FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (18th - 24th OCTOBER 1971)
This week's 15 stories include the funeral of Jack Pimblett, the Boardman's furniture fire, the Rainhill school inspired by Knowsley Safari Park, the monkey guard dog, the growth of female football teams in St Helens, the Duke Street newsagent charged with possessing obscene literature and the debate over whether women bosses were the most detestable of the human species!
We begin on the 18th with the funeral of rugby star Jack Pimblett at a packed St Thomas' Church. The service was so crowded that many of the 500 mourners had to stand outside. The 26-year-old captain of Pilkington Recs had died during the previous week after his spine was broken during a scrum collapse. Members of the amateur rugby league team walked behind the father of two's coffin along the route from Jack's home in St Teresa's Road to the church. Later in the day when Saints played Oldham at Knowsley Road, all of the home team's players donated their wages to a fund in aid of Jack's family.
The safari park at Knowsley that had opened in July and been visited by more than half a million people, fascinated local schoolchildren. On the 18th the Liverpool Echo reported that the youngsters at Longton Lane Junior School in Rainhill had been particularly impressed. Headmaster Ronald Harrison said: "The visit to the Safari Park has inspired the children's work in many directions. And we already have an 18ft. high painting of a giraffe in the school hall." Mr Harrison had written to Lord Derby to ask him if he would give a talk on the reserve to the children. "He has agreed to come next month", explained Mr Harrison, "and I hope to show him the work the children have done on animals".
There was torrential rain in the St Helens and Merseyside district on the 19th. Fire brigades and police were at full stretch with many roads under water and firemen had to pump water out of flooded cellars. Two of the worst hit spots were on the East Lancs Road at Leigh and St Helens. A sewer burst, and cars queued for five miles. An AA spokesman said: "The flooding caused a lot of engines to cut-out, and we have been working at full stretch on calls for assistance."
They could have done with the rain on the morning of the 20th when Boardman's furniture shop in Bridge Street in St Helens caught fire. Their entire stock of chairs, tables, 3-piece suites, carpets and paintings was either destroyed or smoke damaged. The loss was put at £10,000 (around £150,000 in today's money) with fire investigators believing that the heat from a night storage heater had ignited some nearby materials. These had then smouldered for several hours before bursting into flames. Shop manager David McLean described what he had found upon arriving at his store as "really sickening", particularly as its frontage had only recently been modernised.
It was the national "Mind" mental health week this week and Rainhill Hospital organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work.
On the 20th a 27-year-old man from Silkstone Street in St Helens and another from Kirkby appeared before Prescot magistrates and were remanded to Risley. They were accused of stealing a safe containing cash and securities worth £11,924 from the house of Albert Barlow in Warrington Road in Prescot.
On the 21st a mystery man walked into Providence Hospital (pictured above) and handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the Sister Superior. The individual requested anonymity but his contribution towards their "fighting fund" took the total raised so far to nearly £11,000. The Mayor of St Helens had launched the appeal in June to raise £20,000 (around £300,000 in today's money) in order to wipe out the hospital's debts.
Also on the 21st, Liverpool Housing Committee refused to allow a betting shop to be opened at the Knowsley South Labour Club in Whiston. Although the local council had no objection to the application, the housing committee did and its members turned it down by a small majority. The premises were owned by Liverpool Corporation and under the terms of the lease they could not be used as a betting shop.
The headline to a front-page article in the St Helens Reporter on the 22nd was "Death On The Dole" in which the sad plight of William Barnes was described. The 41-year-old from Robins Lane in Sutton had taken his own life after being out of work for over a year since being made redundant by UGB. After hearing the circumstances of the suicide at William's inquest, the Coroner Ronald Lloyd stated that Mr Barnes had clearly been very disturbed about not being able to find a job.
This article was also published: "St. Helens may have a ladies soccer league in the near future. That is the forecast of Mr. Sam Cottington who organises internal soccer competitions at Pilkingtons, and who is chairman of St. Helens Juvenile Organisation League. With about 10 ladies teams already playing friendlies, Mr. Cottington was optimistic after Sunday's game between Pilkington and Mullards at Ruskin Drive that an organised league could be set up. He says: “It was discussed after the game and everybody seemed to be in favour of it.”"
