FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (15th - 21st July 1969)
This week's stories include a hosepipe ban in the town, Phythians Travel want to take their customers to the Moon (really!), bravery awards at the Town Hall, Cowley Boys speech day, Saints chairman warns of the threat from live TV, the dawn of the Rainford Industrial Estate and nine teachers retire as schools break up for the summer.
We begin on the 15th when a party of sixteen scouts from Osnabrück in Germany visited the Mayor at the Town Hall. The group were staying at Bispham Hall in Billinge but had come at the invitation of the 7th St Helens (Nutgrove) troop who had visited Germany on two occasions.
Cowley Boys speech day also took place on the 15th with the deputy head F. M. Clifton delivering the headmaster's report in the absence of Mr Wright. Rather like today, schools were short of cash, as Mr Clifton described: "In these hard financial days I know full well that although we would like a new “this” and a bigger and more up-to-date “that”, there just is not the wherewithal to buy these things."
Despite the tough times Mr Clifton said they had managed to convert "nondescript rooms" into a metalwork / engineering workshop and a technical drawing office. A storage room had also been converted into a place for sixth formers, giving them: "...the opportunity to work in privacy and when the occasion arose, to meet each other socially. The sixth form centre has been comfortably furnished and equipped in a way that only a few years ago would have seemed unusual – perhaps unsuitable – for a school."
Mr Clifton also said the examination results had been as good as ever and on the rugby field the school had enjoyed a "purple season". Talking of rugby the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby League Football Club Ltd was held at Knowsley Road on the 15th, with chairman Harry Cook warning of the threat from television.
A few years ago Saints averaged 12,000 spectators a game but attendances had now halved. Mr Cook blamed the drop on the screening of live matches on TV, saying: "The lure of sitting comfortably at home during the bad weather generally decides the waverer to choose the “box”."
Negotiations were presently underway for a new contract with the BBC in which more games would be shown. However Mr Cook argued for a cautious approach, imagining a future scenario in which the Beeb decide there is too much rugby league on TV and then dropping the sport from their schedules. The Chairman felt this could mean: "No spectators, no money, and perhaps no Rugby League as we know it now."
New facilities for the spectators installed during the past year included a new cocktail lounge in the Social Club – "really beautiful" thought Harry Cook – and a long bar under the main stand. Both were expected to boost club finances and the half-time interval might be extended from five to ten minutes to allow spectators more time to enjoy them. I expect the players would appreciate the extra five minutes too! If all went to plan they would be getting new baths, showers and dressing rooms as well.
On the 16th a hosepipe ban was introduced in St Helens, Haydock and Billinge after the collapse of part of a road in Ashton that carried the Rivington Aqueduct. This had created a massive leak, although it had now been repaired and water was flowing again into the Brown Edge reservoirs. However it would take some time to build up the reservoir levels and householders had been told to conserve supplies and not to wash their cars or water gardens. As there was presently a heatwave in St Helens, the latter might take some self-discipline, especially from gardeners.
Also on the 16th the buildings of Rainford Potteries were sold in a four-minute auction for £20,500 (about £350,000 in today's money). The new owners of the 7-acre Mill Lane site (by Carborundum) said they intended to develop it into an industrial estate with around 30 tenants. Rainford Potteries' machinery, plant and equipment were also sold off, with the company's directors having decided to voluntarily close the plant down. The Old Mill Mining Company had started industrial operations on the site in 1868 and they became Rainford Potteries just after WW1 making glazed stoneware and drainpipes.
On the 18th the schools in St Helens broke up for the summer holidays, which would have been much to the relief of myself and I expect many readers! Six weeks of no school. Heaven! Many teachers probably felt the same, although nine who were retiring may well have had mixed feelings. Between them they clocked up almost 300 years of teaching and they included three headmistresses and a headmaster.
The former were Mary Staveley of Rivington Primary, Amy Fisher of Allanson Street Infants and Eleanor Lancaster from Robins Lane Secondary Girls. On September 1st the separate boys and girls secondary schools at Robins Lane would merge into a single school with Joseph Woods as head.
