I was once a resident of Slawit. My name is Michael John Robertshaw, born on November 24/1945 at St. Luke's Hospital Huddersfield.
Up till the age of twelve my surname was Standring. My Mother Eunice was from Stockport. She met a man by the name of Herbert North Robertshaw, married and moved to 47 Carr Lane, Slawit. I would be interested in knowing if the house is still standing.
The house was joined to two other homes, in the centre one lived Mrs. Crowther, with her daughter Mavis, and Mavis' husband Dennis. On the other end of the three homes lived and elderly lady by the name of Miss. Wilkinson. I attended Sunday School in the Church directly across the street.
At that time kids made their own entertainment, I often went down to the Canal and would catch sticklebacks in a jam jar, or watch the fire department role out their huge ladder on the parade ground, where once in a while the traveling fair would set up shop.
Saturday's were a special treat. I would attend the Winston Cinema, and watch two full length features, three cartoons, and a serial. It was definitely an afternoon's entertainment.
I attended Nield's County School, and my favourite teacher was Miss Washington. The train station was entertainment also, several friends and I would sit on the wall at one end of the station, and as the trains went by we would write down their engine numbers. I used to get chased off the track by the station master, while collecting fallen chunks of coal from an over filled coal tender.
Mrs. Redman's green grocer shop, was just down the street, and what a treat it was when I could get a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock pop. I remember Ration Books very well. I often wondered what happened to my friends such as Richard Walker, David Quarmby, Julian Armitage, Richard Lunn, and several others, unfortunately I can't remember their names. On May 1st, 1957, at the age of twelve, myself, Mother and step-father sailed to Canada on the H.M.S. Corinthia, from South Hampton to start a new and better life. One day I hope to visit Slawit, in order to show my wife the places I fondly mention often.
Sincerely, Michael J. Robertshaw.
Anyone who knows any of these people may care to contact Michael
