An Illustrated History of Old Sutton in St.Helens

Part 25 (of 58) - Sutton Celebrations!

Leisure & Entertainment    Sport, Leisure & Entertainment Photo-Album    Sutton Memories

Researched & Written by Stephen Wainwright  ©MMXI    Contact Me    

Header image: Postcard photograph c.1910 of St.Annes R.C. Church Walking Day

Wesleyan Methodists walking day in Sutton about 1910 (contributed by Beryl Huyton)

The above photograph kindly contributed by Beryl Huyton has been restored after being badly torn and damaged. The surviving part of the caption at the bottom of the photo reads 'SLEYANS', suggesting it was a walking day by the Wesleyan Methodists. Beryl's mother Beatrice Johnson is third in line in the procession. As Beatrice was born in 1897, that dates the photograph at about 1910. Around this time the family were living at 129 Robins Lane in Sutton. It's not known where the picture was taken, although the Methodist chapel was then at 364 Sutton Road. Note the cups that the girls were holding which they would be taking with them to a local field where there'd be refreshments and various activities.

Children in a May Queen parade in Sutton Oak in 1925 (contributed by Margaret Crosbie)

May Queen parades have largely died out in Sutton, although the Shining Lights Heritage Group are presently reviving the annual celebration in Sutton Manor, where schoolchildren process to the Dream sculpture. The above picture shows an 1925 May Queen celebration, apparently, in Sutton Oak and has been contributed by Margaret Crosbie. Margaret writes:

  This is a picture of my Gran. On the back it says 3rd Prize May Queen 1925. Her name was Jane Elizabeth Lawley/Dodd and my mother told me she used to sell firewood around the Sutton area. She lived in Morris Street and on the side of the cart it says Jane Dodd Morris St Sutton.  

Independent Methodist Church walking day from the 1920s (contributed by Sutton Historic Society)

This 1920s picture of a Sutton Independent Methodist Church walking day has come from an undated local newspaper cutting contributed by Sutton Historic Society. Jessie Hunter (née Madison) is featured in the cutting identifying herself at the front of the parade with her pals Norah Kendrick, Jenny Whalley and Beryl Robinson who are walking just behind her. If you look at their hands you'll see the children were also carrying a a teacup, like in the 1910 photo. Jessie explained:

  Our teacups, that were tied with handkerchiefs, were for when we
arrived at Reginald Road for the field-day treat.  

A WW11 Victory Party in Oxley Street off Robins Lane in 1945 (contributed by Ken Whittaker)
Click HERE for the complete photo in high resolution with identification of attendees by Ian Bate

Ken Whittaker has contributed this photograph of a WW11 Victory party in Oxley Street off Robins Lane that he attended as a small boy in 1945. He writes that his father had just left Sutton Oak sheds where he'd been a goods guard and bought the newsagents at 28 Waterdale Crescent, just opposite Oxley Street. Ken comments on the photograph:

  In these affluent days, when people who can’t afford a holiday abroad consider themselves poor, it is interesting to note the state of the clothes which were being worn, and the seating accommodation, taking into consideration that this was a special celebration and everybody was dressed in their best clothes for the occasion.   

A street party in Powell Street, Sutton on VE Day in May 1945 (contributed by James Prescott)

James Prescott's family came from Sutton, with his grandfather of the same name born in Knobstick Hall in 1892 and then later lived in Waterdale Crescent and Irwin Road. Amongst his family photos is this marvellous picture of a VE Day street party in Powell Street. James writes:

  This a picture of a party in Powell Street, Sutton. I am told that the lady in front right with "pinny" on is Maggie Pennington with her son in front of her. Maybe someone will recognise others?   

VE Day street party in May 1945 in Irwin Road (contributed by James Prescott)

James has also contributed the above photograph of the VE Day celebration that was held in Irwin Road. Note the houses in Kent Road on the right. The families in the photo include the Pennington, Fairclough, Schofield, Brown, Burrill and Grace families. Click Here for a much wider view of this great picture in which all 54 attendees are shown with 36 of them identified by Les Grace, assisted by James Prescott. Les is the fair-haired lad, then 7-years-of age, on the right of the front row in the above picture. Perhaps you can name some of the unidentified ones in the larger version?

