FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (13th - 19th JUNE 1972)
This week's stories include the increasing industrial strife in St Helens, the grumpy gander at Windle Farm that didn't like postmen, the newly-designated play street in St Helens town centre, the furious Rainhill DIY store boss who'd been breaking Sunday trading laws and a family's dramatic escape from their fire-ravaged home in Thatto Heath.
We begin with the announcement that miners at Bold Colliery (pictured above) had, for the second successive year, won the National Coal Board's award for most safe mine in the large colliery category in which over 1,000 workers were employed. Sutton Manor Colliery came second in the medium-sized mines category in both the safety and most improved colliery sections. The NCB would be awarding cash prizes to both, with miners drawing lots to decide on individual winners.
In the early hours of the 14th a serious fire occurred at a house in Thatto Heath in which a family were forced to escape out of a rear bedroom window. The drama began at 2am when 13-year-old Sandra Topping woke to find her home in Elephant Lane ablaze. Her father Derek managed to get Sandra and her two sisters, Kathleen and Mandy, to safety via an outhouse roof.
Their mother was a nurse on the night shift at Whiston Hospital and she dashed to her parents' home in Nutgrove Road where her family were being looked after. St Helens Fire Brigade using three appliances took 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but by then the house was a charred shell. Fire prevention officer Harold Scruton remarked: "They were lucky to get out alive."
There was a distinct lack of industrial harmony in St Helens at the moment. On the 15th, 230 boilermakers at William Neill's engineering plant at Bold voted unanimously to continue their 9-week long strike. A thousand workers at Rockware Glass in Pocket Nook were also on strike over pay and although 200 men at Sutton's haulage firm had returned to work, the Reporter described the peace in Elton Head Road as a frail one.
A new driver called Alan Ball refusing to join the Transport and General Workers Union had been the trigger for the dispute. Although he had now changed his mind, the men's return to work was conditional on Mr Ball being sacked. A separate pay disagreement had also been resolved. However, there were also ongoing disputes at Pilkingtons and United Glass.
Posties have long been wary of dogs giving them a nasty nip as they've attempted to deliver letters. But the Reporter described on the 16th how at Windle Farm in St Helens it was a grumpy gander called George that had been giving postmen grief. Nineteen-year-old Colin Dearden even needed treatment at Providence Hospital after George went for his leg. Tony Boardman of Stanhope Street told the Reporter: "He seems to wait for you and then charges, hissing with his wings out. He gives you quite a fright, particularly on dark, winter mornings."
The head postmaster had now written to farmer James Swift warning him that his deliveries to Windle Farm would be banned if a postman suffered one more ambush. But Mr Swift told the Reporter that if George were to make a further attack on the mail carriers – it would be his last: "I can only think that it happened because it was the breeding season and he doesn't like anyone coming near the goose. But you can tell the postman that if it keeps on happening we'll be having George for Christmas dinner."
The post office also revealed that they were taking preventive measures in their sorting office to warn postmen new to Windle Farm of George's biting activities. The acronym "GAL" had been created and would be written on a note placed on the posties' preparation table. It stood for "Gander At Large"!
In 1970 when the Reporter profiled J. & P. Jacobs on the Parr Industrial Estate, it was stated that the clothing factory then employed almost 800 sewing machinists. Now known as Northgate, the firm was seeking to obtain more workers and had a curious advert in the paper this week. Next to a satanic illustration were the words "Ladies Can I Tempt You To A DEVIL Of A Good Job At Northgate". The firm said they were the leading manufacturer of St Michael garments, the brand that Marks & Spencer used between 1927 and 2000.
I wonder if the residents of Vincent Street in St Helens know they officially live in a "play street"? The Reporter used that term in describing how the town centre road was to be pedestrianised – "where children can have fun without the threat of passing traffic", as the paper put it. The move was part of an improvement plan for the Standish Street area of St Helens, with roads, including Charles Street, Alfred Street, Woodville Street and Hospital Street, due to become one-way.
Shrubs and grass were also set to line the verges and back passages would be widened to give car owners access to their homes. The scheme – including the creation of the town's first play street – would begin in about three months time. The headline to the Reporter's article on the new initiative was "Boys and Girls Come Out to Play".
This is how Judith Seddon described in the paper the sparse attendance at the first night of a new play at the Theatre Royal: "I was ashamed on the opening night at the entire lack of interest shown by theatregoers in this excellent production." The play, called the 'Secretary Bird', starred Hubert Gregg who at the end of the show told the audience: "It's a pity there aren't more of you, but I'd rather see a few theatre-lovers than a hall full of bingo players." An actor in many films and stage shows, Gregg also presented 'Thanks For The Memory' for 30 years on Radio 2 and composed a number of songs, with his most famous being 'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'.
