St Helens Connect

Interesting old photos

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:22:29 +0000

The following pictures are of Joseph Heaton (1873-1949).

Joseph was in St Helen's Police, when it was combined with the Fire Service based in part of the St Helen's Town Hall buildings. The first picture dates (I'm guessing) from between 1885-1895 - Joseph looks quite young.

The 2nd picture (shame about the quality) was taken in 1909 and is of a group of Mounted Police at the back of St Helen's Town Hall.

Some of the older forum members might just remember Joseph - He latterly became Night Watchman on the gates at British Sidac.

A picture of Joseph Heaton in later life; also pictured is his wife ( Annie {Abbott} 1874-1955) and one of his daughters.

Behind them is a very large building - but where is it ?

A few of my relations worked for British Sidac.

They were :

Harry Heaton (1904-1967) - he was the Buyer at British Sidac; he also owned the Kit Kat cafe in St Helen's town centre. His sister May was Manageress of the Kit Kat Cafe.

Harry's brothers also worked at British Sidac; Eric Heaton (1914-1958) worked on the factory side and John Heaton (1919-1996) worked in the Pay Office - someone must remember him !

The photo (I believe) is of a British Sidac party - sadly, I don't know where or when . . . . . . . anyone there who may be identified by forum members ?

Everyone loves a wedding !

These photos relate to the wedding of Joseph Heaton's daughter Minnie Heaton (1910-1992) to George Norman Thackray - June 10th 1937.

Pic 1 - Joseph & daughter Minnie Heaton about to enter church - I don't know which church.

Pic 2 - Minnie (Heaton) & Norman Thackray Wedding Group.

Pic 3 - Right to left, Eric Heaton,his sisters - Lilla, Minnie & the groom, "Norman" Thackray.

Pic 4 - After Wedding Group - June10th1937

Again, anyone see someone that they recognise ?

Red acre, white acre, blue acre and green acres?

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:49:19 +0000

Does anyone remember what year they decided to give the acres street names?

I remember as a kid they used to be seperated in to four different colours and I would love to see a map of how the areas were divided for that particular housing estate.

Old homes making way for the new

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:06:56 +0000

Back of Silkstone Street from the old railway line, and the others are old Doulton Street.

Heaton's Transport, Lock Street.

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:58:25 +0000

Think this is from the 1970's or 1980's.

Doris Chorley 1901

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:53:02 +0000

Hi I am wondering if any one can help me or knows anything about my grandmother Doris Chorley who I believe was born in 1900 or 1901 and was always led to believe celebrated her birthday on 15 August and was brought up in Newton le Willows . I also believe that her mother died in childbirth while having her and was brought up by her grandmother and an aunt who may have run a hotel in either the st Helen's or Newton le Willows area . The only birth I can find registered was in 1901 and registered at prescot. She appears on the 1911 census as living at cross lane Newton but it lists her as the illegitimate daughter of a Harry Chorley who had married a Hannah Tully in 1902. My grandmother also used to talk of a relative who was a sea captain on the shipping lines sailing to India and I can find her on passenger lists from the early twenties sailing to India. After this I believed she moved to the Northallerton area where she worked as a secretary in a military hospital before marrying a man with the surname Johnstone and then remarrying in 1928 to my grandfather Alfred young who was a professional footballer. If any one can help me in any way I would be very grateful .

walking days-also may day walks

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:19:40 +0000

I have noticed a couple of foto requests showing walking day.I was wondering if there are any tales,humorous,sad,that could bring back memories for anyone.I also remember the mayday walks to sherdley park.Even the brass bands that lead many of the sections involved.Where and why did all this disappear.PS when I was young our walk included heyes coal merchants lorry-loaned for the day and we sat on benches--not truly a walking day-was this a cop out or what.But we were very young.I also remember the garlanded ropes that kept us in line.Surely there must be many memories?

bourne's tunnel

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:16:41 +0000

Has anyone seen it or indeed is it possible to see it ?
thinking of having a look for it this weekend but some reports suggest that it may have been covered up with earth anyone know for sure please

Masonic Bowling Club Photos

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:43:55 +0000

Hi All

I've a number of scans of Masonic Bowling Club photos, dating between about 1915 and 1932. (I've given the original photos to The Lodge of St Helens).

