FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (27th DEC. 1971 - 2nd JAN. 1972)
This week's many stories include the New Year celebrations in Victoria Square that led to Queen Victoria's orb and sceptre being stolen, the St Helens' MP calls for a clean up of sex and violence on television, the New Year's Day babies, Scruffy the lost Thatto Heath dog, the Rivoli bingo grocery collection and a family feud continues at a funeral in St Helens Parish Church.
We begin on the 29th when the Liverpool Echo reported that the speed limit on Vista Road between Newton-le-Willows and Haydock had been raised from 30mph to 40mph. However, rather oddly, Haydock Council warned motorists that until new speed restriction signs were installed, they could still be booked for driving at 40mph.
Last March after decimalisation the Liverpool Echo had published this article: "The sixpence is rapidly going out of circulation, say Merseyside banks and traders. Demand for the little silver coin has sunk almost to zero. A spokesman for the Midland Bank in Liverpool said yesterday: “Before D-Day customers were constantly coming in for sixpences. They were used for fruit and vending machines, but since the introduction of decimal currency nobody seems to want them. We are stockpiling literally thousands of pounds worth of the sixpences, and sending more and more to the Bank of England every day.”
"The Decimal Currency Board says that the sixpence will remain legal tender for two years after D-Day. This was done originally because of the number of machines using the coins. But now with the banks not issuing the coin, it has almost completely vanished from the change in people's pockets."
However, Grange Park Labour Club in St Helens still had plenty of tanners – or at least they did have. This week thieves broke into their premises and stole £100 in what the Echo called "2½p pieces". That's four thousand coins in total! Ten miniature bottles of brandy worth £3 were also taken in the late evening raid on the 29th.
'The Court' at 84 Prescot Road had been running their dancing classes for almost three years and must have spent a small fortune during that period advertising in the St Helens Reporter. On the 30th last-minute beginner's classes for those attending New Year's Eve dances were held: "You could dance for New Year's Eve – COST £1.50", said their ad. "We will teach you basic waltz, quickstep and cha-cha."
The St Helens Reporter was published on the 31st and its lead story bore the headline: "MP's Pledge On Bid For TV Clean Up". The newspaper revealed that the town's MP, Leslie Spriggs, was planning to table a motion in the House of Commons calling for "independent censorship of programmes".
"I am broad-minded", insisted Mr Spriggs (pictured below), "but in the past year the amount of sex and violence on television has gone way over the limit of decency." The St Helens MP had decided to take action after receiving a protest letter from the Women's Guild of Christian Service, representing Congregational Churches in St Helens. The letter criticised the "continued and frequent use of swear words, including the word ‘Christ’ used in the wrong context…the offensive innuendo of many of the so-called comedy items. And the visual presentation of violence, sadism and male and female relationships verging on the pornographic."
Also on the front page was a picture of Scruffy the dog (shown above) being hugged by Cathleen Forshaw, which was accompanied by this report: "Scruffy the terrier, might not be the prettiest lady on four paws – but this week, she high-tailed her way into a family of top dogs. Now Scruffy, who's about a year old, has found a home-from-home with Cathleen Forshaw. Cathleen, 23, and her husband Peter, spotted the wire-haired terrier, alone and lost – sitting in the middle of a busy main road. They took her home to join their own four dogs in Ilfracombe Road, St. Helens.
"Scruffy soon settled in with collies Cilla, Sherry and Vogue and alsatian Duke. “We were driving along Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath when we spotted Scruffy sitting down in the middle of the road,” said Cathleen. “Traffic was flying past her, just missing the poor thing by inches. We knocked on the doors of houses nearby, but nobody knew who she belonged to, and she had no collar on.”
"Cathleen added: “We called her Scruffy because she was in such a dirty state when we found her. She's very friendly and gets along very well with our own dogs. But she whimpers when she hears a car – as if she is expecting someone to arrive in one. If nobody claims her, we'll definitely keep her.”"
However, it only took a few hours before the white terrier's rightful owner came to claim her. It was James Bottell of Harlow Close who was able to tell the Forshaws that Scruffy's real name was Cindy and that she had been missing from his home for 10 days after slipping out of their back door. His young son had been very upset over Christmas because of the dog's disappearance and when the family turned up to claim Cindy, Cathleen said she was "all over them".
Last week I reported how the Very Reverend Canon Hugh Fitzpatrick, the Dean of St Helens, had controversially criticised the internment of IRA prisoners without trial from the pulpit of Sacred Heart Church. What upset some people was his criticism of the army, who had been charged with implementing a political decision. The leader of the 36,000 Catholics in St Helens had accused British soldiers of being the "instruments of injustice", and saying it was a "disgrace on the British Army".
