Another great photo from Syd Bird dating from the 1960’s and showing a number of sheds outside Hoylake train station. Syd comments:
…in the days when many commodities were transported by rail there was a little goods yard next to Hoylake station complete with it’s own sidings . I remember it mainly being used for coal which came in by rail and was then unloaded ready for pick up by the local coal merchants. They had their offices in the little wooden buildings you can see in the photo . You can make out the sign for Beddard’s and the one for Fred Davies. There was also a coffee stall type place there as well.
I did intend to include a photo of the vicinity as it is today, but when I went down there yesterday with my camera there were too many cars and vans in the way. Looks to me like the second on the right shed is what is currently Cabin Snacks …the little tea bar. I’ll update this post when I get a better photo.
Yes, brings back memories. We used to get our coal from one of those sheds. I think that the BWTA tea bar was the far right one in an old rail goods wagon. What did BWTA stand for? British Workmen’s Tea Association according to my mum!!
There was a similar row of sheds on Grange Road in West Kirby in front of the old goods yard there which is now the Concourse. Anyone remember the old WK station on the Hooton Branch? It stood derelict for many years but I remember exploring as a kid in the early 70s. It was full of old papers and I used to take old tickets and such like home with me. It was great fun. Maybe someone has a photo of that too?
Hello Peter,
I always thought that BWTA stood for ‘British Womens Temperance Association’? Could be wrong though, memory’s not what it once was!
Cheers, Richard
I rather think you might be right Richard. I say that only because I’ve just found this page detailing Jewish Community records for Hoylake.
Hi Richard. Yes that sounds highly probable! Not sure the BWTA ladies would approve of the lively nightlife quarter that has emerged on the doorstep of their old tea shed! Peter
Yes, Richard, you are dead right, the kiosk was run by the British Womens Temperance Assosiation. My mother served tea and cakes in it during the early 1950s. (Although not of the organisation herself). As a young lad I remember visiting the hut which earned a moderate trade from council, railway workers and passers by. Full marks to Syd Bird for recording a low profile but nevertheless significant part of Hoylake history.
Regards Gordon,(Australia)
When I was at school in the late 40’s,early 50’s, the passenger steam trains still came into the the WK station, bringing pupils to the Grammar School from Neston, Heswall etc.
Very interesting, I hadn’t realised that Hoylake had such a large Jewish community. Now I think about it, I remember a building in Chapel Road (?) which I think was once a synagogue, now replaced by some modern cottages?
There was a small chapel on the corner of Chapel Road and Market Street which after it ceased to be used as an annexe to St Lukes was taken over by the Jewish Synagogue. It was then demolished after the Jewish Congregation became too small to uphold it, and the new houses built on the site.
The British Womens Temperance Association met in the building adjacent to the old YMCA and is now the Evangelical Chapel. Miss Cissie Williams who worked for Price’s Electrical Shop was a Trustee and they ran the Tea Cabin at the Station.
That certainly makes things a lot clearer. I did not recall it looking like a synagogue and yet I was fairly certain it was in use as such, at least in the 70/80s. It became overgrown at some point, and was clearly no longer used.
Quite incredible that the BWTA actually held meetings in Hoylake. I wonder, do you know when this movement was in its heydey?
In the early 50s, the BWTA held Sunday meetings for children called “The Band of Hope”. They were held in their building next to the now defunct YMCA and I attended some of the meetings. All I can remember is that the ladies there were forever preaching to us about the evils of demon drink!
And did it work?
Well, I can only add, that my mother smoked,drank, and at times came out with the Anglo-Saxon, so I think the BWTA interview panel may have lacked depth in research.
Cheers Gordon.
What a thought provoking and memory arousing photo Syd, Thanks.
As you can see by the number of comments, this image has captured a moment in time for many of us and promoted dialogue regarding our Hoylake history. Thank you all for sharing.
Cheers
Ken