My Great Grandfather was in the Lodge of Loyalty 897 and Lodge of Integrity 4151, but the photos show at least 25 -40 members, so I guess that other Lodges must have been involved.

If anyone would like to see if any of their relations are present on the photos, I'd be pleased to send them an email containing all the pics.

My Great Grandfather was a Founder Member of The Lodge of Integrity and also a 'Worshipful Master' at some stage - I have the 'medals' to show this. For many years, I assumed that the medals were some kind of brass, but it turns out that they are gold.

St Thomas Eccleston Church Burial Records

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:02:31 +0000

I have been searching for many years to find the final resting place of my Grandfather.

I know he was Buried in St Helens.

He Died 21st May 1936 in Derby (have full details)

We have a news paper clipping saying he was buried in St Helens and who Attended.

I believe the date was 27th May 1936

His Father is Buried in Greenfields Cem, but there are no records and they are well listed for my Grandfather Robert James Hunt.

His Mother Mary Jane Hunt Nee Eccleston was Buried in St Thomas Eccleston on 1st April 1898 According to the records she is buried in plot 533. On the same day My great Grandfather purchased a plot for 516. At the start of our search we thought this was a receipt for my Great Grandmothers grave but have since found out this is not so. So then we thought he had brought it for himself, but again not true as we have found out he is Greenfield cem with his second wife family.

Now my Great grandmother died during child Birth, her daughter lived for a further 5 months and was also noted buried in the same cemetery as my Great Grandmother. We do not know if she is in the same grave or if she may be in grave 516, Which according the the plan is next door.

Now i have search records for other churches and yet to find out where my Grandfather is buried. I have been to Lancashire several time, and phoned and both the church and Lancashire Reg office both state the records for these years are held with each other. The reg says they are with the church and visa versa and never been able to get to the bottom of this.

I really have a very personal reason now to find my grandfather grave as my own father passed away a few months ago and this was his dying wish. For me to find his grave. I do know that the grave site for St Thomas was in Hewitt Avenue which i have visited to find out that most of the graves stones have been removed apart from some that are scattered along pathways for some reason.

My quest is now to find out if my Grandfather is buried in this place, if so what plot number and locate where a rough area that would of been in the old grounds. I was told the remains were never removed just the head stones and to find out if this is true as well. The last bit of the missing plot would be to find out about grave 516 and also to find out if Ethel May Hunt who died at 5 months old and buried on 25th Aug 1898 is with my grandmother or not.

I would be very grateful for any help with this. I am not living in the Lancashire area but do have relatives that could possibly help out with where to look etc.

Old Factory Building

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:59:55 +0000

When I was going to Langtree Park I noticed that opposite Tesco was a derelict old building. It is fenced off and looks like a scaled down kiln.
Does anyone have information/pictures of the structure? Is it due to be demolished or preserved in situ? I assume it was part of P.B.'s

my surnames

Sat, 12 May 2012 19:13:03 +0000

Hi
The surnames i am researching are; Mason, Welsh & Woods,,

Picture Story Of 6 Cygnets At Carrmill Dam

Sat, 12 May 2012 19:02:45 +0000

6 Day Old Cygnets Feeding With Mother & Father

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robbob2010/7181106558/in/photostream

Birth/Baptism record for Henry Marsh circa 1835

Sat, 12 May 2012 07:55:03 +0000

Henry Marsh was my great great grandfather. In the 1851 census he was living in Crossfield Street, Windle. His age is given as 16, his occupation as bricklayer and his place of birth as St Helens. His parents were Henry Marsh and Elizabeth (nee Tickle). So, I'm after a birth circa 1835 somewhere is St Helens. Sorry I can't narrow it down any more. Hope someone is able to help. Thanks, Mike

The Horse Shoe Inn, Water Street

Sat, 12 May 2012 01:11:52 +0000

Hi There,

Does anybody have or know where I can get a picture of the Horse Shoe Inn, Water Street from? My 2nd great grandfather Stephen Doyle was the Landlord from 1887-1899. Prior to that he was the landlord of the Vulcan Inn, Duke Street 1876-1887.
Any help gratefully accepted.

