No 56 was Mrs Fanny Elliot

No 16 lived Ericsons

RE No 5 and 11 cant exactly say which was which but I went to school with John Appleyard he lived in one and wiggy porter (for obvious reasons)steward on the Lanky boats in the other. Note No 15 in 1946 Walter Cawthorn married Dora Ericson (opposite house) They rented this house up to Walts Death 3years ago.Dora now approaching her 90th year moved through ill health into a council bungalow.

Know John!

No38 obviously bakery Revell/Richies N064 Fred Grice seaman originated from Norfolk area his daughter Ivy born here worked for Goulden in chippy on its opening No 68 methinks was Thornhill who sold pie n peas from back door to starving urchins and such

remember Mrs Charlesworth very well No17 she sold Walter Shorts Lemonade from this property her hall way was stacked with cases of this local brew I often wonder why guess is must have been a few pence cheaper than the shop.

Prior to working in the fish shop during the war Ivy Grice of No64 worked(along with a few more from the area) At the Flax mill over Boothferry bridge.Now a transport cafe she married Fred Tighe after his demob from the Royal Navy and moved into No46 RC

Posted by Angela at 06/05/2007 18:16 My husbands Grandparents Alexander Ramsay + wife Jack & Alice Dagmar May born 1923(mum) married Albert Haynes in June 1944? in the snow & moved to Birmingham we know they lived at no 45 Richard Coopper St. he remembers visiting them fom a early age this would have been late 50s on also remembers relitives in Carter St. there is info on a John Ramsay who died between 1914 -18 not sure if brother of Alexander or Son we only know he was close reletive any info on this would be helpfull

RAMSAY OR RAMSEY? Philip Haynes supplied the following information - can anyone add to it ref. John Ramsay? "My grandfather on my Mother´s side, Alexander Ramsey, was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1893. The son of John Ramsey Master slater. He had at least Three brothers James, Robert, John. James however was killed during WW 1 as a seaman, Possibly at the battle of Jutland. The story goes ( and i´m on shaky ground here ) that Alexander wanted to go to sea but was´nt allowed. At some point however he ran away from home to become a sailor in the Merchant Navy. When he married my grandmother in Goole in 1916 his profession was noted as Seaman. My Grandfather was´nt a particularly religious man but i think his family was, as several bibles which have been handed down to me will testify. Also, prizes for Sunday school attendance give a picture of a Protestant upbringing. So now we have my Grandfather sailing around from about the age of Sixteen until he married my Grandmother at the age of Twentythree in Goole 1916. Of my Grandmother much less is known. Now i wish i had asked more questions when i was younger. However... She was born Mary Elizabeth Duckitt the Daughter of Thomas Duckitt a Soldier by profession. Where the Duckitt family came from i don´t know, but in 1916 she lived at number 4 Chapel street Goole. There are possibly other branches of the Duckitt family still in the area, but of course it´s a long time ago. Mary Duckitt and Alexander Ramsey were married in the Parish church in Goole in the county of (at that time)York. December 18th 1916. As regards to my mother´s family, i think they moved from chapel street to Richard Cooper street some time after 1923. They would remain in Goole the rest of their lives until 1970."

Thank you for your email Angela, it reminded me to add Philip's details too. If the Sunday School prizes show which chapel/church gave them, that would be of interest, too.

There are still duckitts in Goole Ronnie or ronald married phyllis hedley of Phoenix St but this would be about 1950s

Thanks Pedro. Sending this to Angela/Philip.

Walt Parish No2 later moved to Marshfield Rd.He was a canal boatman in the 1950s he took the tenancy of the Royal Hotel

Mrs Clarkson had the corner house on Hook road back gate was in RC St near the chip shop. During the war years her front room was some sort of clinic I remember as a child us kids were tested here for T.B also given Virol some malt extract along with concentrated orange juice.

You might be interested to know that at last year's Waterways local history event one former resident in the Shuffleton area (Raymond Mourby) remembered this Hook Road/Richard Cooper Street corner front room being a TB clinic during his childhood in the forties. He had memories too of Cedric Whittaker of RC Street (half way down - next door to Peter Sutton). Raymond greased machines at Riches bakery, and also told us about a daughter of Riches, married to a Welch of Rawcliffe.

This daughter of richies named Madge only child.She used to work behind the counter in the shop. the family lived to the rear of the Boothferry Rd shop and Lyceum cafe (now I believe a card shop) on the corner of the lane to the rear of Boyes.

I remember Mourby family in the terraced houses at the end of Carlisle St also Tabiners Mrs Florence Edwards lived on the corner adjacent to (is is Sutton or Southeren I always get these two wrong) Mr Edwards was mate on the vessel Coxwold they had one child michael.Mrs Edwards also ran annual trips to the seaside for all the kids in the area. Her sister lived in R Cooper St Mrs Kilding.

Forgive my ignorance but when it shows two family names I/E No 2 RC. Parish and Walker does this mean both families living in the property at the same time?Or is it a case of another family taking tenancy the same year?

Hi Pedro, back to Goole - I am not sure myself how two families might have occupied same property in that they both added address to the GT Almanack - but my view is that families shared places in these streets - someone pointed out previously that married children often lived in same house as parents and that lodgers were also occupants of a home. I wondered, like you, if that were the situation when two families cropped up at one address. Maybe someone else might add their own ideas, if anyone is reading this. Was it common practice in your days at home?

Yes I well remember family members marrying and taking the front room in most cases.But on reflection Im more inclined to think the residents above moved out during this time and others took over.For instance after speaking with my elder brother Parishes at No2 moved around this time to Marshfield Ave and at this time all the daughters were unmarried.Also Florence Bucknell later married E Hattersly at No 30 then moved to Sotheron St hence Lawrence must have been the next tenant because they are no relation she was my mums sister.

Re Bucknell at No 30 my Grandfather was living here at this time but probobly away at sea.Altho my aunt did take a lodger in Sotheren St named Alec Mckay unfortunately lost the same year 1940 on the Mersey.

Pedro, These comments and your own family insights are invaluable. It all helps to tease out the close-knit community that lived in the two streets and without such direct links with you and your brother, the finer points of people's lives would be lost forever. Let's hope that East Riding soon realise the foundations of this town rest on stalwarts that begat the place. Without families moving into the new port and continuing to populate Goole, there would have been no economy for survival.

Slightly confused that Sam Cross and family not shown in the street for this period.Sam had his own stevedore buisness as previously stated he owned the only car in the street.He and his wife Hannah had six kids all brought up in the street,my brother has a photo of RC St dated 1937 showing all the family on this pic.Ibelieve the house to be No32

I will check the almanacks for Cross family.

CROSS, S. in residence at 32 R.C. Street from 1933. Keep updating me as necessary - almanacks are alphabetical so it is easy to miss street names. Also added CROSS, T.L. to P. Street (Hancox at same address but I don't know the running order)

Ref. Librarian drew attention to entry in Mike Marsh's book Goole at War Vol. 2 : 1942-43 - p.134 - award of George Medal to Sgt. Alfred W. Cook, aged 26, whose parents lived in Richard Cooper Street, for exceptional courage and complete disregard for himself when he saved the life of a trainee parachutist "nearly a thousand feet above the ground" (full details can be read in copy held by reference library).

Hancox No37 Phoenix St after the death of their parents in the 40s Phyllis married a Gardner (think it was George)They opened the Transport cafe in Ouse St next door to the Crown Hotel.After these propertys were demolished they reopened the same in Aire St formerly Timms Chemist shop now Kingsway carpets.Her Brother Herbert (remember he kept his pony in the yard) Moved in with Kath Hoodless/Hunt at No40 RC St.I note you have C.Uttly at this adress they lived at No40 Phoenix St. Herbert Hancox and his pony helped people moving into other propertys.

I remember Alfie Cook well living with his Mother Minnie at No27 He was fit as a butchers dog,us kids trying to lift his bar bells in the back yard to no avail.He instucted the local home guard in unarmed combat at the drill hall on Pasture Rd.And after his demob from the army after the war and on his marriage opened the chippy/cafe in Montague St. His brother in law named Ullathorne doing the same called Kingsway Fishshop.

I knew you could come up with lots more stuff, Pedro! C. Utley at P. Street already. As for the cafe and its owners, my dad used to go there to eat lunch when he was alone - I knew he had some knowledge of these folks, but not their background that you have just filled in - many thanks. My girl used to want to keep a pony in our backyard when she was a youngster. You wouldn't think it possible, but now I know it was.

Re-Hancox Phyllis married Steve Garner. George Garner had the Navigation Hall cafe in Bridge St used by all the dockers and shipyard workers

Once went to Nav. Hall with my dad. Remember that before it became a cafe for the dock workers, it was the ship chandlery, I think. George Garner and his family lived in Salisbury Ave., that property recently on market.

