IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 19 - 25 MAY 1925
This week's many stories include the stone throwing at birds nests in Victoria Park, the May horse parade and May Queen crowning, more on the Liverpool Road stabbing case, the annual inspection of St Helens Police takes place, the loss-making Saints are back in the black and the toy guns on sale in Duke Street that were capable of firing bullets.
We begin on May 19th when a railway porter had an unpleasant find at St Helens Station. He discovered a man with his throat cut who was removed to Providence Hospital where he was described as being in a precarious condition.
Also on the 19th Peter Campbell returned to St Helens Police Court after a week on remand. The man was charged with stabbing Mary Chadwick, with whom he had been living at a Widnes lodging house for the past 10 months. The Bench heard that after the couple had quarrelled over money, Mary had returned to live in St Helens.
On May 11th Campbell had called at Mary's house and insisted she go with him to her mother's house in Eldon Street and he began pulling her along the road. When in Liverpool Road, near the Red, White and Blue Hotel, Campbell produced a knife and said to Mary, "I have brought this on purpose to do you in." While Mary was looking for a policeman to get protection, Campbell said "Now then" and stabbed her.
Mary said it felt like a punch in the back from which she felt queer. The wound that he inflicted had penetrated to her spine but at half-an-inch long was not life threatening. Campbell claimed that he had been cutting some tobacco at the time of his argument with Mary and had accidentally caught her. But the Bench told Campbell: "We are quite satisfied this was deliberate. You might have been in a fit of temper at the time; you will have to go to gaol for two months hard labour."
In Prescot Police Court on the 19th Ernest Downs of Nelson Street in St Helens was summoned for travelling on a tramcar without paying his fare. The fare evasion had taken place after a dance at the Oddfellows Hall in Rainhill. When the last St Helens tram was passing the hall, there had been a rush for seats and Downs went on to the top deck.
Unluckily for him an inspector was examining the tickets on the lower deck and spotted Downs dash off the tram when it stopped outside the Black Horse Inn. Downs had only travelled a short journey and by not paying his fare had only saved himself three-halfpence. But it was certainly not worth it as the magistrates ordered him to pay a total of 15 shillings as a fine and costs.
The morning of the 20th was a good time to commit a crime in St Helens. That was because the annual inspection of the borough police force (pictured above in 1920) was held and almost all of its members were on parade. In fact there were 94 constables and sergeants, as well as senior officers present.
The police had their own drill ground but because of rain they were forced to assemble inside the Town Hall. The Inspector of Constabulary asked questions of the men, inspected their pocket books and uniforms and was said to have been impressed with what he saw. You'll notice I wrote "men", as it would be almost 20 years before women were allowed to join.
At the Parks Committee meeting on the 20th, the Parks Superintendent described the trouble they were experiencing in Victoria Park. In one incident a gang of youths had been throwing stones at rooks' nests and where their stones had been falling was endangering the public. Damage had also been done to trees and the superintendent said he had the names of four of the culprits.
In a separate incident a party of youths of about 18 to 20 years of age had been jumping on newly painted seats and when a park watchman had told them to get off, they had used foul language to him and one had struck the watchman in the face. "Unruly conduct of this sort was getting common at weekends", said the superintendent. "These youths seemed to be out to do as much damage as they could, and give as much trouble." The committee decided that they would prosecute the two older boys involved in the stone throwing.
The St Helens Reporter on the 22nd wrote how the sun had shone at Knowsley Road schools first May Queen procession: "The teachers and scholars of Knowsley-road schools were amply rewarded for their efforts to make their first May festival, which was held last Friday, a success, for not only did a large gathering of some two hundred parents and friends attend the pretty function, but King Sol, who had not shown his face for some time, smiled his broadest smile.
"In glorious weather, therefore, the little function provided a happy spectacle, and was well enjoyed by all who had the good fortune to be present. Gertrude Crank was the charming May Queen, and in her beautiful robes and train of blue lace, which was carried by Mary Prescott and Elaine Twist, two dainty little subjects, she possessed a dignified, majestic appearance which gave an added charm to the whole spectacle."
Benjamin Brooks had some months ago changed a general store in Duke Street into what one newspaper would later call a "sportsmen's delight" which for many decades would serve the needs of sports enthusiasts. Although partially disabled, Mr Brooks was well known in the town as a cricketer and on the 22nd appeared in St Helens Police Court on a series of charges arising out of the sale of Walden toy pistols.
