FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (29 MAY - 4 JUNE 1973)
This week's many stories include the £1m computer brain to be installed at Scholes Park, fury over an unused car park in Parr, the Providence Hospital fundraisers, an update on the much delayed and over budget council house scheme off Liverpool Road and the dangerous acetylene cylinder that was dumped in Southport Street.
When Ray and Joan da Silva's company first came to St Helens in 1968, their two-hour programme was described as "Britain's first full-size puppet spectacular". Their 20-foot high puppet stage was claimed to be the largest in the country and allowed for simultaneous operation of marionettes from above and glove and rod-type puppets from below. From the 29th the Da Silva Company was back in St Helens presenting 'Pinocchio'.
A special feature in the Liverpool Echo on that day bore the headline "Charlie Fox – The Man Who Put St. Helens On The Boxing Map" and had this introduction: "Charlie Fox, at 80 years of age, is the father figure of St. Helens boxing . . . and he is also one of the fittest octogenarians one could meet. His physical condition pays remarkable testimony to his life's work as a trainer of boxers."
It was announced this week that the much-delayed council house scheme off Liverpool Road in St Helens would likely prove very expensive for ratepayers. A total of 186 flats and maisonettes were nearing completion two years behind schedule, mainly because of industrial action. The development had initially been budgeted at £750,000 but was now expected to cost nearly £1m. Although the developer would have to stand some of the extra cost, St Helens Corporation's share would be about £150,000 (over £2m in today's money).
It does amuse me the way the St Helens Reporter used to refer to computers in the 1960s and ‘70s. "Giant brains" was one of their common terms and although computers then were physically big beasts, their processing power was, of course, tiny compared to mobile phones of today. The lead story in the Reporter on the 1st had this introduction:
"A million-pound “brain” will make St. Helens one of the major computer centres in Britain next year. It will be to St. Helens that a variety of industries in the North-West will turn for help to solve engineering design problems." The report stated that the Department of Trade and Industry's Computer Aided Design Centre in Cambridge planned to set up a sub-centre at Scholes Park in Thatto Heath in January. Its solitary computer would then be connected to six others throughout Britain.
Consulting engineering firm Bingham, Blades and Partners had moved into Scholes Hall in 1970 and were behind the new venture. However, the price of progress was the loss of Scholes Barn, which would be demolished and replaced by a two-storey office block. Local residents had for the past five months argued that the old grain store was an historic building as it incorporated part of an ancient friary. Although the Scholes Hall and Barn dated mainly from 1681, the county archaeological officer refuted the friary claim. Although nearly 300 years old seems pretty historic to me!
In a letter sent to Whiston Rural Council, Bingham, Blades and Partners had previously stated that the computer that would be installed would cost £1 million (£15m in today's money), "making St. Helens one of the major computer centres in the country". Dr Alistair Soane of the engineering firm told the Reporter: "We can't reveal much yet, but there will be an extremely sophisticated set-up here in 1974."
In a separate article it was reported that the Rainford Trustee Savings Bank had become the first of 200 branches in the north to be switched on to a new computer system. Depositors at Rainford would now have their accounts linked via a computer terminal to a centre in Bootle. The TSB said the new system would speed up service.
Much was made of the Government Training Centre when it opened its doors in Bedford Street on the Parr Industrial Estate in October 1971. Those not so pleased were the local kids, as the wasteland nearby that they used as a play area was concreted over and turned into a car park. The intention was that it would provide parking facilities for those attending the training centre but during the two years since it opened the car park had rarely been used.
As it was Corporation land the children and their parents had not been able to do anything to prevent the loss of their play area – but now they were fuming. Marie Neary of Gaskell Street told the Reporter:
"Before being used as a car park, it was waste land. Our children played on it, some lads used to pitch a tent there, and some used to play rounders – but they've been deprived of that. There are no playing fields round here now. The nearest one is more than a mile away, and you can't let little children go off there on their own and cross roads. It's not just that it's been concreted over, it's got a capacity of about 300, and there's an average of five cars using it every day. It's not right to take it from the children, then not use it. They might at least unlock the gates in the late afternoon and evening so that football could be played there." A spokesman for the Government Training Centre disputed the 300 capacity figure and blamed vandalism of vehicles by local children as one reason why few drivers used the car park.
