FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 1974
This week's many stories include an update on the Alumina cement scandal, the council's Planning Committee vote to close down Leathers Chemicals, the first step is taken to create a bus station for St Helens, the Rainford clay pigeon gun club that was accused of making too much noise, the winners of the Helena House Lego building competition and there are protests against Pilks' proposed float glass plant in Gorsey Lane.
There were further developments with the Alumina cement scandal this week. Concerns had first been raised some weeks ago after a beam in the roof of a London school that had used the rapid hardening concrete had collapsed. The Department of the Environment subsequently asked all local authorities to investigate any buildings where Alumina cement may have been used.
There were many similarities with the recent RAAC concrete issues in this country and twenty schools in the St Helens district that were known to have used Alumina underwent safety checks. Two weeks ago it was revealed that initial results had led to parts of two schools, Campion Boys and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls (which became Carmel College in 1987), both having to be closed for up to a year while repairs were carried out. And this week from the 2nd, Carr Mill Junior School was also shut, as well as classrooms in several other St Helens schools.
Although investigations of schools were the top priority, other buildings in the town were also known to have used Alumina cement. And this week it was revealed that 61 flats recently built for elderly persons in Liverpool Road had used Alumina, as did a new development in Peasley Cross. However, because their construction was recent it was considered that any risk was minimal.
The Liverpool Road flats had yet to be handed over to the council and the Peasley Cross flats and maisonettes were going to be inspected by structural engineers without the need to evacuate their occupants. Five or six private buildings were also known to contain Alumina and their owners had been asked to carry out tests.
At a meeting of the council's Planning Committee on the 3rd a report was given of an interview a delegation had held with Gordon Oakes, the Under Secretary of State for the Environment, and with the Deputy Chief Alkali Inspector. The subject of the meeting was to consider what could be done about Leathers Chemicals in Sutton. Cllr Jim Bond told the meeting that Mr Oakes had been astonished to learn that when the chemicals firm had applied for planning permission in 1968, St Helens Council had never consulted the Alkali Inspectorate.
However, the delegation were disappointed to be told that St Helens could expect to receive no government help to pay compensation to Leathers if the council chose to shut the plant down. Mr Oakes had also said that he could not set up a public inquiry into the situation. After the details of the meeting were explained to the committee, Cllr Bond submitted a surprise motion calling for Leathers to be closed.
But the compensation that would have to be paid to the sulphuric acid maker could be many millions and Cllr Paddy Gill asked: "Have we got to take the bull by the horns and cripple the town financially, because we've got to pay £12 million compensation?" The exact amount was unknown but only four members of the 14 on the committee voted to close the plant – although they did agree to hold a special meeting to discuss further the Leathers' dilemma.
After the meeting Cllr Bond told the Reporter: "I'm disappointed because these people don't really accept where things stand at present. This is the end of the road. We've got to make a decision. The residents of Sutton feel they've been sold out by the Labour party – and I don't blame them." Mr Bond added that he believed that the level of compensation could be paid over 20 years without crippling the town's finances.
The Planning Committee also took the first step in creating a dedicated bus station in St Helens. They approved in principle the creation of the depot on land that was part of the Greenall Whitley brewery site (pictured above), which the council had bought last year for £1 million. Some stores fronting Church Street, such as Woolworths, would also be buying some of the land to expand their own operations.
The brewery was still in operation across 4 acres of land and it would not be until next year before the site could be handed over to the council. Greenalls would then transfer its brewing operations to its Warrington base. Their workforce at St Helens numbered about 200 and these would mainly transfer to Warrington with only a small number of redundancies.
A couple of members of the Planning Committee considered that an alternative site on the perimeter of the town should be used for the bus station, leaving the brewery site for use as shops and office development. But the majority disagreed with them and Ken Perks, the Director of Technical Services, said: "The site is convenient for the public at large, and might make pedestrianisation of Church Street possible. And there is a need for something to be agreed in principle by January 1975."
