Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 28th April, 2018)

Every picture tells a story - this one certainly does.

Did there used to be an Indian resturant in this row of shops?

It was a Summer night in 1963 and my friend Christine and were 10. We were walking home from her Grandma's with her Mam and there was a pop-group on in The Royal singing "Twist and Shout" and we stood outside those windows you can see and listened to the song. There used to be a big lamp over the door. The pub was lit up, noisy and lively and you could smell the beer. It was never "posh" in Ince but it was homely and vibrant. The shops on "the bar" were thriving , everybody knew everybody and we were happy and content with what we had. There is a poem which I can't completely recall but it ends "And I wept like a child for the past"; I echo that sentiment.

JJF, just out of sight, to the right of the "For Sale" sign, Pickup Street separates the row we are looking from the NEXT row.....I THINK the Indian Retaurant was the first shop on the next row. However, I had left Ince when the restaurant existed so can't be sure, but I'm sure someone from Ince will know.

that's a great story Irene!

Beware of pot-holes! Councils are tightening up on claimants with rules about the size and depth. No matter if a person accidently falls because of one and has the misfortune of being laid up for months, gone through two operations with a steel rod inserted in the foot and then having the said taken out - all because of a pot- hole! Not to mention loss of wages and freedom to come and go. It's too easy to say look where you are going as they are all over the place - mainly on roads. Every time I see a pot-hole I'm reminded of the suffering that the pot-hole caused. Be careful!

Irene is this the poem?

PIANO
By D.H. Lawrence
Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;
Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings.

In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song
Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong
To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside
And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide.

So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour
With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour
Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast
Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.

Ron... that's the one, and I could see my Mam as I read it; I had just put my eye make-up on and have had to do it all over again! But she was worth it. Thankyou.

Thanks for that poem Ron. I've not heard it before.

Royal Hotel? Don't think HRH Prince Charles would fancy a night in there what with his fancy ways!

Yes JJf, there did used to be an Indian restaurant in this block, I can remember it from the early 1990's. I think when Irene and myself were growing up the same property was a drapery store, selling pinnies, cardigans and baby linen.

I forgot to say the Royal pub was originally twice as big as this photo shows, the door you can see was in the middle with same size section to the right of it.

I can't recall that shop, Elizabeth, but I recall the TSB Bank along there. I love sharing memories like this.

Yes,Irene the TSB bank was in this row as well. Can you remember taking 6d a week to school to save up with?I went working there years later, on relief when staff were on holiday or off sick.

I have often wondered when going past on the bus if my granddad and grt grandfather ever went in the pub. It's dated about 1860 and they lived in Caroline St. Just a thought. I'm surprised it's still standing though after all the demolition that's happened in Ince- just like Scholes. There must be something special about it! ;o)

I think the shop next door sold sports trophies - anyone remember Bill Gratton's?

Yes, I remember Bill Gratton's, Ruth, and I, like Elizabeth, remember taking money to school to save in the TSB, but I thought it was a shilling. However, it WAS a long time ago and the memory plays tricks. I remember feeling very grown-up signing my name on the bank-book in TSB!

It could have been one shilling, Irene, but like you say the memory does play some tricks. I remember Bill Gratton's shop as well.

went to a wedding at the royal with a girl named kath 1966

I think it was 6d Elizabeth and Irene, this bought a stamp which was put in a savings book. When it was full there was enough to buy a "savings certificate" - sorry it was a long time ago so can't remember how much the certificate was worth.

I remember the savings book as well but it was a half- crown I took on Monday which was partly dinner money as well. Can't remember how much dinners were though.
Also wasn't there a picture of a little girl with curly hair advertising National Savings? I seem to remember a photograph in sepia colour.

I mostly went home for my dinner but had school dinners for a short time, early 1960s. It was five shillings a week, (a shilling per meal). Oh, Ladies, aren't we showing our AGE?! But at least we're still here to share the memories. xx.

I know, Irene, Ruth and Veronica, but like you say, at least we are here to share them.

Bill Gratton is my grandad and I remember the shop from being a little girl, lovely memories ?