THE popularity of Guy Fawkes Night in St Helens has ebbed and flowed over the years.
Interest sunk to a low point during the mid-19th century and in November 1863 the St Helens Newspaper wrote: "The antiquated farce of lighting bon-fires in celebration of ‘Gunpowder Plot,’ seems to have died out, and the only demonstrations in St Helens this year were by some mischievous boys, who annoyed the peaceable inhabitants by firing off a few pop-guns, squibs, and crackers, in the more secluded parts of the town."
But the appeal of the celebrations was soon revived, with firearms and cannons supplementing the setting off of fireworks.
In November 1874 John Eccleston and William Travers appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions accused of celebrating Guy Fawkes Night by firing pistols on the streets of Thatto Heath.
Then in 1891 the St Helens Examiner described the November 5th celebrations within the Newton-le-Willows area: "The time-honoured custom of observing the anniversary of Guy Fawkes, by pyrotechnic displays was observed in a very hearty fashion in Earlestown, Newton, and the district.
Soon after 6 o’clock large bonfires could be seen all over the townships, whilst rockets accompanied by the loud booming of cannons were hissing through space in all directions."
There were many prosecutions of boys for letting off fireworks in the street but in 1900 Joseph Hurst found himself in court for a different reason.
He and his mates had created a blazing bonfire on wasteland at the rear of what is now Kitchener Street by nicking wood from a Dentons Green fence – much to the displeasure of its owner!
Just like today fireworks were in the shops well before Guy Fawkes Night. In 1923 Thomas Dillon was fined 5 shillings after throwing lit fireworks over rooftops in Glover Street in mid-October.
In the early hours of November 6th 1932 what was described as a "disastrous fire"
destroyed Nevin's large grocery warehouse in Peasley Cross. The Manor Street blaze was blamed on a firework having fallen on its roof during the previous evening and after smouldering had ignited the wooden building.
Thirty-eight years later, children throwing fireworks was thought to have been the cause of a huge fire at Reynolds Supermarket on Warrington Road in Rainhill.
I don't think hospitals today would be too keen on children lighting up sparklers in their wards – or permit other fireworks to be let off close by.
However, in 1950 the Matron of the children's ward at St Helens Hospital gave her permission for such a display. The St Helens Reporter wrote: "Roman candles, catherine wheels, coloured lights and sparklers, lit up the verandah and ward, and cries of delight were heard from the children."
Fifteen-year-old Bertie Grote from Ellamsbridge Road in Sutton had organised the display to cheer up a friend who was a patient.
By the 1960s many bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night were being lit in unsuitable places and the Fire Brigade were kept busy. There were also many injuries and in 1963 St Helens Council decided to organise communal displays.
Five sites in various parts of the town were earmarked for what was described as "controlled" bonfires.
But the novel scheme was dropped after a demonstration by schoolchildren angry their rights to set up their own bonfires were being usurped.
In 1969 the St Helens Reporter surveyed public opinion on Bonfire Night and a farsighted June Chesworth from Hammond Street in Parr said: "I think every district should have its own display. It could be properly organised and everyone pay as they go in. I'd also like to see big bonfires for each town. It would save a lot of pain and suffering."
That, of course, largely came to pass and for many years Sherdley Park hosted an annual fireworks display and these days the number of casualties on Guy Fawkes Night is a fraction of what it was.
Stephen Wainwright's latest book The Hidden History Of St Helens Vol 4 is available from the St Helens Book Stop in Bridge Street and online from eBay and Amazon with free delivery. Price £12. Vols 1 to 3 are also still available.
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