FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (13th - 19th FEBRUARY 1973)
This week's many stories include the controversial ban on car parking in Hardshaw Street, traders in the new St Mary's Market complain of a big drop in takings, Mary Whitehouse is set to visit Sutton, the simple betting shop frauds, Pilks go green and the cheeky cartwheel theft from Westfield Street.
We begin on the 13th when Thomas Hulme went to Buckingham Palace to receive the George Cross from the Queen. The 69-year-old from Walkers Lane in Sutton Manor had 32 years earlier spent two hours freeing a man at Parsonage Colliery at Leigh after an underground roof collapse. Then Thomas was awarded the Edward Medal for his bravery. As such awards had long ceased, the Government invited all surviving holders of the medal to exchange them for the better-known George Cross. "It was a tremendous day for me", said Thomas. His wife, Dorothy, was a magistrate and she had her own medal, an MBE, awarded for her national savings work.
Scores of road accidents were reported across Merseyside on the 14th as heavy snow and hailstorms greeted early morning commuters. Four inches of snow fell in St Helens. Later that day the Liverpool Echo wrote: "Three Rainford housewives are putting household chores aside, to voluntarily assist local school teachers in the supervision of their pupils." Their article described how mothers on the village's Old Hall Estate were supporting teachers at the new Brook Lodge School.
Audrey Lee, of Old Lane in Rainford, said she came to help out at the school's Christmas party and "things just snowballed from there. I enjoy the change, as I'm a housewife the rest of the week." Other parent helpers were Louise Leslie and Hilda Pickavance with teacher Janet Litherland saying: "Having a parent with you to help makes all the difference".
On the following day in the Echo under a photo of two little girls playing at dressing up was this caption: "Two little maids from school – living, learning and enjoying themselves, are four-year-old Katrina WoolfalL of Harrison Drive, Rainford, and Susan Ray, aged five, of Lathom Drive, Rainford. They are pictured in the play shop at Brook Lodge County School. Rainford."
Also on the 15th a Liverpool man was sent to prison for 18 months for committing surprisingly simple frauds against betting shops – with three of the offences taking place in St Helens. The 28-year-old would stand outside betting offices listening to the live commentary of races over the loudspeaker system inside. Once he knew a result he would write out a bet on the race with the winner's name on. Then he would go inside the shop and hand in his slip and later return to collect the winnings. It's hard to imagine that it was that easy but I expect there was a short delay between the radio commentary and when the betting shop received official notification of race results, which the man had been able to exploit.
Despite objections from banks and business owners, the St Helens Works Committee decided on the 15th to proceed with its plan to ban car parking in Hardshaw Street, between Church Street and Claughton Street. But as a compromise the committee said the situation would be reviewed at the end of six months. When the plan was first announced last December there had been strong protests from banks who said their customers would have to carry large sums of cash through the street making them more vulnerable to robberies. The committee wanted to ban parking as part of its scheme to pedestrianise the whole of the Church Street shopping area.
The Reporter on the 16th described a cheeky theft from outside an antiques shop in Westfield Street (pictured above). A cartwheel that had once been attached to a farm wagon was on display outside the premises. While shop owner Jim McCarrick and his staff were busy unpacking some new stock, someone nicked the cartwheel, which were then in demand as ornamental features for houses. "Whoever took it must have looked pretty conspicuous trundling it off up the street", said Mr McCarrick. Commenting on the theft a police spokesman said: "Probably several people saw it. The trouble nowadays is that no-one wants to get involved."
Three Ugandan Asian children were pictured in the Reporter with a snowman after witnessing snow for the first time in their lives. "It's lovely", said five-year-old Rukshana Khan. "Feels cold, but nice", added 12-year-old Smita Rupareila. The children belonged to three families that had recently moved onto the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton.
The paper also revealed how Mary Whitehouse would be coming to Sutton. The outspoken voice of the National Viewers and Listeners Association and campaigner against permissiveness on TV had accepted the Rev. Paul Conder's invitation to participate in his new series of talks. In 1972 the Vicar of Sutton had invited a number of guests to discuss their faith in his Parish Hall in New Street.
