FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 24 - 30 AUGUST 1976
This week's many stories include the declining chimney sweep business in St Helens, the fears over the opening of a new secure unit at Rainhill Hospital, Bold Colliery holds its Centenary Open Day, the water restrictions being imposed in the North West, the end of the controversial Atlas Street Market and the man who built his own car out of aluminium and spare parts.
Although there had been a break in the good weather earlier in August with some welcome rain falling, it had not been enough to prevent restrictions on water use being imposed. Under the headline "Water Ban To Save Industry", the St Helens Reporter on the 27th explained the position:
"Tough new water curbs are to be imposed in St. Helens in a bid to head-off the threat of a three-day working week for industry. The North West Water Authority have applied for an emergency drought order to slap a sweeping ban on water usage as supplies plunge drastically. A NWWA spokesman warned:
"“Stocks have dropped dramatically in the past two weeks as factories start up again after holiday shutdowns and residents also return from their annual break. If action isn't taken now industry could be severely hit and domestic supplies rationed as in other parts of Britain.” As well as hosepipes banned last week, ornamental fountains, ponds, sprinklers, and automatic flushing toilets will be out. And law-breakers will face a £400 fine."
"Future Black For Chimney Sweeps", was the headline to a Reporter article that described what they felt was the approaching end of the chimney sweeping business. The paper quoted Herbert Wyse, who ran Sutton Chimney Sweeping Services:
"There is no future in it at all. It will only take a few years before there are no sweeps. It is a dying trade. Trade has dropped in St. Helens by at least two-thirds. There is next to nothing here now. No sweep can make a living in St. Helens nowadays. At one time we used to be booked up for six months at a time. Now we have time to do a job tomorrow. I am only working part-time now and I am too old to get another job."
Herbert had been a sweep for more than 15 years and blamed gas fires for taking away most of his business: "More than three quarters of the town now has gas fires. They had to put them in because of the smokeless zones introduced in the Clean Air Act. I now have to go further afield to Warrington and Widnes to get jobs. But even then I never have a full week's work. We have all the modern equipment to do the job well but there is no demand for it."
William Taylor, who ran Vac-Sweep in Prescot, agreed that the situation was bad but still felt money could be made by sweeping chimneys. He said: "Domestic chimney cleaning is nearly finished now. But we have a lot of trade cleaning industrial chimneys. Trade is declining and many sweeps are packing it in but there is still enough business for one or two."
Brian Jackson was pictured in the Reporter after building his own car out of aluminium and spare parts. The owner of Jackson's sheet metal works in Sutton Road had spent five years building his unique vehicle. It had cost him £500 but he believed that he had saved £1,000. Brian told the Reporter: "Driving around in something which you have created yourself is very gratifying. It took quite a time getting all the parts I needed but it is well worth it."
The Atlas Street New Market – that operated out of the former Cash and Carry warehouse owned by A.C. Collins – had become a big talking point in the town. Shoppers loved it and thronged the 100 stalls but stallholders in the Tontine and St Mary's markets hated the competition.
Their argument was that they were paying a high rent to the Council and were losing custom to the rival market that was claiming to be selling goods at cheaper prices. The stallholders had threatened to go on a rent strike unless the Atlas Street market was stopped and so St Helens Council went to court.
On August 11th a deputy High Court judge at a private hearing had granted an interim injunction to ban the market for a week. And this week the Reporter described how at another hearing the injunction had been extended to November when a full trial would take place.
However, the paper had spoken to Derek Morgan, the owner of the Atlas Street market, who, from his HQ in Scotland, had revealed that he was disgusted by the whole affair and would not be contending the council's High Court action. "I don't want to know St Helens", he said.
The expected opening at Rainhill Hospital (pictured above) next week of what would become known as Scott Clinic was a big story in the Reporter. Their article began: "A union have refused to man a £2-million “prison-style” unit planned at Rainhill Hospital because they claim it will house psychiatric killers and dangerous criminals."
