LAST week the Bury Journal was asked to turn detective by 14-year-old Denise Collard who is doing research work for a book to be based on her grand-parents, Connie and Frank Woods.

And Denise, who lives on Burns Avenue in Bury, wanted the Journal and its readers to help her track down more information about the former Bury couple who lived in the area in days gone by.

Now, the Journal is pleased to report that we have received a lot of details about the couple from Eric Barrow, of Rochdale Old Road, Jericho, whose older brother Ronald went to live with Connie - or Auntie Florrie as the family called her - as a 14-year-old.

Eric told the Journal that his brother Ronald Barrow is now aged 76 years of age and living in New Zealand.

Ronald moved in with Connie of Denton Street, Bury, because he couldn't get on with his step-father; even though Eric has fond memories of him.

Eric said: "My brother lives in Cambridge, New Zealand, with his wife Bette who is an ex-Bury girl who used to go to East Ward School.

She sent me a letter recently telling me how nostalgic she felt when she received a 1945 photo of her ex-class mates which I sent over to her.

"Auntie Florrie didn't get on with my mother who felt that Auntie Flo had enticed Ronnie to her side of the family. Therefore we were kept away from that side of the family.

"A couple of houses away in Denton Street lived my Uncle Jack Barrow, and Auntie Emily and Denise's grandmother Connie.

"Uncle Jack Barrow used to be the flag carrier and led all parades through Bury.

"Auntie Emily was to my memory always ailing and bed-ridden. She had one leg amputated if not both. I can remember that she was lovingly looked after by Connie."

According to Eric, Connie was a lovely looking woman. He remembers her as being very quietly spoken and he always liked her.

Eric went on to say: "Frank, I was told was killed by a sniper after the official ceasefire of World War Two.

"I used to visit Denton Street on alternate Sunday mornings to see Ronnie and to receive my threepenny bit off Auntie Florrie. I was only 11 or 12 years old at this time.

"Connie had a little girl - I think she was called Pamela - who would be Denise's mum."

And Eric added: "My brother could have photographs of his early life with the Denton Street family."

Hopefully once the Journal puts Denise in contact with Eric and his brother Ronnie, she will be able to complete her book.

The Journal will be sending her the addresses and the telephone numbers we have been given.

LAST week the Journal was asked to turn detective by young Denise Collard, who is doing research work for a book to be based on her grand-parents, Connie and Frank Woods.

And Denise, who lives on Burns Avenue in Bury, wanted the Journal and its readers to help her track down more information about the former Bury couple who lived in the area in days gone by.

Now, the Journal is pleased to report that we have received a lot of details about the couple from Eric Barrow, of Rochdale Old Road, Jericho, whose older brother Ronald went to live with Connie - or Auntie Florrie as the family called her - as a 14-year-old.

Eric told the Journal that his brother Ronald Barrow is now aged 76 years of age and living in New Zealand.

Ronald moved in with Connie of Denton Street, Bury, because he couldn't get on with his step-father; even though Eric has fond memories of him.

Eric said: "My brother lives in Cambridge, New Zealand, with his wife Bette who is an ex-Bury girl who used to go to East Ward School.

She sent me a letter recently telling me how nostalgic she felt when she received a 1945 photo of her ex-class mates which I sent over to her.

"Auntie Florrie didn't get on with my mother who felt that Auntie Flo had enticed Ronnie to her side of the family. Therefore we were kept away from that side of the family.

"A couple of houses away in Denton Street lived my Uncle Jack Barrow, and Auntie Emily and Denise's grandmother Connie.

"Uncle Jack Barrow used to be the flag carrier and led all parades through Bury.

"Auntie Emily was to my memory always ailing and bed-ridden. She had one leg amputated if not both. I can remember that she was lovingly looked after by Connie."

According to Eric, Connie was a lovely looking woman. He remembers her as being very quietly spoken and he always liked her.

Eric went on to say: "Frank, I was told was killed by a sniper after the official ceasefire of World War Two. "I used to visit Denton Street on alternate Sunday mornings to see Ronnie and to receive my threepenny bit off Auntie Florrie. I was only 11 or 12 years old at this time.

"Connie had a little girl - I think she was called Pamela - who would be Denise's mum."

And Eric added: "My brother could have photographs of his early life with the Denton Street family."

Hopefully once the Journal puts Denise in contact with Eric and his brother Ronnie, she will be able to complete her book.

We will be sending her the addresses and the telephone numbers we have been given.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.