I've just joined after coming across the site when researching my family history. I'd just like to say thanks for all of the work on the Prescot Roll of Honour web site. Two of my family where there Charles and John Berry so you plugged a gap and saved me a lot of work.
Back to Prescot. I was born in Prescot and my father worked for the BI from leaving school around 1929 through to his death in 1971. I too remember the buzzer in the morning and the streams of people leaving the factory at the end of the day. My mother also worked for several years in the canteen on Warrington Road. Two of my uncles also spent their working lives at the BI.
I got a summer job their in around 1969 - working in the Reprograhics Section.
I'm also glad you enjoyed the Country and Western Nights at the BI Social Club. I worked behind the bar for a few years around 1971 and it was there that I met my wife who was a part time waitress. We married in 1973 - still married . The Country and Western evenings were always mad - but good for the waitresses who made good tips - not so for the men.
One particular memory of one C&W was when there was a bomb scare - half an hour before last orders. The police arrived and we were told to shut the bar and evacuate the hall. When this was announced the bar was beseiged and as fast as I pulled the shutters down the customers were pulling then up saying it was only going to be a hoax and that they'd rather have a drink and take their chances.
In complete contrast was the Ken Dodd night when he came to formally open the Club. He was on stage for several hours and we hardly sold a drink all night.
My wife and I moved from Prescot to Rainhill before ending up in Macclesfield. Until recently family connections meant that we regularly back to Prescot. I have become interested in Prescot Local History. I have so far traced my family back to around 1760 - all Colliers all within about a quarter mile radius of Sewell Street and Kemble Street. I have been working on a detailed map circa 1850 and I also have transcribed the 1891 Census for Kemble Street, Sewall Street, Market Street and a few others.
My mother's famly came from St Helens so I guess I have a foot in both parts of this site.
Geoff Berry