There aren't many overweight people and everyone is dressed properly. Now its spare tyres, jogging pants, oversize fleeces, nylon football shirts and trainers. What the hell happened to us? No pride in anything,
I was 12 when this video was made, thriving industries , busy shopping centre, shame to say there's not much industry left in the town ( I work nr chester in the glass industry) it's town centre fails in comparison with surrounding areas- even Widnes ! . Loved growing up here but it's never going to be as good as it was.
@Jimmy Vapes not being judgemental. I'm saying people's problems are largely created by lack of opportunity. This footage is from when there were decent jobs and decent education available for people in St. Helens. Now people are left by the wayside and spiral into destructive habits compounded by relative poverty and inadequate social care.
sazzle magpie77 I know. I don't live in St Helens anymore but feel sad when I visit the town centre these days. Much nicer town back then and a decent night out 😊
I recall these scenes well. 1988 was the year I left St. Helens for London. I used to get my vinyl records, magazines and greetings cards from Martins.
Absolutely. I remember Martin's well. I too would buy my vinyl and "tapes" for there plus my dad's King Edward cigars every Christmas. Not the same town anymore. I too moved away over 10 years ago but it is sad to see what the town has become.
Indeed Glen; in the era when La Grange and St. Mary's were built in the 70s and through to the late 80s it remained a thriving town centre, despite the economic slump and mass unemployment of the early 80s. In the mid-80s, my colleagues and I used to do an in-store broadcast at Woolworths, which boost sales not only in the record department but also elsewhere in Woolies and further increased footfall in the Hardshaw Centre. However, we became victims of our own success and the police requested we stop as the centre was becoming too busy on the Saturdays when we broadcast. I vividly remember too just how busy the prior cast-iron framed 'covered' and outdoor markets of the sixties were, which we would go to when we came from Liverpool to visit family in St. Helens, then in 1968, we moved from Liverpool to Donkey Common (Thatto Heath). Whenever I venture to St. Helens now, there are lots of traffic jams in the town centre, but this isn't reflected in foot-fall and many stores are closed down again.
I got my Doctor Who book signed by Tom Baker at a book signing he did there, when I was a kid.. Think it was 1975 or '76. Still got the book. All the kids were in awe of him.
I wonder on what grounds were Helena House and the Fleece Hotel demolished? Seems a travesty to have for rid of those. Such historic buildings that should've been preserved. Wigan and Warrington Councils seem to do it better!
Totally agree. I have worked in both Warrington and Wigan (The latter being the better of the 2 I have to add) and they understand the benefit and potential future returns of "investment". This bunch of clowns couldn't even spell the word!
The council ‘planning’ is an absolute joke. They take down iconic building, and replace them with crap that won’t last more than 50 years. Helena House was the heart of the town where everyone would meet. It’s now the location of a nondescript Wilkinson. The town is a shadow of its former glory. So sad. 😞
Thats all town is short of.....people, a few bob in your pocket to spend and keep the centre thriving.Its the demise of industry in coal,ugb,fibreglass,triple x,bicc,rockware and pilks thats turned a busy bustling town into a wasteland.Only investment will bring it back, not warehouses on green belt full of foreign agency staff.
It’s not just the lack of well paid work, although that is a major factor, it’s the lack of foresight by consecutive councils. The contrast between Warrington, and Wigan town centre’s is amazing. They kept there historic buildings which attract footfall and make it pleasant place to shop. Our council loves knocking down our heritage to replace it with a pile of cold concrete. Shortsightedness, has been the town centre planners downfall. I read in the St Helens Star that Beechams Clock could be up for sale, another iconic meeting place. Born and bred in St’ellins.
Well you missed out on the unrivalled experience of driving your Ford Cortina through town with windows down, "bum-fluff" moustache on top lip with U2/Simple Minds/OMD, etc. booming on the casette deck. Those days were pure magic :-)
I remember the road. All the buses went down the road. It was one way - from Matalan/KFC end to Boots. Then it became Ormskirk Street, there were traffic lights, and the busses went down to Helena House, some turning right at the Gas Showroom (#1) some stopping round the corner in outside the Sefton and going back to Pimmies where the Eccleston bus stop was.
Hello Glen, would i be able to use part of this clip in a documentary i am making for college, researching the St helens high-street over the years. This footage would be very useful for the project.
Absolutely no problem mate. The video is there for everyone to use and enjoy. Would love to see your documentary when it's finished...will you send me a link? Best of luck and Merry Christmas👍🎅👍
Johnny was homeless in the 1980s. He was originally from Peasley Cross, when his mum died his step father threw him out of the house. He would pass our house on his travels, and always stopped to talk. He was highly intelligent; he remembered everyone in my family, and always asked after my mam. We miss Johnny immensely.