"Taylor Brothers Still Going Strong!" was the headline to the furnisher’s advert in the Reporter. "We're still going strong in Market Street and there's plenty of great bargains left before our move to Church Street. All stock must go before demolition. So, pick your way past the rubble and pick up a bargain today!" It was a knock-down sale in more than one sense and a very lengthy one as they had first advertised it in July 1972.
Hardshaw Garage of Corporation Street had an advertising feature published in the Reporter. They were described as an old established firm with a "space-age image" that claimed to be the first garage in St Helens to go self-service, the first to open a walk-round car accessory shop and the first to operate a cassette library service for in-car entertainment.
Gladys Patchett and Doris Kenny – both of Sexton Avenue in Parr – and Rose Topping of Broad Lane in Collins Green were praised in the paper for their charity fundraising. When Providence Hospital had become financially embarrassed a couple of years ago, the trio had raised £600 towards its so-called "Fighting Fund". But although most fundraisers had now stopped their good work, Gladys, Doris and Rose were fighting on.
Last week over 100 children from the Derbyshire Hill estate had enjoyed a May Queen procession and an outdoor tea, as well as entertainment from St Philip's Morris Dancers and Brownies. And the small committee had also arranged coffee mornings, jumble sales and had planned a Morris dancing contest with all proceeds in aid of the hospital. Mrs Patchett told the Reporter:
"The hospital got into the red and we don't want to see it happen again. If we can donate about £300 a year we shall be happy. Doing this work occupies our minds and helps the community spirit on the estate. Saturday's procession was for the children and we plan to hold it every year." Six-year-old Sally Bolton of Sexton Avenue had been their May Queen.
The Reporter also described how the Home Office was beginning a full-scale inquiry into the dumping of a dangerous acetylene cylinder on wasteland at Parr. When the smouldering cylinder was found in Southport Street last week over a dozen children had been playing nearby. It was said that the cylinder could have exploded at any time killing many of the youngsters.
St Helens firemen hosed down the cylinder for an hour before taking it away. Then they soaked it in more water for eight hours before sending it to London for examination by Home Office experts. A Fire Brigade spokesman said: "This was a very dangerous situation. The last acetylene cylinder we dealt with blew down a wall and injured ten men." A Home Office spokesman said: "We must emphasise that acetylene cylinders are a danger – they can kill."
The Capitol Cinema had this advert in the Reporter: "The choice is yours. Never before has there been a line up of films to suit all the members of the family in one week." In total with the Spring Bank Holiday and half-term week in mind, there were six films being screened at the "Cap" over the next week.
The "first exclusive showing in town" of 'Fiddler On The Roof' starring the recently deceased Topol was the highlight, along with matinee screenings of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Meanwhile at the ABC Savoy, Paul Newman's 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' was being shown.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the magpie blaze in Blackbrook, Tracy Topping thanks the firemen that saved her life, there's an update on the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton and the feared loss of the Chester Zoo of Rainford.
When Ray and Joan da Silva's company first came to St Helens in 1968, their two-hour programme was described as "Britain's first full-size puppet spectacular". Their 20-foot high puppet stage was claimed to be the largest in the country and allowed for simultaneous operation of marionettes from above and glove and rod-type puppets from below. From the 29th the Da Silva Company was back in St Helens presenting 'Pinocchio'.
A special feature in the Liverpool Echo on that day bore the headline "Charlie Fox – The Man Who Put St. Helens On The Boxing Map" and had this introduction: "Charlie Fox, at 80 years of age, is the father figure of St. Helens boxing . . . and he is also one of the fittest octogenarians one could meet. His physical condition pays remarkable testimony to his life's work as a trainer of boxers."
