FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (6th - 12th DECEMBER 1971)
This week's 15 stories include plans for a giant night life complex at Carr Mill, a UFO stops play at Ruskin Drive, a Haydock boy undergoes a successful hole-in-the-heart operation, the tree vandals of Derbyshire Hill and long-term plans to close Rainhill Hospital are announced.
We begin on the 6th with a victory for miners at Bold Colliery after their four-day strike was brought to an end. The National Coal Board had agreed to reinstate a bonus agreement, which they'd suspended after accusing the men of indulging in tactics to slow down production. This ploy would supposedly allow some miners to claim a £10 a week bonus. Union officials denied the NCB's claim and the dispute would now be considered by a joint negotiating committee.
Also on the 6th, nine-year-old Harold Bickerstaffe of Bishop Reeves Road in Haydock underwent a major hole-in-the-heart operation at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital. Three months earlier his 13-year-old brother John had died after undergoing identical surgery – but there were high hopes for Harold's full recovery.
Two days after the operation, the boy had made such good progress that he was taken off a pacemaker machine with doctors declaring that the critical stage had passed. Mother Audrey Bickerstaffe said: "I'm thrilled to bits. The surgeons told me Harold was doing well after the operation, and there have been no complications so far. I went to see him on Wednesday, and he spoke to me. He said “Hello Mum”. I could have cried."
Just after midnight on the 7th, the garage of haulage contractor Cecil Ratcliffe suffered an arson attack that destroyed three of his lorries. Mr Ratcliffe of Sherdley Road said: "This was a deliberate attempt to sabotage my business, and I'm out to find the men who did it. I will give £200 to anyone who can give the police information leading to their arrest."
During the evening of the 7th, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band made a return appearance in St Helens at the Theatre Royal. Meanwhile at Ruskin Drive, a UFO moving slowly in the night sky halted a football match. One by one players stopped to stare as the brightly-lit object traversed the heavens. As it vanished from sight, the game resumed – but minutes later the UFO returned, now travelling in the opposite direction.
Pilkington player Jim Walker said: "It wasn't a satellite or a star. And it was moving too slowly for a plane. I'm certain it was a flying saucer, or some other kind of UFO." Teammate Johnny Parker from Wycliffe Road added: "I'd never seen anything like it. It was definitely something very unusual."
This week the Government revealed its intention to close Rainhill Hospital – although it could take fifteen years before it took place. That was after the announcement in the Commons by Sir Keith Joseph, the Secretary of State for Health, that all mental hospitals in the country would be axed by 1986. However, a spokesman for the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board stated that definite plans for the future of the 2,000-bed hospital had yet to be finalised.
Another announcement came this week from Chief Superintendent Jack Watson, head of St Helens police division. It was a four-point Christmas crime prevention action plan to aid shoppers, motorists, householders and traders. The advice might be seen as common sense – if not obvious preventive measures – to reduce crime, although it was clearly based on police experience of routine failings. Women shoppers were advised to carry purses in their hands and not leave them lying on top of open bags in full view of passing thieves.
Motorists were told to park on supervised car parks, lock doors and windows and store presents in the boot of their vehicle. Householders were advised to fit substantial locks and window fastenings and not "advertise the fact that the house will be empty for a few days, or even a few hours." And traders were told to keep stock in a safe place, ensure premises were secure at night and vary the route and time for taking cash to the bank. Retailers were also advised to be "wary of dud cheques being used by confidence tricksters."
From the 9th to the 11th, 'Ballet For All' was presented at the Theatre Royal with Royal Ballet dancers performing 'Sun King', 'Swan Queen' and 'On With The Dance'.
The St Helens Reporter's lead story on the 10th was headlined "£500,000 Casino Gamble For Carr Mill" and began: "A mystery tycoon is master-minding a deal to build a giant night-life complex costing half a million pounds. A casino, luxury nightclub and monster motel will take the place of swings and roundabouts on the edge of Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens."
