FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 28 SEPT - 4 OCT 1976
This week's many stories include the public meeting to save Providence Hospital, Argos comes to St Helens, the campaign against car theft, the staggering cost of vandalism in St Helens, the new car park planned for the town and the drop in attendees at Boundary Road and Parr Baths despite the hot weather.
We begin on the 29th when a public meeting was held to discuss the future of Providence Hospital. Last week it was stated that not only was the Tolver Street infirmary more than £20,000 in the red – but it was set to lose up to £100,000 in government aid.
The cash-strapped Area Health Authority had triggered the crisis by announcing that they were considering shutting Providence's 16-bed children's ward with young patients instead being treated at Whiston Hospital. That would result in the authority withdrawing up to £100,000 of the £600,000 funding that they annually gave to Providence.
Councillor Frank Mernagh, who chaired the "Save Our Hospital" meeting at St Helens Town Hall, said: "It is the thin edge of the wedge, make no mistake about that. The Area Health Authority have been cutting back on the beds, but the overheads in keeping the hospital open are still the same. The AHA are short of money, and eventually something will have to go and that something is the Providence Hospital. We are here to see that this does not happen. We cannot lose this hospital. It is the soul of St. Helens."
A meeting of St Helens Council was also held on the same evening in which it was disclosed that the annual bill for vandalism in St Helens was around £175,000 to £200,000 – which is around £3 million in today's money. And from 1977 the cost of vandalism was going to be stated in the rates demands that would be dispatched to the town's ratepayers.
Councillor Gerry Parr, who had made the suggestion, told the meeting: "I hope the ratepayers of this town will be left in no doubt what it is costing them and how it hurts the individual pocket. A new school like Eaves Lane Primary costs £190,000. We are being deprived of this kind of school because of vandalism. Money for constructive schemes is being lost because we are subsidising sheer destruction. We, the people, are the curators of our own environment and if we don't act quickly, we won't have an environment fit to live in."
The council also decided to make a strong protest with the Department of the Environment over the Area Health Authority's decision to add fluoride to the water supply. Council Leader Len Williams said: "The money is needed in more worthy directions. I'm absolutely and resolutely opposed to medication by legislation."
For four days from the 30th, Silcocks World Fair – as it was styled – appeared on the land in Parr Stocks Road by the fire station.
The St Helens Reporter was published on October 1st and described how St Helens police had formed a special anti-car theft squad. During September fifty vehicles had been stolen each week from the town. It was a growing problem and a publicity campaign was also underway to encourage motorists to securely lock their cars.
Crime prevention officer Jeff Mills said: "Motorists must become aware that their vehicle may be next. Some vehicles are stolen when they've only been left for a few minutes and so full precautions must be taken each time the vehicle is parked."
The Reporter explained how town centre shopkeepers who feared they could be put out of business by a huge no parking zone were to be provided with a "life-saving" car park. Over 200 shopkeepers from the Ormskirk Street area had planned to form an action group to oppose council re-development plans, which would include the closure of several small streets.
Traders feared that without appropriate parking facilities, they would lose much business. But St Helens Council had now announced that a car park would be created within the clearance area. A spokesman told the paper: "It will be provided on land by New Cross Street, Hamer Street, Henry Street and North John Street, at the rear of Ormskirk Street."
The Reporter also profiled the Bottle and Glass pub in Rainford, which was living up to its name as it had a collection of beer bottles and glasses from all parts of the world on show. Landlord Jimmy Griffin explained that customer Tommy Duffy was a flight engineer from Rookery Lane who often brought back bottles from his travels abroad. As I recall Mr Duffy, he wore a distinctive, if old-fashioned, handlebar moustache.
The Reporter also revealed that the council planned to check the town's sewers to see whether rats were taking advantage of the summer's hot weather. The resulting drought had led to a low level of water within the drains and underground sewers. The paper explained how that could enable food-seeking rats to use the network to move about and bring with them the threat of disease.
