FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (1st - 7th AUGUST 1972)
This week's stories include a public inquiry into plans to demolish 200 houses in the King Street area, an update on the Chain Lane flues dispute, the new one-way traffic system in the town, a councillor's furious attack on the state of a Thatto Heath health clinic, a campaign to save Moss Bank's heritage and the dog owners about to start their summer holidays who were dumping their pets in country lanes.
It was now six weeks since householders on the new Chain Lane estate had been without hot water and heating after being told to switch off their gas boilers. That was after North Sea gas conversion inspectors had discovered that residents' flues were capable of allowing deadly fumes to blow back into their homes. The North Western Gas Board blamed the builders, Daleholme Estates, for having badly installed the flues – but they insisted they had followed building guidelines. The council had initially supported the developers – but this week the Borough Engineer, George James, had to admit that mistakes had been made by his Corporation inspectors: "It would seem that the inspectors missed some of the faults on some of the houses", he said.
The heat on Daleholme Estates was intensifying. The Chain Lane & District Ratepayers Association were preparing to fight a legal test case against them and the National House Builders Registration Council had written to the developer telling them to rectify the faults. But still Daleholme resisted, with its director Martin Henderson seemingly wanting pity, as he declared: "We have been building on that site for over five years. It seems ridiculous that suddenly five years later, something is wrong. It's not justice really."
There was furious criticism of the state of the Lacey Street Health Clinic at St Helens Council's meeting on the 2nd. Cllr. Patrick Ashton said vandalism had turned the Thatto Heath clinic into a "disgrace" and he claimed he had seen better conditions in the Cambodian jungle. Rain streamed through holes in the roof and buckets had to be used to collect water. Cllr. Ashton added that the clinic was damp and paint was peeling off the walls.
He added: "It is rumoured that doctors have an umbrella as part of their equipment". However, the clinic was set to close in 1974 when a new health centre in Elephant Lane was due to open. Ald. James McDonnell, the deputy chairman of the Health Committee, said the Lacey Street centre was very clean inside but they would find alternative premises over the next couple of years if matters deteriorated.
The council also considered relocating the statue of Queen Victoria from its position outside the Town Hall to a park. Above is a photograph of the monument upon its unveiling in 1905. But Cllr. Len Williams told the meeting: "It's not a very good site for a statue of that kind. It needs more room around it and it could give us a little more room in the centre of the square." Ald. Joe Hughes thought Victoria Park would be a better place for the statue, saying transport and bus stops had grown up around the monument and were hiding it. "We are not rushing into this", added Ald. Hughes. "We want people to think and talk about it. Then we will see what the reaction is."
Another public inquiry was held at the Town Hall this week to consider objections to St Helens Council's ongoing redevelopment plans. There were many such hearings during the ‘60s and ‘70s that pretty much followed the same format. The Corporation would issue compulsory purchase orders on old properties – many of which were deemed unfit to live in – so they could be demolished and new houses built. Understandably some people didn't appreciate losing the homes that they'd occupied for many years – in spite of the poor state that many were in.
So objections would be made and a public inquiry was then held chaired by a government inspector. He or she would hear the evidence, inspect some of the houses and then later report back with a decision – which almost always went in favour of the council. This week's inquiry concerned 205 houses in the King Street area of St Helens, which included Rigby Street and Hamer Street. An accusation was made at the hearing that the compulsory purchase orders were being imposed simply because the council wanted to extend the Ring Road.
However, a solicitor acting on behalf of the Corporation told the inspector from the Department of the Environment that that was only part of the reason. The redevelopment would also include the building of many new houses, a shopping area and car parks. The homes were said to be in an unfit state because of fractured walls, dampness, poor sanitation, bad ventilation and a general state of serious disrepair. But there were some strenuous objections from their residents at the hearing.
Gladys Wilmot of Hamer Street reckoned the houses were good for another 50 years and Dorothy Johnson, also of Hamer Street, said: "I've spent hundreds of pounds on my house. I've lived here for 11 years, and if I knew it was going to be pulled down I would have moved elsewhere." And Peter Haughton of Rigby Street complained: "It has taken me 20 years to make my home snug. I can't afford to move. I am going to be ruined by this." The inspector said she would visit some of the objector's homes and report her decision in a few weeks time.