The children's playground had closed in 1968 and in the following year St Helens Council had approved plans for the proposed complex. However, the project stalled as new gambling laws only permitted selected areas to operate casinos. But the Reporter reckoned that the London-based "Mr X" was gambling that when the town boundaries changed in 1974, St Helens would be permitted to have its own casino.
Vandalism was regularly featured in the Reporter half a century ago – with churches and telephone boxes two of the most popular targets for wreckers. I don't think I’ve come across a newspaper report of tree vandals before. But this week the council described how the Derbyshire Hill housing estate had endured such arboreal barbarism on an epic scale. Parks director Sid Adamson said: "We put 300 trees on this reclaimed site and practically all have been mutilated. It's very disheartening to see this sort of thing happening. But I don't like to be beaten." So Mr Adamson had decided to replace those that had been damaged or uprooted with even more substantial trees.
The paper also described how Greenall Whitley planned to fight a Town Hall ban on the brewery's proposed betting shop at the Travellers Rest Hotel. Greenalls wanted to build the premises in the car park of their Crab Street pub and then rent it out to a bookmaker. Punters would then be able to come inside the hotel to watch the races take place. A spokesman said: "There is an obvious connection between gambling and drinking, and a pub with a betting shop is good for our trade."
However, the council had refused planning permission, saying the site was too near the HQ of the Air Training Corps and the new building would reduce car parking facilities at the pub. Greenalls had appealed against the decision and a public inquiry was going to be held.
An advert in the Reporter said: "If you dial St. Helens 29117 you'll hear us say HOWARD TRAVEL BARROW STREET. Yes … we've moved from Cotham Street. Still a better travel service." Penman's of Corporation Street were profiled as part of a big advertising feature in the paper, as the jewellers were marking twenty years in business. The firm specialised in Swiss watches and engagement rings and was run by Donald and Eileen Fuller.
Other businesses advertising their wares on the page included V. A. Seymour of Barrow Street – who also sold watches and clocks – and Beamans of Eccleston Street, the kitchen and bathroom supplier, which only closed a few years ago. "Had A Bump? Then get free recovery, estimate and claim advice – plus expert repair jobs." So said Derek Jones auto body repairs of Merton Bank Road.
Meanwhile the ad of Eric Bromilow of North Road went: "RALEIGH – RALEIGH – RALEIGH – Best selection in town of Raleigh bikes and trikes." And "SUPER SAVINGS" were on offer at Derbyshire's of 12 College Street with wallpaper from 25p and Dulux gloss from 45p per pint.
Would a man buying his wife a vacuum cleaner as her Christmas present make her deliriously happy? Well, Chas. A. Critchley of 109 Church Street seemed to think so. "GIVE HAPPINESS – GIVE HOOVER", was their slogan. I think any man who did that today would deserve a festive slap in the face as their gift! But 50 years ago not all women owned the latest electrical appliances and so might greatly appreciate any labour-saving machine that made the drudgery of housecleaning easier.
Also advertising this week was Ben Brooks Sports Centre in Duke Street who was selling soccer and rugby boots, with Puma, Mitre and Adidas their main brands. Tony Sampson of Cotham Street ("St. Helens leading fashion store") was selling "Jason King style" 3-piece suits from £21. And St Helens Aquarium of Hamer Street (opposite Beechams) was selling "hundreds of tropical and coldwater fish – A tropical fish aquarium outfit is a grand Christmas Gift idea for all the family."
Pictured in the Reporter was the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. Stuart Blanche, alongside the Vicar of Rainhill, Rev. Francis Ebbitt, after 50 candidates had been confirmed at St Ann's Church.
The Theatre Royal and Opera House used to be the full name of the Corporation Street venue. The moniker had shrunk but there was still opera from time to time and on the 15th, tenor Alberto Remedios and soprano Ava June were on stage and no doubt in good voice. On the following day Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen performed at the theatre.
Two months ago the comic Tom O’Connor (pictured above) had appeared at the Theatre Royal as the support act to The Hillsiders. On the 18th the former Bootle maths and music teacher returned to St Helens to headline in his own right, after enjoying exposure on the new TV show called 'The Comedians'. Tom had his own support artists, The Crofters folk group and the Lorne Gibson Trio.
