When Mam and Dad first married they lived in Denton but very soon returned to Eighton Banks where Dad found work again
in the pit. Pit villages were very close and inbred and I think Mam found it hard but she quickly became immersed in
the little Salvation Army corps and Dad's family which was large, close, but argumentative. Mam had been brought up
in a family of girls and she recalled that when she was pregnant and they were all at it! she fainted clean away thinking
it would all end in a fight. The girls were as bad as the boys but she had a soft spot for Sadie, the youngest, who
had been kept at home to be a drudge for all the others. Madge, the attractive older girl went into service in Stockport with
a rich farmer and managed to get the second son as a husband. This of course lifted her far above the rest of the family
but she loved them all and would often return to the North driving herself, made up and very glamorously dressed complete
with furs to amaze and delight them all.
Mam by this time had
Brian and Marion and I was expected shortly. As part of the preparations Mam persuaded Dad to buy her a new stair carpet
to impress the doctor when he came to deliver me!!
At a jumble sale at
the Salvation Army, Mam had found a dress which she though would suit Sadie, so she bought it and took it across to Grandma's.
They were all awaiting the arrival of Madge. Later that day there was a knock at the door and Mam opened it to
see Madge wearing Sadie's frock. She had seen it hanging up, knew it was for Sadie but thought she would look better
in it and somehow she made it look very expensive. Before Mam could say anything Madge glimpsed the carpet and said
patronisingly "Well a new carpet and Turkey Red aren't you doing well". Such moments made for the high drama of village
life. Words were exchanged and I imagine even there Madge would be the winner, and a rift was caused in the family. With
most of the family cutting Mam off apart from loyal little Sadie.
It
was a beautiful May and on the 19th I was born. It was my grandmother's birthday and I was given her name but the breach remained
unhealed. May was followed by a glorious June and Mam would put me out in the front garden. One day I was lying
kicking and cooing in the sun when grandad came past. He crept in hoping to be unnoticed, but of course Mam came out.
He said "I just had to come and see the new bairn" and Mam said "You are all welcome to see her". All was resolved
and as far as I know there was never another rift. As children we loved the Pritchard family as much as the Cottams
and our rich Auntie Madge let us spend holidays on the farm where I first sat on a horse. Auntie Sadie would visit us
right into her 80's still playing the drudge and cleaning everything she could lay her hands on.
Margaret
White
