If you recognise the images below then this page is for you. If the pictures bring back memories of days in Rainhill - even more so. By clicking either of the images you can put yourself in touch with other Rainhill exiles. You don't have to live far away; Prescot will do. But even if you live as far away as the Antipodes you can still join in.

If you click to the next page you will be asked to give some details about yourself and you can leave a brief message to be passed on to other ex-Rainhillians.

Old School Lych Gate

Below are the people who would like to get in touch, and the method of contact they would like. To respond you can either contact them direct if they've put up their address or you can email the Society for details at rainhill.civic@gmail.com You can, of course, use the next page to put up a message of your own.This can be just a reminiscence or a bit of information about Rainhill that you would like to share - if you don't wish to be contacted that's all right.

Older information on this page was checked in February, 2009 and updated where appropriate. Some contacts did not respond and their details, apart from name and location, have been removed. If anyone has further information about them please let me know.
December 2009. The page has now been reorganised to put the most recent entries at the top.
Rainhill
Name Location Method of contact
Therese Glynn , nee Murtagh St Helens, UK treray@live.co.uk
Message I attended St Barts School from 1959 - 1966 - thereafter I attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary Modern in St Helens (all girls). My grandparents lived in First Avenue Rainhill (where my mother and aunts and uncles grew up) and then in in Whiston until 1973. Since I married, I have lived in St Helens. I have 3 grown up children and 4 grandchildren. I would love to hear from kindred spirits who would like to get in touch to reminisce.
July 2010
Theresa Thomas, nee Hollis England adt.brenig@tiscali.co.uk
Message In 1966 to 1969 I often went to my friend's house to stay. I remember we got off the train from Earlestown to Rainhill and walked a few minutes up the road to her house. I haven't seen Elsie since 1969, so would love to get in touch. Elsie Baines was her name. Other friends from Rainhill and Prescot were Sandra Barns. Doris Burke and Sue Hughes. We all went to Newton le Willows College to do an NNEB Course. I remember Rainhill as a lovely place. I now live in Essex but still go back to Lancashire to visit family.
March 2010
Matt Gilsenan gillie6622@yahoo.co.uk
MessageI have changed my e-mail address since I last appeared on the web site, Born in Rainhill in 1940,opposite Houghtons farm and still living in Rainhill, it is interesting to see many old Scouts writing about their life and time spent in the Village. My request for information about the Scout HQ in the Vicarage did not seem to jog anyone's memory. Can anyone help me with this, the shop between Welsby's Bakery and Monaghans now the Chip Shop, who owned the business in the 40's and 50's,and what was the trade?
February 2010
David Lord Campbeltown, Scotland Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message Moved to Rainhill in 1949 and attended the primary and junior schools before going to Wade Deacon GS in 1955. Left the village in 1961 to live in the Isle of Man before travelling the world with the Met Office. Many happy memories of wandering wild around Dukes Clough, Pex Hill and just about every other bit of countryside in the district. Was in the cubs and scouts and the youth club at the Methodist Church. Played for a short while for Rainhill Sports FC. Happy Days.
December 2009
Peter Cartmell NSW central coast, Australia cartmell@terrigal.net.au
Message I was born in 1947 and lived in Rainhill Road, and went to the infants and junior schools. I remember that in those days a lot of the Village businesses were Welsbys, apart from Kenright's and Betty Hughes's shops. I worked for the Liverpool Echo after leaving school in '62 and used to watch the Beatles at the Cavern at lunchtime. I thought they were OK, but not as good as other groups like the Big Three and Undertakers - how wrong can you be? I left Rainhill in 1970 to live in Jersey, then went to Australia and I am still here, although I have been back "home" a good few times over the years .
December 2009
Peter Rigby Australia rigs2@optusnet.com.au
Message I wasn't born in Rainhill, but lived in Batey Avenue from 1939 till 1953, when I moved to Whiston, before emigrating to South Australia. I'm a contempory of Keith Macklin, who became a well known sports commentator [sadly now deceased] ,Bill Price and Norman Ratcliffe, who lived respectively in Chatsworth, Sandhurst and Norcliffe Roads. I often read the the list to see if any names of my era appear, but no luck so far. I recognise many of the surnames of families who apparently still live in the area, like Ron Pye, my girlfriend Joan Lawrenson (later Mrs. Rigby), from Longton Lane. I regularly walked round the Towers and Duke's Clough, resting for a while at Pex Hill. In summer it seemed as if the whole of Rainhill was doing likewise. We were regular customers at Sutcliffe's chipshop in Longton Lane and Livesey's chippie just off Chatsworth Road. During WWII we also patronised the British Canteen on the same service road. That was a large Nissen Hut serving basic three course meals, that didn't require ration cards to purchase food.
