I was there!... Part one

PP stands for Proud Preston

I have been saving memories of growing up in Preston, Lancashire, England  in a folder on my desktop for quite a while and have decided it was time to use them, so a small flashback down memory lane. Born there in 1942 and left to come to America in 1966.

Sharoe Green Hospital 

(originally was a Work House)

I was born here.

The youngest picture I have.

St Mary's Methodist School

(attended from 1947-1957)

In case no one recognizes me I was the  front row 1st left next to my teacher Mrs Clark and the Headmaster was Mr Thwaite.  I played Left Wing,  We were very happy to win that tiny little trophy!

From the age of 11 to 15 I was a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade I would attend weekly classes on First Aid and Home Nursing and was also on a competition team. Accidents would be staged and we had to go in and assess the situation and treat the patient, a Doctor would watch and award us points on how well we did.  Think I remember we placed at least 3rd out of 8 teams one time.

Headquarters on Chapel Walks, Preston

(I was the 4th Queen from the right  front row.)

One year I was chosen to be the Queen and represent St John's Ambulance at a Charity fund Raiser for orphan children held at the Public hall in Preston this is from 1957. I remember so well sitting there and feeling very awkward because I was the only Queen without flowers. The dress was very shiny and the Robes were very heavy and Dark Blue.

Before my time but this is the sort of thing we did. We marched in home town parades, did volunteer work at local hospitals and Movie Theaters and other public events.

At age 16 I left my first job where I worked in a Grocery Store and entered a live in training program as a Cadet Nurse at the Bolton Lancashire Royal Infirmary.  A town a few miles from Preston. I was not there long, for family reasons I returned home and began my training as a weaver in Horrockses  Cotton Mill I have written about that on previous Posts.

A prettier picture of it, but of course it was not this pretty when you got inside to work.

This is the Sovereign Shed where I trained, again a few years before my time but these are the looms I learned  on which were in the process of being replaced by Northrop Automatic electric driven looms.  So one weaver could go from working 4 or 6 looms to 20 at a time.

Northrop Loom

Sometimes life does take twists and turns you do not plan on but I did not mind being a weaver it was interesting and the time passed quickly as I was constantly busy.

Before my time as a weaver also.

To Be continued...