The Old School

Round the granite dressed Carr Academy              
in right grandly titled Woodhouse hill road,            
a host of terraced houses neighbourly              
nestled, back-to-back, side-by-side and dozed...              
              
On lift of latch, brass-bell of Ramsden's shop            
would clang, to tell folk shop might make a sale,              
and growl of steel clad wheels and sharp clip-clop              
as brewer's dray, carted Bay Horse some ales.              
                
But come four-of-the-clock great clamour screamed              
as bairns tight-sprung sprang out from all restraints,            
double doors blew apart and out would stream              
flashing legs seeking Ma, to air their 'plaints.            
                
Then at ten-o-clock flax-mill hooter moaned              
Freeing workers to trudge, their cold road home.