My Memories of Speke
1950 - 1978

by

Gillian

Hello,
I have been reading all the memories, seeing names I remember but can't put a face to, so before I collapse in floods of sentimental tears, I thought I'd better write something.

My family moved to Speke 1950, from what they had moved from this was luxury. My sister Agnes told me about everything being new, hot running water, toilets inside, the only downside to this paradise, for a while was, it was a building site and very, very muddy. In time things changed but it was very much a community. Groups and activities were formed. Ok there wasn't enough schools but other arrangements were made. Something which was told to me not long ago, my father much to the horror of my elder sisters started up ball room dancing classes (I am glad it didn't continue after I was born). Is there anyone out there who went through this purgatory?

My memories of Speke are good ones, okay some bad things did happen, but on the whole it was good. I remember going off to Oglet Shore in a gang. Those poor people in the cottages where continually being harrassed all day and all summer long "please can we have a bottle of water". Oglet shore was the nearest bit of seaside that many of us saw. The fear of walking on to the sinking sand (mud) to disappear for ever, and of course we all knew someone that did. There was the orchard that was raided constantly. Okay we couldn't build sand castles but if the tide was in we could risk life and limb swimming about in the sewage. Going along the top towards the light house there was a drop which you would carefully slide down collecting graised and nettled legs and arms, but we done it time after time.

What about the mobile shops? O'connors, Barr's forgive me if I spell it wrong, "The Bewlies" with their annual sale of toffee apples. Poor Mr O'connor was for ever getting broken in to. I remember one night while we were playing around the van we heard noises inside so Mr O'Connor was summoned with Police side kicks to investigate. I don't know who the villains were but they were kids and terrified.

When all my brothers and sisters left home it was decided to move to Warrington in 1978. By that time Speke was not the place I knew. The flats that we lived in with their three floors of landings and stairs and from the begining had been brushed and scrubbed and neatly finished off with whiter than white edges and front door steps, became vandilised neglected and in time no go areas. Even though my life and work was moving else where I can honestly say I left Speke with a heavy heart.

 

  /p>

I live in the south of England and I have no remaining family in Speke but do have family in parts of Merseyside and Cheshire.
I visited All Hallows and spoke to Miss Short, that was a little time before it closed, she knew straight away who I was and asked if my sister Sylvia had learnt to behave herself. Sadly it was the last time I saw St Christophers Church, I was horrified to find it had been demolished. Does anyone know what happened to the time capsule with all the childrens names in side? From what I was told the parishoners bought a brick each, did any one get their brick back?

The last time I came to Speke was three years ago when we where interning my brother Davids' ashes in the family grave. I was quite shocked by the changes. I knew that the flats where I lived had been rebuilt into houses and the area of ground that I and my fiend John Morrishroe had dug up a lime pit, had been taken over by the houses where George Harrison lived. (I don't remember him but his Father was a miserable old bugger!!!
Standing on the road where I had kicked the can, played various games including knock and run? many apologies to my victims but I didn't do it on my own. I looked towards Ganworth and there was a new School, The park was no more, I remember being chased out of the rose garden many times by a very angry gardner, our limit of not being chicken was walking on the bowling green.

It was very sad seeing so many changes but what I could see was a very determined effort to raise Speke from the ashes (excuse that pun).
I am sure there are still lots of the origional Speke people from the early years that will hopefully keep it all together. I will not forget Speke because I have too many good memories of friends schools and good times.

The last time I visited Speke about three years ago, I couldn't believe the change. When I left Speke 1978 there were many flats derelict and the shops at either ends of Western and Eastern Ave were boarded up. I was giving my family a tour of Speke and I was gutted to see the shell of the library.

 

 

I can remember when the Parade was open and the shops and banks, does anyone remember Woolworths?
Something that springs to mind there was a Oriental Fish and Chip shop the Hale Rd side of Eastern Ave. This takeaway was very popular at chucking out time in the pubs. My brothers and there friends one evening after spending a very boozy night in Hale decided to relieve the shop of its Bhuda. Often my brothers would bring there friends back to our flat to continue partying. The Bhudda they borrowed ended tucked up in my Dads bed. My Father being Catholic was furious.
The shops on the Parade changed quite often but the ones I remember are; Waterworths, the newsagents Bembrose I think that was its name. Ethel Austin. Pegrams chip shop, TV rental x2 (I worked for one) Sayers, Cousins, Scots, TSB, VG Stores, two other green grocers, two off licences.
Lets hope the regeneration of Speke will help to establish the things that Speke has lost.

 

Best wishes
Gillian

Ps Please can any one tell me what the "labricks" or "lavricks where? I know it is where fords was built and there was lots of ponds.

Also what happened to St Christophers Statue?