Chester Chronicle - Cheshire Memories

Flintshire Memories: 30 years ago this week

2009-07-05T13:31:43Z

A NEW carpet which transformed the Deeside Leisure Centre ice rink (pictured) into the biggest concert hall in the region was unrolled for the first time.

CLWYD Health Authority wanted the Government to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory.

FLINTSHIRE enjoyed a heat wave as temperatures soared to 77 degrees.

AN APPEAL to Clwyd's 60 social workers to drop their threatened industrial action was made by the county's social services committee.

A 178-acre farm in Cilcain was sold at auction for £280,000.

THE Government shocked Clwyd education chiefs by reducing the county's school building budget by £100,000.

HOUSEHOLDERS who visited the Welsh Water Authority's Bretton works were able to see how water extracted from the River Dee was purified before it reached the kitchen tap.

SHOTTON Steelworks Central Charities Committee donated £2,165 to good causes.
HUNDREDS of angry mothers marched on Shire Hall, Mold, to protest about planned cuts in education spending which threatened nursery schools and teaching jobs.

THE number of people out of work in Mold, Deeside, Flint and Holywell fell by 21 over the month to 3,182 - the lowest June figure since 1975.

THE impressive talents of Holywell High School pupils were showcased at an open evening.

A NEW £300,000 factory on Deeside Industrial Park employing 40 people, mainly craft welders, was expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Buckley Memories: Jubilee marches on after decades of success

2009-07-05T13:27:42Z

THE stage is set for Buckley Jubilee on Tuesday, July 14.

Volunteers have put the finishing touches to the historic religious festival.

Crowds will gather on The Common for a united religious service at 3pm, which will be followed by the traditional parade of Sunday school floats through the town.

This fascinating photo of a past Jubilee celebration from the Chronicle archives in the 1970s captures the enduring appeal of the annual event.

Halton Memories: Double first for Halton Transport

2009-07-04T12:58:16Z

BONESHAKERS they may have been, but we should not forget that the old Widnes buses hold a unique place in transport history.

In this, the year of Halton Transport's centenary, it is worth recalling that this was the borough which launched the world's first-ever covered top double decker buses.

It was 9am on Friday April 9, 1909 that the first double decker bus left the old Transporter Bridge at West Bank, setting the wheels in motion for 100 years of service by the town's transport undertaking

Widnes was one of the first towns in the country to launch a bus company. And today, Halton remains one of only 13 surviving local authority-owned bus companies that still provide a valued service to the local community in the twin towns of Runcorn and Widnes.

Borough council leader Tony McDermott marks the centenary with an introductory piece this month in the splendid Inside Halton magazine.

"The story of the company's development," he says, "follows the development of the borough. The double decker buses were packed during the heydays of the 1930s and forties and the importance was highlighted by the link to Rainhill Victoria where you could link up to Liverpool's tram system via St Helens.

"The coming of Halton in the local government reorganisation of 1974 led later to the company extending its services to all parts of Runcorn in the 1980s. Among other things, this saw the end of the double-deckers which could negotiate the Expressway bridges."

The council leader said: "Some of us can still remember the 'Hyper' buses and the specials from Ditton to the Shopping City (now Halton Lea) and who could forget the excitement of seeing the Tiger bus for the first time?"

As Cllr McDermott notes: "Hundreds of towns formed municipal bus companies after 1909 but now there are only 13 left, including ours.

"This is a credit to all who have served the company over a century. Names spring to mind like Frank Witter, David Cunningham and Frank Lomax."

But any list, he warns, runs the risk of missing someone out, so the council leader concludes by thanking the present managing director, Chris Adams, and his team and the chairman, Kevin Wainwright, and his board who have marked the centenary so well.
Chris Adams also makes a contribution to the Inside Halton magazine.

"It's a fantastic achievement to complete 100 years at the top", he says, "and I am proud to be involved in leading the way towards another 100 years."

In partnership with Arriva, Halton Transport now operates an enhanced Sunday service which also serves Warrington General Hospital.

