January 2008 Archives

THE DAYS of Formby Council were fondly remembered when one reader recognised a Times Past picture.
Formby resident Shirley Childs wrote to us after spotting well-known political characters Mrs Wright, Bunty Williamson and Peggy Beeston in a photograph which appeared in our December 13 edition.
With them are some other well-known Formby residents who stopped for a chat with the canvassers at the same time the Formby Times photographer recorded the moment for posterity.
The snapshot captures the Conservative group, presumably as they were canvassing in Formby Village. Mrs Childs, who thinks the photograph was taken during the days of Formby Council, said: “Mrs Wright lived in Kings Road, on the corner with Phillips Lane. She was a stalwart of the Conservative Association.
“Bunty Williamson, who was a Lancashire County Councillor, a Sefton Councillor, and either an Altcar or Little Altcar Parish Councillor is on the picture next to Dennis Parker, brother of Roger Parker, who was a doctor.
“The lady speaking with them was known by many as ‘Bella the Bomber’ who worked at one of the local train stations. She had a husband called Charlie who always walked a few paces behind her. I remember she was always turning around and calling to him to catch up!
“The other familiar face is Mr Pope, whose first name could be Eddy. He was one of a family of brothers who had many electrical goods shops in Formby, Southport, Ormskirk etc, which were called ‘Pope Brothers’.
“Peggy Beeston is also on the picture. She was a Formby councillor for many years before becoming a Sefton councillor. I remember she was the mother of many children including triplets.�
Joan Rimmer, who also remembered many of the same people, added: “I remember that Peggy had seven children in total, including the triplets. Bunty Williamson must have been on Little Altcar Parish Council because Altcar Parish Council is too recent. I’m sure she was also a councillor for Southport as well.
“I don’t know Bella the Bomber’s real name – I don’t think anyone called her anything else. She was a porter at Freshfield Station and everyone who remembers her will also remember her husband Charlie, following behind her everywhere she went.�
Do you know how Bella got her nickname or remember any of these Formby faces? If you recognise anyone on this week’s photos or have a tale for Times Past call Emma on 872 237, email newsdesk@formbytimes.co.uk or write to Formby Times, 17 Elbow Lane, Formby L37 4AD.

OLD school friends were remembered this week, thanks to a Times Past picture of Holy Trinity Guides.

Reader S. G. Mclardy wrote in after spotting some familiar faces in our December 27 edition. He has recognised Susan Cowan, Nicola Ashton, Rhona Killip, Fiona Flockhart and Linda Kirkpatrick, who he remembers from his time at Holy Trinity Scouts, as well as from their time together at Formby High in the 70s.

There is also a mystery lady, pictured as a small girl 10th from left, whom Mr Mclardy says was part of last year’s Dickensian Day Parade.

He said: “I well remember some members of the Guides from my time in the 4th Formby Scouts at Holy Trinity and I can name five of the 10 Guides who are standing in the picture. However, the 10th person from left is a lady whose name I don’t know but who wore a long greyish coat when walking with Alan Roberts and Claire Curtis-Thomas MP in the Dickensian Day Parade.

“Rhona Killip and Fiona Flockhart were two of my very close school colleagues at Formby High, when we there from 1972-1977. As far as I know Rhona’s parent or parents still live in the same home in Liverpool Road. Rhona had a younger sister named Allison and a brother who was the youngest. After we left school in 1977, I sometimes met with Fiona or Rhona. As far as I know, Fiona later moved to Churchtown and within the last 10 years she has taught in St Lukes School on Jubilee Road.

“While Fiona was a guide in the 70s, her mother was a well-known guide leader at Holy Trinity. Another very close friend of mine, Rhona, Fiona and Nicola’s was Sheena McCullum who lived in Liverpool Road. In the late 70s she worked in Charnock’s pharmacy in Chapel Lane.

“Susan Cowan’s younger brother Gordon had a photographic business on Green Lane and Piercefield Road within the last 20 years.

“Nicola Ashton lived near me but as far as I know, her family left Formby. Linda Kirkpatrick, for many years worked in the Midland Bank on Chapel Lane.�

Mr Mclardy is keen to hear more recent news of these old friends, so if you have news of them, let us know at Times Past or call Emma on 872 237, email newsdesk@formbytimes.co.uk or write to Formby Times, 17 Elbow Lane, Formby L37 4AD.