Joan Williams's Memories:
LIFE IN THE GARDEN SUBURB
1910-1945 (continued)

We used to toboggan there. The trick was to miss the stream at the bottom (CADWA car park now) which went across the lane to another pond where the entrance to the new housing estate is now. In school holidays we went further afield, with our sandwiches and bottle of Tizer we would go to Gateacre to Capsticks farm where there was a larger pond. There we fished for tiddlers and tadpoles. This was a lovely spot with trees and wild flowers and was known as moonlight glade! (the old Spam factory is there now). If we wanted to go further we crossed the road and took the path alongside Gateacre church and walked through to Wood Lane Halewood. Freedom unknown to today's children. I forgot the ferries, thousands used them.

The only shop near was a small wooden hut just on the corner where Wavertree Nook Road joined Heywood Road. All other shops at Picton Road.

When we were five we started school at the Institute on Thingwall Road. Two classes in one room. At seven we had to go all the way to Greenbank Road school, walking to the clock then over the "Mystery". I myself did not go for long as the winter I was seven mother sent my sister and I down to Devon to stay with her sister and I only got back to start at Northway school when it opened the next March.

Then of course there was the Tennis and Bowls Clubs very much used, and all the activities at the Institute. The dramatic society and the concerts not to mention the suburb's own version of the Tiller Girls. My mother had a wonderful contralto voice and she was much in demand around the neighbourhood. She sang duets with Mr Heather (Connie & Bronnie's dad). Hockey used to be played where St David's church is now and the footpath to Broadgreen station went over there. It came out where the social club is now, it was then Owen Owen's sports ground. There was also the White Star sports ground at the clock (Abbey cinema and now supermarket) where Liverpool school sports were held.

Childwall Church was then our church with the old Gladstone Hall used for services for those who wanted somewhere nearer. The socials there were great fun and the Guides and Scouts etc were very active. We walked along to Childwall down a rural Score Lane. Only one doctor's house (junction of Score Lane & Rocky Lane) where there was a white gate across the lane only opened for funerals. Queens Drive had a footpath down the centre as far as Allerton Road with seats under the shade of trees. Ellis's farm was where Fiveways is now. The foundation stone for the new social hall was laid where SFX school is now. The great war stopped the extension of the estate. I now live in one of the last houses built in the south end of Wavertree Nook Road.




continued ...

Previous Page      Next Page      Home Page

Page created by MRC 19 Oct 2003, last updated 5 Oct 2011