The Planning Committee also discussed Pilkington's proposals for a float glass plant in Gorsey Lane. Before the meeting banner-bearing protesters had lobbied the councillors and they gave what was described as cautious approval to the committee's decision to consult the public for their views and keep them informed.
It had been known for some time that there were four alternative sites being considered by Pilkington's but the glass firm had been unwilling to make these places public. However, the committee meeting heard that the sites were in Newton, Rainhill, Rainford Junction and at Collins Green.
On the 4th Miki & Griff were in concert at the Theatre Royal. On the following evening the Royal Artillery Band took to the stage in Corporation Street.
During the early hours of the 6th a fire struck Rainford High School destroying a music room and causing much damage. There'll be more on this story next week.
Terry Sherer was pictured in the St Helens Reporter on the 6th after winning the St Helens Bus Driver of the Year Award. The 44-year-old from Pocket Nook Street gained the title after beating seven other finalists at the Jackson Street depot and he would be competing to win the national award in Shrewsbury later in the month.
The Reporter also described how Rainford Parish Council wanted the twenty members of the Golden Lion Gun Club banned from their St Helens Road site after complaints from residents about the noise. A letter was being sent to the St Helens Planning Department calling for the club to be given their marching orders. The only dissenting voice on the council was Bob Rose, whose son Robert was chairman of the clay pigeon gun club. He told the meeting:
"These lads have hunted all over the place for a decent site. Surely they could be allowed to keep this one – after all they only shoot once a month." But Councillor Dick Smith said: "I'm against anyone having guns who does not actually need to use them. They are a nuisance and very dangerous weapons."
Tony Huyton was a member of the gun club and told the Reporter: "It seems a bit ridiculous to me. We only shoot for about two hours one Sunday in every four. If people come from the town to live in the country they should expect to live by country rules."
The Reporter also described how nearly 3,000 children over a 3-week period had accepted an offer from the Co-op to enter their toy department in Helena House to take part in a competition. The kids had been invited to construct a building of their choice using an unlimited number of Lego bricks.
This week the winners of the contest were announced and in the age group 4 to 6, five-year-old Ian Brady of Hillside Close in Billinge came first. In the 7 to 10-year-old category, Ian Darlington (10) of Carnegie Crescent in Sutton triumphed and in the 11 to 14 group Mark Cartwright (11) of Graham Street in St Helens was the winner. The paper did not, unfortunately, reveal just what the children had won and what they had made with the Lego bricks.
In their TV guide the Reporter had a large photo of Telly Savalas who they described as "the new name in television entertainment" with the crime series 'Kojak' having only begun on BBC1 a fortnight before.
On the 8th Les Dennis appeared at the St Helens AFC Social Club in Hoghton Road in Sutton. The comedian was then only second on the bill but 1974 was the year that he made his name by winning 'New Faces' on ITV. And finally, 'Blazing Saddles' began a week's screening at the ABC Savoy on the 8th with the Capitol cinema showing a film called 'Swinging Stewardesses'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the welly throwing at Rainhill, fury over the alternative sites for Pilks' new glass plant, a mother's anger at her son being denied a bus pass to travel to Cowley and a council house row in Sutton Heath.
There were further developments with the Alumina cement scandal this week. Concerns had first been raised some weeks ago after a beam in the roof of a London school that had used the rapid hardening concrete had collapsed. The Department of the Environment subsequently asked all local authorities to investigate any buildings where Alumina cement may have been used.
There were many similarities with the recent RAAC concrete issues in this country and twenty schools in the St Helens district that were known to have used Alumina underwent safety checks. Two weeks ago it was revealed that initial results had led to parts of two schools, Campion Boys and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls (which became Carmel College in 1987), both having to be closed for up to a year while repairs were carried out. And this week from the 2nd, Carr Mill Junior School was also shut, as well as classrooms in several other St Helens schools.
