Around St.Helens

[HORT]

Steps leading down the the Pilks Head Office lake.

 

[Alan]

Is there a beck/stream that keeps the lake topped up?

[FRANK]

As far as I know, the lake was originally a reservoir fed by a stream from Thatto Heath into the South east corner. The old maps show it quite clearly.

Side by side georeferenced maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland (nls.uk)

 

[Alan]

Thanks. I do remember the reservoir now I think about it. Wasn't the Plkington Theatre close to it? Just thinking about it, St Helens must have a real network of streams/becks keeping all its lakes and reservoirs full. I mean Taylor Park, Leg of Mutton, Mill Dam, Carr Mill, Viccy Park duck pond, Eccleston Mere.......I can think of others but not their names

Edited August 10, 2022 by Alan

[HORT]

TAlan, te Pilkington Theatre was on Carriage Drive/Carriage Drive and was converted into other use. It may have been apprentice training.

I think it was the white buiding in this photo from Head Office.

[Alan]

Thanks, Hort. Like most of St Helens industrial/social buildings in the 1940/50s it was painted a sort of matt blue. A bit like the old St Helens Recs grandstand or the quarry buildings at the bottom of Hard Lane.

I've been thinking about the many lakes and ponds in St Helens. I can trace most of the streams that kept them topped up but what filled that shallow lake/pond in Viccie Park? I think you once told us that you used to live at one stage just inside the park - can you put my mind at rest on this please?

[HORT]

There is a pipe carrying water into the pond. I think it runs from The resovoir in Pilks Cowley Hill, near the Pot Rooms and Canteen.

[Alan]

Thanks HORT. I never worked at Cowley Hill and didn't know there was a reservoir there. Was it fed by a stream or was there an artesian well there?

[HORT]

A number of reorvoirs in CHW. As well as the one mentioned . Another behind what is now Slinns just off College Street.

 

Here is google maps showing the park and the reservoir behind St Marks Church just over the Pilks wall Oldfield St.

 

 

[Alan]

But where do the reservoirs get the water from?

[HORT]

From the mains supply. They are kept topped up so could be used as emegancy if supply failed.

When it rains the one behind St Marks overflows into Victoria Park duck pond.

 

[HORT]

Pilks Head Office Court Block. I worked in it from 1990 to 1994.

[HORT]

Plenty of Head Office windows need cleaning.

[Alan]

I think they were building the 5th floor in the summer of 1960 when I worked there

[HORT]

View of Pilks Head Office when one of the toughenedglass blue panels fell off.

 

[HORT]

From the lake

[HORT]

Haresfinch Rugby Club.

 

[Alan]

Is that ARLFC in Haresfinch Park?

[HORT]

No. Its on the right as you go down Haresfinch Road towards Town, just before the railway bridge at the start of College Street.

 

Edited August 18, 2022 by HORT
Correction

[Alan]

Near the Burghy banks?

[HORT]

There are some on the opposite side of the road. Burgies on the left and club on the right.

 

 

Edited August 18, 2022 by HORT

[HORT]

Cooper Street.

Junction with Cowley Hill Lane

 

Jubction with Chapel Street

[Bert]

Hort, is the corner Cooper St shop the old Co-Op? If so I don't remember my mam's divy number cos it's more than 70 years since it was needed.

[HORT]

I do not know if it was a Co op.

This was though on Moss Bank Road.

[HORT]

New flats being built in Hall Street near Union Pub.