Runcorn Memories: Insight into town's past
READERS looking for a handy and useful Christmas present won't go far wrong in purchasing a copy of Runcorn Historical Society's 2010 calendar, its second venture in this field.
Produced by the society's publications committee, and now on sale, the 2010 calendar provides an excellent collection of photographs from the past and, at the same time, offers an insight into the town's colourful history.
The front cover is devoted to a superb picture of the Runcorn registered schooner Gleaner. She was typical of the small sailing vessels using the Port of Runcorn. For many years, she was engaged in carrying china clay and flints from ports in Devon and Cornwall.
The Gleaner and her crew were lost in the Irish Sea on November 5, 1918.
Several pictures are from the society's archives, now housed in the Carnegie Library, Egerton Street, and others are from society officials Diane Stanley and Alex Cowan and executive committee member Councillor Peter Blackmore. The latter has come up with a memorable shot of the Manchester Ship Canal at Weston Point. It is a near-perfect study of the scene taken by moonlight with the 'church-on-the-island' and the old lighthouse forming the backdrop. In the foreground, several figures are captured in rowing boats and there is a steamer and a schooner.
You'll see a beautiful illustration of the navvies' huts at Acton Grange, built for the families of the menfolk working on the construction of the so-called Big Ditch - the ship canal - in 1890.
Other photographs include the Runcorn rugby team (circa 1906-7), the Customs House off Old Coach Road, the Mersey and Irwell Navigation (circa 1880), the former Hearse House in Church Street, the Ship Cottages awaiting demolition in the 1960s, the Runcorn Mandolin Band (1898), Holy Trinity Rose Queen and Retinue (1964) and Halton Rose Fete (1949).
The calendar also features an interesting and varied selection of local historical dates.
For example, the old British Restaurant on Brunswick Street was opened in January, 1942, and the old Runcorn and Widnes Co-operative Society began paying out 'divi' to members in February, 1944.
And did you know, also at the beginning of February, way back in 1869, the first goods traffic crossed the Runcorn Railway Bridge?
In March, 1895, the old ferry reopened after four years closure and in the same month, 100 years later, the Ferry Charter was bought by Halton Borough Council.
In April, the first marriage took place at the old Runcorn Parish Church in 1558.
The railway bridge opened in May, 1869, and Runcorn launched its War Weapons Week in May, 1941.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with a bonfire in June, 1897.
A water carnival formed the climax of Runcorn Civic Week in July, 1967.
The Runcorn Section of the Bridgewater Canal was emptied to inspect bulging walls in August, 1889.
The old Bethesda Chapel Schoolroom off High Street opened in September, 1835.
The Beatles were at Dawsons old music shop in Church Street in October, 1962. The Fab Four were signing their record Love Me Do.
And the old United Alkali Company was formed in November, 1890, and the cenotaph was unveiled on Sunday November 14, 1920.
An order for building Halton Court and Gaol was placed in December 1737.
More than 200 years later, in December, 1941, some 780 vouchers were given to Runcorn's needy from the town's Christmas Cheer Fund.
Priced £4, the calendar is on sale at the Curiosity Bookshop, High Street, at Barry Owens newsagents, Balfour Street, and also at Norton Priory Museum.
The picture shows a memorable moment by moonlight over the ship canal at Weston Point with the church-onthe-island and the old lighthouse standing almost side by side (circa 1890s).
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I have a keen interest is locating the site of the Ship Canal wooden workers huts (village) at Acton Grange. My GGrandfather Charles Isaac lived at Frederick Street and he was I am told, the forman of the Latchford Lock construction, working for T A Walker. His sin and Brother in Law lived in Hut 7 in the above workers village.
I visited the Manchester archive but they were unable to help other than some interesting photographs of the ship canal under construction. As far as I can determine the villiage is in the Nature reserve at Acton Grange.
I intend visiting again in August this year and wondered if you might shed light on this mystery. Or know of a historian or local who could help.
Kindest regards
Richard Isaac
Brisbane
Australia