The entrance to Springfield Park
Some time ago, I published a page… The Roads of my Youth. and judging by the amount of positive comments, they showed me how many people read my blog, and take time to comment. This being the case, Ann and I did another…
Today, Ann and I thought we would take a walk, and reminisce, as to our own individual memories, of the roads of our youth, as we were both born and brought up, in the Dovecot area of Liverpool.
We decided to make our start at the old railway line, at the top end of Sringfield Park, closer to Broadgreen, and Knotty Ash, than Dovecot, but once again, this area of the city still holds many memories for us… So on Bank Holiday Monday, we caught a bus, from a bus stop on East Prescot Road, and using our newly acquired buss-passes, made our way up to the Park.
Getting off at the Sainsbury’s Supermarket, over the road, Ann and I, racked our brains, to think what was there before the Supermarket…. but to no avail…
Supermarket
We entered the park, and it brought back memories from both our childhoods, Ann remembered coming to the park with her siblings, but my memories went back even earlier, to my pre-school days… After the death of our mother, 18 months after I was born, my father found himself bringing up 3 boys, in our house in Prestwood Cresent, alone. Every morning, my brothers would go off to Maidford Road School, and my father, would hook me into the child seat on the back of his bike, and take me to Derwent Road Nursery, in the late 1950’s. He would cycle up to this entrance of Springfield Park, to take a shortcut along a cinder path between the railway embankment and the park… He would stop when he heard a train coming and I can recall us watching the steam trains, as they chugged past…. The trains have long gone, and so have the tracks… it is now a walkers and cycle track… but at least the memories are still there…lol
The railway to the old West Derby Station, and onward
The park itself, has changed a lot in recent years, with new plantings of wooded areas… Ann and I saw, that the swings, we used to play on as kids, were still there in roughly the same place, but the pinnacle monument which sat in the formal gardens of the park, has been moved…
The monument…
I suppose they had to move it…. to accommodate the all new Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. which now takes up the entire lower end of the park, I did wonder if the Police Station, Job Centre and Veterinary Clinic on Eaton Road, had been demolished to make way for the new hospital, so Ann & I, walked around the left hand side, and onto Eaton Road, to check it all out…
The all new Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
The old…. and the new….
Upon arriving at Eaton Road, we walked along to see the old hospital. I has all been boarded up now and the windows and roof’s are being systematically stripped out, no doubt to see what can be reused for other building projects in the city and further afield.
The old Victorian Alder Hey Hospital…
We walked past the Veterinarian Clinic, Job Centre and Police Station… so they had not been demolished to make way for the new hospital after all, although the Police Station, looked unused now, despite a few cars in the locked gated car-park at the rear… when we arrived back on the main drag… East Prescot Road… we noted the Notty Ashh Community Centre in the middle of the dual carriageway, had not altered much, but of course, the Knotty Ash Pub, although still standing, had changed its use to an Enterprise Car-rentals office, and had a sign on it stating that a restaurant and bar was opening soon…. After walking past the ‘Wheatsheath’ car sales, forecourt, showroom and offices, which seems to have been there forever and a day… we then hit on another institution of the area… The Greyhound Pub, situated on the roundabout, at the junctions of East Prescot Road, Pilch Lane, Thomas Lane and Blackmoor Drive… but wait for it… I don’t want anyone crying into their pints….. The iconic Greyhound, after many years of lying unused… is now two different eating houses… and one on the way…
a PizzaHut to the left… a Subway to the right…
and in the middle ???
To be announced… any ideas… lol
Sitting here writing this, my mind takes me to memories of the pubs in the vicinity, now long gone… From Springfield Park through Dovecot and Pagemoss and up to the Prescot Roundabout… let me see…. Although the Wheatsheath and Lord Nelson opposite the park are still going… from there is seems to go downhill… The Knotty Ash, now a car rentals…. The Greyhound, a PizzaHut & Subway… we move down to Dovecot/Pagemoss… The MPTE Sports and Social, demolished for a housing estate… The Farmer’s Arms, burnt down and demolished… The Eagle & Child, demolished, for a Lidl Supermarket and McDonald’s… The Oaktree is still going… The Bluebell, demolished for an NHS walk-in… The Hillside, demolished for apartments…. and of course there’s the Boundary on Pilch Lane, demolished and The Dovecot on Western Avenue, demolished for apartments…. gawd !!!
Anyway… more changes yet to see… as we passed over the roundabout, we came to the boundary of our childhood area… Dovecot.