Sorry but the Navigation Hall was next door to Earnshaws ship chandler on the other side was Smiths boat yard prior to them moving.The Nav was formerly a youth club would you believe.After the Nav closed the dockers canteen opened across the road.Earnshaws lived in Cecil St and the Chandlery was still open in the late 60s

Thanks again, Pedro. You mention Smiths boatyard moving. I am hoping to talk to George S soon. About The Cooperage. Do you know about that too? Stood, according to old maps, where Smiths Boatyard moved, on site of current boathouse at Dutch River Side marina, by timber pond. Also unearthing more on background to Canal Houses in vicinity of Goole-Rawcliffe - 1901 census shows the two canal houses that appear on earlier records as being known as "No. 5 Bridge House" and "No.6 Bridge House". I take it these buildings may have been lock-keepers homes, that No. 5 very possibly the building by Goole Junction signal box, where there was once a bridge over the canal on very much earlier maps-known as Smiths Bridge (a reference to it serving Smiths at New Potter Grange?), and that No. 6 may have stood by next bridge up the canal, near OAKS HILL (Beverley's Br. being ref. to Airmyn landowning estate?). There was also another cottage - named Potter Grange Cottage - beside the Dutch River rail bridge, on Goole side. Did this belong to Old PG or to New PG, I wonder? Also three cottages known simply as Dutch River Side, apparently on north bank - according to census-taker markings for S. side. Maybe you can add to the common stock of knowledge on these places, please. We had better start another page on Demolished Buildings, I think!

I remember Smiths yard moving but believe by this time Aire and Calder were involved in the Buisness.Eric Hepponstall living at Airmyn was running the show Eric served his time as a fitter at Goole Shipyard.I feel sure George S can furnish more info.

First concrete comments on this, as always your work Pedro - many thanks. For link to EH too. If you find any more snippets coming into mind, please send those. Dates, approximately for example, great help in constructing the place again. Aire & Calder interest, you mention. I had wondered whether The Cooperage was on their land in the first place. Before British Waterways' time. Not sure yet what GS might be able to fill in, but this should give a great start to chasing up the personalities who can supply pieces of the puzzle.

Copied info to GOTW - as more appropriate place to expand this tag.

During WW2 I stayed with my uncle John Smithson and my aunt Edith. They lived at No 52 Richard Cooper Street and my aunt Mona lived in Pheonix Street. My Grandmother lived in Sutton Street her name was Binnington, My mother Hilda was Edith Smithsons sister. Aunt Edith liked a drink and was usually found in the "Victoria" pub just round the corner. We lived in London and I was sent to Goole during the Blitz. I'm 70 years old and still live in London. Alan Pike

Was Mr. Smithson the chimney sweep?

Yes my uncle John Smithson was a chimney Sweep, his wife was my aunt Edith. Uncle John was a real nice person well respected in the local comunity. I can't remember all my cousins names but here's the ones I do recall. Henry (Henry was a good boxer,) Mary ( moved to Leeds0 Alex (moved to London) Owen Billy (moved to Germany) I think they have all have passed on. I live in London and lived in London before WW2, I was sent to aunt Ediths in Richard Cooper Street during the Blitz, I went to the school which was behind Goole Market.

We had our chimneys cleaned by Mr. S. Knew the name but not the man. Your school would have been Alexandra Street. Now no longer! When did you go back to London and come to that, how did your Mother come to leave Goole and land in London? You probably played with "Pedro" while you were in Goole. See if you recognise any of his comments on these pages. Do keep adding to your memories.

my father William Charles Pike was a Londoner, he met my mother Hilda Binnington of Sutton Street in the early 1930s and they were married at the Catholic Church in Pasture Rd. My father did various jobs in Goole, work was scarce because of the 1930s depression. He was offered a job back in London so they left Goole about 1935 and returned to London. I was born on 5/2/38 at North Middlesex Hospital as were my two sisters Theresa and Kathleen. We did visit Goole before WW2 but I was very young and dont remember much about it.

I had many aunts uncles and cousins living in Goole. My aunt Kit and uncle George lived in Malvern Rd, their name was Gill. Uncle George was a coal trimmer at the docks, he was a hard drinking man who drank in the George near the clock tower. Uncle George was known as "Tippy Gill" and his son as young tip. Uncle george had a shotgun and kept the larder full during rationing. He grew all his own veg and also picked wild mushrooms, I think he also poached the odd salmon.

Re-Smithsons Sam Smithson aka Boy was the boxer I well remember him appearing along with Joe Carrol another local fighter at the market hall Venues. The loss of a big toe whilst serving in the army put an end to his boxing.(affecting his balance)He later worked as a docker Owen and elder brother Henry worked for Lep Transport packing Dept.Alec and Mary leaving Goole in the late 50s.Billy married the next door neighbour at No 54 Rc Shiela Wood before running off to Germany I often wonder if he is still around he will be be aged around 73

As a child I remember Goole Market and the two ice cream vans Masarellers & Doubtfires 3d for a cornet, my cousin Dot Gill worked in the snooker hall. I used to go there for lemonade and crisps and I also used to sit outside the "Mackintosh" waiting for my aunt, lemonade and crisps again. Saturdays Carlton cinema also went to Tower cinema. If any details are not quite correct sorry but it was over 60 years ago. Regards Alan Pike.

Wonder if Pedro can fill in any background to families of STRATFORD, and BurY former residents RC Street/P.Street, please? Since posting the above, I have made significant inroads to history of the Bury family. Additional material welcomed, however.

Lost contact for Jan Eaton - who provided information about her grandparents Roger and Elsie ROSE. Was this the Picture House manager - Mr. J. R. ROSE??? Hope someone out there might make links along these lines!

Stratford name rings a bell.Bury ? i will jog my brothers memory he been 11 yrs my senior

A long while before end Feb. You could probably add your 2d. to round out regeneration. Contact me direct if you are interested in hearing more. Meantime, more found on Bury - Arthur Orlando moved from P. Street to Spring Gardens, then later to Jacksonville (1931). But memories always life-affirming. Please add if/when available. F. H. Stratford at 2 Belle Vue ter. 1931. Again, details always help.

My brother (still jogging his failing memory) remembers Stratford family and for some reason the name Phillpot comes to mind he says this could be a maiden name of one of the family.

Thank you for this clue. Your brother's memory is working remarkably well, better doing this than watching someone else's dramas!

Re Alan Pike reference to his Binnington relatives of Sotheron Street, I wonder if this was the same family as William Binnington - Architect of Sotheron Street, Goole 1889 - acting for Paul Farnhill who had plans drawn up and invited tenders for building four properties he developed on Hook Road, corner Marshfield, now flats. These are the ones with the steps up, above flood level!

My memory is a bit hazy and I'm sure my mother lived in Sutton Street, from what my mother told me they were not short of money. My mother told me that my grandfather Binnington (can't recall his christian name) was a stevedore. I always thought stevedores were just dockers but he had money so I don't think he did manual work. Mum said they had a telephone which I should imagine was not very common . My crand mother was I think called Mary and grandad Binnington was her second husband, her first husband and mums real father was called Harry Gott. Mums had two brothers Sam and Jim Binnington ( I think in later years uncle jim was Goole Pilot), mum's sisters names were Edith (Mrs Smithson from 52 RC Street), Kathleen ( Kit Mrs Gill who lived in malvern Road), Lizzie she moved to Old Goole, Nora who lived in Chapel St. she married Bob Wilson a bricklayer. And Mona Hodgson from Pheonix St. The problem is they have all passed on and I have not kept in touch with any of their children, my cousins.

Alan Ref-Gills George also had a daughter Edith named after Mrs Smithson.She married Ron Clarke of Reedness she passed away about 5 years ago.Ron Clarke now approaching 90 has his daily pint in the Crecent club

Thanks for the message about my cousin Edith. I've not seen Ron since I was a kid, I think they lived in 2nd or 3rd Ave off Pasture Rd. Ron has a false eye if I'm correct. Doing well though still has a pint at 90. Ediths sister Irene Cowling lives at "Crow Tree Farm" when I visited Goole about four years ago she was not well. Do you know if she is still alive.

Ron says Irene is 2months older than him and living in a care home locally.She intends to attain her century.Ron lost his eye in a childhood game with bow and arrows when he was 10yrs old.

Thanks For the info about Ron Clark and Irene from Swinefleet, Do you remember Irenes Dad George Gill, he was a coal trimmer and was always drinking in the George near the clocktower. He was nicknamed Tippy and his son was young Tip.

Yes I knew them very well tip junior married Jenny Douglas

Tip Gill junior married Jenny Douglas, yes she was a nice lass. They lived in a small cul de sac near the market, Do you remember their greyhound dog called "Sandy" lovely old dog and us kids loved him. I suppose young Tip is now deceased.

