IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 20 - 26 JANUARY 1925
This week's many stories include the children in need that failed to qualify for the clog and stocking fund, the Vicar of St Helens shocks his Parochial Council, the Marshalls Cross garage fire, the creation of modern-day Lowfield Lane, the man accused of being a Peeping Tom in Speakman Road, an update on the bowling greens planned for Victoria Park and the new tennis courts proposed for Sutton Park.
It was not uncommon for young single men living at home to protect their mother from an abusive husband. On the 20th at the inquest on John Daton from Gladstone Street it was revealed that the 20-year-old colliery haulage hand had intervened in a row between his parents – and then collapsed and died. Whether his father was in the habit of beating his mother was not stated. But when John had gone between the pair he had said to his father "Don't hit my mam; hit me, dad."
At that point John appeared to faint into his father's arms and complained that he could not get his breath. But by the time a doctor arrived the young man was declared dead. Dr Reid gave evidence of conducting a post-mortem on the young man and finding both of his lungs to be congested. Death, he said, was caused by heart failure accelerated by the excitement of the moment.
Coroners could be quite blunt with grieving relatives of the deceased. And after hearing the details of the case the coroner Frederick Jones said to John Daton Snr: "Well, are you going to let it be a lesson to you? Don't you see what you have done by giving your son the shock you did?" To that the father could only reply, "Yes, sir."
The Rev. Canon Albert Baines, the Vicar of St Helens, had in December 1916 suffered the indignity of having his church burn down (pictured above). However, a new building was rising from its ashes and completion was expected before long. And so on the 20th at a meeting of his Parochial Council, its members must have been shocked to learn that Canon Baines was leaving the parish.
He said he had accepted the position of Vicar of Huddersfield but admitted it was "a very keen disappointment after the past eight years of struggle during which we have been deprived of a church in which to worship, not to remain at St. Helens until the new church was opened. However, it is fair to say that the great scheme is potentially complete." Parish church services since 1916 had taken place in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall.
On the 21st at a meeting of the council's Highways Committee, the Borough Engineer said that the reconstruction of Redgate Bridge would soon be under way. A much wider bridge with a span of 48 feet was needed to cope with tramway tracks, carriageways and footways in both directions. The committee also heard that terms had been agreed with the Marquis of Salisbury for the land needed for the reconstruction of Lowfield Lane from Elton Head Road to Lea Green Road. The new road would be 60 feet wide and the old highway would be closed.
The Parks and Cemetery Committee also met on the 21st and heard that a Corporation scheme for the draining of the cemetery down to Rainford Road would begin on the 23rd of this month. A number of unemployed men would be given work.
An update was also given on the work planned for Victoria Park and Sutton Park (pictured above). Two bowling greens were being laid at Victoria Park and one was almost completed. When the second green had been finished the men would go on to Sutton Park to install tennis courts. The bowling greens would require grass seeding but would be ready in time for the summer, when it was expected that the new tennis courts would also be fit to use.
Fires in St Helens in the 19th century were not very common. That was why the fire brigade was mainly composed of policemen, as they could take time off from their policing duties whenever the fire bell at the Town Hall was rung. But once electricity and motor cars became more widespread, so electrical and petrol-fuelled fires became a problem, particularly as many buildings in the town were made of wood.
On the 23rd the St Helens Reporter described how there had been a big blaze at Atherton’s garage in Marshalls Cross caused by an overheating stove. The building had been wooden with a tar-felted roof and inside had been a Ford lorry whose tank contained eight gallons of petrol and was soon ablaze. By the time the Fire Brigade reached the scene, the shed was an inferno and so they concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings that contained hens and other fowl. The garage was completely burnt out and was not insured, although the destroyed lorry had been.
Also on the 23rd, a whist drive and dance was held in Rainford Village Hall to raise funds for the "old people" of the village.
The Police Aided Scheme for Clothing Destitute Children was more commonly known in St Helens as the Clog and Stocking Fund. Since its launch in 1912 it had clothed thousands of youngsters in the town, mainly by providing clogs and socks, although other articles of clothing, such as shirts or trousers, would be given if needed.
This week the Chief Constable of St Helens, Arthur Ellerington, issued his annual report on the scheme. The police were responsible for its administration, although the funding came from public donations and referrals came mainly from professional folk, such as teachers, nurses and the NSPCC.