The lead story in the St Helens Reporter on the 4th described how the council planned to "dodge" a clause in the new Fair Rents Act that would have increased council house rents by up to £1. Instead 12,000 tenants would have their rents increased in October by between 35p and 60p as the council exploited a loophole in the controversial new legislation.
The Reporter described how the first phase of the new one-way traffic system in the town had gone. Since the start of the week, Dentons Green Lane (pictured above c. 1970) had been used for A570 traffic travelling out of town towards the East Lancs and Greenfield Road for in-bound traffic. The paper reported that motorists had adapted well but police and engineers had decided that minor alterations were needed on some of the signs and road markings.
Superintendent Tom Shepherd of St Helens Police said there had been no major snags: "Motorists seem to be adapting easily and everything's working quite well. Police were on hand the first few days to give assistance and advice, but they found that people were all right. I should think the locals are probably finding more difficulty getting used to it rather than the visitors, but if they keep their eyes on the signs as they come, they can't go wrong." The second phase of the town's new one-way traffic system would come into operation on August 13th and involve Westfield Street and Ormskirk Street.
The Reporter also described how dog owners set to start their summer holidays were turning quiet country lanes into dumping grounds for their unwanted pets. The paper wrote: "A trusting pet is driven miles from its home, lured out of the car and left. By the time the owner returns from his fortnight's fun the dog is dead – another victim of St. Helens season of cruelty. And as more and more families set off for the coast or country, the carnage gets worse. It's the high season in the police and RSPCA death cells." Inspector Patrick Colgan of the RSPCA told the Reporter: “Three or four dogs are being abandoned in St. Helens every week because holidays are coming up. But I haven't had a prosecution this year." That was through lack of evidence.
"Space-age" has to be the most overused term in the Reporter during the ‘60s and ‘70s. This week they described a "space-age home plan for old folk" in Blackbrook. The idea was still in its early stages but the town's Social Services Department said they hoped to be able to accommodate about 50 elderly people in Park Road, near to the proposed new community centre and shopping centre.
There was a nice photo in the Reporter of Frank and May Matler of Birch Gardens in Windlehurst who were celebrating their golden wedding. Mrs Matler explained that she had met Frank through the annoyances of an unknown individual: "The man was pestering me until Frank stepped in and took me home. That was in 1920 and two years later we were married."
The Reporter also described how a protest movement had begun to save two old stone houses in Moss Bank from demolition. Its founder, a Mr J. B. Reeves, told the paper: "We have precious little in the St. Helens area which is worth anyone's while to preserve. It is of the greatest importance that what we have should be protected." The two threatened buildings were the Manor House dated 1757 and Moss Bank Farm, which the Reporter wrote: "…helped to frame the view of Billinge from the top of Moss Bank Hill."
However, a spokesman for the planning department of St Helens Corporation was somewhat dismissive of the concerns, saying: "Both sites have been approved by the planning committee for private residential development. There's no preservation order on them, neither are they listed as historic buildings. The farm house isn't worth speaking about, and the Manor House is in a poor state." One resident near the Manor House that the Reporter spoke to thought differently, commenting: "It is a sin and a shame to pull it down. If I had enough cash I would buy it."
Next week's stories will include the new Westfield Street / Ormskirk Street one-way system, the Islands Brow improvement scheme, more concern over Leathers chemicals plant and the Saints player refusing to play because of abuse from fans.
It was now six weeks since householders on the new Chain Lane estate had been without hot water and heating after being told to switch off their gas boilers. That was after North Sea gas conversion inspectors had discovered that residents' flues were capable of allowing deadly fumes to blow back into their homes. The North Western Gas Board blamed the builders, Daleholme Estates, for having badly installed the flues – but they insisted they had followed building guidelines. The council had initially supported the developers – but this week the Borough Engineer, George James, had to admit that mistakes had been made by his Corporation inspectors: "It would seem that the inspectors missed some of the faults on some of the houses", he said.
