Accrington Expats - try our map! - Accrington Observer

Accrington Expats - try our map!

June 29, 2009

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ARE you a former resident of Hyndburn who has moved abroad and who wants to get back in touch with people still living in the town? Do you know of friends or family who have moved overseas and you want to try and track them down? Well here's your chance with our new interactive map ...

In this section, we're giving an opportunity for people who were parted when locals decided to make new lives overseas to make contact once again.

If you are an ex-pat, who wants to know the whereabouts of a pal or relative, send us the details and we'll post them up here. The same is true of locals - let us know if you want to get back in touch with a local who has left these shores. You never know - they might just visit this site, read your message and you could be reunited.

Alternatively, ex-pats can write to us simply if they want to let the folks back home know what they've been up to, how life overseas is treating them, and what they miss about Hyndburn.

All you have to do to take advantage of this service is to click here to go to our interactive map of the world , then click on the part of the map where you live. Your own pinpoint will appear which you can move to the exact location you want (use the controls on the top-right of the map to move around and to zoom in and out, right down to street level).

A form will also appear which will allow you to give your name, contact details, reason for moving and anything else you want to share with us.

Please note - this information will appear live on the site immediately and is not moderated. If you feel that somebody is abusing this map service, please click here to e-mail the web editor.

NOTE: All entries received so far, which can bee seen by clicking on 'View comments' have been added to the interactive map - from now on we'd like all new entries to be added via this map and not by clicking on 'Submit comments'. Thank you.

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Showing comments 26 to 50 and replies | View All

Madeleine Rees, Florida, USA (10/05/2005 at 10:04)

My name is Madeleine Rees and although born and raised in Accrington I now live in Florida USA. I have a sister who still lives locally. My grandfather was John Thomas Taylor. He was born and raised in Accrington. He died in 1965 aged 85. Back in the 1930s he left his family to go off with Margaret Miller/Higgins and they had a child in 1935 called Margaret who is my mother. John was 55 when my mother was born. At the time I guess it was a huge scandal and according to my mother his family cut him off and my mother knew little of them. My mother died in 1986 and that time I was not interested in my family tree. As I research my family tree I am trying to find my mother's half brothers/sisters and their families. John Taylor's parents were Gabriel and Elizabeth Taylor (nee Riley). John had a sister Agnes who married Richard Pritchard. At some point my mother was made aware of her father's sister, Agnes as she buried her parents in the same grave as Richard and Agnes Pritchard in Accrington Cemetery. If anyone knows any information however trivial I would love to hear from you. My email address is madeleinerees@hotmail.com

Lynne Lawrie, Australia (10/05/2005 at 10:06)

Hi, my mane is Lynne Lawrie, nee Foster. I have lived in Australia for almost 30 years now. I am seeking contact with Christine Leach, a past pupil of Rhyddings. If anyone knows how I can contact her would you please pass on my e-mail address? E-mail: lawrielynne@hotmail.com

Fiona Ricchiuti (10/05/2005 at 10:07)

I'm looking for relatives of my mother Ellen May Cross (nee Smith), who has family members in Accrington, but lost contact many years ago. The family is called Smith and I remember there being the following members: Leslie Smith, Ken Smith, Crowther Smith. My grandfather was called Charles Russell Smith and I visited Accrington as a small child to see an Aunty Kathleen. My mum is now 75 years old and is hoping she isnt the eldest family member still alive!!! Get in touch with me at fionaricchiuti@hotmail.com. Thanks, Fiona Ricchiuti

Alan Gilmartin, Tasmania (10/05/2005 at 10:08)

Hi, my name is Alan Gilmartin. I have been living in Australia for 30 years, I grew up in Clayton, went to Holy Family, and would like to hear from old friends, ie, Bernard Lord, Paul Grant, Chris Parsons, or anyboby who remembers me, as I will be over in the UK in February and March. I left the UK 1973, and I now live in Tasmania, My email address is: algil57@hotmail.com. PS: Will Harry please get back in touch with Alan?

