FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 6 - 12 OCTOBER 1975
This week's many stories include the staggering cost of vandalism in St Helens, the pony that got trapped in an Eccleston swimming pool, the demolition of Rainhill's eyesore, the huge number of stolen cars in St Helens and the residents of a Newton retirement home who lived in terror when youngsters went on the rampage.
On October 8th when Jean Neve was backing her car out of her driveway in Broadway in Eccleston, she was surprised to see a little pony trapped up to its neck in her swimming pool. The horse called Bimbo was owned by 10-year-old Sonia Stott and was kept in a farmer's field next door to Mrs Neve's home. Sonia's father, William, said: "Some repairs to fencing had been going on and we think Bimbo wandered into the garden during the night and toppled into the pool."
It took ten St Helens firemen using ropes to haul the animal to safety. After being rescued, the four-year-old grey was cold, shivering and miserable but soon started to perk up after being towelled down and re-stabled. Fire Sub-Officer Jim Dennett, who led the operation, said:
"When we arrived, the pony was walking up and down the pool. It seemed to stop as it reached the deep end and carried on splashing round in the shallow part. We had to go in and put lifting gear around it to hoist it out. In my 18 years' experience, it's the most unusual rescue I've ever been involved in."
On the 9th the first fog of autumn was described as having caused chaos for motorists in the St Helens area. There were long early morning queues along the Rainford Bypass and at the various traffic lights on the East Lancs Road. However, no serious accidents were reported.
There was disappointing, although not unexpected, news this week for the Ravenhead TV glassware workers. Talks in London between the government, unions and Pilkingtons had gone nowhere, with the glass giant confirming its loss-making plant was unviable and would have to close.
Workers at another factory in St Helens were also told this week that their plant was no longer profitable and would shut down at the end of November. They were called Metal Belts with premises in Reginald Road in Sutton and after a takeover earlier in the year, unions had been assured that their plant was safe. Angry workers were now considering a sit-in protest.
The St Helens Reporter on the 10th revealed that vandalism was costing St Helens ratepayers up to a "staggering" £100,000 a year. In today's money, that's about £1.5 million. The council's Housing and Building Committee had discussed the matter at a meeting this week and, as a result, a special report was going to be made offering possible solutions.
Committee chairman Councillor Jack Morris said: "It seems the public are not prepared to do anything about it. Considering the amount of vandalism there are few people prosecuted." However, Councillor Tony Harvey said, "It is a social problem which is not going to be resolved in a few weeks. This is why security guards cannot stop it. Only the people in the community can help."
Cllr Harvey added that a recent survey had been carried out in Derbyshire Hill and it was found that the majority of the residents there were very concerned about vandalism. It was hoped that a community body could be set up to address the problem. Vandalism on building sites was considered a particular issue and although security guards were being employed on such sites, their fencing off as routinely takes place today was yet to be on the agenda.
The Reporter described how demolition had begun on a Rainhill eyesore. The two derelict shops and a row of cottages opposite the Victoria Hotel in Warrington Road were being brought down as part of a redevelopment scheme. The site had been vacant for ten years and had become the target for vandals, with windows and boards smashed and slogans daubed on walls.
Planning permission for a supermarket and two shops had been granted but agent Mason Owen told the Reporter that they could not say when they would be built. That they said was due to the present market conditions – in other words, the recession and high levels of inflation – which were stunting investment.
What the Reporter called "midnight marauders armed with sets of duplicate keys" had sent car thefts in the district skyrocketing. Figures released by St Helens Police this week revealed that 855 vehicles had been stolen since January, an average of 23 cars a week. And many were being taken from outside town centre social clubs and nightspots.
Chief Superintendent Jack Watson said: "The cars that are being stolen are mainly older types of car which do not have steering locks on them. Car thefts in St. Helens are a very major problem and we are looking into the situation."
The Reporter also described how Rainford's rebuilt tennis courts were expected to open in the spring of 1976, thanks to the generosity of villagers who had responded to the fundraising efforts of Rainford's Sports Council.