In this week's Reporter there were numerous letters, both critical and supportive of the Dean's comments. One ex-serviceman and parishioner of Sacred Heart wrote: "The ones who are interned are not being shot down in cold blood or blown to pieces by bombs. Instead of knocking the troops, he should thank God that they are British troops for I know no others who could restrain themselves as those boys do."
And Marlene Murphy of Rookery Lane, Rainford, wrote: "What hope is there for a solution to the Ulster crisis, when even a man of vocation and education, such as Dean Fitzpatrick, makes an unwarranted attack on the British troops in Northern Ireland? It is irresponsible in the extreme of the Dean, to condemn the British troops for implementing a policy, namely internment, which they had no part in constructing."
The Reporter also described how a family feud that had lasted for almost six years continued at the funeral of an 81-year-old mother. What had sparked the split was not revealed – but appeared connected with Elizabeth Hand's decision to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Frances and John Higham, in Halefield Street. Mrs Hand's three other daughters and her two sons took exception to this for some reason and a feud began – with both sides of the family not speaking to one another.
Just before she died, a hurt Mrs Hand ordered that her five silent children must not attend her funeral. But they did just the same and hired their own car to take them to St Helens Parish Church and sent their own flowers. The five siblings also filed into pews away from the main body of mourners and afterwards attended their own reception. Two separate funeral reports were also submitted to the St Helens Newspaper with strict instructions that they must not be linked together. Speaking to the Reporter, Mr Higham said: "The family was split, and my wife's mother would not forgive them".
The paper also described how bingo sessions at the Rivoli in Corporation Street (pictured above) had helped the town's needy OAPs. During the week before Christmas, patrons had been encouraged to bring groceries to the bingo hall, which were then distributed by staff to elderly residents. Bingo caller Richard Lowe of Blackdown Grove in Parr had also baked a 20lb Christmas cake as his contribution to the collection – but then had a change of mind: "There was such a great response from the public that we had more than enough groceries, so we decided to give the cake to the patients and staff in the children's ward at Providence." The 18-inch square cake was decorated with a country scene, depicting a cottage, field, pool, a horse and sheep – done in white, brown and green icing.
Most January sales would not begin until well into next week – but Lilian Rogers at 30 Duke Street began hers on the 31st. There were "many wonderful bargains" promised, including coats, suits and dresses – with "mourning always in stock."
The Caledonian Society's New Year's Eve dance was held at the Deaf Institute on Dentons Green Lane. I expect that "do" went well – but celebrations got a bit out of hand in Victoria Square as Queen Victoria's bronze statue lost its orb and sceptre. A few days later, St Helens police answered an anonymous telephone call and found the missing royal ornaments inside a telephone box in Queensland Avenue in Thatto Heath. "Obviously, someone got carried away by high spirits on the night," said a police spokesman. Just how the statue had been scaled and the orb and sceptre so easily removed was not explained.
There were four New Year's Day babies born this year, with Whiston Hospital and Cowley Hill Maternity Home sharing the honours. At Whiston, Jean Bridgeham of Thackeray Road in St Helens gave birth to little Lisa at 1:15am and then later Barbara Halliwell of Chain Lane brought Corrie Anne into the world. At Cowley, Matthew John was born to Denise Foster of Wythburn Crescent and Maureen Anderton of Recreation Street gave birth to Kevin Roy.
For being the first St Helens' mothers of 1972, a 30-shilling gift from the Reporter and a £1 voucher from Nevins food stores would be heading their way. As the mother of the town’s first New Year baby, Cholerton's of Duke Street would also be presenting Jean Bridgeham with a full-size framed photo of Lisa – hopefully with her eyes open!
Throughout the week the ABC Savoy was screening 'Paint Your Wagon' with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood – "Your perfect holiday entertainment", said the ad. Meanwhile, the Capitol cinema was showing 'Black Beauty' during the day and two horror films in the evening. These were 'Blood On Satan's Claw' and 'Beast in the Cellar' starring Patrick Wymark and Beryl Reid, respectively. Then for 7 days from January 2nd, the American documentary about sharks called 'Blue Water, White Death' was the main feature at the Capitol supported by Paul Newman in 'Hombre'.
Every January the Pilkington Musical Society performed a pantomime at the Theatre Royal in St Helens. Last year's choice had been 'Babes in the Wood' and they utilised three "flying ballet" machines to propel characters across the stage. This year the Pilkington thespians staged 'Humpty Dumpty', with a puppet version of 'Treasure Island' scheduled for Corporation Street later in the month.