WW2 Plane Found

Fri, 11 May 2012 22:31:03 +0000

I don't know if this is in the right place, as it's not about St. Helens. But it is World Wars and Military.
It's about a plane that was found in the Egyptian Desert, after all these years. Amazing!

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1911 Census Free!

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:19:50 +0000

Hi, Don't all rush at once, but just found out, that the 1911 Census is free this Weekend on Ancestry.
11th - 14th May. Have Fun.

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/1911?AID=11058825&PID=713921

location?

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:14:06 +0000

anyone recognize where this shot is taken?

Attached Thumbnails

Craddy Jumping

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:46:11 +0000

Do children stil go Craddy jumping, a popular sport for boys and girls in my schooldays.?.

Thatto Heath Empire

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:36:20 +0000

Anyone remember the 10 o clock rally and the way that the cinema firemen, George, the pea nut catcher performed; the other guy was Cheyenne he used to ask anyone who thought hey were hard to come down and take him on; his shout was " you are all yellow, there's enough yellow paint in here to paint the town.
To stop the rally the manager used to leave every 4th row empty so that the fireman could sneak up and eject us; one night Don Cunningham ( sadly died shortly afterr in a motorbike accident ) said " when I cough everybody stand up" what we knew but Don didn't was that Cheyenne had crawled along the empty row was laying behind Don, when he shouted, Don stood up everyone else stayed down and that was the end of Don's night.
I could go on about the last night that the Empire closed but does anyone else recall that time?

Yates Bros, Merton Bank Road St.Helens Photoshoot

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:44:17 +0000

Hi all,
click on the link below,this is the old garage of Les Yates and Son`s. the reason ive done these pictures is that the derelict building is in terrible condition and i cant see it standing for much longer.
this should bring back some memories to us motorists ....when its gone its gone!
i couldnt get into the house so i went around the yard and into the MOT bay
hope you all enjoy
ps.... any info on the house in the grounds?

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

DUNCAN Thomas 1839 - 1907?

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:23:25 +0000

I am looking for any information about my ggrandfather Thomas Duncan he was born in Ireland 1839 moved to St. Helens approx. 1880, his wife Matilda and children moved to Bootle approx 1900 as I found them living with their daughter and son in law Otto Ericson in the Bootle census 1901, but he was not with them, If asked why he didn't come with them, no one would say why. I found a death 1907 for a Thomas Duncan in the workhouse and registered in Prescot Manchester but it says he born in Manchester. If so why did his wife and children leave him? He was a travelling Glass Blower. Hope someone can help.

Can You Identify A Location?

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:09:52 +0000

Can anyone place the location of this picture?

This is the casualties page:
http://www.sthelensr...Harold_Lee.html

This one is just too see if anyone can identify any of the faces from family photos.
.

Aqualogistics photo

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:11:11 +0000

I took this photo at Aqualogistics International (part of the Capper Neill group) in 1982. I was a coded welder there and this shows that last diving bell I worked on. I would be interested to here from anyone else who worked at Aqua or on the Neills Road site.

Attached Thumbnails

Military Wills

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:04:50 +0000

300,000 soldiers wills have been found by the Probate Service in cardboard boxes, it appears that because they were handled by War Office they have never been entered in the Probate Calendars.

They relate to soldiers and non-commissioned officers who died during conflicts from the Crimean War up to World War 2, and they will be made available online before the end of this year. You will probably find this set of records at Ancestry then

I dont know what form or content they consist of but I found this information for later Scottish wills that give us a clue

http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/soldiersWills.asp

Catpot

Sun, 06 May 2012 19:55:00 +0000

I don't remember planting THAT!

Orange tips

Sun, 06 May 2012 18:35:54 +0000

Orange tips on Cuckoo flower this afternoon.

1. Male and Female

2. Female

3. Male and egg

Stephensons Rocket.

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:57:07 +0000

This post contains a little bit of history on the early days of the Rocket that I researched some years ago but goes on a bit ,I hope it is not too boring to readers.

