IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 8 - 14 JULY 1924
This week's many stories include the dawn of the Scala and a new cinema for Rainhill, the open day at Sutton National Girls School, a St Helens woman saves a child from drowning at the seaside, the Sutton Parish Fete in Sherdley Park, the mothers' resistance to open-air schools and the Liverpool Street man who told a court that wives always had the last word.
We begin on the 8th when the committee of visitors of what was described as the Rainhill Mental Hospital applied to the County Bench for permission to make alterations. Their intention was to facilitate the creation of a cinema for the entertainment of patients. Informal approval was given subject to a separate application for a cinema licence being granted by magistrates. The institution at Rainhill has had a number of different names over the years – mainly with "lunatic" embedded within them – but this is the first occasion I have seen the term "mental hospital" being used.
In the Tuesday edition of the St Helens Reporter on the 8th this advert was printed: "Have you heard that the Electric Theatre, Ormskirk Street, has been taken over by the proprietors of the Palladium, Boundary Road and will in future be known as the St. Helens Scala. Forthcoming attractions include the worlds greatest films with famous stars. Special musical novelties by The Scala Orchestra by first class musicians."
The Electric Theatre was the official name of the picture house but it had always been known and advertised as "Griffins". That was because the Griffin family of furnishers and photographers in adjacent premises had been the owners of the cinema. It had been the first purpose built picture house in St Helens and the Scala would continue entertaining the people of the town until 1957. The Palladium in Boundary Road later became the home of electrical suppliers Casey Brothers.
In March St Helens Health Committee decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted to establish an open-air school for delicate children – what would eventually become known as Hamblett School. At their committee meeting on the 9th a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools. Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree. Cllr. Jackson said the thing was to instil the concept into the minds of the people. It would take five more years before the school in Rainford Road would open.
Also on the 9th there was what we would call an open day at Sutton National Girls School in Ellamsbridge Road. Visitors were able to see what the girls had done to clean up an old yard, which previously had been a dump for tin cans, broken bottles, etc. The Reporter in their article wrote:
"Scarcely a blade of grass grew upon it, and even the humble sparrow could hardly raise sufficient enthusiasm to chirrup in such dismal surroundings. All that is now changed – thanks to the enterprise of the headmistress and staff. They have divested the activities of their charges into channels both useful and ornamental." The rubbish heap had been turned into a garden and it was reported that as a result of the girls' efforts other allotments had since sprung up in the neighbourhood.
As usual, female-oriented crafts featured in an exhibition of their work. These included art, needlework, drawings, nature studies and embroidery. An exhibition of old English folk dances was also given and there were performances of what was described as "physical jerks", as well as singing. It was mentioned in the report that the girls often took part in deep-breathing exercises in a garden. That, the dancing and the jerks appears to be the sum total of physical activities that the girls undertook – and unlike boys, St Helens' schoolgirls did not take part in competitive sports with other schools.
There was an advert in the Reporter on the 11th for St Bartholomew's 4th Annual Sports, which also included a "grand out-door carnival". The event would be taking place in the grounds of Rainhill Hall on August Bank Holiday Monday. The attractions included a "grand championship tug of war", boxing exhibitions, gymnastic displays, bands for dancing and "all the fun of the fair". Admission was 1 shilling and children 6d.
Another advert in the Reporter informed its readers that a dancing class was held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dancing Academy in Station Road, Prescot. The ad said: "All Blackpool‘s latest prize dances will be taught – the Valeta Nadine, Empire Fox-Trot, Murray Fox-Trot, and the Extra Waltz, also London’s latest, The Royal Five-Step."
There were many brave rescues of drowning children in the numerous stretches of open water in St Helens – but they were always by men. That seemed to be mainly because few women were encouraged to learn to swim. In July 1923 the ladies section of St Helens Swimming Club sent a letter to the council's Water Committee. They complained that swimming among the women of St Helens was well behind the standard of other Lancashire boroughs and that female facilities at Boundary Road Baths were inadequate.
But not being able to swim did not prevent one woman from the town from making a daring rescue of a child. The Reporter had praise for a Mrs Wright from Talbot Street in St Helens who despite being unable to swim had entered the sea at New Brighton and saved an 8-year-old girl from drowning.
