August 2007 Archives

OLD FRIENDS grouped outside their local, grin widely for the camera before heading off on a fishing trip.

The scene, captured by a Formby Times photographer and treasured as a newspaper clipping for decades, was sent to us by one of the angler’s daughters.

The West Point Angling Club outside the Bay Horse

SISTERS are searching for news of the old Formby cottage that sheltered them when they were toddler evacuees.

Because Joan Ellison and Pat Simpson were only two and four when they arrived in Formby from Bootle, their memories of the place which took them in are strong, but not complete.

After reminiscing with their brothers and sisters who were evacuated with them, the few facts agreed upon is that they lived at number 2 Green Lane in a cottage possibly called Le Combey.
All five of the Devonald children, as they were then known, stayed in the house for two years, and say they remember the house was also home to another evacuated family.

Mrs Simpson, who is researching her family history, said: “I was two when we were evacuated to Formby in 1940, and I was christened in Bootle just before I was evacuated. My mother apparently said they ‘must christen the baby quickly with all these bombs dropping’. However, my brother, who was born the following year was christened at Our Lady of Compassion Church in Formby.

“We know that we lived at number 2 Green Lane and that the house was called Le Combey, although we’re not sure about the spelling of the name.

“We have been to Green Lane, but with the changes made to the road, we’re not sure at all which house we were in. We even went to Our Lady’s Church where my brother’s baptism is recorded, but without an address.

“We do have some quite strong memories of the place and it would be lovely if we could find it, or anyone who remembers it.

“I was only two and my sister Joan was about four when we arrived here. There were five of us in total and we were mostly too young to go to school but our older sister went to Our Lady’s.�
If you remember the Devonalds or Le Combey, let us know.

Where you, or perhaps your father, one of those sitting down to this hearty meal somewhere in Formby? Can you tell us more about it, or who is on the picture?

Was your school really out of this world?

Were you one of these Cub Scouts at the Parish Church of St Peter, Apostle and Martyr, in Formby? And what was the occasion? Let us know.