Recently by Tom Duffy

THIS week Times Past brings to life the world of 19th farming with a beautiful set of photographs set deep in the Altcar countryside.

John Goulbourne and the Swift family spent a week gathering hay in David Robinson's field without the obligatory tractor or combine.
Instead the horse power was provided by Molly, John's 18 year old pony.
Times Past is delighted with the photographs, and cannot help but to some of the romantic scenes created by Constable and Turner
John, who lives at the bottom of Engine Lane, said: "Gathering hay by hand is supposed to increase the chances of a good second harvest later in the year.
"It really is a historic activity, and it was practised throughout the 19th Century in Formby up until the 1950s.
"We would like to thank David for letting us work in his magnificent field.
"Ben loved the work, and he is now looking forward to owning his own pony any day now.!"

THE lost world of Formby Tennis Club in the 1970s has been brought to life thanks to Norman Alexander.

Mr Alexander, of Gores Lane, provided the charming sepia snap from 1974. The retired pharmacist , who has lived in Formby for 43 years, found the time to chat to Times Past about his memories of the tennis club around the corner from his home.
He said: "The photograph presents bitter sweet emotions for me, because some of the dear people on it our no longer with us.
"However, I have many fond memories of Formby Tennis Club in the 1970s, and I wanted to get in touch to chat about them. I remember playing tennis with Liverpool FC striker John Toshack on a couple of occasions. He was ok at tennis, and a really nice guy. He lived in the village, but I cannot remember where.
I also enjoyed the odd game of badminton with Ray Clemence at Victoria Hall.
The tennis club was a really friendly place, and is full of fond memories for me. Although I am no longer a member, I still enjoy Wimbledon on the box. I was supporting Andy Roddick on Sunday. I think a British player will win it one year. Our players just need to show a little more committment.
If you recognise any of the faces on Normans old photograph, please get in touch with Tom on 01704 398 225 or mail him at tom.duffy@liverpool.com
Meanwhile, Reg Yorke has been in touch with news on a forthcoming Formby Civic Society event. The group will be meeting at 10.30 am on July 19 at Firwood Gate for a guided walk of the Formby coast. For more information phone Reg Yorke on 01704 872187 or e-mail yorke@briardale.co.uk

AS Formby comes to terms with last week's shocking events, this week Times Past takes a look back at Shorrocks Hill in happier times.

The original site was built by Dr Richard Formby in 1853. Dr Richard , who co-founded Liverpool's prestigious medical school, wanted to spend his retirement years close to the sea and thought the Shorrocks site ideal.
While last week's photographs of the arson attack hit the headlines across Merseyside, Formby Civic Society have provided Times Past with a wonderful set of photographs charting Shorrocks through the years.
Perhaps the most charming photograph, which captures some of Shorrocks undeniable exclusivity, was taken in 1968.
And the 1992 photograph, possibly taken on summers morning, also captures some of this magic.
Tony Bonney, of Formby Civic Society, assures Times Past that the image dating back to 1860 is a photograph and not a sketch.
And finally, in acknowledgment of last week's theme, we include a mystery photograph of Formby Lawn Tennis Club. Times Past thinks it has a late 1990's feel to it, but Tom Duffy needs some help putting names to the faces. Please call him on 01704 398 225 or send mail to tom.duffy@liverpool.co

THE Sands of Time, written by Formby man Phil Smith, is the inspiration for this week's Times Past. The new title , which will be on sale later this week in Pritchards, reflects upon Formby's coast and its 10,000 year history.

Devil's hole in the Formby dunes
Phil Smith, the book's engaging author, found the time to chat with Times Past about the Formby's coast line and his own life.
He said: "There is 10,000 years of history on our doorstep, so that is what the book is about. Although the Formby footprints and the history of sand mining are fairly well known, but there are some less well known features.
For example, for many years the Formby coastline was riddled with extensive rabbit warrens. The animals were hunted and killed for their skins, giving rise to a small industry in the 19th century.
Although I was born in Crosby I spent my formative years in Ainsdale, where I collected Natterjack Toads and fell in love with the coast.
I ended up teaching applied biology at Liverpool Polytechnic, and I retired in 1993.
Dr Phil Smith will be in Pritchards on Friday afternoon between 3pm and 5pm when he will sign copies of his new book. Pritchards' manager Tony Higginson, said "It is a cracking book and it is now on sale at £15.00"

TIMES Past takes another trip to the swinging 60s this week thanks to Mr Bert Wylie.
Bert was inspired to contact Times Past after reading about The Interns and their Friday night gigs at Formby ice-rink.
Interestingly, Bert played in a band of the same name from 1964 to 1967, although his group was based across the water in Wallasey.
Bert played lead guitar in the four piece band, and performed alongside Roy ainbridge, Vic Rose and Charles Wood. The Interns played some of some of Liverpool's legendary nightspots, such as the Cavern, Iron Door and the Mardi Gras.
Today he would love to meet up with some of the Formby Interns and 'have a chat about the old days.'
He said: "My favourite bands from the 60s were Remo Four, The Undertakers and The Searchers. I left the bandin 1967 to further my career in the insurance industry and get married.
"The club scene in my day was all about the music, and not about famous faces. But I do remember The Bealtes playing the Cavern, on their return from the German tour. They were so loud, and so good."
Meanwhile, Tony Bonney of Formby Civic Society has been in touch with a couple of lovely photographs. All of Tony's images will soon be online when the society's website launches.