The National Union of Public Employees had opposed the secure unit since plans had first been announced. But the news that 14 patients would occupy a specially converted ward as a stepping-stone to the creation of a stand-alone secure building had infuriated them.
Ultimately, as many as 100 violent offenders could be housed at Rainhill and Bill Nixon, the NUPE secretary at the hospital, told the Reporter: "We will do everything to thwart the attempts of Merseyside Regional Health Authority to carry out an experiment in which a very large number of criminals will be admitted to and treated in Rainhill Hospital."
On November 8th 1985 the Liverpool Echo would write this about a murder in the hospital grounds at Rainhill:
"The killing of Janice McKinley confirmed all the worst fears of leaders of the National Union of Public Employees at Rainhill Hospital. From the moment the prestige, new, purpose-built regional secure unit, the Scott Clinic, was proposed for Rainhill, they came down against it. They sent out dire warnings to residents of what might happen if the unit was set up in the grounds of Rainhill Psychiatric Hospital. And they feel sadly now that a young girl lost her life because those warnings were ignored."
The Reporter also described how St Helens Area Health Authority was planning to axe all the children's beds in Providence Hospital. Currently all 16 paediatric beds at Providence were funded by the authority. However, they now felt they had sufficient accommodation for children in Whiston and St Helens hospitals and stopping paying for beds at Providence would save up to £100,000.
Also in the Reporter, Albert Morgan lamented how in the dead of night, thieves had raided his vegetable garden that had been his pride and joy. The 69-year-old from Dearnley Avenue in Blackbrook said: "They have ravished my garden just for the sake of a few vegetables. Now all my pleasure has been taken away." But Mr Morgan had a warning for the thieves, as he revealed that the vegetables had been treated with a chemical that needed a few weeks to wear off and they would be dangerous to eat straight away.
The Reporter described how fire-bugs had recently caused up to £50,000 worth of damage in several major fires throughout the town. Crosby Spring Interiors had endured two arson attacks on their Fleet Lane premises and they were said to be considering hiring security guard patrols.
On the 27th Oobidoo opened in St Helens in premises in Barrow Street that had previously been occupied by Oxleys. "Be a regular Oobidooer – be a regular money saver," said their advert.
On the 28th Bold Colliery (shown above) held its Centenary Open Day at the Miners Institute in Fleet Lane and at the colliery itself. Nine hundred members of the public were invited to ride 900 yards down No. 1 shaft to see for themselves what life was like underground and become members of their unique "900 Club". A Coal Board spokesman said:
"As far as we are aware, it's the first time the public in the North West have had the opportunity of going underground at a function of this kind. Those who make the trip – which is a thrill in itself – will be presented with a diploma to mark the event." In total around 6,000 persons turned up, with the Coal Board calling the day a "huge success".
And finally, on the 30th the St Helens and Knowsley Area Health Authority's Staff Sports and Social Club held a Gala and Sports Day. The Bank Holiday event took place on Delph Lane Fields in Whiston and was opened by Saints star Geoff Pimblett.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the rat-infested house in Owen Street, the opening at Rainhill Hospital of a special ward for criminals, the new industrial relics in St Helens Museum and the drought-affected Pilks' Recreation Club Open Weekend.
Although there had been a break in the good weather earlier in August with some welcome rain falling, it had not been enough to prevent restrictions on water use being imposed. Under the headline "Water Ban To Save Industry", the St Helens Reporter on the 27th explained the position:
"Tough new water curbs are to be imposed in St. Helens in a bid to head-off the threat of a three-day working week for industry. The North West Water Authority have applied for an emergency drought order to slap a sweeping ban on water usage as supplies plunge drastically. A NWWA spokesman warned:
"“Stocks have dropped dramatically in the past two weeks as factories start up again after holiday shutdowns and residents also return from their annual break. If action isn't taken now industry could be severely hit and domestic supplies rationed as in other parts of Britain.” As well as hosepipes banned last week, ornamental fountains, ponds, sprinklers, and automatic flushing toilets will be out. And law-breakers will face a £400 fine."