"The inevitable crowd collected", said the paper, "and Mrs. Wright was overwhelmed with congratulations by the onlookers and words of gratitude from the mother. Mrs. Wright, however, slipped quietly away and returned to St. Helens without leaving her name and address."
There was a rare full-page advert in the Reporter in which the Co-op in Baldwin Street was promoting their July sale. Their new children's department was offering straw hats for kids from 1/6. Such attire was popular with adults too, especially in summer and at holiday time.
Balshaw Brothers of Bridge Street regularly advertised that they had the "newest shapes" of straw hats which invites the question as to how many shapes you can have apart from round? The Co-op was also selling men's suits for 39/6, men's trousers from 9/11 and boys' vests for a shilling. The dividend was available on all purchases, including, presumably, the Co-op tea that could be drunk in their restaurant – "high-class catering at a reasonable price", said their ad.
On the 11th Martin Travers from Liverpool Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with breaching the peace. That was after shouts and screams of "murder" had been heard by police officers at 2:30 am on a Sunday morning. After being told that he would be reported for the racket that was coming from his house, Travers replied: "I don't care for any slops or ‘tecs or whatever you call yourself. I will do the rest of my days in gaol for that ________" (censored by Reporter).
The Chairman of the Bench evoked laughter in the courtroom by saying to Travers: "Was it a question of coming in late and the wife was waiting behind the door with a poker?" To that remark the defendant replied: "Yes, she just carried on. The woman has the last word you know when you marry her. I never was in the court in my life before since I was born."
Mrs Travers was also summoned to court for her part in the row but didn't show up and so we don't know her side of what went on. However, the Bench chose to dismiss the case but warned the husband to be more careful in future. Just which of the couple had been screaming murder wasn't revealed in the newspaper report – but it sounds like it may have been the man.
On the 12th the Sutton Parish Fete was held in Sherdley Park. The sports and games were the main events but there were also stalls, side attractions, refreshments and performances by Billy Cope's Concert Party and the Church Army Band. The Reporter wrote:
"The Sutton Parish fete, held at Sherdley Park on Saturday, proved a great success. The ideal summer weather was all that was required to give the necessary finish to the arrangements and large numbers assembled in the park, the beautiful surroundings of which, with the children clad in light summer dresses, presented a delightful picture of animation and colour."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the Parliamentary application to run trolley buses, the delayed explosion at Sutton Heath Colliery that killed a man, the alcoholic meths drinker and the huge popularity of Boundary Road baths.
We begin on the 8th when the committee of visitors of what was described as the Rainhill Mental Hospital applied to the County Bench for permission to make alterations. Their intention was to facilitate the creation of a cinema for the entertainment of patients. Informal approval was given subject to a separate application for a cinema licence being granted by magistrates. The institution at Rainhill has had a number of different names over the years – mainly with "lunatic" embedded within them – but this is the first occasion I have seen the term "mental hospital" being used.
The Electric Theatre was the official name of the picture house but it had always been known and advertised as "Griffins". That was because the Griffin family of furnishers and photographers in adjacent premises had been the owners of the cinema. It had been the first purpose built picture house in St Helens and the Scala would continue entertaining the people of the town until 1957. The Palladium in Boundary Road later became the home of electrical suppliers Casey Brothers.
In March St Helens Health Committee decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted to establish an open-air school for delicate children – what would eventually become known as Hamblett School. At their committee meeting on the 9th a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools. Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree. Cllr. Jackson said the thing was to instil the concept into the minds of the people. It would take five more years before the school in Rainford Road would open.
Also on the 9th there was what we would call an open day at Sutton National Girls School in Ellamsbridge Road. Visitors were able to see what the girls had done to clean up an old yard, which previously had been a dump for tin cans, broken bottles, etc. The Reporter in their article wrote:
"Scarcely a blade of grass grew upon it, and even the humble sparrow could hardly raise sufficient enthusiasm to chirrup in such dismal surroundings. All that is now changed – thanks to the enterprise of the headmistress and staff. They have divested the activities of their charges into channels both useful and ornamental." The rubbish heap had been turned into a garden and it was reported that as a result of the girls' efforts other allotments had since sprung up in the neighbourhood.