The series had gone down so well that six more weekly meetings had been lined up for 1973, with Mrs Whitehouse the star attraction. "Many people disagree with Mrs. Whitehouse's views, but I hope this won't stop them coming," said Rev. Condor. "I've seen her when she's been ‘grilled’, and it makes [for a] very interesting discussion." Other guests lined up included the Bishop of Liverpool, the editor of the Catholic Pictorial magazine and the religious programmes adviser for Tyne Tees TV.
The move to the new market centre in St Helens had been very disruptive for many traders – particularly as the buildings were only half-finished. This week some claimed in the Reporter that they were being forced into bankruptcy through high rents and poor trade. Thomas and Joyce Bannister said they had lost £350 since relocating their greengrocer's stall to St Mary's Market sixteen weeks ago.
"And it looks like we're going to lose a lot more before building is finished," added Mr Bannister. We came here on a reduced rent and were told it would be increased as trade built-up and more facilities were added. But trade has deteriorated and facilities haven't improved. We haven't got the central heating that was promised, the roof leaks in places and there are no public toilets. I'm running here at a loss. We had to sack three of the staff because we couldn't afford to pay them. On the old site, takings on a Saturday amounted to about £150. Now I'm lucky if we get £50."
And herbalist May Sinclair said it was so cold that some of the market traders filled hot water bottles to keep warm, adding: "And the dirt is terrible. I have to clean my stall every day." The council's response was that the period between Christmas and Easter was always the poorest of the year for trade. And when building work was completed and more traders could move in, it would not be as cold as the market's heating would not dissipate so easily. The council spokesman also explained that the traders had been told they could relocate to stalls with cheaper rents in the open market if they wished.
Also complaining were the residents of Gartons Lane in Clock Face. They claimed that land at the rear of their homes was being used as a rubbish tip and consequently it had become a haven for rats. Ron Mather told the paper: "These creatures are enormous. We saw one in our yard and it was just like a young dog. The whole area at the back is one hell of a mess and is just a swamp."
Advertising in a Reporter mini-feature on home freezers were Fredericks Dairies of Kirkland Street and Krazy Kuts of Eccleston Street. The electrical firm of Eric Bromilow of Church Street, Baldwin Street and Park Road was also offering a 4 cu. ft. chest freezer for £38.
The Reporter described a huge tree-planting scheme by Pilkingtons in which 17 industrial blackspots were likely to vanish behind screens of ash, birch, poplars and sycamores. The first step in the 5 to 10 year scheme was scheduled to start in the spring when the giant waste heaps at Islands Brow in Haresfinch were to be transformed into wooded hills. Nine thousand four-foot high trees were going to be planted on five acres of banking and once a road improvement scheme had been completed later in the year, eight-foot high trees would skirt Islands Brow.
Pilks were also planning to cover-up their own works with trees and were considering repainting their factories to blend in with their backgrounds and sky. The St Helens and District Civic Society had been consulted over the improvements and their secretary, Brian Wilson, told the Reporter: "Pilkington realise they are creating environmental problems. It's good to know they are trying to do something to clear them up."
And finally on the 17th the first of the three planned multi-storey car parks opened in St Helens on the south side of the ring road. With a capacity accommodating just over 700 vehicles, this was to be the largest of the three with charges set at 3p for one hour, 5p for two hours and 30p for over five hours.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the rescue of a child from a blazing Parr home, the fresh wave of fury over Leathers, Pilks rebel leader Gerry Caughey receives another rejection and an Ashtons Green chimney is blown to bits.
We begin on the 13th when Thomas Hulme went to Buckingham Palace to receive the George Cross from the Queen. The 69-year-old from Walkers Lane in Sutton Manor had 32 years earlier spent two hours freeing a man at Parsonage Colliery at Leigh after an underground roof collapse. Then Thomas was awarded the Edward Medal for his bravery. As such awards had long ceased, the Government invited all surviving holders of the medal to exchange them for the better-known George Cross. "It was a tremendous day for me", said Thomas. His wife, Dorothy, was a magistrate and she had her own medal, an MBE, awarded for her national savings work.
