Here are some of the stories submitted
by old Florencians and others.
Please ask for permission f you wish to copy them. If you have any information on former
members please inform the Secretary, Jim Brade, via our Contact
page. He will ensure that all these contacts are added to our distribution
list.
Gerry Marsden's debut at
the Florrie in the 1950's, and pictured with his parents.
This famous old boy has visited the Florrie
to add his support to our project.
Alan
Rudkin,the ex-British, Commonwealth and European champion during
the 1960s and old Florencian, used the gym to prepare for many of
his world title fights.
Tommy Bache lives locally, and
used his builder's skills to help protect the Florrie from further
damage. He attends all the Florrie meetings and looks forward to
the day when the Florrie returns to use as a community centre.
Jack Townson met his wife,
Olive, at the Florrie dance.
Jack , who lives in Co Down, Ireland describes his memories of camping.
He writes: “Week end camp at Heswall was an adventure! A 6d (old
money) return covered the ferry and bus trip to Pensby via The Dales
to the camp-site where the first job was to erect the large bell tent.
After a feed(a tin of corned beef opened with a tent mallet- ask Tommy
Beattie) a sing-song on the beach finished the day. Sunday was football,
cricket, swimming, sun-bathing and Fred Perry won the Davis Cup for
England".
Jack asks about Harold Adams who was so good at gymnastics, and also
Stan Crawford whose boots Jack ruined climbing Great Gable in the
Lakes. Can anyone help Jack? If so, contact us.
Old Florencian boys at camp
in the 1930's
Old Pals
Danny Kiffins
remembers his time as Assistant Warden of the Florrie when the gymnastics
prize shields were on display. He wonders were the missing shields
are now? The missing artefacts may have been kept in safekeeping
for fear of damage or loss. If any of our readers know the location
of any Florrie memorabilia please let us know and we will restore
and return them to their proper home.
An e-mail from Graham Lawrenson,
grandson of a former Florrie care-taker:
"My Grandfather was James Lawrenson of Beresford
Rd L8. I believe he was a caretaker of the Florrie in the 70's/80's.
He also played football for them and we still have photographs of
him with the team /trophies taken in 1947/48. I would like to know
if there is anything I could do, either in manpower or anything
else, to help out.
I am 31 years old now and would do anything to help get the Florrie
back up and running as my grandfather, father and uncles hold this
building in high esteem. Also if you would like any of the photos
to use on your site I am sure they would let you use them".
The Lawrenson family have kindly
agreed to the inclusion of this treasured piece of family history
on our website.(Grandfather James is seated centre front row).
Martyn Hughes of Builth Wells, Powys sent
us this photograph:
It shows his grandfather, Albert
Hughes (second player,back row,left) with the Florence Recreation
AFC. The team won the Liverpool Minor Challenge Cup 1892-94 under
the manager, Mr Cunningham- Superintendent of the Florence Institute
and founder of Cunninham's camps
in the Isle of Man.He is the gentleman with the top hat.