Although investigations of schools were the top priority, other buildings in the town were also known to have used Alumina cement. And this week it was revealed that 61 flats recently built for elderly persons in Liverpool Road had used Alumina, as did a new development in Peasley Cross. However, because their construction was recent it was considered that any risk was minimal.
The Liverpool Road flats had yet to be handed over to the council and the Peasley Cross flats and maisonettes were going to be inspected by structural engineers without the need to evacuate their occupants. Five or six private buildings were also known to contain Alumina and their owners had been asked to carry out tests.
At a meeting of the council's Planning Committee on the 3rd a report was given of an interview a delegation had held with Gordon Oakes, the Under Secretary of State for the Environment, and with the Deputy Chief Alkali Inspector. The subject of the meeting was to consider what could be done about Leathers Chemicals in Sutton. Cllr Jim Bond told the meeting that Mr Oakes had been astonished to learn that when the chemicals firm had applied for planning permission in 1968, St Helens Council had never consulted the Alkali Inspectorate.
However, the delegation were disappointed to be told that St Helens could expect to receive no government help to pay compensation to Leathers if the council chose to shut the plant down. Mr Oakes had also said that he could not set up a public inquiry into the situation. After the details of the meeting were explained to the committee, Cllr Bond submitted a surprise motion calling for Leathers to be closed.
But the compensation that would have to be paid to the sulphuric acid maker could be many millions and Cllr Paddy Gill asked: "Have we got to take the bull by the horns and cripple the town financially, because we've got to pay £12 million compensation?" The exact amount was unknown but only four members of the 14 on the committee voted to close the plant – although they did agree to hold a special meeting to discuss further the Leathers' dilemma.
After the meeting Cllr Bond told the Reporter: "I'm disappointed because these people don't really accept where things stand at present. This is the end of the road. We've got to make a decision. The residents of Sutton feel they've been sold out by the Labour party – and I don't blame them." Mr Bond added that he believed that the level of compensation could be paid over 20 years without crippling the town's finances.
The brewery was still in operation across 4 acres of land and it would not be until next year before the site could be handed over to the council. Greenalls would then transfer its brewing operations to its Warrington base. Their workforce at St Helens numbered about 200 and these would mainly transfer to Warrington with only a small number of redundancies.
A couple of members of the Planning Committee considered that an alternative site on the perimeter of the town should be used for the bus station, leaving the brewery site for use as shops and office development. But the majority disagreed with them and Ken Perks, the Director of Technical Services, said: "The site is convenient for the public at large, and might make pedestrianisation of Church Street possible. And there is a need for something to be agreed in principle by January 1975."
The Planning Committee also discussed Pilkington's proposals for a float glass plant in Gorsey Lane. Before the meeting banner-bearing protesters had lobbied the councillors and they gave what was described as cautious approval to the committee's decision to consult the public for their views and keep them informed.
It had been known for some time that there were four alternative sites being considered by Pilkington's but the glass firm had been unwilling to make these places public. However, the committee meeting heard that the sites were in Newton, Rainhill, Rainford Junction and at Collins Green.
On the 4th Miki & Griff were in concert at the Theatre Royal. On the following evening the Royal Artillery Band took to the stage in Corporation Street.
During the early hours of the 6th a fire struck Rainford High School destroying a music room and causing much damage. There'll be more on this story next week.
Terry Sherer was pictured in the St Helens Reporter on the 6th after winning the St Helens Bus Driver of the Year Award. The 44-year-old from Pocket Nook Street gained the title after beating seven other finalists at the Jackson Street depot and he would be competing to win the national award in Shrewsbury later in the month.
The Reporter also described how Rainford Parish Council wanted the twenty members of the Golden Lion Gun Club banned from their St Helens Road site after complaints from residents about the noise. A letter was being sent to the St Helens Planning Department calling for the club to be given their marching orders. The only dissenting voice on the council was Bob Rose, whose son Robert was chairman of the clay pigeon gun club. He told the meeting:
"These lads have hunted all over the place for a decent site. Surely they could be allowed to keep this one – after all they only shoot once a month." But Councillor Dick Smith said: "I'm against anyone having guns who does not actually need to use them. They are a nuisance and very dangerous weapons."