But what was striking from Ellerington's report was the number of referrals that were rejected and the main reason given. During 1924 a total of 721 children were reported as needing help with their clothing but only 506 qualified for assistance. Of those applicants who were rejected, the report said:
"155 applications were not entertained as inquiries showed that their parents or guardians were temporarily distressed owing to conditions arising from trade depression, and they were not cases of irretrievable destitution, for which the fund is intended to supply relief."
Just how the police were able to come to such judgements was not explained but, presumably, the parents of those that qualified for the scheme were disabled or in some other way unable to work. It does explain why throughout the scheme's life there were still many reports of children in St Helens walking about in bare feet, something that had long puzzled me.
The Chief Constable did state in his report that since it began in 1912, the scheme had helped almost 10,000 children in St Helens. The clothing dished out included 8,216 pairs of clogs, 78 pairs of boots, 40 pairs of slippers, over 7,000 pairs of stockings, 1,157 jackets, 1,700 frocks, 1,900 pairs of trousers and 700 undergarments.
During the mid to late 1920s and during the 1930s, there was a noticeable rise in prosecutions for so-called "Peeping Tom" offences. Why, I'm not exactly sure, although watching courting couples was free entertainment for those out of work. But when John Rhind from Morgan Street in Parr appeared in St Helens Police Court this week it was stated that he did have a job.
Voyeurism was not a criminal offence and so in Peeping Tom cases offenders were usually charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. That was the charge that Rhind faced and PC Silk told the court how at 9 pm on Tuesday 4th he had been on plain-clothes duty with PC Johnson in the grounds of Windle House in Speakman Road.
They had found John Rhind on his hands and knees seemingly watching courting couples through holes in some boards. But in court his solicitor stated that the young man was a married cross-country runner out training and in the end the Bench decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the charge.
Since Boxing Day the Theatre Royal had firmly been in panto mode with weekly performances of Red Riding Hood, followed by Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington and from the 26th it was the turn of Cinderella. Their advert in the Reporter claimed a cast of "50 London Star Artistes" with "specialities" by Eddie Walker who was described as "Uncle Eddie from the Isle of Man".
The Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street also changed its programme on the 26th with its acts including: Kumming & Dini ("Pot Pouri pianing, singing, violing & fooling"); Tom Fagan ("Card manipulator"); Enderby ("Novelty ventriloquist"); Dick & Eddie ("Comedy equilibrists"); Arley & Alys ("Famous comedy jugglers") and Davis & Hunt ("Vocalists and dancers").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include another "Suicide Corner" court case, the packed out Theatre Royal for a play on the British Empire, a breach of promise court case and the plans for a combined May Queen crowning and horse show.
It was not uncommon for young single men living at home to protect their mother from an abusive husband. On the 20th at the inquest on John Daton from Gladstone Street it was revealed that the 20-year-old colliery haulage hand had intervened in a row between his parents – and then collapsed and died. Whether his father was in the habit of beating his mother was not stated. But when John had gone between the pair he had said to his father "Don't hit my mam; hit me, dad."
At that point John appeared to faint into his father's arms and complained that he could not get his breath. But by the time a doctor arrived the young man was declared dead. Dr Reid gave evidence of conducting a post-mortem on the young man and finding both of his lungs to be congested. Death, he said, was caused by heart failure accelerated by the excitement of the moment.
Coroners could be quite blunt with grieving relatives of the deceased. And after hearing the details of the case the coroner Frederick Jones said to John Daton Snr: "Well, are you going to let it be a lesson to you? Don't you see what you have done by giving your son the shock you did?" To that the father could only reply, "Yes, sir."
He said he had accepted the position of Vicar of Huddersfield but admitted it was "a very keen disappointment after the past eight years of struggle during which we have been deprived of a church in which to worship, not to remain at St. Helens until the new church was opened. However, it is fair to say that the great scheme is potentially complete." Parish church services since 1916 had taken place in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall.
On the 21st at a meeting of the council's Highways Committee, the Borough Engineer said that the reconstruction of Redgate Bridge would soon be under way. A much wider bridge with a span of 48 feet was needed to cope with tramway tracks, carriageways and footways in both directions. The committee also heard that terms had been agreed with the Marquis of Salisbury for the land needed for the reconstruction of Lowfield Lane from Elton Head Road to Lea Green Road. The new road would be 60 feet wide and the old highway would be closed.
The Parks and Cemetery Committee also met on the 21st and heard that a Corporation scheme for the draining of the cemetery down to Rainford Road would begin on the 23rd of this month. A number of unemployed men would be given work.