Glad to hear it 😊 My old fella on the other hand... what's he like walking around with no teeth 😖 He's one step away from banging round town like Johnny Wellies
Called at your Mum & Dads today Glen at 2pm but they must of been out shopping I will try again on the way home from work next week I'm now based in Whiston Hospital so I pass every day x
Today's town centre pales into insignificance of what it was like in 1988. It was a lovely town, good shopping, everyone knew each other and one of the best towns for a night out in the North West (if not UK) Now, I am ashamed to say, it is an unrecognisable embarrassment and an epitaph to the hard working people that made this town what it was. Pretty much the same??? Open your eyes mate
@@glenohare23I can go further back than that. I was a child in the 1960s; we had the open market which bustled with activity, Helena House (co-op) an icon of the town, great independent shops, the Victorian Bus Station was a beautiful, the Fleece Hotel was a local favourite too. Then came to the 1970s; bulldozers came in, and left a concrete monstrosity behind. That started the decline we have today. I love my town, but am ashamed of the council ‘planning’ department who couldn’t plan a p*ss up in brewery.
There aren't many overweight people and everyone is dressed properly. Now its spare tyres, jogging pants, oversize fleeces, nylon football shirts and trainers. What the hell happened to us? No pride in anything,
I was 12 when this video was made, thriving industries , busy shopping centre, shame to say there's not much industry left in the town ( I work nr chester in the glass industry) it's town centre fails in comparison with surrounding areas- even Widnes ! . Loved growing up here but it's never going to be as good as it was.
I'll live in at Helens
St
No drug addled wasters, shouting alcoholics or fatties. Amazing what giving people decent jobs, prospects and facilities can do.
@Jimmy Vapes not being judgemental. I'm saying people's problems are largely created by lack of opportunity. This footage is from when there were decent jobs and decent education available for people in St. Helens. Now people are left by the wayside and spiral into destructive habits compounded by relative poverty and inadequate social care.
so much busier than now and looks better with the grass and fountain
sazzle magpie77 I know. I don't live in St Helens anymore but feel sad when I visit the town centre these days. Much nicer town back then and a decent night out 😊
So much busier because the vast majority of people we saw were all old. They're dead now. And the smart ones left. (I'm not smart, I'm still here!)
Was a criminal act, knocking down the lovely Helena House.
Don’t forget the Fleece hotel as well
No boarded up shops, or workshy wankers drinking cider!
This is awesome...I was only a few months old when this video was made. Thank you for sharing this.
My pleasure mate 😊
There is a plan to redevelop the main street, market and church area. Though I don't know if the funding has been secured.
I recall these scenes well. 1988 was the year I left St. Helens for London. I used to get my vinyl records, magazines and greetings cards from Martins.
Absolutely. I remember Martin's well. I too would buy my vinyl and "tapes" for there plus my dad's King Edward cigars every Christmas. Not the same town anymore. I too moved away over 10 years ago but it is sad to see what the town has become.
Indeed Glen; in the era when La Grange and St. Mary's were built in the 70s and through to the late 80s it remained a thriving town centre, despite the economic slump and mass unemployment of the early 80s.
In the mid-80s, my colleagues and I used to do an in-store broadcast at Woolworths, which boost sales not only in the record department but also elsewhere in Woolies and further increased footfall in the Hardshaw Centre. However, we became victims of our own success and the police requested we stop as the centre was becoming too busy on the Saturdays when we broadcast.
I vividly remember too just how busy the prior cast-iron framed 'covered' and outdoor markets of the sixties were, which we would go to when we came from Liverpool to visit family in St. Helens, then in 1968, we moved from Liverpool to Donkey Common (Thatto Heath).
Whenever I venture to St. Helens now, there are lots of traffic jams in the town centre, but this isn't reflected in foot-fall and many stores are closed down again.
As did we all
I got my Doctor Who book signed by Tom Baker at a book signing he did there, when I was a kid.. Think it was 1975 or '76. Still got the book. All the kids were in awe of him.
Eddy Camp I spent some of the worst years of my life there, but I would'nt change them for anything
I wonder on what grounds were Helena House and the Fleece Hotel demolished? Seems a travesty to have for rid of those. Such historic buildings that should've been preserved. Wigan and Warrington Councils seem to do it better!
Totally agree. I have worked in both Warrington and Wigan (The latter being the better of the 2 I have to add) and they understand the benefit and potential future returns of "investment". This bunch of clowns couldn't even spell the word!
The council ‘planning’ is an absolute joke. They take down iconic building, and replace them with crap that won’t last more than 50 years. Helena House was the heart of the town where everyone would meet. It’s now the location of a nondescript Wilkinson. The town is a shadow of its former glory. So sad. 😞
Thats all town is short of.....people, a few bob in your pocket to spend and keep the centre thriving.Its the demise of industry in coal,ugb,fibreglass,triple x,bicc,rockware and pilks thats turned a busy bustling town into a wasteland.Only investment will bring it back, not warehouses on green belt full of foreign agency staff.