Next week's stories will include the shocking problem at St Helens Crem, a new nightclub opens at Carr Mill, a setback for Rainhill's mad mile mothers, the Marshalls Cross pigeon theft and St Helens Council is told to speed up its slum clearance.
Also on the 6th, nine-year-old Harold Bickerstaffe of Bishop Reeves Road in Haydock underwent a major hole-in-the-heart operation at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital. Three months earlier his 13-year-old brother John had died after undergoing identical surgery – but there were high hopes for Harold's full recovery.
Two days after the operation, the boy had made such good progress that he was taken off a pacemaker machine with doctors declaring that the critical stage had passed. Mother Audrey Bickerstaffe said: "I'm thrilled to bits. The surgeons told me Harold was doing well after the operation, and there have been no complications so far. I went to see him on Wednesday, and he spoke to me. He said “Hello Mum”. I could have cried."
Just after midnight on the 7th, the garage of haulage contractor Cecil Ratcliffe suffered an arson attack that destroyed three of his lorries. Mr Ratcliffe of Sherdley Road said: "This was a deliberate attempt to sabotage my business, and I'm out to find the men who did it. I will give £200 to anyone who can give the police information leading to their arrest."
During the evening of the 7th, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band made a return appearance in St Helens at the Theatre Royal. Meanwhile at Ruskin Drive, a UFO moving slowly in the night sky halted a football match. One by one players stopped to stare as the brightly-lit object traversed the heavens. As it vanished from sight, the game resumed – but minutes later the UFO returned, now travelling in the opposite direction.
Pilkington player Jim Walker said: "It wasn't a satellite or a star. And it was moving too slowly for a plane. I'm certain it was a flying saucer, or some other kind of UFO." Teammate Johnny Parker from Wycliffe Road added: "I'd never seen anything like it. It was definitely something very unusual."
This week the Government revealed its intention to close Rainhill Hospital – although it could take fifteen years before it took place. That was after the announcement in the Commons by Sir Keith Joseph, the Secretary of State for Health, that all mental hospitals in the country would be axed by 1986. However, a spokesman for the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board stated that definite plans for the future of the 2,000-bed hospital had yet to be finalised.
Another announcement came this week from Chief Superintendent Jack Watson, head of St Helens police division. It was a four-point Christmas crime prevention action plan to aid shoppers, motorists, householders and traders. The advice might be seen as common sense – if not obvious preventive measures – to reduce crime, although it was clearly based on police experience of routine failings. Women shoppers were advised to carry purses in their hands and not leave them lying on top of open bags in full view of passing thieves.
Motorists were told to park on supervised car parks, lock doors and windows and store presents in the boot of their vehicle. Householders were advised to fit substantial locks and window fastenings and not "advertise the fact that the house will be empty for a few days, or even a few hours." And traders were told to keep stock in a safe place, ensure premises were secure at night and vary the route and time for taking cash to the bank. Retailers were also advised to be "wary of dud cheques being used by confidence tricksters."
From the 9th to the 11th, 'Ballet For All' was presented at the Theatre Royal with Royal Ballet dancers performing 'Sun King', 'Swan Queen' and 'On With The Dance'.
The St Helens Reporter's lead story on the 10th was headlined "£500,000 Casino Gamble For Carr Mill" and began: "A mystery tycoon is master-minding a deal to build a giant night-life complex costing half a million pounds. A casino, luxury nightclub and monster motel will take the place of swings and roundabouts on the edge of Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens."
The children's playground had closed in 1968 and in the following year St Helens Council had approved plans for the proposed complex. However, the project stalled as new gambling laws only permitted selected areas to operate casinos. But the Reporter reckoned that the London-based "Mr X" was gambling that when the town boundaries changed in 1974, St Helens would be permitted to have its own casino.
