as the Govt. is in turmoil like
everything else.

So have a lovely Xmas and Best wishes for a better New Year 2023.

Take care and keep in touch
Brenda X

Thank you both for your good wishes . Barry and I wish you Brenda and Alan a Very Happy Christmas and a More Settled New Year. What a carry on in the UK
Warm weather here 20C . The primary children are gathered around the Christmas tree having a lesson which is opposite us. Very colourful and bright.
Not until Jan 5th will there be any festivities as Navidad is a religious day
so always a quiet time ,which I prefer.The 3 Kings bring presemts to the village on horseback whilst paremts and the children await their arrival with excitement. Bye for now Jean XX

Thank you Jean for your Christmas wishes. It seems to be a lovely village that you live in now. Much better than Ince. Standish is being ruined by over development without any infrastructure improvements. The traffic is horrendous. I envy your warm weather, we have had a few days of sub zero temperatures and the recent snowfall, although only about one inch, lay on the ground for a week and became icy to walk on.
All my best wishes to you and Barry and I hope that we can keep in touch.
Alan. Xx

Hello Jean,
Thankyou for your Xmas wishes but would just like to tell you
that my son and family arrived in Spain on Monday and have
sent photos of them on the beach near to where they are in
lovely sunshine - lucky devils.
Enjoy your January festivities and wish you and Barry a Happy new Year.
Thankyou for keeping in touch both Alan and I look forward to hearing from you. Take care keep well.
Brenda XX

After a long time, Alan and Brenda I have a new computer and can hope that you are both well. Barry and I are well ,enjoying some welcome rain in between warm sunshine . I had just planted the Summer flowers when it poured down so all my plants are hanging their heads. in disgust. Do keep in touch if possible.

Hi Jean,
Lovely to hear from you and to know that you and Barry are both well.
I have just messaged Alan to see how he and Marianne are.
We are enjoying some lovel.y weather just now. I am sure your plants
will thrive with your warm weather. My son & his family will be coming
to Spain for the summer when school finishes for the summer.
Thankyou for keeping in touch and take care.
Brenda X

Hi Jean, Benda told me that you had been back in touch. It is so good to hear from you again and that you are enjoying some welcome rain. We have had non for the last few weeks which is a change for us. I have had a couple of falls recently, the last was last Wednesday. I had to go to A&E to get my left hip x-rayed. I was there for six hours. They said nothing was broken but I now have bruising down the left side of my body. I am getting clumsy in old age, I will be 87 in two weeks time.
I hope that you and Barry are well and that the flowers that you planted recover from the rain. Lovely to hear from you again, keep in touch. Alan. X

Hi Jean. Wishing you and Barrry all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Marianne was in hospital for three weeks in October and we have turned our garden room into a bedroom for her. My eyesight continues to deteriorate and I struggle to walk up hills. But onwards and upwards I hope to have a few years left yet..
I hope that you survived the hot weather and then the rain that you had in Spain. Keep in touch. Alan x

Brenda Smith if you are still looking at this page I have been trying to e mail you for 4 weeks but it is being rejected. . Please keep in touch.

so long since we were all in touch.. I hope Alan and wife are well and Brenda ?'
Barry is bearing up with his problem and as his carer keep busy.
I still teach at advanced levels with my friend Patri. and keep well for 85.Busy planting annuals in our gardens. Still cool mornings but afternoons can be hot. Wish you both well Jean XX

Hi Jean, good to hear from you again. I was getting worried for you. Also seem to have lost contact with Brenda since she and Mike moved into a retirement home. You are doing well still teaching at 85 . I will e 88 in June, how time flies, I sometimes wish that I was 18 again and meeting up with our friends on Ince Bar but then reality kicks in .and the dream fades away. I hope that Barry gets better and you are able to keep going with teaching and gardening. Marianne and I are as good as can be expected as they say. Once again it is always a pleasure to hear from you. It brings back happy memories. Please keep in touch.
Alan x