Rupert Lane

The Prince Rupert pub that stood at the junction of Rupert Lane and Browside. It was demolished during the clearances, but this building was almost certainly the former Halliday's Coffee House where, in the early 1800s, the great and the good of the old Everton district would gather to make some important decisions of the day, not least to raise the funds that would build the historic St George's Iron Church that was opened in 1814. Halliday's Coffee House was ahead of its time when you think of the myriad coffee shops in central Liverpool right now. It was a tourist attraction in its own right when Everton was the pretty village on the hill, surrounded by greenery with its remarkable river views. A Mr Halliday lived in 20 Village Street, almost certainly the early proprietor.

1980: A view from Rupert Park looking across an icy Browside, uploaded to the Netherfield Rd Facebook by Dennis Hargreaves.

A wonderful sweeping shot of Rupert Lane from Browside.

Where shall we ride today? Bikes at the bottom of Rupert Lane. Climbing walls (right) was another popular local pastime!

Regarding Peter's query below, I am able to say that the preacher at the People's Church in the 1960s was Pastor Richard Kayes. I am grateful to Joan Gallagher Killey from my Facebook group and also from the Netherfield Road & Surrounding Area Facebook Group for providing this information so promptly. Thank you Joan. Gillian Cleworth from the same group also remembers Pastor Rowlands and his daughter Dot who used to take a bible group. Pauline Atkinson recalls a man called Noel who used to preach there in the late 60s and early 70s.

I briefly went to the People's Church on Village st. late '50s What was the preacher's name again? Peter

I wonder when they stopped giving the kids a milk break in the morning at school? Anybody know? For many years, even through my five long, eventful years at Gateacre Comprehensive school (after we were sent out from the Everton slums) one third of a pint of fresh milk was issued to all the children of England. They were good days when governments thought it important to put tax-payer's money into public education. Text books and writing material was given to each student, and there was no such thing as paying for this or that. At Heyworth St. school we had outings throughout the year to various places of interest; Speke hall, the Philomonic Orchestra, Walker Art Gallery and Museum. The teachers were a full spectrum of kind and considerate to WW2 damaged goods. Looks like the good ol' school I went to from '55 to '61 will always be the source of many fond memories for me and so many other Everton kids. Woodie smokers down the jiggers. Ha! Goodness and happiness to the fine LTE folk. Thank you again Ken for the special book you wrote and the wonderfully uniting site you created. Your contribution to us all has brought great happiness to so many. Well done lad. Peter in Canada. (author of 'Liverpool Lad' adventures growing up in post-war Liverpool. 2016) peter@mothertonguepublishing.com

Great memories of the Everton Road area, Peter. Many thanks.

Yes Ken, I remember some people used to call the 'Lock up' tower, the 'castle'. We played around it and some of the big lads even got onto the slippery steep roof for a laugh. A few of us would race down Rupert Lane in a borrowed 'steering cart' we called a 'steery'. A small box with four pram wheels, with the two front ones that could steer with a thick string; the breaks were the soles of your shoes. lol. I remember kids shows at the park bandstand/stage in the summertime, and then, of course, there was always the annual invasion of Colamendy camp from the Everton schools such as Heyworth st. where my three brothers and I went. Peter Haase (used to be Hayes) Canada.

We lived across Everton Road from Rupert Lane in the first Street next to Breck Road. Our street was Cadmus street and the next one was Dido Street, both named after famous Greek characters, but Great Homer was the top guy from those days of philosophy. As little kids, we'd line up on Saturday afternoons to watch all the good shows. Flash Gordon, the Three Stooges, Gabby Hayes et al, plus all those great crackly cartoons. Yes, I even bunked in down the side doors when someone would pay their way in and then open up the exit door for a quick entrance. Rupert Lane park was a great place for an impromptu footy game. I hope to hear back from Alan Bruce, if your out there Alan? Peter Haase Canada.

The entrance to the much-loved Rupert Lane Park. Just look at the grand houses on the right and left, clearly a prestigious venue in its time. My Aunty Ada and Uncle Sam rented a property on the left at one stage.

Looking towards Rupert Lane

We used to get into the Hippy via the side exit door for nothing, watching whatever film happened to be on, rather than going to school, terrible.

Just noticed the poster on the wall of the Everton Cinema promoting a Buster Keaton film called Hurricane Gal. Keaton was right up there in the same league as Laurel and Hardy. I remember seeing one of his films where he is hanging off a tall building clinging to the fingers of a giant clock. I went more to the Pop on Netherfield Road, but my dad always said that when he was a kid he could get into the Everton with a jam jar. I think I might try it next time I go to one of those new multiplex cinemas!!

Here is the Evo Picture House!

That’s right Ken, ‘cocky watchmen’, they did keep the parks and the areas spick and span. Those men were of a different ilk than today, they had manners and breeding too. The 60s were the good old days to me and looking back now, we had nothing, but we had fun growing up at that time. Just up from the Park is the Evo, you couldn’t exist without it on a Saturday, yes we had a lot of fun.

Great memory, Marty. We used to call the old park keepers 'cocky watchmen' and while they always seemed to chase us kids, what a great job they did looking after the park facilities or other local site. We could do with a few of them in our modern parks.

A great pic, can just see the gable end of the Friary school. We had a great time in Everton Park, there was plenty to do, I remember using the stilts and other kit they housed in the shed there. We also annoyed the Park keeper, who chased us a lot. My mam used to tell me to stay away from the toilets just at the bottom of Rupert Lane.

Rupert Lane Park

The Rupert Lane Barracks became Rupert Lane Park. Many happy childhood memories going to this park. It had a bandstand and beautiful flower beds on entry,t hen up the steps and across the yard to swings,roundabout, monkey bars and jerking boat.

Ariel view of Rupert Lane Park, showing some of the streets of Everton Area .

Rupert Lane and the corner of Everton Terrace. Men’s outside public toilets.

Sale of Rupert House Daily Post June 9th 1857

Rupert Lane has a fascinating history. In 1908 the Liverpool Mercury newspaper, whose office building still stands in city centre Wood Street, near Bold Street, carried a report that stated: "Thanks to the munificence of the David Lewis Trustees, Rupert Lane Barracks is being acquired from the government for use of the property for open air enjoyment. The plot of green that remains in the barrack's square is almost the sole remnant of former Everton remembered by so many old inhabitants.

Camp at Everton newspaper article

Charles Shand's House

Rupert Lane was named after the famous Prince Rupert of the Rhine who brought his Royalist army, thousands strong, to Everton Ridge in 1644 where they camped before successfully attacking the Parliamentarians in the town of Liverpool below. Rupert's name is remembered in a number of ways with the Lane named after him and also Rupert Hill and Prince Rupert Street. Locals still refer to the Everton Lock-Up Tower as Prince Rupert's Castle, although he never saw it, having left long before this small 'jail' was build at the bottom of Village Street.