In the list of RC St.residents it shows. NO.26 BINNINGTON, J. I was wondering if it was my uncle Jim Binnington, He was Mrs Smithsons No52 younger brother.

Young tip passed away some years ago he never seemed to recover after an operation to remove a kidney. If Jim Binnington was the one with Eddie Peter Eric and daughters and lived in Southeren St then yes its the same one previously in RC

Hi Pedro My uncle Jim Binnington I think had a son called Peter who was killed whilst working on the docks. Thanks for the info about young Tip.

im trying to find some information about my family. i notice u were talking bout henry smithson, the chimneysweeps son. well, he is my great-grandad. if anyone could possible email anymore information about any of the members of my family it would b greatly appriciated.

Just watch a programme on tv Michael Aspel reuniting evacuees.I often wonder about those who went to school with us R.C residents during the war.Mrs Cooper at No33 (granny to us at 31)Had a brother and sister from the London area cant for the life of me remember any names I wondered if any records are available I also notice No33 above showing A&N Ligg at Mrs Coopers adress I will check with my elder brother maybe he can throw some light on it.

Thanks, Pedro. I think the Goole Times illustrated almanacks, where these names come from, may have been prepared on basis of information submitted some time previous to publication. Not even sure whether almanacks were printed at beginning of year, or ending! That may account for discrepancies. But your knowledge is first-hand, so do feel free to correct these entries. It is the only way to identify past residents.

For T L Hellens re- Smithsons Johnny was the chimney sweep at 52 RC sons Sam-Henry-Owen-Alec and Billy.only daughter was Mary Johnnys wife Edith,Sam was well known for his boxing prowess along with Joe Carrol they fought in the market hall venues.Sam lost his toe during the war serving in the army (ending his boxing career)Henry on his marriage lived at 52 RC son Leslie born here until moving into council accomodation with his parents.Henry and Brother Owen worked for L.E.P transport who had the adelphi works later lep packing on Rawcliffe road.Alec and Mary moved away from Goole(Iknow not where)Bill married Sheila Wood from next door No50

Correction Woods family lived at number54

Puzzled about Audus and Huscroft Huscroft William and Clara still living at 62 when I left in1953 Tommy Audus and his wife lived at 55 Phoenix St they were the grandparents of Riseburys at 28 RC Donalds wife Gertrude was their daughter Tommy worked at Timms Mill

Think we are at cross=purposes with this address. I thought you wanted correction of Woods there, but looking again seems you had given wrong address for Woods. Should it be Audus and Huscroft at numbers you have given for 1940?

Sorry my mistake but Wood definately at 54 at this time went to school with them( Mr Wood Bargee think he originated from Hull) Huscroft at 62 Brian/Barry/Barbara Brian eldest passed away some years ago born about 1935/6.Barry Abt 1945 still around. Barbara? and Tommy Audus in Phoenix St next to Adelphi Garage.

Could Clara huscroft wife of William maybe nee Audus I know not.

Didn't Huscrofts lived round the corner on Hook Road - the block between RC Street and Adelphi entrance - later in fifties, I seem to remember a daughter? - Isabel - I think she perhaps worked at Inland Tax offices???

Brian Huscroft on his marriage lived on Hook Rd but I thought it was the block opposite between RC and Axholme

Maybe the name I remember was Hutchcroft, not Huscroft.

John Appleyard lived at No. 11 from 1934-1956

Does anyone know what the JS stands for at no.27?

We shall all be interested to know. On the subject of Shuffleton Streets, and all the Streets long lost, let's hear it for Generations of Goole long gone. Because, it looks as if Goole has become ERYC's KINGDOM. All the charitable orgs. have become indebted for their future to ERYC, DARE NOT STEP OUT OF LINE, else WRISTS WILL BE MORE THAN SLAPPED. About time that some backbones were stiffened, tomorrow's kids brought back into the real world, or GOOLE IS A GONNER. There is little left to bother about, otherwise, and the folks who have left Goole, can forget it. IT HAS BECOME AN INSTITUTION. If you want to save the place that carries your memories, then ARGUE THE CASE.

I can tell you that I prop up my boiler, the Rayburn, that I should have had when the kids were small (shades of Richard Cooper and his iron ranges - nothing better for airy, high ceilinged family houses) and ask myself - if there were any quality of life in this "upmarket area", would it be marred by folks parking more than one vehicle per household - they would buy a house with a drive or garage space. The terraced streets of town were built for horses and carts, not cars that use these residential neighbourhoods as through routes to even more upmarket parts of town, the suburbs. Single individuals share houses built for one family, with four vehicles, there are those vans and trucks, those people carriers, that block non-driving old grannies on their bike and endanger road safety. Meanwhile the big empty space where houses once stood in Estcourt Street, and Stanley Street and Burlington Crescent, was cleared for what? A carpark that despite being only a few blocks away is left unused overnight. Why? Could it be crime-ridden? No, more likely that folks forget they have feet to walk beyond their front doors. And the road system is so difficult to navigate that one literally has to go round the houses to get anywhere! Double decker buses and commercial traffic overtaking on narrow roads, filled with parked vehicles down one side usually, swinging round corners, while barriers in town supposedly stop daft pedestrians from throwing themselves under their wheels. There is no value left in Goole, beyond the open riverside, and even that is titivated to within an inch of its natural life. Gone are the old rotting jetties and old boats/sheds and the real salt of Goole - a working community. So much for comments at the below (see the following entry). My preferred butcher is Nightingales, trad style like my dad, and my grandad, who came here to Goole when it began to develop last century, 1890s. From rural pig breeding I guess!!!

OLD BILL query - might this be the answer: Goole Cemetery MI Vol.6 Entry 383 - "In memory of/our dear parents/John S.COOK./And/Minnie COOK./Reunited. [Boothferry FLHS note that John Singleton Cook died 29th July 1948 aged 73; Minnie Cook died 12th June 1969 aged 75] A previous entry somewhere in these web blogs from Pedro probably, referred to Alfred Cook a champion "fighter" and Minnie Cook who arranged bus trips for kids to seaside. Seems as if these two are on the family tree. Can you fit them in?

