FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 23 - 29 MARCH 1976
This week's many stories include the campaign of violence and destruction at St Nicholas Church in Sutton, the rise in car parking charges in St Helens, a decision is finally made on the proposed Elephant Lane redevelopment, the objections to traffic restrictions and the family who planned to sell their house through rowdyism from patrons of the Geraldo Club.
Last week Leslie Spriggs, the St Helens MP, was heavily criticised for deciding to attend the FA Cup Final at Wembley, rather than lead the St Helens Trades Council's May Day unemployment demonstration. One union leader told Spriggs: "Either Parliament or pleasure – socialism or soccer." Despite being adamant that he would not give up his coveted Wembley seat, Mr Spriggs this week said he had changed his mind and had decided to lead the march.
The St Helens Reporter on the 26th described how a teenage gang was waging a "campaign of violence and destruction" on St Nicholas Church in Sutton (pictured above). They had ridden motorbikes over the graveyard, smashed the church's leaded windows and hammered on the door during services. The Rev Paul Fiske said:
"This has been going on for the last 12 months and it is about time something was done about it. There is a particular gang of 14 - 16-year-olds who hang around the churchyard almost every night, bent on destruction and violence. The building has been damaged quite a lot, windows and lights are smashed and recently paint was daubed on the church door and sprayed on the porch. As many as two dozen hang around the place, particularly after dark, and one or two have motor bikes which they ride around the graveyard and cause a nuisance."
Rev Fiske said that one of the Scouts and a member of the youth club had been attacked and he was concerned that the gang's threatening behaviour would deter people from attending church. Verger Frank Leyland said: "It has been going on for years. Much of the damage has been to the outside of the building, but last year a fire started by them caused extensive damage to the interior." A police spokesman told the Reporter that the matter would be looked into and further enquiries made.
Up until 1969 St Helens had been one of only a few Lancashire towns that offered free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Ring Road. The scale of charges that were introduced in 1969 started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay. The Reporter stated that next week's meeting of the council's Planning Committee was expected to approve increases to the charges.
Council officers had warned that without a rise, their losses on car parks would reach £250,000 within the financial year 1976 - 77. There was some variation in the rates currently charged at the various car parks but at Birchley Street motorists were paying 10p. However, it was proposed that the fee there would rise to 15p. The minimum charges on the relatively new Chalon Way, St Mary's and Tontine multi-storey car parks would increase from 3p to 5p. They were being kept at a low rate to encourage people to shop in the town centre.
The Reporter also described how a family with young children aged three and one living in Lord Street was selling their house because of rowdyism from people leaving the Geraldo nightclub. Carol Thompson told the paper: "I have been ill with my nerves because of it and my children are really ill with the sleepless nights they have had to put up with since they were born. It is just Bedlam living here, especially at the weekend." And her neighbour, Trauna Prescott, said: "The situation is getting unbearable", explaining that because of the racket her husband only got two hours sleep as he had to get up at 5 am to leave for work.
But the club's owner, Jim Lloyd – who had created the Geraldo from the Gerrard's Hall Catholic Club nine years ago – refuted the allegations. Mr Lloyd, of Broadway in Eccleston, said: "I do not believe any of the club's patrons are guilty of damaging property or causing a nuisance in the street. Patrons are never allowed in to the club after 11 pm to cut down any rough element getting in." He blamed young vandals or those that had been refused entry to the nightclub for causing trouble.
What was described as a sponsored spelling test took place this week at Windle Pilkington School (pictured above in earlier years). All 82 of the Waterloo Street school's pupils took part and raised a total of £160. The cash was going to be used to help restock their library and PE equipment store.
Last year a public inquiry had taken place in St Helens Town Hall concerning the council's plans to demolish 251 homes in the Elephant Lane area that were deemed unfit to live in. Quite a number of similar inquiries took place during the 1960s and ‘70s as part of the council's desire to get rid of poor housing and redevelop the town. Some householders would always object to the proposals, claiming their homes were perfectly habitable. After listening to both sides, the inspector that chaired each inquiry would almost always rule in favour of the council.
Sixty residents from the Elephant Lane district had objected to the redevelopment proposals for Thatto Heath and after eight months of waiting, the inspector finally released his report this week. This agreed with the council that 234 of the properties should be demolished. However, unusually, 17 were going to be reprieved and would not be facing the bulldozer.
