St Helens 1979 BBC 2 Documentary on Pilks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- A look at Pilkington glass industry with the introduction of machines replacing men and the impact on the town. Includes Pilkington archive footage and a wealth of pro shot local film footage from late 1970s St Helens xD
Great Informative truth of the rise and fall of St Helens with the Pilkingtons dynasty through the years. Like so many more, I am an ex Pilks Employee. Triplex and number eight tank, Fibreglass.
We went to the UK in 79 and spent most of our time in St Helens,that's where mum is from, I'm an Aussie from Melbourne,I was 15 in those days, went to Pilkingtons glass museum, all mums family worked for Pilkingtons, my great auntie would say, if you say in front of the TV, "you weren't made at Pilkingtons", meaning, I can't see the telly.
"Pilks..." can only be understood if you're from St Helens! 👌
My grandparents worked for Pilks for many years. Both are gone now. The last time I went to St Helens I cried because the town was like a ghost town.
My dad worked all over at Pilks and then ended up at Triplex for 20 years. One of his sons, my brother, has worked at Pilks since he was 16 and he is now 53. Other relatives have worked there over many years. Because of dad, I was able to get a Pilks fishing permit as a kid and I loved it.
This video brings back lots of memories. Sad in many ways, but I'm also thankful to see it again. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it xD
My dad and most of uncles same all worked for some part of pilkingtons like myself started with pilks then move over to nipping glass, all had great Christmas party's for the kids as well
Really enjoyed this. I was 8 when this was made and even though I were a few years away from leaving school, it was still a struggle in the late 80s to also get a job.
As as a 16yr old (1992) we got pulled in by the "careers advisor". It was either stay in college, or take on a YTS scheme... No mines, no Pilks, no Beechams, no jobs and no hope! Luckily, my parents were incredibly supportive and I managed to get to University. There were kids who were miles brighter than me, but didn't have that support. Growing up in the 80s/90s was very worrying time in St Helens... you could see the town going under in front of your eyes... a proud town, kept alive by a brilliant Rugby League team. 🏉
Were you at Rainhill High? I think I remember you.
100 percent true Martin, how you doing my mate
@@stetrav6009 All good Trav mate. Great to hear from you!
I did my YTS as at a place called Tamcos
My Aunty Gladys (Sheila) Williams worked in Pilks Head Office until her retirement in 1988. She used to also talk about often being sent to 'Windle Pilks' to work as well.
My home Town
Pilkingtons, United Glass, Beechams, The National Coal Board and Triplex all gone and the town has suffered terribly.
The town needed a forward minded council to inspire regeneration and regrowth. Alas it has anything but...
@@Andy78L Vote Labour, get Labour. What can I say.
Brilliant video
This dude knew what was coming. A true Trade Unionist. The modern representative simply gets his 'cut'. We're foooked peeps.
Lord and Lady Pilkington would turn in their grave if they knew what had happened to the factories and the townsfolk of St. Helens a place they loved. I was a friend of theirs back in the 1970s
My nan Annie Woodward
Working class people get treated like crap by corporations
St Helens is one of the few towns in England I've never visited. Only live about 75 miles away.
The World of Glass and our Transport Museum would make an excellent day out. I would also recommend Momo's coffee shop for refreshments and local history chat. Wetherspoons also for refreshments and food, (all within easy walking distance) xD
don't worry, you haven't missed much mate
My mum lived on Cambridge Rd just around the corner from Knowsley road.
He was spot on about it becoming a wasteland.
Great video, know its been on for yrs but only just seen , me dad worked at sheet works, Watson street, I worked at Pimbletts, do you remember Pimbletts, College street
Oh yes, I used to get sent to Pimmies in College Street sometimes by my mum, nan & grandad, for a few pies for us all, and a little chocolate box cake for me (used to love them). Mum would cut the meat and potato pies in to 4 pieces for me and put HP sauce in the middle of the plate for dipping xD
@sthelenshistorychannel I remember the chocolate box cake, if only those times were back, Pimbletts pies were the best, I am bias of course
It was nice to see the Hotties again. I fell asleep under the railway bridge night fishing there once or twice in Winter...
Ture small sand
I'm at watson street. Believe it or not we're still going, just about
My home town
My nans parr
Where are the first and third video s and I'm 62 and I remember some of the lads in the film I worked at fibreglass
Sorry, I only received this one, all I know is that the other two are not directly about St Helens xD
Thank you for your quick reply
Im 61 nan Woodward
9:37 Cowley Street.
Broadcast 4th September 1979
Very sad.x
It strange, if you go to Leigh or Wigan they still have the old mills and factorys still standing.
St Helens was big coal mining town like most towns in north
My home town still not changed
Its changed beyond recognition now my friend. It's gone.
30:47 THAT IS MY MUM 🤣
Fantastic xD
Please the great people of St Helens never change, never become wools. You have your own unique history and culture and accent which I prefer a lot more than Scouse, sorry Liverpudlians, no offense intended.
St Helens are wools and always have been. A wool or woolyback means a Lancashire person who speaks with a Lancs accent, like those of St Helens.
From st Helens never accept being part. Merseyside couldn't care
St Helens has Warrington postcode
The real woolley backs used to carry the sheep on the ships at Liverpool docks, so I suspect most of them are actually scousers...so I am told xD
Wooly Backs are liverpudlians who moved out of liverpool to work outside of that city in the industrial age, has nothing to do with st helens people as back then known as lancashire and not merseyside
31 minutes into video.👍🏻
Now in the hands of the Japanese.
Ha! Now a days its cheaper to just send the manufacturing processes are just sent to China!
got Warrington postcode not in Cheshire
Warrington isn't in Cheshire either (most of it isn't anyway).
Wigan postcode awsell lol
They' won't be part of Merseyside my home town
Used bee very pound town
Play a record
I was 1 of the roofers doing the roof at head office my god they were the days
Im a roofer from St Helens also.