March 2009 Archives

FORMBY Civic Society has been in touch this week with news on the past and the future.

Society member Tony Bonney has unearthed a charming set of photographs taken in and around Deansgate Lane, which shine a light on Formby's rustic past.
The first photograph is of Rose Farm, which was one of the largest in Formby. And the site has a rather unusual history. Mr Watts, who ran the farm with his wife, was lost at sea during World War II. Mrs Watts then sold the sprawling site to Arthur Maiden, of advertising board fame. Arthur converted the farm in to flats, and sold it to Lancashire County Council. It was demolished in 1970
And the photograph of Berriman's Farm, which evokes the landscape of Turner and Constable, also has an intriguing background. The building datesback over 300 years, and it's original structure was built from wattle,daub and thatch.
And in terms of the future, Formby Civic Society is looking forward to the launch of their new web site. Created by local designer Sam Gerrard of Shore Creative, the resource will feature an online archive of the Muriel Sibley art collection, monthly wildlife notes,a local history archive and allow visitors to the site to submit words and pictures.

YOUR memories are the lifeblood of Times Past, and this week Stan Greenwood has provided a timely reminder of their power.

Stan was moved by last week's photograph of St Lukes' Primary, because he was in it.
A 5 year old Stan Greenwood, who today lives on Holmwood Drive, was sat at the front of Mrs Ramsbottom's classroom, next to pal John Rimmer. And Stan, who is today a painter and decorator, dates the photograph to the 1948-9 school year.
He said: "That photograph really brought back vivid memories of my time at school. I remember the day Miss Calarke walked in to the classroom and announced that King George had died. Although those brick classroom still stand today, Formby village has changed a lot over the years.
I have such fond memories, such as Bon Bon sweet shop on the corner of Chapel Lane, and the old Queens Cinema on Three Tuns Lane. I used to pay 9 pence on a Saturday morning and watch Flash Gordon movies.
And my first job was at Wallworks store on Elson Road. I worked their for 13 years. I have had a happy life in Formby, and I am now looking forward to my well earned retirement.
And if our photograph of a 1960 Easter Monday trip jogs your memory, do get in touch through the usual channels.

THIS week Times Past reflects upon the life and times of Formby man, Brian Young.
Brian Michael Young was born on March 25, 1946. After attending junior school in Formby, he went on to Christ Church Secondary in Southport.
Brian, who lives on Andrews Lane, retired a couple of years ago from the Ocean Group on Liverpool's waterfront. He recently found the time to chat about Formby's golden years.
He said: "During the endless summer months, my friends and I would spend our holidays playing in the woods and dunes. I remember scooping clay from the river bank. We would make models, and bake them hard in the sun. We always managed to make it home for tea, despite not having watches.
"I remember fishing for minnows in Long Lane Ditch, scooping up frog-spawn from pools in the Lifeboat Road area. We would dollop this into jam jars, watch tadpoles grow and then let frogs hop out."
"Formby was another world then. I remember Mr Hollis, the station master, who won prizes for keeping it so presentable. I also remember the staff there popping into the Railway Hotel for a pint in between trains. And the seasons seemed so much more pronounced - thunder storms in August and Wellington boot-deep snow in February."
If you have information about any of the pictures featured in Times Past, you can contact Tom Duffy on 01704 398225 or e-mail tom.duffy@liverpool.com