The one that stood on its own away from the other three was called Wheatfield heights. My nan lived on the tenth floor in her own flat. My uncle Don and his family lived on the 8th.
I often thought that throwing things off the baloncy was more of a statement than just putting it in the bin.
I remember the Kays catalogue being launched and one of the girlfriends bursting into tears. Good job it never hit anybody below; what a way to die, being hit by the autumn/winter collection.
I lived in Hillview Heights? 1972-77 We lived on the top floor and got shipped out to the New Estate when they decided the heights were no place for kids!
"Jegsy Dodd is a poet from Birkenhead. He had a bit of fame and fortune a couple of years ago, topping the radio 1 festive 50 chart. The poem above was performed with his band, The Sons of Harry Cross and can be found on the album, Winebars and werewolves.
Back in the early 80's, Birkenhead and it's surrounds was pretty run down. Heroin became a big problem in some parts. Hillview heights is 3 tower blocks in Moreton, and it had a reputation for housing disadvantaged people.
It's now been renamed and the situation round here is nowhere near as bad as it was, although it still has it's share of problems. When I worked as a meter reader a few years back, I had to do these blocks, and it was difficult to gain entry. A knock on the door is often bad news when you've got no money."
Could that be the Reeds Lane/Hoylake Road junction? I think the blocks were last painted around 1996 as I remember the police used the external lift platform that was installed to monitor and ultimately catch a dealer who operated out of Melrose. The dealer couldn't figure out why there was so many "painters" working on the platform and why it took longer to paint the second floor than it did the rest of the block until it was too late. The police observed the whole operation through the guy's kitchen window.
Another chap in Sandbourne was raided in about 1997 and was forced to brew tea up for the entire drug squad that had flattened his front door a few minutes before. A custodial term was not deemed appropiate by the judge for the tiny amount uncovered in the raid and instead the guy was sentanced to a 3 months community service order to be served in scope charity shop.
Sandbrook primary was constructed around 1965 and replaced Moreton Primary School in Barnston Lane which partly burnt down in a fire. The school crest was a phoenix rising from the flames.
Temporary accomodation was provided in the form of "huts" as shown in the pics. These stayed up until around 2000, so the word "temporary" has to be used quite losely! These housed the middle year groups when I attended.
The school was quite unique as it had its own outdoor swimming pool that was filled annually from the fire hose. It was maintained by the caretaker and heated from an outdoor boiler (although it didn't seem like it!). The pool survived into the 1990's and was likely removed due to the cost of maintenance. Pupil numbers have shown a steady decline since the 80's like most other schools.
The caretaker was a Mr Alderson who passed away a few years ago; his service covered the majority of the school's life.