The heat on Daleholme Estates was intensifying. The Chain Lane & District Ratepayers Association were preparing to fight a legal test case against them and the National House Builders Registration Council had written to the developer telling them to rectify the faults. But still Daleholme resisted, with its director Martin Henderson seemingly wanting pity, as he declared: "We have been building on that site for over five years. It seems ridiculous that suddenly five years later, something is wrong. It's not justice really."
There was furious criticism of the state of the Lacey Street Health Clinic at St Helens Council's meeting on the 2nd. Cllr. Patrick Ashton said vandalism had turned the Thatto Heath clinic into a "disgrace" and he claimed he had seen better conditions in the Cambodian jungle. Rain streamed through holes in the roof and buckets had to be used to collect water. Cllr. Ashton added that the clinic was damp and paint was peeling off the walls.
He added: "It is rumoured that doctors have an umbrella as part of their equipment". However, the clinic was set to close in 1974 when a new health centre in Elephant Lane was due to open. Ald. James McDonnell, the deputy chairman of the Health Committee, said the Lacey Street centre was very clean inside but they would find alternative premises over the next couple of years if matters deteriorated.
Another public inquiry was held at the Town Hall this week to consider objections to St Helens Council's ongoing redevelopment plans. There were many such hearings during the ‘60s and ‘70s that pretty much followed the same format. The Corporation would issue compulsory purchase orders on old properties – many of which were deemed unfit to live in – so they could be demolished and new houses built. Understandably some people didn't appreciate losing the homes that they'd occupied for many years – in spite of the poor state that many were in.
So objections would be made and a public inquiry was then held chaired by a government inspector. He or she would hear the evidence, inspect some of the houses and then later report back with a decision – which almost always went in favour of the council. This week's inquiry concerned 205 houses in the King Street area of St Helens, which included Rigby Street and Hamer Street. An accusation was made at the hearing that the compulsory purchase orders were being imposed simply because the council wanted to extend the Ring Road.
However, a solicitor acting on behalf of the Corporation told the inspector from the Department of the Environment that that was only part of the reason. The redevelopment would also include the building of many new houses, a shopping area and car parks. The homes were said to be in an unfit state because of fractured walls, dampness, poor sanitation, bad ventilation and a general state of serious disrepair. But there were some strenuous objections from their residents at the hearing.
Gladys Wilmot of Hamer Street reckoned the houses were good for another 50 years and Dorothy Johnson, also of Hamer Street, said: "I've spent hundreds of pounds on my house. I've lived here for 11 years, and if I knew it was going to be pulled down I would have moved elsewhere." And Peter Haughton of Rigby Street complained: "It has taken me 20 years to make my home snug. I can't afford to move. I am going to be ruined by this." The inspector said she would visit some of the objector's homes and report her decision in a few weeks time.
The lead story in the St Helens Reporter on the 4th described how the council planned to "dodge" a clause in the new Fair Rents Act that would have increased council house rents by up to £1. Instead 12,000 tenants would have their rents increased in October by between 35p and 60p as the council exploited a loophole in the controversial new legislation.
Superintendent Tom Shepherd of St Helens Police said there had been no major snags: "Motorists seem to be adapting easily and everything's working quite well. Police were on hand the first few days to give assistance and advice, but they found that people were all right. I should think the locals are probably finding more difficulty getting used to it rather than the visitors, but if they keep their eyes on the signs as they come, they can't go wrong." The second phase of the town's new one-way traffic system would come into operation on August 13th and involve Westfield Street and Ormskirk Street.
The Reporter also described how dog owners set to start their summer holidays were turning quiet country lanes into dumping grounds for their unwanted pets. The paper wrote: "A trusting pet is driven miles from its home, lured out of the car and left. By the time the owner returns from his fortnight's fun the dog is dead – another victim of St. Helens season of cruelty. And as more and more families set off for the coast or country, the carnage gets worse. It's the high season in the police and RSPCA death cells." Inspector Patrick Colgan of the RSPCA told the Reporter: “Three or four dogs are being abandoned in St. Helens every week because holidays are coming up. But I haven't had a prosecution this year." That was through lack of evidence.