Fires in St Helens in the 19th century were not very common. That was why the fire brigade was mainly composed of policemen, as they could take time off from their policing duties whenever the fire bell at the Town Hall was rung. But once electricity and motor cars became more widespread, so electrical and petrol-fuelled fires became a problem, particularly as many buildings in the town were made of wood.
On the 23rd the St Helens Reporter described how there had been a big blaze at Atherton’s garage in Marshalls Cross caused by an overheating stove. The building had been wooden with a tar-felted roof and inside had been a Ford lorry whose tank contained eight gallons of petrol and was soon ablaze. By the time the Fire Brigade reached the scene, the shed was an inferno and so they concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings that contained hens and other fowl. The garage was completely burnt out and was not insured, although the destroyed lorry had been.
Also on the 23rd, a whist drive and dance was held in Rainford Village Hall to raise funds for the "old people" of the village.
The Police Aided Scheme for Clothing Destitute Children was more commonly known in St Helens as the Clog and Stocking Fund. Since its launch in 1912 it had clothed thousands of youngsters in the town, mainly by providing clogs and socks, although other articles of clothing, such as shirts or trousers, would be given if needed.
This week the Chief Constable of St Helens, Arthur Ellerington, issued his annual report on the scheme. The police were responsible for its administration, although the funding came from public donations and referrals came mainly from professional folk, such as teachers, nurses and the NSPCC.
But what was striking from Ellerington's report was the number of referrals that were rejected and the main reason given. During 1924 a total of 721 children were reported as needing help with their clothing but only 506 qualified for assistance. Of those applicants who were rejected, the report said:
"155 applications were not entertained as inquiries showed that their parents or guardians were temporarily distressed owing to conditions arising from trade depression, and they were not cases of irretrievable destitution, for which the fund is intended to supply relief."
Just how the police were able to come to such judgements was not explained but, presumably, the parents of those that qualified for the scheme were disabled or in some other way unable to work. It does explain why throughout the scheme's life there were still many reports of children in St Helens walking about in bare feet, something that had long puzzled me.
The Chief Constable did state in his report that since it began in 1912, the scheme had helped almost 10,000 children in St Helens. The clothing dished out included 8,216 pairs of clogs, 78 pairs of boots, 40 pairs of slippers, over 7,000 pairs of stockings, 1,157 jackets, 1,700 frocks, 1,900 pairs of trousers and 700 undergarments.
During the mid to late 1920s and during the 1930s, there was a noticeable rise in prosecutions for so-called "Peeping Tom" offences. Why, I'm not exactly sure, although watching courting couples was free entertainment for those out of work. But when John Rhind from Morgan Street in Parr appeared in St Helens Police Court this week it was stated that he did have a job.
Voyeurism was not a criminal offence and so in Peeping Tom cases offenders were usually charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. That was the charge that Rhind faced and PC Silk told the court how at 9 pm on Tuesday 4th he had been on plain-clothes duty with PC Johnson in the grounds of Windle House in Speakman Road.
They had found John Rhind on his hands and knees seemingly watching courting couples through holes in some boards. But in court his solicitor stated that the young man was a married cross-country runner out training and in the end the Bench decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the charge.
Since Boxing Day the Theatre Royal had firmly been in panto mode with weekly performances of Red Riding Hood, followed by Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington and from the 26th it was the turn of Cinderella. Their advert in the Reporter claimed a cast of "50 London Star Artistes" with "specialities" by Eddie Walker who was described as "Uncle Eddie from the Isle of Man".
The Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street also changed its programme on the 26th with its acts including: Kumming & Dini ("Pot Pouri pianing, singing, violing & fooling"); Tom Fagan ("Card manipulator"); Enderby ("Novelty ventriloquist"); Dick & Eddie ("Comedy equilibrists"); Arley & Alys ("Famous comedy jugglers") and Davis & Hunt ("Vocalists and dancers").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include another "Suicide Corner" court case, the packed out Theatre Royal for a play on the British Empire, a breach of promise court case and the plans for a combined May Queen crowning and horse show.
This week's many stories include the children in need that failed to qualify for the clog and stocking fund, the Vicar of St Helens shocks his Parochial Council, the Marshalls Cross garage fire, the creation of modern-day Lowfield Lane, the man accused of being a Peeping Tom in Speakman Road, an update on the bowling greens planned for Victoria Park and the new tennis courts proposed for Sutton Park.