The first big change we noticed, was the ‘Calvary’ Church on the right hand side… this was once quite an imposing church, as you entered the Dual-Carriageway into Dovecot, it seems to have shrunk somewhat… the land it sat on, has been halved, for some housing (I wonder if they sold it off), but the bulk of the original church has now, gone, and they have built a single story extension to two sides of the original church.
It’s Shrunk !!! must be like wagonwheel syndrome…lol
Walking along… we pass the entrance to a new road, and some great looking bungalows, of course it’s only when we get up and close, that we realise these bungalows and their entrance road, take of the place of where the old Dovecot, Harold Davies Public Baths, used to be…
Harold Davies site
I remember those great days, when my elder brothers, would get their cossies, and we would walk up to the swimming baths… I remember my first ‘cossie’ was made of wool, and when it got wet, the crotch would nearly hang down to my knees… it wasn’t embarrassing in those days, cos I was a kid and all my mates had them…lol. I remember the first time, I actually saw into the real baths area to the left just past the counter… The place people would come to have an actual bath… because they didn’t have their own bathroom in the house…
We would enter the main swimming pool area. and get your basket to change in the wooden cubicles, before entering the showers, and coming into the main pool area, which consisted of a small diving pool with springboards… a small pool for the youngsters, and the big pool for the more confident… Ann reminded me that after your swim, and drying off… you could go upstairs in the entrance area to a cafe….
Then we looked over East Prescott Road to the grassed area… In my younger days, this area was taken over with the old pre-fabricated post war houses (thus the need for actual baths at Harold Davies)… however, these were to be demolished in the 1960’s and I remember playing amongst the rubble with my mates… There used to be an old tin hut on this site, and I remember buying our fireworks on Bommie Night, here. Recently, Retail units have now been built on this land, and they include… An Aldi, A car-wash, A Mecca bingo, A Burger King and a Kentucky Fried Chicken…
The Aldi
Car-wash / Mecca Bingo / Burger King / KFC
Walking along East Prescot Road, we came to a familiar sight. the old Dovecot City Mission Church, with its walkway through to Churchdown Road, and onward to Dovecot Park… but that’s for another time…
The ‘Mission’ seems to have changed its name to The Dovecot Evangelical Church, but the building is exactly hot it was back in the day… one thing to note, is that there was a row of garages to the right of the Mission… this has now changed to a Housing Office (Berrybridge I think)… It was at this point… we fancied a break, and so we went to Ann’s childhood home, to cadge a cuppa and a jaffa-cake or two, from her 80+ year old mother (the mother-in-law)… before setting off on the final leg of our walk.
we set off again, and walked onto the Dual Carriageway, and towards Dovecot shops. On the right hand side of the road, we passed the old Doctors Surgery (if I remeber right) which has now changed to a Children’s Nursery… and passed the old Holy Spirit church hall… I think community activities go on there these days…
Kids World
Church Hall
Church of The Holy Spirit
So much of my early life was spent at this church and its activities… as a member of the cubs and scouts, along with my brothers, and our father was involved within the church. the stain-glass windows in the side chapel (St. Johns chapel), are dedicated to my mother and have inscriptions to this effect. Ann and I, were married here, along with my own parents, brothers, and Ann’s Sister, Janet and her husband Gary.
We looked over the road at the junction with Finch Lane & Dovecot Avenue, and were the ivy hangs over the wall on the corner, Ann & I reminisced about the Kiosk, located on the corner, from which I would pick up my green bag of Liverpool Echo’s each evening, to complete my round…. The left side of Dovecot shops… down Grovehurst Avenue (left side) all the Boundary end of Grant Road, turning left onto Pilch Lane and up to the shops, then crossing over… to a small ‘walk’ and finishing… to head home lol.
The Kiosk location (Ivy over the wall)
On the other side of the wall, is the new housing estate, built on the old Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (MPTE), Sports & Social Club and playing fields… We then walked on to see the original building, which I remember as the Dovey Bingo Hall… but those older than myself refer to it as the old picture house… it has seen short revivals over the years… but its latest is… A’ general‘ store… what that means is anyone’s guess ???