"Future Black For Chimney Sweeps", was the headline to a Reporter article that described what they felt was the approaching end of the chimney sweeping business. The paper quoted Herbert Wyse, who ran Sutton Chimney Sweeping Services:
"There is no future in it at all. It will only take a few years before there are no sweeps. It is a dying trade. Trade has dropped in St. Helens by at least two-thirds. There is next to nothing here now. No sweep can make a living in St. Helens nowadays. At one time we used to be booked up for six months at a time. Now we have time to do a job tomorrow. I am only working part-time now and I am too old to get another job."
Herbert had been a sweep for more than 15 years and blamed gas fires for taking away most of his business: "More than three quarters of the town now has gas fires. They had to put them in because of the smokeless zones introduced in the Clean Air Act. I now have to go further afield to Warrington and Widnes to get jobs. But even then I never have a full week's work. We have all the modern equipment to do the job well but there is no demand for it."
William Taylor, who ran Vac-Sweep in Prescot, agreed that the situation was bad but still felt money could be made by sweeping chimneys. He said: "Domestic chimney cleaning is nearly finished now. But we have a lot of trade cleaning industrial chimneys. Trade is declining and many sweeps are packing it in but there is still enough business for one or two."
Brian Jackson was pictured in the Reporter after building his own car out of aluminium and spare parts. The owner of Jackson's sheet metal works in Sutton Road had spent five years building his unique vehicle. It had cost him £500 but he believed that he had saved £1,000. Brian told the Reporter: "Driving around in something which you have created yourself is very gratifying. It took quite a time getting all the parts I needed but it is well worth it."
The Atlas Street New Market – that operated out of the former Cash and Carry warehouse owned by A.C. Collins – had become a big talking point in the town. Shoppers loved it and thronged the 100 stalls but stallholders in the Tontine and St Mary's markets hated the competition.
Their argument was that they were paying a high rent to the Council and were losing custom to the rival market that was claiming to be selling goods at cheaper prices. The stallholders had threatened to go on a rent strike unless the Atlas Street market was stopped and so St Helens Council went to court.
On August 11th a deputy High Court judge at a private hearing had granted an interim injunction to ban the market for a week. And this week the Reporter described how at another hearing the injunction had been extended to November when a full trial would take place.
However, the paper had spoken to Derek Morgan, the owner of the Atlas Street market, who, from his HQ in Scotland, had revealed that he was disgusted by the whole affair and would not be contending the council's High Court action. "I don't want to know St Helens", he said.
The National Union of Public Employees had opposed the secure unit since plans had first been announced. But the news that 14 patients would occupy a specially converted ward as a stepping-stone to the creation of a stand-alone secure building had infuriated them.
Ultimately, as many as 100 violent offenders could be housed at Rainhill and Bill Nixon, the NUPE secretary at the hospital, told the Reporter: "We will do everything to thwart the attempts of Merseyside Regional Health Authority to carry out an experiment in which a very large number of criminals will be admitted to and treated in Rainhill Hospital."
On November 8th 1985 the Liverpool Echo would write this about a murder in the hospital grounds at Rainhill:
"The killing of Janice McKinley confirmed all the worst fears of leaders of the National Union of Public Employees at Rainhill Hospital. From the moment the prestige, new, purpose-built regional secure unit, the Scott Clinic, was proposed for Rainhill, they came down against it. They sent out dire warnings to residents of what might happen if the unit was set up in the grounds of Rainhill Psychiatric Hospital. And they feel sadly now that a young girl lost her life because those warnings were ignored."