"Space-age" has to be the most overused term in the Reporter during the ‘60s and ‘70s. This week they described a "space-age home plan for old folk" in Blackbrook. The idea was still in its early stages but the town's Social Services Department said they hoped to be able to accommodate about 50 elderly people in Park Road, near to the proposed new community centre and shopping centre.
There was a nice photo in the Reporter of Frank and May Matler of Birch Gardens in Windlehurst who were celebrating their golden wedding. Mrs Matler explained that she had met Frank through the annoyances of an unknown individual: "The man was pestering me until Frank stepped in and took me home. That was in 1920 and two years later we were married."
The Reporter also described how a protest movement had begun to save two old stone houses in Moss Bank from demolition. Its founder, a Mr J. B. Reeves, told the paper: "We have precious little in the St. Helens area which is worth anyone's while to preserve. It is of the greatest importance that what we have should be protected." The two threatened buildings were the Manor House dated 1757 and Moss Bank Farm, which the Reporter wrote: "…helped to frame the view of Billinge from the top of Moss Bank Hill."
However, a spokesman for the planning department of St Helens Corporation was somewhat dismissive of the concerns, saying: "Both sites have been approved by the planning committee for private residential development. There's no preservation order on them, neither are they listed as historic buildings. The farm house isn't worth speaking about, and the Manor House is in a poor state." One resident near the Manor House that the Reporter spoke to thought differently, commenting: "It is a sin and a shame to pull it down. If I had enough cash I would buy it."
Next week's stories will include the new Westfield Street / Ormskirk Street one-way system, the Islands Brow improvement scheme, more concern over Leathers chemicals plant and the Saints player refusing to play because of abuse from fans.
This week's stories include a public inquiry into plans to demolish 200 houses in the King Street area, an update on the Chain Lane flues dispute, the new one-way traffic system in the town, a councillor's furious attack on the state of a Thatto Heath health clinic, a campaign to save Moss Bank's heritage and the dog owners about to start their summer holidays who were dumping their pets in country lanes.
It was now six weeks since householders on the new Chain Lane estate had been without hot water and heating after being told to switch off their gas boilers.
That was after North Sea gas conversion inspectors had discovered that residents' flues were capable of allowing deadly fumes to blow back into their homes.
The North Western Gas Board blamed the builders, Daleholme Estates, for having badly installed the flues – but they insisted they had followed building guidelines.
The council had initially supported the developers – but this week the Borough Engineer, George James, had to admit that mistakes had been made by his Corporation inspectors:
"It would seem that the inspectors missed some of the faults on some of the houses", he said.
The heat on Daleholme Estates was intensifying. The Chain Lane & District Ratepayers Association were preparing to fight a legal test case against them and the National House Builders Registration Council had written to the developer telling them to rectify the faults.
But still Daleholme resisted, with its director Martin Henderson seemingly wanting pity, as he declared:
"We have been building on that site for over five years. It seems ridiculous that suddenly five years later, something is wrong. It's not justice really."
There was furious criticism of the state of the Lacey Street Health Clinic at St Helens Council's meeting on the 2nd.
Cllr. Patrick Ashton said vandalism had turned the Thatto Heath clinic into a "disgrace" and he claimed he had seen better conditions in the Cambodian jungle.
Rain streamed through holes in the roof and buckets had to be used to collect water. Cllr. Ashton added that the clinic was damp and paint was peeling off the walls.
He added: "It is rumoured that doctors have an umbrella as part of their equipment".
However, the clinic was set to close in 1974 when a new health centre in Elephant Lane was due to open.
Ald. James McDonnell, the deputy chairman of the Health Committee, said the Lacey Street centre was very clean inside but they would find alternative premises over the next couple of years if matters deteriorated.
The council also considered relocating the statue of Queen Victoria from its position outside the Town Hall to a park.
Above is a photograph of the monument upon its unveiling in 1905. But Cllr. Len Williams told the meeting:
"It's not a very good site for a statue of that kind. It needs more room around it and it could give us a little more room in the centre of the square."
Ald. Joe Hughes thought Victoria Park would be a better place for the statue, saying transport and bus stops had grown up around the monument and were hiding it.