Forwarded by GAG member Article published in Inside Housing Written by Caroline Thorpe Last man standing 6th February 2009 In Goole, east Yorkshire, two streets stand deserted. It’s been this way for almost five years. Only a handful of residents remain, determined to fight the council’s demolition and redevelopment plans. Continuing our campaign to fill the UK’s empty homes, Caroline Thorpe asks how did it come to this? Not much prepares you for the sight of Phoenix Street. The approach from the town centre of Goole, Yorkshire, takes in unremarkable rows of terraced housing. The Scissor Sisters hairdressers’ on the corner of Carlisle Street appears to be doing a brisk enough trade. Pickards ‘high class bakery and delicatessen’ is everything it says on the tin. Beckie, working the cake counter, calls some of the nearby streets ‘quite upper class’. Dust fills the air the closer you get to Phoenix Street and neighbouring Richard Cooper Street. The grime is a by-product of frenetic council renovations on the homes in the neighbouring roads. Hard hats and scaffolding are much in evidence. So it’s all the more surprising when you reach the end of freshly painted Edinburgh Street to be confronted with a scene of utter dilapidation and neglect. Of the 117 houses in the street just four are occupied. The rest are boarded-up, graffitied shells. A few misshapen satellite dishes cling limply to the brick: even they seem to have given up. This is exactly the kind of blight that Empty Promise, Inside Housing’s campaign to tackle empty homes, aims to help stamp out (see box overleaf ). ‘If you make the place as depressing as possible then people are going to move,’ says Alan Wilson, Goole resident and landlord of one of the remaining occupied homes. We are picking our way through the alleyway between the backyards of the streets’ homes. The space is a fly-tipper’s paradise, littered with discarded electronics and soft furnishings. Nature forges on regardless: onions and cabbages burst forth in a once well-kept vegetable patch, a poignant reminder of the care taken here not that long ago. It’s a sorry sight, and one that is lingering painfully. Although some were already vacant, the homes started emptying in earnest in 2005, a year after East Riding & Yorkshire Council announced its intention to bulldoze the two streets. The following years saw a marked decrease in occupied homes. By 2008 a hard core of residents remained. Today just four homes are lived in. The council wants to replace them with around 65 new homes – including low cost ones – and a community centre, having decided ‘the streets weren’t sustainable’, according to housing standards manager Sally Burns. That’s four years of life being sucked from those homes while 3,062 people in Goole (population 17,600) languish on the housing waiting list. And the council expects it to be another year at least before there’s any material change to the street – it has been forced to start preparing compulsory purchase orders against the owners of the remaining occupied properties, all of which are privately rented. Five years of empty homes. How did it come to this? It’s what Stanley Cooper, a Goole resident cutting through Richard Cooper Street as he walks his dog Lou, wants to know. ‘[Demolition and rebuilding] should have been quicker at least. We’re talking about lives. Renovation looked pretty good to me… there are people begging for houses. ‘My brother used to live there,’ he adds, pointing across the street to a house that he says his brother did up himself. ‘It’s gone downhill, it’s got neglected.’ Taking sides So what went wrong? Could half a decade of empty streets have been avoided? As is so often the case with plans for housing market renewal, it comes down to two sides that are never going to see eye to eye. In one corner: East Riding & Yorkshire Council, determined to press ahead with its redevelopment plans. In the other: Goole Action Group and its alternative plans to refurbish the existing homes. ‘Where are you going with this piece?’ asks Ms Burns, with the all too common suspicion deployed against journalists covering renewal areas. The answer is simple: an attempt to understand how homes can lie empty for so long, in the face of so much need. The council’s arguments for demolition are familiar: research conducted in 2004 showed the streets were ‘unsustainable’; a mixed tenure replacement is more appropriate; proposals put forward by the action group for a renovation scheme ‘didn’t meet the design specification’. Regardless of the aims, surely almost five years of empties is unacceptable. ‘We hadn’t hoped for the delay,’ admits Ms Burns. The council hadn’t counted on a ‘speculative developer’ buying homes in the street, derailing plans to persuade all residents to leave voluntarily. But this doesn’t account for residents like Gordon Crook, who simply do not want to leave. With hindsight, should the council have taken the compulsory purchase route earlier? ‘There’s been some case law from Liverpool which has definitely made our legal people more cautious,’ says Ms Burns. ‘If [that] hadn’t happened at the start of the project maybe we wouldn’t have been [reluctant] to kick that off earlier.’ She admits the voluntary route – offering tenants £3,400 plus relocation costs, and up to £77,000 to owners for their house, plus a relocation payment and a £20,000 interest free loan – is expensive. Then there’s ‘something like’ a £20,000 annual tab for managing the empty streets. ‘But it’s so important,’ she says. She claims the council is only one year behind schedule as a result of the tactic. ‘We would have a planning application in there by now.’ Last week it announced Peter Ward Homes as its preferred developer to rebuild the streets once demolished. The council’s lawyers began preparing compulsory possession order documents last month. Once councillors have rubber stamped the orders, a planning application can be lodged. But thanks to the recession, the redevelopment plans are worryingly sketchy. Currently the council doesn’t even know how it will pay for its proposals. ‘Peter Ward Homes needs to work with us and the Homes and Communities Agency to make sure the funding stacks up… at the moment all we’ve got is a preferred bidder.’ Opponents of the council’s plans, meanwhile, insist their alternative scheme to refurbish the two streets could start tomorrow. Goole Action Group’s method would be to create a ‘community investment company’ to renovate the homes and sell them below market rates. ‘The business would be like a not-for-profit housing association. All profits would come back to the community,’ says Mr Wilson, leafing through the scheme brochure. Mr Wilson is passionate about his cause: something else the council perhaps didn’t bargain for when it decided to empty the streets voluntarily. In 2000 he paid £20,000 for his two-bed house on Richard Cooper Street – currently tenanted. ‘The council offered me £85,000 for it two weeks ago,’ he says. ‘I told them from day one I wasn’t interested in the money.’ Instead he says his five year fight is driven by a desire to preserve and promote community. ‘I firmly believe that houses like that should be saved. It’s heritage, it’s [the] character of the town,’ he says. ‘I’ve always believed that if you get the right community together and get them to accept responsibility for each other, then that’s where the strength is.’ Needless to say, Mr Wilson is not confident that the council’s planned development will engender such neighbourliness. Not that those plans are by any means certain, suggesting the sorry streets might not have reached their lowest ebb. Ms Burns hopes to have a planning application for the 1.4 hectare site lodged by the summer. But the recession has put paid to any kind of certainty. Not only is no funding in place, but there are no detailed plans according to Ms Burns. ‘We don’t have any yet. When the scheme came together [originally] there was value in the land – £1.5 million. That has substantially reduced. So we have to make sure with any work [we do that] we’ve still got a scheme that’s viable. We will make it work.’ A departing glance down Richard Cooper Street reveals a well-groomed Ms Burns giving the council’s side of the story to a local TV camera. Her sharp suit jars with her surroundings. The story of these empties looks set to run. For more information about Empty Promise see our campaign page on Inside Housing website. You can express your support by signing our petition to Gordon Brown on government's No. 10 page, or by emailing emptypromise@insidehousing.co.uk

M, Gill at No. 66. Does anyone know the lady of the house's christian name?

Old Bill - A suggestion = Maybe folks should know that M. Gill is thought to have been Maltus Gill. With a distinctive name such as his, seems odd they have disappeared from records. Do you know whether his wife was still living at this time? It seems that Mr. G either took it upon himself, as the man of the house, to list occupants, or that he lived alone, perhaps?? Any other clues you want to add to search? Possible details about the family etc. Could help jog memories.

I am just trying to find out if it is indeed Maltus Gill. I know from 1901 census he was a seaman. I also know his wife and a daughters names. Both Rose Hilda. The mother nee Cook sister of John SingletonCook residing in the same street

Will check earlier years of GT directory, to establish entries for Gill, M, and perhaps any other initials. Relatives often lived close to each another, giving seamen's wives a support system when their men were away. Similar pattern in my street showed that, and many families came from neighbouring homes closer to dockland. If this was a son of Thomas Gill who married Hannah, can you find any more of his brothers in neighbourhood 1901?

Back from research, despite ERYC using the "Peoples Computers" upstairs in ref. room for purpose of recruitment/training for today and tomorrow. Cancels out free use of Ancestry. I begin to wonder why Council tax payers should be put aside when there is a perfectly good council building close by! Anyway, got some very useful info. First though can Old Bill tell me names of Thomas and Hannah Gill's 1891 and 1901 census data, names/ages/occupations of children etc. I have 1881 info.

1881: THOMAS GILL (39) & HANNAH (nee GARRETT) (30) at Goole. Family - JOHN T. (9), b. Skelton; AMY A (7), b. Goole; WALTER (5), b.Goole; JOHN M. (4), b. Goole; ELIZA H. (1), b. Goole. GOOLE TIMES DIRECTORIES - include following entries FOR 1907: THOS. GILL 4 VERMUYDEN TERRACE; JOHN T. GILL 66 SOUTH STREET; M.GILL 27 SWINEFLEET ROAD; W.GILL 5 NORTH STREET. 1908 (directory missing: 1909 CHANGES : J.T. GILL 62 SOUTH STREET; W(ALTER) GILL 5 NORTH STREET. 1910 CHANGES : T.GILL at 4 V Terrace; another T. GILL 7 BACK NORTH STREET; J.T. GILL 14 QUAY STREET. 1911 CHANGES : T. GILL 4 V Terrace (only one entry); No entry for J. T. Gill. 1914 CHANGES : T. GILL (no entry); J. T. GILL 44 MARLBROUGH AVE. 1915 CHANGES : T. GILL (no entry); M. GILL 48 PHOENIX STREET. 1916 CHANGES : M. GILL and J.T. GILL (no entries). 1917 and 1918 (directories missing) :1919 CHANGES : M. GILL 66 RICHARD COOPER STREET; HANNAH GILL 2 CROSS PARK STREET. 1920 (directory missing) : 1921 CHANGES : HANNAH GILL 42 PARK TERRACE. 1922, 1923, 1924 : NO CHANGES. 1925 (directory missing). 1926 NO CHANGES. 1927 CHANGES : J.T. GILL reappears at 66 RICHARD COOPER STREET and at 56 WEATHERILL STREET. 1928 CHANGES : T. GILL 40 SPENCER STREET. 1929 (directory missing). 1930 CHANGES : J. T. GILL only one entry - 66 RICHARD COOPER STREET. 1931, 1932 NO CHANGES. 1933 CHANGES : HANNAH GILL no entry. 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 NO CHANGES. 1938 (directory missing). 1939 CHANGES : WALTER GILL probably died as entry shows SARAH A. GILL 5 NORTH STREET; J. T. GILL 19 OUSE STREET. 1940 CHANGES : J. T. GILL 15 QUEENS AVENUE; J. A. GILL entry 24 RICHARD COOPER STREET. Quite a number of other GILLS also noted, but will keep until we have further initials to check. Conclusion seems to be that M. GILL no closer identification as MALTUS but I think he may well be "your man". HANNAH GILL shown in earlier years may also be "our Hannah" (died 1932?), and T. GILL a possible but perhaps the later entries relate to the other T. GILL. WALTER GILL, long-time resident at 5 NORTH STREET, another relative (died 1937/38?, married to SARAH A?

Thankyou for researching. Response from SS - no problem, I need to know who lived there too.