The Reporter also described how St Helens Area Health Authority was planning to axe all the children's beds in Providence Hospital. Currently all 16 paediatric beds at Providence were funded by the authority. However, they now felt they had sufficient accommodation for children in Whiston and St Helens hospitals and stopping paying for beds at Providence would save up to £100,000.
Also in the Reporter, Albert Morgan lamented how in the dead of night, thieves had raided his vegetable garden that had been his pride and joy. The 69-year-old from Dearnley Avenue in Blackbrook said: "They have ravished my garden just for the sake of a few vegetables. Now all my pleasure has been taken away." But Mr Morgan had a warning for the thieves, as he revealed that the vegetables had been treated with a chemical that needed a few weeks to wear off and they would be dangerous to eat straight away.
The Reporter described how fire-bugs had recently caused up to £50,000 worth of damage in several major fires throughout the town. Crosby Spring Interiors had endured two arson attacks on their Fleet Lane premises and they were said to be considering hiring security guard patrols.
On the 27th Oobidoo opened in St Helens in premises in Barrow Street that had previously been occupied by Oxleys. "Be a regular Oobidooer – be a regular money saver," said their advert.
"As far as we are aware, it's the first time the public in the North West have had the opportunity of going underground at a function of this kind. Those who make the trip – which is a thrill in itself – will be presented with a diploma to mark the event." In total around 6,000 persons turned up, with the Coal Board calling the day a "huge success".
And finally, on the 30th the St Helens and Knowsley Area Health Authority's Staff Sports and Social Club held a Gala and Sports Day. The Bank Holiday event took place on Delph Lane Fields in Whiston and was opened by Saints star Geoff Pimblett.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the rat-infested house in Owen Street, the opening at Rainhill Hospital of a special ward for criminals, the new industrial relics in St Helens Museum and the drought-affected Pilks' Recreation Club Open Weekend.
This week's many stories include the declining chimney sweep business in St Helens, the fears over the opening of a new secure unit at Rainhill Hospital, Bold Colliery holds its Centenary Open Day, the water restrictions being imposed in the North West, the end of the controversial Atlas Street Market and the man who built his own car out of aluminium and spare parts.
Although there had been a break in the good weather earlier in August with some welcome rain falling, it had not been enough to prevent restrictions on water use being imposed.
Under the headline "Water Ban To Save Industry", the St Helens Reporter on the 27th explained the position:
"Tough new water curbs are to be imposed in St. Helens in a bid to head-off the threat of a three-day working week for industry. The North West Water Authority have applied for an emergency drought order to slap a sweeping ban on water usage as supplies plunge drastically.
"A NWWA spokesman warned: “Stocks have dropped dramatically in the past two weeks as factories start up again after holiday shutdowns and residents also return from their annual break.
"“If action isn't taken now industry could be severely hit and domestic supplies rationed as in other parts of Britain.”
"As well as hosepipes banned last week, ornamental fountains, ponds, sprinklers, and automatic flushing toilets will be out. And law-breakers will face a £400 fine."
"Future Black For Chimney Sweeps", was the headline to a Reporter article that described what they felt was the approaching end of the chimney sweeping business.
The paper quoted Herbert Wyse, who ran Sutton Chimney Sweeping Services:
"There is no future in it at all. It will only take a few years before there are no sweeps. It is a dying trade. Trade has dropped in St. Helens by at least two-thirds. There is next to nothing here now. No sweep can make a living in St. Helens nowadays.
"At one time we used to be booked up for six months at a time. Now we have time to do a job tomorrow. I am only working part-time now and I am too old to get another job."
Herbert had been a sweep for more than 15 years and blamed gas fires for taking away most of his business:
"More than three quarters of the town now has gas fires. They had to put them in because of the smokeless zones introduced in the Clean Air Act.
"I now have to go further afield to Warrington and Widnes to get jobs. But even then I never have a full week's work. We have all the modern equipment to do the job well but there is no demand for it."