"We are not rushing into this", added Ald. Hughes. "We want people to think and talk about it. Then we will see what the reaction is."
Another public inquiry was held at the Town Hall this week to consider objections to St Helens Council's ongoing redevelopment plans.
There were many such hearings during the ‘60s and ‘70s that pretty much followed the same format.
The Corporation would issue compulsory purchase orders on old properties – many of which were deemed unfit to live in – so they could be demolished and new houses built.
Understandably some people didn't appreciate losing the homes that they'd occupied for many years – in spite of the poor state that many were in.
So objections would be made and a public inquiry was then held chaired by a government inspector.
He or she would hear the evidence, inspect some of the houses and then later report back with a decision – which almost always went in favour of the council.
This week's inquiry concerned 205 houses in the King Street area of St Helens, which included Rigby Street and Hamer Street.
An accusation was made at the hearing that the compulsory purchase orders were being imposed simply because the council wanted to extend the Ring Road.
However, a solicitor acting on behalf of the Corporation told the inspector from the Department of the Environment that that was only part of the reason.
The redevelopment would also include the building of many new houses, a shopping area and car parks.
The homes were said to be in an unfit state because of fractured walls, dampness, poor sanitation, bad ventilation and a general state of serious disrepair.
But there were some strenuous objections from their residents at the hearing.
Gladys Wilmot of Hamer Street reckoned the houses were good for another 50 years and Dorothy Johnson, also of Hamer Street, said:
"I've spent hundreds of pounds on my house. I've lived here for 11 years, and if I knew it was going to be pulled down I would have moved elsewhere."
And Peter Haughton of Rigby Street complained: "It has taken me 20 years to make my home snug. I can't afford to move. I am going to be ruined by this."
The inspector said she would visit some of the objector's homes and report her decision in a few weeks time.
The lead story in the St Helens Reporter on the 4th described how the council planned to "dodge" a clause in the new Fair Rents Act that would have increased council house rents by up to £1.
Instead 12,000 tenants would have their rents increased in October by between 35p and 60p as the council exploited a loophole in the controversial new legislation.
The Reporter described how the first phase of the new one-way traffic system in the town had gone.
Since the start of the week, Dentons Green Lane (pictured above c. 1970) had been used for A570 traffic travelling out of town towards the East Lancs and Greenfield Road for in-bound traffic.
The paper reported that motorists had adapted well but police and engineers had decided that minor alterations were needed on some of the signs and road markings.
Superintendent Tom Shepherd of St Helens Police said there had been no major snags:
"Motorists seem to be adapting easily and everything's working quite well. Police were on hand the first few days to give assistance and advice, but they found that people were all right. I should think the locals are probably finding more difficulty getting used to it rather than the visitors, but if they keep their eyes on the signs as they come, they can't go wrong."
The second phase of the town's new one-way traffic system would come into operation on August 13th and involve Westfield Street and Ormskirk Street.
The Reporter also described how dog owners set to start their summer holidays were turning quiet country lanes into dumping grounds for their unwanted pets. The paper wrote:
"A trusting pet is driven miles from its home, lured out of the car and left. By the time the owner returns from his fortnight's fun the dog is dead – another victim of St. Helens season of cruelty.
"And as more and more families set off for the coast or country, the carnage gets worse. It's the high season in the police and RSPCA death cells."
Inspector Patrick Colgan of the RSPCA told the Reporter: “Three or four dogs are being abandoned in St. Helens every week because holidays are coming up. But I haven't had a prosecution this year." That was through lack of evidence.
"Space-age" has to be the most overused term in the Reporter during the ‘60s and ‘70s. This week they described a "space-age home plan for old folk" in Blackbrook.
The idea was still in its early stages but the town's Social Services Department said they hoped to be able to accommodate about 50 elderly people in Park Road, near to the proposed new community centre and shopping centre.
There was a nice photo in the Reporter of Frank and May Matler of Birch Gardens in Windlehurst who were celebrating their golden wedding.
Mrs Matler explained that she had met Frank through the annoyances of an unknown individual:
"The man was pestering me until Frank stepped in and took me home. That was in 1920 and two years later we were married."