Humpty Dumpty ran for a week from New Year's Day and the Reporter's review said: "The cast of Pilkington Musical Society spend each show playing to the kids, with quick-fire gags and gay costumes. Almost inevitably, out come the buckets of sloppy paste and water, splashed around in liberal quantities…. a traditional “must” for children and the family."
Next week's stories will include the green light for the long-delayed Parr baths, the council consider whether stinky brook is still stinky, Saints threaten to boycott the BBC2 Trophy and why the town's GPs could now stay snug in their beds at night.
We begin on the 29th when the Liverpool Echo reported that the speed limit on Vista Road between Newton-le-Willows and Haydock had been raised from 30mph to 40mph. However, rather oddly, Haydock Council warned motorists that until new speed restriction signs were installed, they could still be booked for driving at 40mph.
Last March after decimalisation the Liverpool Echo had published this article: "The sixpence is rapidly going out of circulation, say Merseyside banks and traders. Demand for the little silver coin has sunk almost to zero. A spokesman for the Midland Bank in Liverpool said yesterday: “Before D-Day customers were constantly coming in for sixpences. They were used for fruit and vending machines, but since the introduction of decimal currency nobody seems to want them. We are stockpiling literally thousands of pounds worth of the sixpences, and sending more and more to the Bank of England every day.”
"The Decimal Currency Board says that the sixpence will remain legal tender for two years after D-Day. This was done originally because of the number of machines using the coins. But now with the banks not issuing the coin, it has almost completely vanished from the change in people's pockets."
However, Grange Park Labour Club in St Helens still had plenty of tanners – or at least they did have. This week thieves broke into their premises and stole £100 in what the Echo called "2½p pieces". That's four thousand coins in total! Ten miniature bottles of brandy worth £3 were also taken in the late evening raid on the 29th.
'The Court' at 84 Prescot Road had been running their dancing classes for almost three years and must have spent a small fortune during that period advertising in the St Helens Reporter. On the 30th last-minute beginner's classes for those attending New Year's Eve dances were held: "You could dance for New Year's Eve – COST £1.50", said their ad. "We will teach you basic waltz, quickstep and cha-cha."
The St Helens Reporter was published on the 31st and its lead story bore the headline: "MP's Pledge On Bid For TV Clean Up". The newspaper revealed that the town's MP, Leslie Spriggs, was planning to table a motion in the House of Commons calling for "independent censorship of programmes".
"I am broad-minded", insisted Mr Spriggs (pictured below), "but in the past year the amount of sex and violence on television has gone way over the limit of decency." The St Helens MP had decided to take action after receiving a protest letter from the Women's Guild of Christian Service, representing Congregational Churches in St Helens. The letter criticised the "continued and frequent use of swear words, including the word ‘Christ’ used in the wrong context…the offensive innuendo of many of the so-called comedy items. And the visual presentation of violence, sadism and male and female relationships verging on the pornographic."
"Scruffy soon settled in with collies Cilla, Sherry and Vogue and alsatian Duke. “We were driving along Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath when we spotted Scruffy sitting down in the middle of the road,” said Cathleen. “Traffic was flying past her, just missing the poor thing by inches. We knocked on the doors of houses nearby, but nobody knew who she belonged to, and she had no collar on.”
"Cathleen added: “We called her Scruffy because she was in such a dirty state when we found her. She's very friendly and gets along very well with our own dogs. But she whimpers when she hears a car – as if she is expecting someone to arrive in one. If nobody claims her, we'll definitely keep her.”"
However, it only took a few hours before the white terrier's rightful owner came to claim her. It was James Bottell of Harlow Close who was able to tell the Forshaws that Scruffy's real name was Cindy and that she had been missing from his home for 10 days after slipping out of their back door. His young son had been very upset over Christmas because of the dog's disappearance and when the family turned up to claim Cindy, Cathleen said she was "all over them".
Last week I reported how the Very Reverend Canon Hugh Fitzpatrick, the Dean of St Helens, had controversially criticised the internment of IRA prisoners without trial from the pulpit of Sacred Heart Church. What upset some people was his criticism of the army, who had been charged with implementing a political decision. The leader of the 36,000 Catholics in St Helens had accused British soldiers of being the "instruments of injustice", and saying it was a "disgrace on the British Army".
In this week's Reporter there were numerous letters, both critical and supportive of the Dean's comments. One ex-serviceman and parishioner of Sacred Heart wrote: "The ones who are interned are not being shot down in cold blood or blown to pieces by bombs. Instead of knocking the troops, he should thank God that they are British troops for I know no others who could restrain themselves as those boys do."