The paper also said that a Haydock sub-post office, which had temporarily closed down at the beginning of August after a series of break-ins, would not re-open. The post office in Church Road had shut after an attempt was made to steal a safe. For what was considered at the time to only be a temporary arrangement, post office services were transferred to the other Haydock branches in Clipsley Lane and Penny Lane.
The Reporter described how elderly people in a Newton old people's home were being reduced to tears after being terrified and tormented by youths. "The old folk live in terror at night when youngsters go on the rampage", described the report. The incidents were taking place at the Crouchley House Community Centre in Bradlegh Road, upsetting the pensioners with what the paper called wild behaviour.
"We've tried talking to them only to receive horrible abuse," said warden Eileen Hitchmore. "They come at about 7 p.m. in the evening and sometimes stay till midnight, and have done so for the last two months. It really is unbearable. We are at our wits end here. We have one person of 94, 15 are over 80, and the rest are over 70 years old. We really don't know what to do."
Mrs Hitchmore described how the lady of 94 had been reduced to tears when she tried to reason with the boys, who were aged around 16. "The ladies are deeply shocked and distressed by these hooligans," added the warden. You do wonder reading these reports, why the police were not at the centre dealing with the situation.
And the paper's Snoopy Club wrote: "HELLO CHILDREN: Autumn is here, and the trees are busy getting ready for the cold winter months. Most trees shed their leaves in winter, because there isn't enough of the warm sunshine they need to make food. But before they fall, the leaves turn from green to red, brown and gold – sometimes trees almost look as if they are on fire, the colours are so bright."
On the 12th Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders were due to perform at the Knowsley Cabaret Bar at Saints Sports and Leisure Centre in Dunriding Lane. But Wayne did not show up, the reason for which will be revealed next week. Other acts scheduled to appear soon in what the club called its "superstar nights", included Joe Dolan, Dustin Gee and Cannon and Ball.
Also from the 12th 'The Drowning Pool' starring Paul Newman replaced 'The Godfather Part II' at the ABC Savoy and, at the Capitol, 'M*A*S*H' was replaced by what was described as "The most horrific double bill ever!" That was 'Terror Of The Living Dead' and 'Baba Yaga – The Devil Witch'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Wayne Fontana's row with Saints' Knowsley Cabaret Bar, the plans to create a woman's refuge in St Helens, the retirement of the controversial Dean of St Helens and the women crane drivers in Bold.
On October 8th when Jean Neve was backing her car out of her driveway in Broadway in Eccleston, she was surprised to see a little pony trapped up to its neck in her swimming pool. The horse called Bimbo was owned by 10-year-old Sonia Stott and was kept in a farmer's field next door to Mrs Neve's home. Sonia's father, William, said: "Some repairs to fencing had been going on and we think Bimbo wandered into the garden during the night and toppled into the pool."
It took ten St Helens firemen using ropes to haul the animal to safety. After being rescued, the four-year-old grey was cold, shivering and miserable but soon started to perk up after being towelled down and re-stabled. Fire Sub-Officer Jim Dennett, who led the operation, said:
"When we arrived, the pony was walking up and down the pool. It seemed to stop as it reached the deep end and carried on splashing round in the shallow part. We had to go in and put lifting gear around it to hoist it out. In my 18 years' experience, it's the most unusual rescue I've ever been involved in."
On the 9th the first fog of autumn was described as having caused chaos for motorists in the St Helens area. There were long early morning queues along the Rainford Bypass and at the various traffic lights on the East Lancs Road. However, no serious accidents were reported.
There was disappointing, although not unexpected, news this week for the Ravenhead TV glassware workers. Talks in London between the government, unions and Pilkingtons had gone nowhere, with the glass giant confirming its loss-making plant was unviable and would have to close.
Workers at another factory in St Helens were also told this week that their plant was no longer profitable and would shut down at the end of November. They were called Metal Belts with premises in Reginald Road in Sutton and after a takeover earlier in the year, unions had been assured that their plant was safe. Angry workers were now considering a sit-in protest.
