FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (17th - 23rd OCTOBER 1972)
This week's many stories include the panic buying of bread in St Helens, the Saints coach conveying players to a match bursts into flames, a Parr woman calls for councillors to get rid of the town's dirty, filthy air, an Autumn Fashion Scene feature is in the Reporter and the Vicar of Rainford gets cross over his neon church cross being categorised as an advert.
We begin during the evening of the 17th with a suspected arson attack on the premises of Expandite in Birchley Street in St Helens. The factory made putty, mastics and adhesives and suffered two fires within the space of two hours. The St Helens Fire Brigade was summoned at 11 pm and found a quantity of fibreboard on fire in the company's yard. The brigade was about to leave just after 1 am when it was recalled by works manager George Macfarlane after he'd discovered a second fire on the premises.
He found that someone had shoved pieces of lighted paper through a small window onto a quantity of transparent paper. The small fire was quickly dealt with but the firm's general manager, Roy White, told the Liverpool Echo: "We believe that someone tried deliberately to burn the place down. They set fire to one of the doors and then placed an acetylene cylinder among the flames. They had also poured oil on the fibre boarding. We had to call the fire brigade a month ago when we found traces that someone had tried to start a fire, but on that occasion it never even got going."
Barber Harry Topping had a close shave this week when part of the ceiling in his North Road premises suddenly came crashing down! Explained Harry: "It was mid-afternoon – a quiet time of the day – and we were sitting talking about Rugby League. There was no warning. The plaster smashed the chair next to me. If it had caught anybody it could have killed them. I was very lucky." The shop was part of the YMCA building and above it courses in dancing and judo took place. Added Mr Bennett: "One of the blocks was so heavy that when workmen came in to clear it up the next day, it took two of them to move it."
The Vicar of Rainford, the Rev. Thomas Bishop, was pictured on the front of the Reporter on the 20th, upset that his plan to erect a white, neon cross on his church (pictured above) might be vetoed. Rainford Parish Church Council wanted to erect the 7-foot high cross on the 95-feet-high church tower as a memorial to the late Guy Pilkington, who had served as a church warden for 30 years. However, Lancashire planning officials said the cross would have to be classified in the same category as neon advertising signs which were strictly controlled in rural areas.
They added that the illuminated cross would be visible from a considerable distance and that needed to be taken into account before permission could be granted for its erection. Said Mr Bishop: "It is ridiculous that a cross should be put in the same class as commercial advertising. The cross is the symbol of our faith, and we want it to shine out into the night." It was decided that Rainford Planning Committee would meet with representatives of the church to discuss the proposed cross and consider any alternatives.
The Reporter was still receiving highly critical letters about the state of St Helens that a survey of the town had stimulated. This from Mrs A. E. White of Parr Stocks Road is a corker! It reads: "So a survey was taken to see what the inhabitants of St. Helens thought about their town. Good idea. Well now, take another survey next week – and the week after that, and keep on publishing the results, but what do you think it will achieve? Probably precisely nothing because we have just about the most lackadaisical set of councillors in England. You say keep letters [about the subject to the Reporter] short. I doubt if anybody in St. Helens at present could say all they wanted to say in a few short words, but here are just a few items:
"Get rid of the dirty, filthy air we breathe. Other industrial towns have done it. Get rid of the foul, putrid smells coming from this stinking brook. It is worse now than it was 60 years ago. If it can’t be piped underground, then keep it cleaned out. And what about Smithy Brow? Ye Gods! I have travelled England and nowhere have I seen anything as bad as that – Bishop's old, derelict factory, the paint works, old broken houses. But please, as old buildings are removed, don't stick up any more advertising boards.
"Victoria Square is absolutely filthy. I wish Victoria could see her filth-laden statue, and I lay odds she “definitely, wouldn't be amused.” Either clean it or move it. Town centre shopping centre, hmm! Take a look at the buses and trains going to Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington during Friday and Saturday and there is your answer to what a lot of the residents of St. Helens think about it as a shopping centre. Keep on and in a few years' time the only ones left in St. Helens will be people like myself too old to uproot. Which reminds me, I wonder how the golf course is coming on at Sherdley? Not a brick has been laid yet for the new baths." – A. E. WHITE (Mrs.)