William Taylor, who ran Vac-Sweep in Prescot, agreed that the situation was bad but still felt money could be made by sweeping chimneys. He said:
"Domestic chimney cleaning is nearly finished now. But we have a lot of trade cleaning industrial chimneys.
"Trade is declining and many sweeps are packing it in but there is still enough business for one or two."
Brian Jackson was pictured in the Reporter after building his own car out of aluminium and spare parts.
The owner of Jackson's sheet metal works in Sutton Road had spent five years building his unique vehicle.
It had cost him £500 but he believed that he had saved £1,000. Brian told the Reporter:
"Driving around in something which you have created yourself is very gratifying. It took quite a time getting all the parts I needed but it is well worth it."
The Atlas Street New Market – that operated out of the former Cash and Carry warehouse owned by A.C. Collins – had become a big talking point in the town.
Shoppers loved it and thronged the 100 stalls but stallholders in the Tontine and St Mary's markets hated the competition.
Their argument was that they were paying a high rent to the Council and were losing custom to the rival market that was claiming to be selling goods at cheaper prices.
The stallholders had threatened to go on a rent strike unless the Atlas Street market was stopped and so St Helens Council went to court.
On August 11th a deputy High Court judge at a private hearing had granted an interim injunction to ban the market for a week.
And this week the Reporter described how at another hearing the injunction had been extended to November when a full trial would take place.
However, the paper had spoken to Derek Morgan, the owner of the Atlas Street market, who, from his HQ in Scotland, had revealed that he was disgusted by the whole affair and would not be contending the council's High Court action.
"I don't want to know St Helens", he said.
The expected opening at Rainhill Hospital (pictured above) next week of what would become known as Scott Clinic was a big story in the Reporter. Their article began:
"A union have refused to man a £2-million “prison-style” unit planned at Rainhill Hospital because they claim it will house psychiatric killers and dangerous criminals."
The National Union of Public Employees had opposed the secure unit since plans had first been announced.
But the news that 14 patients would occupy a specially converted ward as a stepping-stone to the creation of a stand-alone secure building had infuriated them.
Ultimately, as many as 100 violent offenders could be housed at Rainhill and Bill Nixon, the NUPE secretary at the hospital, told the Reporter:
"We will do everything to thwart the attempts of Merseyside Regional Health Authority to carry out an experiment in which a very large number of criminals will be admitted to and treated in Rainhill Hospital."
On November 8th 1985 the Liverpool Echo would write this about a murder in the hospital grounds at Rainhill:
"The killing of Janice McKinley confirmed all the worst fears of leaders of the National Union of Public Employees at Rainhill Hospital. From the moment the prestige, new, purpose-built regional secure unit, the Scott Clinic, was proposed for Rainhill, they came down against it.
"They sent out dire warnings to residents of what might happen if the unit was set up in the grounds of Rainhill Psychiatric Hospital. And they feel sadly now that a young girl lost her life because those warnings were ignored."
The Reporter also described how St Helens Area Health Authority was planning to axe all the children's beds in Providence Hospital.
Currently all 16 paediatric beds at Providence were funded by the authority.
However, they now felt they had sufficient accommodation for children in Whiston and St Helens hospitals and stopping paying for beds at Providence would save up to £100,000.
Also in the Reporter, Albert Morgan lamented how in the dead of night, thieves had raided his vegetable garden that had been his pride and joy.
The 69-year-old from Dearnley Avenue in Blackbrook said:
"They have ravished my garden just for the sake of a few vegetables. Now all my pleasure has been taken away."
But Mr Morgan had a warning for the thieves, as he revealed that the vegetables had been treated with a chemical that needed a few weeks to wear off and they would be dangerous to eat straight away.
The Reporter described how fire-bugs had recently caused up to £50,000 worth of damage in several major fires throughout the town.
Crosby Spring Interiors had endured two arson attacks on their Fleet Lane premises and they were said to be considering hiring security guard patrols.
