Over forty years of experience are captured in these poems and short stories – from just after 1945 right up to present day. Why not … Relive Saturday nights at the Palais. Find out what people did before television. Discover why the local mill closed its doors forever … And just what was the Monkey Run? These stories and poems are packed with local colour and detail. They provide a fascinating insight into life in the North West both ‘now’ and ‘then’.

For Judy (1962)

Today I saw two girls on Market Street,
Heads bent forward as they walked against
the wind.
Swaying and clutching at each other as they
laughed.
Spiked hair stripes of pink and green,
Long black skirts and leather boots,
With bits of rag criss-crossed around their
legs.
And I thought of you and me, linking
With the colours of our double-breasted Wallis
coats
Turned up (the fashion rather than the cold).
Back-combed hair, lacquered till it didn’t feel
like hair,
Winkle-picker shoes and hobble skirts
Tilting us forward on tiny steps.
C & A bags swinging from our hands,
Carrying a dream for less than thirty bob.
Laughing as we talked about the Ritz last
night,
Tears streaming as you told me what he said.
And home to paint our nails with pearly
peach.

Maureen Tottoh

Publication date: 1989