As usual, female-oriented crafts featured in an exhibition of their work. These included art, needlework, drawings, nature studies and embroidery. An exhibition of old English folk dances was also given and there were performances of what was described as "physical jerks", as well as singing. It was mentioned in the report that the girls often took part in deep-breathing exercises in a garden. That, the dancing and the jerks appears to be the sum total of physical activities that the girls undertook – and unlike boys, St Helens' schoolgirls did not take part in competitive sports with other schools.
There was an advert in the Reporter on the 11th for St Bartholomew's 4th Annual Sports, which also included a "grand out-door carnival". The event would be taking place in the grounds of Rainhill Hall on August Bank Holiday Monday. The attractions included a "grand championship tug of war", boxing exhibitions, gymnastic displays, bands for dancing and "all the fun of the fair". Admission was 1 shilling and children 6d.
Another advert in the Reporter informed its readers that a dancing class was held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dancing Academy in Station Road, Prescot. The ad said: "All Blackpool‘s latest prize dances will be taught – the Valeta Nadine, Empire Fox-Trot, Murray Fox-Trot, and the Extra Waltz, also London’s latest, The Royal Five-Step."
There were many brave rescues of drowning children in the numerous stretches of open water in St Helens – but they were always by men. That seemed to be mainly because few women were encouraged to learn to swim. In July 1923 the ladies section of St Helens Swimming Club sent a letter to the council's Water Committee. They complained that swimming among the women of St Helens was well behind the standard of other Lancashire boroughs and that female facilities at Boundary Road Baths were inadequate.
But not being able to swim did not prevent one woman from the town from making a daring rescue of a child. The Reporter had praise for a Mrs Wright from Talbot Street in St Helens who despite being unable to swim had entered the sea at New Brighton and saved an 8-year-old girl from drowning.
"The inevitable crowd collected", said the paper, "and Mrs. Wright was overwhelmed with congratulations by the onlookers and words of gratitude from the mother. Mrs. Wright, however, slipped quietly away and returned to St. Helens without leaving her name and address."
Balshaw Brothers of Bridge Street regularly advertised that they had the "newest shapes" of straw hats which invites the question as to how many shapes you can have apart from round? The Co-op was also selling men's suits for 39/6, men's trousers from 9/11 and boys' vests for a shilling. The dividend was available on all purchases, including, presumably, the Co-op tea that could be drunk in their restaurant – "high-class catering at a reasonable price", said their ad.
On the 11th Martin Travers from Liverpool Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with breaching the peace. That was after shouts and screams of "murder" had been heard by police officers at 2:30 am on a Sunday morning. After being told that he would be reported for the racket that was coming from his house, Travers replied: "I don't care for any slops or ‘tecs or whatever you call yourself. I will do the rest of my days in gaol for that ________" (censored by Reporter).
The Chairman of the Bench evoked laughter in the courtroom by saying to Travers: "Was it a question of coming in late and the wife was waiting behind the door with a poker?" To that remark the defendant replied: "Yes, she just carried on. The woman has the last word you know when you marry her. I never was in the court in my life before since I was born."
Mrs Travers was also summoned to court for her part in the row but didn't show up and so we don't know her side of what went on. However, the Bench chose to dismiss the case but warned the husband to be more careful in future. Just which of the couple had been screaming murder wasn't revealed in the newspaper report – but it sounds like it may have been the man.
On the 12th the Sutton Parish Fete was held in Sherdley Park. The sports and games were the main events but there were also stalls, side attractions, refreshments and performances by Billy Cope's Concert Party and the Church Army Band. The Reporter wrote:
"The Sutton Parish fete, held at Sherdley Park on Saturday, proved a great success. The ideal summer weather was all that was required to give the necessary finish to the arrangements and large numbers assembled in the park, the beautiful surroundings of which, with the children clad in light summer dresses, presented a delightful picture of animation and colour."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the Parliamentary application to run trolley buses, the delayed explosion at Sutton Heath Colliery that killed a man, the alcoholic meths drinker and the huge popularity of Boundary Road baths.
This week's many stories include the dawn of the Scala and a new cinema for Rainhill, the open day at Sutton National Girls School, a St Helens woman saves a child from drowning at the seaside, the Sutton Parish Fete in Sherdley Park, the mothers' resistance to open-air schools and the Liverpool Street man who told a court that wives always had the last word.