In 1815 at a place called Tyldesley near Manchester a boy named Edward Entwistle was born.
At the tender age of 11 years he was apprenticed in a machine shop at the Bridgewater Trust Manchester where the famous Rocket steam Locomotive was being made under the supervision of George Stephenson.
About this time the first pasenger Railway line from Liverpool to Manchester was under construction, When the Rocket was completed Stephenson looked around for an assistant to help operate the now famous Steam Locomotive..
Young Entwistle was chosen and assigned to Stephenson at 15 years of age.The opening of the Railway was fixed for Monday 15th September 1830 when the Roket was put to work, during the return trip young Entwistle is reported to have taken control of the throttle.
When the line was opened for genral use Entwistle was given the job as Driver and for 2 years made 2 round trips each day.
The strain on his youth made him unwell and he was transferred to the post of Second Engineer on a coastal Steam ship owned by the Bridgewater Trust on which he completed his apprenticeship.
At 22 he emigrated to America where he took a job on a steam ship named Troy sailing on the Hudson river, when the Troy was scrapped he removed the engine and set it up on shore to to drive a Rolling Mill.
In 1884 he moved to Chicargo to work on the steam ship Rossite which was one of the first ships driven by propellor, he also worked at Ankerey Mils in Iowa for 21years, at 74 he retired to a farm and at 81 he is reputed to have built himself a new Barn.

Police Sergeant in schools

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:22:45 +0000

does anyone remember the name of the police sergeant who used to lecture in schools on road safety, he was around in the 50s, and maybe after.

The first Damselfly of the year

Sat, 05 May 2012 16:56:01 +0000

My first Damselfly photo of the year!

Risley Moss this afternoon.

This is a newly emerged female Large Red. The rainbow colours on her wings are because they're still wet.

New Brighton

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:40:34 +0000

As a boy I spent many happy hours playing on the sandy beach and bathing in the river Mersey at New Brihton.
Later in my youth I enjoyed dancing to famous dance bands in the Tower Ballroom and revelled in the thrills of the Tower Gardens Fun Fair where you could experience the spectacle of the Wall of Death riders performing great feats of daring on Motor Cycles, a speciality being to ride around the wall and almost touch the Safety wire at the top while carrying a full grown Lion as a passenger on the platform sidecar.
The river cruise Dances on the Royal Iris were a special treat for teenagers and many a romance started while on board.
From Sutton Manor where I lived it meant a 2 mile walk to the old Lea Green Station to catch the train for Liverpool followed by a good walk from Lime Street Station to the Pier Head to board the Ferry for New Brihton , but in hose days not many people had cars so walking was the norm.
How sad that those happy days have disappeared and as for the sandy beach and bathing in the river, Industrial pollution has put an end to that delight..

old fotos from streets and residents-where are they

Sat, 05 May 2012 09:45:57 +0000

I have viewd the fotos on the site and am disappointed that whilst we get many fotos of the old streets,they seem devoid of residents activities in the majority of cases.Surely there must be many dusty!!creased etc fotos lying about in someones drawers etc?Sick of seeing the same old brickwork-lets get some real life shots.I appreciate many fotos of families etc are very personal and have good memories of parents,grand parents and great great grand parents.Unfortunately cos we moved quite a lot(no it wasnt to beat the bailiffs)we lost many fotos over the years-so sad.

A beltin' pint

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:19:23 +0000

...in the Mason's Arms in Billinge tonight

Had an aftertaste of dry-roast nuts!

Wood family

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:07:44 +0000

Hi
I'm afraid I am very new to this so I hope it's done correctly, I have reached a block in researching the wood family who were living in Shaw street in1911. Father Arthur and Mother Alice born Manchester 1869, and Barrow in Furness 1875, I know what happened to their youngest child Charles, born About1908 in St Helens but not his Siblings, Alfred 1894, Alice 1896, William 1899, Richard 1900, Annie 1903 and Arthur1905, All born St Helens. I am hoping some one has one of them in their Family Tree or Knowledge of them, Here's Keeping my fingers crossed !