A furious Dave Lyons lambasted Lancashire County Council in the Reporter after claiming that his new DIY supermarket could be forced out of business. That was after rival traders had reported his store in Rainhill Road, Rainhill for breaking Sunday trading laws. "We rely very much on Sunday trade," said Dave. "It's the busiest time we have. This could eventually lead to the shop closing down after I have invested £20,000 in it. I employ six staff here and I think it's quite tragic when people in the area can't get jobs and the council take this attitude. I think it's a lousy thing to let us trade for three months and then close us down after spending so much money."
Although it might be said that Mr Lyons should have researched the Sunday trading laws more carefully before opening his business, the anomalies for DIY retailers were bizarre. The inspector that visited the supermarket informed Mr Lyons that he could sell paintbrushes on the Sabbath but not paint; paraffin but not turpentine and car batteries but not batteries for doorbells.
The St Helens Church Army Band was profiled in the Reporter, as they believed that they were the only band of that type in existence in the country. Their secretary Bill Knowles – a former Saints and Swinton rugby league player – described how they had been founded 67 years ago and over the years had featured many family members within their ranks.
The Fleece Hotel of Church Street in St Helens (pictured above) had this advert in the Reporter: "We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting reservations for our new Banqueting Suite which will be available from early September, 1972 for all types of private functions. The ballroom which will accommodate numbers up to 260 persons for a dinner and dance, will have its own reception lounge with private bar facilities and will undoubtedly be one of the finest in the North West."
Eric Bromilow was profiled in the Reporter after opening a new store in Park Road in St Helens. That was in addition to his cycle and electrical shops in North Road, Church Street and Baldwin Street. Eric had begun his own business as a cycle dealer in Liverpool Road in 1945. The premises were rented from Greenall Whitley for just 10 shillings a week, including rates.
Forming his own cycle club was a good business and marital move, as Eric explained: "It kept the lads and lasses – all my customers – together and I can tell you that many a marriage was made on some of those club outings." In 1951 Eric expanded his business by taking over the tenancy of the old Red, White and Blue pub next door. Later the former premises of Clowes Chemists in Baldwin Street and Davies the butchers of Church Street were also acquired.
Next week's stories will include the shocking violence at the Boundary Road Baptist Church, Saints new state-of-the-art social club, the Blackbrook deadly boiler scare, the busy Boundary Road baths and the parents that were concerned over road safety.
In the early hours of the 14th a serious fire occurred at a house in Thatto Heath in which a family were forced to escape out of a rear bedroom window. The drama began at 2am when 13-year-old Sandra Topping woke to find her home in Elephant Lane ablaze. Her father Derek managed to get Sandra and her two sisters, Kathleen and Mandy, to safety via an outhouse roof.
Their mother was a nurse on the night shift at Whiston Hospital and she dashed to her parents' home in Nutgrove Road where her family were being looked after. St Helens Fire Brigade using three appliances took 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but by then the house was a charred shell. Fire prevention officer Harold Scruton remarked: "They were lucky to get out alive."
There was a distinct lack of industrial harmony in St Helens at the moment. On the 15th, 230 boilermakers at William Neill's engineering plant at Bold voted unanimously to continue their 9-week long strike. A thousand workers at Rockware Glass in Pocket Nook were also on strike over pay and although 200 men at Sutton's haulage firm had returned to work, the Reporter described the peace in Elton Head Road as a frail one.
A new driver called Alan Ball refusing to join the Transport and General Workers Union had been the trigger for the dispute. Although he had now changed his mind, the men's return to work was conditional on Mr Ball being sacked. A separate pay disagreement had also been resolved. However, there were also ongoing disputes at Pilkingtons and United Glass.
Posties have long been wary of dogs giving them a nasty nip as they've attempted to deliver letters. But the Reporter described on the 16th how at Windle Farm in St Helens it was a grumpy gander called George that had been giving postmen grief. Nineteen-year-old Colin Dearden even needed treatment at Providence Hospital after George went for his leg. Tony Boardman of Stanhope Street told the Reporter: "He seems to wait for you and then charges, hissing with his wings out. He gives you quite a fright, particularly on dark, winter mornings."