It was not uncommon for young single men living at home to protect their mother from an abusive husband.
On the 20th at the inquest on John Daton from Gladstone Street it was revealed that the 20-year-old colliery haulage hand had intervened in a row between his parents – and then collapsed and died.
Whether his father was in the habit of beating his mother was not stated. But when John had gone between the pair he had said to his father "Don't hit my mam; hit me, dad."
At that point John appeared to faint into his father's arms and complained that he could not get his breath.
But by the time a doctor arrived the young man was declared dead. Dr Reid gave evidence of conducting a post-mortem on the young man and finding both of his lungs to be acutely congested.
Death, he said, was caused by heart failure accelerated by the excitement of the moment.
Coroners could be quite blunt with grieving relatives of the deceased. And after hearing the details of the case the coroner Frederick Jones said to John Daton Snr:
"Well, are you going to let it be a lesson to you? Don't you see what you have done by giving your son the shock you did?" To that the father could only reply, "Yes, sir."
The Rev. Canon Albert Baines, the Vicar of St Helens, had in December 1916 suffered the indignity of having his church burn down (pictured above).
However, a new building was rising from its ashes and completion was expected before long.
And so on the 20th at a meeting of his Parochial Council, its members must have been shocked to learn that Canon Baines was leaving the parish.
He said he had accepted the position of Vicar of Huddersfield but admitted it was "a very keen disappointment after the past eight years of struggle during which we have been deprived of a church in which to worship, not to remain at St. Helens until the new church was opened. However, it is fair to say that the great scheme is potentially complete."
Parish church services since 1916 had taken place in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall.
On the 21st at a meeting of the council's Highways Committee, the Borough Engineer said that the reconstruction of Redgate Bridge would soon be under way.
A much wider bridge with a span of 48 feet was needed to cope with tramway tracks, carriageways and footways in both directions.
The committee also heard that terms had been agreed with the Marquis of Salisbury for the land needed for the reconstruction of Lowfield Lane from Elton Head Road to Lea Green Road.
The new road would be 60 feet wide and the old highway would be closed.
The Parks and Cemetery Committee also met on the 21st and heard that a Corporation scheme for the draining of the cemetery down to Rainford Road would begin on the 23rd of this month. A number of unemployed men would be given work.
An update was also given on the work planned for Victoria Park and Sutton Park. Two bowling greens were being laid at Victoria Park and one was almost completed.
When the second green had been finished the men would go on to Sutton Park (pictured above) to install tennis courts.
The bowling greens would require grass seeding but would be ready in time for the summer, when it was expected that the new tennis courts would also be fit to use.
Fires in St Helens in the 19th century were not very common. That was why the fire brigade was mainly composed of policemen, as they could take time off from their policing duties whenever the fire bell at the Town Hall was rung.
But once electricity and motor cars became more widespread, so electrical and petrol-fuelled fires became a problem, particularly as many buildings in the town were made of wood.
On the 23rd the St Helens Reporter described how there had been a big blaze at Atherton’s garage in Marshalls Cross caused by a stove that had overheated.
The building had been wooden with a tar-felted roof and inside had been a Ford lorry whose tank contained eight gallons of petrol and was soon ablaze.
By the time the Fire Brigade reached the scene, the shed was an inferno and so they concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings that contained hens and other fowl.
The garage was completely burnt out and was not insured, although the destroyed lorry had been.
Also on the 23rd, a whist drive and dance was held in Rainford Village Hall to raise funds for the "old people" of the village.
The Police Aided Scheme for Clothing Destitute Children was more commonly known in St Helens as the Clog and Stocking Fund.
Since its launch in 1912 it had clothed thousands of youngsters in the town, mainly by providing clogs and socks, although other articles of clothing, such as shirts or trousers, would be given if needed.
This week the Chief Constable of St Helens, Arthur Ellerington, issued his annual report on the scheme.
The police were responsible for its administration, although the funding came from public donations and referrals came mainly from professional folk, such as teachers, nurses and the NSPCC.
But what was striking from Ellerington's report was the number of referrals that were rejected and the main reason given.
During 1924 a total of 721 children were reported as needing help with their clothing but only 506 qualified for assistance. Of those applicants who were rejected, the report said:
"155 applications were not entertained as inquiries showed that their parents or guardians were temporarily distressed owing to conditions arising from trade depression, and they were not cases of irretrievable destitution, for which the fund is intended to supply relief."