The Echo on the 22nd published a lengthy feature on the people working at Knowsley Safari Park and caring for the 250 animals. Quote of the piece came from head ranger Terry Chivers who was in charge of 40 lions. "Some of the visitors really frighten me", he said. "They open windows and hold the children up saying, “Look at the nice pussies.” They just don't realise what they are doing. But if you stay in the car and keep the windows and doors locked, it's as safe as watching television."
Mr Chivers also described how three lion cubs had been born on the reserve to a lioness called Toeless: "She had them without any fuss at all. We saw her come out of the hut one day with about three lionesses, who had acted as midwives. When we looked in we saw the three cubs. We've only seen them for a few seconds at a time, because the mother won't let us near them. But as soon we know what sex they are, we'll all get together and choose names for them."
We've all heard of sheep dogs – but monkey dogs? Well, they had one at Knowsley, as the article explained: "Zeta, a three-years-old Alsatian, has a special assignment at the Safari Park – keeping an eye on a hundred monkeys. The only domestic animal allowed in the wild-life section of the reserve, she stands guard at the entrance to the monkey jungle, making sure that none of her charges rides out on the bonnet of a visiting car. “She only has to bark once and the monkeys scamper for cover back inside the jungle,” explains one of the wardens."
BICC announced on the 22nd that almost 500 workers at the Prescot cable factory were to be laid off for a week. That was because the firm with a total workforce of 8,000 had been hit by a shortage of orders. The decision affected workers in the company's accessories division, which made components for use in conjunction with BICC cables and switchgear.
"Come to Lancashire's most successful night club", was the strapline of the Plaza in Duke Street as they promoted their Big Cabaret Show on the 23rd featuring the Humperdinks. "Dancing and restaurant, licensed bar till 2 a.m."
In August Ernie Buckley had taken delivery of a £2,000 Rover 2000 that he had purchased with over a million cigarette coupons. That gave the Duke Street newsagent some rather positive publicity. However, what was not revealed in the Press at the time was that Mr Buckley would soon appear in court. A police raid in June had led to the seizure of 425 books and magazines from his shop and on the 23rd he appeared before St Helens magistrates facing charges of possessing obscene literature for sale. An application for an adjournment was made and his case was postponed until November 26th.
And finally this letter was published in the Liverpool Echo from someone who sounds like they had a bit of a chip on their shoulder from past experience: "Sir, – l wonder how many people like women bosses? Very few, I should think. From what I have heard, men (and women) say of them, these pioneers of Women's Lib, must be among the most detestable of the human species. Women bosses can be nasty, vindictive, spiteful, and catty, and they find great satisfaction and joy in being able to order men around, as Freud and Adler knew well enough.
"I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the woman boss (for psychological reasons) actually enjoys being hated – she feels then, that she is doing her job well. If I may re-phrase an old quotation, “Hell hath no fury like a woman boss.” It's time these vicious creatures were replaced by male bosses – then, surely, there would be more fair play at work. – JUST A MALE, Broad Square, Liverpool, L11 IBR.
• What do you think? Write and let us know – to “Women Bosses,” Liverpool Echo. P.O. Box 48, 48 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L69 IAR."
A week later the Echo wrote: "We asked you what you thought of women bosses. Here are some of your letters. Sir, – l once asked 40 members of my female staff if they preferred a female boss. The answer was an emphatic “No.” Despite this unanimous reply, I have met many fine female bosses, and in two firms where I once worked the female personnel officer was more respected by both men and women than her male counterpart, and in consequence her work was vastly superior.
"Perhaps the answer can be found in the following. One honest woman employee said: “You can often kid, coax, and sometimes bully a male boss – but never a woman. She knows her own sex too well and therefore you don't try it.” A male shop steward had this to say: “Never fight a woman. If you win, she cries, and you feel a heel. If she wins, she crows over you the rest of the day making you feel miserable, and still feeling a heel.”"
