A picture of an old footbridge shared online has sparked people to share some fantastic childhood memories.
The long footbridge connects two estates over a railway line through Wythenshawe. Officially called the Royal Oak Bridge, connecting Royal Oak Road on one side to Leaton Avenue on the other, some remember giving it the nickname 'monkey bridge' when they were kids.
The image of the bridge was shared on two Facebook groups, including the popular We Grew Up In Manchester. One woman sharing her memories, said: "I lived in Glebelands Road, I could see the footbridge from my bedroom window.
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"When I was little I knew Father Christmas flew over the bridge. I used to look for him coming from the east!
"[When we] used to walk over the bridge to Royal Oak, some of the concrete slats used to wobble when you trod on them - a bit scary as a child. I had a Saturday job in Mr Guy's Drapers as a teenager.
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"I used to run up to the top to be enveloped in steam and smoke as the trains went under the bridge when I was a child. The drivers and stokers used to wave to us.
"Roller skating down, it was bumpy fun and riding your bike was exhilarating and you had to be skilful to swerve between the barriers they installed to deter people from cycling at the bottom of the slopes."
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Adding: "Happy memories. We used to watch the sun come up over the bridge and set over the factory."
The post sparked memories from hundreds of other people. One man on I Survived Growing Up In Wythenshawe remembered as a child: "Going to and from school in the 50s (it was St Peter's then). One day when there was a gale, we were convinced that a roaring lion lurking underneath!" Adding: "Loved hanging over to get the train smoke in my face."
On the same group people remembered calling it "monkey bridge". One woman said it was maybe due to "our behaviour going over it". While a man commented: "[We] used to call it the monkey bridge - don't know why."
Others remembered the footbridge becoming treacherous during winter. One woman recalled people had to walk "single file" when it snowed holding on to the railings.
On the We Grew Up In Manchester group, Ranna said it was a "suicide mission of going over that when it was icy".
William remembered the bridge being built, providing a handy shortcut across the estates. He said: "It saved me the long circuitous route along Hall Lane and Royal Oak Road."
Lisa said she had many memories of the bridge, adding: "We would stand at the top of it and my grandparents would wave at us from their home in the grove, to the left of it, as we would go and get our bus. I also remember my mum getting her heel shoes stuck in between the gaps on the concrete slabs on the ground before they filled them in."
Noreen, said: "I used to go under the bridge and collect the coins people had dropped. Spending money for me to buy an ice cream. Happy simple days."
Loraine, said: "The first time I ever went over this bridge I was seven years old and wearing roller skates!"
While Maureen, posted: "I remember standing on the bridge as the steam trains went under it. Brilliant!"
Does the Royal Oak bridge awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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