August 2007 Archives
A day trip to the seaside
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 30, 2007 9:15 AM
DO you recognise anyone on this picture?
The black and white image, from 1921, is believed to have been taken beside the Nags Head, in Thornton.
The people pictured are going on a day out to Blackpool.
It was handed to Memories by Robert Heap whose grandfather George Heap, who was a sergeant in Thornton, is pictured sitting in the car, second from the right.
His wife, and Robert’s grandmother, is sitting next to him.
If you know anyone on the picture post below. You don't need to sign up, you just need an email address, which will not be published.
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How Ringo almost became a Domino
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 30, 2007 9:15 AM
Here's our final look at the history of rock and rollers The Dominoes.
The group followed the path of other Merseybeat groups to The Star Club but while there, drummer Dave Lovelady decided to return home leaving another gap in the band which was almost filled by Ringo Starr.
Sam Hardie said: “While in Hamburg, we were looking for a new drummer and Ringo was supposed to join us.
“He said he didn’t know what to do because another band had asked him to join them – The Beatles.
“He rang up later and said he’d decided to join them.”
The Star Club also allowed the Dominoes to share the same stage with legends such as Ray Charles, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee Lewis.
1963 brought another change in the line-up, Howie Casey on saxophone and Gibson Kemp on drums joined Kingsize, Bobby, Sam and John Frankland.
While under contract to Phillips, they recorded an LP for Polydor as The Shakers which reached number one in Germany.
A single called Stupidity was also a jukebox number one in Germany and just failed to make the charts in the UK.
But due to the band staying in Germany while other British groups were being given recording contracts and plugging their releases nationwide, The Dominoes failed to get chart recognition or publicity in the UK and 1964 saw the end of the band.
Sam said: “We were resident at The Star Club for a long time and had over 400 performances there.
“Most of the bands made it from that and I think we probably would have done, but we chose to stay in Germany.”
However, the band still have a big following in Germany and perform gigs for Merseycats – a charity founded by Merseybeat bands raising money for children’s charities on Merseyside.
Sam added: “It’s incredible that we’re still playing now.
“The 50-year anniversary has just crept up but we couldn’t just let it go by without some sort of celebration – that is what this is all about.
“We’ve already started rehearsing with all the different line-ups.”
The Dominoes will perform their sell-out reunion gig at Crosby Comrades Club in October.
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Cilla performs with The Dominoes
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 22, 2007 6:33 PM
MEMORIES continues its journey through the history of rock and roll band The Dominoes.
In our last entry, we told readers how the group formed, their different line-ups and how they cut two acetates at band member Sam’s house in Cambridge Road, Crosby.
In 1959, Sam joined the police force, leaving Cliff as the only original member, and Johnny Kennedy, from Seaforth, joined the group from The Zodiacs.
By 1960, The Dominoes were being respected by many other bands around and had a large following.
Teddy Taylor became Kingsize Taylor after a slightly larger cigarette became in vogue – a name appropriate for Teddy who stood well over 6ft tall.
In 1961, former band member Sam Hardie saw The Dominoes play in the Cavern and was asked to rejoin them on the piano and the line-up became: Cliff Roberts on drums; Sam Hardie on piano; Bobby Thompson on bass guitar; Johnny Kennedy on rhythm and Charlie Flynn and Kingsize Taylor, who was the main vocalist, could both play lead or rhythm guitar.
It was around this time that a singer called Swinging Cilla, now better known as Cilla Black, joined The Dominoes.
Sam recalls: “One of our singers for a while was Cilla Black. She used to come to Crosby to practice at Cambridge Road. Cilla used to come to the door and shout ‘are the boys in?’”
But in 1962, The Dominoes followed the path of other Merseybeat groups to The Star Club in Hamburg and Cilla decided not to accompany them.
Charlie and Cliff also left the group and were replaced by Dave Lovelady on drums and John Frankland on rhythm in Hamburg where The Dominoes would play eight hour sessions with The Beatles.
Sam said: “The Beatles were very rough and ready when they first started, but they did have something very different about them.”
Find out more about The Dominoes’ time in Hamburg in next week’s Memories.
The Dominoes will perform their sell-out reunion gig at Crosby Comrades Club in October.
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Half a century for the Dominoes
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 16, 2007 9:15 AM
A ROCK'n'roll band who cut their first acetate LP at a house in Crosby is holding a reunion gig – 50 years on from when they were first formed.
The Dominoes have had numerous members since they got together in 1957.
Now they will bring all the line-ups together at a special gig at Crosby Comrades Club, on October 12.
To mark the occasion, Memories will look back on the history of the band, in a three-part series, who have played on the same bill as some of the greats and almost had the legendary Ringo Starr as their drummer.
The Dominoes originally consisted of guitarists George Watson and Charlie Flynn, both 16 and drummer Cliff Roberts, 15, all from Seaforth and whose idea it was to form the band.