We begin on the 8th when the committee of visitors of what was described as the Rainhill Mental Hospital applied to the County Bench for permission to make alterations.
Their intention was to facilitate the creation of a cinema for the entertainment of patients.
Informal approval was given subject to a separate application for a cinema licence being granted by magistrates.
The institution at Rainhill has had a number of different names over the years – mainly with "lunatic" embedded within them – but this is the first occasion I have seen the term "mental hospital" being used.
In the Tuesday edition of the St Helens Reporter on the 8th this advert was printed:
"Have you heard that the Electric Theatre, Ormskirk Street, has been taken over by the proprietors of the Palladium, Boundary Road and will in future be known as the St. Helens Scala.
"Forthcoming attractions include the worlds greatest films with famous stars. Special musical novelties by The Scala Orchestra by first class musicians."
The Electric Theatre was the official name of the picture house but it had always been known and advertised as "Griffins".
That was because the Griffin family of furnishers and photographers in adjacent premises had been the owners of the cinema.
It had been the first purpose built picture house in St Helens and the Scala would continue entertaining the people of the town until 1957.
The Palladium in Boundary Road later became the home of electrical suppliers Casey Brothers.
In March St Helens Health Committee decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted to establish an open-air school for delicate children – what would eventually become known as Hamblett School.
At their committee meeting on the 9th a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools.
Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree. Cllr. Jackson said the thing was to instil the concept into the minds of the people.
It would take five more years before the school in Rainford Road would open.
Also on the 9th there was what we would call an open day at Sutton National Girls School in Ellamsbridge Road.
Visitors were able to see what the girls had done to clean up an old yard, which previously had been a dump for tin cans, broken bottles, etc. The Reporter in their article wrote:
"Scarcely a blade of grass grew upon it, and even the humble sparrow could hardly raise sufficient enthusiasm to chirrup in such dismal surroundings.
"All that is now changed – thanks to the enterprise of the headmistress and staff. They have divested the activities of their charges into channels both useful and ornamental."
The rubbish heap had been turned into a garden and it was reported that as a result of the girls' efforts other allotments had since sprung up in the neighbourhood.
As usual, female-oriented crafts featured in an exhibition of their work. These included art, needlework, drawings, nature studies and embroidery.
An exhibition of old English folk dances was also given and there were performances of what was described as "physical jerks", as well as singing.
It was mentioned in the report that the girls often took part in deep-breathing exercises in a garden.
That, the dancing and the jerks appears to be the sum total of physical activities that the girls undertook – and unlike boys, St Helens' schoolgirls did not take part in competitive sports with other schools.
There was an advert in the Reporter on the 11th for St Bartholomew's 4th Annual Sports, which also included a "grand out-door carnival".
The event would be taking place in the grounds of Rainhill Hall on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The attractions included a "grand championship tug of war", boxing exhibitions, gymnastic displays, bands for dancing and "all the fun of the fair". Admission was 1 shilling and children 6d.
Another advert in the Reporter informed its readers that a dancing class was held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dancing Academy in Station Road, Prescot. The ad said:
"All Blackpool's latest prize dances will be taught – the Valeta Nadine, Empire Fox-Trot, Murray Fox-Trot, and the Extra Waltz, also London’s latest, The Royal Five-Step."
There were many brave rescues of drowning children in the numerous stretches of open water in St Helens – but they were always by men.
That seemed to be mainly because few women were encouraged to learn to swim.
In July 1923 the ladies section of St Helens Swimming Club sent a letter to the council's Water Committee.
They complained that swimming among the women of St Helens was well behind the standard of other Lancashire boroughs and that female facilities at Boundary Road Baths were inadequate.
But not being able to swim did not prevent one woman from the town from making a daring rescue of a child.
The Reporter had praise for a Mrs Wright from Talbot Street in St Helens who despite being unable to swim had entered the sea at New Brighton and saved an 8-year-old girl from drowning.
"The inevitable crowd collected", said the paper, "and Mrs. Wright was overwhelmed with congratulations by the onlookers and words of gratitude from the mother. Mrs. Wright, however, slipped quietly away and returned to St. Helens without leaving her name and address."