Next week's stories will include the Billinge boy's 20 ft. drop down a manhole, how Pilks could not make strong enough glass to stop vandals, the Prescot man honoured for singing at Gallipoli and how local MPs cast their vote as the House of Commons elects to join the Common Market.
We begin on the 18th with the funeral of rugby star Jack Pimblett at a packed St Thomas' Church. The service was so crowded that many of the 500 mourners had to stand outside. The 26-year-old captain of Pilkington Recs had died during the previous week after his spine was broken during a scrum collapse. Members of the amateur rugby league team walked behind the father of two's coffin along the route from Jack's home in St Teresa's Road to the church. Later in the day when Saints played Oldham at Knowsley Road, all of the home team's players donated their wages to a fund in aid of Jack's family.
The safari park at Knowsley that had opened in July and been visited by more than half a million people, fascinated local schoolchildren. On the 18th the Liverpool Echo reported that the youngsters at Longton Lane Junior School in Rainhill had been particularly impressed. Headmaster Ronald Harrison said: "The visit to the Safari Park has inspired the children's work in many directions. And we already have an 18ft. high painting of a giraffe in the school hall." Mr Harrison had written to Lord Derby to ask him if he would give a talk on the reserve to the children. "He has agreed to come next month", explained Mr Harrison, "and I hope to show him the work the children have done on animals".
There was torrential rain in the St Helens and Merseyside district on the 19th. Fire brigades and police were at full stretch with many roads under water and firemen had to pump water out of flooded cellars. Two of the worst hit spots were on the East Lancs Road at Leigh and St Helens. A sewer burst, and cars queued for five miles. An AA spokesman said: "The flooding caused a lot of engines to cut-out, and we have been working at full stretch on calls for assistance."
They could have done with the rain on the morning of the 20th when Boardman's furniture shop in Bridge Street in St Helens caught fire. Their entire stock of chairs, tables, 3-piece suites, carpets and paintings was either destroyed or smoke damaged. The loss was put at £10,000 (around £150,000 in today's money) with fire investigators believing that the heat from a night storage heater had ignited some nearby materials. These had then smouldered for several hours before bursting into flames. Shop manager David McLean described what he had found upon arriving at his store as "really sickening", particularly as its frontage had only recently been modernised.
It was the national "Mind" mental health week this week and Rainhill Hospital organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work.
On the 20th a 27-year-old man from Silkstone Street in St Helens and another from Kirkby appeared before Prescot magistrates and were remanded to Risley. They were accused of stealing a safe containing cash and securities worth £11,924 from the house of Albert Barlow in Warrington Road in Prescot.
Also on the 21st, Liverpool Housing Committee refused to allow a betting shop to be opened at the Knowsley South Labour Club in Whiston. Although the local council had no objection to the application, the housing committee did and its members turned it down by a small majority. The premises were owned by Liverpool Corporation and under the terms of the lease they could not be used as a betting shop.
The headline to a front-page article in the St Helens Reporter on the 22nd was "Death On The Dole" in which the sad plight of William Barnes was described. The 41-year-old from Robins Lane in Sutton had taken his own life after being out of work for over a year since being made redundant by UGB. After hearing the circumstances of the suicide at William's inquest, the Coroner Ronald Lloyd stated that Mr Barnes had clearly been very disturbed about not being able to find a job.
This article was also published: "St. Helens may have a ladies soccer league in the near future. That is the forecast of Mr. Sam Cottington who organises internal soccer competitions at Pilkingtons, and who is chairman of St. Helens Juvenile Organisation League. With about 10 ladies teams already playing friendlies, Mr. Cottington was optimistic after Sunday's game between Pilkington and Mullards at Ruskin Drive that an organised league could be set up. He says: “It was discussed after the game and everybody seemed to be in favour of it.”"