Tony Huyton was a member of the gun club and told the Reporter: "It seems a bit ridiculous to me. We only shoot for about two hours one Sunday in every four. If people come from the town to live in the country they should expect to live by country rules."
The Reporter also described how nearly 3,000 children over a 3-week period had accepted an offer from the Co-op to enter their toy department in Helena House to take part in a competition. The kids had been invited to construct a building of their choice using an unlimited number of Lego bricks.
This week the winners of the contest were announced and in the age group 4 to 6, five-year-old Ian Brady of Hillside Close in Billinge came first. In the 7 to 10-year-old category, Ian Darlington (10) of Carnegie Crescent in Sutton triumphed and in the 11 to 14 group Mark Cartwright (11) of Graham Street in St Helens was the winner. The paper did not, unfortunately, reveal just what the children had won and what they had made with the Lego bricks.
In their TV guide the Reporter had a large photo of Telly Savalas who they described as "the new name in television entertainment" with the crime series 'Kojak' having only begun on BBC1 a fortnight before.
On the 8th Les Dennis appeared at the St Helens AFC Social Club in Hoghton Road in Sutton. The comedian was then only second on the bill but 1974 was the year that he made his name by winning 'New Faces' on ITV. And finally, 'Blazing Saddles' began a week's screening at the ABC Savoy on the 8th with the Capitol cinema showing a film called 'Swinging Stewardesses'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the welly throwing at Rainhill, fury over the alternative sites for Pilks' new glass plant, a mother's anger at her son being denied a bus pass to travel to Cowley and a council house row in Sutton Heath.
This week's many stories include an update on the Alumina cement scandal, the council's Planning Committee vote to close down Leathers Chemicals, the first step is taken to create a bus station for St Helens, the Rainford clay pigeon gun club that was accused of making too much noise, the winners of the Helena House Lego building competition and there are protests against Pilks' proposed float glass plant in Gorsey Lane.
There were further developments with the Alumina cement scandal this week.
Concerns had first been raised some weeks ago after a beam in the roof of a London school that had used the rapid hardening concrete had collapsed.
The Department of the Environment subsequently asked all local authorities to investigate any buildings where Alumina cement may have been used.
There were many similarities with the recent RAAC concrete issues in this country and twenty schools in the St Helens district that were known to have used Alumina underwent safety checks.
Two weeks ago it was revealed that initial results had led to parts of two schools, Campion Boys and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls (which became Carmel College in 1987), both having to be closed for up to a year while repairs were carried out.
And this week from the 2nd, Carr Mill Junior School was also shut, as well as classrooms in several other St Helens schools.
Although investigations of schools were the top priority, other buildings in the town were also known to have used Alumina cement.
And this week it was revealed that 61 flats recently built for elderly persons in Liverpool Road had used Alumina, as did a new development in Peasley Cross.
However, because their construction was recent it was considered that any risk was minimal.
The Liverpool Road flats had yet to be handed over to the council and the Peasley Cross flats and maisonettes were going to be inspected by structural engineers without the need to evacuate their occupants.
Five or six private buildings were also known to contain Alumina and their owners had been asked to carry out tests.
At a meeting of the council's Planning Committee on the 3rd a report was given of an interview a delegation had held with Gordon Oakes, the Under Secretary of State for the Environment, and with the Deputy Chief Alkali Inspector.
The subject of the meeting was to consider what could be done about Leathers Chemicals in Sutton.
Cllr Jim Bond told the meeting that Mr Oakes had been astonished to learn that when the chemicals firm had applied for planning permission in 1968, St Helens Council had never consulted the Alkali Inspectorate.
However, the delegation were disappointed to be told that St Helens could expect to receive no government help to pay compensation to Leathers if the council chose to shut the plant down.