There was a rare full-page advert in the Reporter in which the Co-op in Baldwin Street was promoting their July sale.
Their new children's department was offering straw hats for kids from 1/6. Such attire was popular with adults too, especially in summer and at holiday time.
Balshaw Brothers of Bridge Street regularly advertised that they had the "newest shapes" of straw hats which invites the question as to how many shapes you can have apart from round?
The Co-op was also selling men's suits for 39/6, men's trousers from 9/11 and boys' vests for a shilling.
The dividend was available on all purchases, including, presumably, the Co-op tea that could be drunk in their restaurant – "high-class catering at a reasonable price", said their ad.
On the 11th Martin Travers from Liverpool Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with breaching the peace.
That was after shouts and screams of "murder" had been heard by police officers at 2:30 am on a Sunday morning.
After being told that he would be reported for the racket that was coming from his house, Travers replied:
"I don't care for any slops or ‘tecs or whatever you call yourself. I will do the rest of my days in gaol for that ________" (censored by Reporter).
The Chairman of the Bench evoked laughter in the courtroom by saying to Travers:
"Was it a question of coming in late and the wife was waiting behind the door with a poker?" To that remark the defendant replied:
"Yes, she just carried on. The woman has the last word you know when you marry her. I never was in the court in my life before since I was born."
Mrs Travers was also summoned to court for her part in the row but didn't show up and so we don't know her side of what went on.
However, the Bench chose to dismiss the case but warned the husband to be more careful in future.
Just which of the couple had been screaming murder wasn't revealed in the newspaper report – but it sounds like it may have been the man.
On the 12th the Sutton Parish Fete was held in Sherdley Park. The sports and games were the main events but there were also stalls, side attractions, refreshments and performances by Billy Cope's Concert Party and the Church Army Band. The Reporter wrote:
"The Sutton Parish fete, held at Sherdley Park on Saturday, proved a great success. The ideal summer weather was all that was required to give the necessary finish to the arrangements and large numbers assembled in the park, the beautiful surroundings of which, with the children clad in light summer dresses, presented a delightful picture of animation and colour."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the Parliamentary application to run trolley buses, the delayed explosion at Sutton Heath Colliery that killed a man, the alcoholic meths drinker and the huge popularity of Boundary Road baths.
We begin on the 8th when the committee of visitors of what was described as the Rainhill Mental Hospital applied to the County Bench for permission to make alterations.
Their intention was to facilitate the creation of a cinema for the entertainment of patients.
Informal approval was given subject to a separate application for a cinema licence being granted by magistrates.
The institution at Rainhill has had a number of different names over the years – mainly with "lunatic" embedded within them – but this is the first occasion I have seen the term "mental hospital" being used.
"Have you heard that the Electric Theatre, Ormskirk Street, has been taken over by the proprietors of the Palladium, Boundary Road and will in future be known as the St. Helens Scala.
"Forthcoming attractions include the worlds greatest films with famous stars. Special musical novelties by The Scala Orchestra by first class musicians."
The Electric Theatre was the official name of the picture house but it had always been known and advertised as "Griffins".
That was because the Griffin family of furnishers and photographers in adjacent premises had been the owners of the cinema.
It had been the first purpose built picture house in St Helens and the Scala would continue entertaining the people of the town until 1957.
The Palladium in Boundary Road later became the home of electrical suppliers Casey Brothers.
In March St Helens Health Committee decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted to establish an open-air school for delicate children – what would eventually become known as Hamblett School.
At their committee meeting on the 9th a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools.
Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree. Cllr. Jackson said the thing was to instil the concept into the minds of the people.
It would take five more years before the school in Rainford Road would open.
Also on the 9th there was what we would call an open day at Sutton National Girls School in Ellamsbridge Road.
Visitors were able to see what the girls had done to clean up an old yard, which previously had been a dump for tin cans, broken bottles, etc. The Reporter in their article wrote:
"Scarcely a blade of grass grew upon it, and even the humble sparrow could hardly raise sufficient enthusiasm to chirrup in such dismal surroundings.
"All that is now changed – thanks to the enterprise of the headmistress and staff. They have divested the activities of their charges into channels both useful and ornamental."
The rubbish heap had been turned into a garden and it was reported that as a result of the girls' efforts other allotments had since sprung up in the neighbourhood.