December 2009
Stephanie Warbrick (nee Baines) Auckland, New Zealand stephanie_warbrick@yahoo.co.uk
MessageI was born in Rainhill in 1950, went to Longton Lane Primary School and Prescot Girls Grammar School. Left Rainhill in 1969, after marrying Ron Warbrick (his family had the Builders' Merchants on the the Bridge). We went to New Zealand and joined Ron's family, Mum Dad, brother Phil, sister Evelyn, her husband,Derrick Hughes and their 2 children. I remember fondly the Youth Club at Longton Lane, going to the chip shop on Chatsworth Road (Livesey's) afterwards. Growing up in the 60's was a very interesting time. Have been on lots of visits to UK since arriving in NZ, planning on one this year at the end of Nov 2009. My mum died in 1978 and my Dad (Steve Baines, who is now 95 years old) is now here in NZ with us. Ron's mum and Dad, Eve & Bill are both dead now, but were great friends of some of the Welsby family(being in business in Rainhill). Have caught up with Geoff Lovatt, who I see is on the site. I also see a name Ron would know very well, Max Lycett. Great to see this site. Love to hear from anyone who remembers me!
October 2009
Ron Warbrick New Zealand rwarbrick@ohs.school.nz
Message Arrived in Rainhill as a two year-old in 1949. Attended St Ann’s and then Whiston Secondary Modern. Left in 62 and went to St Helens Tech. At the same time I worked in the family business W. Warbrick and Sons Ltd on Rainhill Bridge next to the station. I also remember hanging out around the Victoria. Left Rainhill in 69 to live in New Zealand. Returned in 78 and stay until 1981. Love the pictures of Rainhill in the one of the Rainhill Bridge I can just see the corner of my Dad’s builders yard and in the picture of View Rd, I can just see the corner of our old house at number 60. Will be in Rainhill again at Chrismas 2009. Ron Warbrick
October 2009
Ron Pye Nottinghamshire, UK r-pye@sky.com
Message I was directed to your web site by my cousin's husband, and reading your Rainhill remembered site brought back many happy memories to me. I was born in the village, went to both village schools and I was in the church choir at St Ann's church. I went on to be educated at Wade Deacon G.S until I started my career in the mining industry. When at church school I remember the church steeple being taken down and the stones being stacked near the main door. Pity it was not re-built. It was during the war and I used to help my grandfather push his handcart loaded with accumulators for the wireless (radios) that we charged up for people of the village. We all went to church three times every Sunday, had lots of fun walking round the Towers and the Clough every Sunday - not so built up in those days. I was in the Scouts, lots of camping in the summer and became a Queen's Scout, an honour I have always treasured. We went cycling too, meeting in Longton Lane on Sundays. If you were not there on time we went! Often into North Wales, a 100 mile ride was nothing. There was no traffic as such, the biggest hazard being the tram lines! I also played cricket on the Victoria terrace pitch, away matches met at the Vic,sometimes inside too! Of course girls came into my life, went out with a few, then met and married a wonderful girl from Prescot at StAnn's Church. We lived in Rainhill until 1967 when we moved to Nottinghamshire,(still there).Two of my daughters were born in Rainhill. They often remember some of our happy life there. In those days Rainhill was in Lancashire, I am still proud of being a Rainhillian and a Lank. I am glad I found this website I look forward to visiting it again from time to time.
October 2009
Chris Harris UK CHarris@htecuk.com
Message Does anyone remember Marie McCracken nee Frain. She worked in Rainhill in the late 1970's.