Just how the police were able to come to such judgements was not explained but, presumably, the parents of those that qualified for the scheme were disabled or in some other way unable to work.
It does explain why throughout the scheme's life there were still many reports of children in St Helens walking about in bare feet, something that had long puzzled me.
The Chief Constable did state in his report that since it began in 1912, the scheme had helped almost 10,000 children in St Helens.
The clothing dished out included 8,216 pairs of clogs, 78 pairs of boots, 40 pairs of slippers, over 7,000 pairs of stockings, 1,157 jackets, 1,700 frocks, 1,900 pairs of trousers and 700 undergarments.
During the mid to late 1920s and during the 1930s, there was a noticeable rise in prosecutions for so-called "Peeping Tom" offences.
Why, I'm not exactly sure, although watching courting couples was free entertainment for those out of work.
But when John Rhind from Morgan Street in Parr appeared in St Helens Police Court this week it was stated that he did have a job.
Voyeurism was not a criminal offence and so in Peeping Tom cases offenders were usually charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
That was the charge that Rhind faced and PC Silk told the court how at 9 pm on Tuesday 4th he had been on plain-clothes duty with PC Johnson in the grounds of Windle House in Speakman Road.
They had found John Rhind on his hands and knees seemingly watching courting couples through holes in some boards.
But in court his solicitor stated that the young man was a married cross-country runner out training and in the end the Bench decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the charge.
Since Boxing Day the Theatre Royal had firmly been in panto mode with weekly performances of Red Riding Hood, followed by Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington and from the 26th it was the turn of Cinderella.
Their advert in the Reporter claimed a cast of "50 London Star Artistes" with "specialities" by Eddie Walker who was described as "Uncle Eddie from the Isle of Man".
The Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street also changed its programme on the 26th with its acts including:
Kumming & Dini ("Pot Pouri pianing, singing, violing & fooling"); Tom Fagan ("Card manipulator"); Enderby ("Novelty ventriloquist"); Dick & Eddie ("Comedy equilibrists"); Arley & Alys ("Famous comedy jugglers") and Davis & Hunt ("Vocalists and dancers").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include another "Suicide Corner" court case, the packed out Theatre Royal for a play on the British Empire, a breach of promise court case and the plans for a combined May Queen crowning and horse show.
It was not uncommon for young single men living at home to protect their mother from an abusive husband.
On the 20th at the inquest on John Daton from Gladstone Street it was revealed that the 20-year-old colliery haulage hand had intervened in a row between his parents – and then collapsed and died.
Whether his father was in the habit of beating his mother was not stated. But when John had gone between the pair he had said to his father "Don't hit my mam; hit me, dad."
At that point John appeared to faint into his father's arms and complained that he could not get his breath.
But by the time a doctor arrived the young man was declared dead. Dr Reid gave evidence of conducting a post-mortem on the young man and finding both of his lungs to be acutely congested.
Death, he said, was caused by heart failure accelerated by the excitement of the moment.
Coroners could be quite blunt with grieving relatives of the deceased. And after hearing the details of the case the coroner Frederick Jones said to John Daton Snr:
"Well, are you going to let it be a lesson to you? Don't you see what you have done by giving your son the shock you did?" To that the father could only reply, "Yes, sir."
However, a new building was rising from its ashes and completion was expected before long.
And so on the 20th at a meeting of his Parochial Council, its members must have been shocked to learn that Canon Baines was leaving the parish.
He said he had accepted the position of Vicar of Huddersfield but admitted it was "a very keen disappointment after the past eight years of struggle during which we have been deprived of a church in which to worship, not to remain at St. Helens until the new church was opened. However, it is fair to say that the great scheme is potentially complete."
Parish church services since 1916 had taken place in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall.
On the 21st at a meeting of the council's Highways Committee, the Borough Engineer said that the reconstruction of Redgate Bridge would soon be under way.
A much wider bridge with a span of 48 feet was needed to cope with tramway tracks, carriageways and footways in both directions.
The committee also heard that terms had been agreed with the Marquis of Salisbury for the land needed for the reconstruction of Lowfield Lane from Elton Head Road to Lea Green Road.
The new road would be 60 feet wide and the old highway would be closed.
The Parks and Cemetery Committee also met on the 21st and heard that a Corporation scheme for the draining of the cemetery down to Rainford Road would begin on the 23rd of this month. A number of unemployed men would be given work.