And Marlene Murphy of Rookery Lane, Rainford, wrote: "What hope is there for a solution to the Ulster crisis, when even a man of vocation and education, such as Dean Fitzpatrick, makes an unwarranted attack on the British troops in Northern Ireland? It is irresponsible in the extreme of the Dean, to condemn the British troops for implementing a policy, namely internment, which they had no part in constructing."
The Reporter also described how a family feud that had lasted for almost six years continued at the funeral of an 81-year-old mother. What had sparked the split was not revealed – but appeared connected with Elizabeth Hand's decision to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Frances and John Higham, in Halefield Street. Mrs Hand's three other daughters and her two sons took exception to this for some reason and a feud began – with both sides of the family not speaking to one another.
Just before she died, a hurt Mrs Hand ordered that her five silent children must not attend her funeral. But they did just the same and hired their own car to take them to St Helens Parish Church and sent their own flowers. The five siblings also filed into pews away from the main body of mourners and afterwards attended their own reception. Two separate funeral reports were also submitted to the St Helens Newspaper with strict instructions that they must not be linked together. Speaking to the Reporter, Mr Higham said: "The family was split, and my wife's mother would not forgive them".
Most January sales would not begin until well into next week – but Lilian Rogers at 30 Duke Street began hers on the 31st. There were "many wonderful bargains" promised, including coats, suits and dresses – with "mourning always in stock."
The Caledonian Society's New Year's Eve dance was held at the Deaf Institute on Dentons Green Lane. I expect that "do" went well – but celebrations got a bit out of hand in Victoria Square as Queen Victoria's bronze statue lost its orb and sceptre. A few days later, St Helens police answered an anonymous telephone call and found the missing royal ornaments inside a telephone box in Queensland Avenue in Thatto Heath. "Obviously, someone got carried away by high spirits on the night," said a police spokesman. Just how the statue had been scaled and the orb and sceptre so easily removed was not explained.
There were four New Year's Day babies born this year, with Whiston Hospital and Cowley Hill Maternity Home sharing the honours. At Whiston, Jean Bridgeham of Thackeray Road in St Helens gave birth to little Lisa at 1:15am and then later Barbara Halliwell of Chain Lane brought Corrie Anne into the world. At Cowley, Matthew John was born to Denise Foster of Wythburn Crescent and Maureen Anderton of Recreation Street gave birth to Kevin Roy.
For being the first St Helens' mothers of 1972, a 30-shilling gift from the Reporter and a £1 voucher from Nevins food stores would be heading their way. As the mother of the town’s first New Year baby, Cholerton's of Duke Street would also be presenting Jean Bridgeham with a full-size framed photo of Lisa – hopefully with her eyes open!
Throughout the week the ABC Savoy was screening 'Paint Your Wagon' with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood – "Your perfect holiday entertainment", said the ad. Meanwhile, the Capitol cinema was showing 'Black Beauty' during the day and two horror films in the evening. These were 'Blood On Satan's Claw' and 'Beast in the Cellar' starring Patrick Wymark and Beryl Reid, respectively. Then for 7 days from January 2nd, the American documentary about sharks called 'Blue Water, White Death' was the main feature at the Capitol supported by Paul Newman in 'Hombre'.
Every January the Pilkington Musical Society performed a pantomime at the Theatre Royal in St Helens. Last year's choice had been 'Babes in the Wood' and they utilised three "flying ballet" machines to propel characters across the stage. This year the Pilkington thespians staged 'Humpty Dumpty', with a puppet version of 'Treasure Island' scheduled for Corporation Street later in the month.
Humpty Dumpty ran for a week from New Year's Day and the Reporter's review said: "The cast of Pilkington Musical Society spend each show playing to the kids, with quick-fire gags and gay costumes. Almost inevitably, out come the buckets of sloppy paste and water, splashed around in liberal quantities…. a traditional “must” for children and the family."
Next week's stories will include the green light for the long-delayed Parr baths, the council consider whether stinky brook is still stinky, Saints threaten to boycott the BBC2 Trophy and why the town's GPs could now stay snug in their beds at night.
This week's many stories include the New Year celebrations in Victoria Square that led to Queen Victoria's orb and sceptre being stolen, the St Helens' MP calls for a clean up of sex and violence on television, the New Year's Day babies, Scruffy the lost Thatto Heath dog, the Rivoli bingo grocery collection and a family feud continues at a funeral in St Helens Parish Church.
We begin on the 29th when the Liverpool Echo reported that the speed limit on Vista Road between Newton-le-Willows and Haydock had been raised from 30mph to 40mph.
