In the shadow of the Etihad Stadium, the Grey Mare Lane estate is full of memories for me: many happy, some violent and unthinkable. Soon it will be gone
Important article. It is the people who breathe life into an area and make it a community. I am from Clayton, a bit further up the road, but again a community destroyed by the policies of the Manchester Labour Council over the years. As a child, I used the Bradford Library off Ashton New Road, the only one locally. My parents visited Grey Mare Lane market weekly. Thanks again Alec.
By the way, that comment was from my partner, Bernadette Hyland, who grew up in Gorton and Clayton . She writes a blog called Lipstick Socialist on socialism, , the Irish community, women's rights, books and films etc. https://lipsticksocialist.com/
This piece reminds me a lot of what happened in Openshaw. The CPOs that were issued were a joke and disregarded the community that was already there. The constant changing goal post, the false promises and stress on the families.
I feel for the people digging in. I remember my parents digging in for a fairer deal but they just issued more and more legal jargon and empty words.
Good luck to them. Your nan was right- don’t let them win.
"Maybe the Grey Mare Lane estate, as we know it, has reached its expiry date and better things are on the horizon. " Maybe so. But as you suggest, there really is no need to treat people like this and I don't understand why they do. Thank you for the article and please keep shining a light on this kind of thing.
Broke my heart reading about your gran - seeing that photo of you both, and knowing the obvious influence she had on your life and many others around you - thank you for a great artcle. As a council tenant for 40-odd years in Wythenshawe, I miss some of my old neighbours who originally moved from Ancoats in the sixties. The sense of community changed as the original tenants relocated into the 'garden city' pass away or move out. I will also stay put, I love the people here, the spirit, the humour. I grew up in Chorlton but belong here. Proud of that.
I was moved from my community along with my family in 1968 from Collyhurst to Moston. Others went to Wythenshawe, Hattersley and other areas. I lost that feeling of connection when we moved and after leaving school moved south for higher education and then settled in the Midlands.
I've gained some of that connection back via The Mill amongst like minded people. I'm still a northerner and proud of it.
Important article. It is the people who breathe life into an area and make it a community. I am from Clayton, a bit further up the road, but again a community destroyed by the policies of the Manchester Labour Council over the years. As a child, I used the Bradford Library off Ashton New Road, the only one locally. My parents visited Grey Mare Lane market weekly. Thanks again Alec.
By the way, that comment was from my partner, Bernadette Hyland, who grew up in Gorton and Clayton . She writes a blog called Lipstick Socialist on socialism, , the Irish community, women's rights, books and films etc. https://lipsticksocialist.com/
Great blog! thanks for sharing.
I have many great memories of Grey Mare Lane market. The area lost a part of its fabric when it started winding down. Thanks Bernadette and Michael.
This piece reminds me a lot of what happened in Openshaw. The CPOs that were issued were a joke and disregarded the community that was already there. The constant changing goal post, the false promises and stress on the families.
I feel for the people digging in. I remember my parents digging in for a fairer deal but they just issued more and more legal jargon and empty words.
Good luck to them. Your nan was right- don’t let them win.
I think we haven’t heard the end of this story. Thanks, Wong.
"Maybe the Grey Mare Lane estate, as we know it, has reached its expiry date and better things are on the horizon. " Maybe so. But as you suggest, there really is no need to treat people like this and I don't understand why they do. Thank you for the article and please keep shining a light on this kind of thing.
Broke my heart reading about your gran - seeing that photo of you both, and knowing the obvious influence she had on your life and many others around you - thank you for a great artcle. As a council tenant for 40-odd years in Wythenshawe, I miss some of my old neighbours who originally moved from Ancoats in the sixties. The sense of community changed as the original tenants relocated into the 'garden city' pass away or move out. I will also stay put, I love the people here, the spirit, the humour. I grew up in Chorlton but belong here. Proud of that.
I was moved from my community along with my family in 1968 from Collyhurst to Moston. Others went to Wythenshawe, Hattersley and other areas. I lost that feeling of connection when we moved and after leaving school moved south for higher education and then settled in the Midlands.
I've gained some of that connection back via The Mill amongst like minded people. I'm still a northerner and proud of it.
A great article, thank you for sharing
Vital writing on a harrowing history, really powerful and bullshit free, so necessary.