Mrs White's last comment was a reference to the 1969 campaign by the people of Parr after the council had reneged on plans to build them swimming baths. That was because a golf course in Sherdley Park was going to be built instead, with the council saying they couldn't afford to provide both facilities. Parr folk felt the long-promised baths would have a wider public utility than a golf course and as a result of the backlash, the council U-turned and promised to build a slimmed-down baths. It's also worth mentioning that a Victoria Square clean-up was supposed to be underway.
The Reporter also carried an advertising feature called "Autumn Fashion Scene". Advertisers included Leaheys Scanda Sauna and Hair Salon of College Street who claimed to be "St Helens Only Complete Beauty Service", offering "facials, manicure, pedicure, waxing and the new sensational style blow waving". Another advertiser was Oxleys of Claughton Street who had just opened what the Reporter called the "kinkiest, trendiest boutique this side of the M1 motorway", adding that its "stunning kinetic lighting, gay-decor and sophisticated London clobber will make it one of the most popular “frock shops” in the whole of Lancashire."
There was also Kevin Peters of Cambridge Road ("High class personal tailors"); Mitzas Ladies Hairdresser, Edgeworth Street, Sutton ("New salon now open") and Men's Shoe Dept., Helena House, Baldwin Street ("The luxury of real leather, leather uppers, leather soles £4.50").
Lily Hambling was featured in the paper after Councillor Harry Williams had taken up the cudgels on her behalf. For two months the 76-year-old from Pendlebury Street in Clock Face had kept warm by staying in bed, as a result of her one-bedroom council flat having no heating or hot water. That was in spite of Mrs Hambling having reported her faulty fireplace to St Helens Council on five separate occasions.
"I have been living like an Eskimo," said Mrs Hambling. "I have even had to have a bath by instalments." The problem was only resolved after she contacted Cllr. Williams and this week he described the situation to the council’s Housing Committee meeting: "It's a scandalous state of affairs. This old lady had to stay in bed to keep warm. We've got to get our lines of communication better. It's now tradition to accept months and months for repairs."
This week Helena House on Baldwin Street held a "Free Trial Week" of its mini-hearing aid. "Why accept poor hearing when a simple trial will convince you of the advantages of wearing a modern all-in-the-ear-aid," said their advert. This week was also the national "Mind" mental health week and Rainhill Hospital again organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work. These were advertised as "See For Yourself Week".
On the 22nd the St Helens rugby league team and club officials had a narrow escape from injury when the Gavin Murray coach taking them to their game against Dewsbury burst into flames on the M62. Basil Lowe, the Saints' club secretary, was seated at the front of the coach and explained what happened:
"Because of a peculiar smell we pulled on to the hard shoulder, and the driver checked the radiator. Everything seemed all right, so we set off again. We then saw flames leaping from the front of the coach. We pulled on to the hard shoulder and got out of the coach as quickly as we could through the door, the emergency door and the back." Supporters driving to the match took the players on to the game and Stan Magowan of Gavin Murray later said the coach had only been 15 months old.
And finally, a one-week-long bread strike ended on the 23rd. The dispute only affected the 300 drivers and what were described as "van boys" employed by Thomas Scott and Son's bakery in Liverpool. Less than a sixth of the bread sold in St Helens came from Scott's – but the dispute had still caused panic buying in the shops with many selling out their stocks of bread early each day.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the opening of the new St Mary's Market, criticism of the Corporation rubbish dump in Chester Lane, the Parr vendetta between police and youths and the Billinge vicar who criticised the village's adults.
We begin during the evening of the 17th with a suspected arson attack on the premises of Expandite in Birchley Street in St Helens. The factory made putty, mastics and adhesives and suffered two fires within the space of two hours. The St Helens Fire Brigade was summoned at 11 pm and found a quantity of fibreboard on fire in the company's yard. The brigade was about to leave just after 1 am when it was recalled by works manager George Macfarlane after he'd discovered a second fire on the premises.