Scores of road accidents were reported across Merseyside on the 14th as heavy snow and hailstorms greeted early morning commuters. Four inches of snow fell in St Helens. Later that day the Liverpool Echo wrote: "Three Rainford housewives are putting household chores aside, to voluntarily assist local school teachers in the supervision of their pupils." Their article described how mothers on the village's Old Hall Estate were supporting teachers at the new Brook Lodge School.
Audrey Lee, of Old Lane in Rainford, said she came to help out at the school's Christmas party and "things just snowballed from there. I enjoy the change, as I'm a housewife the rest of the week." Other parent helpers were Louise Leslie and Hilda Pickavance with teacher Janet Litherland saying: "Having a parent with you to help makes all the difference".
On the following day in the Echo under a photo of two little girls playing at dressing up was this caption: "Two little maids from school – living, learning and enjoying themselves, are four-year-old Katrina WoolfalL of Harrison Drive, Rainford, and Susan Ray, aged five, of Lathom Drive, Rainford. They are pictured in the play shop at Brook Lodge County School. Rainford."
Also on the 15th a Liverpool man was sent to prison for 18 months for committing surprisingly simple frauds against betting shops – with three of the offences taking place in St Helens. The 28-year-old would stand outside betting offices listening to the live commentary of races over the loudspeaker system inside. Once he knew a result he would write out a bet on the race with the winner's name on. Then he would go inside the shop and hand in his slip and later return to collect the winnings. It's hard to imagine that it was that easy but I expect there was a short delay between the radio commentary and when the betting shop received official notification of race results, which the man had been able to exploit.
Despite objections from banks and business owners, the St Helens Works Committee decided on the 15th to proceed with its plan to ban car parking in Hardshaw Street, between Church Street and Claughton Street. But as a compromise the committee said the situation would be reviewed at the end of six months. When the plan was first announced last December there had been strong protests from banks who said their customers would have to carry large sums of cash through the street making them more vulnerable to robberies. The committee wanted to ban parking as part of its scheme to pedestrianise the whole of the Church Street shopping area.
Three Ugandan Asian children were pictured in the Reporter with a snowman after witnessing snow for the first time in their lives. "It's lovely", said five-year-old Rukshana Khan. "Feels cold, but nice", added 12-year-old Smita Rupareila. The children belonged to three families that had recently moved onto the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton.
The paper also revealed how Mary Whitehouse would be coming to Sutton. The outspoken voice of the National Viewers and Listeners Association and campaigner against permissiveness on TV had accepted the Rev. Paul Conder's invitation to participate in his new series of talks. In 1972 the Vicar of Sutton had invited a number of guests to discuss their faith in his Parish Hall in New Street.
The series had gone down so well that six more weekly meetings had been lined up for 1973, with Mrs Whitehouse the star attraction. "Many people disagree with Mrs. Whitehouse's views, but I hope this won't stop them coming," said Rev. Condor. "I've seen her when she's been ‘grilled’, and it makes [for a] very interesting discussion." Other guests lined up included the Bishop of Liverpool, the editor of the Catholic Pictorial magazine and the religious programmes adviser for Tyne Tees TV.
The move to the new market centre in St Helens had been very disruptive for many traders – particularly as the buildings were only half-finished. This week some claimed in the Reporter that they were being forced into bankruptcy through high rents and poor trade. Thomas and Joyce Bannister said they had lost £350 since relocating their greengrocer's stall to St Mary's Market sixteen weeks ago.
"And it looks like we're going to lose a lot more before building is finished," added Mr Bannister. We came here on a reduced rent and were told it would be increased as trade built-up and more facilities were added. But trade has deteriorated and facilities haven't improved. We haven't got the central heating that was promised, the roof leaks in places and there are no public toilets. I'm running here at a loss. We had to sack three of the staff because we couldn't afford to pay them. On the old site, takings on a Saturday amounted to about £150. Now I'm lucky if we get £50."
And herbalist May Sinclair said it was so cold that some of the market traders filled hot water bottles to keep warm, adding: "And the dirt is terrible. I have to clean my stall every day." The council's response was that the period between Christmas and Easter was always the poorest of the year for trade. And when building work was completed and more traders could move in, it would not be as cold as the market's heating would not dissipate so easily. The council spokesman also explained that the traders had been told they could relocate to stalls with cheaper rents in the open market if they wished.