Vandalism was regularly featured in the Reporter half a century ago – with churches and telephone boxes two of the most popular targets for wreckers. I don't think I’ve come across a newspaper report of tree vandals before. But this week the council described how the Derbyshire Hill housing estate had endured such arboreal barbarism on an epic scale. Parks director Sid Adamson said: "We put 300 trees on this reclaimed site and practically all have been mutilated. It's very disheartening to see this sort of thing happening. But I don't like to be beaten." So Mr Adamson had decided to replace those that had been damaged or uprooted with even more substantial trees.
The paper also described how Greenall Whitley planned to fight a Town Hall ban on the brewery's proposed betting shop at the Travellers Rest Hotel. Greenalls wanted to build the premises in the car park of their Crab Street pub and then rent it out to a bookmaker. Punters would then be able to come inside the hotel to watch the races take place. A spokesman said: "There is an obvious connection between gambling and drinking, and a pub with a betting shop is good for our trade."
However, the council had refused planning permission, saying the site was too near the HQ of the Air Training Corps and the new building would reduce car parking facilities at the pub. Greenalls had appealed against the decision and a public inquiry was going to be held.
An advert in the Reporter said: "If you dial St. Helens 29117 you'll hear us say HOWARD TRAVEL BARROW STREET. Yes … we've moved from Cotham Street. Still a better travel service." Penman's of Corporation Street were profiled as part of a big advertising feature in the paper, as the jewellers were marking twenty years in business. The firm specialised in Swiss watches and engagement rings and was run by Donald and Eileen Fuller.
Other businesses advertising their wares on the page included V. A. Seymour of Barrow Street – who also sold watches and clocks – and Beamans of Eccleston Street, the kitchen and bathroom supplier, which only closed a few years ago. "Had A Bump? Then get free recovery, estimate and claim advice – plus expert repair jobs." So said Derek Jones auto body repairs of Merton Bank Road.
Meanwhile the ad of Eric Bromilow of North Road went: "RALEIGH – RALEIGH – RALEIGH – Best selection in town of Raleigh bikes and trikes." And "SUPER SAVINGS" were on offer at Derbyshire's of 12 College Street with wallpaper from 25p and Dulux gloss from 45p per pint.
Would a man buying his wife a vacuum cleaner as her Christmas present make her deliriously happy? Well, Chas. A. Critchley of 109 Church Street seemed to think so. "GIVE HAPPINESS – GIVE HOOVER", was their slogan. I think any man who did that today would deserve a festive slap in the face as their gift! But 50 years ago not all women owned the latest electrical appliances and so might greatly appreciate any labour-saving machine that made the drudgery of housecleaning easier.
Also advertising this week was Ben Brooks Sports Centre in Duke Street who was selling soccer and rugby boots, with Puma, Mitre and Adidas their main brands. Tony Sampson of Cotham Street ("St. Helens leading fashion store") was selling "Jason King style" 3-piece suits from £21. And St Helens Aquarium of Hamer Street (opposite Beechams) was selling "hundreds of tropical and coldwater fish – A tropical fish aquarium outfit is a grand Christmas Gift idea for all the family."
Pictured in the Reporter was the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. Stuart Blanche, alongside the Vicar of Rainhill, Rev. Francis Ebbitt, after 50 candidates had been confirmed at St Ann's Church.
The Theatre Royal and Opera House used to be the full name of the Corporation Street venue. The moniker had shrunk but there was still opera from time to time and on the 15th, tenor Alberto Remedios and soprano Ava June were on stage and no doubt in good voice. On the following day Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen performed at the theatre.
Next week's stories will include the shocking problem at St Helens Crem, a new nightclub opens at Carr Mill, a setback for Rainhill's mad mile mothers, the Marshalls Cross pigeon theft and St Helens Council is told to speed up its slum clearance.
This week's 15 stories include plans for a giant night life complex at Carr Mill, a UFO stops play at Ruskin Drive, a Haydock boy undergoes a successful hole-in-the-heart operation, the tree vandals of Derbyshire Hill and long-term plans to close Rainhill Hospital are announced.
We begin on the 6th with a victory for miners at Bold Colliery (pictured above) after their four-day strike was brought to an end.