As well as in Elephant Lane itself, properties would also be taken down in Sandon Street, Balmer Street, Carnarvon Street, Leicester Street, Parliament Street and Cairo Street. Out of the 234 homes that were now doomed, only 150 would be replaced. That was to allow more space for landscaping.
The Reporter also described how traffic restrictions planned for roads in St Helens had, predictably, triggered a flood of objections. Next week the council's Planning Committee would consider 37 complaints and five petitions from residents and traders who feared the effects of the proposed new traffic orders. Among them were protests from the heads of Knowsley Road infants and junior schools.
They complained that yellow lines would prevent their staff from bringing their cars to work, as the schools had no parking facilities of their own. Many of the objections came from Sutton and five traders from Robins Lane and Peckers Hill Road had written to the council saying the imposition of parking restrictions would threaten their businesses.
At the ABC Savoy for 7 days from the 28th, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' starring Peter Sellers replaced 'The Hindenburg' starring George C. Scott. And at the Capitol Cinema, 'The Ghoul' starring Peter Cushing replaced Ken Russell's 'The Devils'.
And finally, on the 29th Moss Bank United Services Club had a star comic in Frank Carson performing. In April fellow comedian George Roper was scheduled to appear.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the suspected arson at Crosby Spring Interiors, there's dismay over rent rises in St Mary's Market, there's a big rise in rate arrears and the proposal to close St Helens Hospital's A& E department at night.
Last week Leslie Spriggs, the St Helens MP, was heavily criticised for deciding to attend the FA Cup Final at Wembley, rather than lead the St Helens Trades Council's May Day unemployment demonstration. One union leader told Spriggs: "Either Parliament or pleasure – socialism or soccer." Despite being adamant that he would not give up his coveted Wembley seat, Mr Spriggs this week said he had changed his mind and had decided to lead the march.
"This has been going on for the last 12 months and it is about time something was done about it. There is a particular gang of 14 - 16-year-olds who hang around the churchyard almost every night, bent on destruction and violence. The building has been damaged quite a lot, windows and lights are smashed and recently paint was daubed on the church door and sprayed on the porch. As many as two dozen hang around the place, particularly after dark, and one or two have motor bikes which they ride around the graveyard and cause a nuisance."
Rev Fiske said that one of the Scouts and a member of the youth club had been attacked and he was concerned that the gang's threatening behaviour would deter people from attending church. Verger Frank Leyland said: "It has been going on for years. Much of the damage has been to the outside of the building, but last year a fire started by them caused extensive damage to the interior." A police spokesman told the Reporter that the matter would be looked into and further enquiries made.
Up until 1969 St Helens had been one of only a few Lancashire towns that offered free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Ring Road. The scale of charges that were introduced in 1969 started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay. The Reporter stated that next week's meeting of the council's Planning Committee was expected to approve increases to the charges.
Council officers had warned that without a rise, their losses on car parks would reach £250,000 within the financial year 1976 - 77. There was some variation in the rates currently charged at the various car parks but at Birchley Street motorists were paying 10p. However, it was proposed that the fee there would rise to 15p. The minimum charges on the relatively new Chalon Way, St Mary's and Tontine multi-storey car parks would increase from 3p to 5p. They were being kept at a low rate to encourage people to shop in the town centre.
The Reporter also described how a family with young children aged three and one living in Lord Street was selling their house because of rowdyism from people leaving the Geraldo nightclub. Carol Thompson told the paper: "I have been ill with my nerves because of it and my children are really ill with the sleepless nights they have had to put up with since they were born. It is just Bedlam living here, especially at the weekend." And her neighbour, Trauna Prescott, said: "The situation is getting unbearable", explaining that because of the racket her husband only got two hours sleep as he had to get up at 5 am to leave for work.
But the club's owner, Jim Lloyd – who had created the Geraldo from the Gerrard's Hall Catholic Club nine years ago – refuted the allegations. Mr Lloyd, of Broadway in Eccleston, said: "I do not believe any of the club's patrons are guilty of damaging property or causing a nuisance in the street. Patrons are never allowed in to the club after 11 pm to cut down any rough element getting in." He blamed young vandals or those that had been refused entry to the nightclub for causing trouble.