On the 2nd Argos opened their new store in LaGrange Arcade, with Radio City's Norman Thomas doing the honours. They took out plenty of advertising in the Reporter with a detailed explanation of how to use their catalogue to make orders.
"Open the cover of an Argos catalogue and it's like walking through the door of a huge department store. Pages and pages of famous name goods, each section like a shop in itself." Something that I hadn’t realised was that many Argos stores had originally been Green Shield Trading Stamp Company shops.
On the same day the new Mormon chapel in Chester Lane (pictured above) held an open day. Officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the building had largely been built by members of its own congregation and had opened in August.
From the 3rd the ABC Savoy in Bridge Street replaced 'Freebie And The Bean' with 'Logan's Run' starring Michael York and Jenny Agutter. And the Capitol, which was now only operating five days a week, was screening 'Last Tango In Paris', starring Marlon Brando.
Also on the 3rd, 16 teams of female footballers played on West Park School's rugby ground. The tournament was organised by St Helens Lions and raised over £200 for the Sue Ryder Home and local charities. Over 200 people attended the event that also featured West Park Morris dancers, a tug-of-war competition and a concert by Parr Brass Band.
At a meeting of the St Helens Leisure and Recreation Committee that was held on the 4th, it was revealed that during July and August baths' attendances had plummeted. That was despite the long hot summer, with swimmers instead preferring to cool off in the town's canals, ponds and reservoirs.
Doing so was a risky activity, with one child having drowned in the canal at the Hotties. Cllr Ray Crosby said at the meeting: "Children have been swimming in natural waters this summer, but this is a very dangerous thing to do. There is also a health risk."
The attendance at Boundary Road Baths in July/August had dropped to 31,000 from 46,000 during the same period in 1975. And at Parr Baths attendances were down from 63,000 to 52,000. The figures included spectators, as well as swimmers.
And finally, from the 4th the hit rock musical 'Godspell' based on St Matthew's Gospel began a week's run at the Theatre Royal.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the fire at the old Rothery Radio depot, Sutton Manor Colliery is threatened with a shut down, the claim of apathetic parents in Eccleston and the plan to preserve the historic features of the Sankey / St Helens Canal.
We begin on the 29th when a public meeting was held to discuss the future of Providence Hospital. Last week it was stated that not only was the Tolver Street infirmary more than £20,000 in the red – but it was set to lose up to £100,000 in government aid.
The cash-strapped Area Health Authority had triggered the crisis by announcing that they were considering shutting Providence's 16-bed children's ward with young patients instead being treated at Whiston Hospital. That would result in the authority withdrawing up to £100,000 of the £600,000 funding that they annually gave to Providence.
Councillor Frank Mernagh, who chaired the "Save Our Hospital" meeting at St Helens Town Hall, said: "It is the thin edge of the wedge, make no mistake about that. The Area Health Authority have been cutting back on the beds, but the overheads in keeping the hospital open are still the same. The AHA are short of money, and eventually something will have to go and that something is the Providence Hospital. We are here to see that this does not happen. We cannot lose this hospital. It is the soul of St. Helens."
A meeting of St Helens Council was also held on the same evening in which it was disclosed that the annual bill for vandalism in St Helens was around £175,000 to £200,000 – which is around £3 million in today's money. And from 1977 the cost of vandalism was going to be stated in the rates demands that would be dispatched to the town's ratepayers.
Councillor Gerry Parr, who had made the suggestion, told the meeting: "I hope the ratepayers of this town will be left in no doubt what it is costing them and how it hurts the individual pocket. A new school like Eaves Lane Primary costs £190,000. We are being deprived of this kind of school because of vandalism. Money for constructive schemes is being lost because we are subsidising sheer destruction. We, the people, are the curators of our own environment and if we don't act quickly, we won't have an environment fit to live in."
The council also decided to make a strong protest with the Department of the Environment over the Area Health Authority's decision to add fluoride to the water supply. Council Leader Len Williams said: "The money is needed in more worthy directions. I'm absolutely and resolutely opposed to medication by legislation."
