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Dovecot Place Library
As I alighted from the #.10a bus at Dovecot, (10a goes from Liverpool City Centre to St. Helen’s) I found myself in the area which I grew up… as I crossed over East Prescot Road, I looked over to the Finch Road side, and saw the walkway which took me to Prestwood Crescent as a very young lad.
Walkway to Prestwood Crescent
My family (parents & brothers) lived our early years in a rented Liverpool Corporation Council house in Prestwood Crescent. my older brothers went to Maidford Road Infants/Junior school, as in those days this was the catchment school for this side of East Prescot Rd./Dovecot Avenue. The ‘walkway’ through to Prestwood Rd. has long been closed, as I read an article some years ago in the ‘Liverpool Echo’ that it had been closed owing to local youths being able to avoid the police by running/cycling through and evading any police cars following them….
as I crossed to the Central reservation I looked back, to recall… on the corner of Finch Lane/East Prescot Rd. the old ‘green’ kiosk which sat for many years on the corner and served locals with Newspapers, cigarettes and sweets, and was the base for all Liverpool Echo house deliveries for the whole of Dovecot…
Corner site of the Dovecot Kiosk
Of course those who remember the kiosk, will know that the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (MPTE) club and playing fields where directly behind the kiosk, which of course have long gone and the land turned into a large housing estate. I crossed the Central reservation to find myself looking at, what was…. Dovecot Library, but has now evolved into the Dovecot Multi-Activity Centre, which holds luncheon clubs and activities for the local residents.
Dovecot Multi-Activity Centre
As I crossed over, I went through the arches of what was the Library, to see another unfamiliar building. I remember in my youth, that as I stepped through the arches, I would find a Liverpool Corporation maintenance yard to my left, and the Salvation Army Hall to my right, and the road in front of me would have been Grovehurst Avenue, stretching right up the Grant Road. However, these had been knocked down and the entrance to Grovehurst Avenue was now blocked by the Centre. To this end I turned left, down the rear of Dovecot Place. This was once again a road which played a part of my early years, for I lived with my father and brothers in one of the maisonettes above the Dairy on Dovecot Place (no.49). As I ventured along the rear road, I came to a place that the old Ladies & Gents conveniences were located, now part of the rear car-park, of new commercial units, built where the small ‘Special’ school on Stonefield Rd. was…
Site of the old public conveniences
As I arrived at the car-park, I remembered the old cinder car-park of the Mecca Bingo Hall, of the 1960’s, where every bonfire night, our father would light the main bonfire, and let off the fireworks for the evening, much to the delight of myself and brothers, along with our neighbours. I looked towards our old home above the shops, only to find, they too had changed beyond recognition… what were once maisonettes (two-story houses) above the shops, they had now been converted into single-story flats, with rear communal stairs…..
Rear of Flats
As I progressed to the front of Dovecot Place, all the shops of my youth had gone… the Newsagents at the end, where I spent my weekly 3d pocket money, was now a ‘Nails Parlour’… the Dairy which we lived over was now half of ‘Cash Converters’… and the old Edro-Jones shop, which of course was a haberdashery shop, with old wooden paneling and stock draws…. now a Pizza Parlour, only open in the evenings….
Dovecot Place
All the shops of my youth….. GONE forever… I walked the full length of the shops, to find none that I found familiar…. even the green in front of Dovecot Place which once hosed the community police station of my youth… long gone…lol
Dovecot Green – site of the police station
As I went along the shops taking photos, a youth on a pushbike approached me, asking what I was doing and was I, a copper… I just said I used to live here… and he got off… same thing happened 30 metres up with two lads sitting in a cafe… but as I’m a big guy… they decided to leave me, to get on with it…lol.
The Church of the Holy Spirit
I passed by the large and impressive church on the corner, which held memories of my own parents wedding, along with the weddings of my brothers and I, to our wives and of course funerals and dedications for the family. Many of my mates went to either the cubs, scouts or boys brigade and we spent many a day in and around the church, in those early days. My parents even had their wedding reception in the old Church Hall (which can be seen at the rear).
At the end of the Dovecot Place shops, I finally found something I did recognise… the Post-office and the ‘chippy’ at the end. I swung a left into Lunsford Rd. to find the old Dovecot Clinic still standing… Had many a tooth out in there…lol
Dovecot Clinic
I turned right into Longreach Rd. on my way up to Pilch lane, and passed the house where our Grand-parents lived with our mother, uncle and aunts when they were young…
Our Grand-parents house
I traveled up Longreach Road, and at the top took a right into Adcote Rd. and the short walk onto Pilch Lane opposte St. Margaret-Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. I walked along Pilch Lane to find the the Boundary pub of my youth had also been demolished and the site fenced off…
Boundary pub site
I turned left at the next road, and started to walk down Grant Road. After living over the shops in Dovecot Place, my family moved to a large Victorian house in Grant Road…
Grant Road
As I ventured down the road, minor things had changed… the old Victorian House on the left had gone, and new houses built on the land, however, they looked like rented houses, as all were of the same standard of dis-repair. I eventually found myself at our ‘old’ family home… nothing had changed much… car-port had gone… I remember the woodwork painted green, but apart from that…. little change in 40+ years…
12 Grant Road
After leaving the ‘home’ of my teens/early 20’s and its generally unpleasant memories… I ventured along Grant Road and passed the Mayfair club, which to my amazement was still standing. I thought this would have been knocked down ages ago…. of course the tennis courts, which were adjacent to it have long since gone, to be built on…
The Mayfair club
I walked down Grant Road, looking at the houses and little had changed… past the junction of Ancroft Road, and turned left into the top end of Grovehurst Avenue. The houses in the two ‘squares’ of Grovehurst Avenue had been demolished some years ago, and the entrance to the ‘squares’ had been gated for many years. Much to my surprise, a new housing estate is in the process of being built…
New-build on Grovehurst Avenue
After looking at the building works, I decided to head down Winstone Road. As I said at the start of this article, my brothers went to Maidstone Rd. school as they were in the catchment area for that school, however, from 4+ years of age, I was living above the shops, so my catchment schools were Winstone Rd. infants and Stonefield Rd. Junior… Stonefield Rd. Junior burnt down in the early 1970’s (wasn’t me… honest!!!), but as I rounded the corner of Winstone Rd. expecting to see the infants school of my youth…. once again… long GONE !!! and in its place…. another new housing estate….
Winstone Road
After this shocker…. I decided to head for the hills and catch a bus home… lol
Have you got your copy ???
I was looking for photos of dovecot to show my mum and I came across this blog. It’smy childhood too. You’ll remember my mum, Ada Richardson. I take it you are Malcolm H who plumbed in my washer in the Cemetery Lodge around 35 years ago! Mum will enjoy this too when I show her. She’s 93 with Alzheimer’s, but Dovecot is a central thread in her declining memory.. I look forward to exploring your blog
Sue Taylor
Sue… of course I remember you, and your childhood house in Chedworth R.D do you still live in the lodge? I was only asking about your Mum the other day… I will be updating my blog with more info soon, but have not managed to get out and about for a while, due to ill health and the weather… please give hearrt-felt regards to your Mum and the rest of the family xxx
Just had to thank you for doing this. I’ve been wracking my brains trying to remember the haberdashers. Hallelujah Edro-jones. My family lived there. We went to grant road school and win stone road school. Had many a visit to the clinic as a child. What wonderful memories. Thank you indeed.
Zoe… many thanks for your comments on this thread… I’m glad you enjoyed the journey lol.
Hi just looked throu your photos and wow brought back the memories, the house in longreach is next door to my family’s house and still live there, thanks for the memories.