Susan E Ford, California, U.S.A (10/05/2005 at 10:09)

I am trying to track down my old school pal Kathleen O'Hagen. I believe she now resides in the vacinity of Huncoat. Kathleen grew up in Ferngore, Accrington. Before I lost contact with her she resided in Burnley. As for myself I grew up in Accrington and attended Peel Park Junior School from 1968-1973, and then went to Holy Family from 1973-1978. Kathleen became my friend when I commenced school at HF nowadays known as Mount Carmel RC High. I left Accrington in the early 1980's to reside and work in London. In 1997 I left London to reside in Santa Barbara, California. Last year my family and I moved to live in a small town called Moraga. Moraga is next door to UC Berkeley and half an hours drive from San Francisco. I lost touch with Kathleen after I relocated November of last year. If anybody else in the Accrington community vaguely recalls my name I would love to hear from you. Incidentally, if you attended Peel Park between 1968-1973 and Holy Family between 1973-1978 could you please look for your old school class pictures that your parents might still have in their possession. I would love to receive copies via e-mail or through the post. Please contact me as follows: Mrs. Susan E. Ford (nee Bullock), 365 Donald Drive, Moraga CA. 94556-2311, USA. Email: susan.e.ford@comcast.net. Yours faithfully, Mrs Susan E Ford (nee Bullock).

Anne-Marie McNulty, Kenya (10/05/2005 at 10:10)

Hi, my name is Anne-Marie McNulty (nee Hibbert). I am married to Michael McNulty, also an Accringtonian. I would love to get back in touch with old school friends. I was a Paddock House girl (1966 - 72) and Michael was a AGS pupil at the same time. Before that I was at St. Anne's Junior and Michael was at Peel Park. Both my mum and Michael's dad live in Accrington (Peel Park area and Fern Gore respectively) and I get sent the Accy Obs. on occasions. Not long after getting married Michael and I left Accrington (1974) as Michael joined the Army. We have lived all over the world returning to live in Accrington in the mid-80s for a number of years. We are now live in Kenya where I run my own business running a dog training school and boarding kennels. I would love to be able to say hi to friends that I have lost contact with. Life in the 'colonies' is so different from living in UK and there are times when news from home would be very nice. We obviously keep up on the news with Sky and BBC and I have to say that living abroad does make you more patriotic than when you are actually living in UK. I am fiercely proud of my homeland and my home town, even if hearing the old jokes about Accrington Stanley do where a bit thin sometimes, but at least the Town is known is far flung places. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to try to get in touch. E-mail: mcnulty@africaonline.co.ke

Arthur Walton, Pennsylvania, USA (10/05/2005 at 10:12)

My name is Arthur Walton and used to live, and work in Accrington until I moved to Germany in the mid 70's. Since then I was blessed, in that I was paid to travel the world career wise, and experienced living and working in several countries. Since 1984 I have resided in the USA, where I now call home and have no great desire to relocate. My wife, and three children are American citizens, whereas I have kept my English nationality. For several years now I have kept contact with Accrington using the computer, and several web pages for news, and indications how the standard of life is in my birthplace. It's not good signs that I see for the economy, and the mentality of people that reside there. The average comment is that Accrington is "lousy" and "dirty" and we as the population can't influence any actions to remedy the situation. If people spent the same amount of adopting a positive manner, instead of complaining and "badmouthing" the place where they live, things could be turned around. Things are never going to be 100% perfect, however the future generations, that will call Accrington home should be raised on a spirit of "if it's not right.... lets make it right". I would like to travel back to Accrington, and show my children the place that I called home for twenty-plus years. Regards, Arthur Walton, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA. E-mail: arthur@superaccess.net

Nigel Vickers (10/05/2005 at 10:14)

I am Nigel Vickers, used to live in Accrington, in the old grammar school area. I left Accrington 15 years ago to work overseas, have worked in the United States and the Caribbean, also the Canaries, Cyprus, and mainland Spain, and now living in Mallorca. Would love to keep in touch with the folk back home. E-mail n.vickers@libra-holidays.com

Shawn Connelly, Oklahoma (10/05/2005 at 10:15)

Shawn Connelly, now living in Oklahoma, (please don't sing) - please can you say hello to my folks who all live in Oswaldtwistle now. E-mail: shawnconnelly@cox.net

John Baumber, Thornton Cleveleys (10/05/2005 at 11:04)