He found that someone had shoved pieces of lighted paper through a small window onto a quantity of transparent paper. The small fire was quickly dealt with but the firm's general manager, Roy White, told the Liverpool Echo: "We believe that someone tried deliberately to burn the place down. They set fire to one of the doors and then placed an acetylene cylinder among the flames. They had also poured oil on the fibre boarding. We had to call the fire brigade a month ago when we found traces that someone had tried to start a fire, but on that occasion it never even got going."
Barber Harry Topping had a close shave this week when part of the ceiling in his North Road premises suddenly came crashing down! Explained Harry: "It was mid-afternoon – a quiet time of the day – and we were sitting talking about Rugby League. There was no warning. The plaster smashed the chair next to me. If it had caught anybody it could have killed them. I was very lucky." The shop was part of the YMCA building and above it courses in dancing and judo took place. Added Mr Bennett: "One of the blocks was so heavy that when workmen came in to clear it up the next day, it took two of them to move it."
They added that the illuminated cross would be visible from a considerable distance and that needed to be taken into account before permission could be granted for its erection. Said Mr Bishop: "It is ridiculous that a cross should be put in the same class as commercial advertising. The cross is the symbol of our faith, and we want it to shine out into the night." It was decided that Rainford Planning Committee would meet with representatives of the church to discuss the proposed cross and consider any alternatives.
The Reporter was still receiving highly critical letters about the state of St Helens that a survey of the town had stimulated. This from Mrs A. E. White of Parr Stocks Road is a corker! It reads: "So a survey was taken to see what the inhabitants of St. Helens thought about their town. Good idea. Well now, take another survey next week – and the week after that, and keep on publishing the results, but what do you think it will achieve? Probably precisely nothing because we have just about the most lackadaisical set of councillors in England. You say keep letters [about the subject to the Reporter] short. I doubt if anybody in St. Helens at present could say all they wanted to say in a few short words, but here are just a few items:
"Get rid of the dirty, filthy air we breathe. Other industrial towns have done it. Get rid of the foul, putrid smells coming from this stinking brook. It is worse now than it was 60 years ago. If it can’t be piped underground, then keep it cleaned out. And what about Smithy Brow? Ye Gods! I have travelled England and nowhere have I seen anything as bad as that – Bishop's old, derelict factory, the paint works, old broken houses. But please, as old buildings are removed, don't stick up any more advertising boards.
"Victoria Square is absolutely filthy. I wish Victoria could see her filth-laden statue, and I lay odds she “definitely, wouldn't be amused.” Either clean it or move it. Town centre shopping centre, hmm! Take a look at the buses and trains going to Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington during Friday and Saturday and there is your answer to what a lot of the residents of St. Helens think about it as a shopping centre. Keep on and in a few years' time the only ones left in St. Helens will be people like myself too old to uproot. Which reminds me, I wonder how the golf course is coming on at Sherdley? Not a brick has been laid yet for the new baths." – A. E. WHITE (Mrs.)
Mrs White's last comment was a reference to the 1969 campaign by the people of Parr after the council had reneged on plans to build them swimming baths. That was because a golf course in Sherdley Park was going to be built instead, with the council saying they couldn't afford to provide both facilities. Parr folk felt the long-promised baths would have a wider public utility than a golf course and as a result of the backlash, the council U-turned and promised to build a slimmed-down baths. It's also worth mentioning that a Victoria Square clean-up was supposed to be underway.
The Reporter also carried an advertising feature called "Autumn Fashion Scene". Advertisers included Leaheys Scanda Sauna and Hair Salon of College Street who claimed to be "St Helens Only Complete Beauty Service", offering "facials, manicure, pedicure, waxing and the new sensational style blow waving". Another advertiser was Oxleys of Claughton Street who had just opened what the Reporter called the "kinkiest, trendiest boutique this side of the M1 motorway", adding that its "stunning kinetic lighting, gay-decor and sophisticated London clobber will make it one of the most popular “frock shops” in the whole of Lancashire."
There was also Kevin Peters of Cambridge Road ("High class personal tailors"); Mitzas Ladies Hairdresser, Edgeworth Street, Sutton ("New salon now open") and Men's Shoe Dept., Helena House, Baldwin Street ("The luxury of real leather, leather uppers, leather soles £4.50").