Lenny… So glad you enjoyed it… hoping to get out soon and do another walk…
Great lookin forward to looking at your pictures you ve made my day looking at the dovey pictures cheers mate
Hi Mal….I seem to remember two young girls that lived over the dairy at Dovecote Shops next to the cinema Granada ,and walked up those stairs at the back,I was a mate of Jeff Tinnion at the time,and we were both choir boys at the Holy Spirit for a long time, I think he may have been a friend of one of the two young lady’s ….. My name at that time was Stuart Duffy….?????
Hi Stuart
It must be 60 years ago now when I was also a choirboy at the Holy Spirit. I remember you and Jeff Tinnion and skip the vicar. Great times especially some of the saturdays when we sang at weddings for a half crown.
Maybe you will never receive this but if you do it would be great to hear from you.
Jim Le Brocq
Hi Mal, my Nanna Peggy Minney lived in number 11 Grant road for most of her life. She had 2 sons and a daughter, henry, Roy and my mum Caroline. My grandads name was Harry.
Does this ring any bells at all? Would love to here from you. My Nannas just recently passed at age 99!
Lovely to hear from you Colleen… Wow !!! 99 years old…. what a great age… I bet she has loads of stories to tell… you’ll have to jot them down and get them on our Fb site xxx
I lived at 30 winstone road from 1963 to 1967, went to dovecot infants, stonefield road and then to grant road. My mum worked at the mecca next to the shops. our neighbours in winstone toad where the clarks next door, the hughes, the tyrers and the crottys. I was a friend of caroline minney back then. my maiden name was knight (Janet)
Who was the trouble family who lived opposite 52 Longreach road in the 1960’s.
I lived at 52 in 1962 and they really brought the street down
Hi Mal
I often wondered whoever in the beautiful big house in Grant rd. Number 12
Regards Joan
Hi Mal, were you in Mr Ray’s class in 1968?
Best regards,
Mal N
Hi, Have replied 3 times but you’re getting returned as unknown on malspond, please resend from a different address.
The house was Mr and Mrs Hughes’s and the twins Pamela and Wendy…I used to go there after school and Mrs Hughes would make me syrup butty’s. Hi Lenny !!!This is Stuart Duffy from Down Under …Your Dad had the Bedford Dormobile Gray with a red stripe down the side…Great memories…
Hi Stuart… Good of you to comment… You are quite right… Mr & Mrs Hughes were my grand parents, and Wendy and Pam my Aunts (Pam now lives in Perth/Australia) my mother was ‘Olive’ who died in the 1950’s… when I was 18 months old…
Would love to get in touch with Pamela,or Wendy…have you any way of getting a phone number or Email for them ???
Lenny do you remember the connors at No 52.?
I was born there but only lived there a couple of years. My dad was Jim Connor and uncle was Paul Connor, who spent his life in the merchant Navy
Hi,
This is very nice., it brought back a lot of memories; teeth-pulling’n’all.
I lived up the road in 114 Longreach, opposite the big mound of soil in which I used to dig tunnels to play with my cars. I went to Winstone rd and Grant rd too. Even went to the kids disco a couple of times with my older sisters.
Cheers.
John
Many thanks for your positive comments
Nice one John…. I remember the big mound…
Great memories of dovey. Remember dovecot hall on a Thursday night. The moss might come down for a fight. Playing football for dovecot school. My first kiss at Winstone infants. Those were the days of my life.
Good of you to take time to comment… Happy days
Jez that’s a trip down memory lane, I was brought up in Tuebrook and West Derby Village ,but the first couple of years in my life were at 17 Grovehurst Ave Dovecot. My Grandparents ended up out in the sticks via Great Homer St / Old Swan to Dovecot, I spent a good majority of my younger years at my Nans place ,
I can still hear the salvos band playing, I can still remember sitting in the library with my Nan , I remember having to sit in the car at the Greyhound while me mom and dad had a rare night out , packet of crisps and a bottle of pop that was your lot, I remember their use to be a police kiosk at the top of the road.
Top of Finch Lane was my old fellas social club ( he was a bus driver and me mom was a clippy till they brought the one man buses in)
I remember plenty of Christmas parties there. Even remember the bus 74d from Tuebrook up to Dovecot, Harold Davis baths were my dad was taught to swim.
I havnt had those memories for 45 years thanks a lot for the journey.
Jim… nice of you to comment… I had a few mates who lived in Grovehurst Avenue… one was a a lad Dave Groves who lived in one of the corners of the square, and the other was a lad named Jimmy Miller, who came from a large family in the middle of the square…
Hi male was one of the millers a policeman?
Can’t recall Lenny…. too long lol
Hi Len, I knew Eric Miller from the same family. We were in the same class at Stonefield Road juniors. He followed a brother into the police. I saw him in the 70`s on guard duty to a footy match at Anfield one night. So yes, the police force was definitely an occupation for the Miller boys. Also from Grovehurst Square I remember Paul Holt living a few doors away from the Millers. I lived in Grant Road, opposite the school from 1962 to 1972 when I got married and moved away. Happy days.
Hi Barry I lived in 179 grant road and remember you and your family well cheers Gary Roberts
Hi Mal,
I am that Jimmy Miller from Grovehurst Ave, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since I left Liverpool in 1973 to join up. I need a few things to jog my memory. Help !,
Jim…. you’ve spurred me on…. to take another walk… but this time I’ll do the ‘Greyhound’ (now boarded up) down…. past the old prefabs site (now a burger bar) opposite the old baths (long gone) and will remember Dovecot Park, and the old summer shows they used to run….
Wow I’ve loved reading this blog and the comments. My family moved to 41 Grovehurst when it was first built, then moved into 25 Grovehurst… we I spent over 20 yrs. We were there until they knocked it down. I’m now on East Prescot Rd…. right opp what should be the Tranny Feild… so many nettle stings playing there. The Greyhound is now a Pizza Hut and a Subway… it’s all changed so much. I read someone mention the fish shop! That fish tank mesmerized me as a child. I used to love the shops in the dark nights… they’d have all the xmas stuff in Cubbons window and you’d pick a present in Home n Bargain (usually a bath set) for 1 person in your class. Does anyone remember the butchers by the Dovey Hall and it had fancy painted tiles with pics of Cows etc…. might have been a Co Op butchers? Oh… on the green kiosk subject… I used to regularly get taxis from local firm in my old job and 2 brothers who often pick me up… that was their parents who had that kiosk. I used to get my double bubble their after I got off the 11 from Broughton Hall. 😊
Kelly…. so good of you to take time to read my blog, and I really appreciate you commenting…. I had a couple of mates who lived in Grovehurst Avenue… Dave Groves… lived in the left hand corner of the square, as you walked up towards Grant Road…. and Jimmy Miller who lived in the middle of the square on the left.
As to the Butchers… I had an after-school and Saturday job there… got paid 10 bob and a joint of Lamb…. sometime beef…. gawd I hate lamb even now lol… I lived above Blacow’s the Dairy…. and sometimes would help with the milk round… You are right…. the fishtank in the window amazed me as well… I used to love watching the fish, especially after the shop was closed…
Before I worked at the Co-op butchers… I had a paper-round with Ernie’s… he doled out the Echo, over at the green kiosk on the corner… then I was made a better offer from Billy, the manager of the Butchers…. as he was my first Echo drop off…lol
FANTASTIC WALK WITH YOU I WAS BORN IN PRESTWOOD CRESCENT BUT DIDN’T KNOW THE ARCH WAS BLOCKED OW SPENT .ANY A TIME IN THERE TOSSING UP ON THE Wall lol! GOOD OLD DAYS DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE LOCAL MIDWIFE NURSE CASE SHE LIVE ON EAST PRESCOT RD JUST PAST THE ARCH & USED TO INSIST WE DRANK SOUR MILK HAHA IT WAS HORRIBLE I TRIED 5 GIVE MINE TO HER DOG A LOVELY BROWN SPANIEL BUT O WAY HE DIDN’T LIKE IT EITHER HENCE NURSE CASE FOUND OUT I USED TO PUT MINE DOWN HER BACK YARD GRID LOL!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE MARVELLOUS. MEMORIES XX GOD BLESS YOU XX
Dovecot park and the 3d shows we used to go to in the summer holidays. Mostly we watched fromy outside the railings if we didn’t have the pennies.