August 2009
Graham Stirrup Little Langdale, UK gwandcns@homecall.co.uk
Message Memories of late 1940's in Rainhill.It was very fortunate for me, that in early 1946, my father moved from Alder Hey to take a post as deputy and later in charge of the Laboratory at Rainhill Hospital. I transferred from a suburban Liverpool school, where I had been "written off" as far as any academic progress was concerned, to spend nearly three years at St Ann's Church school. I came home in tears after the first day as I could scarcely understand any of the local accent which was then broad Lancashire. (The ten mile journey from Liverpool then took about an hour, on the number 10 tram to Prescot and then the number 8 trolleybus to Rainhill). It was a rural Lancashire village. Here I was taught how to apply myself by the wonderful Head Teacher Miss Henrietta (Hetty)Critchley, (whom, I understand, each day travelled by public transport to Rainhill from Crosby), Miss Skeat, deputy Head, and Mr Marshall. Mr Robin Dewar, son of the Farm Bailiff at the Annexe Farm at the hospital was a trainee teacher during my final year there. We had a wonderful success rate in the 11 plus exam...albeit by much rote learning.....but it has all (well mostly) stuck to this day when I am almost 71. The day always started, (if it was not a Saint's day, when we went to church,)reciting the Lord's Prayer, the Catechism and the times table for the day. Memories of the crates of(1/3 pint) milk bottles thawing out by the open fireplaces in each classroom, (sometimes placed too close to the fire and boiling over). The moveable partition separating the two classes held in the assembly room, (facing on to View Road) The stategically placed buckets & having to move our desks with when rain came through the leaking roof.The unsurfaced playground which became a mudbath at times. The toilets with no running water.....I became quite good at being able to wait until I got home. The church choir, choirmaster MrJohn Houghton, known to us all as Chike (his favourite composer Tchaikovsky). Head chorister was David Hurst, whose father ran a pharmacy on Warrington Road near Whiston. Mr Jones, the vicar who lived with his parents in the vicarage in View Road.Many of the village shops being owned by a member of the Lowe or Welsby family.Happy memories of the freedom of the 200 acres of parkland at the hospital, such a contrast to earlier days in Liverpool.I have real gratitude to Rainhill School for sending me, in 1949, on to Wade Deacon Grammar School, University and a happy professional career.
August 2009
Morris and Judy Clegg Henley, UK Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message We moved to View Rd. when we married in 1958 having built a house at the top of the road. Our four children were all born during our years in the village and spent the first three years of their school life at the bottom of the road at the C.of E. school, where they got a first rate grounding. Having become a Reader shortly before moving to Rainhill, was attached to the parish church, at that time led by The Rev.Lesley Eyres. His curate was The Rev.Keith Lightfoot. Keith became the Dean of Hamilton, New Zealand where he still lives with his wife Jenny, though now long retired, and with whom I am in regular contact. Having sold my business, situated in a factory I had built in Stoney Lane, it was decided to move to Cheshire where we spent the next twenty three years in a little village called Gawsworth. With advancing years we felt the need to be closer to our family, all of whom had moved South, so we located a couple of years ago to our present home in Henley. So we see much more of them, and our eleven grandchildren, than formerly.
August 2009
Wendy Wright USA wendywnyc@aol.com
Message I found this site by accident but I am very pleased to have found it! I was born in Whiston Hospital and lived in Rainhill until I was 20 years old (1976). I moved to Bristol and did my nurse's training. I lived in London for 6 years then Sydney for three. I went to St. Ann's Infants and Primary schools and then went to Whiston Secondary school. My two elder sisters didn't move far from Rainhill. Sue lives in St. Helens and Chris lives in Widnes. I recognize at least two the the names in Rainhill Remembered - Jan Norman and Geoff Lovett. I have lived in New York since 1990. Before then, I lived in Australia. I last visited Rainhill at Christmas.
July 2009
John Lamb Calgary, Canada jlamb@xplornet.com
Message Have lived in the Calgary Area in Canada since 1980, went to the Old School 1951 to 1957
June 2009
Max Lycett Orange County, California, USA.
Jan Norman Derby, UK Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message I lived in Calder Drive until 1970. I attended St Ann's school and youth club, then Preccy Grammar. I also went to the Attic at St James - it was wonderful, brill music. I hung around with the Vic Mods - have recently been in touch with Geoff Lovett; would love to hear from anyone out there who remembers me. (I was the one with the red hair and freckles!!)
