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- Forthcoming Events 28 Nov 2011 chuck
Our regular monthly social gatherings take place at Lee Valley Millennium Centre from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and are usually on the last thursday of each month Our next meetings are scheduled for
February 23rd 2012 March 29th 2012 April 26th 2012
Copies of the books Prefab Days & More Prefab Days can be bought at these events as well as our new 2012 Belle Vale Prefab Calendar - 2012 Calendar 03 Nov 2011 mrschuck
The calendar has the dual themes of sport & celebrations to recognise that 2012 is the year of the London Olympics & the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The pictures accompanying each month show sports teams & events as well as public & private celebrations in the days of the Belle Vale prefabs.Copies are £5 for large and £4 for the smaller (21cm x30cm) version.
- Who said nostalgia is not what it used to be? 08 Jul 2011 mrschuck
They have obviously not been to our events! Don’t miss out come and join us!
Every month, on the last Thursday of the month, we have a get-together for those with prefab connections, or anyone else who would like to come along.
What happens there?
Usually there is no charge, but a small raffle is held at each meeting with a variety of prizes to be won. This helps fund the free tea & coffee available for those that want it. The Millennium Centre bar is open for anyone requiring something cooler or stronger! In August & December we make a small charge but have a great buffet included to make it more of a party. The next meeting is July and includes the AGM to elect our committee
The main benefit of these gatherings is to catch up with old friends & neighbours and to share memories, which for many are of their childhood, family and communities long since gone.
At the meetings we have large photo albums which anyone can look through, and we display large plans mapping the old prefab locations in Belle Vale. We also have the prefab books on sale including the recent reprint of the first ‘Prefab Days.’
It is also a chance to inform and involve everyone in future projects e.g. we are currently finalising the theme and pictures for the next BVPP calendar . The 2012 calendar will reflect the 2 big events of next year, the Queen’s diamond jubilee and the Olympics in Britain, with pictures of past sports & celebrations in the prefab days.
Is it the same people who attend each time?
It is still surprising that an organisation founded around 7 years ago still attracts new people but it does. As more people browse the web, more discover us on the internet, some from far and wide.
We also have regular displays at events such as the local history show at St George’s Hall and during the annual Heritage day at locations around Gateacre e.g. St Stephens church. We have held one- off events of our own such as our day at St Basil’s club in Hough Green where may were re-housed when the prefabs were demolished. We do have regular members who come along. Some still live around the area but others attend even though they may now live outside of Liverpool.
At the June meeting it was good to see Alec Cormack who used to live at 7 Lineside Road. He was here on holiday because he now lives north of Sydney in Shelly Beach having emigrated to Australia many years ago.
Barry Kay was another first time attendee and he said he thought it was wrong meeting as lots of pensioners were there – no escaping it Barry your days in 59 Lineside Road were a long time ago! When you talked of being a St Stephen’s church school with Chuck Smith & Reggie Owen & it was clear you were in the right place!
Robert Hands came along for the first time – he used to live in 151 Cloverdale Road but has lived in Bolton for some years now. Robert’s sister Margaret Harwood came with him to share some of her memories. Robert recognised an old school friend , recalling how she had stood up in class at 8 years old and told the teacher she’d had enough and stormed off home!
Kevin Sales and his wife Angelina made the journey from Leigh after making contact through the website. Kevin had lived in 78 Cloverdale Road and he spent time looking through the albums and talking to others about his life in the prefabs.
Besides all the new faces many regulars were also present catching up on each other’s current lives and reliving days gone by. Seeing Alex, Barry, Kevin, Margaret and Robert peel back the years and be that child, that teenager again with old school mates and neighbours I am sure they’d agree it made their journeys worthwhile.
- Melvyn Bragg 24 May 2011 oosting
- Melvyn Bragg reading ‘More Prefab Days’ between scenes
This was taken by Sandra as she passed the rest room where she caught Melvyn Bragg reading the book she had presented him with earlier.
- Sandra Sandland with Melvyn Bragg 24 May 2011 oosting
- Melvyn Bragg presented with copy of ‘More Prefab Days’
This was taken on the 7th May at Park Hill Estate Sheffield at a recording of BBC2 series ‘Reel History of Britain’ which is to be broadcast Sept 2011
We would like to take the opportunity of once more appealing for any cine film relating to the prefabs. This will be copied to a digital format and original film returned to contributor.