However, rather oddly, Haydock Council warned motorists that until new speed restriction signs were installed, they could still be booked for driving at 40mph.
Last March after decimalisation the Liverpool Echo had published this article:
"The sixpence is rapidly going out of circulation, say Merseyside banks and traders. Demand for the little silver coin has sunk almost to zero. A spokesman for the Midland Bank in Liverpool said yesterday:
"“Before D-Day customers were constantly coming in for sixpences. They were used for fruit and vending machines, but since the introduction of decimal currency nobody seems to want them. We are stockpiling literally thousands of pounds worth of the sixpences, and sending more and more to the Bank of England every day.”
"The Decimal Currency Board says that the sixpence will remain legal tender for two years after D-Day. This was done originally because of the number of machines using the coins. But now with the banks not issuing the coin, it has almost completely vanished from the change in people's pockets."
However, Grange Park Labour Club in St Helens still had plenty of tanners – or at least they did have.
This week thieves broke into their premises and stole £100 in what the Echo called "2½p pieces". That's four thousand coins in total!
Ten miniature bottles of brandy worth £3 were also taken in the late evening raid on the 29th.
'The Court' at 84 Prescot Road had been running their dancing classes for almost three years and must have spent a small fortune during that period advertising in the St Helens Reporter.
On the 30th last-minute beginner's classes for those attending New Year's Eve dances were held:
"You could dance for New Year's Eve – COST £1.50", said their ad. "We will teach you basic waltz, quickstep and cha-cha."
The St Helens Reporter was published on the 31st and its lead story bore the headline: "MP's Pledge On Bid For TV Clean Up".
The newspaper revealed that the town's MP, Leslie Spriggs (pictured above), was planning to table a motion in the House of Commons calling for "independent censorship of programmes".
"I am broad-minded", insisted Mr Spriggs, "but in the past year the amount of sex and violence on television has gone way over the limit of decency."
The St Helens MP had decided to take action after receiving a protest letter from the Women's Guild of Christian Service, representing Congregational Churches in St Helens.
The letter criticised the "continued and frequent use of swear words, including the word ‘Christ’ used in the wrong context…the offensive innuendo of many of the so-called comedy items. And the visual presentation of violence, sadism and male and female relationships verging on the pornographic."
Also on the front page was a picture of Scruffy the dog being hugged by Cathleen Forshaw, which was accompanied by this report:
"Scruffy the terrier, might not be the prettiest lady on four paws – but this week, she high-tailed her way into a family of top dogs. Now Scruffy, who's about a year old, has found a home-from-home with Cathleen Forshaw.
"Cathleen, 23, and her husband Peter, spotted the wire-haired terrier, alone and lost – sitting in the middle of a busy main road. They took her home to join their own four dogs in Ilfracombe Road, St. Helens.
"Scruffy soon settled in with collies Cilla, Sherry and Vogue and alsatian Duke. “We were driving along Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath when we spotted Scruffy sitting down in the middle of the road,” said Cathleen.
"“Traffic was flying past her, just missing the poor thing by inches. We knocked on the doors of houses nearby, but nobody knew who she belonged to, and she had no collar on.”
"Cathleen added: “We called her Scruffy because she was in such a dirty state when we found her.
"“She's very friendly and gets along very well with our own dogs. But she whimpers when she hears a car – as if she is expecting someone to arrive in one. If nobody claims her, we'll definitely keep her.”"
However, it only took a few hours before the white terrier's rightful owner came to claim Scruffy (pictured above).
It was James Bottell of Harlow Close who was able to tell the Forshaws that Scruffy's real name was Cindy and that she had been missing from his home for 10 days after slipping out of their back door.
His young son had been very upset over Christmas because of the dog's disappearance and when the family turned up to claim Cindy, Cathleen said she was "all over them".
Last week I reported how the Very Reverend Canon Hugh Fitzpatrick, the Dean of St Helens, had controversially criticised the internment of IRA prisoners without trial from the pulpit of Sacred Heart Church.
What upset some people was his criticism of the army, who had been charged with implementing a political decision.
The leader of the 36,000 Catholics in St Helens had accused British soldiers of being the "instruments of injustice", and saying it was a "disgrace on the British Army".
In this week's Reporter there were numerous letters, both critical and supportive of the Dean's comments.
One ex-serviceman and parishioner of Sacred Heart wrote: "The ones who are interned are not being shot down in cold blood or blown to pieces by bombs. Instead of knocking the troops, he should thank God that they are British troops for I know no others who could restrain themselves as those boys do."
