FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (28th OCT. - 3rd NOV. 1969)
This week's stories include a damning report in The Economist on "greyland" St Helens, calls for organised fireworks shows on Bonfire Night, a fire at Rainhill Cricket Club, concern that the small trader would be driven out of the new town centre and the 100 dog lovers who wanted to give a wandering Golden Labrador at Carr Mill a new home.
However we begin with the ruby wedding of Tom and Doris Griffiths of Surrey Street in Parr. The couple had first met in 1926 on the banks of St Helens Canal. It was there that the youths of the town held regular singsongs with banjo accompaniment. On one occasion Doris was amongst a group of girls that had stopped to listen to the music. Tom was walking past but stopped to talk to Doris and a three-year courtship began that ended in marriage and eight children.
On the 28th a fire severely damaged the pavilion of Rainhill Cricket Club. The bar – which had only opened just over a year earlier – was burned out and an adjoining bar lounge was badly damaged. However firemen from Whiston managed to save half the building, including two dressing rooms, showers and the kitchen. By the following day the cause of the blaze had still not been ascertained but the police were investigating a possible arson attack.
On the 29th St Helens' supermarket tycoon Terence Lennon paid £15,225 for a horse called 'Shiel' at the Newmarket sales. That was the highest amount ever paid for a potential National Hunt horse and is equivalent to around £¼ million in today's money. Last year Lennon had paid a similar amount for a horse called 'Permit'.
The Liverpool Echo wrote on the 29th that the RSPCA had received 100 telephone calls and a telegram from kind people wanting to give a home to a dog called Kim. The police had discovered the Golden Labrador wandering at Carr Mill and they took it to the surgery of a St Helens' vet where stitches were inserted in a badly cut paw. The 12-month-old dog had lost a lot of blood but made a good recovery at Holly Bank Kennels, where Kim was given a temporary home. The Echo had reported that the dog would be put down in a week's time if a permanent home could not be found – hence the many phone calls from dog lovers. However they were all disappointed, as Kim's owner had now come forward to claim his pet.
The St Helens Reporter on the 31st described how the Labour leader of the council had reacted angrily to a damning report in The Economist on the town and its leaders. The article entitled "Greyland" stated that St Helens was too reliant on the glass industry and criticised the council for failing to improve its urban environment. The report also attacked St Helens for having too much wasteland and said the town centre needed redeveloping.
However Alderman Joseph Hughes hit back, telling the Reporter: "Areas which were once derelict have been cleaned up, vast areas of mining waste have been cleared and colliery waste tips have been reclaimed. In fact, the council are now busy on a tip at Parr which is being turned into a park."
The leader of the council also described the claim of over-reliance on the glass industry as "too stupid for words", explaining that other forms of employment have replaced the declining mining industry, such as clothing and footwear industries. As regards the need for town centre redevelopment, Alderman Hughes said plans had already been announced for a new scheme for the town.
William Barrow, a spokesman for the Chamber of Trade, criticised The Economist for not making sufficient investigations and he said them not mentioning other industries apart from glass was a "load of eyewash". However the Reporter stuck up for The Economist, saying: "A stranger to the town can write only about what he sees". They sent their photographers onto the streets of St Helens to depict the: "grimy back streets; the appearance of squalor; the dereliction".
Photos were published showing the poor state of cottage tenements at the rear of Park Road built 80 years earlier, along with sites at Baxters Lane and other places where there was "shabbiness". The Reporter concluded their piece by writing: "The man from ‘The Economist’ saw grime and dilapidation and apparent smug satisfaction. We found them all, easily."
Between 2,500 and 3,000 unfit homes had already been demolished in St Helens and new estates built or planned in their place. A separate article stated that 2,000 additional homes were likely to be designated "unfit", although most would not have to be knocked down. These were houses that had steep and winding staircases and cramped access to back bedrooms. Householders would be able to apply for improvement grants and a massive public awareness campaign would be launched.
Under a photograph of an attractive woman sat on a TV set, the Reporter wrote: "Colour television hasn't really been the hit the manufacturers thought it would be – but we know of at least one miss who is voting it a hit. She hasn't much option really, for it's part of attractive Tricia Madden's job. She's on tour this week in South Lancs promoting colour TV. In the last couple of weeks girls like Tricia have probably done more for colour TV's image than the manufacturers have managed in as many months."
With Bonfire Night just around the corner the Reporter's 'What The People Think' column chose fireworks as this week's subject. They began their article by writing: "This time next week, scores of young children will probably be lying in hospital beds with Bonfire Night burns. Tragic though it is, it is inevitable."
Every person that the Reporter had a conversation with in the street was against fireworks, including Newton bricklayer Arthur Nixon. The 50-year-old thought fireworks should be banned, saying: "I think it's terrible that young children should be able to go into a shop and buy them. It's time something was done about it."
June Chesworth and her 13-year-old son Gordon from Hammond Street in Parr were approached by the Reporter after spending 2s 6d on a box of bangers and what was described as "glitter fireworks". Despite this June said she didn't like fireworks and felt there should be more organised shows in St Helens:
"When it comes to accidents from bangers and such, I just blame the shop-keepers. If they refused to sell fireworks altogether there would be less accident figures every year. I think every district should have its own display. It could be properly organised and everyone pay as they go in. I'd also like to see big bonfires for each town. It would save a lot of pain and suffering."