Mr Chivers also described how three lion cubs had been born on the reserve to a lioness called Toeless: "She had them without any fuss at all. We saw her come out of the hut one day with about three lionesses, who had acted as midwives. When we looked in we saw the three cubs. We've only seen them for a few seconds at a time, because the mother won't let us near them. But as soon we know what sex they are, we'll all get together and choose names for them."
We've all heard of sheep dogs – but monkey dogs? Well, they had one at Knowsley, as the article explained: "Zeta, a three-years-old Alsatian, has a special assignment at the Safari Park – keeping an eye on a hundred monkeys. The only domestic animal allowed in the wild-life section of the reserve, she stands guard at the entrance to the monkey jungle, making sure that none of her charges rides out on the bonnet of a visiting car. “She only has to bark once and the monkeys scamper for cover back inside the jungle,” explains one of the wardens."
BICC announced on the 22nd that almost 500 workers at the Prescot cable factory were to be laid off for a week. That was because the firm with a total workforce of 8,000 had been hit by a shortage of orders. The decision affected workers in the company's accessories division, which made components for use in conjunction with BICC cables and switchgear.
"Come to Lancashire's most successful night club", was the strapline of the Plaza in Duke Street as they promoted their Big Cabaret Show on the 23rd featuring the Humperdinks. "Dancing and restaurant, licensed bar till 2 a.m."
In August Ernie Buckley had taken delivery of a £2,000 Rover 2000 that he had purchased with over a million cigarette coupons. That gave the Duke Street newsagent some rather positive publicity. However, what was not revealed in the Press at the time was that Mr Buckley would soon appear in court. A police raid in June had led to the seizure of 425 books and magazines from his shop and on the 23rd he appeared before St Helens magistrates facing charges of possessing obscene literature for sale. An application for an adjournment was made and his case was postponed until November 26th.
And finally this letter was published in the Liverpool Echo from someone who sounds like they had a bit of a chip on their shoulder from past experience: "Sir, – l wonder how many people like women bosses? Very few, I should think. From what I have heard, men (and women) say of them, these pioneers of Women's Lib, must be among the most detestable of the human species. Women bosses can be nasty, vindictive, spiteful, and catty, and they find great satisfaction and joy in being able to order men around, as Freud and Adler knew well enough.
"I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the woman boss (for psychological reasons) actually enjoys being hated – she feels then, that she is doing her job well. If I may re-phrase an old quotation, “Hell hath no fury like a woman boss.” It's time these vicious creatures were replaced by male bosses – then, surely, there would be more fair play at work. – JUST A MALE, Broad Square, Liverpool, L11 IBR.
• What do you think? Write and let us know – to “Women Bosses,” Liverpool Echo. P.O. Box 48, 48 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L69 IAR."
A week later the Echo wrote: "We asked you what you thought of women bosses. Here are some of your letters. Sir, – l once asked 40 members of my female staff if they preferred a female boss. The answer was an emphatic “No.” Despite this unanimous reply, I have met many fine female bosses, and in two firms where I once worked the female personnel officer was more respected by both men and women than her male counterpart, and in consequence her work was vastly superior.
"Perhaps the answer can be found in the following. One honest woman employee said: “You can often kid, coax, and sometimes bully a male boss – but never a woman. She knows her own sex too well and therefore you don't try it.” A male shop steward had this to say: “Never fight a woman. If you win, she cries, and you feel a heel. If she wins, she crows over you the rest of the day making you feel miserable, and still feeling a heel.”"
Next week's stories will include the Billinge boy's 20 ft. drop down a manhole, how Pilks could not make strong enough glass to stop vandals, the Prescot man honoured for singing at Gallipoli and how local MPs cast their vote as the House of Commons elects to join the Common Market.
This week's 15 stories include the funeral of Jack Pimblett, the Boardman's furniture fire, the Rainhill school inspired by Knowsley Safari Park, the monkey guard dog, the growth of female football teams in St Helens, the Duke Street newsagent charged with possessing obscene literature and the debate over whether women bosses were the most detestable of the human species!
We begin on the 18th with the funeral of rugby star Jack Pimblett at a packed St Thomas' Church.