It was announced this week that the much-delayed council house scheme off Liverpool Road in St Helens would likely prove very expensive for ratepayers. A total of 186 flats and maisonettes were nearing completion two years behind schedule, mainly because of industrial action. The development had initially been budgeted at £750,000 but was now expected to cost nearly £1m. Although the developer would have to stand some of the extra cost, St Helens Corporation's share would be about £150,000 (over £2m in today's money).
It does amuse me the way the St Helens Reporter used to refer to computers in the 1960s and ‘70s. "Giant brains" was one of their common terms and although computers then were physically big beasts, their processing power was, of course, tiny compared to mobile phones of today. The lead story in the Reporter on the 1st had this introduction:
"A million-pound “brain” will make St. Helens one of the major computer centres in Britain next year. It will be to St. Helens that a variety of industries in the North-West will turn for help to solve engineering design problems." The report stated that the Department of Trade and Industry's Computer Aided Design Centre in Cambridge planned to set up a sub-centre at Scholes Park in Thatto Heath in January. Its solitary computer would then be connected to six others throughout Britain.
Consulting engineering firm Bingham, Blades and Partners had moved into Scholes Hall in 1970 and were behind the new venture. However, the price of progress was the loss of Scholes Barn, which would be demolished and replaced by a two-storey office block. Local residents had for the past five months argued that the old grain store was an historic building as it incorporated part of an ancient friary. Although the Scholes Hall and Barn dated mainly from 1681, the county archaeological officer refuted the friary claim. Although nearly 300 years old seems pretty historic to me!
In a letter sent to Whiston Rural Council, Bingham, Blades and Partners had previously stated that the computer that would be installed would cost £1 million (£15m in today's money), "making St. Helens one of the major computer centres in the country". Dr Alistair Soane of the engineering firm told the Reporter: "We can't reveal much yet, but there will be an extremely sophisticated set-up here in 1974."
In a separate article it was reported that the Rainford Trustee Savings Bank had become the first of 200 branches in the north to be switched on to a new computer system. Depositors at Rainford would now have their accounts linked via a computer terminal to a centre in Bootle. The TSB said the new system would speed up service.
Much was made of the Government Training Centre when it opened its doors in Bedford Street on the Parr Industrial Estate in October 1971. Those not so pleased were the local kids, as the wasteland nearby that they used as a play area was concreted over and turned into a car park. The intention was that it would provide parking facilities for those attending the training centre but during the two years since it opened the car park had rarely been used.
As it was Corporation land the children and their parents had not been able to do anything to prevent the loss of their play area – but now they were fuming. Marie Neary of Gaskell Street told the Reporter:
"Before being used as a car park, it was waste land. Our children played on it, some lads used to pitch a tent there, and some used to play rounders – but they've been deprived of that. There are no playing fields round here now. The nearest one is more than a mile away, and you can't let little children go off there on their own and cross roads. It's not just that it's been concreted over, it's got a capacity of about 300, and there's an average of five cars using it every day. It's not right to take it from the children, then not use it. They might at least unlock the gates in the late afternoon and evening so that football could be played there." A spokesman for the Government Training Centre disputed the 300 capacity figure and blamed vandalism of vehicles by local children as one reason why few drivers used the car park.
"Taylor Brothers Still Going Strong!" was the headline to the furnisher’s advert in the Reporter. "We're still going strong in Market Street and there's plenty of great bargains left before our move to Church Street. All stock must go before demolition. So, pick your way past the rubble and pick up a bargain today!" It was a knock-down sale in more than one sense and a very lengthy one as they had first advertised it in July 1972.
Hardshaw Garage of Corporation Street had an advertising feature published in the Reporter. They were described as an old established firm with a "space-age image" that claimed to be the first garage in St Helens to go self-service, the first to open a walk-round car accessory shop and the first to operate a cassette library service for in-car entertainment.
Gladys Patchett and Doris Kenny – both of Sexton Avenue in Parr – and Rose Topping of Broad Lane in Collins Green were praised in the paper for their charity fundraising. When Providence Hospital had become financially embarrassed a couple of years ago, the trio had raised £600 towards its so-called "Fighting Fund". But although most fundraisers had now stopped their good work, Gladys, Doris and Rose were fighting on.