The St Helens Reporter on the 10th revealed that vandalism was costing St Helens ratepayers up to a "staggering" £100,000 a year. In today's money, that's about £1.5 million. The council's Housing and Building Committee had discussed the matter at a meeting this week and, as a result, a special report was going to be made offering possible solutions.
Committee chairman Councillor Jack Morris said: "It seems the public are not prepared to do anything about it. Considering the amount of vandalism there are few people prosecuted." However, Councillor Tony Harvey said, "It is a social problem which is not going to be resolved in a few weeks. This is why security guards cannot stop it. Only the people in the community can help."
Cllr Harvey added that a recent survey had been carried out in Derbyshire Hill and it was found that the majority of the residents there were very concerned about vandalism. It was hoped that a community body could be set up to address the problem. Vandalism on building sites was considered a particular issue and although security guards were being employed on such sites, their fencing off as routinely takes place today was yet to be on the agenda.
The Reporter described how demolition had begun on a Rainhill eyesore. The two derelict shops and a row of cottages opposite the Victoria Hotel in Warrington Road were being brought down as part of a redevelopment scheme. The site had been vacant for ten years and had become the target for vandals, with windows and boards smashed and slogans daubed on walls.
Planning permission for a supermarket and two shops had been granted but agent Mason Owen told the Reporter that they could not say when they would be built. That they said was due to the present market conditions – in other words, the recession and high levels of inflation – which were stunting investment.
What the Reporter called "midnight marauders armed with sets of duplicate keys" had sent car thefts in the district skyrocketing. Figures released by St Helens Police this week revealed that 855 vehicles had been stolen since January, an average of 23 cars a week. And many were being taken from outside town centre social clubs and nightspots.
Chief Superintendent Jack Watson said: "The cars that are being stolen are mainly older types of car which do not have steering locks on them. Car thefts in St. Helens are a very major problem and we are looking into the situation."
The Reporter also described how Rainford's rebuilt tennis courts were expected to open in the spring of 1976, thanks to the generosity of villagers who had responded to the fundraising efforts of Rainford's Sports Council.
The paper also said that a Haydock sub-post office, which had temporarily closed down at the beginning of August after a series of break-ins, would not re-open. The post office in Church Road had shut after an attempt was made to steal a safe. For what was considered at the time to only be a temporary arrangement, post office services were transferred to the other Haydock branches in Clipsley Lane and Penny Lane.
The Reporter described how elderly people in a Newton old people's home were being reduced to tears after being terrified and tormented by youths. "The old folk live in terror at night when youngsters go on the rampage", described the report. The incidents were taking place at the Crouchley House Community Centre in Bradlegh Road, upsetting the pensioners with what the paper called wild behaviour.
"We've tried talking to them only to receive horrible abuse," said warden Eileen Hitchmore. "They come at about 7 p.m. in the evening and sometimes stay till midnight, and have done so for the last two months. It really is unbearable. We are at our wits end here. We have one person of 94, 15 are over 80, and the rest are over 70 years old. We really don't know what to do."
Mrs Hitchmore described how the lady of 94 had been reduced to tears when she tried to reason with the boys, who were aged around 16. "The ladies are deeply shocked and distressed by these hooligans," added the warden. You do wonder reading these reports, why the police were not at the centre dealing with the situation.
On the 12th Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders were due to perform at the Knowsley Cabaret Bar at Saints Sports and Leisure Centre in Dunriding Lane. But Wayne did not show up, the reason for which will be revealed next week. Other acts scheduled to appear soon in what the club called its "superstar nights", included Joe Dolan, Dustin Gee and Cannon and Ball.
Also from the 12th 'The Drowning Pool' starring Paul Newman replaced 'The Godfather Part II' at the ABC Savoy and, at the Capitol, 'M*A*S*H' was replaced by what was described as "The most horrific double bill ever!" That was 'Terror Of The Living Dead' and 'Baba Yaga – The Devil Witch'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Wayne Fontana's row with Saints' Knowsley Cabaret Bar, the plans to create a woman's refuge in St Helens, the retirement of the controversial Dean of St Helens and the women crane drivers in Bold.