Lily Hambling was featured in the paper after Councillor Harry Williams had taken up the cudgels on her behalf. For two months the 76-year-old from Pendlebury Street in Clock Face had kept warm by staying in bed, as a result of her one-bedroom council flat having no heating or hot water. That was in spite of Mrs Hambling having reported her faulty fireplace to St Helens Council on five separate occasions.
"I have been living like an Eskimo," said Mrs Hambling. "I have even had to have a bath by instalments." The problem was only resolved after she contacted Cllr. Williams and this week he described the situation to the council’s Housing Committee meeting: "It's a scandalous state of affairs. This old lady had to stay in bed to keep warm. We've got to get our lines of communication better. It's now tradition to accept months and months for repairs."
On the 22nd the St Helens rugby league team and club officials had a narrow escape from injury when the Gavin Murray coach taking them to their game against Dewsbury burst into flames on the M62. Basil Lowe, the Saints' club secretary, was seated at the front of the coach and explained what happened:
"Because of a peculiar smell we pulled on to the hard shoulder, and the driver checked the radiator. Everything seemed all right, so we set off again. We then saw flames leaping from the front of the coach. We pulled on to the hard shoulder and got out of the coach as quickly as we could through the door, the emergency door and the back." Supporters driving to the match took the players on to the game and Stan Magowan of Gavin Murray later said the coach had only been 15 months old.
And finally, a one-week-long bread strike ended on the 23rd. The dispute only affected the 300 drivers and what were described as "van boys" employed by Thomas Scott and Son's bakery in Liverpool. Less than a sixth of the bread sold in St Helens came from Scott's – but the dispute had still caused panic buying in the shops with many selling out their stocks of bread early each day.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the opening of the new St Mary's Market, criticism of the Corporation rubbish dump in Chester Lane, the Parr vendetta between police and youths and the Billinge vicar who criticised the village's adults.
This week's many stories include the panic buying of bread in St Helens, the Saints coach conveying players to a match bursts into flames, a Parr woman calls for councillors to get rid of the town's dirty, filthy air, an Autumn Fashion Scene feature is in the Reporter and the Vicar of Rainford gets cross over his neon church cross being categorised as an advert.
We begin during the evening of the 17th with a suspected arson attack on the premises of Expandite in Birchley Street in St Helens.
The factory made putty, mastics and adhesives and suffered two fires within the space of two hours.
The St Helens Fire Brigade was summoned at 11 pm and found a quantity of fibreboard on fire in the company's yard.
The brigade was about to leave just after 1 am when it was recalled by works manager George Macfarlane after he'd discovered a second fire on the premises.
He found that someone had shoved pieces of lighted paper through a small window onto a quantity of transparent paper.
The small fire was quickly dealt with but its general manager, Roy White, told the Liverpool Echo:
"We believe that someone tried deliberately to burn the place down. They set fire to one of the doors and then placed an acetylene cylinder among the flames. They had also poured oil on the fibre boarding.
"We had to call the fire brigade a month ago when we found traces that someone had tried to start a fire, but on that occasion it never even got going."
Barber Harry Topping had a close shave this week when part of the ceiling in his North Road premises suddenly came crashing down! Explained Harry:
"It was mid-afternoon – a quiet time of the day – and we were sitting talking about Rugby League. There was no warning. The plaster smashed the chair next to me. If it had caught anybody it could have killed them. I was very lucky."
The shop was part of the YMCA building and above it courses in dancing and judo took place. Added Mr Bennett:
"One of the blocks was so heavy that when workmen came in to clear it up the next day, it took two of them to move it."
The Vicar of Rainford, the Rev. Thomas Bishop, was pictured on the front of the Reporter on the 20th, upset that his plan to erect a white, neon cross on his church (pictured above) might be vetoed.
Rainford Parish Church Council wanted to erect the 7-foot high cross on the 95-feet-high church tower as a memorial to the late Guy Pilkington, who had served as a church warden for 30 years.
However, Lancashire planning officials said the cross would have to be classified in the same category as neon advertising signs which were strictly controlled in rural areas.
They added that the illuminated cross would be visible from a considerable distance and that needed to be taken into account before permission could be granted for its erection.
Said Mr Bishop: "It is ridiculous that a cross should be put in the same class as commercial advertising. The cross is the symbol of our faith, and we want it to shine out into the night."
