REPLY TO AN IMAGINARY LETTER RECEIVED RE BEN BRIERLEY. Anon 1995. Dear Sir,

Thank you for your inquiry re Ben Brierley;

I’ll tell you all I know.

He was born in “The Rocks,” and wore no socks,

Many years ago.

He worked the loom in times of boom,

And. sometimes went without. —That’s not to say he stayed in all day,

If you were having any doubt.

(The Rocks still survive. Ben’s birthplace now numbered 466 Oldham Road, Failsworth).

Ben turned. his attention, I feel I must mention,

To a career in the literary field.

From picker to pen he switched there and then,

Using HONESTY for his shield.

Pen and paper was his caper

When weaving words most fine;

Sometimes plantive, always native,

Were the tales he did entwine.

Ab was there, without a care In the world, it would seem, So was “Softly,” and the ever lofty “Harry,” — taking all the cream.

At Hollinwood times weren’t so good,

So he took a bucket to fill —Of coals sometimes from the Limeside mines,

When ‘wark wur slack at th’ mill.”

J.T. Walker was a corker.

Ben saw him six times a week

On his nine mile trip to fill a skip —His wages for to seek.

He met Esther there, with her wavy hair,

And asked her for her hand.

The ring she wore, and the child she bore,

Made him “happiest mon i’th’ lond’

Things improved, and so they moved

From a “Road” into a “Grove.”

After his trip on an ocean ship

Again they had. to rove.

His money had gone — he had almost none;

The savings were in bad hands.

To Hall Street he went, to pay lower rent,

(The house no longer stands).

Here’s where he died, and he lies side by side

With his daughter he loved so well.

To make most bold, the knell tolled and tolled.

No one can beat “Th’ Owd Bell.”

Notes

(Ab o’th’ Yate, Ben’s most famous character. Harry —Walmsley. “Softly, a work—shy character of Ben’s).

(JT Walker — Ben’s employer in York St, Manchester).

(St Oswald’s Grove, R/dale Rd., Collyhurst Manchester).

(17 Hall Street, now Hillier Street, Moston, M/c).

(“Th’ Owd Bell”­the present Crown and Cushion, 0/rn Rd., Failsworth, Ab’s favourite watering—hole).