DELVING into the Formby Times picture archives Times Past found these pictures.
Dated between 1968 and 1972 the pictures show a snapshot of life in Formby more than 30 years ago.

And if you recognise any of the faces in the sepia snaps, contact Tom Duffy at the Formby Times on 01704 398 002 or email him at tom.duffy@liverpool.com.

THIS week Times Past is grateful to Colin Ward for providing two charming sepia snaps from Formby's past.
The first photograph is of Formby Preparatory School on Andrews Lane, and is dated to the early 1950s. If you recognise one the faces in the picture, or remember the dog sat on the boy's lap, please get in touch.
And the second photograph was taken inside Holy Trinity Primary School, and is dated to the 1947 school year. Times Past would obviously love to learn more about this photograph, and we are particularly interested in the boy in the hooded top. How times have changed.
Meanwhile, the National Trust has been in touch with news on Formby's historic association with asparagus, which also complements this week's shop local theme.
The root crop dates back to the 16th century in Freshfield and in the 19th century the fields surrounding the village became synonymous with asparagus. By 1940 there was a 200 acre asparagus farm in Freshfield, but after the war the industry began to decline.
Inspired by this proud association, the National Trust have devoted two acres of Sandfield Farm to the crop, and their asparagus is now on sale at Larkhill Farm off Larkhill Lane until June 21.

THE Interns were a popular four piece student band playing a regular slot at Formby ice rink. The four students played the gig each Friday night during 1963 - 64.
Steve Kelly, of Ravenmeols Lane Formby, recalls: "In the early 60's, I and thousands of other teenagers were in groups in the Merseyside area - my band The Interns consisted of myself Steve Kelly lead guitar, John Duncan rhythm guitar and lead singer, Roger Carter bass player and singer and Mike Astardjian drummer.
"We were becoming relatively popular in the Southport and Formby area and played at other local venues such as the Ravel Club in Eastbank St, The Flying Dutchmen off London St, The Old Palace Hotel Birkdale - the infamous Klik Klik club and many others which no longer exist."
"Everybody was in a band, the floral hall was flourishing and there were loads of clubs and coffee bars to play in. There were lots of groups - The Sandgrounders were around at that time and Rhythm and Blues Incorporated were on Ready, Steady, Go on Friday nights on ITV," says Steve. But the Interns didn't make it.
Steve says: "I was 16-18 and it was ruining my A-levels. It was very short-lived, two or three years, but it was fun while it lasted. The best gig we played was The Cavern - I'm delighted to say we've got a brick in the wall."

TIM Goulbourne is appealing for information after unearthing another item from his grandfather's past.

Times Past's more regular readers will now be familiar with the story of Stewart Stoke Shaw, who served during the Great War and died a young man from the German poison in his lungs.

However, his grandson has now revealed another treasure from his family's history. The certificate on the right was awarded to Stewart on his return from the trenches of France, and Tim would like to learn a little more on its significance.

Stewart's name appears on the Formby Roll of Honour, and Tim wants to celebrate their collective sacrifice with a permanent memorial. Call him on 07812 702 856 .

And finally to Stella Maris, the Formby hotel that never was.Built in 1905 on Formby's promenade, the structure became a wind swept monument to the ambition of the men who wanted Formby to compete with Blackpool as a tourist destination for hard working Lancashire families. The folly did accept a number of non-paying guests over the years, from Roman Catholic priests and school children to soldiers during World War II, but never a paying customer.

The steps to Formby's 'promenade,' which can still be found down in the dunes, are all that remain today of this doomed venture. Many thanks to Tony Bonney of Formby Civic Society for the photographs.

PUBLIC school, war, religion and gambling all made a substantial contribution to the life of Stewart Stoke Shaw.
Times Past introduced Formby Times readers to Stewart last week, when the column launched a fundraising appeal for Formby's Great War dead.
However, the recent death of Katherine Shaw , who was Stewart's daughter, has shed more light on the life of a remarkable Formby man.After Katherine passed away, the Goulbourne family were presented with a collection of Edwardian photographs of Stewart at Charterhouse public school.
Stewart Stoke Shaw was born in 1883, and the family lived in a large house opposite St Vincent's private school on Raven Meols Lane. The Shaw's had money, but a young Stewart became estranged from his Anglican parents when he chose to marry a Roman Catholic girl.
He fought for the Liverpool King's Regiment in the Great War, where he was captured and imprisoned by the enemy.
Stewart survived World War I, but at a cost. The German gas he inhaled developed in to lung disease. Stewart knew he was dying, and his final days were ruined by reckless gambling. The war hero was buried in the grounds of St Luke's Church in 1921.
To help the Goulbourne family with their war memorial campaign for Formby, call Tim on 07812 702 856