IT is not so long ago that private houses were within walking distance of Bolton town centre and that includes the now more industrial Waterloo Street.

Peter Hampson says he used to live in George Arthur Street which ran behind and parallel to Waterloo Street. This was from about 1951 to 1961, he explains.

“I was born in 1948 and we came back from Canada to George Arthur Street in 1951.

“We lived at number 25. My pal David Simpson lived next door, and Gary Shaw lived at the top end of the street.”

Peter recalls a rope works on the corner of Slater Lane.

“In 1953 they held a party in the area for the Queen’s Coronation.

“ I can remember the jelly and ice cream and it was a big treat for us then.” Pam Kapetanakis (nee Shepherd) now lives in Canada but was born and raised in Bolton and at number 250 Waterloo Street.

She and her family had to move, when Pam was 15, to make way for the new road.

She and her siblings went to St James School and attended St James Church.

“The houses in those days, had no indoor bathroom or toilet. It is amazing that a family with five children managed so well.

“But, it didn’t feel like a hardship as we knew nothing else. I hold my formative years very dear and although we didn’t have much in the way of material things, our life was filled with love and happiness. I still have friends I keep in touch with.”