So Miss Lancaster after 38 years of teaching – with 15 of them in charge of the girls at Robins Lane – took the opportunity to retire. One of the headmistress's last acts was to present a watch to Susan Bailey from Spencer Gardens in Sutton. The 15-year-old was also leaving the school having obtained a job with a St Helens design studio and during her four years at Robins Lane had had a 100% attendance record.
The retiring "Mr Chips" – as the headmaster was described in the Reporter – was Peter Wilson of St Joseph's Junior School in Peasley Cross who had also taught at St Anne's and St Cuthbert's. The other departing teachers were Kathleen Evans (head of geography at Cowley Girls), Anne McCormack (deputy head Hurst School), Mrs C. A. Prince (Windle Pilkington), Agnes Leigh (Windleshaw RC) and Mrs Joseph Gaskell (Sacred Heart RC junior school).
The Reporter on the 18th had a special advertising feature, which they called 'Moon Time' with Apollo 11 having launched on its historic mission just two days earlier. Phythians Travel in Baldwin Street had a big illustration of a rocket in their advert, along with these words:
"We can't book you on Apollo 11 but when services to the moon are available Phythians will be the first to know. If you want to go let us know. We will enter your name in our Lunar Flight Register and keep you posted. Until then earthbound mortals can obtain all their Travel and Holiday requirements at Phythians Travel Agency, the only agent in St. Helens which is fully licensed to sell and issue immediately tickets on all international airlines."
I wonder how many people did have their name put in Phythians' Lunar Flight Register in the hope of obtaining a seat on a rocket to the moon? Also in the feature P & H Jolley, the "coat and gown specialists" opposite Beechams in Westfield Street, said in their ad: "Our prices are down to earth".
Further up the street W. H. Clinkard "your local family footwear fitting specialists" had a similar message, inviting customers to "Come down to earth and drop in on us". Meanwhile Watkinson's jewellers had this cheery message: "When it comes to time keeping in space you've got a very simple choice – you're either on time or you're dead." It was the introduction to their advert for the Bulova Accutron watch, the tuning fork movement of which was being used in the Apollo 11 mission.
Helena House Travel Services was thinking further than the Moon, writing: "All aboard for jet age travel pleasure. Will you require a round trip to Mars in 1980? Or perhaps, just a short trip to the Moon and back? There is no holding back now – nothing is more sure that this is the road that man is taking – The Road to the Planets. Meanwhile, the beauty of our island Earth is open for all to enjoy and see."
The Reporter also wrote that Harry Preston of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had been selected to represent Britain in the international rifle shooting championships. The 23-year-old crack shot was already the Lancashire County rifle shooting champion and practised during the week at the BICC rifle club.
"Learning to dance our way is groovy baby!". So said The Court dancing school of Prescot Road in their advert in the Reporter, adding: "Top records, friendly staff, basic tuition on all the popular dances (waltz, quickstep, cha cha, etc.)."
The Reporter also described how six people had received bravery awards at the Town Hall this week after making unsuccessful attempts to rescue the victims of two separate fires. Arthur Jones and Henry Tickle, both from Patterdale Drive (near Prescot Road), had entered the blazing home of their neighbour Elsie Ashton. They discovered the 56-year-old lying on her kitchen floor inside the blazing house and managed to drag her outside but their efforts were to no avail.
Both were presented with Protection of Life from Fire certificates by Cllr. Tom Wilcock, the Mayor of St Helens, as were Barbara Taylor (Upland Road), 18-year-old Keith Clark (Howard Street) and brothers Thomas Mower (Howard Street) and Eric Mower (Lacey Street). They had all made repeated attempts to enter a burning house in Legion Road in Thatto Heath, where sadly a 9-month-old baby died.
Jazz and cabaret singer Rosemary Squires was at the Plaza Theatre Club in Duke Street (shown above in 1967) during the evenings of the 18th and 19th, along with Toni Carroll. Also on the 19th Bob Azurdia of Radio Merseyside opened the Congregational and Presbyterian Church garden party at Windle Hall. It was the second time that the Ormskirk Street and Tolver Street churches had combined for a social event at the home of Lord and Lady Pilkington.
And finally a film guide with 'Ring of Bright Water' starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna being shown at the ABC Savoy for six days from the 21st. Meanwhile the Capitol had a double bill of horror featuring Boris Karloff in 'The Terror' and 'Frankenstein 1970'.