My name is john baumber i attended rhyddings school from 1950 to 1955 during that time i played football for the school and Lancashire schoolboys I saw an article in the observer with a photograph of the school football team . put in by Mrs Pollard after her husband Brian died (this would be about 6 months ago) When I left school I worked for Jim Smith as a shoe repairer at his shop in Abbey Road. Accrington I left Accrington in May 1959 and joined the police force in Blackpool and am now retired and living just outside Blackpool in Thornton-Cleveleys. If any one from the old days remembers me I would love to contact them by e-mail at j.baumber@tesco.net

Annalisa Mascolo, Florence, Italy (10/05/2005 at 11:06)

MY NAME IS ANNALISA MASCOLO AND I NOW LIVE IN FLORENCE ITALY, BUT IN 1965 MY PARENTS EMIGRATED TO ENGLAND. WE HAVE LIVED IN CLAYTON-LE-MOORS, WILLOW STREET, FROM 1965 TO 1974. I' M THE ELDEST OF 3 SISTERS, MYSELF, LYDIA AND GILDA. GILDA WAS ACTUALLY BORN IN CLAYTON..
I'M WRITING TO SEE IF I CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF MY SCHOOL PALS OR EVEN TEACHERS THAT STILL REMEBER ME . I ATTENDED ST. MARYS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN CLAYTON AND HOLY FAMILYS SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ACCY.
I LIVE AND WORK IN FLORENCE AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE BUT I'M TELLING YOU I STILL MISS LOTS OF THING FROM BACK IN CLAYTON.. I LOVED BONFIRE NIGHT ON WILLOW STREET OUR BONFIRE ,FOR ME, WAS ALWAYS THE BIGGEST..
MISS FISH AND CHIPS, STEAK AND KIDNEY PIE, BLACK PEAS ETC ETC...
HOWEVER I HOPE I'LL FIND SOMEBODY.. WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
LUV, ANNALISA (e-mail: Annalisa.Mascolo@raffaellohotel.it)

jean hewitt, accrington (14/05/2005 at 10:46)

Hi, I am now living Queensland, Australia and would like to get in touch with any old friends. I went to Hyndburn Park school which I left in 1955. E-mail: crelynn@aol.com

Peter Gregory, Perth, Australia (13/06/2005 at 07:12)

Hi to all
In fact I used to work at the Accrington Observer in the late 60's when everything was done letterpress.
I haven't lived in Accrington since 1973 and I emigrated to Australia in 1982. Some pals I did leave behind were Alan Cornthwaite. He served his time in printing as a comp as I did at Nayler the Printer in Church. It surprising how you tend to lose touch with people.
Regards
Peter Gregory. E-mail: pmfg@linq.net.au

martin murray, falkirk (16/06/2005 at 17:55)

While I did not live locally, my great unlcce Leo Murray did.He lived t 28 & 52 Grange Street with his wife Alice Hibbins or Chevin. He died in 1952 aged 35, of a heart attack, She died aged 92 in 1998 at Vine House in Oswaldtistle. Did anyone know either or both of them?All my family of the age are dead. I may have relatives from them.
I can be contacted at martinjmurray77@hotmail.com.or 01324 831409. Many thanks. M

Patsy Laland nee Killian, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA (14/07/2005 at 06:00)

Hiya my name is patsy Laland nee Killian. I emigrated to Melbourne Australia with my mother in 1963. I have been back once about 20 years ago but failed to find anyone who I went to school with at Central Preparatory School (Miss Caulfields and then Holy Family its hard to look someone up when most of the girls I went to school with were married and I dont know their married names I did however catch up with Maureen Aspen who I was great friends with I would love to know what happened to Dianne Lovell Kathleen Hogan Joyce Benson Thomas Ingham ( the childhood love of my life) Kevin Hornsby Geoffrey Marsden and anyone else who remembers me or my family we lived at 157 Blackburn Rd and then at12 Pendle Street I hope to come back to Accrington with my sister Moira next June it would be wonderful to catch up with old schoolfriends. I came to Australia with my mum Mary who unfortunately died on the ship the observer ran a small piece on this which I still have in my posession I am not computer literate so was delighted to find this sight looking forward to anyone who knew me or my family PatsyLaland nee Killian. E-mail: patlastchance@hotmail.com