Housewife Agnes Leyland from Sherdley Road was in agreement, wondering why St Helens Corporation didn't put on a firework display every November 5th. "Then fireworks could be banned for public sale altogether", she added. Austin Twist from Lugsmore Lane called for a ban on the sale of loose fireworks, which he called "highly dangerous". The 59-year-old thought they should only be sold in boxes with clear instructions written on the front.
I mentioned William Barrow, spokesman for the St Helens Chamber of Trade, earlier in this article in connection with the "greyland" report in The Economist. In a separate piece in the Reporter Mr Barrow expressed concern that the town's new shopping centre would become over-populated by the big boys of the retail world.
He said the high cost of building new premises would lead to high rents, which would drive small independent shops to the outskirts of St Helens. Barrow said the small shopkeeper – who was today paying £6 per week rent and rates – could be asked to pay £30 for a 400 sq. ft. town centre property. The former President of the Chamber of Trade cited what had happened when the Westfield Street area was demolished. He said sixteen shops had been knocked down but only one took the alternative accommodation that was on offer because of the high cost.
The Liverpool Echo on the 31st reported on the wedding of Ian Campbell from Swan Avenue in Parr who had married Susan Ulfers of Atlanta, Georgia. A former student of Grange Park Technical School, Ian had joined the Merchant Navy as an electrical officer and went to serve on the Queen Elizabeth where he met Miss Ulfers on a European cruise. His best man was Frank Gomme, who had emigrated from St Helens to the New York area. Vera Greenall – the wife of former Saints star Duggie Greenall, now licensee of the Talbot Hotel – and Rita Gregory of the Cotham Arms, flew out for the wedding.
It was the Grand Final of the Plaza Theatre Club's 'Talent Night' on the 31st with 14 acts that had got through the heats taking part. Admission was 5 shillings. Grange Park Male Voice Choir was in concert at the Theatre Royal on November 2nd and on the following day the Capitol began six days of screenings of 'The Haunted House of Horror', starring Frankie Avalon.
Also on the 3rd a number of landlords and landladies moved pubs, including Ken Vine of the Lord Nelson in Parr Stocks Road who transferred to the Rams Head Hotel at Haydock after seven years in Parr. Betty Cunliffe went from the Rams Head to the Bridge Inn in Rainford to replace George Blythe who was retiring from the trade. And Tom Haycock, who departed from the Red Lion at Pocket Nook, filled the vacancy at the Lord Nelson.
And finally the free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Inner Ring Road – that had been allowed for many years – finally ended on the 3rd. The scale of charges started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay, although the Chamber of Commerce felt sixpence an hour would be a better rate.
Next week's stories will include Bonfire Night in St Helens, Father Christmas arrives in style at Helena House, the council's house building plans for the next three years are revealed, why the town's bus service was operating on a knife-edge, seven golden weddings are celebrated and what St Helens' mothers thought of sex education.
However we begin with the ruby wedding of Tom and Doris Griffiths of Surrey Street in Parr. The couple had first met in 1926 on the banks of St Helens Canal. It was there that the youths of the town held regular singsongs with banjo accompaniment. On one occasion Doris was amongst a group of girls that had stopped to listen to the music. Tom was walking past but stopped to talk to Doris and a three-year courtship began that ended in marriage and eight children.
On the 28th a fire severely damaged the pavilion of Rainhill Cricket Club. The bar – which had only opened just over a year earlier – was burned out and an adjoining bar lounge was badly damaged. However firemen from Whiston managed to save half the building, including two dressing rooms, showers and the kitchen. By the following day the cause of the blaze had still not been ascertained but the police were investigating a possible arson attack.
On the 29th St Helens' supermarket tycoon Terence Lennon paid £15,225 for a horse called 'Shiel' at the Newmarket sales. That was the highest amount ever paid for a potential National Hunt horse and is equivalent to around £¼ million in today's money. Last year Lennon had paid a similar amount for a horse called 'Permit'.
The St Helens Reporter on the 31st described how the Labour leader of the council had reacted angrily to a damning report in The Economist on the town and its leaders. The article entitled "Greyland" stated that St Helens was too reliant on the glass industry and criticised the council for failing to improve its urban environment. The report also attacked St Helens for having too much wasteland and said the town centre needed redeveloping.
However Alderman Joseph Hughes hit back, telling the Reporter: "Areas which were once derelict have been cleaned up, vast areas of mining waste have been cleared and colliery waste tips have been reclaimed. In fact, the council are now busy on a tip at Parr which is being turned into a park."
The leader of the council also described the claim of over-reliance on the glass industry as "too stupid for words", explaining that other forms of employment have replaced the declining mining industry, such as clothing and footwear industries. As regards the need for town centre redevelopment, Alderman Hughes said plans had already been announced for a new scheme for the town.