The picture shows the first bus in Widnes with its passengers in 1909.

Widnes Memories: Sandie's search for First World War soldiers

2009-07-03T12:58:16Z

CAN you help? Widnesian Sandie Hayes is currently researching the eight men of Cronton who gave their lives in the Great War. Nearly all the names appear on the memorial at St Luke's Church, Farnworth.

The eight are: Alexander Glover, William Webster, Arthur Houghton, William Norris, Harold Taylor, Thomas Hesketh, Enoch Pitt and Charles Wright.

Sandie says she cannot find anything that links Private Charles Wright to Cronton, although she has discovered he lived in Huyton and is buried in Widnes.

"Is there anyone living in the borough who is descended from any of these men?' Sandie asks.

"Only two of them married but all had siblings so may have great, great nieces and nephews in the area."

She also has census returns but no personal stories.

Sandie can be contacted on 0151 495 2536 or at cronton8@hotmail. com.

Halton Memories: Are old stations in for a rebirth?

2009-07-03T12:58:16Z

THE growing popularity of the railways - passenger numbers are up by half since privatisation - has led train companies to promote the idea of reopening some of the branch lines closed by Dr Richard Beeching 40 years ago.

For railway lovers (and there are great many of us) it is good news. Unfortunately, as far as I can see, the first 14 lines currently under consideration are mainly in the South East and South West with only Rawtenstall, Lancashire, coming from the North West.

However, a report just published identifies 20 more lines where reopening could be justified on employment grounds.

Like Brixham, Devon, Rawtenstall carries steam trains run by heritage groups.
Elsewhere, some tracks have been removed and the lines converted to footpaths or cycleways.

At one time, Widnes alone had seven railway stations with many miles of rail sidings connected to individual works.

Farnworth Station dates back to 1873 when Cheshire Lines opened its link between Liverpool and Manchester. Widnes Central opened five years later.

Trains seemed to be everywhere in Widnes. The Ditton 'Dodger' became famous and even Tanhouse Lane Station became known for rugby league cup final specials.
I can't see any of the long-lost Widnes lines ever being resurrected but perhaps we could settle for a narrow-gauge line at Spike Island, an idea suggested by railway buff and borough landscape chief Paul Wright. That would help swell the visitors to Catalyst Museum as well as Spike Island and would be a reminder of the days when chemical pioneer John Hutchinson established one of the first combined rail and dock networks on an industrial site.

North Wales Memories: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal recognised as world heritage site

2009-07-02T12:11:15Z

THE historic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal have been recognised as Britain's newest world heritage site.

The structure, which dates back more than 200 years, joins famous landmarks, including the Acropolis the Taj Mahal and the Great Barrier Reef, on the Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) list.

The announcement followed a week of deliberation by officials in Seville, Spain.

It will be a significant boost for the visitor industry in Wales.

Pontcysyllte was built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop between 1795 and 1805. It is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain.

The bid for World Heritage Site status was led by Wrexham County Borough Council in conjunction with British Waterways and partner organisations.

Dr Dawn Roberts, economic development manager for Wrexham council, said: "We are absolutely over the moon. We have been working on this for so long and it means so much to those of us that are from this area.

"To have our aqueduct and our canal named as a World Heritage site is amazing. There is so much local pride and a lot of celebrations going on."

She added: "World heritage status does not bring with it any prize or money, it is more of a badge of honour."

Council leader Cllr Aled Roberts said: "This is great news. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a major part of our heritage and regarded very fondly by local residents.

"It is a very proud day for Wrexham to have achieved this major coup and we hope very much that it will bring economic regeneration not only to our communities along the canal corridor but those of our neighbours, Denbighshire and Shropshire."

Pontcysyllte has not only become the 28th World Heritage inscribed site in the UK, but also the first to cross the border between two countries in the UK - part of the 11-mile length of canal extends into England.

Alun Ffred Jones, the Welsh Assembly's minister for heritage said: "The Pontcysyllte aqueduct and canal is a magnificent example of Wales's heritage in action.