Marion Pettifer, Ontario Canada (15/07/2005 at 13:52)

This is a message for Patsy Killian. I tried to send you an e-mail but it failed.
I knew your brother (was he called Colin?) Anyway, he was married to my
cousin Dorothy Gee.
They both worked at Rists Wires for a time, I worked there for 12 years
prior to coming to live in Canada in 1976.
I hope you manage to find your friends and family when you visit.
E-mail: marionp@kos.net

James Bryden., USA (18/07/2005 at 05:28)

I lived in Accrington in the 50s. I worked for Whitewelll Dairies till 1961. I married Olive Shoesmith who lived on Sultan St (23). We moved to California in 62 and niw live in the State of Washington.
I anyone remembers mr I would like to hear trom them.. Best Wishes. Jim. Bryden.Seattle. E-mail: JIMANOLIVE@MSN.COM

kenneth cooney, perth western australia (22/07/2005 at 08:06)

Hi
I have a short message in the ex-pat section could you please change my email address from jcooney@dodo.com.au to jco07409@bigpond.net.au

thanks K cooney

Johnny kell, London (05/08/2005 at 19:40)

I would like to hear from anyone who was at The Hollins High school from the years 1987-92. E-mail: jonnykell@hotmail.com

Jamie Dowling, Oxfordshire (05/08/2005 at 19:59)

Left Accy about 8 years ago and joined the RAF. If any of my old school pals want to get in touch drop me an email at jamiedowling75@yahoo.com. Currently stationed at RAF Brize Norton.
PS. I still drive the girls crazy.

cregg, isle-of-man (21/08/2005 at 08:26)

hi i lived in accrington all my life until moving out here to the isle-of-man about 5 years ago. i am very ill and i am trying to find my best friend graham laycock better know as
(sid) i lost his number and tried and tried to find him but havnt please if any one knows
were he is or has is phone number please please send it to me i need to see him soon
please send it to h_j_home@manx.net or pinecottage@manx.net
thankyou thankyou

Quint Starkie, Sweden (25/08/2005 at 22:39)

Left Accy in 1986 for Los Angeles. Use to work for North Star Engineering, played football for Haslingdon, Accy Stanley and Willow Mount with uncles John and Ben.
Went to AGS and before that Huncoat.
Settled in Sweden, where the local pub, rack of lamb, morning paper, HP sauce, fish chips, etc are impossible to find.
Always good to pop back "home"
Love to hear from anyone who knows me.
E-mail: quint@telia.com

thelma hughes (nee nixon), kilsyth victoria australia (30/08/2005 at 13:28)

I left Accrington in 1965,I went to hyndburn park school leaving in 1957,I worked at Brockhall psychiatric hospital from 1957 to 1964.If Maureen Noon (nee o'brian) is reading this please send me your e-mail address again as mail I send you keeps coming back.
If anyone else wants to contact me on the e-mail address below you can.
Regards Thelma. E-mail: thelmahughes@optusnet.com.au

Barbara Topham[nee Altham], Wilmington north Carolina USA (17/09/2005 at 02:15)

Hi, my husband Derek and I have been in the USA since 1981.I would like to hear from any old friends who remember me .I am particularly interested in tracing an old friend by the name of Jim Graham, he married a girl from Clayton Le Moors but I heard that he was divorced from her in later years. I also understand that he was in the police force at one time.
If you are out there Jim ,Derek and I would love to hear from you.
E-mail: barlick@earthlink.net

Tina, Canada (20/09/2005 at 03:58)

My name is Tina O'Toole (nee Margerison) and though I have submitted a message before, my e-mail address has changed. I grew up in Accy and went to Moorhead. Moved to Canada in 1987. I have not heard from my brother - Allan Margerison - for many many years. I'm guessing he has no computer, but If anyone knows him, or sees him about town please e-mail me at tinaotoole@shaw.ca. with his phone number or address at Just want to know that he's alright. Our last contact was in very sad circumstances and I have not heard from him since. I want my brother back. Please help!

Happy to hear from other friends too!

There's no folks like Accy folks....

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