My brothers and I used to fish in the pond with the foot of mum’s old nylons and a loop of wire on a garden cane, bringing tiddlers home in a jam jar. We lived on Churchdown Road,but I haven’t been there for years. I love
your walks down the streets.
Maureen…. I love this memory, you have shared… My wife’s family lived in Churchdown Road (Hawkswell’s at 54)… I too used to fish in the park with my elder brothers… wish they had come up with that one and cut up our aunt’s stockings…. but I’m sure we’d have been taught another lesson had we done that…lol regards xxx
I won a bag of money for singing in that show. First prize. As we where poor having no dad I dashed home and gave it to my mum.
Hi Mal, the grey matter is getting the best of me. I have been in touch with Dave Groves and he remembers you well (and I believe is still in touch with you), he has even sent me a picture of you. Kath McKevit tells me we were in the same class at Grant Rd! Did I ever come to your house?
The roads of your youth parts one and two, along with the comments people have made are brilliant and reminded me of loads of places and times gone by. Keep up the good work, I will follow you with interest.
Take care
Jim
We were two students who rented the upstairs flat of no 21 Grant Road from September 1977 – July 1978. Yesterday we visited this part of Liverpool for the first time since then and noted that our old lodgings had gone, the trees outside remained however. It didn’t really come as any surprise as the flat was not in good repair when we rented it from Mr Gardner. We were also disappointed to see that the Boundary pub has been razed to the ground – but our memories are still clear. If there are any photos of the old house it would be terrific to see them or find out more.
Thank you
Sue and Rina
Hi Sue… I remember Bill Gardner, who owned the ‘Big’ House over the road… I can picture him now… sitting in the cellar (his office) pulling on a cigarette… lol. He built the row houses to the right of the house, and we would ‘play’ in them as they were built in the late 60’s…. I remember he had a ‘crab apple’ tree in the back, and all the kids would regularly get stomach ache each year when they were ripe… lol
I had a similar experience visiting my “second home”, or should I say my emotional second home when I visited Harrison’s Drapers at No.1 Dovecot Parade (first shop from the Post Office. My Mum worked at this drapers from the late 40’s to the late 60’s and I would frequently pop in to say hello, after school or during the school holidays. The atmosphere was friendly and neighbourly – which is what I treasured. I very occasionally “helped”my Mum in the shop and knew where everything was kept, sometimes putting things away in their appropriate places. What made me choke up last week was seeing the original counters where the goods were displayed and the shelves of knitting wool at the rear of the shop which was the most popular item Dovecot mums shopped for. My Mum was a mine of information about the wool, patterns and techniques of knitting, advising on purchases and helping people when the didn’t understand the pattern instructions or had “dropped a stich”. She was commisioned to knit garments for loads and loads of customers, colleagues, friends and family.
This won’t be of interest to many, if any, but I just wanted to add to the Dovecot Experience!
All the pictures and descriptions in Mal’s posting mean a great deal to me too.
Hi… Joan…. Many thanks for your memories and taking time to comment…. I remember Harrisons the drapers, and one of my friends Mum worked there in the 70’s (family name was Jordan)… I remember the fishmongers… a little down from Harrison’s, and I used to love watching the goldfish, he had in a tank under the display cabinet in the window… not thought about that in an age…. thank you xxx
My Mum worked with Pat Jordan before the shop was Harrison’s. She was a lovely lady.
Lived in 179 grant road very happy days also worked at the diary on Dovecote shops loved every minute. Gary Roberts
Gary… We lived above Blacow’s Dairy… my brother Graham, often worked the Milk Round… I would fill in every now and then… not impressed lol
I remember Graham very well.
My friends mum Ina worked there.
My Mum knew a lady called Ina Lovelady – would this be her ?
I was best friends with Ina Lovelady’s daughter Gloria I still keep in contact with her .
We both lived in Winstone RD. also went to Grant Rd School
Hi mal yes i truly enjoy looking at your comments and Harrison shop is still there and the lovely lady who owns it is a good friend of mine and yea i recall the fish shop which i think was next door to the newsagents that’s still there do you remember the tesco shop?
Lenny…. do you remember in the ‘fish shop’…. they had a big tank of goldfish in the window, below the fish display counter??? I used to love walking up and just watching them…
Hi everyone, loving this site.
Great memories
I lived in Grant rd, 129 went to Grant rd school left in 58.
Joan White
Spent happy times at the Granada picture house, in those days we used to have to queue up right round the building.
Springfield park was one of our play areas, the old cinder path, the nuns convent.
Used to love the fairs arrival at the top of our road, being spun around on the waltzer..faster and faster…
Capaldies with the juke box, gazing at the lads …happy days
Fair Ground on the other side of the road from the CO OP… Hi Joan I too went to Grant Road University ….Remembering having to go to cookery classes
on your side of the School…..Not a good class for some of the guys ::::The Rigbys..George Garner..Arthur Wilson..Raymond Rolls..Allen Williams..and definitely
not that Giant of a guy Alec Robinson……Some good times spent here (Not all) Most teachers were quite fierce,like the Headmaster Mr Atherley ,don’t know
much about Miss Holstead on your side…. OK off for breakfast now ….7 am here in Cleveland Brisbane Australia…CYA..Cheers Stuart Mannering..Used to be
Duffy….Change of name early 70s…
I remember the Garners , Rolls and Auther Wilson he took me to the Calton one afternoon tomNorth bu North west. I loved crossing over to the boys side to do woodwork made a base for a lamp I was very proud of it. Mum probably wasn’t as I don’t remember seeing it Around.
Hi Stuart great to hear from you m8 were about did you live m8? God m8 dovey has changed so much when was you last in Liverpool m8?
I remember the newspaper kiosk at the corner of Finch Lane and East Prescot Rd – I had a job as a paper lad working for Ernie – who ran his paper rounds from there. My round was Churchdown, Chedworth and Dovecote Avenue. My wages and tips paid for my clothes from the catalogue and my entrance fee into the ‘Sally’ and ‘Dovey Hall’ disco’s on a Thursday and Friday nights. I’ll never forget the packs of dogs that suddenly appeared from nowhere every Sunday morning- thank god for those big old fashioned paper delivery bikes. I also remember that big house in Grant Rd – there used to be an absolutely beautiful girl who lived in the one next door. 70’s Disco – paper rounds and Dovecote U14’s football team – great memories.
Hi Kevin… thanks for commenting… I too had a paper-round with Ernie… at the kiosk… one of my deliveries was the Co-op Butchers on Dovey shops, and after a while they offered me an after school and Saturday job, so I packed the round in, and took that… got paid 10 bob and a joint of meat each week..lol
Ernie lived a few doors up from me in Grant Road (10c I think)… You are right about the girl… but they lived in the large double up the road (No. 6) cant remember the family name, but there were four girls and the eldest 2 WERE stunners lol.
Hi folks was that girl called gillian lydiate?
