For My Mum

Born this day in 1921 in Harpurhey with Gotherswick in North Manchester within spitting distance of Boggart Hole Clough. . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .  she would have been 100 today

Other famous residents include author of 'A Clockwork Orange' Anthony Burgess and Freddy Garrity of Freddie and The Dreamers of 'You were made for me' fame

She loved music from classical to folk and left wing agitprop songs especially and particularly the songs of the Owdham Tinkers so we grew up listening to Paul Robeson singing songs like Joe Hill and Northern folk songs amongst a smattering of choral classics she favoured like Kathleen Ferrier and she sang in the Hallé Choir as a young woman but she also enjoyed dance music of her era and she loved Bix Beiderbecke and the sound track to Pennies From Heaven. She was the only woman I ever knew who could dance the Charleston!

The Oldham Tinkers live - A Mon Like Thee

a favourite of my mother's and one that now inevitably reduces me to tears . . . . it contains the Northern philosophy towards hospitality and friendly social attitude especially to those who may have less than ourselves