The prosecution had come about after two boys had been firing these pistols in the street after buying the weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition from Mr Brooks. The barrel had two holes on the side but its end was blocked up, so that the gun would not shoot straight in front.
Mr Brooks told the magistrates that he had no idea it was illegal to sell the pistol and pointed out that the London police had declined to prosecute in similar cases. The Bench decided to dismiss the case but said they considered that toy pistols that could fire ammunition were undesirable and Ben Brooks' solicitor promised the magistrates that his client would never sell them again.
The May Day horse parade through St Helens had a very long history. But with many large firms now using motorised transport, there was no longer the same number of horses available to travel through the town's streets. And so this year it was decided to combine the parade with a May Queen crowning and a procession involving 500 children in fancy dress.
The date was also set back to the fourth Saturday in May and on the 23rd the May Queen, Nellie Barnes, was crowned by the Mayoress outside the Town Hall. The West Lancashire Divisional Royal Engineers also provided a military display.
On the 24th the Ravenhead Military Band performed a concert in Taylor Park. During the summer a number of bands were granted permission to play in St Helens' parks on some Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. The concerts were all free but a collection was made in aid of band funds.
Last year the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby Football Club had revealed that its finances were in a right old mess. During last season Saints had lost £1,133, which was mainly blamed on receipts for first team matches being down nearly £2,000, despite the Knowsley Road club winning more league games than in the previous year. However, Councillor Frank McCormick had recently established the Saints "SOS Fund" in which supporters were each asked to lend the club the sum of £1 and fundraising events were also held.
On the 25th it was reported that Saints were back in the black having made a profit during last season of about £1,000 and Cllr McCormick's "SOS Fund" had brought in a similar amount. And so their forthcoming AGM would be told that the club's financial position was now much brighter, with overall debt down to £700.
And finally, these were the acts appearing at the St Helens Hippodrome from the 25th: 8 Welsh Miners ("Refined vocalism with a clever blend of humour"); Sylveno ("Trick cyclist"); Les Seans Trio ("Great novelty trapeze act"); Charlie Lee ("Comedian and eccentric dancer"); Artemus ("Minister of mirthful magic – dispeller of doleful dumps") and Rich & Ramsey ("Comedians").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the clean milk demonstration that took place at the Fleece Hotel, how Empire Day was celebrated in St Helens Town Hall, the Haydock furniture dispute and the drunken lodger of Ramford Street.
We begin on May 19th when a railway porter had an unpleasant find at St Helens Station. He discovered a man with his throat cut who was removed to Providence Hospital where he was described as being in a precarious condition.
Also on the 19th Peter Campbell returned to St Helens Police Court after a week on remand. The man was charged with stabbing Mary Chadwick, with whom he had been living at a Widnes lodging house for the past 10 months. The Bench heard that after the couple had quarrelled over money, Mary had returned to live in St Helens.
On May 11th Campbell had called at Mary's house and insisted she go with him to her mother's house in Eldon Street and he began pulling her along the road. When in Liverpool Road, near the Red, White and Blue Hotel, Campbell produced a knife and said to Mary, "I have brought this on purpose to do you in." While Mary was looking for a policeman to get protection, Campbell said "Now then" and stabbed her.
Mary said it felt like a punch in the back from which she felt queer. The wound that he inflicted had penetrated to her spine but at half-an-inch long was not life threatening. Campbell claimed that he had been cutting some tobacco at the time of his argument with Mary and had accidentally caught her. But the Bench told Campbell: "We are quite satisfied this was deliberate. You might have been in a fit of temper at the time; you will have to go to gaol for two months hard labour."
In Prescot Police Court on the 19th Ernest Downs of Nelson Street in St Helens was summoned for travelling on a tramcar without paying his fare. The fare evasion had taken place after a dance at the Oddfellows Hall in Rainhill. When the last St Helens tram was passing the hall, there had been a rush for seats and Downs went on to the top deck.
Unluckily for him an inspector was examining the tickets on the lower deck and spotted Downs dash off the tram when it stopped outside the Black Horse Inn. Downs had only travelled a short journey and by not paying his fare had only saved himself three-halfpence. But it was certainly not worth it as the magistrates ordered him to pay a total of 15 shillings as a fine and costs.
The police had their own drill ground but because of rain they were forced to assemble inside the Town Hall. The Inspector of Constabulary asked questions of the men, inspected their pocket books and uniforms and was said to have been impressed with what he saw. You'll notice I wrote "men", as it would be almost 20 years before women were allowed to join.
