I used to live in Hightown, Manchester 8, for 19 years from 1941 to 1960 when I migrated to Australia with my family. We lived at 4 Thirlmere Street, Hightown, and my family name was Finklestein (Finlay).
Thirlmere Street ran off Heywood Street and I remember so many of the places and the people that I have read about in the Manchester Forum.
I remember: - the garages on Heywood Street, Radivan's shop which was on the corner of Thirlmere and Heywood Streets, in fact I used to have a little job there. Margolis's, the Library, Travis's newsagency and sweet shop and I remember most of the streets around the area. I remember Mrs Falk's shop in her house in Huxley Avenue, the wool shop in Elizabeth Street, the Temple School, which I used to attend in my primary years. I was in the area just three weeks' ago as I was visiting my family in London and Formby and went to my old area and, of course, it was hard to sort things out once I was there. I actually found Lytton Avenue still standing as I remembered it all those years' ago, and a school called the Temple but wasn't sure if this actually was my school as my orientation was all over the place. I saw Bellot Street and some other recognisable street names and I knew I was in the right area. I couldn't locate Heywood Street but I think I was close. I was looking for the garages that were on Heywood Street and opposite Thirlmere Street. Thirlmere Street, where I used to live, has been demolished as I discovered on a previous visit many years' ago. I saw Bury New Road, Elizabeth Street, Cheetham Hill Road, which I kind of recognised here and there. I located Waterloo Road where my secondary school was near the corner of Derby Street and Waterloo Road, but I couldn't locate the school and I presume it may have been demolished. I remember Needoff's Bakery on Waterloo Road, I was very friendly with their daughter, the Titanic Deli and its wonderful aroma and the ice cream shop, Lorenzinis, I think? I went to Salford and was amazed at the transformation with TV City and yet still some of the old streets still standing. It's great to visit our roots as we never forget them and always like to know what has gone on in the old areas over all the years. I visited Prestwich and Heaton Park but didn't have enough time to locate the lake and the Stately Home that I remember near the lake. I am returning to the UK in July this year and will, no doubt, make the trip to Manchester once again to rekindle the old memories.