IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (24th - 30th JANUARY 1922)
This week's many stories include the fury over plans for market stalls in Tontine Street, the Rainford man who couldn't get up in the morning returns to court, the Bridge Street butcher's free pigs, a veteran Thatto Heath poacher calls it a day and the dilemma over cold trams – when does ventilation become a draught?
Both of the town's theatres were in panto mode again this week. Earlier this month the Hippodrome had abandoned its usual music hall entertainment for performances of 'Cinderella'. And this week it was 'Jack and the Beanstalk’, with much of the comedy aspect provided by Gulliver's Troupe of Pantomimists and Giants. There was also Lottie Stone's Troupe Of Dancers.
The same panto had appeared last week in Liverpool at the Rotunda. That was the huge music hall on the corner of Scotland Road and Stanley Road, which was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. The Echo wrote: "Messrs. Jason and Montgomery's “Jack and the Beanstalk” is one of the best of their touring pantos, and in it, at the Rotunda, Tom Gott, Freddie Frome, Sadie Morris, and Elsie Maynard make merry with song, dance and story. Gulliver's troupe of pantomimists and giants ably help to make the seven scenes a riot of fun, colour, and music." The Theatre Royal had presented 'Little Miss Muffet' a few weeks ago and they returned to the nursery rhyme panto theme this week with 'Little Jack Horner'.
On the 24th, James Wilson from Bunker's Hill near Mossborough Road in Rainford returned to court. Two weeks earlier the young father had appeared in St Helens County Police Court charged with neglecting his children. The prosecutor told the magistrates: "During the last two years defendant has only worked eight months, and the greater part of his time he has spent in bed, smoking cigarettes." Witnesses described the 22-year-old as lazy but the magistrates decided to give James another chance.
However, they warned him that he would be severely dealt with if brought before them again. Well, a fortnight was all it took for a reprise in court and what took place the Reporter called a "spicy little comedy". The NSPCC brought the prosecution and told the Bench that, if anything, Wilson's conduct had worsened. Not that he was behaving badly by drinking heavily or beating his wife – he simply would not get out of bed.
An aunt in Kirkby had given him a job but he had only worked and been paid for half the available hours. As a result it was claimed that his wife and children had been "without food and fire" on a couple of occasions. The Reporter's account of the prosecution said: "Defendant had been roused in the mornings many times, but he just turned over, spoke to his wife about calling him and went off to sleep again. He stayed in bed till dinner-time. If he had any money he got cigarettes, which he smoked in bed and threw the ends all over the floor, and the match ends as well." Mrs Wilson also added that her husband did not always wash himself.
A fortnight earlier the young man had little to say in court – but that was not the case on this occasion. In a lengthy defence, Wilson blamed his wife for not trying hard enough to rouse him in the morning – and his aunt said that when he stayed overnight with her, she had no difficulty in getting him up. The promise of being severely dealt with failed to materialise and the hearing did have its comic side with the Bench and Clerk to the court recommending buying an alarm clock and going to bed at an earlier hour. The NSPCC's claim of child neglect appeared to have been forgotten as the man made promises to get up in the morning and his case was remanded until March to see if he would keep his word.
It's funny how history repeats itself. Currently Arriva buses in St Helens are displaying this notice: “Please leave this window open. Layers on to stay warm, windows open to keep everyone COVID-19 safe.” Exactly 100 years ago there was a similar instruction being issued for trams, which the council's Health Committee discussed at their meeting on the 25th.
Cllr. Rudd, who was also the chairman of the Tramways Committee, demanded to know who had given orders to his Tramway Manager to ventilate Corporation tramcars? The town's Medical Officer of Health replied that he had simply asked that during the present influenza epidemic that trams be properly ventilated. Cllr. Rudd responded that passengers over the weekend had been much aggrieved at having to put up with draughts during a spell of very cold weather.
However, the Reporter thought the health benefits of a slight breeze outweighed the inconvenience, writing: "When you ride in the St. Helens tramcars these arctic days and feel the breezes whistling round your ears, be sure that it is all to the good, and it is a wise dispensation which orders that it should be so. The point is, wouldn’t you rather have your ear-tips frozen and your nose coloured a bluish-red than inhale with every breath of the stuffy atmosphere of a tramcar, myriads of influenza germs, probably much to your subsequent discomfiture?"
It was, however, pointed out at the committee meeting that the latest Ministry of Health guidance over the flu epidemic including avoiding cold draughts – as well as encouraging ventilation. So at what point does ventilation become a draught? The conundrum was left unanswered! The Health Committee were also told that St Helens was planning to appoint a female assistant medical officer of health.