The National Coal Board had agreed to reinstate a bonus agreement, which they'd suspended after accusing the men of indulging in tactics to slow down production.
This ploy would supposedly allow some miners to claim a £10 a week bonus. Union officials denied the NCB's claim and the dispute would now be considered by a joint negotiating committee.
Also on the 6th, nine-year-old Harold Bickerstaffe of Bishop Reeves Road in Haydock underwent a major hole-in-the-heart operation at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital.
Three months earlier his 13-year-old brother John had died after undergoing identical surgery – but there were high hopes for Harold's full recovery.
Two days after the operation, the boy had made such good progress that he was taken off a pacemaker machine with doctors declaring that the critical stage had passed.
Mother Audrey Bickerstaffe said: "I'm thrilled to bits. The surgeons told me Harold was doing well after the operation, and there have been no complications so far. I went to see him on Wednesday, and he spoke to me. He said “Hello Mum”. I could have cried."
Just after midnight on the 7th, the garage of haulage contractor Cecil Ratcliffe suffered an arson attack that destroyed three of his lorries.
Mr Ratcliffe of Sherdley Road said: "This was a deliberate attempt to sabotage my business, and I'm out to find the men who did it. I will give £200 to anyone who can give the police information leading to their arrest."
During the evening of the 7th, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band made a return appearance in St Helens at the Theatre Royal.
Meanwhile at Ruskin Drive, a UFO moving slowly in the night sky halted a football match. One by one players stopped to stare as the brightly-lit object traversed the heavens.
As it vanished from sight, the game resumed – but minutes later the UFO returned, now travelling in the opposite direction.
Pilkington player Jim Walker said: "It wasn't a satellite or a star. And it was moving too slowly for a plane. I'm certain it was a flying saucer, or some other kind of UFO."
Teammate Johnny Parker from Wycliffe Road added: "I'd never seen anything like it. It was definitely something very unusual."
This week the Government revealed its intention to close Rainhill Hospital – although it could take fifteen years before it took place.
That was after the announcement in the Commons by Sir Keith Joseph, the Secretary of State for Health, that all mental hospitals in the country would be axed by 1986.
However, a spokesman for the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board stated that definite plans for the future of the 2,000-bed hospital had yet to be finalised.
Another announcement came this week from Chief Superintendent Jack Watson, head of St Helens police division.
It was a four-point Christmas crime prevention action plan to aid shoppers, motorists, householders and traders.
The advice might be seen as common sense – if not obvious preventive measures – to reduce crime, although it was clearly based on police experience of routine failings.
Women shoppers were advised to carry purses in their hands and not leave them lying on top of open bags in full view of passing thieves.
Motorists were told to park on supervised car parks, lock doors and windows and store presents in the boot of their vehicle.
Householders were advised to fit substantial locks and window fastenings and not "advertise the fact that the house will be empty for a few days, or even a few hours."
And traders were told to keep stock in a safe place, ensure premises were secure at night and vary the route and time for taking cash to the bank.
Retailers were also advised to be "wary of dud cheques being used by confidence tricksters."
From the 9th to the 11th, 'Ballet For All' was presented at the Theatre Royal with Royal Ballet dancers performing 'Sun King', 'Swan Queen' and 'On With The Dance'.
The St Helens Reporter's lead story on the 10th was headlined "£500,000 Casino Gamble For Carr Mill" and began:
"A mystery tycoon is master-minding a deal to build a giant night-life complex costing half a million pounds. A casino, luxury nightclub and monster motel will take the place of swings and roundabouts on the edge of Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens."
The children's playground had closed in 1968 and in the following year St Helens Council had approved plans for the proposed complex.
However, the project stalled as new gambling laws only permitted selected areas to operate casinos.
But the Reporter reckoned that the London-based "Mr X" was gambling that when the town boundaries changed in 1974, St Helens would be permitted to have its own casino.
Vandalism was regularly featured in the Reporter half a century ago – with churches and telephone boxes two of the most popular targets for wreckers.