The head postmaster had now written to farmer James Swift warning him that his deliveries to Windle Farm would be banned if a postman suffered one more ambush. But Mr Swift told the Reporter that if George were to make a further attack on the mail carriers – it would be his last: "I can only think that it happened because it was the breeding season and he doesn't like anyone coming near the goose. But you can tell the postman that if it keeps on happening we'll be having George for Christmas dinner."
The post office also revealed that they were taking preventive measures in their sorting office to warn postmen new to Windle Farm of George's biting activities. The acronym "GAL" had been created and would be written on a note placed on the posties' preparation table. It stood for "Gander At Large"!
In 1970 when the Reporter profiled J. & P. Jacobs on the Parr Industrial Estate, it was stated that the clothing factory then employed almost 800 sewing machinists. Now known as Northgate, the firm was seeking to obtain more workers and had a curious advert in the paper this week. Next to a satanic illustration were the words "Ladies Can I Tempt You To A DEVIL Of A Good Job At Northgate". The firm said they were the leading manufacturer of St Michael garments, the brand that Marks & Spencer used between 1927 and 2000.
I wonder if the residents of Vincent Street in St Helens know they officially live in a "play street"? The Reporter used that term in describing how the town centre road was to be pedestrianised – "where children can have fun without the threat of passing traffic", as the paper put it. The move was part of an improvement plan for the Standish Street area of St Helens, with roads, including Charles Street, Alfred Street, Woodville Street and Hospital Street, due to become one-way.
Shrubs and grass were also set to line the verges and back passages would be widened to give car owners access to their homes. The scheme – including the creation of the town's first play street – would begin in about three months time. The headline to the Reporter's article on the new initiative was "Boys and Girls Come Out to Play".
This is how Judith Seddon described in the paper the sparse attendance at the first night of a new play at the Theatre Royal: "I was ashamed on the opening night at the entire lack of interest shown by theatregoers in this excellent production." The play, called the 'Secretary Bird', starred Hubert Gregg who at the end of the show told the audience: "It's a pity there aren't more of you, but I'd rather see a few theatre-lovers than a hall full of bingo players." An actor in many films and stage shows, Gregg also presented 'Thanks For The Memory' for 30 years on Radio 2 and composed a number of songs, with his most famous being 'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'.
A furious Dave Lyons lambasted Lancashire County Council in the Reporter after claiming that his new DIY supermarket could be forced out of business. That was after rival traders had reported his store in Rainhill Road, Rainhill for breaking Sunday trading laws. "We rely very much on Sunday trade," said Dave. "It's the busiest time we have. This could eventually lead to the shop closing down after I have invested £20,000 in it. I employ six staff here and I think it's quite tragic when people in the area can't get jobs and the council take this attitude. I think it's a lousy thing to let us trade for three months and then close us down after spending so much money."
Although it might be said that Mr Lyons should have researched the Sunday trading laws more carefully before opening his business, the anomalies for DIY retailers were bizarre. The inspector that visited the supermarket informed Mr Lyons that he could sell paintbrushes on the Sabbath but not paint; paraffin but not turpentine and car batteries but not batteries for doorbells.
The St Helens Church Army Band was profiled in the Reporter, as they believed that they were the only band of that type in existence in the country. Their secretary Bill Knowles – a former Saints and Swinton rugby league player – described how they had been founded 67 years ago and over the years had featured many family members within their ranks.
Eric Bromilow was profiled in the Reporter after opening a new store in Park Road in St Helens. That was in addition to his cycle and electrical shops in North Road, Church Street and Baldwin Street. Eric had begun his own business as a cycle dealer in Liverpool Road in 1945. The premises were rented from Greenall Whitley for just 10 shillings a week, including rates.
Forming his own cycle club was a good business and marital move, as Eric explained: "It kept the lads and lasses – all my customers – together and I can tell you that many a marriage was made on some of those club outings." In 1951 Eric expanded his business by taking over the tenancy of the old Red, White and Blue pub next door. Later the former premises of Clowes Chemists in Baldwin Street and Davies the butchers of Church Street were also acquired.
Next week's stories will include the shocking violence at the Boundary Road Baptist Church, Saints new state-of-the-art social club, the Blackbrook deadly boiler scare, the busy Boundary Road baths and the parents that were concerned over road safety.
This week's stories include the increasing industrial strife in St Helens, the grumpy gander at Windle Farm that didn't like postmen, the newly-designated play street in St Helens town centre, the furious Rainhill DIY store boss who'd been breaking Sunday trading laws and a family's dramatic escape from their fire-ravaged home in Thatto Heath.
