Shotton Memories
Ron Evans from Connah's Quay wrote:
I was born in Shotton, Butler Street, and have fond memories of the town and the people. My father Albert was from Kirby Grove, now part of the car park near to the British Legion Club. I too remember the shops mentioned but also recall Jack Dodds, Starlings sweet shop and Haswalls Wine Store (Mr Haswell was also the CO of the Sea Cadets) and the small shops set up in single rooms of private houses - little Jones etc. Does any else recall the original site of the Trustee Savings Bank close to the XL? I attended St Ethelwolds School from from 1938 to 1944 but at that time Mr Tom Roberts MC was the Head, I later went on to Deeside Central School where I met my first girlfriend June Fisher from Nelson Street. I first worked at John Summers Steelworks but left in 1961 to become a teacher, later in my career I taught at Connah's Quay High School - lower shool which was the former Central School. I remember Andrew Wood as a Councillor on Alyn and Deeside District Council, I served as a Councillor on A&D and Flintshire for 23 years and Connah's Quay Town Council for 25 years.
Andrew Wood now in Walsall wrote:
I spent my entire childhood in Shotton and only left Shotton in 1981 to work as a Housing Manager for Walsall Council. I remember Robert Cunnah (we planned to change the world at the Shotton Young Socialists) and Hayden Ellsum, whose family had a small holding, now occupied by Ketland Close. Yes, Shotton was a vibrant place and with the 'Quay' and the 'Ferry' could supply most household needs. There were many small independent outlets such as Melias (hand patted butter)and Irwins (taken over by Tesco), Olive Wood for 'posh' hats and then Mark Down, Shotton's first supermarket (circa 1960?) selling such exotic items as tinned rice pudding and instant mash in packets (truly an awful concoction). Spaghetti or other continental food? You had to catch the Crosville to Chester or the train to Liverpool. As for wine Victoria Wines could dispense VP or Sauterne (the Spanish variety). That was your lot! I served for 10 years as a councillor for Shotton on Alyn & Deeside DC and hope that I did some good. Oh yes. Those were the days.