Also complaining were the residents of Gartons Lane in Clock Face. They claimed that land at the rear of their homes was being used as a rubbish tip and consequently it had become a haven for rats. Ron Mather told the paper: "These creatures are enormous. We saw one in our yard and it was just like a young dog. The whole area at the back is one hell of a mess and is just a swamp."
Advertising in a Reporter mini-feature on home freezers were Fredericks Dairies of Kirkland Street and Krazy Kuts of Eccleston Street. The electrical firm of Eric Bromilow of Church Street, Baldwin Street and Park Road was also offering a 4 cu. ft. chest freezer for £38.
The Reporter described a huge tree-planting scheme by Pilkingtons in which 17 industrial blackspots were likely to vanish behind screens of ash, birch, poplars and sycamores. The first step in the 5 to 10 year scheme was scheduled to start in the spring when the giant waste heaps at Islands Brow in Haresfinch were to be transformed into wooded hills. Nine thousand four-foot high trees were going to be planted on five acres of banking and once a road improvement scheme had been completed later in the year, eight-foot high trees would skirt Islands Brow.
Pilks were also planning to cover-up their own works with trees and were considering repainting their factories to blend in with their backgrounds and sky. The St Helens and District Civic Society had been consulted over the improvements and their secretary, Brian Wilson, told the Reporter: "Pilkington realise they are creating environmental problems. It's good to know they are trying to do something to clear them up."
And finally on the 17th the first of the three planned multi-storey car parks opened in St Helens on the south side of the ring road. With a capacity accommodating just over 700 vehicles, this was to be the largest of the three with charges set at 3p for one hour, 5p for two hours and 30p for over five hours.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the rescue of a child from a blazing Parr home, the fresh wave of fury over Leathers, Pilks rebel leader Gerry Caughey receives another rejection and an Ashtons Green chimney is blown to bits.
This week's many stories include the controversial ban on car parking in Hardshaw Street, traders in the new St Mary's Market complain of a big drop in takings, Mary Whitehouse is set to visit Sutton, the simple betting shop frauds, Pilks go green and the cheeky cartwheel theft from Westfield Street.
We begin on the 13th when Thomas Hulme went to Buckingham Palace to receive the George Cross from the Queen.
The 69-year-old from Walkers Lane in Sutton Manor had 32 years earlier spent two hours freeing a man at Parsonage Colliery at Leigh after an underground roof collapse.
Then Thomas was awarded the Edward Medal for his bravery. As such awards had long ceased, the Government invited all surviving holders of the medal to exchange them for the better-known George Cross.
"It was a tremendous day for me", said Thomas. His wife, Dorothy, was a magistrate and she had her own medal, an MBE, awarded for her national savings work.
Scores of road accidents were reported across Merseyside on the 14th as heavy snow and hailstorms greeted early morning commuters. Four inches of snow fell in St Helens.
Later that day the Liverpool Echo wrote: "Three Rainford housewives are putting household chores aside, to voluntarily assist local school teachers in the supervision of their pupils."
Their article described how mothers on the village's Old Hall Estate were supporting teachers at the new Brook Lodge School.
Audrey Lee, of Old Lane in Rainford, said she came to help out at the school's Christmas party and "things just snowballed from there. I enjoy the change, as I'm a housewife the rest of the week."
Other parent helpers were Louise Leslie and Hilda Pickavance with teacher Janet Litherland saying: "Having a parent with you to help makes all the difference".
On the following day in the Echo under a photo of two little girls playing at dressing up was this caption:
"Two little maids from school – living, learning and enjoying themselves, are four-year-old Katrina WoolfalL of Harrison Drive, Rainford, and Susan Ray, aged five, of Lathom Drive, Rainford. They are pictured in the play shop at Brook Lodge County School. Rainford."
Also on the 15th a Liverpool man was sent to prison for 18 months for committing surprisingly simple frauds against betting shops – with three of the offences taking place in St Helens.
The 28-year-old would stand outside betting offices listening to the live commentary of races over the loudspeaker system inside.
Once he knew a result he would write out a bet on the race with the winner's name on. Then he would go inside the shop and hand in his slip and later return to collect the winnings.
It's hard to imagine that it was that easy but I expect there was a short delay between the radio commentary and when the betting shop received official notification of race results, which the man had been able to exploit.