We begin with the announcement that miners at Bold Colliery (pictured above) had, for the second successive year, won the National Coal Board's award for most safe mine in the large colliery category in which over 1,000 workers were employed.
Sutton Manor Colliery came second in the medium-sized mines category in both the safety and most improved colliery sections.
The NCB would be awarding cash prizes to both, with miners drawing lots to decide on individual winners.
In the early hours of the 14th a serious fire occurred at a house in Thatto Heath in which a family were forced to escape out of a rear bedroom window.
The drama began at 2am when 13-year-old Sandra Topping woke to find her home in Elephant Lane ablaze.
Her father Derek managed to get Sandra and her two sisters, Kathleen and Mandy, to safety via an outhouse roof.
Their mother was a nurse on the night shift at Whiston Hospital and she dashed to her parents' home in Nutgrove Road where her family were being looked after.
St Helens Fire Brigade using three appliances took 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but by then the house was a charred shell.
Fire prevention officer Harold Scruton remarked: "They were lucky to get out alive."
There was a distinct lack of industrial harmony in St Helens at the moment.
On the 15th, 230 boilermakers at William Neill's engineering plant at Bold voted unanimously to continue their 9-week long strike.
A thousand workers at Rockware Glass in Pocket Nook were also on strike over pay and although 200 men at Sutton's haulage firm had returned to work, the Reporter described the peace in Elton Head Road as a frail one.
A new driver called Alan Ball refusing to join the Transport and General Workers Union had been the trigger for the dispute.
Although he had now changed his mind, the men's return to work was conditional on Mr Ball being sacked. A separate pay disagreement had also been resolved.
However, there were also ongoing disputes at Pilkingtons and United Glass.
Posties have long been wary of dogs giving them a nasty nip as they've attempted to deliver letters.
But the Reporter described on the 16th how at Windle Farm in St Helens it was a grumpy gander called George that had been giving postmen grief.
Nineteen-year-old Colin Dearden even needed treatment at Providence Hospital after George went for his leg.
Tony Boardman of Stanhope Street told the Reporter: "He seems to wait for you and then charges, hissing with his wings out. He gives you quite a fright, particularly on dark, winter mornings."
The head postmaster had now written to farmer James Swift warning him that his deliveries to Windle Farm would be banned if a postman suffered one more ambush.
But Mr Swift told the Reporter that if George were to make a further attack on the mail carriers – it would be his last:
"I can only think that it happened because it was the breeding season and he doesn't like anyone coming near the goose. But you can tell the postman that if it keeps on happening we'll be having George for Christmas dinner."
The post office also revealed that they were taking preventive measures in their sorting office to warn postmen new to Windle Farm of George's biting activities.
The acronym "GAL" had been created and would be written on a note placed on the posties' preparation table. It stood for "Gander At Large"!
In 1970 when the Reporter profiled J. & P. Jacobs on the Parr Industrial Estate, it was stated that the clothing factory then employed almost 800 sewing machinists.
Now known as Northgate, the firm was seeking to obtain more workers and had a curious advert in the paper this week.
Next to a satanic illustration were the words "Ladies Can I Tempt You To A DEVIL Of A Good Job At Northgate".
The firm said they were the leading manufacturer of St Michael garments, the brand that Marks & Spencer used between 1927 and 2000.
I wonder if the residents of Vincent Street in St Helens know they officially live in a "play street"?
The Reporter used that term in describing how the town centre road was to be pedestrianised – "where children can have fun without the threat of passing traffic", as the paper put it.
The move was part of an improvement plan for the Standish Street area of St Helens, with roads, including Charles Street, Alfred Street, Woodville Street and Hospital Street, due to become one-way.
Shrubs and grass were also set to line the verges and back passages would be widened to give car owners access to their homes.
The scheme – including the creation of the town's first play street – would begin in about three months time.
The headline to the Reporter's article on the new initiative was "Boys and Girls Come Out to Play".
This is how Judith Seddon described in the paper the sparse attendance at the first night of a new play at the Theatre Royal:
"I was ashamed on the opening night at the entire lack of interest shown by theatregoers in this excellent production."
The play, called the 'Secretary Bird', starred Hubert Gregg who at the end of the show told the audience:
"It's a pity there aren't more of you, but I'd rather see a few theatre-lovers than a hall full of bingo players."
An actor in many films and stage shows, Gregg also presented 'Thanks For The Memory' for 30 years on Radio 2 and composed a number of songs, with his most famous being 'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'.