- Big History Show 2011 26 Apr 2011 oosting
Sandra's Interview
Sandra's Interview
Sandra's Interview
Sandra interviewed ‘live’ by Billy Butler for Radio Merseyside 
Jean & Sandra
Sandra Nairen & Steve
Two Sandra's & Steve
Selling a book
Jo & Dot
Sandra, Jo & Dot
- Article in Daily Mail January 2011 – prefabs London 25 Mar 2011 Fletcher Nee Birtles
Just wondered if anyone read this article? If not click onto the following link, makes very interesting reading.
Val Fletcher (nee Birtles) 16 Sunnyfield Road
- STOP PRESS : Radio programme of interest 13 Mar 2011 chuck
On Monday 14 March at 4.30p.m. there is a programme on Radio 4 about Sir Terry Leahy who lived in the prefabs but went on to head Tesco.
The productor of this programme, Liz Carney, attended our social meeting in February as part of her research. She wants to pass on her thanks to all those who assisted her & made her welcome.
- Review of the BVPP Books by Jeremy Hawthorn 11 Feb 2011 mace
Today I stumbled upon a review of our two books by Jeremy Hawthorn, posted on the Catalyst Creative Media website. Visit this link for a very interesting reading.
- In Focus @ 03 Feb 2011 mace
I just found this recent mention to the Belle Vale Prefabs. Well… I suppose that I can say that “11 months ago” (3rd March 2010) is “recent” in terms of Prefabs History & Memories. Nevertheless, the link goes here, in case someone may be interested in the matter.
- Happy New Year 03 Jan 2011 mrschuck
Best wishes to all our friends for 2011.
A special thought for all our friends and families in Australia at this time – hoping you all safe and well. - Christmas Party 16 Dec 2010 oosting
A selection of photos taken at the annual Christmas Party. The first one shows Muriel Newns who celebrated her 89th birthday the previous week.
- Hough Green Event 01 Dec 2010 mrschuck
- STOP PRESS – can you help us? 19 Nov 2010 mrschuck
We are reprinting Prefab Days book 1 which has been out of print some time.
We wish to amend any errors in the original before it goes to the printer.
Have you spotted any? If so please comment with details or email us using the contact option on the site. - A Successful Event in Hough Green 12 Nov 2010 mrschuck
On Saturday 25th September 2010 we held an event at St Basil’s Social Club in Hough Green. It was an excellent opportunity to publicise the activities and achievements of the Belle Vale Prefab Project.
In advance of the event we displayed posters across the area, held a live radio interview with phone-in on Halton Community Radio, and sent notices to local press and Radio Merseyside.
St Basil’s was an ideal venue as it is on the estate where many families were rehoused when the prefabs were demolished.
On arrival we were taken aback to find 2 large banners attached to the railings outside St Basil’s publicising our event. These had been kindly provided by Jean Aitkins, nee White, who had lived in Besford Road.
Our members had encouraged their Hough Green friends to attend, as well as others from further afield. The turnout was brilliant and there was much interest and excitement from those seeing the books, albums, maps and displays, especially from those new to BVPP.Thanks to all who attended and helped make the event a success. Special thanks to Sandra Sandiland who arranged and publicised the event, Beryl Plant for her displays of old Gateacre photographs, Harry Potter for setting up and showing a DVD of the Church Service to celebrate life in the prefabs, Jean Aitkins for the posters and for providing sandwiches, and to Steve Hannell and Murial Newns for the endless supplies of tea & coffee for all.