Last week over 100 children from the Derbyshire Hill estate had enjoyed a May Queen procession and an outdoor tea, as well as entertainment from St Philip's Morris Dancers and Brownies. And the small committee had also arranged coffee mornings, jumble sales and had planned a Morris dancing contest with all proceeds in aid of the hospital. Mrs Patchett told the Reporter:
"The hospital got into the red and we don't want to see it happen again. If we can donate about £300 a year we shall be happy. Doing this work occupies our minds and helps the community spirit on the estate. Saturday's procession was for the children and we plan to hold it every year." Six-year-old Sally Bolton of Sexton Avenue had been their May Queen.
The Reporter also described how the Home Office was beginning a full-scale inquiry into the dumping of a dangerous acetylene cylinder on wasteland at Parr. When the smouldering cylinder was found in Southport Street last week over a dozen children had been playing nearby. It was said that the cylinder could have exploded at any time killing many of the youngsters.
St Helens firemen hosed down the cylinder for an hour before taking it away. Then they soaked it in more water for eight hours before sending it to London for examination by Home Office experts. A Fire Brigade spokesman said: "This was a very dangerous situation. The last acetylene cylinder we dealt with blew down a wall and injured ten men." A Home Office spokesman said: "We must emphasise that acetylene cylinders are a danger – they can kill."
The "first exclusive showing in town" of 'Fiddler On The Roof' starring the recently deceased Topol was the highlight, along with matinee screenings of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Meanwhile at the ABC Savoy, Paul Newman's 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' was being shown.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the magpie blaze in Blackbrook, Tracy Topping thanks the firemen that saved her life, there's an update on the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton and the feared loss of the Chester Zoo of Rainford.
This week's many stories include the £1m computer brain to be installed at Scholes Park, fury over an unused car park in Parr, the Providence Hospital fundraisers, an update on the much delayed and over budget council house scheme off Liverpool Road and the dangerous acetylene cylinder that was dumped in Southport Street.
When Ray and Joan da Silva's company first came to St Helens in 1968, their two-hour programme was described as "Britain's first full-size puppet spectacular".
Their 20-foot high puppet stage was claimed to be the largest in the country and allowed for simultaneous operation of marionettes from above and glove and rod-type puppets from below.
From the 29th the Da Silva Company was back in St Helens presenting 'Pinocchio'.
A special feature in the Liverpool Echo on that day bore the headline "Charlie Fox – The Man Who Put St. Helens On The Boxing Map" and had this introduction:
"Charlie Fox, at 80 years of age, is the father figure of St. Helens boxing . . . and he is also one of the fittest octogenarians one could meet. His physical condition pays remarkable testimony to his life's work as a trainer of boxers."
It was announced this week that the much-delayed council house scheme off Liverpool Road in St Helens would likely prove very expensive for ratepayers.
A total of 186 flats and maisonettes were nearing completion two years behind schedule, mainly because of industrial action.
The development had initially been budgeted at £750,000 but was now expected to cost nearly £1m.
Although the developer would have to stand some of the extra cost, St Helens Corporation's share would be about £150,000 (over £2m in today's money).
It does amuse me the way the St Helens Reporter used to refer to computers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
"Giant brains" was one of their common terms and although computers then were physically big beasts, their processing power was, of course, tiny compared to mobile phones of today.
The lead story in the Reporter on the 1st had this introduction: "A million-pound “brain” will make St. Helens one of the major computer centres in Britain next year. It will be to St. Helens that a variety of industries in the North-West will turn for help to solve engineering design problems."
The report stated that the Department of Trade and Industry's Computer Aided Design Centre in Cambridge planned to set up a sub-centre at Scholes Park in Thatto Heath in January.
Its solitary computer would then be connected to six others throughout Britain.
Consulting engineering firm Bingham, Blades and Partners had moved into Scholes Hall in 1970 and were behind the new venture.
