How far could you go as a kid?

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Fri 15 Jun, 2012 11:21 pm

jonleeds wrote: I can remember in Morley all the 'bigger boys' used to go swimming and diving at Pawsons quarry off Brittannia Road. I dont know if its still there is it? I went up there a few times but never went in the water, it was a funny milky green colour! You always heard horror stories about weeds 'pulling you under' and when that 'Spirit of dark and lonely waters' advert came on the telly that really put the fear of god in us... That's the very quarries we "laikd" in as kids......colours did indeed vary and there was a green lagoon.I learnt my lesson one day though as I nearly drowned after becoming entangled on submerged debris.I only escaped because I was a relatively strong swimmer at the time.We lived on Garnett buildings,off Britannia Rd,long since demolished.....around 1967 I believe-was just opposite Stump Cross pub,top of High St.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Sat 16 Jun, 2012 8:20 pm

somme1916 do you know if the quarries are still there or were they filled in and developed for housing like most areas around Morley have been? I can remember going to the actual stone sales part of the quarry a few time to buy stone when people were having those real stone fireplaces put in their living rooms in the 1970s / 80s.

ArmleyLass47 · Post by **ArmleyLass47** » Sun 17 Jun, 2012 4:25 pm

Brought back memories of the freedom we had as kids. I was a child of the 50's and used to walk everywhere. We didnt have any money for bus fares all of the time although when I went from Pickering Street, Armley to my Grans in the Harolds at Burley we did get some to come back on the bus with. I being the independant soul I was and still am, used to go on the 49 bus then walk back carrying my younger sister who was three years younger. When I went back to Leeds I got my Brother to go the same route and was quite shocked at how far it was especially for a girl of 8 or 9 and my sister. I was quite strong to carry her home but I used to piggyback her to the bottom of Pickering Street and make her walk up the hill. Enough is enough laugh.We used to go to Armley Park in a gang and would take jam sarnies and a bottle of water as you never knew if the tap on the Park was working or not. We would go on the swings and go pinch Crab Apples from a tree near the Park Wardens house. We used to pick Rhubarb growing wild on alot of places where they had knocked the houses down We also went down to the Canal to dangle our feet over the side to cool down. I dare not go in for a swim as they had leeches and ticks in the water. Plus an imaginery shark which kept us out laugh. We used to walk from Pickering Street to Old Farnley, to Post Hill, then run around for hours, play cricket and footie then come home starving from all of the exercise we had. I was always thin but ate like a horse so no obesity in those days. My longest walk was along the canal to Calverley as there was some kind of fair on it. Freedom we had. My Mother used to say dont go too far will you - No Mam honest, Look after your sister wont you - Yes Mam honest - whens tea Mam - 5pm - we will be back by then, - dont go near the Canal will you - No Mam, you know the jive laugh. Great childhood, no money but had a laugh. Pictures at the Western, the Palace, the Lyric, the Hyde Park, the Clifton, the Crown. Roller skating at the Palace, those were the days. Walked to them all Love the memories.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Sun 17 Jun, 2012 5:00 pm

jonleeds wrote: somme1916 do you know if the quarries are still there or were they filled in and developed for housing like most areas around Morley have been? I can remember going to the actual stone sales part of the quarry a few time to buy stone when people were having those real stone fireplaces put in their living rooms in the 1970s / 80s. Oh,they went years ago............think part of Howley Park Ind Est occupies a chunk of the old site now.

ArmleyLass47 · Post by **ArmleyLass47** » Thu 21 Jun, 2012 5:25 pm

We had lots of freedom in the 1950's. I used to have to look after my younger sister all of the time so she was taken everywhere by me.I had to take her to my Grans from Pickering Street to the Harolds in Burley. It was a long way for a 9 years old but was allowed to go. I used to say I would go on the bus but would walk it there and back and spend the small amount of money on sweets from the shop at the bottom of Pickering Street.We used to go for a picnic on Armley Park and take some Jam sandwiches and a bottle of water. They did have a cold water tapon the park but it was often out of order and it was ever so thirsty running around without a drink. We used to see if someone one would give us a drink by knocking on peoples door and saying PLEASE can we have a drink. If not you had to go the miles back home for one. I used to travel by walking to alot of the Fairs like Hyde Park, Pudsey, Armley of course, Hunslet, Holbeck, Bramley. Used to love the Waltzers. When I think of kids today they dont know the surrounding areas. We used to do miles during the school holidays including going down by the canal and dangling our feet in the water to keep cool, and go near the railways, although I was frightened of that bit.Kept me slim running around all of the time, no big people in my day.