This week's many stories include the staggering cost of vandalism in St Helens, the pony that got trapped in an Eccleston swimming pool, the demolition of Rainhill's eyesore, the huge number of stolen cars in St Helens and the residents of a Newton retirement home who lived in terror when youngsters went on the rampage.
On October 8th when Jean Neve was backing her car out of her driveway in Broadway in Eccleston, she was surprised to see a little pony trapped up to its neck in her swimming pool.
The horse called Bimbo was owned by 10-year-old Sonia Stott and was kept in a farmer's field next door to Mrs Neve's home.
Sonia's father, William, said: "Some repairs to fencing had been going on and we think Bimbo wandered into the garden during the night and toppled into the pool."
It took ten St Helens firemen using ropes to haul the animal to safety. After being rescued, the four-year-old grey was cold, shivering and miserable but soon started to perk up after being towelled down and re-stabled.
Fire Sub-Officer Jim Dennett, who led the operation, said:
"When we arrived, the pony was walking up and down the pool. It seemed to stop as it reached the deep end and carried on splashing round in the shallow part. We had to go in and put lifting gear around it to hoist it out. In my 18 years' experience, it's the most unusual rescue I've ever been involved in."
On the 9th the first fog of autumn was described as having caused chaos for motorists in the St Helens area.
There were long early morning queues along the Rainford Bypass and at the various traffic lights on the East Lancs Road. However, no serious accidents were reported.
There was disappointing, although not unexpected, news this week for the Ravenhead TV glassware workers.
Talks in London between the government, unions and Pilkingtons had gone nowhere, with the glass giant confirming its loss-making plant was unviable and would have to close.
Workers at another factory in St Helens were also told this week that their plant was no longer profitable and would shut down at the end of November.
They were called Metal Belts with premises in Reginald Road in Sutton and after a takeover earlier in the year, unions had been assured that their plant was safe. Angry workers were now considering a sit-in protest.
The St Helens Reporter on the 10th revealed that vandalism was costing St Helens ratepayers up to a "staggering" £100,000 a year. In today's money, that's about £1.5 million.
The council's Housing and Building Committee had discussed the matter at a meeting this week and, as a result, a special report was going to be made offering possible solutions.
Committee chairman Councillor Jack Morris said: "It seems the public are not prepared to do anything about it. Considering the amount of vandalism there are few people prosecuted."
However, Councillor Tony Harvey said, "It is a social problem which is not going to be resolved in a few weeks. This is why security guards cannot stop it. Only the people in the community can help."
Cllr Harvey added that a recent survey had been carried out in Derbyshire Hill and it was found that the majority of the residents there were very concerned about vandalism.
It was hoped that a community body could be set up to address the problem.
Vandalism on building sites was considered a particular issue and although security guards were being employed on such sites, their fencing off as routinely takes place today was yet to be on the agenda.
The Reporter described how demolition had begun on a Rainhill eyesore. The two derelict shops and a row of cottages opposite the Victoria Hotel in Warrington Road were being brought down as part of a redevelopment scheme.
The site had been vacant for ten years and had become the target for vandals, with windows and boards smashed and slogans daubed on walls.
Planning permission for a supermarket and two shops had been granted but agent Mason Owen told the Reporter that they could not say when they would be built.
That they said was due to the present market conditions – in other words, the recession and high levels of inflation – which were stunting investment.
What the Reporter called "midnight marauders armed with sets of duplicate keys" had sent car thefts in the district skyrocketing.
Figures released by St Helens Police this week revealed that 855 vehicles had been stolen since January, an average of 23 cars a week.
And many were being taken from outside town centre social clubs and nightspots. Chief Superintendent Jack Watson said:
"The cars that are being stolen are mainly older types of car which do not have steering locks on them. Car thefts in St. Helens are a very major problem and we are looking into the situation."
The Reporter also described how Rainford's rebuilt tennis courts were expected to open in the spring of 1976, thanks to the generosity of villagers who had responded to the fundraising efforts of Rainford's Sports Council.
The paper also said that a Haydock sub-post office, which had temporarily closed down at the beginning of August after a series of break-ins, would not re-open.
The post office in Church Road had shut after an attempt was made to steal a safe.