At the Parks Committee meeting on the 20th, the Parks Superintendent described the trouble they were experiencing in Victoria Park. In one incident a gang of youths had been throwing stones at rooks' nests and where their stones had been falling was endangering the public. Damage had also been done to trees and the superintendent said he had the names of four of the culprits.
In a separate incident a party of youths of about 18 to 20 years of age had been jumping on newly painted seats and when a park watchman had told them to get off, they had used foul language to him and one had struck the watchman in the face. "Unruly conduct of this sort was getting common at weekends", said the superintendent. "These youths seemed to be out to do as much damage as they could, and give as much trouble." The committee decided that they would prosecute the two older boys involved in the stone throwing.
The St Helens Reporter on the 22nd wrote how the sun had shone at Knowsley Road schools first May Queen procession: "The teachers and scholars of Knowsley-road schools were amply rewarded for their efforts to make their first May festival, which was held last Friday, a success, for not only did a large gathering of some two hundred parents and friends attend the pretty function, but King Sol, who had not shown his face for some time, smiled his broadest smile.
"In glorious weather, therefore, the little function provided a happy spectacle, and was well enjoyed by all who had the good fortune to be present. Gertrude Crank was the charming May Queen, and in her beautiful robes and train of blue lace, which was carried by Mary Prescott and Elaine Twist, two dainty little subjects, she possessed a dignified, majestic appearance which gave an added charm to the whole spectacle."
Benjamin Brooks had some months ago changed a general store in Duke Street into what one newspaper would later call a "sportsmen's delight" which for many decades would serve the needs of sports enthusiasts. Although partially disabled, Mr Brooks was well known in the town as a cricketer and on the 22nd appeared in St Helens Police Court on a series of charges arising out of the sale of Walden toy pistols.
The prosecution had come about after two boys had been firing these pistols in the street after buying the weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition from Mr Brooks. The barrel had two holes on the side but its end was blocked up, so that the gun would not shoot straight in front.
Mr Brooks told the magistrates that he had no idea it was illegal to sell the pistol and pointed out that the London police had declined to prosecute in similar cases. The Bench decided to dismiss the case but said they considered that toy pistols that could fire ammunition were undesirable and Ben Brooks' solicitor promised the magistrates that his client would never sell them again.
The May Day horse parade through St Helens had a very long history. But with many large firms now using motorised transport, there was no longer the same number of horses available to travel through the town's streets. And so this year it was decided to combine the parade with a May Queen crowning and a procession involving 500 children in fancy dress.
The date was also set back to the fourth Saturday in May and on the 23rd the May Queen, Nellie Barnes, was crowned by the Mayoress outside the Town Hall. The West Lancashire Divisional Royal Engineers also provided a military display.
On the 24th the Ravenhead Military Band performed a concert in Taylor Park. During the summer a number of bands were granted permission to play in St Helens' parks on some Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. The concerts were all free but a collection was made in aid of band funds.
Last year the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby Football Club had revealed that its finances were in a right old mess. During last season Saints had lost £1,133, which was mainly blamed on receipts for first team matches being down nearly £2,000, despite the Knowsley Road club winning more league games than in the previous year. However, Councillor Frank McCormick had recently established the Saints "SOS Fund" in which supporters were each asked to lend the club the sum of £1 and fundraising events were also held.
On the 25th it was reported that Saints were back in the black having made a profit during last season of about £1,000 and Cllr McCormick's "SOS Fund" had brought in a similar amount. And so their forthcoming AGM would be told that the club's financial position was now much brighter, with overall debt down to £700.
And finally, these were the acts appearing at the St Helens Hippodrome from the 25th: 8 Welsh Miners ("Refined vocalism with a clever blend of humour"); Sylveno ("Trick cyclist"); Les Seans Trio ("Great novelty trapeze act"); Charlie Lee ("Comedian and eccentric dancer"); Artemus ("Minister of mirthful magic – dispeller of doleful dumps") and Rich & Ramsey ("Comedians").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the clean milk demonstration that took place at the Fleece Hotel, how Empire Day was celebrated in St Helens Town Hall, the Haydock furniture dispute and the drunken lodger of Ramford Street.