The service was so crowded that many of the 500 mourners had to stand outside.
The 26-year-old captain of Pilkington Recs had died during the previous week after his spine was broken during a scrum collapse.
Members of the amateur rugby league team walked behind the father of two's coffin along the route from Jack's home in St Teresa's Road to the church.
Later in the day when Saints played Oldham at Knowsley Road, all of the home team's players donated their wages to a fund in aid of Jack's family.
The safari park at Knowsley that had opened in July and been visited by more than half a million people, fascinated local schoolchildren.
On the 18th the Liverpool Echo reported that the youngsters at Longton Lane Junior School in Rainhill had been particularly impressed. Headmaster Ronald Harrison said:
"The visit to the Safari Park has inspired the children's work in many directions. And we already have an 18ft. high painting of a giraffe in the school hall."
Mr Harrison had written to Lord Derby to ask him if he would give a talk on the reserve to the children.
"He has agreed to come next month", explained Mr Harrison, "and I hope to show him the work the children have done on animals".
There was torrential rain in the St Helens and Merseyside district on the 19th.
Fire brigades and police were at full stretch with many roads under water and firemen had to pump water out of flooded cellars.
Two of the worst hit spots were on the East Lancs Road at Leigh and St Helens. A sewer burst, and cars queued for five miles. An AA spokesman said:
"The flooding caused a lot of engines to cut-out, and we have been working at full stretch on calls for assistance."
They could have done with the rain on the morning of the 20th when Boardman's furniture shop in Bridge Street in St Helens caught fire.
Their entire stock of chairs, tables, 3-piece suites, carpets and paintings was either destroyed or smoke damaged.
The loss was put at £10,000 (around £150,000 in today's money) with fire investigators believing that the heat from a night storage heater had ignited some nearby materials.
These had then smouldered for several hours before bursting into flames.
Shop manager David McLean described what he had found upon arriving at his store as "really sickening", particularly as its frontage had only recently been modernised.
It was the national "Mind" mental health week this week and Rainhill Hospital organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work.
On the 20th a 27-year-old man from Silkstone Street in St Helens and another from Kirkby appeared before Prescot magistrates and were remanded to Risley.
They were accused of stealing a safe containing cash and securities worth £11,924 from the house of Albert Barlow in Warrington Road in Prescot.
On the 21st a mystery man walked into Providence Hospital (pictured above) and handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the Sister Superior.
The individual requested anonymity but his contribution towards their "fighting fund" took the total raised so far to nearly £11,000.
The Mayor of St Helens had launched the appeal in June to raise £20,000 (around £300,000 in today's money) in order to wipe out the hospital's debts.
Also on the 21st, Liverpool Housing Committee refused to allow a betting shop to be opened at the Knowsley South Labour Club in Whiston.
Although the local council had no objection to the application, the housing committee did and its members turned it down by a small majority.
The premises were owned by Liverpool Corporation and under the terms of the lease they could not be used as a betting shop.
The headline to a front-page article in the St Helens Reporter on the 22nd was "Death On The Dole" in which the sad plight of William Barnes was described.
The 41-year-old from Robins Lane in Sutton had taken his own life after being out of work for over a year since being made redundant by UGB.
After hearing the circumstances of the suicide at William's inquest, the Coroner Ronald Lloyd stated that Mr Barnes had clearly been very disturbed about not being able to find a job.
This article was also published:
"St. Helens may have a ladies soccer league in the near future. That is the forecast of Mr. Sam Cottington who organises internal soccer competitions at Pilkingtons, and who is chairman of St. Helens Juvenile Organisation League.
"With about 10 ladies teams already playing friendlies, Mr. Cottington was optimistic after Sunday's game between Pilkington and Mullards at Ruskin Drive that an organised league could be set up.
"He says: “It was discussed after the game and everybody seemed to be in favour of it.”"
The Echo on the 22nd published a lengthy feature on the people working at Knowsley Safari Park and caring for the 250 animals.
Quote of the piece came from head ranger Terry Chivers who was in charge of 40 lions.