Next week's stories will include good news for the people of Parr, a St Helens' man's involvement with Apollo 11, water is pumped into the dry Sutton Mill Dam, an increase in false fire alarms, the Ministry of Defence give up Billinge Beacon, a new summer scheme for kids and new homes for the elderly in Rainford.
We begin on the 15th when a party of sixteen scouts from Osnabrück in Germany visited the Mayor at the Town Hall. The group were staying at Bispham Hall in Billinge but had come at the invitation of the 7th St Helens (Nutgrove) troop who had visited Germany on two occasions.
Cowley Boys speech day also took place on the 15th with the deputy head F. M. Clifton delivering the headmaster's report in the absence of Mr Wright. Rather like today, schools were short of cash, as Mr Clifton described: "In these hard financial days I know full well that although we would like a new “this” and a bigger and more up-to-date “that”, there just is not the wherewithal to buy these things."
Despite the tough times Mr Clifton said they had managed to convert "nondescript rooms" into a metalwork / engineering workshop and a technical drawing office. A storage room had also been converted into a place for sixth formers, giving them: "...the opportunity to work in privacy and when the occasion arose, to meet each other socially. The sixth form centre has been comfortably furnished and equipped in a way that only a few years ago would have seemed unusual – perhaps unsuitable – for a school."
Mr Clifton also said the examination results had been as good as ever and on the rugby field the school had enjoyed a "purple season". Talking of rugby the annual meeting of St Helens Rugby League Football Club Ltd was held at Knowsley Road on the 15th, with chairman Harry Cook warning of the threat from television.
A few years ago Saints averaged 12,000 spectators a game but attendances had now halved. Mr Cook blamed the drop on the screening of live matches on TV, saying: "The lure of sitting comfortably at home during the bad weather generally decides the waverer to choose the “box”."
Negotiations were presently underway for a new contract with the BBC in which more games would be shown. However Mr Cook argued for a cautious approach, imagining a future scenario in which the Beeb decide there is too much rugby league on TV and then dropping the sport from their schedules. The Chairman felt this could mean: "No spectators, no money, and perhaps no Rugby League as we know it now."
New facilities for the spectators installed during the past year included a new cocktail lounge in the Social Club – "really beautiful" thought Harry Cook – and a long bar under the main stand. Both were expected to boost club finances and the half-time interval might be extended from five to ten minutes to allow spectators more time to enjoy them. I expect the players would appreciate the extra five minutes too! If all went to plan they would be getting new baths, showers and dressing rooms as well.
On the 16th a hosepipe ban was introduced in St Helens, Haydock and Billinge after the collapse of part of a road in Ashton that carried the Rivington Aqueduct. This had created a massive leak, although it had now been repaired and water was flowing again into the Brown Edge reservoirs. However it would take some time to build up the reservoir levels and householders had been told to conserve supplies and not to wash their cars or water gardens. As there was presently a heatwave in St Helens, the latter might take some self-discipline, especially from gardeners.
Also on the 16th the buildings of Rainford Potteries were sold in a four-minute auction for £20,500 (about £350,000 in today's money). The new owners of the 7-acre Mill Lane site (by Carborundum) said they intended to develop it into an industrial estate with around 30 tenants. Rainford Potteries' machinery, plant and equipment were also sold off, with the company's directors having decided to voluntarily close the plant down. The Old Mill Mining Company had started industrial operations on the site in 1868 and they became Rainford Potteries just after WW1 making glazed stoneware and drainpipes.
On the 18th the schools in St Helens broke up for the summer holidays, which would have been much to the relief of myself and I expect many readers! Six weeks of no school. Heaven! Many teachers probably felt the same, although nine who were retiring may well have had mixed feelings. Between them they clocked up almost 300 years of teaching and they included three headmistresses and a headmaster.