"Having World Heritage status for this site will not only boost the economic and tourism potential of north-east Wales, but also deliver world-wide recognition for the built heritage of the area and ensure the Aqueduct's protection and conservation for future generations."

To read about the recent BBC's Hidden Histories feature on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct click here

Whitchurch Memories: Did you attend Prees School in the early Eighties?

2009-07-02T12:04:50Z

Letter from Julie Owen (Brown)

I AM trying to arrange a reunion for pupils who left Prees School in 1981 or 1982.

If this applies to you and you would be interested in attending, please get in touch on 0785 3345081.

JULIE OWEN (Brown)

Wrexham Memories: Glyndwr University, Wrexham, to hold family history courses

2009-07-02T11:23:27Z

A WREXHAM historian has urged enthusiasts of the past to dust off their archives and delve into their family background this summer.

Glyndr University history lecturer Peter Bolton is to lead a number of three-day courses on the techniques of researching family and community history this month at the Wrexham campus.

He said factors such as the early release of details from the 1911 census meant there was never a better time to study family history as significant new information was available for budding researchers.

Mr Bolton said: "This will be just one of the areas we will be looking at during the courses.

"There has been an unprecedented growth in researching family history and this course will provide a stress free introduction to the latest resources and techniques."
So far, two separate dates have been confirmed for the free courses: July 6-8 and July 20-22.

Other dates may be added depending on the level of interest.

Anyone interested can call Nikki Johnson on 01978 293299 or email n.johnson@ glyndwr.ac.uk.

Crewe Memories: Then and now

2009-07-01T10:37:46Z

A MEMORY-LADEN book which gives an insight into the changing face of Crewe has just been published.

Crewe Through Time, by Peter Ollerhead, is an exciting examination of Crewe, its famous streets and faces throughout the 19th and the 20th Century.

The book, which is produced in full colour, invites readers to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of the town. Mr Ollerhead, who runs Copnall Books in Meredith Street, takes the reader through the town's streets.

He compares early street scenes with the more modern view giving detailed descriptions of the changes which have taken place.

"This book has at its aim the task of indicating some of the places where change has occurred in the town. To do this a picture from the past is accompanied by one taken in 2008," said Mr Ollerhead. "Some of the changes have occurred in fairly recent times which mean that both scenes could be in the memory of people living today."

He added: "By the use of detailed captions I have attempted to impart a historical context and to include details that are not immediately known."

The book is available in paperback for £12.99.

-- Photo
Earle Street looking east

Chester Memories: The Ridings Infant School history

2009-07-01T09:40:59Z

A FULL picture of The Ridings Infant School's history is being compiled ahead of its November closure.

Representatives from the Saughall school have appealed to anyone involved with the establishment since it opened in 1974 to send in any memories or anecdotes that could contribute to the timeline display.

The move has been taken ahead of the upcoming merger with Thomas Wedge Infant School.

A drop-in event will be held at school on July 15 from 2-5.30pm, with former students and pupils encouraged to attend.

A celebration day will be held on July 16.

For more information, ring 01244 881451.

Chester Memories: Stuart Wood retires after 41 years at the helm

2009-07-01T07:01:55Z

A CHESTER mariner has retired after spending more than 41 years working for the Liverpool Pilot Service.

Head Mersey river pilot Stuart Wood, 64, retired on June 19.

Stuart set his heart on a career at sea at an early age and has sailed dinghies since he was nine.

Later in life, he was involved in building the replica 1870s pilot schooner Spirit of Merseyside (now Spirit of Fairbridge).

After a seven-year apprenticeship, he received his pilot's licence in 1968, just before getting engaged to his now wife, Sally.

The couple live in an old sandstone cottage in Bickerton.

They have a son, Simon, a daughter, Sarah and two grandchildren with another on the way.

Stuart's career spanned the end of Liverpool's great liner and traditional cargo ship era into containerisation and high technology.