"Some of the visitors really frighten me", he said. "They open windows and hold the children up saying, “Look at the nice pussies.” They just don't realise what they are doing.
"But if you stay in the car and keep the windows and doors locked, it's as safe as watching television."
Mr Chivers also described how three lion cubs had been born on the reserve to a lioness called Toeless:
"She had them without any fuss at all. We saw her come out of the hut one day with about three lionesses, who had acted as midwives. When we looked in we saw the three cubs.
"We've only seen them for a few seconds at a time, because the mother won't let us near them. But as soon we know what sex they are, we'll all get together and choose names for them."
We've all heard of sheep dogs – but monkey dogs? Well, they had one at Knowsley, as the article explained:
"Zeta, a three-years-old Alsatian, has a special assignment at the Safari Park – keeping an eye on a hundred monkeys.
"The only domestic animal allowed in the wild-life section of the reserve, she stands guard at the entrance to the monkey jungle, making sure that none of her charges rides out on the bonnet of a visiting car.
"“She only has to bark once and the monkeys scamper for cover back inside the jungle,” explains one of the wardens."
BICC announced on the 22nd that almost 500 workers at the Prescot cable factory were to be laid off for a week.
That was because the firm with a total workforce of 8,000 had been hit by a shortage of orders.
The decision affected workers in the company's accessories division, which made components for use in conjunction with BICC cables and switchgear.
"Come to Lancashire's most successful night club", was the strapline of the Plaza in Duke Street as they promoted their Big Cabaret Show on the 23rd featuring the Humperdinks. "Dancing and restaurant, licensed bar till 2 a.m."
In August Ernie Buckley had taken delivery of a £2,000 Rover 2000 that he had purchased with over a million cigarette coupons.
That gave the Duke Street newsagent some rather positive publicity. However, what was not revealed in the Press at the time was that Mr Buckley would soon appear in court.
A police raid in June had led to the seizure of 425 books and magazines from his shop and on the 23rd he appeared before St Helens magistrates facing charges of possessing obscene literature for sale.
An application for an adjournment was made and his case was postponed until November 26th.
And finally this letter was published in the Liverpool Echo from someone who sounds like they had a bit of a chip on their shoulder from past experience:
"Sir, – l wonder how many people like women bosses? Very few, I should think. From what I have heard, men (and women) say of them, these pioneers of Women's Lib, must be among the most detestable of the human species.
"Women bosses can be nasty, vindictive, spiteful, and catty, and they find great satisfaction and joy in being able to order men around, as Freud and Adler knew well enough.
"I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the woman boss (for psychological reasons) actually enjoys being hated – she feels then, that she is doing her job well.
"If I may re-phrase an old quotation, “Hell hath no fury like a woman boss.” It's time these vicious creatures were replaced by male bosses – then, surely, there would be more fair play at work. – JUST A MALE, Broad Square, Liverpool, L11 IBR.
• What do you think? Write and let us know – to “Women Bosses,” Liverpool Echo. P.O. Box 48, 48 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L69 IAR."
A week later the Echo wrote: "We asked you what you thought of women bosses. Here are some of your letters.
"Sir, – l once asked 40 members of my female staff if they preferred a female boss. The answer was an emphatic “No.”
"Despite this unanimous reply, I have met many fine female bosses, and in two firms where I once worked the female personnel officer was more respected by both men and women than her male counterpart, and in consequence her work was vastly superior.
"Perhaps the answer can be found in the following. One honest woman employee said: “You can often kid, coax, and sometimes bully a male boss – but never a woman. She knows her own sex too well and therefore you don't try it.”
"A male shop steward had this to say: “Never fight a woman. If you win, she cries, and you feel a heel. If she wins, she crows over you the rest of the day making you feel miserable, and still feeling a heel.”"
Next week's stories will include the Billinge boy's 20 ft. drop down a manhole, how Pilks could not make strong enough glass to stop vandals, the Prescot man honoured for singing at Gallipoli and how local MPs cast their vote as the House of Commons elects to join the Common Market.