William Barrow, a spokesman for the Chamber of Trade, criticised The Economist for not making sufficient investigations and he said them not mentioning other industries apart from glass was a "load of eyewash". However the Reporter stuck up for The Economist, saying: "A stranger to the town can write only about what he sees". They sent their photographers onto the streets of St Helens to depict the: "grimy back streets; the appearance of squalor; the dereliction".
Photos were published showing the poor state of cottage tenements at the rear of Park Road built 80 years earlier, along with sites at Baxters Lane and other places where there was "shabbiness". The Reporter concluded their piece by writing: "The man from ‘The Economist’ saw grime and dilapidation and apparent smug satisfaction. We found them all, easily."
Between 2,500 and 3,000 unfit homes had already been demolished in St Helens and new estates built or planned in their place. A separate article stated that 2,000 additional homes were likely to be designated "unfit", although most would not have to be knocked down. These were houses that had steep and winding staircases and cramped access to back bedrooms. Householders would be able to apply for improvement grants and a massive public awareness campaign would be launched.
Under a photograph of an attractive woman sat on a TV set, the Reporter wrote: "Colour television hasn't really been the hit the manufacturers thought it would be – but we know of at least one miss who is voting it a hit. She hasn't much option really, for it's part of attractive Tricia Madden's job. She's on tour this week in South Lancs promoting colour TV. In the last couple of weeks girls like Tricia have probably done more for colour TV's image than the manufacturers have managed in as many months."
Every person that the Reporter had a conversation with in the street was against fireworks, including Newton bricklayer Arthur Nixon. The 50-year-old thought fireworks should be banned, saying: "I think it's terrible that young children should be able to go into a shop and buy them. It's time something was done about it."
June Chesworth and her 13-year-old son Gordon from Hammond Street in Parr were approached by the Reporter after spending 2s 6d on a box of bangers and what was described as "glitter fireworks". Despite this June said she didn't like fireworks and felt there should be more organised shows in St Helens:
"When it comes to accidents from bangers and such, I just blame the shop-keepers. If they refused to sell fireworks altogether there would be less accident figures every year. I think every district should have its own display. It could be properly organised and everyone pay as they go in. I'd also like to see big bonfires for each town. It would save a lot of pain and suffering."
Housewife Agnes Leyland from Sherdley Road was in agreement, wondering why St Helens Corporation didn't put on a firework display every November 5th. "Then fireworks could be banned for public sale altogether", she added. Austin Twist from Lugsmore Lane called for a ban on the sale of loose fireworks, which he called "highly dangerous". The 59-year-old thought they should only be sold in boxes with clear instructions written on the front.
I mentioned William Barrow, spokesman for the St Helens Chamber of Trade, earlier in this article in connection with the "greyland" report in The Economist. In a separate piece in the Reporter Mr Barrow expressed concern that the town's new shopping centre would become over-populated by the big boys of the retail world.
He said the high cost of building new premises would lead to high rents, which would drive small independent shops to the outskirts of St Helens. Barrow said the small shopkeeper – who was today paying £6 per week rent and rates – could be asked to pay £30 for a 400 sq. ft. town centre property. The former President of the Chamber of Trade cited what had happened when the Westfield Street area was demolished. He said sixteen shops had been knocked down but only one took the alternative accommodation that was on offer because of the high cost.
The Liverpool Echo on the 31st reported on the wedding of Ian Campbell from Swan Avenue in Parr who had married Susan Ulfers of Atlanta, Georgia. A former student of Grange Park Technical School, Ian had joined the Merchant Navy as an electrical officer and went to serve on the Queen Elizabeth where he met Miss Ulfers on a European cruise. His best man was Frank Gomme, who had emigrated from St Helens to the New York area. Vera Greenall – the wife of former Saints star Duggie Greenall, now licensee of the Talbot Hotel – and Rita Gregory of the Cotham Arms, flew out for the wedding.
It was the Grand Final of the Plaza Theatre Club's 'Talent Night' on the 31st with 14 acts that had got through the heats taking part. Admission was 5 shillings. Grange Park Male Voice Choir was in concert at the Theatre Royal on November 2nd and on the following day the Capitol began six days of screenings of 'The Haunted House of Horror', starring Frankie Avalon.
Also on the 3rd a number of landlords and landladies moved pubs, including Ken Vine of the Lord Nelson in Parr Stocks Road who transferred to the Rams Head Hotel at Haydock after seven years in Parr. Betty Cunliffe went from the Rams Head to the Bridge Inn in Rainford to replace George Blythe who was retiring from the trade. And Tom Haycock, who departed from the Red Lion at Pocket Nook, filled the vacancy at the Lord Nelson.
And finally the free parking on the Corporation-owned car parks in Birchley Street, Water Street and on the Inner Ring Road – that had been allowed for many years – finally ended on the 3rd. The scale of charges started at one shilling for a 2-hour stay, although the Chamber of Commerce felt sixpence an hour would be a better rate.
Next week's stories will include Bonfire Night in St Helens, Father Christmas arrives in style at Helena House, the council's house building plans for the next three years are revealed, why the town's bus service was operating on a knife-edge, seven golden weddings are celebrated and what St Helens' mothers thought of sex education.