Haven Of Peace Then.....

I remeber this park well as I spent many hours playing there in the summer. My Grandma ...'Mama' living in Greenfield Road number 22 used to come along too whe I was very small. My cousin Paul used to play as well. I remember really stupid and small things about the prak- the drinking fountains which were near raised flower beds- the privet hedges surrounding the swing... the slide looked huge, I suppose it wouldnt pass health and safety legislation now would it?- The kiddies used to line up to have a go. The swings which we used to leap from when it was in full swing. Ah to be young and foolheardy eh?
When we were older and could go on our own my Mum would tell us to behave as the parkeeper would tell us off and let her know- that was enough of a threat to make us behave. Paul; and myself we useed to make our own fishing nets with a bamboo cane, wire and Grandmas stockings- we used to go to this funny little stream under an arch at the very edge off the park, it is now fenced off. We caught countless numbers of sticklebacks but we did put them back.
I felt like summers would last forever and that being at the park was a real adventure.
I remember a nurses home at the end of Greenfield Road too- watching the nurses coming and going on thier bikes like call the midwife! I learnt to swim at Boundry Road baths and Mr. Jones weas my teacher.
I occassionally come to St. Helens and pass thepark, has it shrunk or are my memories so big? It seems to have had the life sucked out of it and it makes me sad.
I am glad to have shared so many happy hours of my childhood there. I pity the children now in their health and safety concious world where everything is sanitised.