We begin on the 18th with the funeral of rugby star Jack Pimblett at a packed St Thomas' Church.
The service was so crowded that many of the 500 mourners had to stand outside.
The 26-year-old captain of Pilkington Recs had died during the previous week after his spine was broken during a scrum collapse.
Members of the amateur rugby league team walked behind the father of two's coffin along the route from Jack's home in St Teresa's Road to the church.
Later in the day when Saints played Oldham at Knowsley Road, all of the home team's players donated their wages to a fund in aid of Jack's family.
The safari park at Knowsley that had opened in July and been visited by more than half a million people, fascinated local schoolchildren.
On the 18th the Liverpool Echo reported that the youngsters at Longton Lane Junior School in Rainhill had been particularly impressed. Headmaster Ronald Harrison said:
"The visit to the Safari Park has inspired the children's work in many directions. And we already have an 18ft. high painting of a giraffe in the school hall."
Mr Harrison had written to Lord Derby to ask him if he would give a talk on the reserve to the children.
"He has agreed to come next month", explained Mr Harrison, "and I hope to show him the work the children have done on animals".
There was torrential rain in the St Helens and Merseyside district on the 19th.
Fire brigades and police were at full stretch with many roads under water and firemen had to pump water out of flooded cellars.
Two of the worst hit spots were on the East Lancs Road at Leigh and St Helens. A sewer burst, and cars queued for five miles. An AA spokesman said:
"The flooding caused a lot of engines to cut-out, and we have been working at full stretch on calls for assistance."
They could have done with the rain on the morning of the 20th when Boardman's furniture shop in Bridge Street in St Helens caught fire.
Their entire stock of chairs, tables, 3-piece suites, carpets and paintings was either destroyed or smoke damaged.
The loss was put at £10,000 (around £150,000 in today's money) with fire investigators believing that the heat from a night storage heater had ignited some nearby materials.
These had then smouldered for several hours before bursting into flames.
Shop manager David McLean described what he had found upon arriving at his store as "really sickening", particularly as its frontage had only recently been modernised.
It was the national "Mind" mental health week this week and Rainhill Hospital organised conducted tours for members of the public to see the hospital at work.
On the 20th a 27-year-old man from Silkstone Street in St Helens and another from Kirkby appeared before Prescot magistrates and were remanded to Risley.
They were accused of stealing a safe containing cash and securities worth £11,924 from the house of Albert Barlow in Warrington Road in Prescot.
The individual requested anonymity but his contribution towards their "fighting fund" took the total raised so far to nearly £11,000.
The Mayor of St Helens had launched the appeal in June to raise £20,000 (around £300,000 in today's money) in order to wipe out the hospital's debts.
Also on the 21st, Liverpool Housing Committee refused to allow a betting shop to be opened at the Knowsley South Labour Club in Whiston.
Although the local council had no objection to the application, the housing committee did and its members turned it down by a small majority.
The premises were owned by Liverpool Corporation and under the terms of the lease they could not be used as a betting shop.
The headline to a front-page article in the St Helens Reporter on the 22nd was "Death On The Dole" in which the sad plight of William Barnes was described.
The 41-year-old from Robins Lane in Sutton had taken his own life after being out of work for over a year since being made redundant by UGB.
After hearing the circumstances of the suicide at William's inquest, the Coroner Ronald Lloyd stated that Mr Barnes had clearly been very disturbed about not being able to find a job.
This article was also published:
"St. Helens may have a ladies soccer league in the near future. That is the forecast of Mr. Sam Cottington who organises internal soccer competitions at Pilkingtons, and who is chairman of St. Helens Juvenile Organisation League.
"With about 10 ladies teams already playing friendlies, Mr. Cottington was optimistic after Sunday's game between Pilkington and Mullards at Ruskin Drive that an organised league could be set up.
"He says: “It was discussed after the game and everybody seemed to be in favour of it.”"
Quote of the piece came from head ranger Terry Chivers who was in charge of 40 lions.