It was decided that Rainford Planning Committee would meet with representatives of the church to discuss the proposed cross and consider any alternatives.
The Reporter was still receiving highly critical letters about the state of St Helens that a survey of the town had stimulated. This from Mrs A. E. White of Parr Stocks Road is a corker! It reads:
"So a survey was taken to see what the inhabitants of St. Helens thought about their town. Good idea. Well now, take another survey next week – and the week after that, and keep on publishing the results, but what do you think it will achieve?
"Probably precisely nothing because we have just about the most lackadaisical set of councillors in England.
"You say keep letters [about the subject to the Reporter] short. I doubt if anybody in St. Helens at present could say all they wanted to say in a few short words, but here are just a few items:
"Get rid of the dirty, filthy air we breathe. Other industrial towns have done it. Get rid of the foul, putrid smells coming from this stinking brook. It is worse now than it was 60 years ago. If it can’t be piped underground, then keep it cleaned out.
"And what about Smithy Brow? Ye Gods! I have travelled England and nowhere have I seen anything as bad as that – Bishop's old, derelict factory, the paint works, old broken houses. But please, as old buildings are removed, don't stick up any more advertising boards.
"Victoria Square is absolutely filthy. I wish Victoria could see her filth-laden statue, and I lay odds she “definitely, wouldn't be amused.” Either clean it or move it.
"Town centre shopping centre, hmm! Take a look at the buses and trains going to Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington during Friday and Saturday and there is your answer to what a lot of the residents of St. Helens think about it as a shopping centre.
"Keep on and in a few years' time the only ones left in St. Helens will be people like myself too old to uproot. Which reminds me, I wonder how the golf course is coming on at Sherdley? Not a brick has been laid yet for the new baths." – A. E. WHITE (Mrs.)
Mrs White's last comment was a reference to the 1969 campaign by the people of Parr after the council had reneged on plans to build them swimming baths.
That was because a golf course in Sherdley Park was going to be built instead, with the council saying they couldn't afford to provide both facilities.
Parr folk felt the long-promised baths would have a wider public utility than a golf course and as a result of the backlash, the council U-turned and promised to build a slimmed-down baths.
It's also worth mentioning that a Victoria Square clean-up was supposed to be underway.
The Reporter also carried an advertising feature called "Autumn Fashion Scene".
Advertisers included Leaheys Scanda Sauna and Hair Salon of College Street who claimed to be "St Helens Only Complete Beauty Service", offering "facials, manicure, pedicure, waxing and the new sensational style blow waving".
Another advertiser was Oxleys of Claughton Street who had just opened what the Reporter called the "kinkiest, trendiest boutique this side of the M1 motorway", adding that its "stunning kinetic lighting, gay-decor and sophisticated London clobber will make it one of the most popular “frock shops” in the whole of Lancashire."
There was also Kevin Peters of Cambridge Road ("High class personal tailors"); Mitzas Ladies Hairdresser, Edgeworth Street, Sutton ("New salon now open") and Men's Shoe Dept., Helena House, Baldwin Street ("The luxury of real leather, leather uppers, leather soles £4.50").
Lily Hambling was featured in the paper after Councillor Harry Williams had taken up the cudgels on her behalf.
For two months the 76-year-old from Pendlebury Street in Clock Face had kept warm by staying in bed, as a result of her one-bedroom council flat having no heating or hot water.
That was in spite of Mrs Hambling having reported her faulty fireplace to St Helens Council on five separate occasions.
“I have been living like an Eskimo," said Mrs Hambling. "I have even had to have a bath by instalments."
The problem was only resolved after she contacted Cllr. Williams and this week he described the situation to the council’s Housing Committee meeting:
"It's a scandalous state of affairs. This old lady had to stay in bed to keep warm. We've got to get our lines of communication better. It's now tradition to accept months and months for repairs."
This week Helena House on Baldwin Street (pictured above) held a "Free Trial Week" of its mini-hearing aid.
"Why accept poor hearing when a simple trial will convince you of the advantages of wearing a modern all-in-the-ear-aid," said their advert.
This week was also the national "Mind" mental health week and Rainhill Hospital again organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work. These were advertised as "See For Yourself Week".