Gillian sounds right… cant remember the surname…
Hi mal alls i remember was my sister polly had a m8 called Gillian lydiate and she lived in one of the big houses just as you turn into grant road from pilch lane and it’s about 200 yards down on the right and i think there’s a bungalow next to her dads big house am sure Gillians dad had a garage were he sold cars
They were my aunties that lived at number 6. The family name was Lydiat – no e. There were 6 girls altogether the eldest one didn’t live there, One was called Gillian.
I have just publish part 2 of…. The Roads of my Youth…. hope you all enjoy, the memories….
Hi Mal
Thanks for this – it triggered many happy memories
I lived on Pilch Lane & went to Grant Road school. I recognise many of the places – Longreach where one of my best friends lived, church of the Holy Spirit, Dovecot library to name a few.
We emigrated to NZ over 40 years ago but reading your blog i was transported back to my youth and am now going read part 2
Julie… thanks for stopping by, and taking time to comment. Glad you enjoyed the memories…
Do you have a sister Lindsey I do remember a Lindsey Rotherham emigrating she was in the same year as me at school I was Julie Davison then😄
Hi Julie,
Yes that would be my little Sis Lindsay, just been out for dinner with her, will pass your message on.
Julie.
Ernie Perkins, that’s a name that takes me back, our kid Worked for him.I grew up in Dovey in the 50’s and 60’s went to stone field rd school, learned to swim in the Harold Davies swimming pool (Dovey baths) drank in the Farmers and the Eagle, played in Dovey park, went to the Coey owey on page moss lane on a Friday night for the milk tickets(I can still remember our divi number after all these years).
I’ve lived away for years now and all those places are gone but I’ll never forget.them. Dovey was a great place to grow up.
Jack… Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment. I’m glad it brought back good memories for you… It looks like we certainly shared some ground back in the day, along with my elder brothers. I’m the only one left, living in the area, as the others have moved away like yourself… Thanks again…
Hi All….Brilliant blog this, loads of good memories! I’m originally a Dovecot girl. We lived behind Mrs Hughes and Lenny Fairclough in Shortwood Road; We moved in the mid ’80’s. I remember your mum, Lenny…she was called Jean. She was friendly with my mum, also called Jean. Good days growing up around there in the ’60’s &’70’s. There used to be cherry trees planted along some of the streets then, and I remember playing out with the other kids ’till all hours! I learned to swim in Dovey Baths. Loved playing in the park..I remember the bowling greens, the stage where they had performances and all the roses along the path as you came in from the Pilch Lane end. School was Winstone then Grant Road. Took hours shopping in Dovecot with my mum, she used to talk to everyone lol!….. Dovey was very friendly. I’m glad I grew up there 🙂
Debbie… glad you dropped by, and took some time to comment… thank you !
Wow, i was only talking tonite about my childhood in dovecot and i find myself here. I think im a tad younger than most people on here but nontheless remember this area with a smile on my face. I spent the whole 1980’s growing up on ackers hall, going to maidford juniors. I remember the kiosk on the corner very well and spent many an afternoon in the old transport hub behind it (we called it the boards for reasons ive yet to work out why). Thank you so much for taking me down memory lane
Lee… Good to hear from you, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment… cheers
Hi when to grant road school 1958/61 hated every minute, wanted to go to Rupert road but my dad said your going to grant road secondary and that was that yes Dovecot loads of smoky chimneys and Council houses The gran on a sat morning. Beware of flying apple cores and Chewie on the backs of seats. Yes minors of the ABC were we. Dovey Baths packed out in the hols.all lockers full change on the balcony, and get back and find half your kit missing ( including your underpants????) were they happy days …. well some were.
Can anyone remember Davises wool shop in pilch lane . Used to go in there with me mum, gosh that Miss Davis could sell sand to the Arabs, and coal to Newcastle me mum only went in there for buttons and came out with boxes of socks loads of balls of knitting wool and a couple of pairs of corsets!
I certainly remember Miss Davies’s from the early fifties. My Mum used to shop firstly at Irwin’s and then at Miss D’s. My Mum worked at the drapers next to the post office on Dovecot Parade and Wednesday was her afternoon off. I think she popped into Miss D’s for the odd thing they didn’t have in the Dovecot shop, either for herself or for a customer. If I was lucky I got a hairslide or ribbon – easily pleased back then. Often got a little piece of cheese from the nice man in Irwin’s.
We lived nearby and used to call it the Old Woman’s – Mum would send us on messages with orders in sealed envelopes – probably knickers!
The stockings were definitely laddered before we got them. I did not know the sc hool on Stonefield Road had burnt down. I looked at it a few years ago and saw that the old path was still there between the houses. We lived at no 49 Churchdown The Ashworths. Don’t remember your wife’s family name, but as kids, we weren’t bothered about surnames.
My nan and grandad, John & Winnie McConville lived in 75 Grovehurst Ave for around 35 years up till 1992 which was the house to the right in your picture of the new houses being built in the old square. Wonder if you knew my mum, uncles and aunties? John, Stephen, Sheila and Linda McConville? The eighties there were great. I loved staying with my nan who used to go the mecca bingo. Playing football in the square when Liverpool were the team to beat. Many happy memories. Such a shame that scallies have ruined the area.
Thanks Mal, it was a walk down memory lane for me and thanks to all the people who have contributed to this site. I lived in Dovecot mid 40s to mid 50s, finished school ,Grant Road, Christmas 1955 and left for Canada January 1956. I lived in Shellingford Road and used to pal with Wally Armer, had a tough but great growing up there and wouldn’t change it for anything. Anyone remember fishing for sticklebacks in Dovecot Park s pond.
Cheers Bob.
Dear heart Bobby near fainted when I spotted your name.Wait till I tell our Wally about this hope your well in Canada.xxx Hazel
Bob… thanks for taking time to comment… I went to Grant Road myself, but you have a few years on me …lol. I had a mate who lived in Shellingford… we both lived above Dovey Shops, when we were kids… I lived above Blacows Diairy, and he lived ontop of Peagrams…
My dad ended up moving to Grant Rd, and my mates family to Shellingford… I too remember fishing for sticklebacks in Dovey Park… I was gutted when my brothers made me chuck em back at the end of the day… sadly the pond is long gone…. so are the bowling greens and the big green gang-show hut… where we would watch the kids shows on a Saturday in the summer…lol
Regards
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Hi James……Great to hear from you… Yes it must be at least 60 years ago we were both in the Holy Spirit together, I have an actual photograph of a wedding we sang at ,its on my facebook page ,with the rev Wilkinson ,and my mate Leon Gregory on the other side from me… My name was changed not long after I married ,my wife who passed on in 20000 did not like her sir name or mine so being under the thumb ,we changed it to Mannering (The Baron) … Came out to Austraalia in 1980 ,but have been back to the UK many times since then…Worked for Glaxo in the UK over 20 years…then 20 years with 3M Australia in the Sydney and Queensland Regions (Proper Jobs) but have also been involved in a few bands over the last 60 years on Bass…actually backed Gerry Marsden in the Wookiy Hollow for a week..did mostly resident gigs like the Cabaret club in Duke Street…and The Cadwa Club in Childwall for many years before coming out to Australia ..Now do Jazz and blues…plus a little bit of Rock stuff…..Quite a while after my Wife died I returned to the UK Bubury in Cheshire where I met My Lovely Tracey,who after a number of years together,we returned with her son ,to my place in Cleveland ,My son Christopher had been taking care of the house,all that time….Lots more to tell…But would love to hear about you…..If you are on Face book,that would be great Lots of pics and things ..Catch you soon I hope..CHEERS ..Stuart…
Stuart… good of you to stop by, and take time to comment… Rev Wilkinson was my ‘god-father’, and I too sung in the church choir … but a bit after you lol…. cheers
Hi Mal……No need to rub it in about being in the choir some time after myself 🙂 🙂 I remember Mr Ralph’s who was the Choir Master and Organist
for quite some time, and Mr Tinnion being a member,and later his son’s Graham,Jeff,and another brother who’s name escapes me,well it
was over 60 years ago 🙂 Some time after joining the Choir ,the rev Wilkinson wanted us all to ware those Ruffs around our neck’s..being
Head Choir boy at the time, I talked to all my mate’s in the Choir, and we decided to go on strike (We did not want to look like sissys at that
time ) Many of us went down the road to Calvary Church and started singing the hip hop Hymns that they did there,Billy Graham,and all that
stuff….Did not last long as the Rev Wilkinson relented on the Ruff ware,so we returned. Some years later I joined St Johns Knotty Ash Choir,
(SOME TIME AFTER DODDY) I might add 🙂 🙂 ….And talking about DODDY Jam Buttie’s I remember every day after school (Winstone Road)
I would spend some time at Mrs Hughes house opposite and Wendy and Pamela would dine on Syrup Buttie’s ,My Mum Evelyn Duffy worked
at Vernons,so when she returned home I made my way back to 56 Longreach…Was a good place to live them days…OK got to go now Breakfast
is calling 6.53 am Wednesday here in Cleveland Brisbane Australia..Catch up soon..XX Stu…
Stuart… some more great memories you’ve shared here thank you so much…. Pam, now lives in Perth/Australia and I’ve visited a few times… such opportunities for the younger family….