Re: Information about the BINNINGTON's (Peter Binnington - son of Jim) Jim Binnington had three sons named Peter, Eric and Eddie and two daughters named Doreen and ?. Peter married Doreen Ellis, who was also from Goole. They had 5 children named John, Jeff, Julie, Jill and James. Peter was accidently killed when working on the docks on 15th July 1969. John married Lynne Taylor and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Jeff married Liz Hall and have 1 boy called Alex. Julie married James Frederick Pheasant and they have 3 children and 1 grandchild. Jill married Andrew Hunt, who have 2 daughters. James is about to get married. Would really appreciate if someone can give me information about the other 2 brothers and sisters of Peter's.

My grandfather was Maltus Gill of 66 Richard Cooper Street, his wife, my grandmother was Rose Hilda Gill (nee Cook) my mother, his daughter, was Olive Gill who married my father Albert Newton and we lived at 42 Richard Cooper street.

Great to have this info. My own relatives come into this family tree, somewhere along the line. So long since I worked on this and shall have to check out the links, but from memory Maltus is thought to have been a son/grandson of a second marriage between Gill senior and his wife Hannah???

For Jack Newton I remember as a teenager Newtons visiting Mrs Gill in the 1940s.But they came every summer holiday from I believe Grimsby.I specifically remember Brian Newton and his sisters.Brian was my own age and I looked forward to his visits every summer holiday I believe he also had an elder brother,I often wonder what became of him.

Brian my brother died about three years ago,my eldest sister Joyce died too about six years ago,my other sisters Betty,Valerie,Barbara and Patricia are alive and living in the Grimsby Cleethorpes area.

Sorry to hear Brian passed away I have many happy memories of us all on the riverbank.Including members of the Cross-Smithson-Harrison and other families.HAPPY DAYS

I was born at 64 Richard Cooper st Sept 10th 1924. My dad was Jack & Mom was anne. I had a brother George. All of them are now deceased. Went to Alexandra St school and then the new senior sch. It had no name when I was there.We left Goole in 1936 to go to Folkestone. Have a photo of Happy days 1933 with all the kids in the street on it.Friends were willie Eldin & Jim Champion. i`ve lived in Canada for over 50 years. Harry Harrison of Grey street are you still around?Like to hear from any one who remembers me.

Glad you found some old haunts, Frank. If you are able to scan your photo and forward, we should be able to add to this site. It would be better still if you can remember some or even all the names of those in the picture. Let's hope your memories trigger news of your old pal, too. Good to hear from you, all the time and distance away. Do keep looking in and reading the memories of more of our interesting contributors.

Frank, did you see the entries on Contemporary Memories about your Philpott relatives? (20/9/09 and 28/9/09)

How would I get pictures to you ?

Yes I saw the Philpotts. The only Philpott I knew in Goole lived two doors away in Belview Terrace. Their sons name was ,Frank also. The only relative in Goole was George Maxwell Yates. He lived at 24, Rc and was the local milkman.He used to own the Vermuden Pub and my mother was the barmaid there. He was my Grandfather.

I am working on my memories of Goole. Photograph of 1933 - Thought I would send you this photo while I compile my memories. The kid marked Ititortor was her nickname.

The photo at the top of the page of the morris cowley was taken about 1930. The van is outside 24 Richard Cooper Street where my grandad G,M,Yates had a bussiness called United Dairies.The kid of course is me. I used to go with him to Reedness to get the milk and eggs from a farmer called Plowes.In the house window are signs saying Fresh eggs & milk.Grandad also had a sty full of pigs in the back of the Lowther Hotel

Memories of Goole as a kid. How did we fill our day? We played hoscotch, Tag, Egg if you move, last across, granny, Plunky, Knocky downy, Pitchy fary, Pitchy ony,Collected stamps and cigarette cards, Booling, Scooter, Bike, Trolley, Climbing on the bollards, Mud fights, Climbing over the railings of the ww1 Tank in Riverside Park and getting hooked up on the spikes getting out and have to get my dad to get me off, Go to Lovers Lane crossing and get train numbers, Watch the railway horses shunting on Aire street & St Johns street. They were replaced by Saddle tankers 0-4-0 `s later,played cricket & football at R.S. Park,Getting a sandwich and a Penny Monster from Miss Steeles shop and go all day on saturday to Westfield bankswe used to call it Wessex, When the buzzer blew on the docks that meant FIRE, and we ran to the fire station to watch the engine go out, Go to the Cinema on Saturday and watch Tarzan the ape man and then go to Miss Appleyard`s shop to buy a lead toy or pay apenny a week on her Xmas club, Hope this brings back some memories of your childhood . The next edition will be names. These to me was the good old days

So tell us what these games are, Frank! The ones with names I didn't play. Me and my sisters, living out in the sticks, up Western Road during the war years. We did hopscotch, and whip and top, and skipping, but can't remember the ones you list. We went down dyke sides, or I did, on my way home from school, and into Cobblers Wood, scary, and rode bikes and scooters and remember the LEP boxes, during war years, that had ammunition or tanks or some such in them. Guarded by a sentry in a box, or a night watchman or some such. And we spied on a courting couple or two, who came in the years later. Were fed sweeties from the Irish potato pickers in the fields that belonged to Walker, JP from Airmyn Boothferry House. Went gleaning for Cappy and Mrs. Stevens chickens, and jumped off haystacks. I had to fetch bread from Mrs. Todd's shop down at the bottom of the road, near Pasture Road, 4d halfpenny a loaf then. Ate crust on way back home with it to while away the walk. Had to pick fruit from bushes in garden, and collect eggs from chickens during war, kept those in Isoglass? in a big stone jar in the outhouse. What else did we do, I made paper dolls and refused to play buses on the stairs unless I could be the driver. There were no playmates, unless school friends were visiting, brought by us on way home and returned by mother or father, no street lights then. I told whoppas, big fibs, reckoning we lived in one part of the house by one door and the other door was another part. And when houses were built near us years later, we played doctors and nurses!!! with kids visiting from villages. Far different where I live now. Just big piles of you know what when you look out.

THREE OF THEM WERE CIGARETTE CARDS.yOU SAT 6FT BACK AND TRY TO KNOCK DOWN A CARD STANDING AGAINST THE WALL. AND PITCHY ONY YOU HAD TO PITCH YOUR CARD ON A FLAT ONE AGAINST THE WALL, AND PITCHY FARY YOU HAD TO GO THE FARTHEST'. GRANNY WAS MARBLES. YOU MADE HOLES IN THE DIRT AND HAD TO FIRE YORS INTO THE HOLES. PLUNKY WAS GLASS ALLEY PLAY. 6FT BACK AND TRY TO TOSS YOUR ALLEY AT ONE NEAR THE WALL.IF YOU HIT IT YOU PICKED IT AND THE PERSON YOU WERE PLAYING HAD TO REPLACE IT BY ONE OF HIS OWN

The marble game sound great fun. It's boys who seem to play marbles. To collect them. I was the tomboy of the family, and preferred to climb chairs to reach cupboards with old gardening and other magazines stored. Liked looking at them and some AA Guides to Roads of Britain. All with "A" names then. And sub-titled, like A1 The Great North Road. We played word games with my Dad and my Granny taught us, or tried to teach us, to knit. Again, photos of family show me with spade, sand-digging size, and wellies. Outside play. Went to stay with relatives quite often, individually, or I was sent. Godmother's in Dunhill Road, who had lovely china. Aunt's up Riversdale Drive, when we walked down riverbank to town and back and she took me to library, the old one in Carlisle Street, with stern librarian, and dull coloured books. Was in my element there and she borrowed books for me from the "juvenile" section on her ticket. Readers had to be age like nine before you got a ticket of your own. We also consulted Lloyds List in the "Reading Room" - where silence had to reign. Even travelled on trains by ourselves,to Luton where Aunt and Uncle lived next to "Downs", open hilly scrubland in those days. To Plymouth once, only a policeman cousin to take us across London, in very early teens.

On our 4 weeks off school we used to get tickets for one week on the East Yorks buses. For 7 days we used to travel to Scarborough, Bridlington or anywhere the buses went. and then for 2 weeks we travelled to Folkestone in Kent which was my dads hometown and enjoyed the seaside and the smell of salt water and riding on the boats in the harbour. We also fished for crabs and prawns in the rocks.Little did we know that in 1937 we would be living there. We always knew when we were back when we saw the water tower and Marriners bridge.