Two photos of Joseph Woods, headmaster at Robins Lane School - on the left with referee Jim Finney
Two photos of Joseph Woods, headmaster at Robins Lane School
Joseph Woods headmaster at Robins Lane
So Miss Lancaster after 38 years of teaching – with 15 of them in charge of the girls at Robins Lane – took the opportunity to retire. One of the headmistress's last acts was to present a watch to Susan Bailey from Spencer Gardens in Sutton. The 15-year-old was also leaving the school having obtained a job with a St Helens design studio and during her four years at Robins Lane had had a 100% attendance record.
The retiring "Mr Chips" – as the headmaster was described in the Reporter – was Peter Wilson of St Joseph's Junior School in Peasley Cross who had also taught at St Anne's and St Cuthbert's. The other departing teachers were Kathleen Evans (head of geography at Cowley Girls), Anne McCormack (deputy head Hurst School), Mrs C. A. Prince (Windle Pilkington), Agnes Leigh (Windleshaw RC) and Mrs Joseph Gaskell (Sacred Heart RC junior school).
The Reporter on the 18th had a special advertising feature, which they called 'Moon Time' with Apollo 11 having launched on its historic mission just two days earlier. Phythians Travel in Baldwin Street had a big illustration of a rocket in their advert, along with these words:
"We can't book you on Apollo 11 but when services to the moon are available Phythians will be the first to know. If you want to go let us know. We will enter your name in our Lunar Flight Register and keep you posted. Until then earthbound mortals can obtain all their Travel and Holiday requirements at Phythians Travel Agency, the only agent in St. Helens which is fully licensed to sell and issue immediately tickets on all international airlines."
I wonder how many people did have their name put in Phythians' Lunar Flight Register in the hope of obtaining a seat on a rocket to the moon? Also in the feature P & H Jolley, the "coat and gown specialists" opposite Beechams in Westfield Street, said in their ad: "Our prices are down to earth".
Further up the street W. H. Clinkard "your local family footwear fitting specialists" had a similar message, inviting customers to "Come down to earth and drop in on us". Meanwhile Watkinson's jewellers had this cheery message: "When it comes to time keeping in space you've got a very simple choice – you're either on time or you're dead." It was the introduction to their advert for the Bulova Accutron watch, the tuning fork movement of which was being used in the Apollo 11 mission.
Helena House Travel Services was thinking further than the Moon, writing: "All aboard for jet age travel pleasure. Will you require a round trip to Mars in 1980? Or perhaps, just a short trip to the Moon and back? There is no holding back now – nothing is more sure that this is the road that man is taking – The Road to the Planets. Meanwhile, the beauty of our island Earth is open for all to enjoy and see."
The Reporter also wrote that Harry Preston of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had been selected to represent Britain in the international rifle shooting championships. The 23-year-old crack shot was already the Lancashire County rifle shooting champion and practised during the week at the BICC rifle club.
"Learning to dance our way is groovy baby!". So said The Court dancing school of Prescot Road in their advert in the Reporter, adding: "Top records, friendly staff, basic tuition on all the popular dances (waltz, quickstep, cha cha, etc.)."
The Reporter also described how six people had received bravery awards at the Town Hall this week after making unsuccessful attempts to rescue the victims of two separate fires. Arthur Jones and Henry Tickle, both from Patterdale Drive (near Prescot Road), had entered the blazing home of their neighbour Elsie Ashton. They discovered the 56-year-old lying on her kitchen floor inside the blazing house and managed to drag her outside but their efforts were to no avail.
Both were presented with Protection of Life from Fire certificates by Cllr. Tom Wilcock, the Mayor of St Helens, as were Barbara Taylor (Upland Road), 18-year-old Keith Clark (Howard Street) and brothers Thomas Mower (Howard Street) and Eric Mower (Lacey Street). They had all made repeated attempts to enter a burning house in Legion Road in Thatto Heath, where sadly a 9-month-old baby died.
And finally a film guide with 'Ring of Bright Water' starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna being shown at the ABC Savoy for six days from the 21st. Meanwhile the Capitol had a double bill of horror featuring Boris Karloff in 'The Terror' and 'Frankenstein 1970'.
Next week's stories will include good news for the people of Parr, a St Helens' man's involvement with Apollo 11, water is pumped into the dry Sutton Mill Dam, an increase in false fire alarms, the Ministry of Defence give up Billinge Beacon, a new summer scheme for kids and new homes for the elderly in Rainford.