For four days from the 30th, Silcocks World Fair – as it was styled – appeared on the land in Parr Stocks Road by the fire station.
The St Helens Reporter was published on October 1st and described how St Helens police had formed a special anti-car theft squad. During September fifty vehicles had been stolen each week from the town. It was a growing problem and a publicity campaign was also underway to encourage motorists to securely lock their cars.
Crime prevention officer Jeff Mills said: "Motorists must become aware that their vehicle may be next. Some vehicles are stolen when they've only been left for a few minutes and so full precautions must be taken each time the vehicle is parked."
The Reporter explained how town centre shopkeepers who feared they could be put out of business by a huge no parking zone were to be provided with a "life-saving" car park. Over 200 shopkeepers from the Ormskirk Street area had planned to form an action group to oppose council re-development plans, which would include the closure of several small streets.
Traders feared that without appropriate parking facilities, they would lose much business. But St Helens Council had now announced that a car park would be created within the clearance area. A spokesman told the paper: "It will be provided on land by New Cross Street, Hamer Street, Henry Street and North John Street, at the rear of Ormskirk Street."
The Reporter also profiled the Bottle and Glass pub in Rainford, which was living up to its name as it had a collection of beer bottles and glasses from all parts of the world on show. Landlord Jimmy Griffin explained that customer Tommy Duffy was a flight engineer from Rookery Lane who often brought back bottles from his travels abroad. As I recall Mr Duffy, he wore a distinctive, if old-fashioned, handlebar moustache.
The Reporter also revealed that the council planned to check the town's sewers to see whether rats were taking advantage of the summer's hot weather. The resulting drought had led to a low level of water within the drains and underground sewers. The paper explained how that could enable food-seeking rats to use the network to move about and bring with them the threat of disease.
On the 2nd Argos opened their new store in LaGrange Arcade, with Radio City's Norman Thomas doing the honours. They took out plenty of advertising in the Reporter with a detailed explanation of how to use their catalogue to make orders.
"Open the cover of an Argos catalogue and it's like walking through the door of a huge department store. Pages and pages of famous name goods, each section like a shop in itself." Something that I hadn’t realised was that many Argos stores had originally been Green Shield Trading Stamp Company shops.
From the 3rd the ABC Savoy in Bridge Street replaced 'Freebie And The Bean' with 'Logan's Run' starring Michael York and Jenny Agutter. And the Capitol, which was now only operating five days a week, was screening 'Last Tango In Paris', starring Marlon Brando.
Also on the 3rd, 16 teams of female footballers played on West Park School's rugby ground. The tournament was organised by St Helens Lions and raised over £200 for the Sue Ryder Home and local charities. Over 200 people attended the event that also featured West Park Morris dancers, a tug-of-war competition and a concert by Parr Brass Band.
At a meeting of the St Helens Leisure and Recreation Committee that was held on the 4th, it was revealed that during July and August baths' attendances had plummeted. That was despite the long hot summer, with swimmers instead preferring to cool off in the town's canals, ponds and reservoirs.
Doing so was a risky activity, with one child having drowned in the canal at the Hotties. Cllr Ray Crosby said at the meeting: "Children have been swimming in natural waters this summer, but this is a very dangerous thing to do. There is also a health risk."
The attendance at Boundary Road Baths in July/August had dropped to 31,000 from 46,000 during the same period in 1975. And at Parr Baths attendances were down from 63,000 to 52,000. The figures included spectators, as well as swimmers.
And finally, from the 4th the hit rock musical 'Godspell' based on St Matthew's Gospel began a week's run at the Theatre Royal.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the fire at the old Rothery Radio depot, Sutton Manor Colliery is threatened with a shut down, the claim of apathetic parents in Eccleston and the plan to preserve the historic features of the Sankey / St Helens Canal.