An update was also given on the work planned for Victoria Park and Sutton Park. Two bowling greens were being laid at Victoria Park and one was almost completed.
The bowling greens would require grass seeding but would be ready in time for the summer, when it was expected that the new tennis courts would also be fit to use.
Fires in St Helens in the 19th century were not very common. That was why the fire brigade was mainly composed of policemen, as they could take time off from their policing duties whenever the fire bell at the Town Hall was rung.
But once electricity and motor cars became more widespread, so electrical and petrol-fuelled fires became a problem, particularly as many buildings in the town were made of wood.
On the 23rd the St Helens Reporter described how there had been a big blaze at Atherton’s garage in Marshalls Cross caused by a stove that had overheated.
The building had been wooden with a tar-felted roof and inside had been a Ford lorry whose tank contained eight gallons of petrol and was soon ablaze.
By the time the Fire Brigade reached the scene, the shed was an inferno and so they concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings that contained hens and other fowl.
The garage was completely burnt out and was not insured, although the destroyed lorry had been.
Also on the 23rd, a whist drive and dance was held in Rainford Village Hall to raise funds for the "old people" of the village.
The Police Aided Scheme for Clothing Destitute Children was more commonly known in St Helens as the Clog and Stocking Fund.
Since its launch in 1912 it had clothed thousands of youngsters in the town, mainly by providing clogs and socks, although other articles of clothing, such as shirts or trousers, would be given if needed.
This week the Chief Constable of St Helens, Arthur Ellerington, issued his annual report on the scheme.
The police were responsible for its administration, although the funding came from public donations and referrals came mainly from professional folk, such as teachers, nurses and the NSPCC.
But what was striking from Ellerington's report was the number of referrals that were rejected and the main reason given.
During 1924 a total of 721 children were reported as needing help with their clothing but only 506 qualified for assistance. Of those applicants who were rejected, the report said:
"155 applications were not entertained as inquiries showed that their parents or guardians were temporarily distressed owing to conditions arising from trade depression, and they were not cases of irretrievable destitution, for which the fund is intended to supply relief."
Just how the police were able to come to such judgements was not explained but, presumably, the parents of those that qualified for the scheme were disabled or in some other way unable to work.
It does explain why throughout the scheme's life there were still many reports of children in St Helens walking about in bare feet, something that had long puzzled me.
The Chief Constable did state in his report that since it began in 1912, the scheme had helped almost 10,000 children in St Helens.
The clothing dished out included 8,216 pairs of clogs, 78 pairs of boots, 40 pairs of slippers, over 7,000 pairs of stockings, 1,157 jackets, 1,700 frocks, 1,900 pairs of trousers and 700 undergarments.
During the mid to late 1920s and during the 1930s, there was a noticeable rise in prosecutions for so-called "Peeping Tom" offences.
Why, I'm not exactly sure, although watching courting couples was free entertainment for those out of work.
But when John Rhind from Morgan Street in Parr appeared in St Helens Police Court this week it was stated that he did have a job.
Voyeurism was not a criminal offence and so in Peeping Tom cases offenders were usually charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
That was the charge that Rhind faced and PC Silk told the court how at 9 pm on Tuesday 4th he had been on plain-clothes duty with PC Johnson in the grounds of Windle House in Speakman Road.
They had found John Rhind on his hands and knees seemingly watching courting couples through holes in some boards.
But in court his solicitor stated that the young man was a married cross-country runner out training and in the end the Bench decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the charge.
Since Boxing Day the Theatre Royal had firmly been in panto mode with weekly performances of Red Riding Hood, followed by Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington and from the 26th it was the turn of Cinderella.
Their advert in the Reporter claimed a cast of "50 London Star Artistes" with "specialities" by Eddie Walker who was described as "Uncle Eddie from the Isle of Man".
The Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street also changed its programme on the 26th with its acts including:
Kumming & Dini ("Pot Pouri pianing, singing, violing & fooling"); Tom Fagan ("Card manipulator"); Enderby ("Novelty ventriloquist"); Dick & Eddie ("Comedy equilibrists"); Arley & Alys ("Famous comedy jugglers") and Davis & Hunt ("Vocalists and dancers").
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include another "Suicide Corner" court case, the packed out Theatre Royal for a play on the British Empire, a breach of promise court case and the plans for a combined May Queen crowning and horse show.