Formby, The Old Lifeboat Cottage c.1965
Photo ref: F106030
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Photo ref: F106030
Photo of Formby, The Old Lifeboat Cottage c.1965

More about this scene

For years it was believed that Bamburgh in Northumberland was the world's first lifeboat station when a converted coble was placed there in 1786. In the 1970s evidence was unearthed that as early as March 1777 the authorities in Liverpool had given orders for repairs to 'the boat, which was formerly ordered to be built and kept at Formby in readiness to fetch any shipwrecked persons from the banks'. However, the sands gradually began to engulf the station, and it was closed down in 1919.

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A Selection of Memories from Formby

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Formby

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If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I was the first stooge to work at Holmwood (for one year in 1975). I was 18 and come over from Australia for a gap year between secondary school and law school. My nickname, or at least one of them, was Mr Tuckeroo. I lived in the bachelor masters’ residence, Netherby House. It was a magnificent year and made some life long friends. It is a shame that the school is no longer ...see more
I was at Holmwood from 1951 to 56. I would like to find David Glass' history.
Formby Ice-Rink. Mrs White, Tim and Mrs Appelton who I'd have my lessons with. Friends; Caraline Vickers, Mary Mordsley and little Franky Kelly to name but a few. Great times, sad when the rink closed. Norma Clarke, a great ice skater and of course the lads, Eddie,Les and Rodney who worked there.
I was at Our Lady's from 1960 - '66. The most abiding memories are the smells - of disinfectant in the outside toilets, which were frozen in winter, and horrible lukewarm milk in those small bottles which were always kept in crates next to the massive heating pipes. Fish for dinner every Friday in that huge cavern of a hall could be detected throughout the Victorian building from 9 am onwards! The ...see more