The Tales
During the creative writing workshops with Al Keogh, around 50 new pieces of writing were written by local older people living in Miles Platting, and another 30 pieces of writing were written by children during workshops at Park View Community School.
All this writing is now in a large, beautiful hand-made book.
And some of the writing can be heard here.
Click these PDFs to read the Tales Of Miles Platting book.
The streets are paved with gold
Alright, maybe not
Lined with concrete
Enclosed with houses
Smiles from the windows to be sure
Our house is there
Front garden not great but it’s ours
Miles Platting is the place
It is our home
Little too old, it doesn’t matter
Enticed by the cotton
Salaries for all
Please be respectful
Leave it as you find it
All of you, not just me
The bins will be emptied
To keep the old dears smiling
I know, I see them do it
No fuss
Go elsewhere if that isn’t for you
(John G)
Tales of the Unexpected
One morning I had a strange encounter. I was going to the local shop, Charley’s, which doesn’t exist in Miles Platting anymore. I was just turning the corner and a beautiful cat came towards me. I had never seen her before and
she approached me. Some guy from Nelson Court said that she was stray. I noticed her, and she just came to me. I imagined she would struggle as I picked her up, but she cuddled into me as if she had known me for years. A strange feeling came over me, as if it was fate.
Possibly, she could have come from up the street. Did she try to get into Nelson Court after seeing it for years? Or was it just spooky timing? A puzzle that still stays with me as I look at her now. She knows something I don’t know.
Where is she from?
(Phil C)
Tales of Miles Platting
Miles Platting is an ever-changing community with thousands of people that have lived in the area for most, if not all, of their lives. They have schooled here, married and raised children here, who, in turn are raising their own kids. With many new houses now being built there is a new community starting out their lives in our community, building their own lives and starting to create their own meaning of belonging.
(Mike B)
Taking me back to my childhood
As young as nine years old
Living in Miles Pllatting at the time
Everyone was very friendly and kind
Sharing thoughts, today is wonderful
Over 54 years have passed now. I’m 63 years old
Filled with happy and sad memories of years gone by
Mum was a wonderful woman back then and continued
In bringing up 6 very active and special children
Living not far from her own mother and siblings, Ancoats and Miles Platting born and bred
Every family was very friendly and looked after each other
Sharing food, money, mop buckets, paint brushes etc…
People were different then I tend to remember
Life was peaceful, happy, friendly, complete
After mum’s death when I was twelve, I remember I was sad
Time slowed down, missing going to the wash-house with mum
Taking in all the gossip her and her neighbour would do
In the wash-house listening to the big machines and the voices shouting over the noise
Never would I have thought I’d be sitting here today, sharing this with people
Good to feel community spirit again in Miles Platting that I felt was lost for many, many years. Lovely to be part of it again. Only good days to come for everyone
(Christine D)