And Marlene Murphy of Rookery Lane, Rainford, wrote:
"What hope is there for a solution to the Ulster crisis, when even a man of vocation and education, such as Dean Fitzpatrick, makes an unwarranted attack on the British troops in Northern Ireland?
"It is irresponsible in the extreme of the Dean, to condemn the British troops for implementing a policy, namely internment, which they had no part in constructing."
The Reporter also described how a family feud that had lasted for almost six years continued at the funeral of an 81-year-old mother.
What had sparked the split was not revealed – but appeared connected with Elizabeth Hand's decision to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Frances and John Higham, in Halefield Street.
Mrs Hand's three other daughters and her two sons took exception to this for some reason and a feud began – with both sides of the family not speaking to one another.
Just before she died, a hurt Mrs Hand ordered that her five silent children must not attend her funeral.
But they did just the same and hired their own car to take them to St Helens Parish Church and sent their own flowers.
The five siblings also filed into pews away from the main body of mourners and afterwards attended their own reception.
Two separate funeral reports were also submitted to the St Helens Newspaper with strict instructions that they must not be linked together.
Speaking to the Reporter, Mr Higham said: "The family was split, and my wife's mother would not forgive them".
The paper also described how bingo sessions at the Rivoli in Corporation Street (pictured above) had helped the town's needy OAPs.
During the week before Christmas, patrons had been encouraged to bring groceries to the bingo hall, which were then distributed by staff to elderly residents.
Bingo caller Richard Lowe of Blackdown Grove in Parr had also baked a 20lb Christmas cake as his contribution to the collection – but then had a change of mind:
"There was such a great response from the public that we had more than enough groceries, so we decided to give the cake to the patients and staff in the children's ward at Providence."
The 18-inch square cake was decorated with a country scene, depicting a cottage, field, pool, a horse and sheep – done in white, brown and green icing.
Most January sales would not begin until well into next week – but Lilian Rogers at 30 Duke Street began hers on the 31st.
There were "many wonderful bargains" promised, including coats, suits and dresses – with "mourning always in stock."
The Caledonian Society's New Year's Eve dance was held at the Deaf Institute on Dentons Green Lane.
I expect that "do" went well – but celebrations got a bit out of hand in Victoria Square as Queen Victoria's bronze statue lost its orb and sceptre.
A few days later, St Helens police answered an anonymous telephone call and found the missing royal ornaments inside a telephone box in Queensland Avenue in Thatto Heath.
"Obviously, someone got carried away by high spirits on the night," said a police spokesman.
Just how the statue had been scaled and the orb and sceptre so easily removed was not explained.
There were four New Year's Day babies born this year, with Whiston Hospital and Cowley Hill Maternity Home sharing the honours.
At Whiston, Jean Bridgeham of Thackeray Road in St Helens gave birth to little Lisa at 1:15am and then later Barbara Halliwell of Chain Lane brought Corrie Anne into the world.
At Cowley, Matthew John was born to Denise Foster of Wythburn Crescent and Maureen Anderton of Recreation Street gave birth to Kevin Roy.
For being the first St Helens' mothers of 1972, a 30-shilling gift from the Reporter and a £1 voucher from Nevins food stores would be heading their way.
As the mother of the town’s first New Year baby, Cholerton's of Duke Street would also be presenting Jean Bridgeham with a full-size framed photo of Lisa – hopefully with her eyes open!
Throughout the week the ABC Savoy was screening 'Paint Your Wagon' with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood – "Your perfect holiday entertainment", said the ad.
Meanwhile, the Capitol cinema was showing 'Black Beauty' during the day and two horror films in the evening.
These were 'Blood On Satan's Claw' and 'Beast in the Cellar' starring Patrick Wymark and Beryl Reid, respectively.
Then for 7 days from January 2nd, the American documentary about sharks called 'Blue Water, White Death' was the main feature at the Capitol supported by Paul Newman in 'Hombre'.
Every January the Pilkington Musical Society performed a pantomime at the Theatre Royal in St Helens.
Last year's choice had been 'Babes in the Wood' and they utilised three "flying ballet" machines to propel characters across the stage.
This year the Pilkington thespians staged 'Humpty Dumpty', with a puppet version of 'Treasure Island' scheduled for Corporation Street later in the month.
Humpty Dumpty ran for a week from New Year's Day and the Reporter's review said:
"The cast of Pilkington Musical Society spend each show playing to the kids, with quick-fire gags and gay costumes. Almost inevitably, out come the buckets of sloppy paste and water, splashed around in liberal quantities…. a traditional “must” for children and the family."
Next week's stories will include the green light for the long-delayed Parr baths, the council consider whether stinky brook is still stinky, Saints threaten to boycott the BBC2 Trophy and why the town's GPs could now stay snug in their beds at night.
