It played a vital role in transporting coal and other goods during the Industrial Revolution, helping fuel the nation’s growth. In 1861, the first recorded underground bicycle race took place here, an unusual but thrilling event for the era. I would be inerersted to know which bit of Droylsden you frequented in your younger days as a first step towards finding some friends in common. I remember that inside the Market Hall, the floor was not flat or even but had slopes of various degrees between the stall "Islands" and then flattening off higher into the center of the hall.

I used to go to Bob Dale's ballroom dancing classes. That would have been around 1956-1959 when I was 13-15 years old. I loved it there and, of course, fell in love with him! If was thrilled in later years when I saw him on TV as a judge on the original Come Dancing. The classes took place in the Alhambra Dance Hall in those days. What I do remember vividly in the summer months was the ‘red clouds’ released from the ‘Clayton Aniline’. (Usually at dusk but never in the day) Toxic by design but unbeknown to us, the chemical plant would send clouds of swifts or swallows crazy in summer over George St Park as its sinister ‘red dust’ presence disoriented them. They flew in circles for many a long hour as the sun set behind them. My father knew then what was messing with there sense of direction but i was to young to understand the poisons he spoke of. I often wonder how much of it was released into the atmosphere and came to rest over the good people of the area? I remember waking up to my mams ‘pink stained’ washing, left overnight on the line, stained by the same cloud, as I made my way to the outside toilet. which meant we could be a bit further from the action, or reaction if we had to run for it. So, trueIt believes in making art accessible to all. Numerous workshops and classes cater to budding artists of all ages, ensuring that creativity flows through every generation. 12. Droylsden’s Christ Methodist Church Our-pub Growing up I was a fanatical ballroom dancer and danced mainly at the Premiere Ballroom and at Pillings in Katharine Street. I had a big crush, as did most of the other young girls, on the teacher, Norman Pilling! Because I was so keen and quite good I was so-called ‘on the staff’ of this dance school. That didn’t mean you were employed, it just meant you got in for nothing and helped Norman and Doris Pilling by dancing with those young lads who couldn’t dance at all and trying to teach them a few steps. Ashton Palais ballroom was only for big events as I remember, and not a favourite of mine. The church’s architecture is a sight to behold. The stained glass windows and intricate stonework have earned it a spot on the town’s list of architectural treasures. Conclusion: I asked on the www.ashton-under-lyne.com "message board" for suggestions of which buildings contributors thought of when Ashton was mentioned. These are some of their ideas:

Round the corner on Oldham Rd was The Empire- it had a bar upstairs and was also used by local operatic groups to stage musicals. I saw "West Side Story" there. Not forgetting the Palais de Danse, usually known as " The Pally." I used to go roller skating there when I wasn't at the Saturday Morning Club at the Gaumont. Later on I went to see bands play there- I saw 'The Who" there in the early 60s. Ashton Palais was the location for the dance hall scenes in the film "Billy Liar' starring Tom Courtney and Julie Christie. We found a bill in the shop counter (a 20 feet long mahogany-topped job) indicating that it was previously in a shop at Thompson Cross Stalybridge. After we sold the property in 1979, that counter returned to Stalybridge, to be used by Rothwell Auctioneers.

Tameside Memories

Sir William Houldsworth once led the textile industry in Droylsden. Economic growth in the town was powered by his cotton mills. It even has its soapbox derby! It is an annual event that ignites laughter and excitement with inventive contraptions.

The following are a description of three blue prints /drawings of past pubs. All are available to a group for historic protection. I would like these to go to a safe place for the benefit of future archivists if deemed relevant. Any suggestions ? Learning to dance in 1954 at Pillings dancing school. This was above a car showroom on Katherine street. shop on the corner of Katherine street and Warrington street which had a sloping scrubbed floor andIt is very probable that the rat came up the tippler toilet from the sewer. These toilets were basically a straight shaft down to the sewer, having no water trap or anything else to keep whatever was down there from coming up. That’s why they used to pong a bit. He probably was looking for his next goldfish to eat (these being best fed to the cat). We had a small sewerage bed close by us on Littlemoss- I used to play on it as a kid - used to go round and round on the filter beds not knowing what the stuff was coming out of the nozzles, Tomatoes grew in wild profusion down there. They never seemed to ripen very well though and I always found them hard and a little bitter! John When I saw the words to 'We are the two Ashton Mashers', I could hear my Mum & Dad singing it. They are both gone now. The pub on Katherine Street with the stone horses head at the top of the yard archway. this was just lower down from the corner of Warrington street The Godwins, also one for Steve Petty, remained in the area for years. (Dave, Bobby etc) John Godwin lives in Abbey Hey, Gorton near the new ‘Wright Robinson’. Brian I have not heard of for 25 years.

i went to Elyshion st school i dont remember many boys or girls from there i think i wasnt very popular i did play a fairy in the school play though and still remember what i had to say till this day. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.Although the cotton industry eventually waned, Droylsden’s textile legacy lives on. Today, you can still find remnants of this era, from preserved mills to the town’s rich textile history. 11. Artistic Flair: Vibrant Arts Scene For those who appreciate the beauty of both nature and human craftsmanship, Droylsden is an ideal destination. 7. Inauguration of the Football Club the Cushion bearer for the crown of flowers for our Ladies Statue in St Mary's church was Gerard Hone. He walked in front of the May Queen. disappeared, then an almighty bang as the dustbin lid spun high above the gate followed by the bin’s