Walking Day in Robins Lane in 1948 (contributed by David Normington Gerrard)

David Normington Gerrard has contributed the above photograph of a walking day in 1948 and writes:

   The Walking Days were held in the school holidays and organised by the church, The photos were always taken at the same place in Robins Lane, just outside Davies's Post Office because they were also photographers. My Nan, Emily Gerrard (née Thorns) is at the front of the ladies from the Mother's Union and just at the back is "Nanny" Yarwood, my Auntie Audrey's mum. They always walked together. 

East Sutton Labour Club Children's Field Day of 1948 (contributed by Anne McCormack)

During the eighteenth century, a 'Field Day' was when the military spent time on field manoeuvres. These days, the manoeuvering involves trying to come first in the various athletics contests! Alternatively known as sports days, many of us remember the field days as end of term or year rituals at school. Organisations or clubs also held them too. We've already shown the Independent Methodist Church's field day and the above photo, contributed by Anne McCormack, shows children processing to the event organised by East Sutton Labour Club. Anne writes:

   My mum, Bett Murphy, is pictured walking beside the children in the field day photo taken on August 7th, 1948. My mother was the first woman porter at St.Helens Junction station as her brother Joe joined the army in WWII and she "kept his job open".  

Christmas party in 1950 in St. Anne's Parochial Hall (contributed by Anne McCormack)

Anne has also contributed the above children's Christmas party picture and writes:

  The 1950 Christmas Party photo in St Anne's Parochial Hall, on the corner of Robins Lane and Edgeworth Street, is another interesting view of post-war life. There are no adult men there, no dads etc. Unheard of today with all the talk about "bonding" and "quality time". All the men were probably at work as I don't remember anyone not in work. All the people in the picture were good neighbours and the kids ran in and out of one another's houses. Mrs. Ashton, on the far left holding one of her children, was a lovely lady. They had a plot on the Tip and kept pigs. She would give us a penny for our "pillins" or potato peelings and when her last child, Lesley, was born we all trooped into the front room to view her. Several of Mrs Ashton's children were at the party, including Beryl, Alan, Tash, Christine and Geoff.   

Two Sutton churches Whit Walks pictures from the 1960s - Left: (L to R) John Lewis, later Archdeacon of Europe, curate Bill Harrington, Vicar of Sutton Rev. Reg Smith, curate Fred Cheal and curate Jeremy Howett; Right: at front (L to R) unknown, John Lewis, Reg Smith, Fred Cheal, unknown; (both photographs contributed by Patrick Smith)

Patrick Smith's father Rev. Reg Smith was Vicar of Sutton from 1959 to 1966 and he recalls how his father was keen to keep the tradition of Whit Walks alive:

  Dad was very strongly in favour of Walking Days. We previously were in Radcliffe, a mill town where Whit walks were very strong. The walks went round the centre of the town and in the early 1950s every church turned out with 'Queens' and attendants, choir members, Mothers Union etc. with all the banners flying. By the time that we were in Sutton during the 1960s, people in general were less inclined to walk but Dad felt that it was a Christian witness, therefore it continued. We walked and then, I think, we ended at Sherdley Park. It was a great excuse for fun and there were a good number of onlookers. games etc. on the field and a good time was had by all. I remember that at one event I worked for Phil Frederick of Fredericks Ice Cream. I got him to come and put his van on the field. Hard work though!   

Two photographs of a fancy dress street party in Robina Road (contributed by Dave Almond)

The two pictures above have been kindly supplied by Dave Almond and brings backs many happy memories of the days when a cowboy suit was a must-have for all boys, especially this web-site owner! When I was five I was a very reluctant school-goer, so my parents bought me a cowboy outfit as an inducement. Fifty years on my sister still regularly mentions this, as three years earlier she had gone to school quite willingly without presents. She says this was her first experience of the unfairness of life!

In Dave's top picture c.1950, he's the cowboy whose taking part in a fancy dress street party in Robina Road. Dave went to Robins Lane junior and senior schools from about 1946 to 1960 and has other photos on the Education page and in its Photo-Album. Harry Hickson writes that Joan Simms is also in the top picture. Joan is second from the left of the four older girls, wearing a Queen of Clubs dress. Left of Joan is Isabel Wallace. Right of Joan are (L-R) Marie Howarth, Jean Rimmer and Joyce Rimmer with her brother Christopher standing in front of her.