Really enjoyed your blog. I went to Milford Toad and lived on East Prescot Road in one of the houses on the “layby” (opposite side of road to Prestwood Crescent/Finch Lane). Remember the kiosk well, also Edo Jones drapers. I was a Saturday girl in the late 60s with their big rival Howards drapers at the other end of the shops by the post office. So sad to see everything that was green is built on now. Can’t understand it – Liverpool’s population is smaller now than when I was a kid – why do they need so much new housing? Thanks for bringing back the memories – I also remember talent contests for kids in Dovecot Park during school holidays and the oldies playing bowls on the bowling green in the park. Holy days!
Predictive text! Should read Maidford Road at the beginning and Happy days! at the end!!!!
Thanks for stopping by Val, and taking time to comment… I really appreciate it… My eldest brother, married the eldest daughter of Mrs Hartley (nee Cook), who owned Edro Jones… happy days…
What great memories! Just stumbled across this blog. I was born and brought up in Dovecot.Lived in Kemsley Road.Went to Winstone Road,infants&juniors then Grant Road! Bringing back so many memories! I`m John Fletcher, married Jean Edwards,also from Grant Road school.Still happily married after 54 years! My first job was at Scotts at Page Moss then went down the mines at Cronton Colliery! Keep the posts coming!
Hi John… thanks you so much for taking time to comment… I remember applying for a job as a plumber.. in the Colliery… never got it though !!! lol
I was brought up in Longreach Rd (10) with my sister Hannah and brother Tommy Hall,(I’m Colin),went to Grant road school then Highfield,knocked around With the Flanagans,(Mrs Flan)still there,my sister in now in my mums house,Tommy in Surrey 10kids,I went in raf,met my wife Margaret Joyce from Adcote Rd.moved about settled back in Liverpool,now living in Oman.Great memories from Longreach Rd and Dovey park. Great site . Love going back home as that’s always been home to us Family still there.
Colin, many thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment… bet its a lot hotter in your part of the world… lol
Hi Colin, I went to school with your Tommy, how is he? Does he still live in Liverpool? Did you know his nickname was Jelly legs? I have no idea where that came from? My last name is Humphrey , Michael to my family, Mick to all my mates back in Liverpool but for some reason I got the nickname Mitch when I went to Grant Rd.
I emigrated to Canada back in 1976 but get back to Liverpool every year.
I went to Grant Rd from 1963 to 1966, Mr Atherly was the headmaster, we all called him “fat neck” or just “the neck” a bull of a man with a baldy head and a fat neck. ….hence the nickname.
Enjoyed reading all the posts Mal, thanks👍
I lived in Peasefield Road and my grandparents lived in Alstonfield Road. I went to St Margaret Mary’s. Left there in ’58 and then went to Brought on Hall.
I remember going to the Granada and Dovecot library. I also went to Dovecot Baths with school (Broughton). Not a pleasant experience. I still can’t swim!!
Went to the ante natal clinic behind the library many years later.
Linda… so good of you to stop by and taking time to comment… its so nice to hear of everyone’s memories and relate to them… thank you…
Hi Mal,
I am that Jimmy Miller from 43 Grovehurst Ave – a lot of water has passed under the bridge since ai left Liverpool in 1973 to join up. Jog my memory a bit more please.
Cheers
Jim
Jimmy… so great to hear from you after such a long time… luckily I have access to your original post before you edited it… to the shorter version, lol.
You are quite right when you heard off Kath… we WERE in the same class… and you WERE a mate, even at that tender age. we would walk home together, and I often came in your house which was one of the three story houses in the middle of the square… I remember being gutted when at the end of the Juniors… you went to the Collegiate, and I to Highfield…. sadly, we never met up again, each going our own separate ways… I did hear you had joined the army…. Hope life’s been good to you… cheers
Hi Mal,
Firstly I apologise for the grey matter not being so good. I do recall your name but unfortunately can’t put your face to it as a child!!
Yes, I did join the army, served in England, Northern Ireland and Germany. Got married, moved house 7 times in 7 years, so left the army after 13 years to settle down, joined the police then got divorced!! Married again (25 years now). Served 21 years in police and retired on a police pension. Now I work 3 days a week in a firm of solicitors, doing the mail and general run around. Happy as Larry.
Obviously I saw you again in the comments on Dave Groves video of his sisters wedding – which somehow I have lost?? I thought I was ok on computers – perhaps not!
Hope you and yours are well??
All the best
Jim
Great to read this post is went to St Margaret Marys I lived in Prestwood Crescent (under the one Archway ) yes remember the swImming baths ( same here still can’t swim ) fantastic memories of dovecot the trams was it a nmere 49 tram passed along east Prescot Rd? I’m 80 now so many moons ago lol!!
It was a 40 tram. Used to love turning the seats at the terminus and getting penny returns to the Pier Head.
Loved following your journey down the streets! My grandad lived at 106 Longreach and my other Grandad lived at 6 Grant Road. We have streets in common!
We certainly do…. xxx and I remember Gillian… we used to pinch crab apples together over the wall…lol
HI MAL,
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, IT WAS WONDERFUL TO RECALL THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF OUR YOUTH. I WAS BORN IN CHURCHDOWN ROAD IN 1940 AND HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD. WENT TO MAIDFORD ROAD SCHOOL AND LATER GRANT ROAD SCHOOL, LONG GONE.
HAPPY MEMORIES OF HAROLD DAVIES SWIMMING BATHS. 1 PENNY TO DRY YOUR HAIR, 1 PENNY FOR TOAST AND 1 PENNY FOR A CUP OF OXO. IN ORDER TO AFFORD THIS, I HAD TO COLLECT LEMONADE BOTTLES AND GET THE DEPOSIT ON THEM. I KNEW JEAN BLACOW AND HER FAMILY. DO YOU REMEMBER ANNE CRAWFORD, PAT ELLIS OR DAVID HINES, ALL LIVED ABOVE THE SHOPS AT DOVECOT PLACE?? I CAME ACROSS A RECENT PHOTO OF DOVECOT PLACE ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT SAYERS CAKE SHOP IS STILL STANDING, IT’S ABOUT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS.