The Reporter also described how a protest movement had begun to save two old stone houses in Moss Bank from demolition.
Its founder, a Mr J. B. Reeves, told the paper: "We have precious little in the St. Helens area which is worth anyone's while to preserve. It is of the greatest importance that what we have should be protected."
The two threatened buildings were the Manor House dated 1757 and Moss Bank Farm, which the Reporter wrote: "…helped to frame the view of Billinge from the top of Moss Bank Hill."
However, a spokesman for the planning department of St Helens Corporation was somewhat dismissive of the concerns, saying:
"Both sites have been approved by the planning committee for private residential development. There's no preservation order on them, neither are they listed as historic buildings. The farm house isn't worth speaking about, and the Manor House is in a poor state."
One resident near the Manor House that the Reporter spoke to thought differently, commenting: "It is a sin and a shame to pull it down. If I had enough cash I would buy it."
Next week's stories will include the new Westfield Street / Ormskirk Street one-way system, the Islands Brow improvement scheme, more concern over Leathers chemicals plant and the Saints player refusing to play because of abuse from fans.
It was now six weeks since householders on the new Chain Lane estate had been without hot water and heating after being told to switch off their gas boilers.
That was after North Sea gas conversion inspectors had discovered that residents' flues were capable of allowing deadly fumes to blow back into their homes.
The North Western Gas Board blamed the builders, Daleholme Estates, for having badly installed the flues – but they insisted they had followed building guidelines.
The council had initially supported the developers – but this week the Borough Engineer, George James, had to admit that mistakes had been made by his Corporation inspectors:
"It would seem that the inspectors missed some of the faults on some of the houses", he said.
The heat on Daleholme Estates was intensifying. The Chain Lane & District Ratepayers Association were preparing to fight a legal test case against them and the National House Builders Registration Council had written to the developer telling them to rectify the faults.
But still Daleholme resisted, with its director Martin Henderson seemingly wanting pity, as he declared:
"We have been building on that site for over five years. It seems ridiculous that suddenly five years later, something is wrong. It's not justice really."
There was furious criticism of the state of the Lacey Street Health Clinic at St Helens Council's meeting on the 2nd.
Cllr. Patrick Ashton said vandalism had turned the Thatto Heath clinic into a "disgrace" and he claimed he had seen better conditions in the Cambodian jungle.
Rain streamed through holes in the roof and buckets had to be used to collect water. Cllr. Ashton added that the clinic was damp and paint was peeling off the walls.
He added: "It is rumoured that doctors have an umbrella as part of their equipment".
However, the clinic was set to close in 1974 when a new health centre in Elephant Lane was due to open.
Ald. James McDonnell, the deputy chairman of the Health Committee, said the Lacey Street centre was very clean inside but they would find alternative premises over the next couple of years if matters deteriorated.
The council also considered relocating the statue of Queen Victoria from its position outside the Town Hall to a park.
"It's not a very good site for a statue of that kind. It needs more room around it and it could give us a little more room in the centre of the square."
Ald. Joe Hughes thought Victoria Park would be a better place for the statue, saying transport and bus stops had grown up around the monument and were hiding it.
"We are not rushing into this", added Ald. Hughes. "We want people to think and talk about it. Then we will see what the reaction is."
Another public inquiry was held at the Town Hall this week to consider objections to St Helens Council's ongoing redevelopment plans.
There were many such hearings during the ‘60s and ‘70s that pretty much followed the same format.
The Corporation would issue compulsory purchase orders on old properties – many of which were deemed unfit to live in – so they could be demolished and new houses built.
Understandably some people didn't appreciate losing the homes that they'd occupied for many years – in spite of the poor state that many were in.
So objections would be made and a public inquiry was then held chaired by a government inspector.
He or she would hear the evidence, inspect some of the houses and then later report back with a decision – which almost always went in favour of the council.
This week's inquiry concerned 205 houses in the King Street area of St Helens, which included Rigby Street and Hamer Street.
An accusation was made at the hearing that the compulsory purchase orders were being imposed simply because the council wanted to extend the Ring Road.