Jean Morris the Lancashire Miners Gala Queen c.1969 (contributed by Ray Liptrot)

Hard-working miners in Bold, Clock Face and Sutton Manor would celebrate the annual community Walking Days, Galas and Carnivals that featured Rose Queens and Gala Queens. In the above picture, Jean Morris, Lancashire Miners Gala Queen c. 1969, poses with a group of pitmen. John White writes:

  Jean went to various colliery clubs in her reign as Gala Queen. Her father
was James Morris who worked at Bold colliery until he retired from ill health.  

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travel up Jubits Lane (contributed by Jane Mines)

From a Miner's Gala Queen to an actual Queen! On June 21st, 1977, when in her silver jubilee year, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh drove through Sutton Manor on their way into St.Helens for an official visit. Many houses were festooned with union flags and bunting as a celebration of a quarter of a century of her rule. More pictures of this special day contributed by Jane Mines are in this PhotoAlbum. Royal celebrations in Sutton haven't always gone off successfully. On March 10th 1863, the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra at Windsor Castle was celebrated by some youths at Sutton Sheds. They let off a number of cannons and a 56-pounder that had been bored, suddenly burst severely wounding three lads. William Burrows had his left eye almost cut out, Thomas Holmes was severely wounded in the thigh and William Hill was injured in the face.

The arrival and departure of the Royal party at Sutton Mill Dam (contributed by Jim Lamb)

Although Queen Elizabeth didn't stop off in Sutton, her son Charles made up for it 11 years later. This was on May 24th 1988 when the Royal seal of approval was given to the community efforts in converting the Sutton Mill Dam into a wildlife nature park and the creation of Gerards Lane's Adventure Playground.

Prince Charles at Sutton Mill Dam - a time of celebration in Sutton (contributed by Jim Lamb)

Despite the rain, a crowd of two hundred onlookers turned up at the Dam to see the Prince of Wales. Among them was keen photographer Jim Lamb who can trace his family tree back to the miller Lambs. They ran the corn and water mills on the site from 1784 until the 1860s. Jim took the six photographs above as the heir to the throne arrived at the fish bar entrance opposite New Street and chatted to locals about Operation Groundwork, the St.Helens Council-commissioned project to improve Sutton Mill Dam. However, the Royal visit which delighted many Suttoners, didn't go completely to plan as Jim writes:

   Charles's visit started very well with him talking to everyone about the Dam and the local area. However, four 15-year-olds on the other side of the bridge began making a nuisance of themselves by throwing stones. At this point Charles made his way down to them and gave them a good ticking off and he sent them off onto the other side of the dam. A short time afterwards he made his way to his car. However, he did stay thirty minutes in the rain.  

Sutton Parish Church Gangshow c.1965 (contributed by Jim Lamb)

Jim Lamb has been photographing life in Sutton for well over half a century and as a regular churchgoer at St. Nicholas, has captured many church and school celebratory events. This includes the above Gang Show photo which the aforementioned Patrick Smith remembers well:

   This photo is the Grande Finale of the Fashion Parade of the "Gang Show", where all the Parish joined in some harmless fun. The bride is Fred Thomas, who was a woodwork teacher at Robins Lane school and lived in New Street. Fred is shown next to the groom who was Frank Alcock. He was known as "young Frank" as his dad, who was the organist at St. Nick's, had the same name. The obvious difference in their sizes brought great merriment, as you can see from the faces of the participants. Fred's wife Beryl actually chivvied Fred, to the extent that she did his make-up, and then wouldn't let him eat or drink anything, so that the make-up would be perfect. She was a very determined lady who only recently passed away at the age of 101.  

Whit Monday Walking Day procession of 1971 in Robins Lane (contributed by Jim Lamb)

Jim also took the above photograph of a Whit Monday Walking Day procession in 1971. The walk began at Marshalls Cross School and is now passing the post office in Robins Lane. Can anyone recognise any faces? Do please get in touch if you can.

St.Nicholas Gala Day c.1990 with Revds. Mather and Soulsby (contributed by Jim Lamb)

Sixteen years later, Jim photographed the St.Nicholas Gala Day procession in New Street at the top of Eaves Lane. Note the recently-completed flats at Holbrook Close on the right. The above photograph features Revds. Mather and Soulsby on the right and was probably taking about 1990.

If you have photographs of Sutton celebrations that you'd like to share, do please contact me. Thank you!