Last week I  asked for your memories of the first time you came back to Lancashire and were treated to the memories of our member BOLTONLOCO (AKA) Syd Wynward .In the second episode JOHN LARGE (pictured) sent me this -----Thankyou John .If you would like to write your memories of COMMING Home send them to me via  the contact us button

When I went back.
I left  Barrow in Furness in June 1974 to look for work and adventure in Canada .I settled in Halifax Nova Scotia and after a year I married my wife of now 32 years, Anna. I decided to take her to Barrow to meet my folks and in December 1975 we spent Christmas in my home town.

Obviously there had been no changes to the Borough in that short time.
My next visit to Barrow came in 1990 . My Mother was over to see us in 1984 and my brother David was over in 1979. There were some noticeable changes in 1990. I had rented a car and for the first time I drove on UK roads . Very different than driving on the right. But after a shaky start I was on my way. There were many cars on the streets which surprised me but the town seemed to have remained the same with a few one way streets that didnt exist back in 1975.
There were no Double decker blue and white buses in fact there were no corporation buses and no Ribble buses either. I had my 2 sons with me Tom was 13 and Ken was 10 they had a great time and we visited my Uncles farm near Ulverston.                                                                                Blackpool was one of our destinations that year and my boys had a blast . I found Blackpool to be exactly the same as it was when I was a kid but the big Ferris wheel with the clown on it was gone. Morecambe was a different story . It was the start of the demise of the resort and it was really sad to see it falling apart. 1990 was a very enjoyable trip with some changes but not many.We spent 18 days in and around Barrow and places in Lancashire.
My next visit was in June 2005 and the changes were startling to say the least. My home town had changed dramatically. The center of town had been developed and a lot of the old haunts and streets had dissapeared.One way streets and thousands of cars had taken over the town. Driving was a nightmare and actually spoiled my visit. I vowed never to drive again if I visit again. Every thing was expensive compared to prices in Canada especially fuel.The main shopping street in Barrow ,Dalton Rd was half pedestrian and half one way so that was a major change. It seemed small and scruffy but I suppose it was always like that.The old pubs were still there with some new ones added and meals were now available in them not like they used to be. The pub food was very good..
                       My Mum was not in the best shape and I spent some time with her , but we did manage to get about . But we mainly spent all out time in Barrow.

I visited again last year in September and had a drive free visit. We went every where on the rail system which I found to be marvelous. Fast and clean with no problems. I went to Preston to watch North End play Cardiff it was a great game and Deepdale was not the Deepdale I remember. Blackpool was busy and seemed a little dirty and the shopkeepers were not the same  people as the ones I remember way back when I was a kid.. Manchester was mainly the same with different Railway stations . The lakes were the same but more people and cars. We had a lovely visit especially with my Mother in better health. The main change is the cost of goods and services. I find the UK to be terribly expensive. But thats the way it goes and if one visits then one must pay and try not to let it bother you.
                  I will be back in May with one of my sons for an 11 day visit.and the wife tells me we have to rent a car while we are in Barrow. So its 3 days in London 3 days in Blackpool and 10 days in Barrow followed by 3 days in Scotland. Thank god I only have to drive for 7 days. I am hoping to meet up with John Earnshaw for a good old Pie and a Pint.
So there you have it, there have been many changes but things are mainly the same . I enjoy my visits to Barrow and Lancashire and will continue to visit as long as I have the ability to do so.
                                                                                                                     John.