Musings of an old m\an.

[Davepick]

Long post
I was thinking about my early days today, and friends etc.
One of my best friends, when young, was Barry Martland.
His family came to Blackpool from Leeds around the end of WW2, as my Dads family did a few years earlier.
I discovered a number of years ago that Barry and the family emigrated to USA when he was in his teens. Not long after that the family went to Canada. I managed to contact him via email some years later. His younger sister Carole also sent me emails. Only this week I asked Carole if Barry was OK. She said that he had become very ill, and wouldn't last long.

Also I have been in touch for years with Geoff Heaton, who I sat next to at Palatine and we became friends. He also emigrated to USA. I know that Geoff has family in the Fylde area. He also has not been in touch recently.
Geoffs' mother, Lucy, maiden name Morton, was the first British woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal for swimming in 1922, 200 mtrs breast stroke (I think). There is a Gold Plaque in her honour in Blackpool. (Can't remember where it is). She also swam the Channel in her early days.

 

[Mexboroseasider]

I’d suggest you write your memories down Dave. Then they’ll be there for your grandchildren and great grandchildren in the future. A family history if you like.

Go back to your grandparents, factor in your great grandchildren, and you’ll probably cover a couple of centuries! (Not being funny when I say that by the way. My grandparents were born in the 1880s. My grandkids should hopefully see the end of this century).

 

[Davepick]

I’d suggest you write your memories down Dave. Then they’ll be there for your grandchildren and great grandchildren in the future. A family history if you like.

Go back to your grandparents, factor in your great grandchildren, and you’ll probably cover a couple of centuries! (Not being funny when I say that by the way. My grandparents were born in the 1880s. My grandkids should hopefully see the end of this century).

Good suggestions Mex.
My oldest G/G/son is 13, the other is 3 in Jan. Can't see anymore in the foreseeable future though,
I never met either of my grandfathers. Both died in the 1910 plus years. That's even before my time.

 

[1966_and_all_that]

Long post
I was thinking about my early days today, and friends etc.
One of my best friends, when young, was Barry Martland.
His family came to Blackpool from Leeds around the end of WW2, as my Dads family did a few years earlier.
I discovered a number of years ago that Barry and the family emigrated to USA when he was in his teens. Not long after that the family went to Canada. I managed to contact him via email some years later. His younger sister Carole also sent me emails. Only this week I asked Carole if Barry was OK. She said that he had become very ill, and wouldn't last long.

Also I have been in touch for years with Geoff Heaton, who I sat next to at Palatine and we became friends. He also emigrated to USA. I know that Geoff has family in the Fylde area. He also has not been in touch recently.
Geoffs' mother, Lucy, maiden name Morton, was the first British woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal for swimming in 1922, 200 mtrs breast stroke (I think). There is a Gold Plaque in her honour in Blackpool. (Can't remember where it is). She also swam the Channel in her early days.

Dave, it's a blue Heritage plaque and it's positioned at the entrance to Blackpool Town Hall.

 

[Recidivist3]

Lucy’s gold plaque is on Blackpool Town Hall according to this whilst Central Library have her medal from 1924. She’d make a great pub quiz question

Lucy Morton's 1924 Olympic gold medal sold to council

Lucy Morton was the first female British swimmer to be awarded a solo gold medal at the Olympics.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Davepick]

Dave, it's a blue Heritage plaque and it's positioned at the entrance to Blackpool Town Hall.

Thanks 66 & Recid.
Although I didn't realise until years later, Lucy Morton was married to a guy who became the Deputy Head Postmaster in Blackpool.
He was there when I worked there.
Small world eh?

 

[Trammo]

Interesting read about Lucy Morton. 5 teeth knocked out in a taxi accident shortly before winning an Olympic gold.Band had been practicing the American anthem as they were overwhelming favourites to win. Looking at her photos what lovely eyes she had. I doubt if anyone else that grew up in Blackpool has won gold at the games.Great achievement shame little is known about it.Deserves a statue never mind a plaque.

 

[Curryman]

I’d suggest you write your memories down Dave. Then they’ll be there for your grandchildren and great grandchildren in the future. A family history if you like.

Go back to your grandparents, factor in your great grandchildren, and you’ll probably cover a couple of centuries! (Not being funny when I say that by the way. My grandparents were born in the 1880s. My grandkids should hopefully see the end of this century).

That is a great idea for all on here, as mentioned on another post, my wife is into family history, and tries to dig up as much info as possible abput those she finds, which can be difficult. So I have been writing my history for a couple of years now. Started at my birth in 1947 and have just reached 1973, so a while to go yet. I'm on volume 2.

 

[Wizaard]

Life's rich tapestry indeed.

 

[Malced]

Long post? Not by my standards

 

[Long-shanks]

Long post
I was thinking about my early days today, and friends etc.
One of my best friends, when young, was Barry Martland.
His family came to Blackpool from Leeds around the end of WW2, as my Dads family did a few years earlier.
I discovered a number of years ago that Barry and the family emigrated to USA when he was in his teens. Not long after that the family went to Canada. I managed to contact him via email some years later. His younger sister Carole also sent me emails. Only this week I asked Carole if Barry was OK. She said that he had become very ill, and wouldn't last long.

Also I have been in touch for years with Geoff Heaton, who I sat next to at Palatine and we became friends. He also emigrated to USA. I know that Geoff has family in the Fylde area. He also has not been in touch recently.
Geoffs' mother, Lucy, maiden name Morton, was the first British woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal for swimming in 1922, 200 mtrs breast stroke (I think). There is a Gold Plaque in her honour in Blackpool. (Can't remember where it is). She also swam the Channel in her early days.

From someone who's grandparents are no longer around I really do appreciate the memories my grandad wrote down. My mums parents unfortunately passed when I was young so no such notes exist but on my dads side my grandad (and granny) wrote down his younger days and his memories - brilliant to read them. He also started a family tree and that again is something that is great as my Granny was brought up by her grandparents so good to try and piece everything together.

Just my thoughts Dave but if you can write it all down!!!!

 

[bleach51]

That is a great idea for all on here, as mentioned on another post, my wife is into family history, and tries to dig up as much info as possible abput those she finds, which can be difficult. So I have been writing my history for a couple of years now. Started at my birth in 1947 and have just reached 1973, so a while to go yet. I'm on volume 2.

Crickey...hope you kept your diaries

Jokes apart came across a diary I kept for the full year when I was a lot lot younger ( pre teens I think) when doing a sort out of old papers a couple of years ago which the other half wanted rid of….and of course the diary went.
To say it was about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in providing anything remotely interesting would be an understatement unless you wanted to know what I had for “tea” each day.