However, the price of progress was the loss of Scholes Barn, which would be demolished and replaced by a two-storey office block.
Local residents had for the past five months argued that the old grain store was an historic building as it incorporated part of an ancient friary.
Although the Scholes Hall and Barn dated mainly from 1681, the county archaeological officer refuted the friary claim. Although nearly 300 years old seems pretty historic to me!
In a letter sent to Whiston Rural Council, Bingham, Blades and Partners had previously stated that the computer that would be installed would cost £1 million (£15m in today's money), "making St. Helens one of the major computer centres in the country".
Dr Alistair Soane of the engineering firm told the Reporter: "We can't reveal much yet, but there will be an extremely sophisticated set-up here in 1974."
In a separate article it was reported that the Rainford Trustee Savings Bank had become the first of 200 branches in the north to be switched on to a new computer system.
Depositors at Rainford would now have their accounts linked via a computer terminal to a centre in Bootle. The TSB said the new system would speed up service.
Much was made of the Government Training Centre when it opened its doors in Bedford Street on the Parr Industrial Estate in October 1971.
Those not so pleased were the local kids, as the wasteland nearby that they used as a play area was concreted over and turned into a car park.
The intention was that it would provide parking facilities for those attending the training centre but during the two years since it opened the car park had rarely been used.
As it was Corporation land the children and their parents had not been able to do anything to prevent the loss of their play area – but now they were fuming. Marie Neary of Gaskell Street told the Reporter:
"Before being used as a car park, it was waste land. Our children played on it, some lads used to pitch a tent there, and some used to play rounders – but they've been deprived of that. There are no playing fields round here now. The nearest one is more than a mile away, and you can't let little children go off there on their own and cross roads.
"It's not just that it's been concreted over, it's got a capacity of about 300, and there's an average of five cars using it every day. It's not right to take it from the children, then not use it. They might at least unlock the gates in the late afternoon and evening so that football could be played there."
A spokesman for the Government Training Centre disputed the 300 capacity figure and blamed vandalism of vehicles by local children as one reason why few drivers used the car park.
"Taylor Brothers Still Going Strong!" was the headline to the furnisher’s advert in the Reporter.
"We're still going strong in Market Street and there's plenty of great bargains left before our move to Church Street. All stock must go before demolition. So, pick your way past the rubble and pick up a bargain today!"
It was a knock-down sale in more than one sense and a very lengthy one as they had first advertised it in July 1972.
Hardshaw Garage of Corporation Street had an advertising feature published in the Reporter.
They were described as an old established firm with a "space-age image" that claimed to be the first garage in St Helens to go self-service, the first to open a walk-round car accessory shop and the first to operate a cassette library service for in-car entertainment.
Gladys Patchett and Doris Kenny – both of Sexton Avenue in Parr – and Rose Topping of Broad Lane in Collins Green were praised in the paper for their charity fundraising.
When Providence Hospital had become financially embarrassed a couple of years ago, the trio had raised £600 towards its so-called "Fighting Fund".
But although most fundraisers had now stopped their good work, Gladys, Doris and Rose were fighting on.
Last week over 100 children from the Derbyshire Hill estate had enjoyed a May Queen procession and an outdoor tea, as well as entertainment from St Philip's Morris Dancers and Brownies.
And the small committee had also arranged coffee mornings, jumble sales and had planned a Morris dancing contest with all proceeds in aid of the hospital. Mrs Patchett told the Reporter:
"The hospital got into the red and we don't want to see it happen again. If we can donate about £300 a year we shall be happy.
"Doing this work occupies our minds and helps the community spirit on the estate. Saturday's procession was for the children and we plan to hold it every year."
Six-year-old Sally Bolton of Sexton Avenue had been their May Queen.
The Reporter also described how the Home Office was beginning a full-scale inquiry into the dumping of a dangerous acetylene cylinder on wasteland at Parr.
When the smouldering cylinder was found in Southport Street last week over a dozen children had been playing nearby.