On the 27th Oobidoo opened in St Helens in premises in Barrow Street that had previously been occupied by Oxleys.
"Be a regular Oobidooer – be a regular money saver," said their advert.
On the 28th Bold Colliery (pictured above) held its Centenary Open Day at the Miners Institute in Fleet Lane and at the colliery itself.
Nine hundred members of the public were invited to ride 900 yards down No. 1 shaft to see for themselves what life was like underground and become members of their unique "900 Club". A Coal Board spokesman said:
"As far as we are aware, it's the first time the public in the North West have had the opportunity of going underground at a function of this kind. Those who make the trip – which is a thrill in itself – will be presented with a diploma to mark the event."
In total around 6,000 persons turned up, with the Coal Board calling the day a "huge success".
And finally, on the 30th the St Helens and Knowsley Area Health Authority's Staff Sports and Social Club held a Gala and Sports Day.
The Bank Holiday event took place on Delph Lane Fields in Whiston and was opened by Saints star Geoff Pimblett.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the rat-infested house in Owen Street, the opening at Rainhill Hospital of a special ward for criminals, the new industrial relics in St Helens Museum and the drought-affected Pilks' Recreation Club Open Weekend.
Although there had been a break in the good weather earlier in August with some welcome rain falling, it had not been enough to prevent restrictions on water use being imposed.
Under the headline "Water Ban To Save Industry", the St Helens Reporter on the 27th explained the position:
"Tough new water curbs are to be imposed in St. Helens in a bid to head-off the threat of a three-day working week for industry. The North West Water Authority have applied for an emergency drought order to slap a sweeping ban on water usage as supplies plunge drastically.
"A NWWA spokesman warned: “Stocks have dropped dramatically in the past two weeks as factories start up again after holiday shutdowns and residents also return from their annual break.
"“If action isn't taken now industry could be severely hit and domestic supplies rationed as in other parts of Britain.”
"As well as hosepipes banned last week, ornamental fountains, ponds, sprinklers, and automatic flushing toilets will be out. And law-breakers will face a £400 fine."
"Future Black For Chimney Sweeps", was the headline to a Reporter article that described what they felt was the approaching end of the chimney sweeping business.
The paper quoted Herbert Wyse, who ran Sutton Chimney Sweeping Services:
"There is no future in it at all. It will only take a few years before there are no sweeps. It is a dying trade. Trade has dropped in St. Helens by at least two-thirds. There is next to nothing here now. No sweep can make a living in St. Helens nowadays.
"At one time we used to be booked up for six months at a time. Now we have time to do a job tomorrow. I am only working part-time now and I am too old to get another job."
Herbert had been a sweep for more than 15 years and blamed gas fires for taking away most of his business:
"More than three quarters of the town now has gas fires. They had to put them in because of the smokeless zones introduced in the Clean Air Act.
"I now have to go further afield to Warrington and Widnes to get jobs. But even then I never have a full week's work. We have all the modern equipment to do the job well but there is no demand for it."
William Taylor, who ran Vac-Sweep in Prescot, agreed that the situation was bad but still felt money could be made by sweeping chimneys. He said:
"Domestic chimney cleaning is nearly finished now. But we have a lot of trade cleaning industrial chimneys.
"Trade is declining and many sweeps are packing it in but there is still enough business for one or two."
Brian Jackson was pictured in the Reporter after building his own car out of aluminium and spare parts.
The owner of Jackson's sheet metal works in Sutton Road had spent five years building his unique vehicle.
It had cost him £500 but he believed that he had saved £1,000. Brian told the Reporter:
"Driving around in something which you have created yourself is very gratifying. It took quite a time getting all the parts I needed but it is well worth it."
The Atlas Street New Market – that operated out of the former Cash and Carry warehouse owned by A.C. Collins – had become a big talking point in the town.
Shoppers loved it and thronged the 100 stalls but stallholders in the Tontine and St Mary's markets hated the competition.
