Finding Failsworth

Sometimes a journey brings you home. Finally this trip brought Helen back to Failsworth. This is the place where she was born, in a little bedroom on an English street. A road where cats prowl and magpies fly from the rooftops.

Helen says, 'everything looks smaller' and it would do so after a life so full. Yet, 'home' is not really there, on Mather Street, though. It in is in the wind and in her heart. These know not of space or time. Home is with Maddie and she has been there with. Helen on this journey for certain.

Elaine listened and learned about Helen’s beginnings and saw her home, school (though it had been refurbished), pubs and history. There is always clarity in understanding someone when you see where they spent their childhood. Elaine saw strength, strong will and goodness in this place, as she sees in her friend. .

• The front and back of Helen's childhood home is pictured above.

• The 'woods' where once a pond for ice skating had been, Mather Street Primary School (which

is feet away from the front door of her home) and the alley she walked on.

• This was placed on the wall on the house next door.

• Places to remember, pubs, clubs, homes of childhood friends, they all remain there.

• The Pole and monuments raise praise to Failsworth's own history.

• Maddie was 'christened' in Helen's childhood church and the other 'beauty' pictured here above is where Helen & Steve were married.

• A toast had to be had at the Millgate.

The evening brought special time with Oliver, a cousin dear to Helen, and loved deeply by Maddie.

This day was one of love, smiles and laughter, the very things memories are made of.