Also on the 25th, an old poacher announced his retirement. John Foster from Springfield Road in Thatto Heath appeared in court for the sixteenth time charged with poaching offences but told the Bench he was getting too long in the tooth: "It is twelve years since I was up afore," he said, "It will be my last. I will ne’er go out again so long as I live. I am in lodgings and wanted a bit of meat. That caused me to go out. I am going on 64-years-old, and I think my days are finished for poaching."
The police had stopped the unemployed miner with his friend Harry Taylor of Leicester Street at 4am while the pair were in Nutgrove. An inspection of the bags on their backs revealed a total of nine rabbits that they'd caught on land belonging to Lord Derby. Seven of the rabbits were still alive. Foster was fined 50 shillings and Taylor 30 shillings, with 14 days in prison the alternative sentence if in default.
I don't think Eastman's advert in the Reporter on the 27th would be allowed today. "Special Announcement – We Are Giving Pigs Away, Commencing To-day Friday", said the headline. However, the rest of the Bridge Street butcher's ad simply suggested that their high quality meat was being offered at the lowest price in town – and it seems that customers could not simply walk out of their shop carrying (or even leading) a free pig! I wonder if anybody showed up demanding one? Knowing St Helens folk, I expect some did. But knowing St Helens butchers, pigs would fly before they gave them away!
I expect Eastman’s were among the many traders up in arms over council plans to extend the market into Tontine Street. The Reporter described had market stall holders and other retailers had sent a petition to the council's Public Buildings and Trades Committee, which read: "We make the strongest possible protest against the proposal of your committee to use the vacant land in Tontine-street for general market purposes." That was because they felt itinerant traders that travelled from town to town would pitch their stalls there on market days and provide unfair competition to shopkeepers and permanent market traders who paid "heavy rents and rates".
Uncle Ben in this week's Children's Reporter wrote about the weather: "My Dear Nephews and Nieces, During the past week you must have had a wretched time going to and from school. Frost, snow, rain – what a mixture! I do hope that you are none the worse for it – no colds, or coughs, or anything more serious. I have not enjoyed myself at all walking along the roads, especially when the rain came, as it made everywhere so dirty that, as a motor passed, anyone walking along got a mud bath. I got several!"
However, some of the boys living at Pilkington's hostel in Ravenhead did enjoy the snow – until the police arrested them. There were 150 to 200 lads employed at the glass firm that lived at the hostel with many of them orphans or having come from troubled backgrounds – with some having been in reformatories. The facilities available to the youngsters were impressive and it even had its own recreation and billiard rooms, as well as a gymnasium. However, you can't beat chucking snowballs when you are young – although the attraction diminishes as you age!
On the 27th William Windle and James Drinnan appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with throwing snowballs at gas lamps in Ravenhead Road. Both boys denied the charge, although they admitted breaking a lamp each. However, they claimed their intentions had been to hit the lampposts and not to break the lamps. An employee of the gas works gave evidence that many lamps had been damaged in Ravenhead Road during that same evening, each costing several shillings to repair. Both boys were fined five shillings and costs and no doubt hoped their convictions would not effect their employment with Pilks and accommodation in the hostel.
On the 27th a war memorial tablet in aid of the old boys of Higher Elementary School and Higher Grade School of North Road was unveiled. The Reporter said the ceremony was one of "impressive character".
Apparently the international language of Esperanto is still spoken today by people living in more than 100 countries. During the afternoon of the 28th, the recently revived St Helens Esperanto Society held a conference in the Town Hall and in the evening a public meeting took place in the Cooperative Hall. On both occasions the Mayor of St Helens was in attendance to provide official sanction and it was reported that there had been great interest in the teaching and learning of Esperanto.
Sunday performances were not permitted in the cinemas and theatres of St Helens – although so-called "sacred" concerts were allowed. So, on the 29th, the St Helens Orchestral Society performed a grand sacred concert in the Theatre Royal conducted by barber George Groves (pictured above), who had founded the ensemble. In less than two years' time, George's son of the same name would sail to America and in 1927 become the first sound recordist in movie history when he recorded 'The Jazz Singer'. The concert at the Theatre Royal was in aid of the RSPCA and £60 was raised.
And finally, Frank Manford from Merton Road appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 30th charged with being drunk and incapable. PC Holland told the court that he had found the labourer lying on his back in Newton Road at 1am without coat, boots or socks. He was so drunk that when placed upon his feet he was unable to remain upright. Manford was fined 5 shillings.