Despite objections from banks and business owners, the St Helens Works Committee decided on the 15th to proceed with its plan to ban car parking in Hardshaw Street, between Church Street and Claughton Street.
But as a compromise the committee said the situation would be reviewed at the end of six months.
When the plan was first announced last December there had been strong protests from banks who said their customers would have to carry large sums of cash through the street making them more vulnerable to robberies.
The committee wanted to ban parking as part of its scheme to pedestrianise the whole of the Church Street shopping area.
The Reporter on the 16th described a cheeky theft from outside an antiques shop in Westfield Street (pictured above).
A cartwheel that had once been attached to a farm wagon was on display outside the premises.
While shop owner Jim McCarrick and his staff were busy unpacking some new stock, someone nicked the cartwheel, which were then in demand as ornamental features for houses.
"Whoever took it must have looked pretty conspicuous trundling it off up the street", said Mr McCarrick.
Commenting on the theft a police spokesman said: "Probably several people saw it. The trouble nowadays is that no-one wants to get involved."
Three Ugandan Asian children were pictured in the Reporter with a snowman after witnessing snow for the first time in their lives.
"It's lovely", said five-year-old Rukshana Khan. "Feels cold, but nice", added 12-year-old Smita Rupareila.
The children belonged to three families that had recently moved onto the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton.
The paper also revealed how Mary Whitehouse would be coming to Sutton. The outspoken voice of the National Viewers and Listeners Association and campaigner against permissiveness on TV had accepted the Rev. Paul Conder's invitation to participate in his new series of talks.
In 1972 the Vicar of Sutton had invited a number of guests to discuss their faith in his Parish Hall in New Street.
The series had gone down so well that six more weekly meetings had been lined up for 1973, with Mrs Whitehouse the star attraction.
"Many people disagree with Mrs. Whitehouse's views, but I hope this won't stop them coming," said Rev. Condor. "I've seen her when she's been ‘grilled’, and it makes [for a] very interesting discussion."
Other guests lined up included the Bishop of Liverpool, the editor of the Catholic Pictorial magazine and the religious programmes adviser for Tyne Tees TV.
The move to the new market centre in St Helens had been very disruptive for many traders – particularly as the buildings were only half-finished.
This week some claimed in the Reporter that they were being forced into bankruptcy through high rents and poor trade.
Thomas and Joyce Bannister said they had lost £350 since relocating their greengrocer's stall to St Mary's Market sixteen weeks ago.
"And it looks like we're going to lose a lot more before building is finished," added Mr Bannister.
"We came here on a reduced rent and were told it would be increased as trade built-up and more facilities were added.
"But trade has deteriorated and facilities haven't improved. We haven't got the central heating that was promised, the roof leaks in places and there are no public toilets. I'm running here at a loss.
"We had to sack three of the staff because we couldn't afford to pay them. On the old site, takings on a Saturday amounted to about £150. Now I'm lucky if we get £50."
And herbalist May Sinclair said it was so cold that some of the market traders filled hot water bottles to keep warm, adding: "And the dirt is terrible. I have to clean my stall every day."
The council's response was that the period between Christmas and Easter was always the poorest of the year for trade.
And when building work was completed and more traders could move in, it would not be as cold as the market's heating would not dissipate so easily.
The council spokesman also explained that the traders had been told they could relocate to stalls with cheaper rents in the open market if they wished.
Also complaining were the residents of Gartons Lane in Clock Face. They claimed that land at the rear of their homes was being used as a rubbish tip and consequently it had become a haven for rats.
Ron Mather told the paper: "These creatures are enormous. We saw one in our yard and it was just like a young dog. The whole area at the back is one hell of a mess and is just a swamp."
Advertising in a Reporter mini-feature on home freezers were Fredericks Dairies of Kirkland Street and Krazy Kuts of Eccleston Street.
The electrical firm of Eric Bromilow of Church Street, Baldwin Street and Park Road was also offering a 4 cu. ft. chest freezer for £38.
The Reporter described a huge tree-planting scheme by Pilkingtons in which 17 industrial blackspots were likely to vanish behind screens of ash, birch, poplars and sycamores.
