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West Gorton
By William Briggs

I was raised in West Gorton in the 50s and 60s and often faced violent verbal and physical confrontations. I eventually learned not to go on the attack. Instead I considered the repercussions and tried to empathise with the antagonists and provide a calming influence.

Then I hit the bastards with a crippler

Our Parents Become Our Children

By William Briggs

She's always taken care of me. Me Mam,

Turned me into the person that I am

With a story and a song, I always sang along,

She taught me right from wrong. That's me Mam

She nursed me through my illnesses. Me Mam,

Sent me to school with butties of boiled ham

And lots of hugs and kisses. And all the birthday wishes

Unbounded love, and this is my old Mam

And now she's 91. She's looking to her Son

To give her just a fraction of that care

I never could repay her, but I'll certainly obey her

This little lad from Gorton will be there

Thank You

By William Briggs

Thank you for the life I've had

Thank you for my mam and dad

Thank you for my little sister

Thanks for gran, you know I've missed her

Thanks for teachers at my schools

Who helped me understand the rules

Thank you for Sivori's caff

Pies and gravy and a laugh

Thank you too for fish and chips

Salt and vinegar, lick your lips

Scratchings, peas wrapped up in paper

Barm cakes fresh straight from the baker

Thank you for the speedway track

Even though we came home black

Thank you for so many pubs

And thank you for the lovely grub

Thank you for the fun I've had

And all the friends when just a lad

Even though I could be bad

Thank you, thank you, very glad