Mr Oakes had also said that he could not set up a public inquiry into the situation.
After the details of the meeting were explained to the committee, Cllr Bond submitted a surprise motion calling for Leathers to be closed.
But the compensation that would have to be paid to the sulphuric acid maker could be many millions and Cllr Paddy Gill asked:
"Have we got to take the bull by the horns and cripple the town financially, because we've got to pay £12 million compensation?"
The exact amount was unknown but only four members of the 14 on the committee voted to close the plant – although they did agree to hold a special meeting to discuss further the Leathers' dilemma.
After the meeting Cllr Bond told the Reporter: "I'm disappointed because these people don't really accept where things stand at present.
"This is the end of the road. We've got to make a decision. The residents of Sutton feel they've been sold out by the Labour party – and I don't blame them."
Mr Bond added that he believed that the level of compensation could be paid over 20 years without crippling the town's finances.
The Planning Committee also took the first step in creating a dedicated bus station in St Helens.
They approved in principle the creation of the depot on land that was part of the Greenall Whitley brewery site (pictured above), which the council had bought last year for £1 million.
Some stores fronting Church Street, such as Woolworths, would also be buying some of the land to expand their own operations.
The brewery was still in operation across 4 acres of land and it would not be until next year before the site could be handed over to the council.
Greenalls would then transfer its brewing operations to its Warrington base.
Their workforce at St Helens numbered about 200 and these would mainly transfer to Warrington with only a small number of redundancies.
A couple of members of the Planning Committee considered that an alternative site on the perimeter of the town should be used for the bus station, leaving the brewery site for use as shops and office development.
But the majority disagreed with them and Ken Perks, the Director of Technical Services, said:
"The site is convenient for the public at large, and might make pedestrianisation of Church Street possible. And there is a need for something to be agreed in principle by January 1975."
The Planning Committee also discussed Pilkington's proposals for a float glass plant in Gorsey Lane.
Before the meeting banner-bearing protesters had lobbied the councillors and they gave what was described as cautious approval to the committee's decision to consult the public for their views and keep them informed.
It had been known for some time that there were four alternative sites being considered by Pilkington's but the glass firm had been unwilling to make these places public.
However, the committee meeting heard that the sites were in Newton, Rainhill, Rainford Junction and at Collins Green.
On the 4th Miki & Griff were in concert at the Theatre Royal. On the following evening the Royal Artillery Band took to the stage in Corporation Street.
During the early hours of the 6th a fire struck Rainford High School destroying a music room and causing much damage. There'll be more on this story next week.
Terry Sherer was pictured in the St Helens Reporter on the 6th after winning the St Helens Bus Driver of the Year Award.
The 44-year-old from Pocket Nook Street gained the title after beating seven other finalists at the Jackson Street depot and he would be competing to win the national award in Shrewsbury later in the month.
The Reporter also described how Rainford Parish Council wanted the twenty members of the Golden Lion Gun Club banned from their St Helens Road site after complaints from residents about the noise.
A letter was being sent to the St Helens Planning Department calling for the club to be given their marching orders.
The only dissenting voice on the council was Bob Rose, whose son Robert was chairman of the clay pigeon gun club. He told the meeting:
"These lads have hunted all over the place for a decent site. Surely they could be allowed to keep this one – after all they only shoot once a month."
But Councillor Dick Smith said: "I'm against anyone having guns who does not actually need to use them. They are a nuisance and very dangerous weapons."
Tony Huyton was a member of the gun club and told the Reporter:
"It seems a bit ridiculous to me. We only shoot for about two hours one Sunday in every four. If people come from the town to live in the country they should expect to live by country rules."
The Reporter also described how nearly 3,000 children over a 3-week period had accepted an offer from the Co-op to enter their toy department in Helena House to take part in a competition.
The kids had been invited to construct a building of their choice using an unlimited number of Lego bricks.