The first step in the 5 to 10 year scheme was scheduled to start in the spring when the giant waste heaps at Islands Brow in Haresfinch were to be transformed into wooded hills.
Nine thousand four-foot high trees were going to be planted on five acres of banking and once a road improvement scheme had been completed later in the year, eight-foot high trees would skirt Islands Brow.
Pilks were also planning to cover-up their own works with trees and were considering repainting their factories to blend in with their backgrounds and sky.
The St Helens and District Civic Society had been consulted over the improvements and their secretary, Brian Wilson, told the Reporter:
"Pilkington realise they are creating environmental problems. It's good to know they are trying to do something to clear them up."
And finally on the 17th the first of the three planned multi-storey car parks opened in St Helens on the south side of the ring road.
With a capacity accommodating just over 700 vehicles, this was to be the largest of the three parks with charges set at 3p for one hour, 5p for two hours and 30p for over five hours.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the rescue of a child from a blazing Parr home, the fresh wave of fury over Leathers, Pilks rebel leader Gerry Caughey receives another rejection and an Ashtons Green chimney is blown to bits.
We begin on the 13th when Thomas Hulme went to Buckingham Palace to receive the George Cross from the Queen.
The 69-year-old from Walkers Lane in Sutton Manor had 32 years earlier spent two hours freeing a man at Parsonage Colliery at Leigh after an underground roof collapse.
Then Thomas was awarded the Edward Medal for his bravery. As such awards had long ceased, the Government invited all surviving holders of the medal to exchange them for the better-known George Cross.
"It was a tremendous day for me", said Thomas. His wife, Dorothy, was a magistrate and she had her own medal, an MBE, awarded for her national savings work.
Scores of road accidents were reported across Merseyside on the 14th as heavy snow and hailstorms greeted early morning commuters. Four inches of snow fell in St Helens.
Later that day the Liverpool Echo wrote: "Three Rainford housewives are putting household chores aside, to voluntarily assist local school teachers in the supervision of their pupils."
Their article described how mothers on the village's Old Hall Estate were supporting teachers at the new Brook Lodge School.
Audrey Lee, of Old Lane in Rainford, said she came to help out at the school's Christmas party and "things just snowballed from there. I enjoy the change, as I'm a housewife the rest of the week."
Other parent helpers were Louise Leslie and Hilda Pickavance with teacher Janet Litherland saying: "Having a parent with you to help makes all the difference".
On the following day in the Echo under a photo of two little girls playing at dressing up was this caption:
"Two little maids from school – living, learning and enjoying themselves, are four-year-old Katrina WoolfalL of Harrison Drive, Rainford, and Susan Ray, aged five, of Lathom Drive, Rainford. They are pictured in the play shop at Brook Lodge County School. Rainford."
Also on the 15th a Liverpool man was sent to prison for 18 months for committing surprisingly simple frauds against betting shops – with three of the offences taking place in St Helens.
The 28-year-old would stand outside betting offices listening to the live commentary of races over the loudspeaker system inside.
Once he knew a result he would write out a bet on the race with the winner's name on. Then he would go inside the shop and hand in his slip and later return to collect the winnings.
It's hard to imagine that it was that easy but I expect there was a short delay between the radio commentary and when the betting shop received official notification of race results, which the man had been able to exploit.
Despite objections from banks and business owners, the St Helens Works Committee decided on the 15th to proceed with its plan to ban car parking in Hardshaw Street, between Church Street and Claughton Street.
But as a compromise the committee said the situation would be reviewed at the end of six months.
When the plan was first announced last December there had been strong protests from banks who said their customers would have to carry large sums of cash through the street making them more vulnerable to robberies.
The committee wanted to ban parking as part of its scheme to pedestrianise the whole of the Church Street shopping area.
A cartwheel that had once been attached to a farm wagon was on display outside the premises.
While shop owner Jim McCarrick and his staff were busy unpacking some new stock, someone nicked the cartwheel, which were then in demand as ornamental features for houses.
"Whoever took it must have looked pretty conspicuous trundling it off up the street", said Mr McCarrick.
Commenting on the theft a police spokesman said: "Probably several people saw it. The trouble nowadays is that no-one wants to get involved."