Local bird

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:51:37 +0000

I was in Pilk's Head office today on the 12th floor and looking through the window, I spotted this bird.

william platt married jane knight 15.12.1834 farnworth

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:38:19 +0000

Hi.Can anyone identify any further info on this wedding at st.wilfrids farnworth 15.12.1834.

prefabs sthelens pre 1953

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:36:04 +0000

Just seen a foto showing prefabs 1952.These were ashurst avenue.we lived hammersley avenue.Anyone got any fotos info or comments.

Laffak - school, bridges and farm

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:12:40 +0000

cast your mind back to 50's n 60's. As a kid living in Roland Ave, I spent tons of time in Laffak (Woodlands Rd when it was just a metalled road degenrating to dirt track at Chain Lane). Present day Laburnham Ave is built over small stream and we spent hours either passing through on way to Blackbrook basin or, when the Hawthorn berries were in fruit, we used to swarm allover the railway bridges having war games using our home made "laccy guns".

Any pictures out there? I have one of Laffak School playground but now I find myself living in Laffak, I'm desperate for some old pictures

Silky mono at Carr Mill Dam

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:09:31 +0000

Could have been anywhere I know LOL!

I had an arty farty moment

Rainhill Station

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:34:19 +0000

I took a couple of pictures at Rainhill Station on Saturday. Nice to see a heritage plaque has now been put up. The footbridge at Tasker Terrace has now been removed ready for a new higher bridge for the overhead power lines.

When "Red Rum" Visited St.Helens.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:17:41 +0000

[IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u332/madmurg/DSC_7429_edited-1.jpg[/img]

Do you remember when Red Rum was used for publicity at the opening of a bookmakers in Ormskirk St. It was sometime in the 1980s. Photo quality not very good,but hope they are of interest.

Who do you think you are WW2

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:28:39 +0000

Channel 5 tuesday 8pm celebrities trace the stories of relatives who made sacrifices in times of war it's called

WAR HERO IN MY FAMILY

More Town Centre pix from today

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:06:44 +0000

Some more general town centre shots - mainly for the ex-pats as I know folk living abroad like this sort of thing

Town Hall and College

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:20:33 +0000

Three more snaps from this afternoon

1.

2.

3. Old and new

Piper Bill

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:15:37 +0000

Met this chap in St Helens today. He said "I'm English born, with a Welsh name, wearing a Kilt, and I once fell down the steps of an Irish bar in Kathmandu."

1.

2.

3.

A few Rivvi / Belmont Bikes

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:46:34 +0000

Some dudes on machines...

1. Like the visor reflection in this none

2. Two up on the same bend

3. Red and Yellow takes it a bit faster

4. The big guys!

'Secret Super Truckers' behind the scenes film from United Uti

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:56:32 +0000

St Helens Connect forum users might be interested in this film.

The video has been made by United Utilities to tell the tale of the 'Water Truckers' - a six man team of truck drivers and emergency engineers who help keep the North West's domestic water supply flowing while repairs are carried out.

The local link is that one of the six team members is Darran Sutch from St Helens

Here is a link to the video on YouTube:

All comments appreciated!

Just as background, I am working with a PR team who are sharing the video on behalf of United Utilities.

Thanks

Street Names

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:05:42 +0000

Was there ever a St Helens Road in the Sutton area which was later renamed?

Searching For WW1 Military Records

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:30:43 +0000

Could anyone please tell me where or how to start searching for my father's military records.This is what I know:

Albert Peter Bates. Born, Chesterfield 1891

Enlisted in Notts & Derbyshire Regiment March 8th 1912
Medical Dishcharge May 25, 1917 ( I believe he was dicharged in St Helens ).

He was a patient in a hospital in St Helens where he met my mother Gertrude Bates who was a nurse at the hospital. They married in St Helens March 17, 1917

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Foster not selected again

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:50:24 +0000

Hmm. Wonder what's going on. According to his Twitter account he's out and about a lot so doubt it's an injury problem.
No Perry either but that's not a shock.

Fred Davies Transport, Station Rd St Helens

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:58:39 +0000

Hi is there anybody left from Freds,? If so, just to let you know, we have lost another one of Freds men late last year, Paddy Leather, he left Freds and went to Pilk's transport about 1967/8, and I left freds in 1969, and went to the same place. Pilk's Transport till the finish, then went to Nijman Zeetank who took over the transport,