Absoluetly right my friend... unfortunately :-(
It’s not just the lack of well paid work, although that is a major factor, it’s the lack of foresight by consecutive councils. The contrast between Warrington, and Wigan town centre’s is amazing. They kept there historic buildings which attract footfall and make it pleasant place to shop. Our council loves knocking down our heritage to replace it with a pile of cold concrete. Shortsightedness, has been the town centre planners downfall. I read in the St Helens Star that Beechams Clock could be up for sale, another iconic meeting place. Born and bred in St’ellins.
my footage what I took them years ago
I turned 12 in the summer of '88 and can honestly say I have no memory of a road going down Church Street.
Well you missed out on the unrivalled experience of driving your Ford Cortina through town with windows down, "bum-fluff" moustache on top lip with U2/Simple Minds/OMD, etc. booming on the casette deck. Those days were pure magic :-)
@@glenohare23 I was in my 1st year at Sutton High then so certainly unable to drive ha ha.
I remember the road. All the buses went down the road. It was one way - from Matalan/KFC end to Boots. Then it became Ormskirk Street, there were traffic lights, and the busses went down to Helena House, some turning right at the Gas Showroom (#1) some stopping round the corner in outside the Sefton and going back to Pimmies where the Eccleston bus stop was.
Am Wigan .. But .. massive saint.s fan .. i.m a saint But so Very proud...come on you saint's...♥♥♥♥
Glad to hear it mate 👍👍👍
Hello Glen, would i be able to use part of this clip in a documentary i am making for college, researching the St helens high-street over the years. This footage would be very useful for the project.
Absolutely no problem mate. The video is there for everyone to use and enjoy. Would love to see your documentary when it's finished...will you send me a link? Best of luck and Merry Christmas👍🎅👍
I am absolutely green with jealousy I wasnt even born then 🤦🏻♂️ the 80s was great from what my mum and auntie have told me, And the music was better!
There used be a lovely big old Victorian brewery that look like Wonkas factory
Great to see it bustling in the old days ..it’s like a zombie apocalypse now.
Wish I was born back then everything's done online nowdays
my video from 1988/9 i still owe the copyright to this
copyright lmao
I'm fine love xx wad talking to your Dad this morning x
Loved the blast from the past x
He was telling me that you had not been well. Hope you are feeling better and are on the mend X
Aww blast from the past. Brilliant seeing how it all was. I was only 11 then.
Great times... great people.... wonderful town back then. So sad :-(
@@glenohare23 yep so sad to see it now. Atleast we witnessed the good times my friend. Brilliant place
13:24 A brief glimpse of Union Street at the end of the tape xD
So English...
30 years ago lordy dordy where is Johnny Wellies?
He wasn't homeless back then. Only appeared on the streets in the early to mid 90's.
Johnny was homeless in the 1980s. He was originally from Peasley Cross, when his mum died his step father threw him out of the house. He would pass our house on his travels, and always stopped to talk. He was highly intelligent; he remembered everyone in my family, and always asked after my mam. We miss Johnny immensely.
Year before I was born
All I can say is that you missed the best decade in the memory of man. What a blast!! :-)
And scousers
I was born in 1988
Glen Ohare - hello little Cuz x
How's our Elaine.. how's it going? Did you like the little blast from the past? Forgot how nice town used to be. 😊
I'm fine now thank God x your Dad is looking great I love him he never changes I told him off because he didn't have his teeth in lol xxxx
Glad to hear it 😊 My old fella on the other hand... what's he like walking around with no teeth 😖 He's one step away from banging round town like Johnny Wellies
Glen O'Hare well if you need an assessment for him just let me know lol xxx he's never changed xxxx
Called at your Mum & Dads today Glen at 2pm but they must of been out shopping
I will try again on the way home from work next week I'm now based in Whiston Hospital so I pass every day x
I don’t think it’s changed very much just less people and dirtier. Pretty much the same other than that.
Today's town centre pales into insignificance of what it was like in 1988. It was a lovely town, good shopping, everyone knew each other and one of the best towns for a night out in the North West (if not UK) Now, I am ashamed to say, it is an unrecognisable embarrassment and an epitaph to the hard working people that made this town what it was. Pretty much the same??? Open your eyes mate
@@glenohare23I can go further back than that. I was a child in the 1960s; we had the open market which bustled with activity, Helena House (co-op) an icon of the town, great independent shops, the Victorian Bus Station was a beautiful, the Fleece Hotel was a local favourite too. Then came to the 1970s; bulldozers came in, and left a concrete monstrosity behind. That started the decline we have today. I love my town, but am ashamed of the council ‘planning’ department who couldn’t plan a p*ss up in brewery.