"Some of the visitors really frighten me", he said. "They open windows and hold the children up saying, “Look at the nice pussies.” They just don't realise what they are doing.
"But if you stay in the car and keep the windows and doors locked, it's as safe as watching television."
Mr Chivers also described how three lion cubs had been born on the reserve to a lioness called Toeless:
"She had them without any fuss at all. We saw her come out of the hut one day with about three lionesses, who had acted as midwives. When we looked in we saw the three cubs.
"We've only seen them for a few seconds at a time, because the mother won't let us near them. But as soon we know what sex they are, we'll all get together and choose names for them."
We've all heard of sheep dogs – but monkey dogs? Well, they had one at Knowsley, as the article explained:
"Zeta, a three-years-old Alsatian, has a special assignment at the Safari Park – keeping an eye on a hundred monkeys.
"The only domestic animal allowed in the wild-life section of the reserve, she stands guard at the entrance to the monkey jungle, making sure that none of her charges rides out on the bonnet of a visiting car.
"“She only has to bark once and the monkeys scamper for cover back inside the jungle,” explains one of the wardens."
BICC announced on the 22nd that almost 500 workers at the Prescot cable factory were to be laid off for a week.
That was because the firm with a total workforce of 8,000 had been hit by a shortage of orders.
The decision affected workers in the company's accessories division, which made components for use in conjunction with BICC cables and switchgear.
"Come to Lancashire's most successful night club", was the strapline of the Plaza in Duke Street as they promoted their Big Cabaret Show on the 23rd featuring the Humperdinks. "Dancing and restaurant, licensed bar till 2 a.m."
In August Ernie Buckley had taken delivery of a £2,000 Rover 2000 that he had purchased with over a million cigarette coupons.
That gave the Duke Street newsagent some rather positive publicity. However, what was not revealed in the Press at the time was that Mr Buckley would soon appear in court.
A police raid in June had led to the seizure of 425 books and magazines from his shop and on the 23rd he appeared before St Helens magistrates facing charges of possessing obscene literature for sale.
An application for an adjournment was made and his case was postponed until November 26th.
And finally this letter was published in the Liverpool Echo from someone who sounds like they had a bit of a chip on their shoulder from past experience:
"Sir, – l wonder how many people like women bosses? Very few, I should think. From what I have heard, men (and women) say of them, these pioneers of Women's Lib, must be among the most detestable of the human species.
"Women bosses can be nasty, vindictive, spiteful, and catty, and they find great satisfaction and joy in being able to order men around, as Freud and Adler knew well enough.
"I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the woman boss (for psychological reasons) actually enjoys being hated – she feels then, that she is doing her job well.
"If I may re-phrase an old quotation, “Hell hath no fury like a woman boss.” It's time these vicious creatures were replaced by male bosses – then, surely, there would be more fair play at work. – JUST A MALE, Broad Square, Liverpool, L11 IBR.
• What do you think? Write and let us know – to “Women Bosses,” Liverpool Echo. P.O. Box 48, 48 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L69 IAR."
A week later the Echo wrote: "We asked you what you thought of women bosses. Here are some of your letters.
"Sir, – l once asked 40 members of my female staff if they preferred a female boss. The answer was an emphatic “No.”
"Despite this unanimous reply, I have met many fine female bosses, and in two firms where I once worked the female personnel officer was more respected by both men and women than her male counterpart, and in consequence her work was vastly superior.
"Perhaps the answer can be found in the following. One honest woman employee said: “You can often kid, coax, and sometimes bully a male boss – but never a woman. She knows her own sex too well and therefore you don't try it.”
"A male shop steward had this to say: “Never fight a woman. If you win, she cries, and you feel a heel. If she wins, she crows over you the rest of the day making you feel miserable, and still feeling a heel.”"
Next week's stories will include the Billinge boy's 20 ft. drop down a manhole, how Pilks could not make strong enough glass to stop vandals, the Prescot man honoured for singing at Gallipoli and how local MPs cast their vote as the House of Commons elects to join the Common Market.