FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (12th - 18th August 1969)
This week's stories include the Clock Face Road residents who were living in fear, the death of a Duke Street record dealer, a one-eyed puppy called Mouse needs a home, there's a 'Back to School' feature in the Reporter, a fire at Melia's Bridge Street supermarket and the Sherdley Park homes that could be bought for £180 down and a fiver a week. But first a couple of announcements that were made this month.
The League of Friends of St Helens Hospital said that since their formation in 1957 they had managed to raise £30,000 (£500,000 in today's money) to pay for amenities for staff and patients. It was also revealed that during the 3-month period up to the end of June, 131,000 calls had been made to the GPO's Speaking Clock from St Helens. However the number of calls from people dialling TIM and hearing "at the third stroke…" was down 2,000 on the same period in 1968. The reduction was at odds with Liverpool's call figures, which rose by 15% to 3.57 million. That's a lot of time telling!
At their meeting on the 12th Windle Parish Council decided that steel plates should be inserted into bus shelters in Rainford Road in order to strengthen them. This was in response to recent vandalism in which wooden panels in the two shelters had been kicked through. The damage had happened just weeks after they'd been repaired and redecorated.
By 1969 the well-known record shop in Duke Street was known as 'The Record Lounge', although originally Albert and Maud Holding had owned it. The siblings had founded the business in the early 1920s selling records, sheet music and musical instruments and they ran it until their retirement in the late 1940s when their shop was sold.
On the 13th the funeral service of Albert Holding was held at St Helens Crematorium. The 74-year-old had lost his right arm while serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1. However being single-handed did not stop Albert from being able to insert records into bags and tie them up.
My father was a regular visitor to the shop and remembers Albert inserting string through the hole in the centre of the disc and then passing it through another hole in the bag.
He would then tie the string up at the open end of the bag so that the disc would not fall out – all done using just one hand. Albert and Maud were pioneers of popular music in St Helens, as I believe the only other pre-war record dealer was Mary Peters of George Street, who focussed more on classical music.
'Carry On Camping' was shown at the ABC Savoy for most of this week with the Capitol initially screening an Oliver Reed film called 'Hannibal Brooks', along with Peter Sellers in 'The Party'. Then for three days from the 14th, 'The Pure Hell of St. Trinians' and 'Blue Murder at St. Trinians' was screened at the Cap, with George Cole starring in both.
Also on the 14th a Prescot man was sentenced to four months in prison after running into Kingsway completely naked at half-past midnight and putting his arms around two women.
"Protests from Residents in Road of Fear" was the headline to an article in the St Helens Reporter on the 15th. They were referring to Clock Face Road and claimed the residents by a bend were "living in fear, dreading the day when a lorry may go out of control and smash into their homes." Only three days earlier a large truck had swerved as it approached the bridge and knocked a 25ft. lamp standard onto the path of Albert Morgan's home. This was only seconds after the 73-year-old had been standing at the same spot.
A fortnight earlier a neighbouring standard had been knocked to the ground when a vehicle crashed into it and a car had demolished a bus shelter near to Albert's house. The road had a 30 mph speed limit but Alice Morgan said no one took any notice of it. "They race through here at 70", she claimed. Neighbour Catherine Parr, a mother of four, added: "There's nowhere for the children to play. It's nerve-wracking when they go outside, but you can't keep young children in all the time." Mrs Parr told the Reporter that she was trying to find another house away from the dangerous bend, saying: "I want somewhere where the children can play in safety."
The Reporter's annual 'Back to School' feature was also published this week. Clinkard's of 5/7 Westfield Street said their Clarks shoes were in a "class of their own" and they claimed to have 1,500 pairs of children's shoes in stock. Joe's Leather Goods were situated in the Market Hall, the Covered Market and the Open Market in East Street with canvas school bags from 7/11 and leather school bags from 19/11.
Fenney's of 21 Duke Street was advertising a mathematical instrument set containing "quality instruments for the advanced student", including a protractor, compass etc. "Attractively housed in simulated leather zip fastener case", the "ideal gift" could be snapped up for 14 shillings. Do children still use protractors and compasses? It was a lucky kid who was bought a bike for school but Eric Bromilow of 13 North Road was advertising his cycles in the feature with a 15% discount.
"You Name It - We Have It" was the strapline of Marsdens who were offering back to school savings on their footwear at their shops in Barrow Street, Higher Parr Street, Cooper Street and Eccleston Street in Prescot. Helena House had one of the largest advertisements in the feature boasting the "best choice in town" for school outfitting. Last year they were offering "classic" school blazers from 52/6 but now they were costing from 62/6. School blouses started at 16/11 and boys' nylon shirts were priced from 14/11.
Alan Hunter from Peckers Hill Road in Sutton was also advertising his "back to schoolwear" as was Min's in the Open Market, although oddly their stall was only open for business on Mondays. Oxleys of Claughton Street were, as usual, promoting Green Shield stamps in their ad for school wear, as well as promising the keenest prices. And finally Haywards of 33 Westfield Street wrote: "Mothers who know best buy Trutex at Haywards".