February 2009
Joan Langlois (nee Welsby) England langlois@tesco.net
Message Hello to all relatives and friends in Rainhill. I am John and Anne Welsby's daughter and sister of Rosemary, who unfortunately is no longer with us. I left Rainhill in 1962 having married Michael Langlois and moved south. Now living in Brackley, Northants. We have two children, Helena and Jeremy and three grandchildren, Rosie, Lily and Dylan (Helena's three). Would love to hear from anyone who knew me. Love, Joan.
February 2009
Dorothy Cartmell (nee Tirebuck) Queensland, Australia
Dawn Smith (nee Johnston) England
Geoff Lovett Brisbane, Australia geoffnee@bigpond.net.au
Message Born and bred Rainhiller; used to live in Second Avenue. I attended both the old and now not so new St Barts primary. Then Edmund Arrowsmith in Scotchbarn Lane. I was a member of the Lifeboys at the Holt Congregational church. Then I had a few years with the Scouts (5th Widnes). Ran for Sutton Harriers until we emigrated to NZ in 1974. We then moved to Oz in 2003. I have great memories of the Attic discos at St James church on Friday nights.
February 2009
Terence Colin Steele Great Falls, Montana, USA tcsteele@bresnan.net
Message I actually lived in Clock Face, but my mother, Mary Elizabeth (Coleman) Steele, was born in Rainhill in 1914. My mother passed away on December 31, 2007, and never ceased to tell us of her youth in Rainhill.
February 2009
Matthew Philip (Matt) Gilsenan Rainhill UK
Paddy Pfeil Florida, USA Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message This is in memory of my dear mother, Mary Coleman Steele, who passed away on Dec. 30, 2007. She was born in Lea Green in 1918 and lived in a small farm cottage on the Liverpool to Warrington road in Rainhill. Her mother and father, Ellen and Paddy Coleman, used to clean the Sanctuary lamp in St. Bartholomew's- it was a big hanging brass lamp and her dad brought it home. She went to St. Bart's school, as had her mother, and visited with a lady named Lady Hamilton who lived in the cottage of Loyola Hall - the owners at the time were Lord and Lady Bretherton. At the age of 7 she was chosen to present flowers to a Princess Bleucher on behalf of the ladies of Rainhill! My great grandfather, Paddy (Patrick) Coleman is buried in the grave yard at St. Bart's
February 2009
Bob Mitchell New Zealand
Ken Ashton Prestatyn, Wales kenashton@aol.com
Message Iwas born in Rainhill, at the stationmaster's house, in 1932. My grandad Fahey was the village bobby and my gran the midwife. He used to say she brought 'em into the world and he kept 'em on the straight and narrow. I went to the village school with Maggie Lowe and Ken Acourt etc, then to Prescot Grammar. Grew up in Sandhurst Road. After working at Rainhill Hospital, I became a journalist, working on the Reporter for a while, then dailies, then edited the Rugby Leaguer. I moved to Prestatyn in 1972 and was mayor of the town 86-87. At 75, I'm still working - I tutor journalism for the London School of Journalism.
February 2009
Jeanne Dimelow (nee Hall) nr Peterhead, Scotland jdimelow@greenbee.net
Message I moved to Rainhill Road in 1947 and attended St Ann's infant and junior schools. I went to Whiston Secondary Modern for 12 months then transferred to Tower College. Moved to Mill Lane (very close to the original site of the stone cross in my mid-teens. My maternal grandmother (D. Kenwright) had a draper's shop right in the centre of the village until 1969. Moved to Aberdeen in 1976 with husband and sons, but unfortunately widowed in 1998. Have since met someone else and now live in rural Aberdeenshire growing soft fruit and veg. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or was at school with me.
February 2009
Dennis Halsall Canada tivvy@mts.net
Message I moved to Canada in 1967. I used to live in Sandhurst Road and went to Longton Lane primary school. I then went to Whiston Secondary Modern. I have lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba since then. I would like to hear from anyone who knows me.
February 2009
Deborah Collett (nee Seddon) Spalding, Lincs., UK tobytoes2@yahoo.co.uk
Message I was at St Ann's school from 1965 to 1972, before going to Prescot Girls' Grammar School. During my time in Rainhill I was a member of St Ann's church, youth club and guides. I even remember the wonderful Miss Owen. I have spent the last 23 years teaching around the country. I now live with my husband and son in Lincolnshire. Best wishes and happy memories.