LIKED YOUR MEMORIES OF THE GREEN KIOSK ON PRESCOT ROAD AND THE ANNUAL FAIR THEY HAD THERE. I LOOKED FORWARD TO WATCHING THE MORRIS DANCE TEAMS COMPETE. REMEMBER ALSO A BARAGE BALLOON THERE, BIG DAY OUT!
FOND MEMORIES OF DOVECOT PARK AND CATCHING TIDDLERS TIL DUSK WHEN THE POLICEMAN LOCKED THE GATE. I LOVED THE SUMMER SHOW WITH MR. MAGIC DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND PLAYING IN DOVECOT PARK. DAD PLAYED BOWLS THERE. IN FACT DOVECOT PARK WAS MY WHOLE WORLD, NO HOLIDAYS ABROAD IN THOSE DAYS, JUST THE ODD DAY OUT TO NEW BRIGHTON!
WELL I COULD GO ON, JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES MAL. GOOD OF YOU TO TAKE THE TIME. BEST WISHES, CATHY
Cathy…. so good of you to take the time to give such a comprehensive reply as this, with some GREAT Memories to boot !!!
Mal xxx
HI MAL, JUST BEEN LOOKING AGAIN THROUGH ALL THE POSTS AND UNFORTUNATELY NOT REGOGNISING ANY FAMILIAR NAMES EXCEPT FOR THE TWINS PAMELA AND WENDY WHO WERE IN MY YEAR AT GRANT ROAD. WE ALSO HAD TWINS MABEL AND MARY MC CULLOCK IN THE CLASS.
IT WAS FUN READING ABOUT THE SATURDAY MATINEE, WHICH WAS ONLY 6D TO GET IN. REMEMBER THE SERIALS, FLASH GORDON WITH THE SCARY EMPEROR MING WHO TERRIFIED ME! I WOULD GET A HALPENNY STICKLICE AND A SHERBERT FOUNTAIN TO KEEP ME HAPPY. WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THAT SWEET SHOP NEAR BLACOWS DAIRY? THOMPSON’S SWEET SHOP WAS MY FAVOURITE BUT THE OTHER ONE WAS NEARER TO THE CINEMA.
ARE THE CLINIC, YES I REMEMBER THAT YOU GOT TIME OFF SCHOOL TO GO THERE IN THE AFTERNOONS. MY FRIEND WENT THERE FOR A WHILE WITH A VERUCCA AND WANTING TO JOIN HER, I RUBBED HER SOCK ON MY FEET HOPING TO CATCH IT SO I COULD HAVE TIME OFF TOO. THE NURSES SEEMED TO TREAT JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING WITH THAT VIOLET STUFF THAT WOULDN’T COME OFF.
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE DENTIST THERE? WE ALL GOT GAS FOR EXTRANCTIONS BUT I DON’T RECALL GETTING A FILLING. SOMEONE MUST REMEMBER THE NOT NURSE? WE CALLED HER NITTY NORA THE BIDDIE EXPLORER. I HATED THE WAY SHE PLAITED MY HAIR AFTER SHE HAD A GOOD RUMMAGE AROUND LOOKING FOR NITS. IF YOU DID HAVE THEM, SHE WOULD PUT A NOTE DOWN YOUR SOCK TO TAKE HOME TO YOUR PARENTS.
THE TEACHERS, DOES ANYONE REMEMBER FROM 1950 TO 1955 MRS ROLAND THE COOKERY TEACHER. MISS HALSTEAD THE HEADMISTRESS (AND BEFORE HER MISS CAMPBELL), MRS KINRADE THE MATHS TEACHER, MRS WOODS THE HISTORY TEACHER AND MISS BULLPIT THE DREADED P.E. TEACHER. I WAS A PREFECT FROM 1954/55 AND REMEMBER GOING TO WOODWORK CLASS AND STAYING OVER TO LEARN BADMINTON. REMEMBER THE CENTRE PATH WHERE ONLY PREFECTS WERE ALLOWED?
DOES ANYONE WHAT A TOFFEE DAB IS? A LADY IN GRANT ROAD USED TO MAKE JUMBO TOFFEE AND PUT IT IN PATTY TINS WITH A STICK IN EACH MAKING IT INTO A KIND OF LOLLYPOP. THEY WERE 1P EACH AND WE NEVER MISSED GOING ROUND THE BACK OF HER HOUSE TO BUY ONE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL. THE AROMA OF THE TOFFEE WAS WONDERFUL AND A REAL TREAT. OUR SWEET RASHION WAS 2 OZ A WEEK IN THOSE DAYS AND THE TOFFEE DABS WERE NOT RATIONED OF COURSE. IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF SCROUNGING A PENNY TO GET ONE!
WELL, THIS IS TURNING INTO A NOVEL AGAIN, ALL THESE WONDERFUL MEMORIES. I ALSO REMEMBER SOME OF THE BAD ONES TOO BECAUSE WE WERE POOR, LIKE LUGGING A HEAVY BAG OF COAL BRICKS ALONG DOVECOT AVENUE BECAUSE WE HAD RUN OUT OF COAL. I WILL SAVE THOSE MEMORIES FOR ANOTHER DAY. THANKS TO MAL WHO HAS STARTED ME OFF ON A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE, ESPECIALLY SEEING THE GREAT PHOTOS YOU TOOK ON YOUR RECENT VISIT. SORRY TO SEE SO MANY GOOD BUILDINGS DISAPPEAR.
SOME OF THE NAMES I RECALL FROM MY CLASS ARE DOLLY DIBBLE, MURIEL APTER, NORMA ROBERTS, ANGELA OATS, EILEEN NOLAN, ADA BOARDMAN, SHIELA MC NALLY, OLWYN JONES, PAT MOSS, JEAN MUNNERLEY ETC.
I USED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH ACTIVITIES, YOUTH CLUB, BINGO ETC. I REMEMBER RAY CROSSLEY (NOW DECEASED) ? TINNION, BARBARA STOLL(NOW DECEASED) ANNE CRAWFORD, MANY MORE BUT MY MEMORY FAILS ME. HOWEVER, VIVID MEMORIES OF A GROUP OF US FROM CHURCH GOING ROUND HOUSES CAROL SINGING EVERY YEAR, ENDING UP UNDER THE ARCHES AT DOVECOT PLACE.
The Sweet shop next to Blacow`s Dairy was Moore`s! Remember the Vicar at the Holy Spirit was Mr.Wilkinson for years.
Toffee dabs&toffee apples from the lady on Grovehurst!! The dinner centre next to the clinic? Brilliant times!
John… I remember… as I lived above Blacow’s… waiting for my dad to give me my weekly pocket money of 3D so I could run down… pop into Morre’s and get myself a lolly and a lucky bag… and open it to be amazed at the little comic and gift… the highlight to my week…. I must have been about 6 years old….