Next week's stories will include the deplorable state of the streets in Sutton, the Higher Parr Street man who turned his wife and baby out into the street, St Helens' families sad pilgrimage to war heroes' graves and a boy's unusual excuse for stealing coal.
Both of the town's theatres were in panto mode again this week. Earlier this month the Hippodrome had abandoned its usual music hall entertainment for performances of 'Cinderella'. And this week it was 'Jack and the Beanstalk’, with much of the comedy aspect provided by Gulliver's Troupe of Pantomimists and Giants. There was also Lottie Stone's Troupe Of Dancers.
The same panto had appeared last week in Liverpool at the Rotunda. That was the huge music hall on the corner of Scotland Road and Stanley Road, which was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. The Echo wrote: "Messrs. Jason and Montgomery's “Jack and the Beanstalk” is one of the best of their touring pantos, and in it, at the Rotunda, Tom Gott, Freddie Frome, Sadie Morris, and Elsie Maynard make merry with song, dance and story. Gulliver's troupe of pantomimists and giants ably help to make the seven scenes a riot of fun, colour, and music." The Theatre Royal had presented 'Little Miss Muffet' a few weeks ago and they returned to the nursery rhyme panto theme this week with 'Little Jack Horner'.
On the 24th, James Wilson from Bunker's Hill near Mossborough Road in Rainford returned to court. Two weeks earlier the young father had appeared in St Helens County Police Court charged with neglecting his children. The prosecutor told the magistrates: "During the last two years defendant has only worked eight months, and the greater part of his time he has spent in bed, smoking cigarettes." Witnesses described the 22-year-old as lazy but the magistrates decided to give James another chance.
However, they warned him that he would be severely dealt with if brought before them again. Well, a fortnight was all it took for a reprise in court and what took place the Reporter called a "spicy little comedy". The NSPCC brought the prosecution and told the Bench that, if anything, Wilson's conduct had worsened. Not that he was behaving badly by drinking heavily or beating his wife – he simply would not get out of bed.
An aunt in Kirkby had given him a job but he had only worked and been paid for half the available hours. As a result it was claimed that his wife and children had been "without food and fire" on a couple of occasions. The Reporter's account of the prosecution said: "Defendant had been roused in the mornings many times, but he just turned over, spoke to his wife about calling him and went off to sleep again. He stayed in bed till dinner-time. If he had any money he got cigarettes, which he smoked in bed and threw the ends all over the floor, and the match ends as well." Mrs Wilson also added that her husband did not always wash himself.
A fortnight earlier the young man had little to say in court – but that was not the case on this occasion. In a lengthy defence, Wilson blamed his wife for not trying hard enough to rouse him in the morning – and his aunt said that when he stayed overnight with her, she had no difficulty in getting him up. The promise of being severely dealt with failed to materialise and the hearing did have its comic side with the Bench and Clerk to the court recommending buying an alarm clock and going to bed at an earlier hour. The NSPCC's claim of child neglect appeared to have been forgotten as the man made promises to get up in the morning and his case was remanded until March to see if he would keep his word.
Cllr. Rudd, who was also the chairman of the Tramways Committee, demanded to know who had given orders to his Tramway Manager to ventilate Corporation tramcars? The town's Medical Officer of Health replied that he had simply asked that during the present influenza epidemic that trams be properly ventilated. Cllr. Rudd responded that passengers over the weekend had been much aggrieved at having to put up with draughts during a spell of very cold weather.
However, the Reporter thought the health benefits of a slight breeze outweighed the inconvenience, writing: "When you ride in the St. Helens tramcars these arctic days and feel the breezes whistling round your ears, be sure that it is all to the good, and it is a wise dispensation which orders that it should be so. The point is, wouldn’t you rather have your ear-tips frozen and your nose coloured a bluish-red than inhale with every breath of the stuffy atmosphere of a tramcar, myriads of influenza germs, probably much to your subsequent discomfiture?"
It was, however, pointed out at the committee meeting that the latest Ministry of Health guidance over the flu epidemic including avoiding cold draughts – as well as encouraging ventilation. So at what point does ventilation become a draught? The conundrum was left unanswered! The Health Committee were also told that St Helens was planning to appoint a female assistant medical officer of health.