On the 22nd the St Helens rugby league team and club officials had a narrow escape from injury when the Gavin Murray coach taking them to their game against Dewsbury burst into flames on the M62.
Basil Lowe, the Saints' club secretary, was seated at the front of the coach and explained what happened:
"Because of a peculiar smell we pulled on to the hard shoulder, and the driver checked the radiator. Everything seemed all right, so we set off again. We then saw flames leaping from the front of the coach.
"We pulled on to the hard shoulder and got out of the coach as quickly as we could through the door, the emergency door and the back."
Supporters driving to the match took the players on to the game and Stan Magowan of Gavin Murray later said the coach had only been 15 months old.
And finally, a one-week-long bread strike ended on the 23rd. The dispute only affected the 300 drivers and what were described as "van boys" employed by Thomas Scott and Son's bakery in Liverpool.
Less than a sixth of the bread sold in St Helens came from Scott's – but the dispute had still caused panic buying in the shops with many selling out their stocks of bread early each day.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the opening of the new St Mary's Market, criticism of the Corporation rubbish dump in Chester Lane, the Parr vendetta between police and youths and the Billinge vicar who criticised the village's adults.
We begin during the evening of the 17th with a suspected arson attack on the premises of Expandite in Birchley Street in St Helens.
The factory made putty, mastics and adhesives and suffered two fires within the space of two hours.
The St Helens Fire Brigade was summoned at 11 pm and found a quantity of fibreboard on fire in the company's yard.
The brigade was about to leave just after 1 am when it was recalled by works manager George Macfarlane after he'd discovered a second fire on the premises.
He found that someone had shoved pieces of lighted paper through a small window onto a quantity of transparent paper.
The small fire was quickly dealt with but its general manager, Roy White, told the Liverpool Echo:
"We believe that someone tried deliberately to burn the place down. They set fire to one of the doors and then placed an acetylene cylinder among the flames. They had also poured oil on the fibre boarding.
"We had to call the fire brigade a month ago when we found traces that someone had tried to start a fire, but on that occasion it never even got going."
Barber Harry Topping had a close shave this week when part of the ceiling in his North Road premises suddenly came crashing down! Explained Harry:
"It was mid-afternoon – a quiet time of the day – and we were sitting talking about Rugby League. There was no warning. The plaster smashed the chair next to me. If it had caught anybody it could have killed them. I was very lucky."
The shop was part of the YMCA building and above it courses in dancing and judo took place. Added Mr Bennett:
"One of the blocks was so heavy that when workmen came in to clear it up the next day, it took two of them to move it."
Rainford Parish Church Council wanted to erect the 7-foot high cross on the 95-feet-high church tower as a memorial to the late Guy Pilkington, who had served as a church warden for 30 years.
However, Lancashire planning officials said the cross would have to be classified in the same category as neon advertising signs which were strictly controlled in rural areas.
They added that the illuminated cross would be visible from a considerable distance and that needed to be taken into account before permission could be granted for its erection.
Said Mr Bishop: "It is ridiculous that a cross should be put in the same class as commercial advertising. The cross is the symbol of our faith, and we want it to shine out into the night."
It was decided that Rainford Planning Committee would meet with representatives of the church to discuss the proposed cross and consider any alternatives.
The Reporter was still receiving highly critical letters about the state of St Helens that a survey of the town had stimulated. This from Mrs A. E. White of Parr Stocks Road is a corker! It reads:
"So a survey was taken to see what the inhabitants of St. Helens thought about their town. Good idea. Well now, take another survey next week – and the week after that, and keep on publishing the results, but what do you think it will achieve?
"Probably precisely nothing because we have just about the most lackadaisical set of councillors in England.
"You say keep letters [about the subject to the Reporter] short. I doubt if anybody in St. Helens at present could say all they wanted to say in a few short words, but here are just a few items:
"Get rid of the dirty, filthy air we breathe. Other industrial towns have done it. Get rid of the foul, putrid smells coming from this stinking brook. It is worse now than it was 60 years ago. If it can’t be piped underground, then keep it cleaned out.
