Hartley Downs

Thank you for raising me and looking after me.Found out too late.Been in hospital with my girlfriend and new born son at the time. Gone too soon.My natural father died aged 46.so now i say farewell.Rip. Your adopted son. Ian K.

So many good laughs in there, we met some of our best friends in that pub, it was a great meeting place and many Scout & Cub camps organized over a pint or two. It was the hub of the community and still very much missed. Danny you did your Dad proud today, he will be smiling down on you and "young H"

It wasn’t until today meeting up at the great mans funeral and seeing old friends that you think back to all the great times and people I met over the years when we visited the old house, how welcomeing and at ease you felt at the pub, it’s takes a great family to make you feel welcome and attract such genuine people to one place, big H it was with your sarcasm, cheeky grin and laughter that made our family welcome, that’s a special gift that not many have RIP , the finch family

Hartley was a true gent and such a lovely person. I grew up with Hartley junior and Danny in nursery, primary school and the old favourite Old House at Home pub. We had such memorable nights with laughter and tears and you were.always made to feel welcome. I used to deliver the papers to Hartley at the pub and when he was open he would always offer me a coke or lemonade when I went in with the paper. He was such a true gentleman and a loveable character. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and will be remembered for being the best landlord in the north of Manchester at the Old House at Home. May you rest in peace Hartley and I will always remember you. RIP to such a truly wonderful man. Thoughts with all the family

So sorry for your loss Linda and family! My thoughts are with you all during this very sad and emotional time, life is so very short be strong for each other all my love Lisa (the late Sarah and aubreys daughter) xx

Sam and are I so sad that we can’t be there today to celebrate the life of Hartley. What a gentleman. A huge loss to so many of us! :( thoughts are with you all. So so so much love!!! Xxxxxxx

Well uncle Hartley you was the head of the family and was so dearly loved by all. You were a comedian, still making jokes at our expense untill the very end. Now is your time to fly high with angels RIP now gone but never forgotten All our love Michelle & skonda Xxx

The Old House, a pub where strangers met and became friends. A pub where you could celebrate together whether it be with your family, a group of lads or girls, a quiz night, just for a quiet pint or to watch the football. One evening I talked to two brothers and they told me they'd been going in the White Lion for two months and nobody talked to them, this was their third trip to the Old House and they had been welcomed by many and felt really at home. I had been in the pub twice and I was playing for the cricket team by the end of the month. Such was the friendly atmosphere in the Old House At Home. The Old House where people had conversations across the room, where the young mixed with the old and in between, my local for more than 30 years. This pub was created by Hartley Downs and his wife Linda, later helped by their lads. They were the reason the pub was how it was, now closed for 6 years or more and still missed. Hartley Downs this is your legacy to me and hundreds of others who have met you over the years, once the youngest landlord in Manchester I believe and certainly the landlord of our pub. Rest in Peace now Hartley knowing how you will be sadly missed, free from pain and pulling pints in the Old House in the sky.

Rip Hartley ❤ Condolences to Linda and family xx

A perfect host and true gentleman, gone but not forgotten xx

Loved the great nights in the old house, karaoke, fancy dress, FA cup galore. The boys loved the rugby weekends away and the constant laughs in the vault. Fatal (Alan Morris) will miss you as will all the Morris family 2 teas 2 toast and a froot juice Love you Hartley see you Mate xxxx

Loved the great nights in the old house, karaoke, fancy dress, FA cup galore. The boys loved the rugby weekends away and the constant laughs in the vault. Fatal (Alan Morris) will miss you as will all the Morris family 2 teas 2 toast and a froot juice Love you Hartley see you Mate xxxx

On behalf of some of the ex Mather and Platt colleagues who worked alongside Hartley, we would all like to send our condolences to his Wife and Family.God bless you all.

How very sad that we have lost you Hartley. So many memorable nights in The Old House. So many friends made that remain in my life because of you and Linda and that amazing pub. RIP old friend.

There is so much to say but not enough words Thr kindest man I ever met, the best boss I ever worked for Heartbroken for his family

My amazing older brother Hartley. Stood by me through good times and bad. A fantastic son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Will be missed more than he will ever know. Love you forever our kid. Sheila, Bill and Will

God bless Hartley, truly one of a kind. Condolences to all his family and friends x

Worked for Hartley in the 80's what a lovely man and boss, so kind and caring RIP lovely man, love to the family xxx

RIP Hartley a true gentleman , loving dad & grandad . Special memories of Emma & Danny’s wedding . Dancing with Darcie at Wranglers . God bless you xx

Hartley Downs what a lovely caring man, wonderful dad, fantastic grandad and a caring husband. He was always so gentle and kind. We have lots of amazing memories from the old house at home, party’s at our house and Emma and Dannys. We spent many magical Christmas’s together with the family. You brought up an amazing family, RIP Hartley Downs. You will be missed and left this world to young Xxx

Oh my goodness what wonderful golden memories we have of Hartley when your Danny met our Emma we had some laughs, dancing to northern soul in the old house , having fancy dress do’s you always took part, such a generous caring gentleman, a legend in Blackley village , I know you’ll be up there having a pint now we will miss you Hartley, julie and Steve

R.i.p Hartley. Such a lovely friendly man. Will always treasure our memories from the old house at home including our very first date where Hartley took the mickey out of Brian thinking he was being stood up. We will always remember you xxx

A brother in a million, always willing to help no matter what, will miss you more than words can say, fly high with the angels, love you xxx