For what was considered at the time to be only a temporary arrangement, post office services were transferred to the other Haydock branches in Clipsley Lane and Penny Lane.
The Reporter described how elderly people in a Newton old people's home were being reduced to tears after being terrified and tormented by youths.
"The old folk live in terror at night when youngsters go on the rampage", described the report.
The incidents were taking place at the Crouchley House Community Centre in Bradlegh Road, upsetting the pensioners with what the paper called wild behaviour.
"We've tried talking to them only to receive horrible abuse," said warden Eileen Hitchmore.
"They come at about 7 p.m. in the evening and sometimes stay till midnight, and have done so for the last two months. It really is unbearable. We are at our wits end here.
"We have one person of 94, 15 are over 80, and the rest are over 70 years old. We really don't know what to do."
Mrs Hitchmore described how the lady of 94 had been reduced to tears when she tried to reason with the boys, who were aged around 16.
"The ladies are deeply shocked and distressed by these hooligans," added the warden.
You do wonder reading these reports, why the police were not at the centre dealing with the situation.
And the paper's Snoopy Club wrote: "HELLO CHILDREN: Autumn is here, and the trees are busy getting ready for the cold winter months. Most trees shed their leaves in winter, because there isn't enough of the warm sunshine they need to make food.
"But before they fall, the leaves turn from green to red, brown and gold – sometimes trees almost look as if they are on fire, the colours are so bright."
On the 12th Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders were due to perform at the Knowsley Cabaret Bar at Saints Sports and Leisure Centre in Dunriding Lane. But Wayne did not show up, the reason for which will be revealed next week.
Other acts scheduled to appear soon in what the club called its "superstar nights", included Joe Dolan, Dustin Gee and Cannon and Ball.
Also from the 12th 'The Drowning Pool' starring Paul Newman replaced 'The Godfather Part II' at the ABC Savoy and, at the Capitol, 'M*A*S*H' was replaced by what was described as "The most horrific double bill ever!"
That was 'Terror Of The Living Dead' and 'Baba Yaga – The Devil Witch'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Wayne Fontana's row with Saints' Knowsley Cabaret Bar, the plans to create a woman's refuge in St Helens, the retirement of the controversial Dean of St Helens and the women crane drivers in Bold.
On October 8th when Jean Neve was backing her car out of her driveway in Broadway in Eccleston, she was surprised to see a little pony trapped up to its neck in her swimming pool.
The horse called Bimbo was owned by 10-year-old Sonia Stott and was kept in a farmer's field next door to Mrs Neve's home.
Sonia's father, William, said: "Some repairs to fencing had been going on and we think Bimbo wandered into the garden during the night and toppled into the pool."
It took ten St Helens firemen using ropes to haul the animal to safety. After being rescued, the four-year-old grey was cold, shivering and miserable but soon started to perk up after being towelled down and re-stabled.
Fire Sub-Officer Jim Dennett, who led the operation, said:
"When we arrived, the pony was walking up and down the pool. It seemed to stop as it reached the deep end and carried on splashing round in the shallow part. We had to go in and put lifting gear around it to hoist it out. In my 18 years' experience, it's the most unusual rescue I've ever been involved in."
On the 9th the first fog of autumn was described as having caused chaos for motorists in the St Helens area.
There were long early morning queues along the Rainford Bypass and at the various traffic lights on the East Lancs Road. However, no serious accidents were reported.
There was disappointing, although not unexpected, news this week for the Ravenhead TV glassware workers.
Talks in London between the government, unions and Pilkingtons had gone nowhere, with the glass giant confirming its loss-making plant was unviable and would have to close.
Workers at another factory in St Helens were also told this week that their plant was no longer profitable and would shut down at the end of November.
They were called Metal Belts with premises in Reginald Road in Sutton and after a takeover earlier in the year, unions had been assured that their plant was safe. Angry workers were now considering a sit-in protest.
The St Helens Reporter on the 10th revealed that vandalism was costing St Helens ratepayers up to a "staggering" £100,000 a year. In today's money, that's about £1.5 million.
