We were over the moon about that landing... Bolton people recall (From The Bolton News)

We were over the moon about that landing... Bolton people recall

4:30pm Saturday 18th July 2009 in

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FORTY years ago tomorrow, millions of people were tuning into their black and white televisions to watch man land on the moon.

The picture quality might have been poor but that took little away from the momentous occasion as they witnessed one of history’s greatest achievements.

And four decades on, the people who were glued to the TV at the time remember the sense of wonder and awe as if it were yesterday — even if poor TV pictures mean the detail might be a little hazy.

The Bolton News took to the town centre asking people to recall that day when what was believed to be unachievable finally happened.

May Power, aged 77, from Astley Bridge, said: “You never expected something like this to take place in your lifetime.

“I can’t believe it was 40 years ago. Everyone was watching the television, they were glued to it. It was amazing seeing it happen. Everyone was talking about it.”

Builder Tony Littler, aged 49, from Daubhill, said: “It is one of the most awe-inspiring things I have ever seen.

“I was interested in the space race. I had all the posters and was following developments when I was just a child.

“The poor image quality meant I had to concentrate really hard and watch it happen on a black and white television with bad satellite quality.”

Sue Greensitt, aged 52, from Breightmet, recalls: “It was one of those things you will never forget, like when Elvis died.

“I remember sitting up to watch it happen and it was just one of those moments.”

Chris Eickinson, aged 63, from Halliwell, believes generations of people have been conned into believing the moon landing actually took place.

He said: “I watched and it was very believable to see what was happening but afterwards there were too many things that didn’t add up. We have been conned into believing something that did not happen.”

Margaret Leyland, from Deane, said: “I have heard of the conspiracy theories, but if it was a con the truth would have come out by now.

“I remember watching it and then walking out with the person I was courting and sitting on a bench in Beaumont Road looking up at the moon and thinking people are on that. Since then, I do watch programmes on space and it is very interesting.”

Gerard Joseph, aged 49, from Bolton, said: “We held a party and people came round to watch it. I was only nine but do remember seeing the landings and putting the 50p in the TV to see astronauts land on the moon.”

Merchant Seaman John Mullineaux, aged 44, said: “I missed watching the landings and have been fuming ever since, but I have made up for it. I have seen Atlantis take off in 1998 and spoken to scientists who have worked for NASA.

“The moon landings and what has happened since gives you an appreciation of what people can do. The moon landings marked humanity going forward.

“The only snag was if nations had worked together instead of taking part in the space race, imagine where we would be now.”

Visitor to Bolton Henry Stuart-McGill, aged 72, from Whitehaven, said: “Everything halted. Work stopped and people sat watching television goggle-eyed. It was simply brilliant and we were watching progress.

“Humanity can be at its best or worst and in this case it was at its best.”