A furious Dave Lyons lambasted Lancashire County Council in the Reporter after claiming that his new DIY supermarket could be forced out of business.
That was after rival traders had reported his store in Rainhill Road, Rainhill for breaking Sunday trading laws.
"We rely very much on Sunday trade," said Dave. "It's the busiest time we have. This could eventually lead to the shop closing down after I have invested £20,000 in it.
"I employ six staff here and I think it's quite tragic when people in the area can't get jobs and the council take this attitude. I think it's a lousy thing to let us trade for three months and then close us down after spending so much money."
Although it might be said that Mr Lyons should have researched the Sunday trading laws more carefully before opening his business, the anomalies for DIY retailers were bizarre.
The inspector that visited the supermarket informed Mr Lyons that he could sell paintbrushes on the Sabbath but not paint; paraffin but not turpentine and car batteries but not batteries for doorbells.
The St Helens Church Army Band was profiled in the Reporter, as they believed that they were the only band of that type in existence in the country.
Their secretary Bill Knowles – a former Saints and Swinton rugby league player – described how they had been founded 67 years ago and over the years had featured many family members within their ranks.
The Fleece Hotel of Church Street in St Helens (pictured above) had this advert in the Reporter:
"We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting reservations for our new Banqueting Suite which will be available from early September, 1972 for all types of private functions.
"The ballroom which will accommodate numbers up to 260 persons for a dinner and dance, will have its own reception lounge with private bar facilities and will undoubtedly be one of the finest in the North West."
Eric Bromilow was profiled in the Reporter after opening a new store in Park Road in St Helens.
That was in addition to his cycle and electrical shops in North Road, Church Street and Baldwin Street.
Eric had begun his own business as a cycle dealer in Liverpool Road in 1945.
The premises were rented from Greenall Whitley for just 10 shillings a week, including rates.
Forming his own cycle club was a good business and marital move, as Eric explained:
"It kept the lads and lasses – all my customers – together and I can tell you that many a marriage was made on some of those club outings."
In 1951 Eric expanded his business by taking over the tenancy of the old Red, White and Blue pub next door.
Later the former premises of Clowes Chemists in Baldwin Street and Davies the butchers of Church Street were also acquired.
Next week's stories will include the shocking violence at the Boundary Road Baptist Church, Saints new state-of-the-art social club, the Blackbrook deadly boiler scare, the busy Boundary Road baths and the parents that were concerned over road safety.
Sutton Manor Colliery came second in the medium-sized mines category in both the safety and most improved colliery sections.
The NCB would be awarding cash prizes to both, with miners drawing lots to decide on individual winners.
In the early hours of the 14th a serious fire occurred at a house in Thatto Heath in which a family were forced to escape out of a rear bedroom window.
The drama began at 2am when 13-year-old Sandra Topping woke to find her home in Elephant Lane ablaze.
Her father Derek managed to get Sandra and her two sisters, Kathleen and Mandy, to safety via an outhouse roof.
Their mother was a nurse on the night shift at Whiston Hospital and she dashed to her parents' home in Nutgrove Road where her family were being looked after.
St Helens Fire Brigade using three appliances took 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but by then the house was a charred shell.
Fire prevention officer Harold Scruton remarked: "They were lucky to get out alive."
There was a distinct lack of industrial harmony in St Helens at the moment.
On the 15th, 230 boilermakers at William Neill's engineering plant at Bold voted unanimously to continue their 9-week long strike.
A thousand workers at Rockware Glass in Pocket Nook were also on strike over pay and although 200 men at Sutton's haulage firm had returned to work, the Reporter described the peace in Elton Head Road as a frail one.
A new driver called Alan Ball refusing to join the Transport and General Workers Union had been the trigger for the dispute.
Although he had now changed his mind, the men's return to work was conditional on Mr Ball being sacked. A separate pay disagreement had also been resolved.
However, there were also ongoing disputes at Pilkingtons and United Glass.
Posties have long been wary of dogs giving them a nasty nip as they've attempted to deliver letters.
But the Reporter described on the 16th how at Windle Farm in St Helens it was a grumpy gander called George that had been giving postmen grief.
Nineteen-year-old Colin Dearden even needed treatment at Providence Hospital after George went for his leg.
Tony Boardman of Stanhope Street told the Reporter: "He seems to wait for you and then charges, hissing with his wings out. He gives you quite a fright, particularly on dark, winter mornings."
The head postmaster had now written to farmer James Swift warning him that his deliveries to Windle Farm would be banned if a postman suffered one more ambush.
