Bardolph St

Bardolphe St

Jim Stretton from Kerry came to Leicester on Sept 1, 1967 with his wife Catherine (McCarthy). They had previously been living in London but couldn’t afford to stay there. Jim worked in civil engineering. They had a house on 25 Bardolph St. and later moved to 53 Lainesborough Rd.

They had two children in London, James and Geraldine, born in Paddington. Two more children were born in Leicester: John at Bond St. hospital and Janet at the Royal Infirmary. The children went to St.Patrick’s and English Martyrs.

Catherine Stretton at 25 Bardolphe st

Jim remembers the Catholic Club on Highfield St, the JFK on Sparkenoe St., St. Patrick’s on Abbey St and St Peter’s Catholic Club on Hinckley Rd. He recalls that Jim Finnegan ran the Royal Oak in Belgrave Gate and that Melton Rd was a good shopping area. 

Jim Stretton: Tug of war anchorman

Jim was well known in Leicester as a powerful anchor man for the St. Patrick's Tug of war team.

Thanks to Colin Hyde for the modern day photos: East Midlands Oral History Archive

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