Also in the Reporter was a picture of a lovely little puppy called Mouse who was under a death sentence. Two weeks earlier the Cairn-type terrier had been taken to a vet's surgery by two gipsies – as they were described in the paper. The 8-week-old puppy was then in a bad way after being attacked by a Jack Russell and the vet had to remove one of its eyes. However the travellers had not returned to reclaim their dog and unless someone came forward to offer Mouse a home, the cute little puppy would have to be put down.
Ten months after Northern Development Homes had begun advertising their Sherdley Park estate, they were still seemingly struggling to sell the homes – despite mortgages of up to 95% being on offer. The firm must have spent a small fortune on adverts in the Liverpool Echo alone, and on the 15th they wrote: "£180 down and from £5 7/6 weekly buys you a new home at Sherdley Park. St. Helens."
They had an estate office opposite the park gates that was open 7 days a week from 10:30am until dusk where people could learn about the "9 different types of architect-designed houses and bungalows available on this delightful estate". These were on sale from £3,595.
Pictured in the Echo on the 16th was four-year-old Julie Thornley from Eccleston. The little girl had just won a heat of the Rosebud contest and would be competing in next month's final at the Floral Hall in Southport. The Echo said it was the first time Julie had entered a mini-beauty competition and her blonde hair and brown eyes had caught the judges' eye.
A BBC camera crew was at Bold Miners' Institute in Fleet Lane on the 17th to make a documentary about whippet racing. The sport had returned to St Helens in June after an absence of 25 years. From that day for a week 'Monte Carlo or Bust!' starring Terry Thomas and Tony Curtis was shown at the ABC Savoy. Meanwhile at the Capitol Walt Disney's 'Swiss Family Robinson' was being screened with John Mills in the starring role.
A man was charged with forging a vehicle excise licence at Prescot Magistrates Court on the 18th. However the "forgery" was far from being an exact replica of a tax disc, as it was a beermat! The defendant said he had simply put the mat in the windscreen to keep the licence holder in place and had not intended to deceive anyone. The magistrates decided he had no case to answer but did fine him £5 for having an unlicensed car and ordered him to pay the duty, which then cost £2 1s 8d.
And finally during the evening of the 18th a fire broke out in a shed at the rear of Melia's supermarket in Bridge Street that was being used as a storeroom. The manager Ernest Croston from Haydock thought it likely that vandals had started the blaze by setting a bin alight and the fire had then spread to the shed. A cold store costing £1,000 (about £18,000 in today's money) had been destroyed and hundreds of pounds worth of tinned food would have to be thrown out.
Next week's stories will include the inaugural St Helens Show in Sherdley Park, the new system of doctors' appointments is criticised by patients, a Clock Face man's new invention to prevent oil slicks, TSB's "self-service electronic cash dispenser", the persons of "moronic temperament" at the Pilkington Gala and a new season of star shows at the Theatre Royal.
The League of Friends of St Helens Hospital said that since their formation in 1957 they had managed to raise £30,000 (£500,000 in today's money) to pay for amenities for staff and patients. It was also revealed that during the 3-month period up to the end of June, 131,000 calls had been made to the GPO's Speaking Clock from St Helens. However the number of calls from people dialling TIM and hearing "at the third stroke…" was down 2,000 on the same period in 1968. The reduction was at odds with Liverpool's call figures, which rose by 15% to 3.57 million. That's a lot of time telling!
At their meeting on the 12th Windle Parish Council decided that steel plates should be inserted into bus shelters in Rainford Road in order to strengthen them. This was in response to recent vandalism in which wooden panels in the two shelters had been kicked through. The damage had happened just weeks after they'd been repaired and redecorated.
By 1969 the well-known record shop in Duke Street was known as 'The Record Lounge', although originally Albert and Maud Holding had owned it. The siblings had founded the business in the early 1920s selling records, sheet music and musical instruments and they ran it until their retirement in the late 1940s when their shop was sold.
On the 13th the funeral service of Albert Holding was held at St Helens Crematorium. The 74-year-old had lost his right arm while serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1. However being single-handed did not stop Albert from being able to insert records into bags and tie them up.
My father was a regular visitor to the shop and remembers Albert inserting string through the hole in the centre of the disc and then passing it through another hole in the bag.
He would then tie the string up at the open end of the bag so that the disc would not fall out – all done using just one hand. Albert and Maud were pioneers of popular music in St Helens, as I believe the only other pre-war record dealer was Mary Peters of George Street, who focussed more on classical music.
These adverts from Pilkingtons Glass, BICC and Adkins & Shaw were in the Liverpool Echo during this week
These adverts were in the Liverpool Echo during this week
These adverts were in the Liverpool Echo
Also on the 14th a Prescot man was sentenced to four months in prison after running into Kingsway completely naked at half-past midnight and putting his arms around two women.