Last year a public inquiry had taken place in St Helens Town Hall concerning the council's plans to demolish 251 homes in the Elephant Lane area that were deemed unfit to live in. Quite a number of similar inquiries took place during the 1960s and ‘70s as part of the council's desire to get rid of poor housing and redevelop the town. Some householders would always object to the proposals, claiming their homes were perfectly habitable. After listening to both sides, the inspector that chaired each inquiry would almost always rule in favour of the council.
Sixty residents from the Elephant Lane district had objected to the redevelopment proposals for Thatto Heath and after eight months of waiting, the inspector finally released his report this week. This agreed with the council that 234 of the properties should be demolished. However, unusually, 17 were going to be reprieved and would not be facing the bulldozer.
As well as in Elephant Lane itself, properties would also be taken down in Sandon Street, Balmer Street, Carnarvon Street, Leicester Street, Parliament Street and Cairo Street. Out of the 234 homes that were now doomed, only 150 would be replaced. That was to allow more space for landscaping.
The Reporter also described how traffic restrictions planned for roads in St Helens had, predictably, triggered a flood of objections. Next week the council's Planning Committee would consider 37 complaints and five petitions from residents and traders who feared the effects of the proposed new traffic orders. Among them were protests from the heads of Knowsley Road infants and junior schools.
They complained that yellow lines would prevent their staff from bringing their cars to work, as the schools had no parking facilities of their own. Many of the objections came from Sutton and five traders from Robins Lane and Peckers Hill Road had written to the council saying the imposition of parking restrictions would threaten their businesses.
At the ABC Savoy for 7 days from the 28th, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' starring Peter Sellers replaced 'The Hindenburg' starring George C. Scott. And at the Capitol Cinema, 'The Ghoul' starring Peter Cushing replaced Ken Russell's 'The Devils'.
And finally, on the 29th Moss Bank United Services Club had a star comic in Frank Carson performing. In April fellow comedian George Roper was scheduled to appear.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the suspected arson at Crosby Spring Interiors, there's dismay over rent rises in St Mary's Market, there's a big rise in rate arrears and the proposal to close St Helens Hospital's A& E department at night.
This week's many stories include the campaign of violence and destruction at St Nicholas Church in Sutton, the rise in car parking charges in St Helens, a decision is finally made on the proposed Elephant Lane redevelopment, the objections to traffic restrictions and the family who planned to sell their house through rowdyism from patrons of the Geraldo Club.
Last week Leslie Spriggs, the St Helens MP, was heavily criticised for deciding to attend the FA Cup Final at Wembley, rather than lead the St Helens Trades Council's May Day unemployment demonstration.
One union leader told Spriggs: "Either Parliament or pleasure – socialism or soccer."
Despite being adamant that he would not give up his coveted Wembley seat, Mr Spriggs this week said he had changed his mind and had decided to lead the march.
The St Helens Reporter on the 26th described how a teenage gang was waging a "campaign of violence and destruction" on St Nicholas Church in Sutton (pictured above).
They had ridden motorbikes over the graveyard, smashed the church's leaded windows and hammered on the door during services.
The Rev Paul Fiske said: "This has been going on for the last 12 months and it is about time something was done about it. There is a particular gang of 14 - 16-year-olds who hang around the churchyard almost every night, bent on destruction and violence.
"The building has been damaged quite a lot, windows and lights are smashed and recently paint was daubed on the church door and sprayed on the porch.
"As many as two dozen hang around the place, particularly after dark, and one or two have motor bikes which they ride around the graveyard and cause a nuisance."
Rev Fiske said that one of the Scouts and a member of the youth club had been attacked and he was concerned that the gang's threatening behaviour would deter people from attending church.
Verger Frank Leyland said: "It has been going on for years. Much of the damage has been to the outside of the building, but last year a fire started by them caused extensive damage to the interior."
A police spokesman told the Reporter that the matter would be looked into and further enquiries made.
Up until 1969 St Helens had been one of only a few Lancashire towns that offered free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Ring Road.
The scale of charges that were introduced in 1969 started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay.
The Reporter stated that next week's meeting of the council's Planning Committee was expected to approve increases to the charges.
Council officers had warned that without a rise, their losses on car parks would reach £250,000 within the financial year 1976 - 77.
There was some variation in the rates currently charged at the various car parks but at Birchley Street motorists were paying 10p. However, it was proposed that the fee there would rise to 15p.