Father Wilkinson was actually my godfather…. not that it got me any ‘brownie’ points lol…. but I was a member of the ‘Tufty’ club…. from the comics… lol
Teddy early pointons in kemsley ,the Nevins Brodie’s he worked in tate n Lyle’s old Davies used to keep the ball if it went in his garden
Cathy… I remember going into the clinic on numerous occasions… I remember the first tooth extraction like it was yesterday…. and even now the thoughts of the basic dental care… send shivers up my spine…lol
You have given us ALL some fantastic memories… to keep us going… cant wait for your next promised instalment !!! lol
God this great my family lived all there lives in kemsley road(57) I am Brian mckinneley dad Albert mum Doreen both deseased I remember David groves Tesco the school burning down mpte who I worked for (79-95 ) climbing on the clinic wall Tommy McGrath Brian Tully the mckevitts I now live in mossley hill married to sue 3 boys 1married last month delighted (Ian a only child) Fred wRd next door and twins and Wayne Highfield comp Mr west headmaster miss Shelley Grant road what else Malcolm Gibbs brother Harold does anyone remember Harry Belmont churchdown great days know work in a care home in huyton
I’m a lot younger than most of you lot lol, does anyone remember old Sid I think his name was who used to stand at the front of the bingo selling pens shouting ‘felt tip marker pens, biro’s razor blade’s matches’
Can anyone remember Ashfield Farm in Pilch Lane I use to help deliver milk with Willy Wilson on the horse and cart and I tell my grandkids I use to ride the horses to the Blacksmiths on Tarbuck Road but they dont believe I would of been allowed to do this.I was brought up in Grant Road until I went to sea and then married.
Yep…. the Farm was next to Dr. Gores house & Surgery… My mate Graham Jones, lived next door but one to the Gores, and we used to go into the farm buildings at the back of the Big House..
Dr.Gore was our family doctor. Always remember his surgery,he had `models` made from Woodbine cigarette packets on top of his cabinets! He was also the doctor for Liverpool City Rugby team who played at Knotty Ash.
Great memory to share…. cheers
I used to “work” some evenings after school, at Wilsons farm! Most of my brothers also worked at the farm at some time. Willie Wilson and Phil Wedgewood!
The horses I remember were Bob,the big black one with a character of it`s own and Tom,the chestnut quiet one.Used to put the cardboard tops on the milk bottles and generally muck around the farm.Used to get “paid” in Mars bars from Willie`s missus stood at the top of the steps to the farmhouse door! Remember the pond in the field was the only place we could get newts! Often got chased by the geese!Phil Wedgewood ended up running a newsagents shop at the end of Pilch Lane.
Hi John!
Your farm memories chime with mine. After we left Dovecote Place in the 40s and moved to Prescot, when I was seven or eight in the summer holidays I often used to accompany the milk round on the local farm’s pony and trap, delivering milk via a scoop from the churn to housewives’ jugs. And even younger than that I would stand in the doorway of the blacksmiths’ shop in Prescot (in those days really a small, almost rural, town), watching the huge shire horses being shod, with the heat and the smell of burning hooves. Gone for many decades of course.
Yes I remember Ashfield Farm my cousin married Will Wilson Will died in 2005 and my cousin last year . I remember his
milk cart and he usually had 2 dogs with him . A lovely kind man Irene
What a brilliant blog. I started out life (in 1965) in Adcote Rd. my family were the Masseys- my mum was one of 4 girls living with their widowed mum, we then lived as a family in Adcote Rd. with my nan after my mum, Evelyn married my dad. My mum and dad married in the holy spirit church and I was baptised there too. I remember the Dovecote shops and also Scotts on Pilch Lane where we bought pink and white ice cream on a stick wrapped in paper. My mum used to tell us a tale of forgetting to take me home from outside of Scotts, she left me in my pram outside and walked back to Adcote!
Wendy… what lovely memories, you’ve shared…. many thanks xxx
I’m planning a walk shortly from from the roundabout where the Greyhound Pub was…. up Pilch Lane…. past Dovecot Park…. and Swanside shops…. and onto Margaret Mary’s and the Boundary Pub and upwards to Pilch Lane East… from there I’ll either go up to Bowring Park, or turn left and go down Pagemoss Lane… all depends on the mood and condition I’m in when I reach the shops on the crossroads of Pilch/Pagemoss/Childwall…. Lane/Roads etc…
Does anyone remember the fair which used to come every year… to set up on the waste ground at the side of the shops on Pagemoss Lane… opposite Grant Road ???.
Sure did Mal, went there in the early 50s ran around having a great old time,listening to the music from the waltzer and watching the teddy boys butt the punching bag. Great fun time for all.
While i’m on here Mal I would like to ask if you knew Fords sweet shop, it was on the corner of Prescot Rd and Dinas Lane. they also sold smokes. I was on google earth street view the other day and all there is now is a vacant lot. Any idea what happened to them? Cheers, Bob.
Bob…. I do remember the shop you are on about…. however, i place it on the opposite side of Dinas Lane… its now a general store… the waste ground on the other side… was the old Hanson’s Dairy site… with all those little electric delivery vans…. and before that… if my memory can recall… there may have been a little wooden ‘meeting hall/church there ???
HI JOHN,
UNFORTUNATELY, I DON’T REMEMBER ASHFIELD FARM. HOWEVER, I DO REMEMBER A SMALL FARM IN KNOTTY ASH NOT FAR FROM THE CHURCH THERE. I REMEMBER IT BECAUSE I WAS CHASED BY A PIG ONCE!
THANKS FOR JOGGING MY MEMORY ABOUT WHERE THE TOFFEE DAB HOUSE WAS, THE OLD MEMORY DOES PLAY TRICKS ON YOU SOMETIMES. ITS FUNNY HOW SMALL INSIGNIFICANT THINGS STAY WITH YOU EVEN FROM ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE FARM IN KNOTTY ASH? WAS IT SOWERBYS?
Yes it was Cathy Connor. It was the corner of Thomas Lane and East Prescot Road
Sure did Mal, went there in the early 50s ran around having a great old time,listening to the music from the waltzer and watching the teddy boys butt the punching bag. Great fun time for all.
While i’m on here Mal I would like to ask if you knew Fords sweet shop, it was on the corner of Prescot Rd and Dinas Lane. they also sold smokes. I was on google earth street view the other day and all there is now is a vacant lot. Any idea what happened to them? Cheers, Bob.
Teddy early pointons in kemsley ,the Nevins Brodie’s he worked in tate n Lyle’s old Davies used to keep the ball if it went in his garden
Brian,was you the son of Mrs.Kennely who had the chickens? The Wards lived on one side of you and the McCauslands on the other? We lived in no.40 next to the Wheelrights and Trussels. Remember the Poyntons as well! This is a great place for recalling the memories!
I remember Fords shop.Was only a small place with a little wall around the outside.One half I think was the sweet shop and the other was a barbers? Was next to the Farmer`s Arms pub.
Hi John Brian from kemsley! Think it was my dad’s dad who had the chickens thin it was trussels who had a beautiful garden remember old Mrs wheelright I used to work in mpte edge lane as did Peter MC causland the Morgan’s (Johnny ) old Mr Davies
I remember a bread van blackledgers (not sure if that’s spelt right!) Used to get a ride in the van my 3 laugh when I tell these tales ! Ice cream !(Fredrick’s) or critchleys used to fall over my duffel coat mum went mad Dougie Gregory Colin Gregory Mrs Reynolds Barbara Susan Stephen Reynolds I could go on Thompson sweet shop Chapman by the park we used to take empty lemonade bottles we found in the park an get money back on them probably about 5pence !
I have just set up a ‘CLOSED’ Facebook Group called ‘Memories of Dovecot’… Anyone can find the group, but only members can see the posts and pictures… This could be the very place to share our stories and include photos, to jog our memories… meet up with long lost mates/friends… or simply sit and watch the action… we can take a modern photo, and recall memories of it from days gone by… I hope to see you all there… but my blog posts will still be here for those who aren’t big Fb fans…. lol
Couldn’t find the Facebook group you created just now Mal 😕
FB group…Memories of Dovecot(Liverpool/UK) Type into the FB search box.
