Memories of Student Life at Liverpool in the 1960s

 

Last week, I showed someone who works at Liverpool University around Newmarket, the Heath, the Sales at Tattersalls and my stud, Freedom Farm.

We got talking about life in Liverpool and especially the University in the 1960s.

I've mentioned that in those days, the Rag Week was in February and was called Panto Week, as traditionally the University had block-booked the last week/night and the audience was full of students. There are a few references to Panto Week but only a few. And one is mine! Can't find too many references to Liverpool University Rag Week either.

Perhaps students are more studious these days. But then they don't have grants but loans. Not a good idea! Celia would never have got to University if she'd had to borrow the money.

Panto Week was infamous, but by the 1960s I think it was calming down. There was a Ball too, which was held in the Mountford Hall. One of the guys I shared a flat with was Ian Brown and he was on the Panto Committee, when it was run by Trish Kinder. I've not heard from Ian since I left University.

I do remember going everyone down into the City Centre on the Wednesday afternoon of Panto Week and creating chaos. Note that Wednesday was early closing day. I bet now, you wouldn't be able to that without millions of permits. If at all!

A group of students broke into Walton Jail. One reputedly had his leg in plaster and the whole episode made the papers, as prison break-outs were rather an epidemic at the time. But not break-ins.

We also block booked the Everyman and ruined a performance of Under Milk Wood. The luvvies weren't pleased, but surely they had a full house and should have put up with the raucous behaviour.

It's funny how Liverpool has changed names. The Picton Library, is now Liverpool Library. I suspect Picton must have had a dubious past.

There was also the story of the UAU Rugby Championship. Liverpool were not noted for their rugby and in those days would have always been thought inferior to such as Loughborough. But in perhaps, 1966 or 67, Liverpool got to the final and were to play Loughborough.

Liverpool were supposed to be underdogs, but someone had decided that the final should be at Birkenhead Park on a Wednesday afternoon. So large numbers of students took to the ferries and walked to the ground on the other side of the Mersey.

If ever a crowd won a match it was that crowd. The Telegraph described how the mini-Kop almost rioted, but that was a bit excessive. We did however, systematically bait the Loughborough full-back, Sugden. I seem to remember him not having the best of games.

I think in the end Liverpool won the match on penalties.

It's still the only time, I've ever watched a rugby match live.

And then there were the bands; The Searchers, The Who, The Move, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Tremeloes, Screaming Lord Sutch, Manfred Mann etc. etc. It was one a week in the Mountford Hall.

It all feels like yesterday.