Knott End in The 1950s And The 1960s by Norma Smith
We, that is my father Norman, mother Ethel and my Auntie Peg, moved to Knott End in 1948 and lived at 15 The Esplanade. As well as being a boarding house (as it was called in those days) it doubled up as the doctors' surgery. For those with a good memory you might remember Old Dr Taylor Young, Dr Taylor and Dr Allen Pilling from one practice and Dr Stewart, a GP on his own. I went to Pilling Lane School where the headmaster was the formidable George Hobson. Two other teachers were his sister Miss Hobson and a Miss Hull. On a good day in the summer we were taken up the field and at the end was the seashore, where we were allowed to play. After passing my scholarship I used to travel everyday on the 85 bus to go to school in Blackpool. In the early 1960s our free time was spent between the Juke Box at the ferry end of the village and the Verona Cafe which was the local cinema. We also had a great time walking between the two venues with our transistor radios listening to Radio Caroline. My peers at the time must always remain grateful for what Mr and Mrs Stringfellow (they owned the Juke Box) did for us, organising coach trips to Blackburn St Georges Hall to see the likes of Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly and lots of other greats of that time. The Beatles then were the supporting groups!!! I left Knott End for Liverpool in 1971 but my formative years seem to have been idyllic.
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RE: RE: Knott End in The 1950s And The 1960s by Norma Smith
I was born in 1956, Sonia Markland, my parents lived at 6 Plantation Lane and my grandparents Jim and Mary Markland were licensees of the Bourne Arms from 1946 to 1966. I have wonderful memories of most of my young childhood spent at the Bourne Arms.
Dear Norma, I too went to Pilling Lane School. I believe it was Pressall Carters Charity School? You mentioned Miss Hobson ... My mother confessed to me, in my teens, that Miss Hobson used to terrify her and she released her four year old, me, into 'this woman's' care. To me Miss Hobson was enormous (probably overweight), had black teeth, thick wrinkly stockings and used to wear large black plimsoll type shoes. I recall being asked to help Miss Hobson carry a blackboard, which was probably too heavy for me (I was most likely 5 years old) and I accidentally dropped it on her foot. Her bunion, she said and on purpose! Despite my tearful protestations of innocence she smacked me, shook me till I was dizzy and sent me to a corner. From that day on I hated her. I don't think this episode permanently damaged me but I clearly remember it!
The machines in the penny arcade were great fun and I was very friendly with a lady who used to run the novelty shop opposite the Bourne Arms. I was always the first to play with any new stock. I was her guinea-pig tester. Heaven! We used to call her Mrs Griffiths and she remained a family friend until her death in the 1970s.
I think I will post 'my memories' of Knott-End in due course. Your mention of Miss Hobson caught my attention.
Best wishes
Sonia Ashdown
Comment from Sonia Ashdown on Saturday, 14th February 2009.