229 Buxton Road and the Aspinall Family

  We were surprised to learn that there had been a hairdressing salon at 229 Buxton Road. Julie Walker (nee Aspinall) has described her childhood in Furness Vale.

  Renée and Peter Aspinall had moved there from Ashton, late in 1957 with their two young children,  Stephen then 1 year old and Julie 8 months old.  Peter Aspinall worked at Ferodo in Chapel, and Renée converted the large back room of their home into the salon. The family moved back to Ashton in 1965 when Renée bought a business there.
  The house at that time had a wall where a hedge now grows and large gates. The garage was painted black and white. In the back garden was an orchard of apple and pear trees and a gate led to the footpath at the rear.
  The children went to Furness Vale School and Julie remembers the teachers Miss Jeffries and Miss Banks. Stephen joined the cubs, and Julie, the Girl's Friendly Society at St.John's Church. Renée and the children were friendly with the Riddick family and often visited Yeardsley Hall for birthday parties and once for a seance.
  Renée employed Ann  to help her, the daughter of Herbert Fletcher of Bank End Farm. Ann had a sister Helen. Opposite the farm, were the railway cottages on the corner.The front doors were painted turquoise. The Taylor family lived there and the Aspinall children went to school with Michael and Ian.

  Julie now lives in Inverness and Stephen in Newquay.

This photograph from our archive shows 229 Buxton Road , the second dormer windowed house on the left.

The photographs below are from Julie Walker's collection

 

Renée Aspinall in the garden of 229 Buxton Road.

Renée with Julie and Stephen

Julie in the pram with Helen Fletcher at Bank End Farm

Julie Aspinall is among this group of girls dancing around the Maypole at St.John's Church.

Stephen in his cubs uniform

At school with Miss Banks

Many thanks to Julie Walker for telling us about her time in Furness Vale and for supplying these and many other fascinating photographs.