This week the winners of the contest were announced and in the age group 4 to 6, five-year-old Ian Brady of Hillside Close in Billinge came first.
In the 7 to 10-year-old category, Ian Darlington (10) of Carnegie Crescent in Sutton triumphed and in the 11 to 14 group Mark Cartwright (11) of Graham Street in St Helens was the winner.
The paper did not, unfortunately, reveal just what the children had won and what they had made with the Lego bricks.
In their TV guide the Reporter had a large photo of Telly Savalas who they described as "the new name in television entertainment" with the crime series 'Kojak' having only begun on BBC1 a fortnight before.
On the 8th Les Dennis appeared at the St Helens AFC Social Club in Hoghton Road in Sutton.
The comedian was then only second on the bill but 1974 was the year that he made his name by winning 'New Faces' on ITV.
And finally, 'Blazing Saddles' began a week's screening at the ABC Savoy on the 8th with the Capitol cinema showing a film called 'Swinging Stewardesses'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the welly throwing at Rainhill, fury over the alternative sites for Pilks' new glass plant, a mother's anger at her son being denied a bus pass to travel to Cowley and a council house row in Sutton Heath.
There were further developments with the Alumina cement scandal this week.
Concerns had first been raised some weeks ago after a beam in the roof of a London school that had used the rapid hardening concrete had collapsed.
The Department of the Environment subsequently asked all local authorities to investigate any buildings where Alumina cement may have been used.
There were many similarities with the recent RAAC concrete issues in this country and twenty schools in the St Helens district that were known to have used Alumina underwent safety checks.
Two weeks ago it was revealed that initial results had led to parts of two schools, Campion Boys and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls (which became Carmel College in 1987), both having to be closed for up to a year while repairs were carried out.
And this week from the 2nd, Carr Mill Junior School was also shut, as well as classrooms in several other St Helens schools.
Although investigations of schools were the top priority, other buildings in the town were also known to have used Alumina cement.
And this week it was revealed that 61 flats recently built for elderly persons in Liverpool Road had used Alumina, as did a new development in Peasley Cross.
However, because their construction was recent it was considered that any risk was minimal.
The Liverpool Road flats had yet to be handed over to the council and the Peasley Cross flats and maisonettes were going to be inspected by structural engineers without the need to evacuate their occupants.
Five or six private buildings were also known to contain Alumina and their owners had been asked to carry out tests.
At a meeting of the council's Planning Committee on the 3rd a report was given of an interview a delegation had held with Gordon Oakes, the Under Secretary of State for the Environment, and with the Deputy Chief Alkali Inspector.
The subject of the meeting was to consider what could be done about Leathers Chemicals in Sutton.
Cllr Jim Bond told the meeting that Mr Oakes had been astonished to learn that when the chemicals firm had applied for planning permission in 1968, St Helens Council had never consulted the Alkali Inspectorate.
However, the delegation were disappointed to be told that St Helens could expect to receive no government help to pay compensation to Leathers if the council chose to shut the plant down.
Mr Oakes had also said that he could not set up a public inquiry into the situation.
After the details of the meeting were explained to the committee, Cllr Bond submitted a surprise motion calling for Leathers to be closed.
But the compensation that would have to be paid to the sulphuric acid maker could be many millions and Cllr Paddy Gill asked:
"Have we got to take the bull by the horns and cripple the town financially, because we've got to pay £12 million compensation?"
The exact amount was unknown but only four members of the 14 on the committee voted to close the plant – although they did agree to hold a special meeting to discuss further the Leathers' dilemma.
After the meeting Cllr Bond told the Reporter: "I'm disappointed because these people don't really accept where things stand at present.
"This is the end of the road. We've got to make a decision. The residents of Sutton feel they've been sold out by the Labour party – and I don't blame them."
Mr Bond added that he believed that the level of compensation could be paid over 20 years without crippling the town's finances.
The Planning Committee also took the first step in creating a dedicated bus station in St Helens.
