St Mary’s get-together

ORGANISER Joan Hague with a photo of her pub taken in June 1965

A PUB landlady is hosting a trip down memory lane to mark the 50th anniversary of the demolition of St Mary’s estate.

Joan Hague of the White House on Oldham Edge is putting together a display of photographs and memorabilia and inviting families involved in the clearing of homes to go along on September 20 from 2pm.

Joan says she was inspired to organise the event by a 1964 Granada TV documentary, which featured her partner Ronnie Cartwright and his mum, Nellie.

“End of the Street” charted the demolition of St Mary’s and Nellie Cartwright spoke at length about the uprooting and dispersal of the community.

The original St Mary’s area was one of Oldham’s oldest communities - reminiscent of the small houses and cobbled streets of the original “Coronation Street”. Many families were upset when the decision was made to demolish the homes and build a new estate.

The area was also the subject of a second TV documentary in the Eighties, which used footage from the original programme.

“Because of where the pub is — in the heart of the community — a lot of people who lived on the estate still come in, so it seemed fitting to do this tribute,” said Joan, who recently staged a Mumps reunion and often holds Blue Coat School reunions.

“We want as many people as possible to come along. We have photos, books, maps of the streets, and so many things former residents would be interested in. It will also be a good chance for people to meet up again and talk about their memories of life on the estate.”