Issue 59

Mrs Lilian Brooks

- we were sorry to hear of Lilian's death in December, her funeral taking place on the 8th. Overleaf are some biographical notes which were used at the service. Both Lilian and Jim were made life members of the society when they moved to Clitheroe to be
near to their family. They are remembered with great affection by many members.

Some notes on the life of Lilian Brooks (1915-2006)

Lilian was the only daughter of Arthur & Agnes Amelia Orford. She was born in the Longsite district of Manchester in 1915, some 8-years after the birth of her only brother Cyril. When she was four years old the family moved to Hyde to live in the house in Kingston Gardens which was to be Lilian's home for the next seventy years.

She had a Christian upbringing in a family which believed deeply in social justice and was guided throughout her life by the strong Christian principles learnt at an early age showing care, love and compassion throughout her life.

She was employed in secretarial work throughout her working life but revealed other talents when she learned to play the piano in her teenage years, reaching an advanced level of achievement and gaining high qualifications through her studies.
When in her early twenties she became involved in the Toe H movement and this became the instrument which enabled her to put the Christian principles into practice. One cause which she took up at that time was with the Hospital library Service — an activity in which she participated every weekend.

In later years she worked voluntarily in fundraising for Oxfam, in activities designed to assist the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society and Family Service Units and was actively involved over very many years with animal welfare charities.

In later life she recalled, as a young woman, hearing the sermon of a minister in which he suggested that politics (in its broadest sense) need not be divorced from Christianity, and this proved to be an important idea to which she could fully subscribe and which became a guiding influence throughout her life.

In 1957 she married Jim, a widower whom she had known in Toc H through Jim's first wife Ellen who had died some time earlier. Jim and his teenage son David moved to live with Lilian at Kingston Gardens.

Lilian had always been very close to her brother Cyril and so it was with great pride and delight that she was able to be present at the ceremony which installed Cyril and his wife May as Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport in 1971.

She developed many interests in later life and through retirement years, recording her memories of childhood for publication in various books and becoming deeply involved in local and family history. Her love of the countryside never waned and, being very proud of her Welsh roots through her mother's family, she loved to visit mid Wales, to keep contact with an extended family there, and to spend many happy holidays in that region with husband Jim.

In later years her health was fading but, despite being small in stature, she had a determination and strength which carried her through many difficulties, including the loss of her husband Jim. Latterly she was fortunate to have the great love and tender care of the staff at the Manor House in Chatburn which became her home in her final years.

From The Minutes Of The Tameside Local History Forum, 28 11 06

Comments about the event at Stalybridge Market Hall were taken, (History Alive),
This was a huge success, it was a terrific venue. It could have been that with the roads being closed for the Christmas light switch on people didn't visit.
As it was a cold day it was a pity the cafe closed early (3pm). Visitors came from outside the Tameside area, it is estimated that 600 visitors attended. The Advertiser did not support us; a letter to the Editor is to be sent. The event will hopefully take place in 2007 in October, date to be decided.

And The Heritage Consultation Group

Jean Marlor referred to an information pack being compiled by the Denton Local History Society regarding Denton Park for use in schools. Sha added that the Local History Society had been advised by Tameside MBC that it was the Council's intention to sell the property which presently housed their collection/artefacts. They had looked at various alternatives which had not proved viable due to the
size of the collection and accessibility issues. The Chair stated that she would meet with Stuart Mollison, Town Manager, to discuss possible options for the Local History Society.

Stained Glass Windows

Members discussed concerns regarding the alternative use or storage of stained glass windows of historical/local significance which had been situated in churches which had been demolished or
were due for demolition and recent cases in Denton and Audenshaw were highlighted. Approaches had been made to the developers to ascertain if the windows could be incorporated into the new build but to no avail and members were concerned that these windows would either be destroyed or
sold by the developer.

My new typewriter

Please wait for the files below to load, once you've read it you'll understand why we did it that way.....

if your computer has it's own little foibles which drive you mad, don't worry, it's all happened before!!
Sam Fitton, 1868 - 1923.