Letter of the Week
BRIAN RIMMER and I became friends at the age of four, living in the Churchtown area, backing on to Botanic Gardens.
We played together, had fun together and got into mischief together.
We both had tricycles – his was red and mine was blue (was this a political pointer for the future?).
We went to Churchtown School – Brian was a bright lad.
Our playground was Botanic Gardens, gaining entry through his back garden fence.
During the war years, some classes from Churchtown School were housed in the Botanic Gardens Museum, then the Americans came.
We appreciated the chewing gum and chocolate they gave us.
One morning we went to the park and all the Americans had vanished in the dead of night and there was an eerie silence.
Presumably down South, this being a prelude to the D-Day Landings.
They left a void for us lads and others. My aunt billeted one of the Americans in her house, as others probably did at that time.
Brian and I joined St Cuthbert’s Scouts and on one occasion went plum-picking in Evesham.
One night there was a fair nearby and the two of us without detection “snook” out in the night, spending two hours there and then “snook” back.
We later told our mates of our escapade, facing their wrath at not telling them before!
Brian went to KGV, later becoming an engineer with the railways.
Later on he joined the Liberal Party, after I had joined the Young Conservatives and so our training began for the future.
Later on after me, Brian became a councillor.
We still remained friends outside the council chamber, never encroaching on each other’s political confidences.
We each appreciated the genuineness of councillors in different parties being of the “old school” possibly, but it was real democracy in those halcyon days, I feel.
Botanic Gardens had 20 rowing boats in those days and at the age of 14 I used to help Tommy Halsall and received the princely sum of 10 shillings per week!
In our younger days, we went every Saturday morning at the end of Verulem Road, train spotting, taking names and numbers of the engines bringing visitors to Southport from the mill towns during Wakes Weeks. Several were “double headers”.
In the afternoons, we went to Chapel Street to watch the turning of the engines on the large turntables.
Brian was a devout Christian and when we joined St Cuthbert’s Youth Club, we persuaded the reluctant Rev Evans (later Canon) to have the youth club after church on a Sunday.
He eventually did agree, resulting in 70 youngsters attending the service followed by the successful youth club – happy days!
Brian was a trustworthy man, a great reader and when I lived in Burnley, he cycled all the way to see us. He was best man at my wedding.
So many tales to tell, but suffice to say, visiting him in hospital a few times and seeing the determination in him was so sad.
Love to all his family and may you rest in peace, my friend. Tom Glover
Southport The writer of the Letter of the Week wins a box of cakes from Lilibets of Paris, Southport. To collect your prize take in a copy of your letter together with photo ID to the shop at 42 Stanley Street during opening hours. For times go to www.lilibetsofparis.com