Names I have remembered for over 70 years. Agnes Audus...Geo Starling...Jackie Robinson...Ginger Proctor...The Richardsons, Jack,Jeff,PeterDavid & Maggie...Geo Carr...Cissie Piper...Joyce Newton...Fishy Watson, Our name for the guy at the fish shop.Miss Steeles...Miss Gleadows...Revalls bakery...Punch & Eric Gunther...Gus Bruce...Billy Bruce...Ernie Whitely. Lena Whitely...Tonka Wellard...Bobby Cawthorne...Old Scott Druary, Youhg Scott and Nancy Who I met in 1943...Stevie Sings...Jim Champion, Met him & his new wife in 1943...Willie Eldin,Also in 1943...Vera Eldin, Had the pleasure of taking her to the dance at the Market Hall...Tommy and Joan Kenny, Met Tommy on Redhill station while we were changing Trains...Willie Caldacott, Saw him boxing in a fairground booth in Folkestone after the war. He lived and trained in Dover...Johnny Campbell...John Mallison...Harold Jackson...Arthur Jackson...Harry Harrison from 2 Grey street.He was in the Royal Signals same as I was.Met him in Goole 1943 and once again in Rangoon, Burma as he joined my unit.A nice suprise. 5 Sgts from the 19th Indian division who guested at our Sgts mess in Rangoon. Most went to Dunhill Rd school and one lived in Marlborough Ave. If any of these names are still around, please tell them of this website and lets get some dialogue going.

Memorable events of the 30`s......1935 George V Silver Jubilee. The Mayor presented each child with a Jubilee mug and a bank book from the Yorkshire Penny Bank with a shilling in it. I won a gold medal for 6 a side football tourney. We played on Goole Towns ground, but only on half a pitch .George Vi Coronation. 1937....We got a Wedgewood iMugand a silver spoon each......The Goole Charter. 1933. Each child was given a tin inscribed for the occasion, and inside was a slab of milk chocollate. It was presented personally by Prince Gearge. He later became Duke of Kent.He lost his life in the fouties when his Wellington bomber crashed in Scotland. I still have them exept the shilling and the chocolate.....Cecily Square Bonfire.....What an event.a massive pile, a huge fire,the crowds and fireworks and I don`t recall anything aflame other than the fire........Whit sunday...Every kid dressed in their Sunday best climbing on carts that were dressed for the occasion and pulled by horses around the town. We wrer all loaded on by the Primitive Methodists church near the clock tower.....What ever happend to St Georges Day? The tables in the street and lots of food for everyone. The spring Tides when the water was near the top of the bank.Carol singing at Xmas along Hook road. THE FAVORITE SONG WAS aILY PAILY SNOW ON THE GROUND and ending with Two little birds sitting on a wire. Where did all the years go ?

Regarding the information on the Huscroft family. Clara was William Huscroft's mother in law his wife's name was Agnes. Babara is no longer with us. Two of the Huscroft family are missing off your list myself Ian and my sister Elaine. Hannah Cross did live at number 32 and her sister Sarah lived next door to us at 64 her surname was Ramsker. Can anyone remember David and Roy Owen they have a sister but i cannot remeber her name, i think Roy was the projectionist and the Tower cinema in Carlisle St. Can you also remember Ezra who used to come down Richard Cooper St with his horse and cart with fruit and veg. I will try and remember anything else or other people who live down the street.

Many thanks for your news, Ian. Am certain you will get some response from Frank, even if we both thought Goole had GONE FOR GOOD. Do keep in touch. You are one of the few signs of life about this place.

Hi Ian , I lived in RC St in the 20`s & 30`s. I Don`t recall your name but if you give me your time period We can see what we have in common.

Looking back I find it was Pedro who gave us the first information about the Huscroft family, a year ago. Do hope he reads Ian's update and it brings back even more in-depth knowledge of these streets and their residents. You only have to venture out once a year to meet up in person with folks who still hold strong views about the intended doom of all these homes! There aren't enough of them though, and it seems that majority don't care to remember how life used to be. Those houses stand there today looking even more substantial than any of the neighbouring streets - "Georgianised" (yea, that's the right term according to one insider who didn't think Victorian era should try to look backwards at the expense of original features). In Goole of all places, with its dour image of dockland and railway crossing, the Victorians added what stature the town ever had.

Sarahs maiden name Shipley her husband was Jackie Ramsker brother to Sid.In my day I think only two boys made it to Goole Grammar Bob Piper and Brian Huscroft.Owens had one girl Alma,Incidentley Just watched Calender News North Yorks Council have no plans to build affordable homes The Builders claim no one can afford them and consiquently have no plans for the foreseeable future to build.East Riding Council PLEASE TAKE NOTE WE HAVE LOADS WITH A BIT OF LOVING CARE PHOENIX AND RICHARD COOPER ST CAN BE RESTORED TO THEIR FORMER GLORY.

Frank Philpot I went into Crescent club today mention your name Bob Harrison says Hi. Bobs 84 this year he remembers you when he lived in Phoenix St he worked all his life in Goole Shipyard.

Memories... Afew more names. Randolph Hopley who collected the rent every week...The man with the horse and cart sellingPlates and pottery. He used to shout POTSINANY. Only he knew what it meant. He also had a stall at the market where he banged plates on the wooden benches and never broke any. I have posted a lot of names and no response. So I take it I am the only one left. If you do know of anyone on these postings please tell them as I am begining to fell alone.

Back online again, technical hitch put right - don't know what I'd do without a with-it son! Your messages being relayed to individual members fighting the Streets demolition. Keep looking in to be kept abreast of action. Do wish Pedro could shout his message like the town crier, through the halls of ERYC in plush Beverley!

In North St by the arcade where the East Riding buses used to stop, The right hand side going to the Lock Hill Had a slope of About 30 degrees. Are there any pics of how it looks now?

Well, no pics to accompany this view, Frank, BUT, there is a Town Council-maintained grassy area, with a b. ugly ABP fence shutting off the riverside timber wharf, where once we used to walk. The trees are being culled, I am certain for risk reasons if TC have their say, but ... boys with ropes swinging on branches didn't do 'em any good. There are dog bins and litter bins and then there is the Mariners Memorial. Some think it a good thing. Some think otherwise. The "tasteful" railinged enclosure to keep is sacrosanct out of hours and the tidyness of all overall is contrary, in my view, to that wild and windy space that was the lock hill, where folks gathered to watch the arrivals and departures of Goole vessels, with Goole crews. And even the docks nowadays rarely use that lock, in fact I don't think many locks are used. The docks are empty most of the time. More time is spent by containers sitting on the old wharfside in Aire Street, blocking light, views of the church spire, and the interesting old buildings of what was Goole.!!!

You didn't ask about the lovely old stone slab steps going up to the now railed off "outfall" of the Hook Drain, but they are dropping down, and uncared for. Despite a couple of mails sent to Port of Goole authority, believed to be in Arab Emirates now. Do you remember when all the old guys used to sit on that wooden bench in lee of old building, can't remember whether it was brick or wooden, probably housed some equipment, before the Docks Offices grew up on the lock hill opposite E. Parade? Anyway, about 47 years ago, one babe was wheeled there by his grandfather on a pretty regular airing, but not possible now. There is something in this week's free sheet about the Goole Renaissance lot planning "to open up" a walkway between Lock Hill and the Lowther, as if it were some big deal. Have they forgotten, did they ever know, these big shots, that folks could walk freely anywhere they wanted across Goole's locks and docks, in the teen and twenties years of said babe above? These Goolies used to take their visiting friends across the Goole dockland, to hear the Russian crews and to see the foreign registered vessels locking in and being unloaded, keeping out the way of hawsers and dockers at work. Such visitors were amazed that this little place up this river, so far from the "German" ocean, could be so enormously interesting and alive. Not now, though, it has gone and the life has drained out the place. All is now grey and empty. The place has become a ghost town.

WOW, it is a different time I recall. Freedom of the docklands to roam and play and a shortcut to Old Goole, Tom Puddings being .tipped, Calder screws bringing them in from the canal, coal dust up your nose. There was a platform on the hoist where a man stood to turn down the chute end and rake away any jamming of coal. Ships on the move. Always something to look at.It sounds shamsfull but now i think they call it PROGRESS.

Thanks Pedro, I was begining to think that no one was left from the old regime. Do you know if there are anyother old guys from my list left?

Well you can still bike around the "strait" cut to O. Goole, if you are able to negotiate a narrow Lowther Bridge (*footpath" only) and then do a right angled turn and then manage the fenced in footpath, in case you fall into the water it will save you!) and then dismount in accordance with all notices, to do an alpine climb up the steeps to the lock gate across Ocean Lock bridgeway (some flimsy timbers added to mesh for footholds, following installation a long time ago), and down the other side, where you have to go through the "gates", iron post structure to stop anything wider than outsize4 individuals, and past the wired off whatever it is outside the warehouse occupied by Starch company that was, if not is, and keep within the yellow lines until you enter South Street! Hip Hip Hooray, you made it, until you get to the junction, where you find there might be a cycle way, before the traffic lights, at Dutch River Bridge now upgraded. And so it goes. Am sure you see what I mean.