As usual, female-oriented crafts featured in an exhibition of their work. These included art, needlework, drawings, nature studies and embroidery.
An exhibition of old English folk dances was also given and there were performances of what was described as "physical jerks", as well as singing.
It was mentioned in the report that the girls often took part in deep-breathing exercises in a garden.
That, the dancing and the jerks appears to be the sum total of physical activities that the girls undertook – and unlike boys, St Helens' schoolgirls did not take part in competitive sports with other schools.
There was an advert in the Reporter on the 11th for St Bartholomew's 4th Annual Sports, which also included a "grand out-door carnival".
The event would be taking place in the grounds of Rainhill Hall on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The attractions included a "grand championship tug of war", boxing exhibitions, gymnastic displays, bands for dancing and "all the fun of the fair". Admission was 1 shilling and children 6d.
Another advert in the Reporter informed its readers that a dancing class was held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dancing Academy in Station Road, Prescot. The ad said:
"All Blackpool's latest prize dances will be taught – the Valeta Nadine, Empire Fox-Trot, Murray Fox-Trot, and the Extra Waltz, also London’s latest, The Royal Five-Step."
There were many brave rescues of drowning children in the numerous stretches of open water in St Helens – but they were always by men.
That seemed to be mainly because few women were encouraged to learn to swim.
In July 1923 the ladies section of St Helens Swimming Club sent a letter to the council's Water Committee.
They complained that swimming among the women of St Helens was well behind the standard of other Lancashire boroughs and that female facilities at Boundary Road Baths were inadequate.
But not being able to swim did not prevent one woman from the town from making a daring rescue of a child.
The Reporter had praise for a Mrs Wright from Talbot Street in St Helens who despite being unable to swim had entered the sea at New Brighton and saved an 8-year-old girl from drowning.
"The inevitable crowd collected", said the paper, "and Mrs. Wright was overwhelmed with congratulations by the onlookers and words of gratitude from the mother. Mrs. Wright, however, slipped quietly away and returned to St. Helens without leaving her name and address."
Their new children's department was offering straw hats for kids from 1/6. Such attire was popular with adults too, especially in summer and at holiday time.
Balshaw Brothers of Bridge Street regularly advertised that they had the "newest shapes" of straw hats which invites the question as to how many shapes you can have apart from round?
The Co-op was also selling men's suits for 39/6, men's trousers from 9/11 and boys' vests for a shilling.
The dividend was available on all purchases, including, presumably, the Co-op tea that could be drunk in their restaurant – "high-class catering at a reasonable price", said their ad.
On the 11th Martin Travers from Liverpool Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with breaching the peace.
That was after shouts and screams of "murder" had been heard by police officers at 2:30 am on a Sunday morning.
After being told that he would be reported for the racket that was coming from his house, Travers replied:
"I don't care for any slops or ‘tecs or whatever you call yourself. I will do the rest of my days in gaol for that ________" (censored by Reporter).
The Chairman of the Bench evoked laughter in the courtroom by saying to Travers:
"Was it a question of coming in late and the wife was waiting behind the door with a poker?" To that remark the defendant replied:
"Yes, she just carried on. The woman has the last word you know when you marry her. I never was in the court in my life before since I was born."
Mrs Travers was also summoned to court for her part in the row but didn't show up and so we don't know her side of what went on.
However, the Bench chose to dismiss the case but warned the husband to be more careful in future.
Just which of the couple had been screaming murder wasn't revealed in the newspaper report – but it sounds like it may have been the man.
On the 12th the Sutton Parish Fete was held in Sherdley Park. The sports and games were the main events but there were also stalls, side attractions, refreshments and performances by Billy Cope's Concert Party and the Church Army Band. The Reporter wrote:
"The Sutton Parish fete, held at Sherdley Park on Saturday, proved a great success. The ideal summer weather was all that was required to give the necessary finish to the arrangements and large numbers assembled in the park, the beautiful surroundings of which, with the children clad in light summer dresses, presented a delightful picture of animation and colour."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the Parliamentary application to run trolley buses, the delayed explosion at Sutton Heath Colliery that killed a man, the alcoholic meths drinker and the huge popularity of Boundary Road baths.