I don't think I’ve come across a newspaper report of tree vandals before. But this week the council described how the Derbyshire Hill housing estate had endured such arboreal barbarism on an epic scale.
Parks director Sid Adamson said: "We put 300 trees on this reclaimed site and practically all have been mutilated. It's very disheartening to see this sort of thing happening. But I don't like to be beaten."
So Mr Adamson had decided to replace those that had been damaged or uprooted with even more substantial trees.
The paper also described how Greenall Whitley planned to fight a Town Hall ban on the brewery's proposed betting shop at the Travellers Rest Hotel.
Greenalls wanted to build the premises in the car park of their Crab Street pub and then rent it out to a bookmaker. Punters would then be able to come inside the hotel to watch the races take place.
A spokesman said: "There is an obvious connection between gambling and drinking, and a pub with a betting shop is good for our trade."
However, the council had refused planning permission, saying the site was too near the HQ of the Air Training Corps and the new building would reduce car parking facilities at the pub.
Greenalls had appealed against the decision and a public inquiry was going to be held.
An advert in the Reporter said: "If you dial St. Helens 29117 you'll hear us say HOWARD TRAVEL BARROW STREET. Yes … we've moved from Cotham Street. Still a better travel service."
Penman's of Corporation Street were profiled as part of a big advertising feature in the paper, as the jewellers were marking twenty years in business.
The firm specialised in Swiss watches and engagement rings and was run by Donald and Eileen Fuller.
Other businesses advertising their wares on the page included V. A. Seymour of Barrow Street – who also sold watches and clocks – and Beamans of Eccleston Street, the kitchen and bathroom supplier, which only closed a few years ago.
"Had A Bump? Then get free recovery, estimate and claim advice – plus expert repair jobs." So said Derek Jones auto body repairs of Merton Bank Road.
Meanwhile the ad of Eric Bromilow of North Road went: "RALEIGH – RALEIGH – RALEIGH – Best selection in town of Raleigh bikes and trikes."
And "SUPER SAVINGS" were on offer at Derbyshire's of 12 College Street with wallpaper from 25p and Dulux gloss from 45p per pint.
Would a man buying his wife a vacuum cleaner as her Christmas present make her deliriously happy? Well, Chas. A. Critchley of 109 Church Street seemed to think so.
"GIVE HAPPINESS – GIVE HOOVER", was their slogan. I think any man who did that today would deserve a festive slap in the face as their gift!
But 50 years ago not all women owned the latest electrical appliances and so might greatly appreciate any labour-saving machine that made the drudgery of housecleaning easier.
Ben Brooks Sports Centre in Duke Street was advertising soccer and rugby boots, with Puma, Mitre and Adidas their main brands.
Also advertising this week was Tony Sampson of Cotham Street ("St. Helens leading fashion store") who was selling "Jason King style" 3-piece suits from £21.
And St Helens Aquarium of Hamer Street (opposite Beechams) was selling "hundreds of tropical and coldwater fish – A tropical fish aquarium outfit is a grand Christmas Gift idea for all the family."
Pictured in the Reporter was the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. Stuart Blanche, alongside the Vicar of Rainhill, Rev. Francis Ebbitt, after 50 candidates had been confirmed at St Ann's Church.
The Theatre Royal and Opera House used to be the full name of the Corporation Street venue.
The moniker had shrunk but there was still opera from time to time and on the 15th, tenor Alberto Remedios and soprano Ava June were on stage and no doubt in good voice.
On the following day Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen performed at the theatre.
Two months ago the comic Tom O’Connor (pictured above) had appeared at the Theatre Royal as the support act to The Hillsiders.
On the 18th the former Bootle maths and music teacher returned to St Helens to headline in his own right, after enjoying exposure on the new TV show called 'The Comedians'.
Tom had his own support artists, The Crofters folk group and the Lorne Gibson Trio.
Next week's stories will include the shocking problem at St Helens Crem, a new nightclub opens at Carr Mill, a setback for Rainhill's mad mile mothers, the Marshalls Cross pigeon theft and St Helens Council is told to speed up its slum clearance.