"I'm thrilled to have lasted long enough to see the liners come back here," he said.
"When I started there were still liners like Circassia and Cilicia on the India run, Apapa and Aureol for West Africa.

"The White Empresses went to Canada, Sylvania went to New York and occasionally we saw the great green goddess, Caronia.

"And it was always a thrill to deal with the Elders Fyffes banana boats for obvious reasons!"

But Stuart didn't have an easy start - he suffered from seasickness until a "wiry Welshman" called Taffy Williams told him he was fed up of him doing nothing.

"We were in the Bay of Biscay and he gave me a bottle of water and a packet of Jacobs crackers and ordered me to get working," Stuart remembered.

"Well, it cured me and I've never had a problem since."

In his four decades there have been some severe changes in the Mersey's fortunes, but Stuart has no regrets.

"Nobody said it was going to be easy, but pilots get the self-determination to cope," he said.

"Shipping is all about ups and downs, but we're well armed, as a group, to go into the hard times.

"Trade into Liverpool has improved and the size and technical complexity of ships is growing.

"Although we're not the biggest, the Liverpool Pilot Service is the premier pilot service in the UK."

What would he advise any keen youngster wanting to seek a career as a ship's pilot?
"I'd say, 'What are you waiting for? Go for it'. I've loved every minute."

The picture shows Stuart Wood on the Cruise Liner terminal at the Pier Head.

Chester Memories: Vin Denson - the story of a British cycling pioneer

2009-06-30T07:01:55Z

HE was one of the finest British road cyclists of his generation - a genuine pioneer who raced in the Tour de France six times and remains the only Englishman to win a stage at the world famous Giro d'Italia.

But the name of Vincent 'Vin' Denson rarely crops up in conversations about famous Chester sporting personalities.

The 73-year-old is never mentioned in the same breath Michael Owen, Beth Tweddle or Danny Murphy - though few are more deserving of a place in the city's sporting hall of fame.

Vin, who grew up in Handbridge, began cycling in his early teens after a serious knee injury forced him to turn his back on his first love - football - and try other sports.

After joining Chester Road Club as a 17-year-old using a bike borrowed from his brother, he rose through the 'clubman' ranks in Britain before embarking on a glorious six-year career as a professional rider on the Continent in the 1960s.

Vin was a team-mate of the legendary Jacques Anquetil - the first man to win the Tour de France five times - and his 1965 Tour of Luxembourg victory made him the first British winner of a professional European stage race.

In 1966 he triumphed in stage nine of the Giro d'Italia and remains the only Englishman to have claimed a stage victory in the competition. (As Vin is quick to point out, Mark Cavendish - who has enjoyed recent success in Italy - is from the Isle of Man and not England).

But along with the many highs Vin enjoyed during that golden era came a crushing, devastating low - the death of his close friend Tom Simpson in the 1967 Tour de France. Simpson's death had a profound effect on the Chester-born rider and spelled the beginning of the end of his professional career in Europe.

"Tom's death got to me so badly I just didn't want to have anything more to do with racing," recalls Vin in his autobiography, The Full Cycle, published last December.
Disaster had struck for Simpson on the slopes of Mont Ventoux during the 13th stage of the Tour. In searing heat, he died of exhaustion.

"If the Tour could take away such a close personal friend, I didn't want to know the sport," writes Vin in The Full Cycle.

"I was in another world."

Vin pulled out of the Tour three days after Simpson's death - physically in good shape but mentally unable to carry on riding after losing his friend.

By the autumn of 1968, Vin and wife Violet - plus their three children Kevin, Natalie and Ian - were on their way back to the UK.

They settled in Essex, where Vin set up the wood treatment business that he still runs to this day.

Vin's racing career had come the full cycle and he returned to riding as a 'clubman' in the UK.

But his place in British cycling history is assured thanks to those trailblazing years on the Continent - a time when few English riders risked moving abroad and starting a new life.

"I am not sure if we realised then what a gamble we were taking," admits Vin.

