T52 – summary – Ramsbottom Heritage Society

The transcript is an interview with Brian Farlow as transcribed by ChatGPT and subject to errors

Born in 1935 in Eccles.
Father worked for Shell BP at Trafford Park; cycled to work daily.
Mother was a housewife who raised the children largely alone during WWII while father served.
Had two brothers: elder brother Barry and younger brother Colin (born after the war).
Mother taught him and Barry to knit and to write letters to their father during wartime—skills that shaped his interest in crafts.
A poignant memory: his mother promised never to smack him after hearing that a neighbor, Mrs. Cuthbert, had lost her only son in the war.

As a child, helped neighbors with shopping (rationing/queues).
Later confirmed at the Imperial War Museum that Mrs. Cuthbert’s son Arthur was killed in 1942 in North Africa, when Brian was 7 years old.
Recalled American merchant ships bringing sulphur to Eccles Wharf for the armament industry; children played by hopping onto the wagons.

Life described as “phases”: childhood → marriage → family → work → divorce → retirement.
Moved to Ramsbottom (Holcombe/Summerseat area) in 1982, retired in the late 1990s.
Worked much of his life in drawing offices.
After retirement, took up stained glass work (studied at Peel College, Bury).

Developed a deep passion for stained glass design and construction, combining artistic drawing skills with patience and precision.
Described in detail the process of stained glass making:
- Drafting designs full-scale on a drawing board.
- Buying sheets of colored glass, cutting, grinding, and assembling with lead came.
- Soldering joints, cementing, drying, polishing, and finally sealing in double/triple-glazed units for durability.
Emphasized patience, craft satisfaction, and listening to radio while working.

Involved in creating stained glass windows for Ramsbottom Library to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (2002).
Worked with local councillor Dorothy Gunther and others.
Themes included Peel Tower, Grants Tower, the River Irwell, and local heritage.
Windows contained both symbolic imagery and historical information.
Collaborated with JC Stained Glass in Bury for kiln-fired details and sandblasting.
The project tied into wider local celebrations: the 150th anniversary of Peel Tower, the Commonwealth Games, and local heritage events.

Helped organize events at Peel Tower, including annual raising of the St George’s flag on St George’s Day.
Participated in re-enactments and heritage celebrations with Summerseat Players and Holcombe Society.
Sailed on Manchester Liners steamships in the 1950s (before containerization changed the docks). Shared vivid memories of Salford Docks and industrial decline.

His stained glass work and community involvement led to recognition:
- Attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace, meeting the Queen and Prince Philip.
- Reflected on the Queen’s knowledge of the Royal British Legion’s challenges.
- Enjoyed exploring the Buckingham Palace gardens, later corresponding with author Jane Brown who wrote about them.

Strong thread of craftsmanship, patience, and creativity running from childhood (knitting, toy-making) through retirement (stained glass).
Stressed that hobbies bring joy because they are not “work” but passion.
Family roots (grandmother born 1872 in Shaw) and war experiences deeply influenced his outlook.

T52 – summary