The National Coal Board had agreed to reinstate a bonus agreement, which they'd suspended after accusing the men of indulging in tactics to slow down production.
This ploy would supposedly allow some miners to claim a £10 a week bonus. Union officials denied the NCB's claim and the dispute would now be considered by a joint negotiating committee.
Also on the 6th, nine-year-old Harold Bickerstaffe of Bishop Reeves Road in Haydock underwent a major hole-in-the-heart operation at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital.
Three months earlier his 13-year-old brother John had died after undergoing identical surgery – but there were high hopes for Harold's full recovery.
Two days after the operation, the boy had made such good progress that he was taken off a pacemaker machine with doctors declaring that the critical stage had passed.
Mother Audrey Bickerstaffe said: "I'm thrilled to bits. The surgeons told me Harold was doing well after the operation, and there have been no complications so far. I went to see him on Wednesday, and he spoke to me. He said “Hello Mum”. I could have cried."
Just after midnight on the 7th, the garage of haulage contractor Cecil Ratcliffe suffered an arson attack that destroyed three of his lorries.
Mr Ratcliffe of Sherdley Road said: "This was a deliberate attempt to sabotage my business, and I'm out to find the men who did it. I will give £200 to anyone who can give the police information leading to their arrest."
During the evening of the 7th, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band made a return appearance in St Helens at the Theatre Royal.
Meanwhile at Ruskin Drive, a UFO moving slowly in the night sky halted a football match. One by one players stopped to stare as the brightly-lit object traversed the heavens.
As it vanished from sight, the game resumed – but minutes later the UFO returned, now travelling in the opposite direction.
Pilkington player Jim Walker said: "It wasn't a satellite or a star. And it was moving too slowly for a plane. I'm certain it was a flying saucer, or some other kind of UFO."
Teammate Johnny Parker from Wycliffe Road added: "I'd never seen anything like it. It was definitely something very unusual."
This week the Government revealed its intention to close Rainhill Hospital – although it could take fifteen years before it took place.
That was after the announcement in the Commons by Sir Keith Joseph, the Secretary of State for Health, that all mental hospitals in the country would be axed by 1986.
However, a spokesman for the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board stated that definite plans for the future of the 2,000-bed hospital had yet to be finalised.
Another announcement came this week from Chief Superintendent Jack Watson, head of St Helens police division.
It was a four-point Christmas crime prevention action plan to aid shoppers, motorists, householders and traders.
The advice might be seen as common sense – if not obvious preventive measures – to reduce crime, although it was clearly based on police experience of routine failings.
Women shoppers were advised to carry purses in their hands and not leave them lying on top of open bags in full view of passing thieves.
Motorists were told to park on supervised car parks, lock doors and windows and store presents in the boot of their vehicle.
Householders were advised to fit substantial locks and window fastenings and not "advertise the fact that the house will be empty for a few days, or even a few hours."
And traders were told to keep stock in a safe place, ensure premises were secure at night and vary the route and time for taking cash to the bank.
Retailers were also advised to be "wary of dud cheques being used by confidence tricksters."
From the 9th to the 11th, 'Ballet For All' was presented at the Theatre Royal with Royal Ballet dancers performing 'Sun King', 'Swan Queen' and 'On With The Dance'.
The St Helens Reporter's lead story on the 10th was headlined "£500,000 Casino Gamble For Carr Mill" and began:
"A mystery tycoon is master-minding a deal to build a giant night-life complex costing half a million pounds. A casino, luxury nightclub and monster motel will take the place of swings and roundabouts on the edge of Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens."
The children's playground had closed in 1968 and in the following year St Helens Council had approved plans for the proposed complex.
However, the project stalled as new gambling laws only permitted selected areas to operate casinos.
But the Reporter reckoned that the London-based "Mr X" was gambling that when the town boundaries changed in 1974, St Helens would be permitted to have its own casino.
