Can you share your memories of Ashton Vale?
We have heard so many but really would love to document some on this site. If you have any images of Ashton Vale, it's residents and nature then please share them with us.
Let us celebrate our heritage!
Historical Account from Linda Stone
I have lived in Ashton Vale for 59 years and have many memories
here. I played as a child on the slag heap in South Liberty Lane,
known as the pit ponds. Children from all around came to fish and play
here, and I have gone home many a time with 'bootfuls' and gone without
lunch for being late home!. Next to the pit ponds was a quarry ending
at the black bridge. Next to the black bridge was the brickworks where
we could watch the bricks being baked in the ovens.
We had plenty of shops, Claud's in Swiss Road, Hilbourns in
Risdale Road, Co-Op, butchers, newsagents, green grocers, bakers,
hairdresser and habidashery at the end of Ashton Drive. At the
beginning of Ashton Drive there was a Fire Station, butchers, Liptons
grocers, ladies dress shop, newsagents and post office - quite a
thriving community.
Ashton Drive ended by the prefabs just before Colliters Brook. We
used to leave our bikes there and cross the brook, on the other side
was a path leading to the allotments which lead to the tunnel under the
railway line.
My own children (1970'/1980's) spent may a time playing in the
fields at the bottom of my garden, making friends with the cows that
put their heads over the fence and fishing in the pond for frogs, fish
and newts that was pond in the field behind.
They also took their toboggans to the fields by the black bridge on snowy days. This field is now part of the cementary.
There was also a play area for children then with swings,
roundabout etc on the green by the bus stop in Risdale Road. This was
taken away and never replaced.
Hope some of these memories are of interest.