However, a solicitor acting on behalf of the Corporation told the inspector from the Department of the Environment that that was only part of the reason.
The redevelopment would also include the building of many new houses, a shopping area and car parks.
The homes were said to be in an unfit state because of fractured walls, dampness, poor sanitation, bad ventilation and a general state of serious disrepair.
But there were some strenuous objections from their residents at the hearing.
Gladys Wilmot of Hamer Street reckoned the houses were good for another 50 years and Dorothy Johnson, also of Hamer Street, said:
"I've spent hundreds of pounds on my house. I've lived here for 11 years, and if I knew it was going to be pulled down I would have moved elsewhere."
And Peter Haughton of Rigby Street complained: "It has taken me 20 years to make my home snug. I can't afford to move. I am going to be ruined by this."
The inspector said she would visit some of the objector's homes and report her decision in a few weeks time.
The lead story in the St Helens Reporter on the 4th described how the council planned to "dodge" a clause in the new Fair Rents Act that would have increased council house rents by up to £1.
Instead 12,000 tenants would have their rents increased in October by between 35p and 60p as the council exploited a loophole in the controversial new legislation.
The Reporter described how the first phase of the new one-way traffic system in the town had gone.
The paper reported that motorists had adapted well but police and engineers had decided that minor alterations were needed on some of the signs and road markings.
Superintendent Tom Shepherd of St Helens Police said there had been no major snags:
"Motorists seem to be adapting easily and everything's working quite well. Police were on hand the first few days to give assistance and advice, but they found that people were all right. I should think the locals are probably finding more difficulty getting used to it rather than the visitors, but if they keep their eyes on the signs as they come, they can't go wrong."
The second phase of the town's new one-way traffic system would come into operation on August 13th and involve Westfield Street and Ormskirk Street.
The Reporter also described how dog owners set to start their summer holidays were turning quiet country lanes into dumping grounds for their unwanted pets. The paper wrote:
"A trusting pet is driven miles from its home, lured out of the car and left. By the time the owner returns from his fortnight's fun the dog is dead – another victim of St. Helens season of cruelty.
"And as more and more families set off for the coast or country, the carnage gets worse. It's the high season in the police and RSPCA death cells."
Inspector Patrick Colgan of the RSPCA told the Reporter: “Three or four dogs are being abandoned in St. Helens every week because holidays are coming up. But I haven't had a prosecution this year." That was through lack of evidence.
"Space-age" has to be the most overused term in the Reporter during the ‘60s and ‘70s. This week they described a "space-age home plan for old folk" in Blackbrook.
The idea was still in its early stages but the town's Social Services Department said they hoped to be able to accommodate about 50 elderly people in Park Road, near to the proposed new community centre and shopping centre.
There was a nice photo in the Reporter of Frank and May Matler of Birch Gardens in Windlehurst who were celebrating their golden wedding.
Mrs Matler explained that she had met Frank through the annoyances of an unknown individual:
"The man was pestering me until Frank stepped in and took me home. That was in 1920 and two years later we were married."
The Reporter also described how a protest movement had begun to save two old stone houses in Moss Bank from demolition.
Its founder, a Mr J. B. Reeves, told the paper: "We have precious little in the St. Helens area which is worth anyone's while to preserve. It is of the greatest importance that what we have should be protected."
The two threatened buildings were the Manor House dated 1757 and Moss Bank Farm, which the Reporter wrote: "…helped to frame the view of Billinge from the top of Moss Bank Hill."
However, a spokesman for the planning department of St Helens Corporation was somewhat dismissive of the concerns, saying:
"Both sites have been approved by the planning committee for private residential development. There's no preservation order on them, neither are they listed as historic buildings. The farm house isn't worth speaking about, and the Manor House is in a poor state."
One resident near the Manor House that the Reporter spoke to thought differently, commenting: "It is a sin and a shame to pull it down. If I had enough cash I would buy it."
Next week's stories will include the new Westfield Street / Ormskirk Street one-way system, the Islands Brow improvement scheme, more concern over Leathers chemicals plant and the Saints player refusing to play because of abuse from fans.