Vandalism was regularly featured in the Reporter half a century ago – with churches and telephone boxes two of the most popular targets for wreckers.
I don't think I’ve come across a newspaper report of tree vandals before. But this week the council described how the Derbyshire Hill housing estate had endured such arboreal barbarism on an epic scale.
Parks director Sid Adamson said: "We put 300 trees on this reclaimed site and practically all have been mutilated. It's very disheartening to see this sort of thing happening. But I don't like to be beaten."
So Mr Adamson had decided to replace those that had been damaged or uprooted with even more substantial trees.
The paper also described how Greenall Whitley planned to fight a Town Hall ban on the brewery's proposed betting shop at the Travellers Rest Hotel.
Greenalls wanted to build the premises in the car park of their Crab Street pub and then rent it out to a bookmaker. Punters would then be able to come inside the hotel to watch the races take place.
A spokesman said: "There is an obvious connection between gambling and drinking, and a pub with a betting shop is good for our trade."
However, the council had refused planning permission, saying the site was too near the HQ of the Air Training Corps and the new building would reduce car parking facilities at the pub.
Greenalls had appealed against the decision and a public inquiry was going to be held.
An advert in the Reporter said: "If you dial St. Helens 29117 you'll hear us say HOWARD TRAVEL BARROW STREET. Yes … we've moved from Cotham Street. Still a better travel service."
Penman's of Corporation Street were profiled as part of a big advertising feature in the paper, as the jewellers were marking twenty years in business.
The firm specialised in Swiss watches and engagement rings and was run by Donald and Eileen Fuller.
Other businesses advertising their wares on the page included V. A. Seymour of Barrow Street – who also sold watches and clocks – and Beamans of Eccleston Street, the kitchen and bathroom supplier, which only closed a few years ago.
"Had A Bump? Then get free recovery, estimate and claim advice – plus expert repair jobs." So said Derek Jones auto body repairs of Merton Bank Road.
Meanwhile the ad of Eric Bromilow of North Road went: "RALEIGH – RALEIGH – RALEIGH – Best selection in town of Raleigh bikes and trikes."
And "SUPER SAVINGS" were on offer at Derbyshire's of 12 College Street with wallpaper from 25p and Dulux gloss from 45p per pint.
Would a man buying his wife a vacuum cleaner as her Christmas present make her deliriously happy? Well, Chas. A. Critchley of 109 Church Street seemed to think so.
"GIVE HAPPINESS – GIVE HOOVER", was their slogan. I think any man who did that today would deserve a festive slap in the face as their gift!
But 50 years ago not all women owned the latest electrical appliances and so might greatly appreciate any labour-saving machine that made the drudgery of housecleaning easier.
Ben Brooks Sports Centre in Duke Street was advertising soccer and rugby boots, with Puma, Mitre and Adidas their main brands.
Also advertising this week was Tony Sampson of Cotham Street ("St. Helens leading fashion store") who was selling "Jason King style" 3-piece suits from £21.
And St Helens Aquarium of Hamer Street (opposite Beechams) was selling "hundreds of tropical and coldwater fish – A tropical fish aquarium outfit is a grand Christmas Gift idea for all the family."
Pictured in the Reporter was the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. Stuart Blanche, alongside the Vicar of Rainhill, Rev. Francis Ebbitt, after 50 candidates had been confirmed at St Ann's Church.
The Theatre Royal and Opera House used to be the full name of the Corporation Street venue.
The moniker had shrunk but there was still opera from time to time and on the 15th, tenor Alberto Remedios and soprano Ava June were on stage and no doubt in good voice.
On the following day Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen performed at the theatre.
On the 18th the former Bootle maths and music teacher returned to St Helens to headline in his own right, after enjoying exposure on the new TV show called 'The Comedians'.
Tom had his own support artists, The Crofters folk group and the Lorne Gibson Trio.
Next week's stories will include the shocking problem at St Helens Crem, a new nightclub opens at Carr Mill, a setback for Rainhill's mad mile mothers, the Marshalls Cross pigeon theft and St Helens Council is told to speed up its slum clearance.