Reflections from across the Pond

Yes, news of The Armley Tourist Board has reached the shores of America thanks to Wikipedia. For anyone out there looking for a dose of good old fashioned news from Armley then look no further. I bet nothing changes here. Diane, originally from Armley writes:

"I wish I could say that I do come back but since my arrival in the States in 89 I've only been back once since . This was back in 94 when my grandad suffered a stroke and I made the trip to come see him before he passed away. When I came back I just had the 9 days off work to fly over , see grandad , and spend the rest of the time I had with my family and also had a chance to have a look around Armley while I was there. It was so weird for me, I cant even tell you how much I felt the fast pace of living here in the states just fall from my shoulders while I was there. I got to go by the old house at 8 Aberdeen Walk and from there I walked down to Conference Place up to West Leeds Girls High (as it was back then ) and then back down Whingate and along to Armley Ridge Road and past the Upstairs Downstairs (where I aquired many a hangover by the way ) . What was really weird for me was going into the Barley Corn Pub and there to my surprise was a fella that I went to school with and is running it now (Mark Harrison) !! Now THERE was a memory haha!! Wont say why ;).

I felt like I had visited an Undecided Time Warp . I saw so many things that were new and had changed but then would walk around the corner to see the sight of a building or a street where it looked like time had absolutely stood still . To enhance on that and give you a giggle I remember the day before I flew to the states and me , my hubby Sam and my dad and my younger brother Ian went to tie on a few pints at the New Inn and have a game of darts etc. I was in the tap room area where I was looking around and the regulars were there sitting over by the window all drinking a pint and watching a darts game......... well in 94 when I returned to see grandad my dad took me for a drink at the New Inn (again) and when I walked in I almost fell over with shock and laughing ...... the same bloody regs were sitting in the same seats with pints on the table and watching darts .... of course when I explained to dad what I was laughing at he saw the humourous side of it as I laughed and asked him " did they move at all since I was last here" ?

No, I dont or didnt hate Armley when I was growing up my mum and dad raised us well as best they could and my growing up years were fun . I used to go to Charley Cake Park and play with my friend but when I saw that picture a million memories came back to me but one stood out the most which was "we never were allowed on that grass" LOL. Funny though I never had heard the story or can remember being told about Charley Cake or how the Park came about so that was very interesting.

I looked at the pictures in your site of the street parties and didnt see any faces I knew but just the views of the streets brought about memories . I guess when I see them a sort of sadness comes over me because as much as I live here now and its home and Ive moved around so much since being there, it came apparent to me that in many small ways I miss the sense of home that I had. So for me to see and share with what you and many others have posted about Armley means alot and I wanna thank you so much for doing that and I guess I should thank Bill Gates too huh :)) because without the internet I couldnt have done this."

If you remember Diane as Diane Kilburn and want to get in contact with her email allytude@tampabay.rr.com.
She does have a myspace account too, which she can relay to you if you get in contact.

Are you missing Armley, hate it and are glad to be well away, or keen to get in contact with old freinds? Email us with your tales...........