Frank I do recognise most names on your list sadly most have long gone to that playground in the sky. If Cissie Piper was Joan then shes alive and well. Elsie and joan Cross still with us as is Arthur England (pongo)Bob Harrison.Two Richardsons Teresa and Mike Joan Ryan (uckli).If Harry Harrison had a brother Ken then he too has left us.Im afraid if I ask those with us to log on they would fall off their walking frames lol.

Pedro, if you and Frank can log on, your old mates can too. Did you know that the Courtyard have now followed up a suggestion made a couple of years back, and got some laptops, and a helper. If the zimmer brigade can get there, one way or another, they would be able to enjoy free beverages, not the Club kind I am afraid, but have all the support they need to go live! Do see what you can do. The Courtyard also have a vehicle to transport folks. Give Courtyard a browse and enquire about the chance to get Goolies in touch with exiles like Frank. Its no more difficult than what they did in their working lives, tell them.

Frank, if you want the tom pudding experience, you will have to go down the Dutch River Side, to the Waterways museum, online. A pic in this week's giveaway press of former tug boat skipper and his wife plus museum staff. I enjoyed a ride at one of their event weekends but the docks were all but empty and it seemed quite sad that what was the norm had now become something more like those re-creations and enactments akin to the Plymouth Plantation of Puritans. Before long we shall be auditioning for roles in the Goole Experience.

Hi Pedro, I can`t place Bob Harrison. Bit more info please. The Harrison I mentioned in my write up was Harry. Helived at 2 grey street. I stayed with him when I was there in 1943. He used to play football for Howden United. Thanks. Ido know a Bobby huntington or Cawthorne. He lived in P St near Platt & Featherstones wood factory.

Hi Pedro, Thanks for the info. I don`t know what is the problem with people who have computer phobia. I started 2 years ogo at 83 and it was tough at first but if you do the basics you can have a good time with it. What started me off was my brother in law ran me off pictures of Boothferry Road and the Market Hall. It was so vivid I had to have a computer and ergo, here I am. Did I see an obit for Arthur Jackson aka Stickalee somewhere in the comments?

Frank, what's this about P & F Woodshed down P Street? Some background would be interesting. First I have heard anyone mention it. Details awaited. Thank You.

When you walk out of 64 RC St back way into the alley there was a huge brick wall which I presume was the garage wall. When they opened the windows you could see the drive belts and pullys for the saw mill. It was niosy and it was run by Platt and Featherstone. I don`t know if they made furniture or just a saw mill.

I know the wall you mean, they pulled it down did ERYC, as part of site clearance. That wall was originally back of the hall put up for people of Goole, see Section 24 on this site, The Phoenix Arises etc., down to Harniess. Are you talking about thirties re P & F or later? I thought they were in my time!

It was always there all the time we lived in RC St. We left for Belvue Terrace in the mid 30`s

Further to your question, Yes Platt & Featherstone was there too as I remember.There was always noise of sawing.

Frank Im puzzled at bobby cawthorne.Bobby Harrison lived at No49 between Mortons and Carrols and next door but one to Askews in Phoenix St. His mother was a Cawthorne Bobs now awaiting his 85 birthday and claims to know you.He went into Goole shipyard as an apprentice driller on leaving school and remained there until retiring at age65. I myself a comparative youngster of 74yrs remember the sawmill as lep transport in my day Ted Steel whos mum had the corner shop in RC St was the sawyer in the mill.I also remember Sticker Lee brought up with Jacksons in the corner house with Eric Gunther living next door.

It has occurred to me that P and F may well have been using the Phoenix Works site at the time they were building houses along Hook Road, the pre-war detached properties between Ainsty Street and Hawthorn Terrace, and then the Riversdale Drive development also pre-war. There would have been a lot of carpentry to provide and fit, and that was Mr. Featherstone's speciality I believe. Like Pedro I am too young to remember, but know that was approximate time of development in that area. If we can get any more details on this, I will move these entries to Phoenix Works page. Don't want to stop the discussion though.

Hi Pedro, Thanks for checking things out for me. I was always as a kid confused with Bob as he seemed to answer to Cawthorne. He lived in P street and the back door came out in the alley about 4 doors from the corner of Platt and Featherstones wall. Could it be the Harrison /Huntington name could be memory lapse? If it was him then Say Hi to him from me. By the way, I left RC St before you were born. Have you anything on Arthur Jackson?

sadly I cant think of any of the old brigade left.Racking my brains I can only think of bob and the two Cross sisters over 80yrs.I myself only remember the garage doors opening once in PSt when the army took it over during the war.After the war it was LEP Adelphi Works entrance from Hook Rd.Lep transport garage and workshop for lorries,and the joiner shop manufacturing packing cases for exporting cars from their Minerva Works on Rawcliffe Rd.I will be seeing Bobby H on tuesday and pick his brains tho.

Thanks for the effort Pedro. I guess I left it too late. Any clues on Willie Eldin or his sister Vera? They lived in Marlborough Ave?

Stickalee was a name dubbed on Arthur Jackson way back. It was his warcry in the street and so a name was born.

Willie Eldin and sister Vera passed on Vera married Harry Smith she was barmaid in the Buchanan pub for Sid Chappel in the 70s

Hi Pedro. Thanks for the info on the Eldins. Willie was my best friend but we never kept in touch.Seems like Bob & I are the only oldies left.

Hi Frank I saw bobby today he will be 85 this coming birthday he confirms he was always referred to as cawthorne.Altho his memory is not what it used to be he claims you lived later in Mond Ave Goole is he getting confused with another Phillpot who worked on Goole docks? His time served in the Home Guard(dads army)During the war is always a topic of amusement in the club.But as you say not many oldies left anyway Im glad I was able to assist in some way with local news keep well P

Boys, all of you. Full of vim, and with it still. Just be thankful that you, we, enjoyed a Goole that was so much better than what we have today. Me, I live outside the system these days. Goole has gone, beyond my ken. Keep involved at a distance with adventure and life elsewhere. Can't understand why the town has got so lost. The Renaissance lot think they are viewing blue skies, but when you see what these consultants propose, they simply want to recreate the buildings that were pulled down on E. Parade, the wonderful wild Riverside even my kids enjoyed in its true state, and replant the trees that ERYC has felled on grounds of health and safety. The whole community is now risk averse. Cos they can't hack it.

Thanks again Pedro. I guess that makes 2 of us. Happy birthday Bobby There`s very few of us left. My birthday is in September and I`ll be 86.I told my doctor that I aimed to make a hundred and he said he would do his best to help me do it.

Looking at the artist impression in the Goole Times proposed future developments around the clock tower.Couples casually walking across the roundabout I wonder were the traffic is I assume they have been redirected to god knows were.Anyway I leave sunday for my annual month in sunny barbados will keep in touch. Reply from SS: ENJOY YOUR SUNSHINE SS - you are absolutely right Pedro. We know this is just coloured wishes. Even a tree in that picture you mention. Trouble is ERYC cut down the trees that shaded the library corner, and we have those dozy beds of old style potted plants, with a big notice saying who paid for em. All part of the Renaissance plan, stocked with these very same people using underscaled plants instead of the former shrubs, that at least gave some sense of greenery and shield against the traffic - you might call their style propaganda!

Hi Pedro, Just reread one of your com ments. We never lived in Mond Ave. We did live in Belvue Terr, 31 Burlington Cres, 20 Third Ave,3 st Johns st, and 3 George St.Brief stays at each address. Dad was a tender for old Scot Drury.

Hey Pedro, Have a good holiday and get all the sun you can as it pays off. I bought a house in Florida in 1973 and used it for 7 weeks a year for our holidays. I retired in 1983 and for 22 years we drove 1300 miles each way and spent the Canadian winter down there. I sold it 6 years ago but the benifits of no winter worries are evident as we are in good shape and I play golf every day in the summer, weather permitting. So Pedro, enjoy and Bon Voyage.

Saw a comment about the house on Hook Road that back out by the fish shop in RC St. There was a very large statue in that garden kooked massive to us kids and the belief was it was a ghost.

Saw a comment about the house in Hook Road that backed out onthe alley by the fish shop. We lived right opposite in RC Street. In the garden was a huge statue that looked immense and it was white and rumor had it that it was a ghost.

Left both your posts on site, Frank, cos they each have a slightly different slant, that comment about the statue and ghosts caused a wry smile. Can well imagine you kids daring to check it out. Now all high brick-walled boundaries and hold far less to natural setting. The former fish shop property is the "last redoubt" of one of the Compulsory Purchase Order properties. Have you seen on this site the memories of John Goulden, when he grew up there with his Fish and Chip Frying family?

I thought I had lost the first comment so I did it again. The Fish shop was Watsons from my first memories and was there all the time we lived in RC St.

Watsons? If you look up to the top of this page, and see what John Goulden recalled, he only knew it as Holmes. John gives his dates, but if you can remember any other details about the previous owners, that would be v. useful.