Also on the 25th, an old poacher announced his retirement. John Foster from Springfield Road in Thatto Heath appeared in court for the sixteenth time charged with poaching offences but told the Bench he was getting too long in the tooth: "It is twelve years since I was up afore," he said, "It will be my last. I will ne’er go out again so long as I live. I am in lodgings and wanted a bit of meat. That caused me to go out. I am going on 64-years-old, and I think my days are finished for poaching."
The police had stopped the unemployed miner with his friend Harry Taylor of Leicester Street at 4am while the pair were in Nutgrove. An inspection of the bags on their backs revealed a total of nine rabbits that they'd caught on land belonging to Lord Derby. Seven of the rabbits were still alive. Foster was fined 50 shillings and Taylor 30 shillings, with 14 days in prison the alternative sentence if in default.
I don't think Eastman's advert in the Reporter on the 27th would be allowed today. "Special Announcement – We Are Giving Pigs Away, Commencing To-day Friday", said the headline. However, the rest of the Bridge Street butcher's ad simply suggested that their high quality meat was being offered at the lowest price in town – and it seems that customers could not simply walk out of their shop carrying (or even leading) a free pig! I wonder if anybody showed up demanding one? Knowing St Helens folk, I expect some did. But knowing St Helens butchers, pigs would fly before they gave them away!
I expect Eastman’s were among the many traders up in arms over council plans to extend the market into Tontine Street. The Reporter described had market stall holders and other retailers had sent a petition to the council's Public Buildings and Trades Committee, which read: "We make the strongest possible protest against the proposal of your committee to use the vacant land in Tontine-street for general market purposes." That was because they felt itinerant traders that travelled from town to town would pitch their stalls there on market days and provide unfair competition to shopkeepers and permanent market traders who paid "heavy rents and rates".
Uncle Ben in this week's Children's Reporter wrote about the weather: "My Dear Nephews and Nieces, During the past week you must have had a wretched time going to and from school. Frost, snow, rain – what a mixture! I do hope that you are none the worse for it – no colds, or coughs, or anything more serious. I have not enjoyed myself at all walking along the roads, especially when the rain came, as it made everywhere so dirty that, as a motor passed, anyone walking along got a mud bath. I got several!"
However, some of the boys living at Pilkington's hostel in Ravenhead did enjoy the snow – until the police arrested them. There were 150 to 200 lads employed at the glass firm that lived at the hostel with many of them orphans or having come from troubled backgrounds – with some having been in reformatories. The facilities available to the youngsters were impressive and it even had its own recreation and billiard rooms, as well as a gymnasium. However, you can't beat chucking snowballs when you are young – although the attraction diminishes as you age!
On the 27th William Windle and James Drinnan appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with throwing snowballs at gas lamps in Ravenhead Road. Both boys denied the charge, although they admitted breaking a lamp each. However, they claimed their intentions had been to hit the lampposts and not to break the lamps. An employee of the gas works gave evidence that many lamps had been damaged in Ravenhead Road during that same evening, each costing several shillings to repair. Both boys were fined five shillings and costs and no doubt hoped their convictions would not effect their employment with Pilks and accommodation in the hostel.
On the 27th a war memorial tablet in aid of the old boys of Higher Elementary School and Higher Grade School of North Road was unveiled. The Reporter said the ceremony was one of "impressive character".
Apparently the international language of Esperanto is still spoken today by people living in more than 100 countries. During the afternoon of the 28th, the recently revived St Helens Esperanto Society held a conference in the Town Hall and in the evening a public meeting took place in the Cooperative Hall. On both occasions the Mayor of St Helens was in attendance to provide official sanction and it was reported that there had been great interest in the teaching and learning of Esperanto.
And finally, Frank Manford from Merton Road appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 30th charged with being drunk and incapable. PC Holland told the court that he had found the labourer lying on his back in Newton Road at 1am without coat, boots or socks. He was so drunk that when placed upon his feet he was unable to remain upright. Manford was fined 5 shillings.
Next week's stories will include the deplorable state of the streets in Sutton, the Higher Parr Street man who turned his wife and baby out into the street, St Helens' families sad pilgrimage to war heroes' graves and a boy's unusual excuse for stealing coal.
This week's many stories include the fury over plans for market stalls in Tontine Street, the Rainford man who couldn't get up in the morning returns to court, the Bridge Street butcher's free pigs, a veteran Thatto Heath poacher calls it a day and the dilemma over cold trams – when does ventilation become a draught?
Both of the town's theatres were in panto mode again this week. Earlier this month the Hippodrome had abandoned its usual music hall entertainment for performances of 'Cinderella'.
