| I was a wee boy living up the road in Cowden Hall.It
was at that time,used on the ground floor by Diana Dresses. A mrs
Bain lived in the next landing, and my ma and da Margaret and Harry
Harris lived on the top landing.
I can remember the smells of bleaches dyes and cloths. The sounds
of water steam and engines, and the many people in the area as we
went up hillside road to Lea Ave. Up the lane we walked to the house
further past us were other houses. I believe they are still there.
Its been near 3 years since I last came home, but the mill still
stands.
On any number of days in the week My ma walked down past the mill,
and up Hillside road, and into 43 Lea Avenue to my nana\'s house,
Jessie and Archie Black..I can recall the strong smells of bleaches
and dyes in the air,steam coming out the side of the building there.
The huge noise of machinery cranking on.
My memory of those days has some very vivid edges, and when , in
later years I worked in the Dry Cleaning/ laundry trade here in
New Zealand. I was often reminded of the walks past the huge mill.I
can remember snow on the lane in winter, and ma still determined
to make Lea Avenue. I was once blown over on my knees by the wind.
In recent years I returned there to the site and I was amazed at
the building, still standing, and being used too I noticed. In 1998
I stood on the site of cowden Hall, and shouted at the top of my
voice,"I remember, I remember it all so well".
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