The minimum charges on the relatively new Chalon Way, St Mary's and Tontine multi-storey car parks would increase from 3p to 5p. They were being kept at a low rate to encourage people to shop in the town centre.
The Reporter also described how a family with young children aged three and one living in Lord Street was selling their house because of rowdyism from people leaving the Geraldo nightclub.
Carol Thompson told the paper: "I have been ill with my nerves because of it and my children are really ill with the sleepless nights they have had to put up with since they were born. It is just Bedlam living here, especially at the weekend."
And her neighbour, Trauna Prescott, said: "The situation is getting unbearable", explaining that because of the racket her husband only got two hours sleep as he had to get up at 5 am to leave for work.
But the club's owner, Jim Lloyd – who had created the Geraldo from the Gerrard's Hall Catholic Club nine years ago – refuted the allegations. Mr Lloyd, of Broadway in Eccleston, said:
"I do not believe any of the club's patrons are guilty of damaging property or causing a nuisance in the street. Patrons are never allowed in to the club after 11 pm to cut down any rough element getting in."
He blamed young vandals or those that had been refused entry to the nightclub for causing trouble.
What was described as a sponsored spelling test took place this week at Windle Pilkington School (pictured above in earlier years).
All 82 of the Waterloo Street school's pupils took part and raised a total of £160. The cash was going to be used to help restock their library and PE equipment store.
Last year a public inquiry had taken place in St Helens Town Hall concerning the council's plans to demolish 251 homes in the Elephant Lane area that were deemed unfit to live in.
Quite a number of similar inquiries took place during the 1960s and ‘70s as part of the council's desire to get rid of poor housing and redevelop the town.
Some householders would always object to the proposals, claiming their homes were perfectly habitable.
After listening to both sides, the inspector that chaired each inquiry would almost always rule in favour of the council.
Sixty residents from the Elephant Lane district had objected to the redevelopment proposals for Thatto Heath and after eight months of waiting, the inspector finally released his report this week.
This agreed with the council that 234 of the properties should be demolished.
However, unusually, 17 were going to be reprieved and would not be facing the bulldozer.
As well as in Elephant Lane itself, properties would also be taken down in Sandon Street, Balmer Street, Carnarvon Street, Leicester Street, Parliament Street and Cairo Street.
Out of the 234 homes that were now doomed, only 150 would be replaced. That was to allow more space for landscaping.
The Reporter also described how traffic restrictions planned for roads in St Helens had, predictably, triggered a flood of objections.
Next week the council's Planning Committee would consider 37 complaints and five petitions from residents and traders who feared the effects of the proposed new traffic orders.
Among them were protests from the heads of Knowsley Road infants and junior schools.
They complained that yellow lines would prevent their staff from bringing their cars to work, as the schools had no parking facilities of their own.
Many of the objections came from Sutton and five traders from Robins Lane and Peckers Hill Road had written to the council saying the imposition of parking restrictions would threaten their businesses.
At the ABC Savoy for 7 days from the 28th, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' starring Peter Sellers replaced 'The Hindenburg' starring George C. Scott.
And at the Capitol Cinema, 'The Ghoul' starring Peter Cushing replaced Ken Russell's 'The Devils'.
And finally, on the 29th Moss Bank United Services Club had a star comic in Frank Carson performing. In April fellow comedian George Roper was scheduled to appear.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the suspected arson at Crosby Spring Interiors, there's dismay over rent rises in St Mary's Market, there's a big rise in rate arrears and the proposal to close St Helens Hospital's A& E department at night.
Last week Leslie Spriggs, the St Helens MP, was heavily criticised for deciding to attend the FA Cup Final at Wembley, rather than lead the St Helens Trades Council's May Day unemployment demonstration.
One union leader told Spriggs: "Either Parliament or pleasure – socialism or soccer."
Despite being adamant that he would not give up his coveted Wembley seat, Mr Spriggs this week said he had changed his mind and had decided to lead the march.
They had ridden motorbikes over the graveyard, smashed the church's leaded windows and hammered on the door during services.
The Rev Paul Fiske said: "This has been going on for the last 12 months and it is about time something was done about it. There is a particular gang of 14 - 16-year-olds who hang around the churchyard almost every night, bent on destruction and violence.
"The building has been damaged quite a lot, windows and lights are smashed and recently paint was daubed on the church door and sprayed on the porch.
"As many as two dozen hang around the place, particularly after dark, and one or two have motor bikes which they ride around the graveyard and cause a nuisance."