And this week it was 'Jack and the Beanstalk’, with much of the comedy aspect provided by Gulliver's Troupe of Pantomimists and Giants. There was also Lottie Stone's Troupe Of Dancers.
The same panto had appeared last week in Liverpool at the Rotunda. That was the huge music hall on the corner of Scotland Road and Stanley Road, which was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. The Echo wrote:
"Messrs. Jason and Montgomery's “Jack and the Beanstalk” is one of the best of their touring pantos, and in it, at the Rotunda, Tom Gott, Freddie Frome, Sadie Morris, and Elsie Maynard make merry with song, dance and story. Gulliver's troupe of pantomimists and giants ably help to make the seven scenes a riot of fun, colour, and music."
The Theatre Royal had presented 'Little Miss Muffet' a few weeks ago and they returned to the nursery rhyme panto theme this week with 'Little Jack Horner'.
On the 24th, James Wilson from Bunker's Hill near Mossborough Road in Rainford returned to court.
Two weeks earlier the young father had appeared in St Helens County Police Court charged with neglecting his children. The prosecutor told the magistrates:
"During the last two years defendant has only worked eight months, and the greater part of his time he has spent in bed, smoking cigarettes."
Witnesses described the 22-year-old as lazy but the magistrates decided to give James another chance.
However, they warned him that he would be severely dealt with if brought before them again.
Well, a fortnight was all it took for a reprise in court and what took place the Reporter called a "spicy little comedy".
The NSPCC brought the prosecution and told the Bench that, if anything, Wilson's conduct had worsened.
Not that he was behaving badly by drinking heavily or beating his wife – he simply would not get out of bed.
An aunt in Kirkby had given him a job but he had only worked and been paid for half the available hours.
As a result it was claimed that his wife and children had been "without food and fire" on a couple of occasions.
The Reporter's account of the prosecution said:
"Defendant had been roused in the mornings many times, but he just turned over, spoke to his wife about calling him and went off to sleep again. He stayed in bed till dinner-time.
"If he had any money he got cigarettes, which he smoked in bed and threw the ends all over the floor, and the match ends as well."
Mrs Wilson also added that her husband did not always wash himself.
A fortnight earlier the young man had little to say in court – but that was not the case on this occasion.
In a lengthy defence, Wilson blamed his wife for not trying hard enough to rouse him in the morning – and his aunt said that when he stayed overnight with her, she had no difficulty in getting him up.
The promise of being severely dealt with failed to materialise and the hearing did have its comic side with the Bench and Clerk to the court recommending buying an alarm clock and going to bed at an earlier hour.
The NSPCC's claim of child neglect appeared to have been forgotten as the man made promises to get up in the morning and his case was remanded until March to see if he would keep his word.
It’s funny how history repeats itself. Currently Arriva buses in St Helens are displaying this notice:
“Please leave this window open. Layers on to stay warm, windows open to keep everyone COVID-19 safe.”
Exactly 100 years ago there was a similar instruction being issued for trams, which the council's Health Committee discussed at their meeting on the 25th.
Cllr. Rudd, who was also the chairman of the Tramways Committee, demanded to know who had given orders to his Tramway Manager to ventilate Corporation tramcars?
The town's Medical Officer of Health replied that he had simply asked that during the present influenza epidemic that trams be properly ventilated.
Cllr. Rudd responded that passengers over the weekend had been much aggrieved at having to put up with draughts during a spell of very cold weather.
However, the Reporter thought the health benefits of a slight breeze outweighed the inconvenience, writing:
"When you ride in the St. Helens tramcars these arctic days and feel the breezes whistling round your ears, be sure that it is all to the good, and it is a wise dispensation which orders that it should be so.
"The point is, wouldn’t you rather have your ear-tips frozen and your nose coloured a bluish-red than inhale with every breath of the stuffy atmosphere of a tramcar, myriads of influenza germs, probably much to your subsequent discomfiture?"
It was, however, pointed out at the committee meeting that the latest Ministry of Health guidance over the flu epidemic including avoiding cold draughts – as well as encouraging ventilation. So at what point does ventilation become a draught? The conundrum was left unanswered at the meeting!
The Health Committee were also told that St Helens was planning to appoint a female assistant medical officer of health.
Also on the 25th, an old poacher announced his retirement. John Foster from Springfield Road in Thatto Heath appeared in court for the sixteenth time charged with poaching offences but told the Bench he was getting too long in the tooth:
"It is twelve years since I was up afore," he said, "It will be my last. I will ne’er go out again so long as I live. I am in lodgings and wanted a bit of meat. That caused me to go out. I am going on 64-years-old, and I think my days are finished for poaching."