Some stores fronting Church Street, such as Woolworths, would also be buying some of the land to expand their own operations.
The brewery was still in operation across 4 acres of land and it would not be until next year before the site could be handed over to the council.
Greenalls would then transfer its brewing operations to its Warrington base.
Their workforce at St Helens numbered about 200 and these would mainly transfer to Warrington with only a small number of redundancies.
A couple of members of the Planning Committee considered that an alternative site on the perimeter of the town should be used for the bus station, leaving the brewery site for use as shops and office development.
But the majority disagreed with them and Ken Perks, the Director of Technical Services, said:
"The site is convenient for the public at large, and might make pedestrianisation of Church Street possible. And there is a need for something to be agreed in principle by January 1975."
The Planning Committee also discussed Pilkington's proposals for a float glass plant in Gorsey Lane.
Before the meeting banner-bearing protesters had lobbied the councillors and they gave what was described as cautious approval to the committee's decision to consult the public for their views and keep them informed.
It had been known for some time that there were four alternative sites being considered by Pilkington's but the glass firm had been unwilling to make these places public.
However, the committee meeting heard that the sites were in Newton, Rainhill, Rainford Junction and at Collins Green.
On the 4th Miki & Griff were in concert at the Theatre Royal. On the following evening the Royal Artillery Band took to the stage in Corporation Street.
During the early hours of the 6th a fire struck Rainford High School destroying a music room and causing much damage. There'll be more on this story next week.
Terry Sherer was pictured in the St Helens Reporter on the 6th after winning the St Helens Bus Driver of the Year Award.
The 44-year-old from Pocket Nook Street gained the title after beating seven other finalists at the Jackson Street depot and he would be competing to win the national award in Shrewsbury later in the month.
The Reporter also described how Rainford Parish Council wanted the twenty members of the Golden Lion Gun Club banned from their St Helens Road site after complaints from residents about the noise.
A letter was being sent to the St Helens Planning Department calling for the club to be given their marching orders.
The only dissenting voice on the council was Bob Rose, whose son Robert was chairman of the clay pigeon gun club. He told the meeting:
"These lads have hunted all over the place for a decent site. Surely they could be allowed to keep this one – after all they only shoot once a month."
But Councillor Dick Smith said: "I'm against anyone having guns who does not actually need to use them. They are a nuisance and very dangerous weapons."
Tony Huyton was a member of the gun club and told the Reporter:
"It seems a bit ridiculous to me. We only shoot for about two hours one Sunday in every four. If people come from the town to live in the country they should expect to live by country rules."
The Reporter also described how nearly 3,000 children over a 3-week period had accepted an offer from the Co-op to enter their toy department in Helena House to take part in a competition.
The kids had been invited to construct a building of their choice using an unlimited number of Lego bricks.
This week the winners of the contest were announced and in the age group 4 to 6, five-year-old Ian Brady of Hillside Close in Billinge came first.
In the 7 to 10-year-old category, Ian Darlington (10) of Carnegie Crescent in Sutton triumphed and in the 11 to 14 group Mark Cartwright (11) of Graham Street in St Helens was the winner.
The paper did not, unfortunately, reveal just what the children had won and what they had made with the Lego bricks.
In their TV guide the Reporter had a large photo of Telly Savalas who they described as "the new name in television entertainment" with the crime series 'Kojak' having only begun on BBC1 a fortnight before.
On the 8th Les Dennis appeared at the St Helens AFC Social Club in Hoghton Road in Sutton.
The comedian was then only second on the bill but 1974 was the year that he made his name by winning 'New Faces' on ITV.
And finally, 'Blazing Saddles' began a week's screening at the ABC Savoy on the 8th with the Capitol cinema showing a film called 'Swinging Stewardesses'.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the welly throwing at Rainhill, fury over the alternative sites for Pilks' new glass plant, a mother's anger at her son being denied a bus pass to travel to Cowley and a council house row in Sutton Heath.