"I only knew that I would never be fully content if I hadn't at least given it a go."

Known as the 'Gentle Giant' of the roads, Vin remains to this day a larger than life character - and The Full Cycle is packed with colourful stories and anecdotes from a cycling career that spanned almost half a century.

Now in his 70s, his passion for cycling burns as brightly as ever.

"The truth is I simply loved the bike, and riding the bike, and the people who ride bikes," says Vin.

"I did as a youngster in Chester, where it all started; I did as a professional when I mixed with the best riders in the world; and I do to this day."

Chester Memories: Chester Cathedral held a Tudor day to mark the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne

2009-06-30T07:01:55Z

CHESTER Cathedral held a Tudor day to celebrate the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne.

Nick Fry from the cathedral said: "Henry VIII was a very significant figure in the history of Chester Cathedral; in 1541 the King turned the old Benedictine monastery into the new Cathedral of the Diocese of Chester and as a result, the building we see today is one of the best preserved examples of a medieval monastery in the country."

Visitors were able to meet Henry VIII as well as his six wives, and find out about Tudor customs, crafts and games.

They listened to Tudor music and tried Henry VIII's favourite food.

The picture shows Danielle Siedlow and Steven Gratton of Chester Cathedral.

Widnes Memories: Last call for HMS Black Swan veterans

2009-06-29T07:47:00Z

Letter from Avril Dunstan (email: johndunstan@supanet.com)

OUR HMS Black Swan Association is made up of veterans who served aboard the frigate which was commissioned in 1940 and broken up in 1956.

She saw extensive active service in the Second World War and was one of the ships who went to the aid of HMS Amethyst in the famous Yangtze Incident of 1949.

To commemorate the incident, veterans from the Black Swan joined members of the HMS Amethyst, HMS London and HMS Consort at the National Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, this April for a service of remembrance in the chapel and at the Yangtze Grove.

HMS Black Swan was adopted by Widnes in War Week 1942. Our association was formed in 1989 and reunions have been held in Widnes/Runcorn every five years where we have been royally entertained by the Borough of Halton and comfortably accommodated at the Holiday Inn, Runcorn. This year's reunion is being held over the weekend of September 11/12/13. However, due to the inevitable decline in member numbers, we're sadly winding up the association at this reunion.

I wonder if readers have any old photographs or newspaper articles regarding the adoption and if they have any memories of the adoption and anything else they remember about the Black Swan.

At one of our first reunions, while welcoming our members in the reception of the then-Trust House Forte, I asked one gentleman waiting to book in if he was a 'Black Swan'.

He said he wasn't but he remembered cycling around as a boy collecting money for the ship. I'm not sure what that was for but perhaps readers can enlighten me?

Chester Memories: Giant turnout for Chester's Midsummer Watch Parade

2009-06-29T07:01:55Z

GIANTS from across the country converged on Chester at the weekend for the 20th anniversary of the city's modern version of the Midsummer Watch parade.

Primary schools and community groups added their own splash of colour to the pageant dressed as geese, ravens, elephants, angels and devils.

Schools taking part included Boughton Heath, Belgrave, Farndon, Hoole, Cherry Grove, The Arches, Dee Point and Highfield. The Mulberry Centre in Sealand and BiG Storage both created their own giants.

Ceri Fisher, a teacher at The Arches, said: "We really enjoyed creating our costumes and the parade was fantastic."

Artistic director Russell Kirk was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "I think we succeeded in combining a traditional look with a contemporary feel to bring to life a parade which is now probably the biggest of its kind in the North West."

Chester's original Midsummer Watch Parade dates from 1498 and is one of Britain's oldest. It was disbanded in the 1670s but revived in 1989 when Chester man Dave Roberts created the city's family of four giants.

These enormous four metre structures are carried by two or more men. Chester City Council took over running the parade in 1995 and it has grown in strength and popularity since.

Last weekend's event was so big that the giant family led their own parade from Rufus Court.

For more information visit www.midsummerwatch.co.uk