- Members at St George’s Hall History Fair 06 Oct 2010 mrschuck
- All Our Yesterdays 07 Sep 2010 mace
Speaking with Jean, the other day, she told me that came accross a place that is presenting footage from All Our Yesterdays since the 2nd of August. They put together fantastic reels of footage showing Liverpool during the 1940ʼs, presenting everyday Monday to Saturday – screenings 12.30 pm to 3.30pm – so you can get a feel for what life was like then, or reminisce and catch up with old friends & neighbours. I felt that you may be interested in knowing that Jean posted the link to their website on the right column of our blog – Atlantic Corner – on their website they have a map with directions. I am planning to go there one of these days…
- the Website finds new Members! 05 Sep 2010 celiaruthkelly
Now that the wonderful new website is up and running, it’s great to be able to report that it’s wasting no time in finding new members! At last Thursday night’s meeting in Lee Valley Millennium Centre on 26 August, the Harrison family joined us. They used to live at 51 Lineside Road and wanted to know if anyone knew their old friends. These were the Hattons, Jimmy Lally, the Mellings, the Websters, the Parkes, the Gledhills, the Fosters, the Halls and the Connors. Please get in touch if you belonged to one of these families and want to meet the Harrisons again – or could you tell us how to contact them if you know any of them so I can pass on this information to Sandra and Barbara. let’s see how many we can find!
Thanks again to Chuck Smith and his team for providing us all with the means to do this. Cheers – Celia Kelly Chair BVPP
- Forthcoming Events 30 Aug 2010 chuck
Our regular monthly social gatherings take place at Lee Valley Millenium Centre from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and are usually on the last thursday of each month.
The normal meeting will not take place in December but will be replaced by the Christmas Party on Thursday 9th December from 7.00 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Millenium Centre. There will be a buffet included in the ticket price of £3.00 per person. Tickets will be on sale at the november meeting and on the door on the day. If you cannot buy your ticket in advance please email your interest using the ‘Contact Us‘ form on this site, stating the number of tickets you will want on the day. This will ensure we cater for all those attending. The centre’s bar will also be open.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
- BVPP Committee 2010-11 28 Aug 2010 chuck
At the AGM in July the following officers were elected
Chair : Celia Kelly Deputy : Eric Smith
Secretary: Diane Allen Deputy : Sandra Nairen
Treasurer: Sue Glover Deputy : Harry Potter
Members : Sandra Sandland Joan Luxon
Jo Potter Chuck Smith
Sue Glover Tony Harrison
Kathy Macdonald
- A brand new site! 20 Jul 2010 chuck
At long last the new, modernised Belle Vale Prefab Project website is here.
You will find all the best from the old site but with some exciting changes
- you can now search pictures and other posts by family names as well as roads
- you can register your email address for updates
- if registered you will be able to add posts or upload your pictures
Please take time to browse and enjoy! We welcome your feedback.
- AGM 2010 18 Jul 2010 chuck
The Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 29 July 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Millenium Centre, Belle Vale.
Everyone is welcome!
There will be a free buffet and a chance to meet old friends and neighbours, to browse photo albums and share memories.
- Meetings of the Prefab Project Group 2009 15 Dec 2008 author
The dates of meetings of the Project Group are listed below. Former residents of the Prefab Community are welcome as are persons interested in this local history project. Meetings are held 7pm – 9pm in the Millennium Centre, entrance and car park from Belle Vale Road, which has been built on the site of the old Labour Club.
Thursday 29th Jan 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 26th Feb 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 26th Mar 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 30th April 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 28th May 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 25th June 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 30th July 2009 7pm – 9pm (AGM)
Thursday 27th Aug 2009 7pm – 9pm (Anniversary Buffet)
Thursday 24th Sept 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 29th Oct 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 26th Nov 2009 7pm – 9pm
Thursday 10th Dec 2009 7pm – 9pm (Xmas Party)
- Future Events for 2007 08 Jun 2007 author
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Thursday 26th July, 2007
Annual General Meeting, 7pm at the Millennium Centre.
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Thursday 30th August 2007
Project Anniversary Social Evening, Buffet & Bar, tickets £3 available at Project meetings.
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Saturday 8th September 2007
Coach outing to St Fagan’s National Museum at Cardiff. Set in 100 acres of grounds there are many examples of reconstructed Welsh buildings and includes an accessible example of a prefab in the same style as the Belle Vale estate. Coach leaves the Millennium Centre at 8am and will be returning to Belle Vale at approx 8pm. It costs £10.50 for members and £15.00 for non members.
Places are limited. Please contact bvpp@blueyonder.co.uk for details.
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14th to 16th September 2007
Big History Show at St. Georges Hall, Liverpool. Celebrating 800 years of Liverpool’s history. The Prefab Project Group will have a stand at the exhibition.
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Thursday 13th December 2007
Christmas Social Evening, Buffet & Bar, tickets available at Project Meetings.
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