The police had stopped the unemployed miner with his friend Harry Taylor of Leicester Street at 4am while the pair were in Nutgrove.
An inspection of the bags on their backs revealed a total of nine rabbits that they'd caught on land belonging to Lord Derby. Seven of the rabbits were still alive.
Foster was fined 50 shillings and Taylor 30 shillings, with 14 days in prison the alternative sentence if in default.
I don't think Eastman's advert in the Reporter on the 27th would be allowed today.
"Special Announcement – We Are Giving Pigs Away, Commencing To-day Friday", said the headline.
However, the rest of the Bridge Street butcher's ad simply suggested that their high quality meat was being offered at the lowest price in town – and it seems that customers could not simply walk out of their shop carrying (or even leading) a free pig!
I wonder if anybody showed up demanding one? Knowing St Helens folk, I expect some did. But knowing St Helens butchers, pigs would fly before they gave them away!
I expect Eastman’s were among the many traders up in arms over council plans to extend the market into Tontine Street.
The Reporter described had market stall holders and other retailers had sent a petition to the council's Public Buildings and Trades Committee, which read:
"We make the strongest possible protest against the proposal of your committee to use the vacant land in Tontine-street for general market purposes."
That was because they felt itinerant traders that travelled from town to town would pitch their stalls there on market days and provide unfair competition to shopkeepers and permanent market traders who paid "heavy rents and rates".
Uncle Ben in this week's Children's Reporter wrote about the weather:
"My Dear Nephews and Nieces, During the past week you must have had a wretched time going to and from school. Frost, snow, rain – what a mixture! I do hope that you are none the worse for it – no colds, or coughs, or anything more serious.
"I have not enjoyed myself at all walking along the roads, especially when the rain came, as it made everywhere so dirty that, as a motor passed, anyone walking along got a mud bath. I got several!"
However, some of the boys living at Pilkington's hostel in Ravenhead did enjoy the snow – until the police arrested them.
There were 150 to 200 lads employed at the glass firm that lived at the hostel with many of them orphans or having come from troubled backgrounds – with some having been in reformatories.
The facilities available to the youngsters were impressive and it even had its own recreation and billiard rooms, as well as a gymnasium.
However, you can't beat chucking snowballs when you are young – although the attraction diminishes as you age!
On the 27th William Windle and James Drinnan appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with throwing snowballs at gas lamps in Ravenhead Road.
Both boys denied the charge, although they admitted breaking a lamp each.
However, they claimed their intentions had been to hit the lampposts and not to break the lamps.
An employee of the gas works gave evidence that many lamps had been damaged in Ravenhead Road during that same evening, each costing several shillings to repair.
Both boys were fined five shillings and costs and no doubt hoped their convictions would not effect their employment with Pilks and accommodation in the hostel.
On the 27th a war memorial tablet in aid of the old boys of Higher Elementary School and Higher Grade School of North Road was unveiled. The Reporter said the ceremony was one of "impressive character".
Apparently the international language of Esperanto is still spoken today by people living in more than 100 countries.
During the afternoon of the 28th, the recently revived St Helens Esperanto Society held a conference in the Town Hall and in the evening a public meeting took place in the Cooperative Hall.
On both occasions the Mayor of St Helens was in attendance to provide official sanction and it was reported that there had been great interest in the teaching and learning of Esperanto.
Sunday performances were not permitted in the cinemas and theatres of St Helens – although so-called "sacred" concerts were allowed.
So, on the 29th, the St Helens Orchestral Society performed a grand sacred concert in the Theatre Royal conducted by barber George Groves (pictured above), who had founded the ensemble.
In less than two years' time, George's son of the same name would sail to America and in 1927 become the first sound recordist in movie history when he recorded 'The Jazz Singer'.
The concert at the Theatre Royal was in aid of the RSPCA and £60 was raised.
And finally, Frank Manford from Merton Road appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 30th charged with being drunk and incapable.
PC Holland told the court that he had found the labourer lying on his back in Newton Road at 1am without coat, boots or socks.
He was so drunk that when placed upon his feet he was unable to remain upright. Manford was fined 5 shillings.
Next week's stories will include the deplorable state of the streets in Sutton, the Higher Parr Street man who turned his wife and baby out into the street, St Helens' families sad pilgrimage to war heroes' graves and a boy's unusual excuse for stealing coal.
