At first, I went to Magdalena Street school because there was no school in Langley. There weren’t enough places. I was eight or nine when we moved. And I went to Langley high, which was the new secondary modern School. They built Bishop Marshall the Catholic school afterwards, I lived in Harpurhey before – I […]
Growing up in the Overspill
Mum and Dad were housed in Whinfell Drive. I was born in Langley, Whinfell Drive in 1958. I remember my family life being very happy and full of love. This Christmas, 2019, I am staying again for Christmas. My 4 siblings, who live all over the country, have all been here too with their families, […]
LIFE IN LOCKDOWN: LANGLEY An online exhibition
In March 2020, as the Overspill project was drawing to an end, the world went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Here we explore what life in lockdown has been like some people in Langley.
Moving to the Countryside
I thought we had moved to the countryside when we first moved onto here in April 1957. We had an indoor toilet and bathroom. They was still building the estate when we first came up. The first winter was shocking, the snow was up to our knees and we had chilblains. Sheila
Neighbours becoming family
I remember winter time, sledging on fields near where we lived, the bonfires on bonfire night and all the neighbours used to do black peas. I remember calling all the neighbours aunty and uncles. At night, we had to wear thick pyjamas and thick blankets. I remember the snow being up to the window sill. […]
Everyday Life in Langley
I remember picking my son up from school and the frost rising from the ground and it was really really cold. There was only one bus and it was every half an hour. The rent was a lot less than now. I remember playing bingo in the school holidays at home. Christine
Memories of Snow
I was five when I moved to Langley. The first winter with the kids next door, the snow was up to my waist and I nearly vanished building a snow man. The windows were like frosted glass. When it was snowing blizzards and the coal man couldn’t get up the hill to deliver our coal, […]
Playing Out
I remember me and my brother getting a bread crate and sliding down the steps at the Moonraker pub. I remember Kevin Walshes getting licko and chocolate nibbles. I remember playing on the labour club when it was derelict. Louisa
Cold Winter Nights in Langley
I came from Harpurhey. Playing out in the snow and the snow coming over the top of my wellies. We would go and get warm by the fire, and half an hour later back out again. I remember the icicles on the bedroom window. I had my dad’s bus guard overcoat on my bed over […]
Oral History Interview: Michael
Hear Michael talk about how his family home in Middleton was demolished to make way for the Langley estate. His family was one of the first to move on to the newly built estate. We, along with the other people, got a notice, or a letter saying that your house was being demolished and you […]
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