This week's many stories include the stone throwing at birds nests in Victoria Park, the May horse parade and May Queen crowning, more on the Liverpool Road stabbing case, the annual inspection of St Helens Police takes place, the loss-making Saints are back in the black and the toy guns on sale in Duke Street that were capable of firing bullets.
We begin on May 19th when a railway porter had an unpleasant find at St Helens Station.
He discovered a man with his throat cut who was removed to Providence Hospital where he was described as being in a precarious condition.
Also on the 19th Peter Campbell returned to St Helens Police Court after a week on remand.
The man was charged with stabbing Mary Chadwick, with whom he had been living at a Widnes lodging house for the past 10 months.
The Bench heard that after the couple had quarrelled over money, Mary had returned to live in St Helens.
On May 11th Campbell had called at Mary's house and insisted she go with him to her mother's house in Eldon Street and he began pulling her along the road.
When in Liverpool Road, near the Red, White and Blue Hotel, Campbell produced a knife and said to Mary, "I have brought this on purpose to do you in."
While Mary was looking for a policeman to get protection, Campbell said "Now then" and stabbed her. Mary said it felt like a punch in the back from which she felt queer.
The wound that he inflicted had penetrated to her spine but at half-an-inch long was not life threatening.
Campbell claimed that he had been cutting some tobacco at the time of his argument with Mary and had accidentally caught her.
But the Bench told Campbell: "We are quite satisfied this was deliberate. You might have been in a fit of temper at the time; you will have to go to gaol for two months hard labour."
In Prescot Police Court on the 19th Ernest Downs of Nelson Street in St Helens was summoned for travelling on a tramcar without paying his fare.
The fare evasion had taken place after a dance at the Oddfellows Hall in Rainhill. When the last St Helens tram was passing the hall, there had been a rush for seats and Downs went on to the top deck.
Unluckily for him an inspector was examining the tickets on the lower deck and spotted Downs dash off the tram when it stopped outside the Black Horse Inn.
Downs had only travelled a short journey and by not paying his fare had only saved himself three-halfpence.
But it was certainly not worth it as the magistrates ordered him to pay a total of 15 shillings as a fine and costs.
The morning of the 20th was a good time to commit a crime in St Helens.
That was because the annual inspection of the borough police force (pictured above in 1920) was held and almost all of its members were on parade.
In fact there were 94 constables and sergeants, as well as senior officers present.
The police had their own drill ground but because of rain they were forced to assemble inside the Town Hall.
The Inspector of Constabulary asked questions of the men, inspected their pocket books and uniforms and was said to have been impressed with what he saw.
You'll notice I wrote "men", as it would be almost 20 years before women were allowed to join.
At the Parks Committee meeting on the 20th, the Parks Superintendent described the trouble they were experiencing in Victoria Park.
In one incident a gang of youths had been throwing stones at rooks' nests and where their stones had been falling was endangering the public.
Damage had also been done to trees and the superintendent said he had the names of four of the culprits.
In a separate incident a party of youths of about 18 to 20 years of age had been jumping on newly painted seats and when a park watchman had told them to get off, they had used foul language to him and one had struck the watchman in the face.
"Unruly conduct of this sort was getting common at weekends", said the superintendent. "These youths seemed to be out to do as much damage as they could, and give as much trouble."
The committee decided that they would prosecute the two older boys involved in the stone throwing.
The St Helens Reporter on the 22nd wrote how the sun had shone at Knowsley Road schools first May Queen procession:
"The teachers and scholars of Knowsley-road schools were amply rewarded for their efforts to make their first May festival, which was held last Friday, a success, for not only did a large gathering of some two hundred parents and friends attend the pretty function, but King Sol, who had not shown his face for some time, smiled his broadest smile.
"In glorious weather, therefore, the little function provided a happy spectacle, and was well enjoyed by all who had the good fortune to be present.
"Gertrude Crank was the charming May Queen, and in her beautiful robes and train of blue lace, which was carried by Mary Prescott and Elaine Twist, two dainty little subjects, she possessed a dignified, majestic appearance which gave an added charm to the whole spectacle."
Benjamin Brooks had some months ago changed a general store in Duke Street into what one newspaper would later call a "sportsmen's delight" which for many decades would serve the needs of sports enthusiasts.
Although partially disabled, Mr Brooks was well known in the town as a cricketer and on the 22nd appeared in St Helens Police Court on a series of charges arising out of the sale of Walden toy pistols.
The prosecution had come about after two boys had been firing these pistols in the street after buying the weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition from Mr Brooks.