This week's many stories include the public meeting to save Providence Hospital, Argos comes to St Helens, the campaign against car theft, the staggering cost of vandalism in St Helens, the new car park planned for the town and the drop in attendees at Boundary Road and Parr Baths despite the hot weather.
We begin on the 29th when a public meeting was held to discuss the future of Providence Hospital.
Last week it was stated that not only was the Tolver Street infirmary more than £20,000 in the red – but it was set to lose up to £100,000 in government aid.
The cash-strapped Area Health Authority had triggered the crisis by announcing that they were considering shutting Providence's 16-bed children's ward with young patients instead being treated at Whiston Hospital.
That would result in the authority withdrawing up to £100,000 of the £600,000 funding that they annually gave to Providence.
Councillor Frank Mernagh, who chaired the "Save Our Hospital" meeting at St Helens Town Hall, said:
"It is the thin edge of the wedge, make no mistake about that. The Area Health Authority have been cutting back on the beds, but the overheads in keeping the hospital open are still the same.
"The AHA are short of money, and eventually something will have to go and that something is the Providence Hospital. We are here to see that this does not happen. We cannot lose this hospital. It is the soul of St. Helens."
A meeting of St Helens Council was also held on the same evening in which it was disclosed that the annual bill for vandalism in St Helens was around £175,000 to £200,000 – which is around £3 million in today's money.
And from 1977 the cost of vandalism was going to be stated in the rates demands that would be dispatched to the town's ratepayers.
Councillor Gerry Parr, who had made the suggestion, told the meeting:
"I hope the ratepayers of this town will be left in no doubt what it is costing them and how it hurts the individual pocket.
"A new school like Eaves Lane Primary costs £190,000. We are being deprived of this kind of school because of vandalism. Money for constructive schemes is being lost because we are subsidising sheer destruction.
"We, the people, are the curators of our own environment and if we don't act quickly, we won't have an environment fit to live in."
The council also decided to make a strong protest with the Department of the Environment over the Area Health Authority's decision to add fluoride to the water supply.
Council Leader Len Williams said: "The money is needed in more worthy directions. I'm absolutely and resolutely opposed to medication by legislation."
For four days from the 30th, Silcocks World Fair – as it was styled – appeared on the land in Parr Stocks Road by the fire station.
The St Helens Reporter was published on October 1st and described how St Helens police had formed a special anti-car theft squad.
During September fifty vehicles had been stolen each week from the town. It was a growing problem and a publicity campaign was also underway to encourage motorists to securely lock their cars.
Crime prevention officer Jeff Mills said: "Motorists must become aware that their vehicle may be next. Some vehicles are stolen when they've only been left for a few minutes and so full precautions must be taken each time the vehicle is parked."
The Reporter explained how town centre shopkeepers who feared they could be put out of business by a huge no parking zone were to be provided with a "life-saving" car park.
Over 200 shopkeepers from the Ormskirk Street area had planned to form an action group to oppose council re-development plans, which would include the closure of several small streets.
Traders feared that without appropriate parking facilities, they would lose much business.
But St Helens Council had now announced that a car park would be created within the clearance area. A spokesman told the paper:
"It will be provided on land by New Cross Street, Hamer Street, Henry Street and North John Street, at the rear of Ormskirk Street."
The Reporter also profiled the Bottle and Glass pub in Rainford, which was living up to its name as it had a collection of beer bottles and glasses from all parts of the world on show.
Landlord Jimmy Griffin explained that customer Tommy Duffy was a flight engineer from Rookery Lane who often brought back bottles from his travels abroad.
As I recall Mr Duffy, he wore a distinctive, if old-fashioned, handlebar moustache.
The Reporter also revealed that the council planned to check the town's sewers to see whether rats were taking advantage of the summer's hot weather.
The resulting drought had led to a low level of water within the drains and underground sewers.
The paper explained how that could enable food-seeking rats to use the network to move about and bring with them the threat of disease.
On the 2nd Argos opened their new store in LaGrange Arcade, with Radio City's Norman Thomas doing the honours.