Both of the town's theatres were in panto mode again this week. Earlier this month the Hippodrome had abandoned its usual music hall entertainment for performances of 'Cinderella'.
And this week it was 'Jack and the Beanstalk’, with much of the comedy aspect provided by Gulliver's Troupe of Pantomimists and Giants. There was also Lottie Stone's Troupe Of Dancers.
The same panto had appeared last week in Liverpool at the Rotunda. That was the huge music hall on the corner of Scotland Road and Stanley Road, which was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940. The Echo wrote:
"Messrs. Jason and Montgomery's “Jack and the Beanstalk” is one of the best of their touring pantos, and in it, at the Rotunda, Tom Gott, Freddie Frome, Sadie Morris, and Elsie Maynard make merry with song, dance and story. Gulliver's troupe of pantomimists and giants ably help to make the seven scenes a riot of fun, colour, and music."
The Theatre Royal had presented 'Little Miss Muffet' a few weeks ago and they returned to the nursery rhyme panto theme this week with 'Little Jack Horner'.
On the 24th, James Wilson from Bunker's Hill near Mossborough Road in Rainford returned to court.
Two weeks earlier the young father had appeared in St Helens County Police Court charged with neglecting his children. The prosecutor told the magistrates:
"During the last two years defendant has only worked eight months, and the greater part of his time he has spent in bed, smoking cigarettes."
Witnesses described the 22-year-old as lazy but the magistrates decided to give James another chance.
However, they warned him that he would be severely dealt with if brought before them again.
Well, a fortnight was all it took for a reprise in court and what took place the Reporter called a "spicy little comedy".
The NSPCC brought the prosecution and told the Bench that, if anything, Wilson's conduct had worsened.
Not that he was behaving badly by drinking heavily or beating his wife – he simply would not get out of bed.
An aunt in Kirkby had given him a job but he had only worked and been paid for half the available hours.
As a result it was claimed that his wife and children had been "without food and fire" on a couple of occasions.
The Reporter's account of the prosecution said:
"Defendant had been roused in the mornings many times, but he just turned over, spoke to his wife about calling him and went off to sleep again. He stayed in bed till dinner-time.
"If he had any money he got cigarettes, which he smoked in bed and threw the ends all over the floor, and the match ends as well."
Mrs Wilson also added that her husband did not always wash himself.
A fortnight earlier the young man had little to say in court – but that was not the case on this occasion.
In a lengthy defence, Wilson blamed his wife for not trying hard enough to rouse him in the morning – and his aunt said that when he stayed overnight with her, she had no difficulty in getting him up.
The promise of being severely dealt with failed to materialise and the hearing did have its comic side with the Bench and Clerk to the court recommending buying an alarm clock and going to bed at an earlier hour.
The NSPCC's claim of child neglect appeared to have been forgotten as the man made promises to get up in the morning and his case was remanded until March to see if he would keep his word.
“Please leave this window open. Layers on to stay warm, windows open to keep everyone COVID-19 safe.”
Exactly 100 years ago there was a similar instruction being issued for trams, which the council's Health Committee discussed at their meeting on the 25th.
Cllr. Rudd, who was also the chairman of the Tramways Committee, demanded to know who had given orders to his Tramway Manager to ventilate Corporation tramcars?
The town's Medical Officer of Health replied that he had simply asked that during the present influenza epidemic that trams be properly ventilated.
Cllr. Rudd responded that passengers over the weekend had been much aggrieved at having to put up with draughts during a spell of very cold weather.
However, the Reporter thought the health benefits of a slight breeze outweighed the inconvenience, writing:
"When you ride in the St. Helens tramcars these arctic days and feel the breezes whistling round your ears, be sure that it is all to the good, and it is a wise dispensation which orders that it should be so.
"The point is, wouldn’t you rather have your ear-tips frozen and your nose coloured a bluish-red than inhale with every breath of the stuffy atmosphere of a tramcar, myriads of influenza germs, probably much to your subsequent discomfiture?"
It was, however, pointed out at the committee meeting that the latest Ministry of Health guidance over the flu epidemic including avoiding cold draughts – as well as encouraging ventilation. So at what point does ventilation become a draught? The conundrum was left unanswered at the meeting!
The Health Committee were also told that St Helens was planning to appoint a female assistant medical officer of health.