We begin on the 29th when the Liverpool Echo reported that the speed limit on Vista Road between Newton-le-Willows and Haydock had been raised from 30mph to 40mph.
However, rather oddly, Haydock Council warned motorists that until new speed restriction signs were installed, they could still be booked for driving at 40mph.
Last March after decimalisation the Liverpool Echo had published this article:
"The sixpence is rapidly going out of circulation, say Merseyside banks and traders. Demand for the little silver coin has sunk almost to zero. A spokesman for the Midland Bank in Liverpool said yesterday:
"“Before D-Day customers were constantly coming in for sixpences. They were used for fruit and vending machines, but since the introduction of decimal currency nobody seems to want them. We are stockpiling literally thousands of pounds worth of the sixpences, and sending more and more to the Bank of England every day.”
"The Decimal Currency Board says that the sixpence will remain legal tender for two years after D-Day. This was done originally because of the number of machines using the coins. But now with the banks not issuing the coin, it has almost completely vanished from the change in people's pockets."
However, Grange Park Labour Club in St Helens still had plenty of tanners – or at least they did have.
This week thieves broke into their premises and stole £100 in what the Echo called "2½p pieces". That's four thousand coins in total!
Ten miniature bottles of brandy worth £3 were also taken in the late evening raid on the 29th.
'The Court' at 84 Prescot Road had been running their dancing classes for almost three years and must have spent a small fortune during that period advertising in the St Helens Reporter.
On the 30th last-minute beginner's classes for those attending New Year's Eve dances were held:
"You could dance for New Year's Eve – COST £1.50", said their ad. "We will teach you basic waltz, quickstep and cha-cha."
The St Helens Reporter was published on the 31st and its lead story bore the headline: "MP's Pledge On Bid For TV Clean Up".
"I am broad-minded", insisted Mr Spriggs, "but in the past year the amount of sex and violence on television has gone way over the limit of decency."
The St Helens MP had decided to take action after receiving a protest letter from the Women's Guild of Christian Service, representing Congregational Churches in St Helens.
The letter criticised the "continued and frequent use of swear words, including the word ‘Christ’ used in the wrong context…the offensive innuendo of many of the so-called comedy items. And the visual presentation of violence, sadism and male and female relationships verging on the pornographic."
Also on the front page was a picture of Scruffy the dog being hugged by Cathleen Forshaw, which was accompanied by this report:
"Scruffy the terrier, might not be the prettiest lady on four paws – but this week, she high-tailed her way into a family of top dogs. Now Scruffy, who's about a year old, has found a home-from-home with Cathleen Forshaw.
"Cathleen, 23, and her husband Peter, spotted the wire-haired terrier, alone and lost – sitting in the middle of a busy main road. They took her home to join their own four dogs in Ilfracombe Road, St. Helens.
"Scruffy soon settled in with collies Cilla, Sherry and Vogue and alsatian Duke. “We were driving along Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath when we spotted Scruffy sitting down in the middle of the road,” said Cathleen.
"“Traffic was flying past her, just missing the poor thing by inches. We knocked on the doors of houses nearby, but nobody knew who she belonged to, and she had no collar on.”
"Cathleen added: “We called her Scruffy because she was in such a dirty state when we found her.
"“She's very friendly and gets along very well with our own dogs. But she whimpers when she hears a car – as if she is expecting someone to arrive in one. If nobody claims her, we'll definitely keep her.”"
It was James Bottell of Harlow Close who was able to tell the Forshaws that Scruffy's real name was Cindy and that she had been missing from his home for 10 days after slipping out of their back door.
His young son had been very upset over Christmas because of the dog's disappearance and when the family turned up to claim Cindy, Cathleen said she was "all over them".
Last week I reported how the Very Reverend Canon Hugh Fitzpatrick, the Dean of St Helens, had controversially criticised the internment of IRA prisoners without trial from the pulpit of Sacred Heart Church.
What upset some people was his criticism of the army, who had been charged with implementing a political decision.
The leader of the 36,000 Catholics in St Helens had accused British soldiers of being the "instruments of injustice", and saying it was a "disgrace on the British Army".
In this week's Reporter there were numerous letters, both critical and supportive of the Dean's comments.
One ex-serviceman and parishioner of Sacred Heart wrote: "The ones who are interned are not being shot down in cold blood or blown to pieces by bombs. Instead of knocking the troops, he should thank God that they are British troops for I know no others who could restrain themselves as those boys do."
