Ex-pupils turn the clock back at reunion of Castle Hill School and the Hall i'th' Wood estate

For some it has been decades since they saw each other but they have no problem catching up in minutes.

This is the annual Castle Hill School and Hall i'th' Wood reunion run by Barry Hynes.

It is held at Astley Bridge Cricket Club and becomes increasingly popular every year.

When the reunion was held on Friday October 9, 55 people turned up all with a keen interest in the area.

The oldest person to turn up for the event was Doris Williams who is aged 92. "She had a brilliant time and was dancing all night," says 75-year-old Barry whose 73-year-old sister, Pat Hornby was also at the event.

The reunion involved Castle Hill School as well as other schools in the area — schools that would have been attended by people who lived in the Hall i'th' Wood area.

When the Hall i'th' Wood estate was built in the 1930s it was a flag ship project that was highly desirable to local people.

The houses had their own smart gardens and boasted indoor bathrooms which was a big plus in those pre-war days.

Many of the houses were typical of the pre-war semi detached homes that were being built at the time but what the estate was most well known for was its community spirit.

That community spirit would continue over the decades and ensure the residents would always want to keep in touch and share news even though many had moved away from the area.

In fact a number of the guests at the event at Astley Bridge Cricket Club had moved from Bolton with attendees coming from Preston, Blackpool and one man used to come from his home in Canada (although he now lives back in Bolton making the journey far less of a logistical nightmare).

The days of being able to leave the back door unlocked, knocking on the next door neighbour's front door for a cup of sugar and everyone knowing everyone else are long gone.

Most of those who attended the event could recall a time when the area was a community and almost a village in its own right.

Some of the schools have long gone but the former pupils have fond memories of their time spent there.

Barry, who now lives in Deane, grew up in the Hall i'th' Wood area and describes them as "gentle, lovely times".

His parents, Annie and Jimmy brought him and his sister Pat up in the area and one of his earliest memories of Castle Hill School is having a sleep in the classroom in the afternoon.

Tiny tots who had just started school would be given the opportunity to have a nap in the afternoon after a hard day working in the morning.

Older children could walk to school in those days without parental supervision. After all there were fewer vehicles on the roads and, for the most part, both parents would often be in employment with mothers in Bolton often employed in the local mills.

School toilet blocks would often be outdoors and children would sit at wooden desks with ink wells, to work — classrooms were regimented places to be and corporal punishment was still very much in use in Bolton's schools.

But children had respect for their elders and respect for their teachers. For although times were hard and teachers were strict many older folk today have fond memories of their school days and really do believe they were the best days of their lives.

Times have changed both in education and in local communities.

Education is far more diverse today and simply learning the 3 Rs as they were called no longer applies.

But does that mean the education system is better? Perhaps you feel the education you received in the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s was a more rounded education and one that equipped you better for life.

Do you have memories of your own school days you would like to share with Looking Back readers?

Or was your street a little community in its own right and perhaps you have fun and interesting stories to tell of your childhood.

If so do get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk and we will feature those memories in a future edition of Looking Back.