Three Ugandan Asian children were pictured in the Reporter with a snowman after witnessing snow for the first time in their lives.
"It's lovely", said five-year-old Rukshana Khan. "Feels cold, but nice", added 12-year-old Smita Rupareila.
The children belonged to three families that had recently moved onto the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton.
The paper also revealed how Mary Whitehouse would be coming to Sutton. The outspoken voice of the National Viewers and Listeners Association and campaigner against permissiveness on TV had accepted the Rev. Paul Conder's invitation to participate in his new series of talks.
In 1972 the Vicar of Sutton had invited a number of guests to discuss their faith in his Parish Hall in New Street.
The series had gone down so well that six more weekly meetings had been lined up for 1973, with Mrs Whitehouse the star attraction.
"Many people disagree with Mrs. Whitehouse's views, but I hope this won't stop them coming," said Rev. Condor. "I've seen her when she's been ‘grilled’, and it makes [for a] very interesting discussion."
Other guests lined up included the Bishop of Liverpool, the editor of the Catholic Pictorial magazine and the religious programmes adviser for Tyne Tees TV.
The move to the new market centre in St Helens had been very disruptive for many traders – particularly as the buildings were only half-finished.
This week some claimed in the Reporter that they were being forced into bankruptcy through high rents and poor trade.
Thomas and Joyce Bannister said they had lost £350 since relocating their greengrocer's stall to St Mary's Market sixteen weeks ago.
"And it looks like we're going to lose a lot more before building is finished," added Mr Bannister.
"We came here on a reduced rent and were told it would be increased as trade built-up and more facilities were added.
"But trade has deteriorated and facilities haven't improved. We haven't got the central heating that was promised, the roof leaks in places and there are no public toilets. I'm running here at a loss.
"We had to sack three of the staff because we couldn't afford to pay them. On the old site, takings on a Saturday amounted to about £150. Now I'm lucky if we get £50."
And herbalist May Sinclair said it was so cold that some of the market traders filled hot water bottles to keep warm, adding: "And the dirt is terrible. I have to clean my stall every day."
The council's response was that the period between Christmas and Easter was always the poorest of the year for trade.
And when building work was completed and more traders could move in, it would not be as cold as the market's heating would not dissipate so easily.
The council spokesman also explained that the traders had been told they could relocate to stalls with cheaper rents in the open market if they wished.
Also complaining were the residents of Gartons Lane in Clock Face. They claimed that land at the rear of their homes was being used as a rubbish tip and consequently it had become a haven for rats.
Ron Mather told the paper: "These creatures are enormous. We saw one in our yard and it was just like a young dog. The whole area at the back is one hell of a mess and is just a swamp."
Advertising in a Reporter mini-feature on home freezers were Fredericks Dairies of Kirkland Street and Krazy Kuts of Eccleston Street.
The electrical firm of Eric Bromilow of Church Street, Baldwin Street and Park Road was also offering a 4 cu. ft. chest freezer for £38.
The Reporter described a huge tree-planting scheme by Pilkingtons in which 17 industrial blackspots were likely to vanish behind screens of ash, birch, poplars and sycamores.
The first step in the 5 to 10 year scheme was scheduled to start in the spring when the giant waste heaps at Islands Brow in Haresfinch were to be transformed into wooded hills.
Nine thousand four-foot high trees were going to be planted on five acres of banking and once a road improvement scheme had been completed later in the year, eight-foot high trees would skirt Islands Brow.
Pilks were also planning to cover-up their own works with trees and were considering repainting their factories to blend in with their backgrounds and sky.
The St Helens and District Civic Society had been consulted over the improvements and their secretary, Brian Wilson, told the Reporter:
"Pilkington realise they are creating environmental problems. It's good to know they are trying to do something to clear them up."
And finally on the 17th the first of the three planned multi-storey car parks opened in St Helens on the south side of the ring road.
With a capacity accommodating just over 700 vehicles, this was to be the largest of the three parks with charges set at 3p for one hour, 5p for two hours and 30p for over five hours.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the rescue of a child from a blazing Parr home, the fresh wave of fury over Leathers, Pilks rebel leader Gerry Caughey receives another rejection and an Ashtons Green chimney is blown to bits.