It was said that the cylinder could have exploded at any time killing many of the youngsters.
St Helens firemen hosed down the cylinder for an hour before taking it away. Then they soaked it in more water for eight hours before sending it to London for examination by Home Office experts.
A Fire Brigade spokesman said: "This was a very dangerous situation. The last acetylene cylinder we dealt with blew down a wall and injured ten men."
A Home Office spokesman said: "We must emphasise that acetylene cylinders are a danger – they can kill."
The Capitol Cinema had this advert in the Reporter:
"The choice is yours. Never before has there been a line up of films to suit all the members of the family in one week."
In total with the Spring Bank Holiday and half-term week in mind, there were six films being screened at the "Cap" over the next week.
The "first exclusive showing in town" of 'Fiddler On The Roof' starring the recently deceased Topol was the highlight, along with matinee screenings of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.
Meanwhile at the ABC Savoy, Paul Newman's 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' was being shown.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the magpie blaze in Blackbrook, Tracy Topping thanks the firemen that saved her life, there's an update on the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton and the feared loss of the Chester Zoo of Rainford.
When Ray and Joan da Silva's company first came to St Helens in 1968, their two-hour programme was described as "Britain's first full-size puppet spectacular".
Their 20-foot high puppet stage was claimed to be the largest in the country and allowed for simultaneous operation of marionettes from above and glove and rod-type puppets from below.
From the 29th the Da Silva Company was back in St Helens presenting 'Pinocchio'.
A special feature in the Liverpool Echo on that day bore the headline "Charlie Fox – The Man Who Put St. Helens On The Boxing Map" and had this introduction:
"Charlie Fox, at 80 years of age, is the father figure of St. Helens boxing . . . and he is also one of the fittest octogenarians one could meet. His physical condition pays remarkable testimony to his life's work as a trainer of boxers."
It was announced this week that the much-delayed council house scheme off Liverpool Road in St Helens would likely prove very expensive for ratepayers.
A total of 186 flats and maisonettes were nearing completion two years behind schedule, mainly because of industrial action.
The development had initially been budgeted at £750,000 but was now expected to cost nearly £1m.
Although the developer would have to stand some of the extra cost, St Helens Corporation's share would be about £150,000 (over £2m in today's money).
It does amuse me the way the St Helens Reporter used to refer to computers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
"Giant brains" was one of their common terms and although computers then were physically big beasts, their processing power was, of course, tiny compared to mobile phones of today.
The lead story in the Reporter on the 1st had this introduction: "A million-pound “brain” will make St. Helens one of the major computer centres in Britain next year. It will be to St. Helens that a variety of industries in the North-West will turn for help to solve engineering design problems."
The report stated that the Department of Trade and Industry's Computer Aided Design Centre in Cambridge planned to set up a sub-centre at Scholes Park in Thatto Heath in January.
Its solitary computer would then be connected to six others throughout Britain.
Consulting engineering firm Bingham, Blades and Partners had moved into Scholes Hall in 1970 and were behind the new venture.
However, the price of progress was the loss of Scholes Barn, which would be demolished and replaced by a two-storey office block.
Local residents had for the past five months argued that the old grain store was an historic building as it incorporated part of an ancient friary.
Although the Scholes Hall and Barn dated mainly from 1681, the county archaeological officer refuted the friary claim. Although nearly 300 years old seems pretty historic to me!
In a letter sent to Whiston Rural Council, Bingham, Blades and Partners had previously stated that the computer that would be installed would cost £1 million (£15m in today's money), "making St. Helens one of the major computer centres in the country".
Dr Alistair Soane of the engineering firm told the Reporter: "We can't reveal much yet, but there will be an extremely sophisticated set-up here in 1974."
In a separate article it was reported that the Rainford Trustee Savings Bank had become the first of 200 branches in the north to be switched on to a new computer system.
Depositors at Rainford would now have their accounts linked via a computer terminal to a centre in Bootle. The TSB said the new system would speed up service.