They took out plenty of advertising in the Reporter with a detailed explanation of how to use their catalogue to make orders.
"Open the cover of an Argos catalogue and it's like walking through the door of a huge department store. Pages and pages of famous name goods, each section like a shop in itself."
Something that I hadn’t realised was that many Argos stores had originally been Green Shield Trading Stamp Company shops.
On the same day the new Mormon chapel in Chester Lane (pictured above) held an open day.
Officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the building had largely been built by members of its own congregation and had opened in August.
From the 3rd the ABC Savoy in Bridge Street replaced 'Freebie And The Bean' with 'Logan's Run' starring Michael York and Jenny Agutter.
And the Capitol, which was now only operating five days a week, was screening 'Last Tango In Paris', starring Marlon Brando.
Also on the 3rd, 16 teams of female footballers played on West Park School's rugby ground.
The tournament was organised by St Helens Lions and raised over £200 for the Sue Ryder Home and local charities.
Over 200 people attended the event that also featured West Park Morris dancers, a tug-of-war competition and a concert by Parr Brass Band.
At a meeting of the St Helens Leisure and Recreation Committee that was held on the 4th, it was revealed that during July and August baths' attendances had plummeted.
That was despite the long hot summer, with swimmers instead preferring to cool off in the town's canals, ponds and reservoirs.
Doing so was a risky activity, with one child having drowned in the canal at the Hotties. Cllr Ray Crosby said at the meeting:
"Children have been swimming in natural waters this summer, but this is a very dangerous thing to do. There is also a health risk."
The attendance at Boundary Road Baths in July/August had dropped to 31,000 from 46,000 during the same period in 1975.
And at Parr Baths attendances were down from 63,000 to 52,000. The figures included spectators, as well as swimmers.
And finally, from the 4th the hit rock musical 'Godspell' based on St Matthew's Gospel began a week's run at the Theatre Royal.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the fire at the old Rothery Radio depot, Sutton Manor Colliery is threatened with a shut down, the claim of apathetic parents in Eccleston and the plan to preserve the historic features of the Sankey / St Helens Canal.
We begin on the 29th when a public meeting was held to discuss the future of Providence Hospital.
Last week it was stated that not only was the Tolver Street infirmary more than £20,000 in the red – but it was set to lose up to £100,000 in government aid.
The cash-strapped Area Health Authority had triggered the crisis by announcing that they were considering shutting Providence's 16-bed children's ward with young patients instead being treated at Whiston Hospital.
That would result in the authority withdrawing up to £100,000 of the £600,000 funding that they annually gave to Providence.
Councillor Frank Mernagh, who chaired the "Save Our Hospital" meeting at St Helens Town Hall, said:
"It is the thin edge of the wedge, make no mistake about that. The Area Health Authority have been cutting back on the beds, but the overheads in keeping the hospital open are still the same.
"The AHA are short of money, and eventually something will have to go and that something is the Providence Hospital. We are here to see that this does not happen. We cannot lose this hospital. It is the soul of St. Helens."
A meeting of St Helens Council was also held on the same evening in which it was disclosed that the annual bill for vandalism in St Helens was around £175,000 to £200,000 – which is around £3 million in today's money.
And from 1977 the cost of vandalism was going to be stated in the rates demands that would be dispatched to the town's ratepayers.
Councillor Gerry Parr, who had made the suggestion, told the meeting:
"I hope the ratepayers of this town will be left in no doubt what it is costing them and how it hurts the individual pocket.
"A new school like Eaves Lane Primary costs £190,000. We are being deprived of this kind of school because of vandalism. Money for constructive schemes is being lost because we are subsidising sheer destruction.
"We, the people, are the curators of our own environment and if we don't act quickly, we won't have an environment fit to live in."
The council also decided to make a strong protest with the Department of the Environment over the Area Health Authority's decision to add fluoride to the water supply.
Council Leader Len Williams said: "The money is needed in more worthy directions. I'm absolutely and resolutely opposed to medication by legislation."