The barrel had two holes on the side but its end was blocked up, so that the gun would not shoot straight in front.
Mr Brooks told the magistrates that he had no idea it was illegal to sell the pistol and pointed out that the London police had declined to prosecute in similar cases.
The Bench decided to dismiss the case but said they considered that toy pistols that could fire ammunition were undesirable and Ben Brooks' solicitor promised the magistrates that his client would never sell them again.
The May Day horse parade through St Helens had a very long history. But with many large firms now using motorised transport, there was no longer the same number of horses available to travel through the town's streets.
And so this year it was decided to combine the parade with a May Queen crowning and a procession involving 500 children in fancy dress.
The date was also set back to the fourth Saturday in May and on the 23rd the May Queen, Nellie Barnes, was crowned by the Mayoress outside the Town Hall.
The West Lancashire Divisional Royal Engineers also provided a military display.
On the 24th the Ravenhead Military Band performed a concert in Taylor Park. During the summer a number of bands were granted permission to play in St Helens' parks on some Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings.
The concerts were all free but a collection was made in aid of band funds.
Last year the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby Football Club had revealed that its finances were in a right old mess.
During last season Saints had lost £1,133, which was mainly blamed on receipts for first team matches being down nearly £2,000, despite the Knowsley Road club winning more league games than in the previous year.
However, Councillor Frank McCormick had recently established the Saints "SOS Fund" in which supporters were each asked to lend the club the sum of £1 and fundraising events were also held.
On the 25th it was reported that Saints were back in the black having made a profit during last season of about £1,000 and Cllr McCormick's "SOS Fund" had brought in a similar amount.
And so their forthcoming AGM would be told that the club's financial position was now much brighter, with overall debt down to £700.
And finally, these were the acts appearing at the St Helens Hippodrome from the 25th:
8 Welsh Miners ("Refined vocalism with a clever blend of humour"); Sylveno ("Trick cyclist"); Les Seans Trio ("Great novelty trapeze act"); Charlie Lee ("Comedian and eccentric dancer"); Artemus ("Minister of mirthful magic – dispeller of doleful dumps") and Rich & Ramsey ("Comedians").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the clean milk demonstration that took place at the Fleece Hotel, how Empire Day was celebrated in St Helens Town Hall, the Haydock furniture dispute and the drunken lodger of Ramford Street.
We begin on May 19th when a railway porter had an unpleasant find at St Helens Station.
He discovered a man with his throat cut who was removed to Providence Hospital where he was described as being in a precarious condition.
Also on the 19th Peter Campbell returned to St Helens Police Court after a week on remand.
The man was charged with stabbing Mary Chadwick, with whom he had been living at a Widnes lodging house for the past 10 months.
The Bench heard that after the couple had quarrelled over money, Mary had returned to live in St Helens.
On May 11th Campbell had called at Mary's house and insisted she go with him to her mother's house in Eldon Street and he began pulling her along the road.
When in Liverpool Road, near the Red, White and Blue Hotel, Campbell produced a knife and said to Mary, "I have brought this on purpose to do you in."
While Mary was looking for a policeman to get protection, Campbell said "Now then" and stabbed her. Mary said it felt like a punch in the back from which she felt queer.
The wound that he inflicted had penetrated to her spine but at half-an-inch long was not life threatening.
Campbell claimed that he had been cutting some tobacco at the time of his argument with Mary and had accidentally caught her.
But the Bench told Campbell: "We are quite satisfied this was deliberate. You might have been in a fit of temper at the time; you will have to go to gaol for two months hard labour."
In Prescot Police Court on the 19th Ernest Downs of Nelson Street in St Helens was summoned for travelling on a tramcar without paying his fare.
The fare evasion had taken place after a dance at the Oddfellows Hall in Rainhill. When the last St Helens tram was passing the hall, there had been a rush for seats and Downs went on to the top deck.
Unluckily for him an inspector was examining the tickets on the lower deck and spotted Downs dash off the tram when it stopped outside the Black Horse Inn.
Downs had only travelled a short journey and by not paying his fare had only saved himself three-halfpence.
But it was certainly not worth it as the magistrates ordered him to pay a total of 15 shillings as a fine and costs.
The morning of the 20th was a good time to commit a crime in St Helens.
In fact there were 94 constables and sergeants, as well as senior officers present.
The police had their own drill ground but because of rain they were forced to assemble inside the Town Hall.