"Protests from Residents in Road of Fear" was the headline to an article in the St Helens Reporter on the 15th. They were referring to Clock Face Road and claimed the residents by a bend were "living in fear, dreading the day when a lorry may go out of control and smash into their homes." Only three days earlier a large truck had swerved as it approached the bridge and knocked a 25ft. lamp standard onto the path of Albert Morgan's home. This was only seconds after the 73-year-old had been standing at the same spot.
A fortnight earlier a neighbouring standard had been knocked to the ground when a vehicle crashed into it and a car had demolished a bus shelter near to Albert's house. The road had a 30 mph speed limit but Alice Morgan said no one took any notice of it. "They race through here at 70", she claimed. Neighbour Catherine Parr, a mother of four, added: "There's nowhere for the children to play. It's nerve-wracking when they go outside, but you can't keep young children in all the time." Mrs Parr told the Reporter that she was trying to find another house away from the dangerous bend, saying: "I want somewhere where the children can play in safety."
The Reporter's annual 'Back to School' feature was also published this week. Clinkard's of 5/7 Westfield Street said their Clarks shoes were in a "class of their own" and they claimed to have 1,500 pairs of children's shoes in stock. Joe's Leather Goods were situated in the Market Hall, the Covered Market and the Open Market in East Street with canvas school bags from 7/11 and leather school bags from 19/11.
Fenney's of 21 Duke Street was advertising a mathematical instrument set containing "quality instruments for the advanced student", including a protractor, compass etc. "Attractively housed in simulated leather zip fastener case", the "ideal gift" could be snapped up for 14 shillings. Do children still use protractors and compasses? It was a lucky kid who was bought a bike for school but Eric Bromilow of 13 North Road was advertising his cycles in the feature with a 15% discount.
"You Name It - We Have It" was the strapline of Marsdens who were offering back to school savings on their footwear at their shops in Barrow Street, Higher Parr Street, Cooper Street and Eccleston Street in Prescot. Helena House had one of the largest advertisements in the feature boasting the "best choice in town" for school outfitting. Last year they were offering "classic" school blazers from 52/6 but now they were costing from 62/6. School blouses started at 16/11 and boys' nylon shirts were priced from 14/11.
Alan Hunter from Peckers Hill Road in Sutton was also advertising his "back to schoolwear" as was Min's in the Open Market, although oddly their stall was only open for business on Mondays. Oxleys of Claughton Street were, as usual, promoting Green Shield stamps in their ad for school wear, as well as promising the keenest prices. And finally Haywards of 33 Westfield Street wrote: "Mothers who know best buy Trutex at Haywards".
Also in the Reporter was a picture of a lovely little puppy called Mouse who was under a death sentence. Two weeks earlier the Cairn-type terrier had been taken to a vet's surgery by two gipsies – as they were described in the paper. The 8-week-old puppy was then in a bad way after being attacked by a Jack Russell and the vet had to remove one of its eyes. However the travellers had not returned to reclaim their dog and unless someone came forward to offer Mouse a home, the cute little puppy would have to be put down.
They had an estate office opposite the park gates that was open 7 days a week from 10:30am until dusk where people could learn about the "9 different types of architect-designed houses and bungalows available on this delightful estate". These were on sale from £3,595.
Pictured in the Echo on the 16th was four-year-old Julie Thornley from Eccleston. The little girl had just won a heat of the Rosebud contest and would be competing in next month's final at the Floral Hall in Southport. The Echo said it was the first time Julie had entered a mini-beauty competition and her blonde hair and brown eyes had caught the judges' eye.
A BBC camera crew was at Bold Miners' Institute in Fleet Lane on the 17th to make a documentary about whippet racing. The sport had returned to St Helens in June after an absence of 25 years. From that day for a week 'Monte Carlo or Bust!' starring Terry Thomas and Tony Curtis was shown at the ABC Savoy. Meanwhile at the Capitol Walt Disney's 'Swiss Family Robinson' was being screened with John Mills in the starring role.
A man was charged with forging a vehicle excise licence at Prescot Magistrates Court on the 18th. However the "forgery" was far from being an exact replica of a tax disc, as it was a beermat! The defendant said he had simply put the mat in the windscreen to keep the licence holder in place and had not intended to deceive anyone. The magistrates decided he had no case to answer but did fine him £5 for having an unlicensed car and ordered him to pay the duty, which then cost £2 1s 8d.
And finally during the evening of the 18th a fire broke out in a shed at the rear of Melia's supermarket in Bridge Street that was being used as a storeroom. The manager Ernest Croston from Haydock thought it likely that vandals had started the blaze by setting a bin alight and the fire had then spread to the shed. A cold store costing £1,000 (about £18,000 in today's money) had been destroyed and hundreds of pounds worth of tinned food would have to be thrown out.
Next week's stories will include the inaugural St Helens Show in Sherdley Park, the new system of doctors' appointments is criticised by patients, a Clock Face man's new invention to prevent oil slicks, TSB's "self-service electronic cash dispenser", the persons of "moronic temperament" at the Pilkington Gala and a new season of star shows at the Theatre Royal.