And Marlene Murphy of Rookery Lane, Rainford, wrote:
"What hope is there for a solution to the Ulster crisis, when even a man of vocation and education, such as Dean Fitzpatrick, makes an unwarranted attack on the British troops in Northern Ireland?
"It is irresponsible in the extreme of the Dean, to condemn the British troops for implementing a policy, namely internment, which they had no part in constructing."
The Reporter also described how a family feud that had lasted for almost six years continued at the funeral of an 81-year-old mother.
What had sparked the split was not revealed – but appeared connected with Elizabeth Hand's decision to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Frances and John Higham, in Halefield Street.
Mrs Hand's three other daughters and her two sons took exception to this for some reason and a feud began – with both sides of the family not speaking to one another.
Just before she died, a hurt Mrs Hand ordered that her five silent children must not attend her funeral.
But they did just the same and hired their own car to take them to St Helens Parish Church and sent their own flowers.
The five siblings also filed into pews away from the main body of mourners and afterwards attended their own reception.
Two separate funeral reports were also submitted to the St Helens Newspaper with strict instructions that they must not be linked together.
Speaking to the Reporter, Mr Higham said: "The family was split, and my wife's mother would not forgive them".
During the week before Christmas, patrons had been encouraged to bring groceries to the bingo hall, which were then distributed by staff to elderly residents.
Bingo caller Richard Lowe of Blackdown Grove in Parr had also baked a 20lb Christmas cake as his contribution to the collection – but then had a change of mind:
"There was such a great response from the public that we had more than enough groceries, so we decided to give the cake to the patients and staff in the children's ward at Providence."
The 18-inch square cake was decorated with a country scene, depicting a cottage, field, pool, a horse and sheep – done in white, brown and green icing.
Most January sales would not begin until well into next week – but Lilian Rogers at 30 Duke Street began hers on the 31st.
There were "many wonderful bargains" promised, including coats, suits and dresses – with "mourning always in stock."
The Caledonian Society's New Year's Eve dance was held at the Deaf Institute on Dentons Green Lane.
I expect that "do" went well – but celebrations got a bit out of hand in Victoria Square as Queen Victoria's bronze statue lost its orb and sceptre.
A few days later, St Helens police answered an anonymous telephone call and found the missing royal ornaments inside a telephone box in Queensland Avenue in Thatto Heath.
"Obviously, someone got carried away by high spirits on the night," said a police spokesman.
Just how the statue had been scaled and the orb and sceptre so easily removed was not explained.
There were four New Year's Day babies born this year, with Whiston Hospital and Cowley Hill Maternity Home sharing the honours.
At Whiston, Jean Bridgeham of Thackeray Road in St Helens gave birth to little Lisa at 1:15am and then later Barbara Halliwell of Chain Lane brought Corrie Anne into the world.
At Cowley, Matthew John was born to Denise Foster of Wythburn Crescent and Maureen Anderton of Recreation Street gave birth to Kevin Roy.
For being the first St Helens' mothers of 1972, a 30-shilling gift from the Reporter and a £1 voucher from Nevins food stores would be heading their way.
As the mother of the town’s first New Year baby, Cholerton's of Duke Street would also be presenting Jean Bridgeham with a full-size framed photo of Lisa – hopefully with her eyes open!
Throughout the week the ABC Savoy was screening 'Paint Your Wagon' with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood – "Your perfect holiday entertainment", said the ad.
Meanwhile, the Capitol cinema was showing 'Black Beauty' during the day and two horror films in the evening.
These were 'Blood On Satan's Claw' and 'Beast in the Cellar' starring Patrick Wymark and Beryl Reid, respectively.
Then for 7 days from January 2nd, the American documentary about sharks called 'Blue Water, White Death' was the main feature at the Capitol supported by Paul Newman in 'Hombre'.
Every January the Pilkington Musical Society performed a pantomime at the Theatre Royal in St Helens.
Last year's choice had been 'Babes in the Wood' and they utilised three "flying ballet" machines to propel characters across the stage.
This year the Pilkington thespians staged 'Humpty Dumpty', with a puppet version of 'Treasure Island' scheduled for Corporation Street later in the month.
Humpty Dumpty ran for a week from New Year's Day and the Reporter's review said:
"The cast of Pilkington Musical Society spend each show playing to the kids, with quick-fire gags and gay costumes. Almost inevitably, out come the buckets of sloppy paste and water, splashed around in liberal quantities…. a traditional “must” for children and the family."
Next week's stories will include the green light for the long-delayed Parr baths, the council consider whether stinky brook is still stinky, Saints threaten to boycott the BBC2 Trophy and why the town's GPs could now stay snug in their beds at night.