I can assure you that Fishy Watson owned the shop in RC Stfrom the early 20`s.That was our nickname for him.You got your fish & chips and asked for scraps as well which he gave free. My brother and I went into his house once to see his new wireless and he told us how it worked. He said little maggots carried the words and landed on your aeriel and down to your set. We believed him too. Also Granny Steels was very much alive when we left RC St.

Frank, you have a phenomenal memory for details. This anecdote colours in the local history of the street. The G. family came back to live there when John was 10, in 1944, so between you we have a continuing history. As teenagers (hanging out that end of town where we thought parents wouldn't know what we were up to) we used to patronise the G. fish and chip shop on Burlington Crescent.

We lived at 31 Burlington Cres for a while. Opposite the Pub which had a very large Great Dane that use to lay outside. The house was unusual, it had bathroom. It was actually a converted shop. I don`t recall a fish shop though. What year?

Early Fifties, Frank. The fish and chippie was on the corner of Edinburgh Street, a block down from the pub - now a gym!

Many years ago the phrase I expect it was Icky from Bubwith was used to evade a question. Any history? I know where Bubwith is but often wondered about it. SS says you should look up Bubwith online. It has a brilliant history website and I think some of my fore"bears" were buried there!

I have been on the web to Bubwith. iwas suprised how much it had grown. Went passed the road into Bubwith once, a little lane. that was in the 30`s and I would like to know if there really was an Icky? SS replies: Frank, Think this is one for Goole on the Web, but there is a Bubwith Community website, if you browse. GAG doesn't want to lose your interest, however!

Where does Icky come from? Short for Ichabod???

I am Goole on the web with a Geoff who called it Ickey from Hook.Waiting for further developments. SS says it sounds like a joke character, Everyman, who lives Everywhere!

Any history of Tommy March`s wet fish shop on the corner of Victoria St and Sotheron St. It was my brothers first emoloyer as a errand boy in 1936? He must have liked fish as when we moved to Folkestone in 1937, his first job was a roundsman for Macfisheries corp.

Hey, anyone ouy there remember Mischievous Night/

Corner of Victoria Street and Sotheron Street? Would that have been the right hand side as you walk from Carlisle end of Sotheron? A building that has been converted into domestic quarters since, but has a pretty big yard on the Vic. side. I think it also had shop type windows. Although this is not strictly Streets stuff, would be interested to have any other snippets you can provide, Frank.

It was just a thought. Is the mischeivous Night still in operation it was a big night for the kids in RC St in my young days? It was on Nov 4th every year.

Don't encourage it Frank. We have enough rubbish and junk these days. It's anti-social vandalism now, all year round. "Innocent" trickery long gone out the place. The Streets became the haunt of drug users and thieves, ripping up York stone flags, and wrecking anything left that held value. It has become a sorry sight down those back alleys. And the rubbish has blown into neighbouring streets. Today it is polystyrene packaging smashed and whole, plus the usual cans thrown over hedges, sweet wrappers and carrier bags filled with wind! You wouldn't recognise the town.

If you walked down Sotheron St the fish shpo was on the left corner at Victoria Street. SS replies: OK. Can't remember when that building was a shop, but it faces both streets, with a basement area used as living accommodation. Back way is a narrow alley on river side of corner building. But your Fishmonger is not someone I have come across before. The Hook Road end has Bank House to "decorate" the corner, with a datestone of 1887? from memory. The first occupants were William Blow and his wife. Either he or his son of same name, began married life opposite me, in the days when tenants were required to be "genteel"! He and his son were in the Tallow business. Took over the Candle Manufactory that existed behind the Shuffleton mill and what became RC Street. Was replaced by a row of workforce cottages, named after Candle chap. Pulled down and replaced by some "town" houses facing Sotheron Street back lane, between RC Street and Axholme St.

Dawns on me you might be mistaking Sotheron Street for Sutton Street? There is a shop there on left hand side, or was, became Jolley's grocery, also now converted to flats.

Yes you are right, it was Sutton St. I just checked the map of Goole, so many changes.

I think there was someone on GotWeb writing in the past about Jolley's shop, this fish shop you knew. p.s. Thought you'd like to hear what the mischief was last night. The carcase of one of those big old tv left in our back lane. And some old sheets or somesuch on a rear roof beneath a back bedroom window.

my grandad was sam 'boy' smithson..he died a frew years ago now..my dad is barry smithson and he used to be a docker but now is a self employed builder..my uncle billy still lives in germany and married again..i often hear from him via christmas cards etc..he is the only surviving child of john and edith smithson.

Re Platt and Featherstone. I noticed Barry Spink mentioned them building homes in a 2009 comment.

Frank, a message from Dave Pyper, on Social History page, about your RC Street 1933 photo. You might wish to contact him direct.

Frank, I got Shuffleton Street's nudge, please e-mail me at dave@cherokee57.freeserve.co.uk. Regards Dave Pyper

Frank, I occasionally have problems with the previous e- mail address, you can definitely reach me on davepyper@yahoo.co.uk, I look forward to hearing from you. Regards Dave

Re the photo 1033. Two questions have been answered with the help of Dave Pyper. The first one the identity of Bill Robinson. Well with the help of Daves photo it is resolved that it IS Bill Robinson. Secondly Cissie Piper is actually Doris Pyper. Cissie worked for my Grandad at 24 RC St.

Thomas Ashton, Contemporary Memories, recalls his parents living in RC Street late 1940s/early fifties. Can anyone help him obtain 1953 Street Party photograph?

1953 St Photo The coronation party I have this please advise email address to send it too

The election are nigh Iam looking for the MP who opposes the pulling down of Rc and Ph Streets and will he attend the public enquiriey

With you on this, Pedro. Sent the Liverpool leader's change of heart press (see it on front page GAG) to one candidate. The other has sat on the fence too long and the third apparently didn't reply to those fighting their end despite his leader blahing about renovating such housing. Meanwhile taxpaying residents still have to pay their own way and VAT costs while landlords of "advanced" streets get their free fare. Notice how many houses now on the market! Heard news a.m. today that GB is visiting a Yorkshire port - surely not Goole, after the dock dues fallout.

Hi SS. Check the front page of the Toronto Star today. thestar.com

Frank, Front page 7th May now gone, but found Sat. headline about Toronto planning. Is that it?

I do apologise for posting my request on the wrong board. Looking for information of Maltus Gill who lived RC St. Does anyone know who is father was and where MG was born please?? Corby Bunting is in contact with me, MG married a rellie of his. We have some info as to who MG's family might be, but we need gaps filling. Does anyone know where MG's dau's families might be?? Thankyou

No it was headline about the election and the problems to come. I hope the Liberals co-operate. An old saying, the best of British luck

Frank, How any govt. or politician affects our streets is our only problem!

No problem, Wendy. Wanted you to see what there was already. I shall be interested to hear what turns up too, as I think I have a family link to an earlier generation of Gills.

I still get enquiries about the 1953 Richard Cooper St party. please go to contemporary memories page

joanne you say sam boy smithson is your grandad im also his grandson, would love to hear from you .Sam was light weight champion of yorkshire never ko and had hundreds of fights ,i still have many original bill posters on my walls proudly framed .

Contemporary Memories page can be found at No. 25 - please use all pages on this website for personal searches, and offer your own information too. There is a wealth of detail to be found, much of it contributed by Pedro, and both the history and other people's memories cover a lot of local knowledge. With your best remembrances there will be even more understanding of what the streets were like when family lives were closer than nowadays. PEDRO REMEMBERED THE FOLLOWING FACES IN THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE. just a few names from memory at the table seated from the left front. Charlie Oldridge-Paul Rice-Brian Huscroft- Roy Bowling-Ron Wood- Keith Risebury- Jean Seaton- Standing Val Kilding- Mrs Gertrude Risebury- Linda England -Mrs Seaton and Mrs Paterson of Fleamans Buildings. Seated Right front May Bowling -Sheila Wood -Denis Harrison -Cyril Storr -Maureen Storr-Colin Storr -Walter Cawthorn - Standing Valerie Cooper and her mum Sue -Liza Storr - Mrs Harrison (in paper hat) - Note the old lady in the head scarf is Mrs Dixie I myself was away at sea. PLEASE TELL PEDRO WHO YOU RECOGNISE!

Hello Joanne Smithson & David Goodwin, Sam Boy Smithson was my cousin and of course John (chimmney sweep) and Edith Smithson was my aunt & uncle. They lived at 52 Richard Cooper St. and I stayed with them during the war. I'm 72 and was born in London and still live there now, Edith Smithson was my Mums sister. I've not seen Billy for more than 50 years but I did hear he was living in Germany. So Edith Smithson was your great grandmother and my aunt. Nice to hear from you both.

See party photo in contempory memories Sam Smithson is on the left at the rear of the pic.He his the one grinning without the hat

Thanks Pedro for the info about Sam Smithson.