Looking back to the early 1960s, the town was alive with activity. At the time Manchester City Council was building high rise homes at Langley, Councillor Cleasby was handing out keys to the first tenants of the newly built flats at Hollins.

Mr Fred Yesford and his wife Florence were the first couple to take tenancy. They moved from a crumbling property at Springvale which was ready for demolition.

In his address the housing chairman informed those present that each flat was built at a cost of £1,700 and had a weekly rent of 27s-8d, about £1-37 in modern money. He said: "The underfloor thermostatically controlled heating system would prevent fuel bills and stimulate all round heat." Contractors, George Wimpey presented the couple with an electric kettle.

Over at Townley Street the giant retort house at the Gas Works was demolished along with its landmark chimney which was dismantled brick by brick.

Nearby at Suffield Street the fire station closed and was replaced by a new one at Blackley and also a second station to be built at the number 3 Maintenance Unit at Heywood’s Air Ministry in Middleton Road.

A new youth Club opened at Kelvin Avenue, Rhodes, and at Parkfield, a new Town Hall to replace Parkfield House. A building at Long Street which was considered ‘a shambles’ was earmarked for demolition.

The old Liberal Club would require £4,000 to restore, but only cost £500 to demolish. The formation of a row of shops at the front of the Conservative Club would also provide 5,000sq ft of parking for club users.

Costing £45,000, a new method of providing concrete piles was used. An auger drilled out the earth which, unlike pile-driving, did not vibrate the surrounding properties. A similar, much larger machine was seen at the new Tesco site recently. At the Top-o-Middleton old properties were demolished and a new housing estate was built

New places of worship. A new chapel was built at De La Salle. Birch had a new church costing £3,500. It was built close to Langley lane. The old church at the rear was demolished six months later.

A new ultra modern Anglican church was erected at Wood Street to replace St Aidens at Millbeck Road. Costing £82,000, it contained a 37ft high two ton cross which was flown in by helicopter prior to completeing the 150 ton reinforced concrete roof.

Pupils at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School had the pleasure of attending a new purpose built school at Alkrington.

Arndale Land. Plans to develop a large area of town was met with oppostion. A new shopping centre was proposed, which caused upset. At a public inquiry at Middleton Town Hall a solicitor acting on behalf of the owner occupiers and traders accused the council of living in ‘Arndale Land.’

One of the first shops on Langley Estate was a newsagents. George Woodcock opened a wooden hut to supply workers and the new tenants.

Today his grandson owns the company which is demolishing the ‘Three Sisters.’ Back in 1964 ratepayers were informed of an above inflation rise in next year’s rates. The Prime Minister called an election for June. Does history repeat itself?