General Store…
At this point we decided that, this was a fitting place to end our walk for the day…. so we headed for home… perhaps to plan another local walk in the not to distant future… hope you have enjoyed it… as much as we did…
What great memories you have brought back . I went to school at maidford rd Junior school and went to Yew tree comprehensive. I remember also going to the transport social club with my parents and seeing some great talent Other great memories are of The Harold Davies swimming baths . We used to walk there from kingsheath then cross the tin homes or prefabs to the baths . My mum and auntie used to take us. One time in particular I remember someone blowing a whistle and shouting get out the pool as my sister and I had just jumped off the diving board into the 10ft pool. To our horror coming towards us floating in the pool was a huge log (poo) . Could not get out quick enough. We still laugh so hard today when someone mentions the baths. We really miss having our cup of oxo (bovril) and crisps after swimmng( upstairs in cafe overlooking pool) we also got all our swimming certificates from Harold Davies. Sad it’s not around any more. I could write a book on my childhood memories of growing up in Knotty Ash Dovecot area. Thank you for sharing all your photographs and walks down these areas all of which I know. My family are still in Liverpool, except myself I moved to Toronto Canada in early 80s. My dad has taken me for a drive down to our childhood area last time I was home for visit. Did not recognize some places . Both my schools are gone maidford Rd and Yew Tree which are now housing estates. It is nice that you and your wife took the time to recapture all these great landmarks and bring back a lot of childhood memories. My sister and I grew up in this area 60s and moved mid 70s.
Thank you again for sharing your memories and pictures.
Karen S
Karen… what a great reply to my post… its spurred me on to do another walk soon… many thanks, and regards….
I often do that walks often with my camera but I never take photos of the buildings .More the wild life along the cycle path My walk usually takes me to Chidwall then back to The station in West Derby ,Then back to Springfield park and every time memories come flooding back .You went to Eaton Road we used to stop at mothers pantry on the corner for tea and toast after playing in the park all day .Got to say reading your blog brought it all back so thank you ,Ray .
Thanks Ray… Really appreciate you taking time to comment
Mal, what a brilliant find I made today with your blog. Just finished reading both part 1 and part 2. I should think I will be older than yourself, as I was born 1944, moved to Stonefield Road 1953 and lived there until 1974. I remember all shops and places you mention in both part 1 & 2, I too learnt to swim at Dovey baths, entrance it was 4 old pennies (no time limit to leave) at the time, also given another old penny for a cup of Oxo and half a round of toast at the cafe before our walk back home. I also went to Stonefield Rd School (juniors before it burnt down) then onto Grant Rd from age 11 until 15 1959, at the time it was the school leaving age.
I have a 1970 Liverpool Street Directory, you were right about the doctors next door to Holy Sprit Church, it was our family doc, there was Dr. Kay, Dr Anderson and Dr Leahy, the surgery moved over to Dovecot Place, not sure when but it would have been after 1976, this is when I changed GP to where I now live now. Also I can remember going to work passing through Knotty Ash area on the bus, where Sainsbury’s is now, there was mounds of coal, checking in the 1970 street directory , here is what was there at the time. Between Warmington Rd and Rudyard Rd. Knotty Ash & Stanley Goids Station, David Hulme coal merchant, Fred Tilley & Sons coal merchants, Liverpool Co-operative Society Ldt. depot and Wellinington Excavating & Haulage (Liverpool) Ltd. haulage contractors. If there is anything you would like looking up in the street directory, I would be more that happy to do so.
Thank you for bringing back part of my childhood.
Jean… thank you for taking time to comment xxx
I too was born in 1944 and went to Winstone Road Infants and Stonefield Road school, until moving to Holly Lodge in 1956. These photographs are brilliant and I’m so enjoying your walks Mal and Ann.
I spent some time in Alder Hey hospital, and my parents were only allowed to visit twice a week. They used to bring my brothers to Springfield Park, so that I could wave to them from the Balcony of Ward D3.
a couple of years ago I came to area with my daughter and Grandchildren and we measured to distance between my home, 49 Churchdown road, to the Infants school where we walked on our own. To my amazement it was only 7/8ths of a mile. I thought it was miles away. It’s strange how much shorter and smaller everything is than our memories have it.
I’ve been in Nottinghamshire, just along the road from Robin Hood for 43 years now and have no family left in the area.
Maureen… super memories…you have written… Holly Lodge… is of course no longer…. the main school, is now a ‘select’ newly built housing estate… I assess some of the apprentices working there… the big old houses on the West Derby road side of the school, are currently being converted into appartments as i write…lol
Regards xxx
Went thru Dovecote …Infant …Junior…Senior…I remember a George Garner being in the same class’s as myself…My surname then was Duffy, and only changed to Mannering just after I got married in the 70s….Hope your all well…. Regards from Down Under Stuart X
Hi, I’m researching our Family Tree and Googled my husband’s Great Uncle Fred Tilley, Coal Merchant and your comment came up!
