I lived in Speke from 1952-1973
then moved to Widnes then Warrington, where I'm still based. Someone
may remember me, or my Brother Chris. I went to Stapleton then it was
the big changeover to Speke Comp. I pass through Speke every month as
I still have close friends in the area. I have been involved with several
building contracts in Speke and through former city architects some
were inside the Speke Comp. ie; computer rooms refurbished late 80's
and outside chemical store. The others involved the Speke Parade shops/Damwood
Hall in 1989. ungrade ( waste of money)
the womens changing rooms in the Austin Rawlingsons baths.
What is Speke park looking like, we used to go putting and play bowls
when we where kids and even had some fun on the tennis courts. Speke
Sport Club where George Harrison was rumoured to have been a member
has faded into lost memories.
It was buzzing in my youth
with some great sporting names Peter Haughton, Paul Johnson both 'Liverpool
F C. and great mates. Alby Nieman who went onto great things at Northwich
Vic, The Blackburn Twins Geof & charlie both Liverpool cricket club.
The Sport Talent was endless and lets not forget my colleague in baseball
and talented all rounder Bob Horesley who still has his paper cabin
on Woodend Avenue. Why don't you drop in and get the Echo off him.
My family link with Speke
is no longer, with the sad loss of my mum in 2000 and moved my disabled
dad closer to us. He's keeping well and was 87' in January. bless him.
My school years and sport
activities were endless joy and continued for many years with Speke
old boys Baseball Club and spells with Speke Rugby with my Old Mate
Mike SmallShaw and Bob Conchae. I still keep my sport going with martial
arts and a mad fisherman this year fishing with Arriva in Speke depot.
I passed along Hale Road only to see a repeat of the demolition of another
famous Speke pub Yes,'' THE PEGASUS is no more, what next.'' New housing
has taken over elsewhere and the old Speke as gone.
No more pride and The Parade is a sad sight
What a shame that things are going backwards and other places around
are getting priority. THAT'S LIFE.
Nice to say this is a little
bit of Speke Memory and may cheer a few people who remember the Way
it was.
It is a shame that Speke
has been pushed out of the Liverpool image in the Capital of Culture.
I'm working at the Albert Dock. The contract of the new arena and the
new roads, landscape and waterfront will look impressive and proud to
be a part of it. However the downfall is what about the rest of the
Liverpool image ref; to Speke. The retail areas around the old airport
has increased the job status but reflected on the South Parade community
shopping area disappearing.
The location of Speke Boulevard,
as you come from Widnes looks impressive with the blue fan skyline lighting
feature, but no one sees what's on the other side of the 2m fence line.
It's as if Speke has been forgotten. Let me give you a few memories;-
We lived in Alderfield Drive and during my early days we had cows across
the road and they would roam into the gardens. The Farmer would plant
spuds and all the kids would grab a bag or two for a plate of chip pan
fry ups. We used to light a fire and throw a few spuds on, we may have
invented the first jacket potatos. The best thing was making long trails
through the cornfields and catching the occasional large Toad. There
was no damage to anything or anyone in those days and everyone of my
friends respected the place and the area where they lived. The local
bobby would keep us in place. The introduction of the police car has
done away with the beat bobby. He would even join in on some of our
football games, and give us the same respect we felt for him.
I'm a mad fisherman and can only put it down to my early fishing pond
days at the "MILLIES" or "Millwood" We would go
down to the cow pond and "EDDIES" with some great fish catches.
Once when I was about 12 I caught a 2lb Tench and ran all the way home
to get a bucket to show my dad and then all the way back to put it back
in the pond. The farmers fields soon disappeared and along came the
Ford link bypass to Widnes.Does anyone remember the Fairs they used
to have on the fields at the top of Clough Road by the old prefab bungalows.
So the Sad thing these days is, we can only remember and hope someone
in high authority has some spare cash to spend on Speke area Housing
and community needs. I Spent 11years in Netherly/Bellevale and the full
area has been transformed with new houses, turnaround 70% of dwellings
including private with added gardens, roads and landscaped areas. Why
not look at the similar strategy for Speke and let's give our children
something to be proud of again, like we were.
To be continued.........