Also on the 25th, an old poacher announced his retirement. John Foster from Springfield Road in Thatto Heath appeared in court for the sixteenth time charged with poaching offences but told the Bench he was getting too long in the tooth:
"It is twelve years since I was up afore," he said, "It will be my last. I will ne’er go out again so long as I live. I am in lodgings and wanted a bit of meat. That caused me to go out. I am going on 64-years-old, and I think my days are finished for poaching."
The police had stopped the unemployed miner with his friend Harry Taylor of Leicester Street at 4am while the pair were in Nutgrove.
An inspection of the bags on their backs revealed a total of nine rabbits that they'd caught on land belonging to Lord Derby. Seven of the rabbits were still alive.
Foster was fined 50 shillings and Taylor 30 shillings, with 14 days in prison the alternative sentence if in default.
I don't think Eastman's advert in the Reporter on the 27th would be allowed today.
"Special Announcement – We Are Giving Pigs Away, Commencing To-day Friday", said the headline.
However, the rest of the Bridge Street butcher's ad simply suggested that their high quality meat was being offered at the lowest price in town – and it seems that customers could not simply walk out of their shop carrying (or even leading) a free pig!
I wonder if anybody showed up demanding one? Knowing St Helens folk, I expect some did. But knowing St Helens butchers, pigs would fly before they gave them away!
I expect Eastman’s were among the many traders up in arms over council plans to extend the market into Tontine Street.
The Reporter described had market stall holders and other retailers had sent a petition to the council's Public Buildings and Trades Committee, which read:
"We make the strongest possible protest against the proposal of your committee to use the vacant land in Tontine-street for general market purposes."
That was because they felt itinerant traders that travelled from town to town would pitch their stalls there on market days and provide unfair competition to shopkeepers and permanent market traders who paid "heavy rents and rates".
Uncle Ben in this week's Children's Reporter wrote about the weather:
"My Dear Nephews and Nieces, During the past week you must have had a wretched time going to and from school. Frost, snow, rain – what a mixture! I do hope that you are none the worse for it – no colds, or coughs, or anything more serious.
"I have not enjoyed myself at all walking along the roads, especially when the rain came, as it made everywhere so dirty that, as a motor passed, anyone walking along got a mud bath. I got several!"
However, some of the boys living at Pilkington's hostel in Ravenhead did enjoy the snow – until the police arrested them.
There were 150 to 200 lads employed at the glass firm that lived at the hostel with many of them orphans or having come from troubled backgrounds – with some having been in reformatories.
The facilities available to the youngsters were impressive and it even had its own recreation and billiard rooms, as well as a gymnasium.
However, you can't beat chucking snowballs when you are young – although the attraction diminishes as you age!
On the 27th William Windle and James Drinnan appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with throwing snowballs at gas lamps in Ravenhead Road.
Both boys denied the charge, although they admitted breaking a lamp each.
However, they claimed their intentions had been to hit the lampposts and not to break the lamps.
An employee of the gas works gave evidence that many lamps had been damaged in Ravenhead Road during that same evening, each costing several shillings to repair.
Both boys were fined five shillings and costs and no doubt hoped their convictions would not effect their employment with Pilks and accommodation in the hostel.
On the 27th a war memorial tablet in aid of the old boys of Higher Elementary School and Higher Grade School of North Road was unveiled. The Reporter said the ceremony was one of "impressive character".
Apparently the international language of Esperanto is still spoken today by people living in more than 100 countries.
During the afternoon of the 28th, the recently revived St Helens Esperanto Society held a conference in the Town Hall and in the evening a public meeting took place in the Cooperative Hall.
On both occasions the Mayor of St Helens was in attendance to provide official sanction and it was reported that there had been great interest in the teaching and learning of Esperanto.
Sunday performances were not permitted in the cinemas and theatres of St Helens – although so-called "sacred" concerts were allowed.
In less than two years' time, George's son of the same name would sail to America and in 1927 become the first sound recordist in movie history when he recorded 'The Jazz Singer'.
The concert at the Theatre Royal was in aid of the RSPCA and £60 was raised.
And finally, Frank Manford from Merton Road appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 30th charged with being drunk and incapable.
PC Holland told the court that he had found the labourer lying on his back in Newton Road at 1am without coat, boots or socks.
He was so drunk that when placed upon his feet he was unable to remain upright. Manford was fined 5 shillings.
Next week's stories will include the deplorable state of the streets in Sutton, the Higher Parr Street man who turned his wife and baby out into the street, St Helens' families sad pilgrimage to war heroes' graves and a boy's unusual excuse for stealing coal.