For four days from the 30th, Silcocks World Fair – as it was styled – appeared on the land in Parr Stocks Road by the fire station.
The St Helens Reporter was published on October 1st and described how St Helens police had formed a special anti-car theft squad.
During September fifty vehicles had been stolen each week from the town. It was a growing problem and a publicity campaign was also underway to encourage motorists to securely lock their cars.
Crime prevention officer Jeff Mills said: "Motorists must become aware that their vehicle may be next. Some vehicles are stolen when they've only been left for a few minutes and so full precautions must be taken each time the vehicle is parked."
The Reporter explained how town centre shopkeepers who feared they could be put out of business by a huge no parking zone were to be provided with a "life-saving" car park.
Over 200 shopkeepers from the Ormskirk Street area had planned to form an action group to oppose council re-development plans, which would include the closure of several small streets.
Traders feared that without appropriate parking facilities, they would lose much business.
But St Helens Council had now announced that a car park would be created within the clearance area. A spokesman told the paper:
"It will be provided on land by New Cross Street, Hamer Street, Henry Street and North John Street, at the rear of Ormskirk Street."
The Reporter also profiled the Bottle and Glass pub in Rainford, which was living up to its name as it had a collection of beer bottles and glasses from all parts of the world on show.
Landlord Jimmy Griffin explained that customer Tommy Duffy was a flight engineer from Rookery Lane who often brought back bottles from his travels abroad.
As I recall Mr Duffy, he wore a distinctive, if old-fashioned, handlebar moustache.
The Reporter also revealed that the council planned to check the town's sewers to see whether rats were taking advantage of the summer's hot weather.
The resulting drought had led to a low level of water within the drains and underground sewers.
The paper explained how that could enable food-seeking rats to use the network to move about and bring with them the threat of disease.
On the 2nd Argos opened their new store in LaGrange Arcade, with Radio City's Norman Thomas doing the honours.
They took out plenty of advertising in the Reporter with a detailed explanation of how to use their catalogue to make orders.
"Open the cover of an Argos catalogue and it's like walking through the door of a huge department store. Pages and pages of famous name goods, each section like a shop in itself."
Something that I hadn’t realised was that many Argos stores had originally been Green Shield Trading Stamp Company shops.
Officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the building had largely been built by members of its own congregation and had opened in August.
From the 3rd the ABC Savoy in Bridge Street replaced 'Freebie And The Bean' with 'Logan's Run' starring Michael York and Jenny Agutter.
And the Capitol, which was now only operating five days a week, was screening 'Last Tango In Paris', starring Marlon Brando.
Also on the 3rd, 16 teams of female footballers played on West Park School's rugby ground.
The tournament was organised by St Helens Lions and raised over £200 for the Sue Ryder Home and local charities.
Over 200 people attended the event that also featured West Park Morris dancers, a tug-of-war competition and a concert by Parr Brass Band.
At a meeting of the St Helens Leisure and Recreation Committee that was held on the 4th, it was revealed that during July and August baths' attendances had plummeted.
That was despite the long hot summer, with swimmers instead preferring to cool off in the town's canals, ponds and reservoirs.
Doing so was a risky activity, with one child having drowned in the canal at the Hotties. Cllr Ray Crosby said at the meeting:
"Children have been swimming in natural waters this summer, but this is a very dangerous thing to do. There is also a health risk."
The attendance at Boundary Road Baths in July/August had dropped to 31,000 from 46,000 during the same period in 1975.
And at Parr Baths attendances were down from 63,000 to 52,000. The figures included spectators, as well as swimmers.
And finally, from the 4th the hit rock musical 'Godspell' based on St Matthew's Gospel began a week's run at the Theatre Royal.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the fire at the old Rothery Radio depot, Sutton Manor Colliery is threatened with a shut down, the claim of apathetic parents in Eccleston and the plan to preserve the historic features of the Sankey / St Helens Canal.