Thurstaston In The 50's.

A Memory of Thurstaston.

In the 1950's I lived in Dawpool Cottages, was in the choir at St Bartholomew's and went to Dawpool C of E primary and then Caldy Grammar. Life was long summers of the beach or the common and playing out till dark. The church lych gates were the wickets for cricket before and after choir practice. The quarterly fee and extra money for singing at weddings were one of the few incomes I remember. My grandfather was foreman gardener at 'Thors Hill' then owned by Mr Morrel and I spent many holidays following my grandfather, Ernest Francis, and being in awe of the wealth and luxury of the house and grounds. Winters were long and snowy with the daily trudge up and over Thurstaston common to the school. Then like another persons comments, we used to sledge on Suttons Hill until cold, dark and pain forced us to quit. Around Christmas, carol singing around the large houses of Caldy was a must, but to an 8 or 9 year old the walk up the long drives and the fear of what type dogs might lurk there added spice to the night!