Reading through you mention Dr’s ANDERSON, LEHAY and KAY. These were my family doctors from the 50’s till the 70’s but their surgery was in Honeys Green, West Derby. Dr Anderson actually delivered my sister in February 1958 at home because the snow was too deep to get to Mill Road hospital.
Fantastic memories and I can see the places you are talking about so clearly in my mind. I went to Knotty Ash Infants and then the Juniors in Thomas Lane. I remember a particular piece of apparatus at Springfield Park called The Rocket, or at least that’s what I called it. Thank you for sharing Mal and Ann. Keep on walking!
Sue… So glad you followed the link, and looked around… I hope you enjoyed more of the pages and memories… so good of you to spend time to comment… it really is appreciated xxx
Nice work mal 😉
Thanks…
Thanks for dropping by Sue, and taking time to comment xxx
Hi
My family moved to Dovecot (Grant Road) in 1969, it was not long before i was caught climbing the school roof by the caretaker Mr Power who dragged me home to my parents. All the kids in the family attended Grant Road school and then went to Highfield Comprehensive.
I remember playing football against other roads and these games would go on until it was that dark that we couldn’t see each other. I have great memories of living in Dovecot and hanging around with the lads in Grant Road, there were many characters that i still have fond memories of.
Kevin… great memories to share…. thanks so much for taking time to comment
Loved reading your memories, think I’ll take a walk back in time ….soon
I lived in Grant rd and attended the s hol to leaving in 58
Just back from a week photographing the Carnivale in Venice…. thank you Joan, for taking time to comment
Recalling some names from the time,the Garner`s ,Cruse`s ,Kelly`s,Lehan`s,Woosey`s,Poynton`s,Trimbel`s,Quinn`s,Kissocks,Robinsons,
Mac`s kiosk on the corner of Finch Lane/East Prescot Road,Hind`s chipshop next to the Post Office,Blacow`s dairy,Thompsons sweet shop,Pegrams,Waterworths,Clitherows, I`m sure I could remember more if I tried! The Prefabs opposite the Granada! Dovecot Park was a great little park,used to spend hours&hours there. Bike rides to Southport.Penny returns on the Tram.The Dinner centre and Clinic on Longreach Road. Been back a couple of times since and everything has changed.It all appears so much smaller than I remember! Used to be a great area!
John… some great memories there…. I will be doing a future post on this very theme…. I hope you can fill in the blanks, I’m bound to leave out lol
My name was Ashworth then. You might remember my brothers Peter and David.
Just love your posts and photos ; feel I am back in time to the 50s and 60s ; Many thanks enjoy your walks
Thank you for taking time to comment… xxx
Thanks for sharing your memories! I lived in Rudyard Road, Knotty Ash and the coal yard was at the top of our road where Sainsbury’s is now. I went to Leyfield School, next door the Broughton Hall and there used to be a cider path that went through to East Prescot Road. I remember walking to the Dinner Centre (cheese pie, I loved it) and the swimming baths for swimming lessons with the school. When I went there with friends we loved to buy hot Oxo and Jammy Dodgers after a swim (great combination!) We spent many a day during the summer holidays in Springfield Park with a picnic of jammy butties and a bottle of water. When we were fed up playing the usual games one of our favourite occupations was calling at Ken Dodd’s house on Thomas Drive asking for a signed photo. That poor woman must have been mithered to death. She kept a stash by the door! We got our milk from Sowerby’s Dairy in Thomas Lane and I spent my pocket money at the sweet shop on East Prescot Road. We often used to explore the road behind those shops called The Little Bongs.
Rosemary… So good of you to take time to comment… You have some lovely memories which you have shared;;;
I run a Facebook site called ‘Memories of Dovecot & District’ which includes Knotty Ash… there are nearly 3,000 members recalling many memories, you can find us via our website …
http://www.ourdovecot.co.uk
Hope to see you there…
Mal xxx
Hi Mal – just come across your posts.
Re: Calvary Church – this was my childhood church which I returned back too in my middle adulthood. The old large building was demolished in 2011/2012 due to a lack of care and attention sadly (it got condemned for use the year I was due to get married – was so upset!). The building as you saw it was actually built as a social space alongside the main building; which then after the demolition became our ‘church’ until due to a lack of numbers we had to close the church in 2018
Knotty Ash medical centre bought the building and land and are now functioning as a GP surgery since 2021. Their plan is to call it Calvary Medical Centre