In 2018, St Helens celebrated its 150th anniversary as a town. In this book, Sue Gerrard traces the fascinating and hidden heritage of this Lancashire town, which began life as four townships and became a municipal borough in 1868. During the Industrial Revolution, St Helens developed extensively with the coal mining and glassmaking in the area. It was the birthplace of the world's first passenger railway and the world's first navigable canal. Indeed, there is a place where these two 'firsts' cross each other. Industrial giants such as Pilkington Glass and Beecham's Pills also started life here. The town was also home to three-time Oscar winner George Groves (film sound engineer), the actor and Oscar-winning screenwriter Colin Welland (Chariots of Fire) as well as the chart-topping Rick Astley. Hollywood actors Herbert Mundin and Gary Stretch were also born here. Although Saints Rugby League lead the way with sport, champion motorcyclist Geoff Duke lived here, and there are many more sporting personalities from the town. As well as people, places and events, Secret St Helens will also explore historical buildings, such as the fifteenth-century Windleshaw Chantry, and the town's role in the modern world, including its influence on the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

St Helens has a proud history of innovation, industrialisation, invention and entertainment. It started life as four townships, Eccleston, Parr, Sutton and Windle, but with the birth of the Industrial Revolution it became a centre for industries such as glassmaking, coal mining and copper smelting. By the time it became a municipal borough in 1868, it was the cradle of the world's transport system. The first navigable waterway in the country, the Sankey Canal, opened in 1757, while the world's first passenger railway, the Liverpool to Manchester line, opened in 1830. However, it was not all work and no play as many entertainment greats such as Charlie Chaplin, George Formby, Vesta Tilly and the Beatles all appeared here. St Helens also has its fair share of Oscar winners, claiming three to date. In A-Z of St Helens local author Sue Gerrard reveals the history behind St Helens, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections, she includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of alleged witchcraft, St Helens' connection with the Nuremberg trials and the town's glassmaking heritage among many other fascinating facts. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Merseyside town.

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