Still not coming up for me Mal
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT IT’S NOT COMING UP FOR ME EITHER?
Hi Mal
The page came up for me. I remember Fords shop was next to the farmers arms and the Methodist church on Dinas Lane. It did have a barbers on one side…short back and sides with plenty off the top a specially..the other was a small shop used to get sent for 5 woodbines, a tube of petrol for lighter and a razor blade for my dad lol
Hi Mal.
Thanks for this post. I’m originally from St Helens but used to travel through Dovecot on my way into the city centre very often over many years, so I saw a many of the changes that occurred to Dovecot Place and the Finch Lane sportsground over the years. Your description of the Echo kiosk on the corner brought back some vivid memories!
I lived in the prefabs off finch lane 1959 -1968, not strictly Dovecot but close enough, location meant we used Dovecot, Page Moss and Finch lane as our local shops. I remember the fish shop with the fish tank under the counter in Dovecot shops, I think it was called Mordaunts. I was a Brownie at Holy Spirit for a couple of weeks, it wasn’t really my thing but my friends mum was Brown Owl , Mrs Mainey.
The MPTE training ground was surrounded by a fence made of concrete panels and getting over the fence was always called over the boards
I remember Mrs Mainey and her daughter (cant think of her name though)… xxx
Mrs Maineys daughter was Pamela, They lived on Princess Drive, about halfway between Colwell Road and Lordens Road.
I was at Colwell Road school with her but we went different ways after juniors. I lived just over the border so went to Prescot Girls Grammar, although my brother who was a year older than me went to Finch Hall secondary Modern, later Yew Tree Comp.
I remember at some point at Colwell the assembly halls were taken over by kids from another juniors, possibly Maidford Road, because they had a fire in their school
Do you remember a family names Higham? They lived in the prefabs, I went to school with Desi Higham.
A great blog, that has stirred many personal memories. I was born at Broadgreen Hospital and lived at 38 Lunsford Road, Dovecote with my parents Dorothy (nee McArdle) and Allan Greenwood and mum’s parents Florence and Arthur McArdle. I believe mum went to Grant Road School, dad went to Prescot Grammer. My immediate family migrated to Australia in late 1965. I took a trip down memory lane in 2008 on my first visit back to the UK, catching a bus from Liverpool city to Dovecote and took a nostalgic walk along Lunsford Road it was wonderful to revisit my early history. Thank you for sharing.
I was born at Mill road hospital and lived at 52 Longreach road until I was 2 when my dad, James Connor, who originally worked at Camelairds moved to Ormskirk leaving behind his mother Rose Connor and his broth Paul Connor in Longreach road. Remember going back there every weekend to see my Nan . My dads brother Paul, who was a merchant seaman, lived there for another dozen years with his wife Betty and young daughters.
I remember Ash Farm on Pilch Lane, I used to get sent there for milk if my mum ran out. Scotts on Pilch Lane was the bread shop (they also had a van that came around the houses), the sweet shop was called Venables, I used to go in and ask Mr Venables for broken penny ice lollies, he would gave me 2 or 3 for a penny. Round the corner was The Grand sweet shop just lower down than the Post office.
I am racking my brain trying to remember the name of the garage on Pilch Lane where the modern apartments are now, I bought a car from there and they also had a car showroom at the corner of Page Moss Lane and Western Avenue.
There used to be a big house set back next to the garage where my friend Caroline lived for a few years, on the other side were Barkers cottages which are still there.
It was Bolton`s garage when I lived in Dovecot. Before it was Bolton`s,i vaguely recall it was Dougherty`s? The Bolton family lived in the big corner house on Grant Road/Pilch lane.
Thank you John, it was Dougherty’s, I had totally forgotten it changed to Bolton’s.
While mentioning Page Moss Lane, here is some info of historical interest. There was 19th century Page Moss House opposite the Baptist Church (where they built Moss View Care Home), adjacent to it was Drury Farm renamed Orrett’s Farm in the 1920’s. Laburnum Cottage, Forton and Hillclough residences were demolished and Moss Gate Grove was later built on the site, there was also a huge sandpit. What has survived the building of the vast estate are Page Moss Cottages on Beechburn Road which were present in the early 19th cenury.
Lived at my Nan and Grandads house ( a real houseful) John and Lizzie Howard, at 85 Broadoak Road. Went to St Margaret Marys. We got a corpie house in Kingsheath Avenue, down Finch Lane.
Used to deliver the Finishing Touch tickets for Grandad all up and down Broadoak. My first girlfriend lived bottom of Longreach, Veronica Probyn. Saturday mornings Nan used to send me out with a list to do her shopping.
Jacks (Kirkhams) butchers for a joint and some boiled ham. Freds Grocers for butter and staples (a lot of stuff was delivered from the Co_op on Friday). Mattys (Mordaunts for a tail end of cod). Wilmots or Waterworths for veg. Sayers or Cubbons for a cake (later on Cussons). Then Thompsons newsagents for my comic.. The Victor.
Happy days
When I was born in April 1941, my parents’ first child, we lived in a flat above Blacow’s dairy at Dovecote Place. The Blacows were good friends, and we kept in touch until I was about twelve, by which time we were living at Childwall. During the blitz my father spent the air raids looking after me and the Blacow’s baby, Jean, who was the same age as me, in a cupboard under the stairs in the dairy. To while away the time he recorded the dates and times of the raids in pencil on the wall, together with drawings of aircraft, swastikas and pictures of Hitler. These were still in situ in the mid-60s, though the Blacows were long gone (I would love to know where they went), and for all I know may still be there. It is many years since I was in Liverpool and, in all the years, the only mention of Dovecote Place occurred in the 80s when a Foreign Office colleague told me that her mother had run the nearby Post Office in 1941 and that she remembered my mother as the only customer who insisted on bringing me in my prom into the shop rather than leaving me outside!
I am sad that Dovecote Place, a classically- designed late thirties building, now looks so decrepit. I suppose the era of small shops is over.
Hi I did not live in Dovecote my auntie lived in Penrose ave east ,but loved to go to Dovecot park.Then when I grew up spent most Saturday nights in the Mayfair club it was great place with fantastic artists.the name Lydiat came up is there a Dave I worked for him nearly 40years ago great boss happy memmories
I came across this Blog by accident and although I lived a bit further away, thought I’d just like to add my small but happy memory. The tennis courts in Grant Road were actually Knotty Ash Tennis Club. Long since gone but through the sixties and early 1970’s it gave me and my friends somewhere “safe”, friendly and fun to go after school/work and at weekends and importantly, it was acceptable to my parents. No Cavern Club for me! Of course, you had to like tennis but there was no pressure to be anything other than willing to learn! It was sad to see that it had been demolished in favour of houses but that’s life.
Hi, I used to be the secretary of the tennis club in grant road and had the sad duty of handing in the keys to liverpool council who owned the land and who had put up the rent to such an un affordable amount we had to shut up shop.
Within no time a block of flats had appeared.
Great memories all the same.
Back in the late 70’s Me, my sister, my mum and dad LIVED in the MTPE club! My dad (Ernie) and mum (Audey) were the steward and stewardess.
Hi can anyone remember the prefabs in knotty ash if i remember rightly the road was called Primula drive I think 🤔 love to find out more about it or see a picture, not 100% sure if it’s knotty ash or Dovecot. Thanks 😊
There were two prefab estates. Both were on East Prescot Road.One was opposite the Baths and the other opposite the Granada Cinema,next to the Transport Grounds. Primula Way was on the latter estate.If you go on the FB group there are photos and memories of the prefabs.
Thanks so much 👍
Thanks so much 👍