"And what about Smithy Brow? Ye Gods! I have travelled England and nowhere have I seen anything as bad as that – Bishop's old, derelict factory, the paint works, old broken houses. But please, as old buildings are removed, don't stick up any more advertising boards.
"Victoria Square is absolutely filthy. I wish Victoria could see her filth-laden statue, and I lay odds she “definitely, wouldn't be amused.” Either clean it or move it.
"Town centre shopping centre, hmm! Take a look at the buses and trains going to Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington during Friday and Saturday and there is your answer to what a lot of the residents of St. Helens think about it as a shopping centre.
"Keep on and in a few years' time the only ones left in St. Helens will be people like myself too old to uproot. Which reminds me, I wonder how the golf course is coming on at Sherdley? Not a brick has been laid yet for the new baths." – A. E. WHITE (Mrs.)
Mrs White's last comment was a reference to the 1969 campaign by the people of Parr after the council had reneged on plans to build them swimming baths.
That was because a golf course in Sherdley Park was going to be built instead, with the council saying they couldn't afford to provide both facilities.
Parr folk felt the long-promised baths would have a wider public utility than a golf course and as a result of the backlash, the council U-turned and promised to build a slimmed-down baths.
It's also worth mentioning that a Victoria Square clean-up was supposed to be underway.
The Reporter also carried an advertising feature called "Autumn Fashion Scene".
Advertisers included Leaheys Scanda Sauna and Hair Salon of College Street who claimed to be "St Helens Only Complete Beauty Service", offering "facials, manicure, pedicure, waxing and the new sensational style blow waving".
Another advertiser was Oxleys of Claughton Street who had just opened what the Reporter called the "kinkiest, trendiest boutique this side of the M1 motorway", adding that its "stunning kinetic lighting, gay-decor and sophisticated London clobber will make it one of the most popular “frock shops” in the whole of Lancashire."
There was also Kevin Peters of Cambridge Road ("High class personal tailors"); Mitzas Ladies Hairdresser, Edgeworth Street, Sutton ("New salon now open") and Men's Shoe Dept., Helena House, Baldwin Street ("The luxury of real leather, leather uppers, leather soles £4.50").
Lily Hambling was featured in the paper after Councillor Harry Williams had taken up the cudgels on her behalf.
For two months the 76-year-old from Pendlebury Street in Clock Face had kept warm by staying in bed, as a result of her one-bedroom council flat having no heating or hot water.
That was in spite of Mrs Hambling having reported her faulty fireplace to St Helens Council on five separate occasions.
“I have been living like an Eskimo," said Mrs Hambling. "I have even had to have a bath by instalments."
The problem was only resolved after she contacted Cllr. Williams and this week he described the situation to the council’s Housing Committee meeting:
"It's a scandalous state of affairs. This old lady had to stay in bed to keep warm. We've got to get our lines of communication better. It's now tradition to accept months and months for repairs."
"Why accept poor hearing when a simple trial will convince you of the advantages of wearing a modern all-in-the-ear-aid," said their advert.
This week was also the national "Mind" mental health week and Rainhill Hospital again organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work. These were advertised as "See For Yourself Week".
On the 22nd the St Helens rugby league team and club officials had a narrow escape from injury when the Gavin Murray coach taking them to their game against Dewsbury burst into flames on the M62.
Basil Lowe, the Saints' club secretary, was seated at the front of the coach and explained what happened:
"Because of a peculiar smell we pulled on to the hard shoulder, and the driver checked the radiator. Everything seemed all right, so we set off again. We then saw flames leaping from the front of the coach.
"We pulled on to the hard shoulder and got out of the coach as quickly as we could through the door, the emergency door and the back."
Supporters driving to the match took the players on to the game and Stan Magowan of Gavin Murray later said the coach had only been 15 months old.
And finally, a one-week-long bread strike ended on the 23rd. The dispute only affected the 300 drivers and what were described as "van boys" employed by Thomas Scott and Son's bakery in Liverpool.
Less than a sixth of the bread sold in St Helens came from Scott's – but the dispute had still caused panic buying in the shops with many selling out their stocks of bread early each day.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the opening of the new St Mary's Market, criticism of the Corporation rubbish dump in Chester Lane, the Parr vendetta between police and youths and the Billinge vicar who criticised the village's adults.