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T22 Mr Keith Bradbury
Life in Edenfield in the 1960s and 70s
Born 16/11/1928
Recorded 28/05/1998 Ian Summer
Length 00:58:51
- Discussion of events in Edenfield during the late 1950s to 1970s, including lack of significant festivals.
- Mention of local businesses, including a garage and a butcher's shop.
- Personal anecdotes about community activities, such as running and school events.
- Reflections on changes in community involvement and church attendance over the years.
- Description of local pubs and social gatherings, highlighting the village's social history.
Early Life
- Born in November 1928 in Nine Greaves.
- Mother was a weaver at Langley’s Mill; father worked as an engineer.
- Educated at Walmsley School and later Bury High School.
Work and Career
- Initially worked as an engineer.
- After a serious motor accident in 1960, moved to Edenfield and bought a garage (formerly owned by Andy Parker).
- The garage had deep roots in the local area, dating back to the 1920s when it serviced steam wagons and sold petrol in two-gallon tins.
- Ran the garage as both a repair workshop and petrol station (Shell). Petrol was around 29–31 pence a gallon when he took over.
- Supplied fuel to army convoys travelling to the Hawkshaw rifle range.
- Expanded petrol storage from small tanks to 5,000 gallons capacity.
- Trained apprentices, including Trevor Kenyon, who later opened his own Saab garage.
Military Service
- Left school at the end of WWII.
- At 18 (1947), was among the first intake for two-year National Service, joining the RAF at Padgate.
- Initially considered for PTI (fitness training) due to his cross-country running success (won East Lancashire 7-mile cross-country, 1946).
- Ultimately assigned to experimental radar work (RAF Bampton, RAF Spry, Isle of Wight).
- Missed running the Olympic torch (1948) due to operational duties.
- Served two years, five months, including extra time during the Berlin Airlift.
Family Life
- Married Margaret; had four daughters: Helen, Angela, Julia, Melanie.
- All attended Greenfield School and later Haslingden Grammar/High School.
- Involved in school PTA activities, Christmas events, and church-linked celebrations.
Community and Church Involvement
- Strong ties to Edenfield Church:
- Worked as caretaker and verger (10+ years).
- Active in the PCC (Parochial Church Council), often outspoken.
- Wife Margaret heavily involved with youth groups and Mother’s Union.
- Took part in Rose Queen processions, community banners, and local celebrations.
Business Challenges & Later Work
- Expanded into haulage (8 lorries) after buying George Lord’s business.
- Collapse of contracts in early 1980s forced bankruptcy (~£20,000 loss).
- Returned to running just the garage until selling in 1990.
Hobbies & Personal Interests
- Passionate about cars and rallying:
- Converted and raced a Mini with disc brakes and a tuned 1100 engine before BMC’s production models.
- Achieved speeds of 140 mph in competition.
- Organised Mini 7 Club rallies starting at Edenfield Garage.
- Built a model railway later in life.
- Lifelong engineer, though less engaged with modern electronics.
Family Background
- Mother operated six looms at Nine Greaves Mill, weaving fine bird’s-eye cotton fabric for shirt fronts (customers included Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire).
- Father was a millwright, working on cotton looms and paper mill machinery.
Village Life (Edenfield, 1960s–1990s)
- Witnessed decline of local butchers, Co-ops, greengrocers, cloggers, haberdashery as supermarkets grew.
- Local pubs included the Pack Horse, Coach and Horses, Horse and Jockey, and Conservative Club.
- Old beer houses (like The Adelphi and others) recalled as part of village history.
✅ In short: The interview covers a rich life story—from his birth in 1928, RAF service and cross-country athletics, to decades of running Edenfield garage, family life with four daughters, community service in church and school, and experiences in local business, rally driving, and village life.
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