Page 33 - Real Rochdale Issue 10 Summer 2021

Local author reminisces about Rochdale high

streets in the 80s and 90s in new book

Rochdale born writer and film maker, John Lawrence
Matthews, has written a book that ‘explores the lost
Help fill Springhill’s gardens high street of Rochdale’.

with sunflowers in memory The 116-page book, entitled Raymond’s son, John, now
Butcher Boy, is John’s
54, began his working life
of your loved ones fourth book and is an with his late father at
autobiographical story of what
Matthews Butchers, but
it was like growing up and went on to become a
working for his well-known researcher for broadcaster
father, Raymond Matthews, in Jeremy Paxman and a film
Springhill invites you to take part in their Sunflower Appeal by dedicating a Sunflower in memory the 80s and 90s. maker.
of your loved ones, filling the hospice gardens with a ‘bloom’ of sunflower plaques as a tribute to
the special people who have brought love and joy to your lives. Now living in Saddleworth, He began work on Butcher
You are invited to Springhill’s Summer Garden celebration on Sunday 8 August, where you can John said: “My dad was very Boy in December 2019.
view and collect your sunflower plaque from our gardens. You can then display your personalised, well known as probably the
keepsake sunflower plaque in your own meaningful place, whether this be your own garden or most famous butcher in town. John said: “Everyone knew
somewhere special inside your home. He established, ran, and was who Raymond was. His
Every donation received towards Springhill Hospice’s Sunflower Appeal will help to provide care, very proud of Matthews shops were all extremely John says: “The book is a
comfort and support for patients and their families. Butchers which ended up in a busy and the reason was story for everyone - of a man
prime retail location on because we all worked who built a commercial
Jean’s Story support the hospice. Each Yorkshire Street. extremely hard to make sure empire and the price his
sunflower plaque has the name people got high-quality family had to pay.
My journey with Springhill of the person who it is dedicated “The book chronicles a lost products and service.
Hospice began in 2013 after my to; it looks really pretty in the time in the town when the
husband Roy was diagnosed with garden. “It’s about a time not so
stage 4 lung cancer in October high street was absolutely “I still apply that thinking to long ago when there weren’t
2012. It doesn’t cost too much money thriving. Former customers anything I do, and I have yet boarded-up shops on every
to support these fundraisers and of my dad’s business, of which to get the service my dad high street, when Amazon
At the end of April 2013 Roy if we all did our little bit, it would there are thousands, may find offered anywhere since. was just the name of a river,
started to go to the Day Hospice make such a difference. The it fascinating to hear what it a time when customers
at Springhill. On his first visit I hospice is a big asset to Rochdale was like behind the counter “He was quite a retail and shopped locally and were
went with him and was allowed Jean Holleran and her husband Roy and surrounding areas. Each and remember what those small business genius and I treated like royalty.”
to stay and have lunch with him. patient is treated with great amazing shops were like.” miss him very much.”
On the third Monday, I received a Unfortunately, Roy’s condition dignity and all the doctors,
call from the hospice saying that deteriorated quite quickly and he nurses, and staff are fantastic. Raymond Matthews had
Roy wanted to come home, so passed away with me by his side. It is not a frightening place; it’s several Rochdale shops – on
our son Mark and I went to pick beautiful, happy, and I am so
him up. Later that day he started We had been married for 52 grateful that both my husband, Yorkshire Street, Wet Rake,
to get a lot of pain. years; I can’t express enough, the and my sister died peacefully in Oldham Road, Bury Road and
love and care everyone at the such a wonderful place. Spotland Road – plus a bakery.
We later returned to Springhill. hospice shows to the patients
His room was so homely. He had and their families. I choose to Please join me and dedicate a After leaving the RAF and
all clean bedding and a fresh jug support the Sunflower Appeal sunflower plaque to your loved joining the Co-op, he served
of iced water on his table. because it is a different way to ones. his apprenticeship as a
butcher, starting his working
There is no minimum donation to make a dedication to Springhill’s Sunflower Appeal. life on Yorkshire Street with
the Rochdale Pioneers and
To find out more about Springhill’s Sunflower Appeal and make your dedication visit 20 years later, ended up there
www.springhill.org.uk/sunflower-appeal or call the Fundraising Team on 01706 641790.
with his own shop. John Matthews in his dad’s Yorkshire Street shop
REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2021 32 33 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2021