Their argument was that they were paying a high rent to the Council and were losing custom to the rival market that was claiming to be selling goods at cheaper prices.
The stallholders had threatened to go on a rent strike unless the Atlas Street market was stopped and so St Helens Council went to court.
On August 11th a deputy High Court judge at a private hearing had granted an interim injunction to ban the market for a week.
And this week the Reporter described how at another hearing the injunction had been extended to November when a full trial would take place.
However, the paper had spoken to Derek Morgan, the owner of the Atlas Street market, who, from his HQ in Scotland, had revealed that he was disgusted by the whole affair and would not be contending the council's High Court action.
"I don't want to know St Helens", he said.
"A union have refused to man a £2-million “prison-style” unit planned at Rainhill Hospital because they claim it will house psychiatric killers and dangerous criminals."
The National Union of Public Employees had opposed the secure unit since plans had first been announced.
But the news that 14 patients would occupy a specially converted ward as a stepping-stone to the creation of a stand-alone secure building had infuriated them.
Ultimately, as many as 100 violent offenders could be housed at Rainhill and Bill Nixon, the NUPE secretary at the hospital, told the Reporter:
"We will do everything to thwart the attempts of Merseyside Regional Health Authority to carry out an experiment in which a very large number of criminals will be admitted to and treated in Rainhill Hospital."
On November 8th 1985 the Liverpool Echo would write this about a murder in the hospital grounds at Rainhill:
"The killing of Janice McKinley confirmed all the worst fears of leaders of the National Union of Public Employees at Rainhill Hospital. From the moment the prestige, new, purpose-built regional secure unit, the Scott Clinic, was proposed for Rainhill, they came down against it.
"They sent out dire warnings to residents of what might happen if the unit was set up in the grounds of Rainhill Psychiatric Hospital. And they feel sadly now that a young girl lost her life because those warnings were ignored."
The Reporter also described how St Helens Area Health Authority was planning to axe all the children's beds in Providence Hospital.
Currently all 16 paediatric beds at Providence were funded by the authority.
However, they now felt they had sufficient accommodation for children in Whiston and St Helens hospitals and stopping paying for beds at Providence would save up to £100,000.
Also in the Reporter, Albert Morgan lamented how in the dead of night, thieves had raided his vegetable garden that had been his pride and joy.
The 69-year-old from Dearnley Avenue in Blackbrook said:
"They have ravished my garden just for the sake of a few vegetables. Now all my pleasure has been taken away."
But Mr Morgan had a warning for the thieves, as he revealed that the vegetables had been treated with a chemical that needed a few weeks to wear off and they would be dangerous to eat straight away.
The Reporter described how fire-bugs had recently caused up to £50,000 worth of damage in several major fires throughout the town.
Crosby Spring Interiors had endured two arson attacks on their Fleet Lane premises and they were said to be considering hiring security guard patrols.
On the 27th Oobidoo opened in St Helens in premises in Barrow Street that had previously been occupied by Oxleys.
"Be a regular Oobidooer – be a regular money saver," said their advert.
Nine hundred members of the public were invited to ride 900 yards down No. 1 shaft to see for themselves what life was like underground and become members of their unique "900 Club". A Coal Board spokesman said:
"As far as we are aware, it's the first time the public in the North West have had the opportunity of going underground at a function of this kind. Those who make the trip – which is a thrill in itself – will be presented with a diploma to mark the event."
In total around 6,000 persons turned up, with the Coal Board calling the day a "huge success".
And finally, on the 30th the St Helens and Knowsley Area Health Authority's Staff Sports and Social Club held a Gala and Sports Day.
The Bank Holiday event took place on Delph Lane Fields in Whiston and was opened by Saints star Geoff Pimblett.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the rat-infested house in Owen Street, the opening at Rainhill Hospital of a special ward for criminals, the new industrial relics in St Helens Museum and the drought-affected Pilks' Recreation Club Open Weekend.