Rev Fiske said that one of the Scouts and a member of the youth club had been attacked and he was concerned that the gang's threatening behaviour would deter people from attending church.
Verger Frank Leyland said: "It has been going on for years. Much of the damage has been to the outside of the building, but last year a fire started by them caused extensive damage to the interior."
A police spokesman told the Reporter that the matter would be looked into and further enquiries made.
Up until 1969 St Helens had been one of only a few Lancashire towns that offered free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Ring Road.
The scale of charges that were introduced in 1969 started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay.
The Reporter stated that next week's meeting of the council's Planning Committee was expected to approve increases to the charges.
Council officers had warned that without a rise, their losses on car parks would reach £250,000 within the financial year 1976 - 77.
There was some variation in the rates currently charged at the various car parks but at Birchley Street motorists were paying 10p. However, it was proposed that the fee there would rise to 15p.
The minimum charges on the relatively new Chalon Way, St Mary's and Tontine multi-storey car parks would increase from 3p to 5p. They were being kept at a low rate to encourage people to shop in the town centre.
The Reporter also described how a family with young children aged three and one living in Lord Street was selling their house because of rowdyism from people leaving the Geraldo nightclub.
Carol Thompson told the paper: "I have been ill with my nerves because of it and my children are really ill with the sleepless nights they have had to put up with since they were born. It is just Bedlam living here, especially at the weekend."
And her neighbour, Trauna Prescott, said: "The situation is getting unbearable", explaining that because of the racket her husband only got two hours sleep as he had to get up at 5 am to leave for work.
But the club's owner, Jim Lloyd – who had created the Geraldo from the Gerrard's Hall Catholic Club nine years ago – refuted the allegations. Mr Lloyd, of Broadway in Eccleston, said:
"I do not believe any of the club's patrons are guilty of damaging property or causing a nuisance in the street. Patrons are never allowed in to the club after 11 pm to cut down any rough element getting in."
He blamed young vandals or those that had been refused entry to the nightclub for causing trouble.
All 82 of the Waterloo Street school's pupils took part and raised a total of £160. The cash was going to be used to help restock their library and PE equipment store.
Last year a public inquiry had taken place in St Helens Town Hall concerning the council's plans to demolish 251 homes in the Elephant Lane area that were deemed unfit to live in.
Quite a number of similar inquiries took place during the 1960s and ‘70s as part of the council's desire to get rid of poor housing and redevelop the town.
Some householders would always object to the proposals, claiming their homes were perfectly habitable.
After listening to both sides, the inspector that chaired each inquiry would almost always rule in favour of the council.
Sixty residents from the Elephant Lane district had objected to the redevelopment proposals for Thatto Heath and after eight months of waiting, the inspector finally released his report this week.
This agreed with the council that 234 of the properties should be demolished.
However, unusually, 17 were going to be reprieved and would not be facing the bulldozer.
As well as in Elephant Lane itself, properties would also be taken down in Sandon Street, Balmer Street, Carnarvon Street, Leicester Street, Parliament Street and Cairo Street.
Out of the 234 homes that were now doomed, only 150 would be replaced. That was to allow more space for landscaping.
The Reporter also described how traffic restrictions planned for roads in St Helens had, predictably, triggered a flood of objections.
Next week the council's Planning Committee would consider 37 complaints and five petitions from residents and traders who feared the effects of the proposed new traffic orders.
Among them were protests from the heads of Knowsley Road infants and junior schools.
They complained that yellow lines would prevent their staff from bringing their cars to work, as the schools had no parking facilities of their own.
Many of the objections came from Sutton and five traders from Robins Lane and Peckers Hill Road had written to the council saying the imposition of parking restrictions would threaten their businesses.
At the ABC Savoy for 7 days from the 28th, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' starring Peter Sellers replaced 'The Hindenburg' starring George C. Scott.
And at the Capitol Cinema, 'The Ghoul' starring Peter Cushing replaced Ken Russell's 'The Devils'.
And finally, on the 29th Moss Bank United Services Club had a star comic in Frank Carson performing. In April fellow comedian George Roper was scheduled to appear.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the suspected arson at Crosby Spring Interiors, there's dismay over rent rises in St Mary's Market, there's a big rise in rate arrears and the proposal to close St Helens Hospital's A& E department at night.