But Mr Swift told the Reporter that if George were to make a further attack on the mail carriers – it would be his last:
"I can only think that it happened because it was the breeding season and he doesn't like anyone coming near the goose. But you can tell the postman that if it keeps on happening we'll be having George for Christmas dinner."
The post office also revealed that they were taking preventive measures in their sorting office to warn postmen new to Windle Farm of George's biting activities.
The acronym "GAL" had been created and would be written on a note placed on the posties' preparation table. It stood for "Gander At Large"!
In 1970 when the Reporter profiled J. & P. Jacobs on the Parr Industrial Estate, it was stated that the clothing factory then employed almost 800 sewing machinists.
Now known as Northgate, the firm was seeking to obtain more workers and had a curious advert in the paper this week.
Next to a satanic illustration were the words "Ladies Can I Tempt You To A DEVIL Of A Good Job At Northgate".
The firm said they were the leading manufacturer of St Michael garments, the brand that Marks & Spencer used between 1927 and 2000.
I wonder if the residents of Vincent Street in St Helens know they officially live in a "play street"?
The Reporter used that term in describing how the town centre road was to be pedestrianised – "where children can have fun without the threat of passing traffic", as the paper put it.
The move was part of an improvement plan for the Standish Street area of St Helens, with roads, including Charles Street, Alfred Street, Woodville Street and Hospital Street, due to become one-way.
Shrubs and grass were also set to line the verges and back passages would be widened to give car owners access to their homes.
The scheme – including the creation of the town's first play street – would begin in about three months time.
The headline to the Reporter's article on the new initiative was "Boys and Girls Come Out to Play".
This is how Judith Seddon described in the paper the sparse attendance at the first night of a new play at the Theatre Royal:
"I was ashamed on the opening night at the entire lack of interest shown by theatregoers in this excellent production."
The play, called the 'Secretary Bird', starred Hubert Gregg who at the end of the show told the audience:
"It's a pity there aren't more of you, but I'd rather see a few theatre-lovers than a hall full of bingo players."
An actor in many films and stage shows, Gregg also presented 'Thanks For The Memory' for 30 years on Radio 2 and composed a number of songs, with his most famous being 'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'.
A furious Dave Lyons lambasted Lancashire County Council in the Reporter after claiming that his new DIY supermarket could be forced out of business.
That was after rival traders had reported his store in Rainhill Road, Rainhill for breaking Sunday trading laws.
"We rely very much on Sunday trade," said Dave. "It's the busiest time we have. This could eventually lead to the shop closing down after I have invested £20,000 in it.
"I employ six staff here and I think it's quite tragic when people in the area can't get jobs and the council take this attitude. I think it's a lousy thing to let us trade for three months and then close us down after spending so much money."
Although it might be said that Mr Lyons should have researched the Sunday trading laws more carefully before opening his business, the anomalies for DIY retailers were bizarre.
The inspector that visited the supermarket informed Mr Lyons that he could sell paintbrushes on the Sabbath but not paint; paraffin but not turpentine and car batteries but not batteries for doorbells.
The St Helens Church Army Band was profiled in the Reporter, as they believed that they were the only band of that type in existence in the country.
Their secretary Bill Knowles – a former Saints and Swinton rugby league player – described how they had been founded 67 years ago and over the years had featured many family members within their ranks.
"We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting reservations for our new Banqueting Suite which will be available from early September, 1972 for all types of private functions.
"The ballroom which will accommodate numbers up to 260 persons for a dinner and dance, will have its own reception lounge with private bar facilities and will undoubtedly be one of the finest in the North West."
Eric Bromilow was profiled in the Reporter after opening a new store in Park Road in St Helens.
That was in addition to his cycle and electrical shops in North Road, Church Street and Baldwin Street.
Eric had begun his own business as a cycle dealer in Liverpool Road in 1945.
The premises were rented from Greenall Whitley for just 10 shillings a week, including rates.
Forming his own cycle club was a good business and marital move, as Eric explained:
"It kept the lads and lasses – all my customers – together and I can tell you that many a marriage was made on some of those club outings."
In 1951 Eric expanded his business by taking over the tenancy of the old Red, White and Blue pub next door.
Later the former premises of Clowes Chemists in Baldwin Street and Davies the butchers of Church Street were also acquired.
Next week's stories will include the shocking violence at the Boundary Road Baptist Church, Saints new state-of-the-art social club, the Blackbrook deadly boiler scare, the busy Boundary Road baths and the parents that were concerned over road safety.