They were joined by Litherland lad Arthur Baker on vocals and Sam Hardie, from Crosby on piano, both classmates of Cliff at Waterloo Grammar School.
The band played their first gig at Caradoc Mission’s Old Hall in Seaforth which became a regular practice venue.
The same year, The Dominoes cut an acetate LP after a session at Sam Hardie’s home, on Cambridge Road.
Brian Whity, of Lambda Records, taped the tracks onto a reel-to-reel, then cut the disc back at the Lambda Studio.
It is believed six copies were made, three of which are in existence, and still playable, today.
In 1958, the band were joined by Teddy Taylor, from Seaforth, a guitarist with solo vocals and duets with Arthur.
The reformed band were given bookings at Litherland Town Hall while the residents, The Dave Anthony Band, took a break.
A second acetate was also cut at Sam’s house, with six copies made, two of which are still in existence.
Not long after the recording, George and Charlie left the band to be replaced by Seaforth resident and former James Boy Bobby Thomson.
Two 78 RPM discs were made with three songs on each which can still be played today.
The Dominoes reunion gig will take place at Crosby Comrades Club, Liverpool Road, Crosby.
Tickets, priced £10, are available by calling 920 7884 or 01942 601 359.
Did you see the Dominoes play? What are your memories of the local music scene? Leave your comments here. You don't need to register or think of a password - you just need an email address, which will not be published.
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Army pals reunion
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 9, 2007 9:15 AM
FORMER Army pals are being sought to take part in a reunion.
Bill Lowe, from County Durham, contacted Memories to find ex-colleagues who served with him at the British Military Hospital at Fayid (33 Coy RAMC), in the Suez Canal Zone, between 1950 and 1956.
It has been 50 years since Bill, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, has seen the men, a lot of whom are believed to be from Crosby and the surrounding areas.
Bill has organised a reunion, at the International Hotel, Burton Road, Derby, on September 15 and 16, and is looking for his old pals and their partners to attend.
He said: “As we are now all over 70-years-of-age, this would mean a lot to me.
“I am sure there will be stories to tell.
“Most of us were national servicemen.”
Anyone wishing to attend the reunion can book accommodation at the hotel on 01332 369 321 and quote reunion BMH Fayid.
People can also contact Bill on 0191 584 6848 or email wg170@yahoo.co.uk
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Alexandra Hall
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 9, 2007 9:15 AM
HERE’S a picture of Alexandra Hall in its former glory.
In 2003, bulldozers moved in to demolish the 19th century building which played host to the Beatles on January 19, 1961.
During the course of its long and varied history, Alexandra Hall had also been used as a courthouse.
In 1969, officials revealed the crumbling building was in desperate need of repairs and had a life expectancy of only 30 years.
In 1972, it became a temporary school for 150 sixth form pupils from nearby Chesterfield High School after work on a new block was delayed because of a builders strike.
And in 1977, the hall was converted into Crosby’s magistrates court.
But by the end of 2002, the hall faced an uncertain future and news broke that top secret bids had been made to buy it.
Private developers had until January 2003 to submit sealed bids for the then empty hall.
At the time, a Sefton Council spokesman said: “We do not have a guide price as the property is being disposed by way of informal tender which involves sealed offers being submitted on or before January 24, 2003.
“It is surplus to council requirements and is being sold with vacant possession.
“The hall is suitable for residential or non-residential uses but any conversion or redevelopment will be considered subject to planning.”
Sefton Council had also revealed that essential repairs were estimated at £2m.
The College Road building was sold to Chelford Homes by Sefton Council in early 2003.
The firm used the site to build 20 luxury two-bedroom apartments.
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Alexandra Park statue
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 9, 2007 9:15 AM
MEMORIES is asking readers for their help in tracing the history of a park statue.
The green lady stands in Alexandra Park and features four drinking fountains at its base.
Blundellsands councillors Paula Parry and Bob Roberts say there is area money available to refurbish the statue, but are looking to find out as much information and history about it as possible.
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Disappearing coastline
Posted by Crosby Herald newsdesk on August 2, 2007 9:15 AM
These historical postcards show the damage caused by the sea in Blundellsands.
The black and white images come courtesy of former auctioneer and Crosby resident Billy McMahon and show the encroachment of the sea, putting the houses in danger.
Huge expense was caused to property owners along the shore at Blundellsands because of the coast erosion.
Many were forced to leave their homes and have them demolished because they were at risk of collapse.
Problems began with the garden washing away before the building themselves were undermined by the waves.
The Serpentine was the scene of many years destruction by the sea until the River Alt was successfully diverted away from with the aid of a temporary groin in 1936.
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This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Crosby Memories in the August 2007. They are listed from oldest to newest.
July 2007 is the previous archive.September 2007 is the next archive.
Many more can be found on the home page or by looking through the archives.
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