The Inspector of Constabulary asked questions of the men, inspected their pocket books and uniforms and was said to have been impressed with what he saw.
You'll notice I wrote "men", as it would be almost 20 years before women were allowed to join.
At the Parks Committee meeting on the 20th, the Parks Superintendent described the trouble they were experiencing in Victoria Park.
In one incident a gang of youths had been throwing stones at rooks' nests and where their stones had been falling was endangering the public.
Damage had also been done to trees and the superintendent said he had the names of four of the culprits.
In a separate incident a party of youths of about 18 to 20 years of age had been jumping on newly painted seats and when a park watchman had told them to get off, they had used foul language to him and one had struck the watchman in the face.
"Unruly conduct of this sort was getting common at weekends", said the superintendent. "These youths seemed to be out to do as much damage as they could, and give as much trouble."
The committee decided that they would prosecute the two older boys involved in the stone throwing.
The St Helens Reporter on the 22nd wrote how the sun had shone at Knowsley Road schools first May Queen procession:
"The teachers and scholars of Knowsley-road schools were amply rewarded for their efforts to make their first May festival, which was held last Friday, a success, for not only did a large gathering of some two hundred parents and friends attend the pretty function, but King Sol, who had not shown his face for some time, smiled his broadest smile.
"In glorious weather, therefore, the little function provided a happy spectacle, and was well enjoyed by all who had the good fortune to be present.
"Gertrude Crank was the charming May Queen, and in her beautiful robes and train of blue lace, which was carried by Mary Prescott and Elaine Twist, two dainty little subjects, she possessed a dignified, majestic appearance which gave an added charm to the whole spectacle."
Benjamin Brooks had some months ago changed a general store in Duke Street into what one newspaper would later call a "sportsmen's delight" which for many decades would serve the needs of sports enthusiasts.
Although partially disabled, Mr Brooks was well known in the town as a cricketer and on the 22nd appeared in St Helens Police Court on a series of charges arising out of the sale of Walden toy pistols.
The prosecution had come about after two boys had been firing these pistols in the street after buying the weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition from Mr Brooks.
The barrel had two holes on the side but its end was blocked up, so that the gun would not shoot straight in front.
Mr Brooks told the magistrates that he had no idea it was illegal to sell the pistol and pointed out that the London police had declined to prosecute in similar cases.
The Bench decided to dismiss the case but said they considered that toy pistols that could fire ammunition were undesirable and Ben Brooks' solicitor promised the magistrates that his client would never sell them again.
The May Day horse parade through St Helens had a very long history. But with many large firms now using motorised transport, there was no longer the same number of horses available to travel through the town's streets.
And so this year it was decided to combine the parade with a May Queen crowning and a procession involving 500 children in fancy dress.
The date was also set back to the fourth Saturday in May and on the 23rd the May Queen, Nellie Barnes, was crowned by the Mayoress outside the Town Hall.
The West Lancashire Divisional Royal Engineers also provided a military display.
On the 24th the Ravenhead Military Band performed a concert in Taylor Park. During the summer a number of bands were granted permission to play in St Helens' parks on some Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings.
The concerts were all free but a collection was made in aid of band funds.
Last year the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby Football Club had revealed that its finances were in a right old mess.
During last season Saints had lost £1,133, which was mainly blamed on receipts for first team matches being down nearly £2,000, despite the Knowsley Road club winning more league games than in the previous year.
However, Councillor Frank McCormick had recently established the Saints "SOS Fund" in which supporters were each asked to lend the club the sum of £1 and fundraising events were also held.
On the 25th it was reported that Saints were back in the black having made a profit during last season of about £1,000 and Cllr McCormick's "SOS Fund" had brought in a similar amount.
And so their forthcoming AGM would be told that the club's financial position was now much brighter, with overall debt down to £700.
And finally, these were the acts appearing at the St Helens Hippodrome from the 25th:
8 Welsh Miners ("Refined vocalism with a clever blend of humour"); Sylveno ("Trick cyclist"); Les Seans Trio ("Great novelty trapeze act"); Charlie Lee ("Comedian and eccentric dancer"); Artemus ("Minister of mirthful magic – dispeller of doleful dumps") and Rich & Ramsey ("Comedians").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the clean milk demonstration that took place at the Fleece Hotel, how Empire Day was celebrated in St Helens Town Hall, the Haydock furniture dispute and the drunken lodger of Ramford Street.