The council's Housing and Building Committee had discussed the matter at a meeting this week and, as a result, a special report was going to be made offering possible solutions.
Committee chairman Councillor Jack Morris said: "It seems the public are not prepared to do anything about it. Considering the amount of vandalism there are few people prosecuted."
However, Councillor Tony Harvey said, "It is a social problem which is not going to be resolved in a few weeks. This is why security guards cannot stop it. Only the people in the community can help."
Cllr Harvey added that a recent survey had been carried out in Derbyshire Hill and it was found that the majority of the residents there were very concerned about vandalism.
It was hoped that a community body could be set up to address the problem.
Vandalism on building sites was considered a particular issue and although security guards were being employed on such sites, their fencing off as routinely takes place today was yet to be on the agenda.
The Reporter described how demolition had begun on a Rainhill eyesore. The two derelict shops and a row of cottages opposite the Victoria Hotel in Warrington Road were being brought down as part of a redevelopment scheme.
The site had been vacant for ten years and had become the target for vandals, with windows and boards smashed and slogans daubed on walls.
Planning permission for a supermarket and two shops had been granted but agent Mason Owen told the Reporter that they could not say when they would be built.
That they said was due to the present market conditions – in other words, the recession and high levels of inflation – which were stunting investment.
What the Reporter called "midnight marauders armed with sets of duplicate keys" had sent car thefts in the district skyrocketing.
Figures released by St Helens Police this week revealed that 855 vehicles had been stolen since January, an average of 23 cars a week.
And many were being taken from outside town centre social clubs and nightspots. Chief Superintendent Jack Watson said:
"The cars that are being stolen are mainly older types of car which do not have steering locks on them. Car thefts in St. Helens are a very major problem and we are looking into the situation."
The Reporter also described how Rainford's rebuilt tennis courts were expected to open in the spring of 1976, thanks to the generosity of villagers who had responded to the fundraising efforts of Rainford's Sports Council.
The paper also said that a Haydock sub-post office, which had temporarily closed down at the beginning of August after a series of break-ins, would not re-open.
The post office in Church Road had shut after an attempt was made to steal a safe.
For what was considered at the time to be only a temporary arrangement, post office services were transferred to the other Haydock branches in Clipsley Lane and Penny Lane.
The Reporter described how elderly people in a Newton old people's home were being reduced to tears after being terrified and tormented by youths.
"The old folk live in terror at night when youngsters go on the rampage", described the report.
The incidents were taking place at the Crouchley House Community Centre in Bradlegh Road, upsetting the pensioners with what the paper called wild behaviour.
"We've tried talking to them only to receive horrible abuse," said warden Eileen Hitchmore.
"They come at about 7 p.m. in the evening and sometimes stay till midnight, and have done so for the last two months. It really is unbearable. We are at our wits end here.
"We have one person of 94, 15 are over 80, and the rest are over 70 years old. We really don't know what to do."
Mrs Hitchmore described how the lady of 94 had been reduced to tears when she tried to reason with the boys, who were aged around 16.
"The ladies are deeply shocked and distressed by these hooligans," added the warden.
You do wonder reading these reports, why the police were not at the centre dealing with the situation.
"But before they fall, the leaves turn from green to red, brown and gold – sometimes trees almost look as if they are on fire, the colours are so bright."
On the 12th Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders were due to perform at the Knowsley Cabaret Bar at Saints Sports and Leisure Centre in Dunriding Lane. But Wayne did not show up, the reason for which will be revealed next week.
Other acts scheduled to appear soon in what the club called its "superstar nights", included Joe Dolan, Dustin Gee and Cannon and Ball.
Also from the 12th 'The Drowning Pool' starring Paul Newman replaced 'The Godfather Part II' at the ABC Savoy and, at the Capitol, 'M*A*S*H' was replaced by what was described as "The most horrific double bill ever!"
That was 'Terror Of The Living Dead' and 'Baba Yaga – The Devil Witch'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Wayne Fontana's row with Saints' Knowsley Cabaret Bar, the plans to create a woman's refuge in St Helens, the retirement of the controversial Dean of St Helens and the women crane drivers in Bold.