Much was made of the Government Training Centre when it opened its doors in Bedford Street on the Parr Industrial Estate in October 1971.
Those not so pleased were the local kids, as the wasteland nearby that they used as a play area was concreted over and turned into a car park.
The intention was that it would provide parking facilities for those attending the training centre but during the two years since it opened the car park had rarely been used.
As it was Corporation land the children and their parents had not been able to do anything to prevent the loss of their play area – but now they were fuming. Marie Neary of Gaskell Street told the Reporter:
"Before being used as a car park, it was waste land. Our children played on it, some lads used to pitch a tent there, and some used to play rounders – but they've been deprived of that. There are no playing fields round here now. The nearest one is more than a mile away, and you can't let little children go off there on their own and cross roads.
"It's not just that it's been concreted over, it's got a capacity of about 300, and there's an average of five cars using it every day. It's not right to take it from the children, then not use it. They might at least unlock the gates in the late afternoon and evening so that football could be played there."
A spokesman for the Government Training Centre disputed the 300 capacity figure and blamed vandalism of vehicles by local children as one reason why few drivers used the car park.
"Taylor Brothers Still Going Strong!" was the headline to the furnisher’s advert in the Reporter.
"We're still going strong in Market Street and there's plenty of great bargains left before our move to Church Street. All stock must go before demolition. So, pick your way past the rubble and pick up a bargain today!"
It was a knock-down sale in more than one sense and a very lengthy one as they had first advertised it in July 1972.
Hardshaw Garage of Corporation Street had an advertising feature published in the Reporter.
They were described as an old established firm with a "space-age image" that claimed to be the first garage in St Helens to go self-service, the first to open a walk-round car accessory shop and the first to operate a cassette library service for in-car entertainment.
Gladys Patchett and Doris Kenny – both of Sexton Avenue in Parr – and Rose Topping of Broad Lane in Collins Green were praised in the paper for their charity fundraising.
When Providence Hospital had become financially embarrassed a couple of years ago, the trio had raised £600 towards its so-called "Fighting Fund".
But although most fundraisers had now stopped their good work, Gladys, Doris and Rose were fighting on.
Last week over 100 children from the Derbyshire Hill estate had enjoyed a May Queen procession and an outdoor tea, as well as entertainment from St Philip's Morris Dancers and Brownies.
And the small committee had also arranged coffee mornings, jumble sales and had planned a Morris dancing contest with all proceeds in aid of the hospital. Mrs Patchett told the Reporter:
"The hospital got into the red and we don't want to see it happen again. If we can donate about £300 a year we shall be happy.
"Doing this work occupies our minds and helps the community spirit on the estate. Saturday's procession was for the children and we plan to hold it every year."
Six-year-old Sally Bolton of Sexton Avenue had been their May Queen.
The Reporter also described how the Home Office was beginning a full-scale inquiry into the dumping of a dangerous acetylene cylinder on wasteland at Parr.
When the smouldering cylinder was found in Southport Street last week over a dozen children had been playing nearby.
It was said that the cylinder could have exploded at any time killing many of the youngsters.
St Helens firemen hosed down the cylinder for an hour before taking it away. Then they soaked it in more water for eight hours before sending it to London for examination by Home Office experts.
A Fire Brigade spokesman said: "This was a very dangerous situation. The last acetylene cylinder we dealt with blew down a wall and injured ten men."
A Home Office spokesman said: "We must emphasise that acetylene cylinders are a danger – they can kill."
"The choice is yours. Never before has there been a line up of films to suit all the members of the family in one week."
In total with the Spring Bank Holiday and half-term week in mind, there were six films being screened at the "Cap" over the next week.
The "first exclusive showing in town" of 'Fiddler On The Roof' starring the recently deceased Topol was the highlight, along with matinee screenings of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.
Meanwhile at the ABC Savoy, Paul Newman's 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' was being shown.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the magpie blaze in Blackbrook, Tracy Topping thanks the firemen that saved her life, there's an update on the Beth Avenue council estate in Sutton and the feared loss of the Chester Zoo of Rainford.