February 2009
Audrey Wheeler (nee Rippon) Brighton, W. Sussex Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message As Audrey Rippon I trained as a State Registered Nurse at Whiston Hospital in 1943-46. I would love to hear from anyone who knows me or who worked at the hospital at that time. In particular, I would like to know the whereabouts of Jean Cherry, who was in my year and married a soldier, Kit. I met my husband, Capt. Stanley Wheeler at the hospital when I was treating Italian P.O.W. He was there to arrange their repatriation. My father, Philip Rippon, used his car, a Standard drophead, to carry the Rainhill Carnival Queen and also lent his lorry for the carnival procession. I was confirmed and married at St Ann's church.
February 2009
Margaret Carden (nee Tyson) Sydney, Australia mjcarden@tpg.com.au
Message My mother was a district nurse and midwife in Rainhill for many years and lived in King Edward Road. I was born in 1942 and I went to St Ann's school and later to Whiston Secondary Modern. I left Rainhill in early 1960. I did my nurses training at Bolton Royal (1960-62)
February 2009
Peter Welsby New York State,USA pjwelsby@gmail.com
Message My parents were William and Dorrien Welsby. I lived on Knowsley Road from 1950 until 1962. Dad ran the grocery shop on Victoria Terrace. Mum, now 94, is still in England with my sister Christine.
February 2009
Edna Sanders nee Kilshaw. USA mayflower7@gmail
Message Hi. My name is Edna Sanders, formerly Kilshaw. I was born in 1937 and I attended St Ann's church and was educated at St Ann's schools. In December 1957 I married an American and went to live in Georgia, USA. If anyone remembers me I would be happy to hear from them.
February 2009
Tony Downey Lake District
Alf Hughes Manchester Sadly, Alf Hughes died in October 2009.
Margaret Bradbury British Columbia, Canada
Ann Hensley (was Ann Blundell) Charente Maritime, France
Alan Hughes Sydney, Australia sba.alan@ezylink.net.au
Message Hi. My name is Alan Hughes living in Sydney Australia; landed in Melbourne in Feb 1963. The Hughes family lived in Market St,later changed in name to Exchange Place,situated almost in the centre of the village. I was born in 1937, my brother Bill in 1933. We both went to the infants school,then to St Annes. I then went to Whiston Sec Mod, brother Bill to Prescot grammar. My grand parents,later my aunt Betty, owned the ice cream,sweet shop. My aunt & uncle had the post office (then the first house at the bottom of the bridge coming into the village on the right hand side).
February 2009
Robert Harold Rippon (Robin) Worthing, West Sussex, England Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message My name is Rippon (known as Robin).My full name is Robert.H.Rippon. I lived in Ansdell Villas Road .Rainhill. I had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Brothers Phillip ,Geoff,myself, Peter and Roger. Sisters Enid and Audrey.If anybody remembers me or my family please contact me. I was born in 1937 and went to St Ann's village school ,then to Whiston Central, Regards Bob Rippon
February 2009
Elaine and Malcolm (Bill) Wood Rainhill wmwood@blueyonder.co.uk
Message Incomers to Rainhill - only came here from Manchester in November 1967. Harold Corscadden said you had to have lived in Rainhill for 40 years before you were accepted so we're nearly there!
February 2009
Rod Hughes Cardiff, UK rod@hughescardiff.freeserve.co.uk
Message I used to live in Longton Lane, Rainhill, until my mid-twenties when I moved to Cardiff (1971).I attended St Ann's church and youth club and was educated at St Ann's School and Prescot Grammar School.I would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me.
February 2009
John Taylor Melbourne, Australia john_taylor1@bigpond.com
Message I was born in 1943 and lived in Brookfield Avenue until the late 1960's. I attended both the Infant school and the Junior school in View Road. I was in the St. Anns Cubs and Scouts, a choir boy and a member of the youth group. I was an active back stage member (Stage Manager for a while)of the Garrick Society and the Operatic society. I am still in contact with some of my childhood friends and visit them whenever I am in the U.K. Some of them have been to Australia to visit. My mother (Veda Taylor) keeps me informed of happenings (births, deaths and marriages!!!!!).
February 2009
Sheila Crone Shropshire UK Via Rainhill Civic Society
Message No message
February 2009

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