Whilst on another project, I pulled these negatives from my records and was minded, before coming up to Southport Feb 18th, for Ron's funeral, that I hadn't printed or even removed them from their sleeve in over 50yrs! Unfortunately there wasn't time to process anything before the trip, but I hope these will amuse now.

The shots are grouped pretty much as: The Bank,  Shows, The Double Decker youth club, Personal groups and The Liberal Association activities. (There are some more from colour negatives that require a little more work so these will follow soon) Any names or dates are from my records of the time. Should I, as is very likely, have made mistakes, please advise and I'll correct the text.

Many individuals will of course have passed, but some, children then, may be amused by these pics now!  They're not all my best work, I was just beginning after all! But please use as you wish, the pics are not protected and should copy/swipe to any device; however as this doesn't always work (!), I can send via TXL, or other free Large File Transfer system, though to do this I'll require your email address . 

Alan Topping, Southport 1947-1972, Williams Deacon's Bank Ltd 1965 -1972

Ronnie, Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale old branch. Perhaps my favourite pic. It's the other half of the performer, viz., a smart operator in the bank, a great people manager much under-valued by a pedestrian hierarchy.

Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale before rebuilding, with Mrs Deagan's chip cafe on left. Autumn 1966

Behind camera is the pub where a local retiree would regularly take about 5 pints after changing a 10/- note for "ten chillings, Mr Fearn" that he could slip across for the 10 halves. It was a signature quality of Ron that, although in private he found the situation and "chillings" amusing, he always treated the guy like any other customer - a respect that was returned.

Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale temporary premises during rebuilding: self (Alan Topping), Joyce and Ronnie. Like the name plaques! 1968

Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale before rebuilding, Ronnie at the back desk. This view is past the pub opposite to the beach. Spring 1968

The cashier would tap customers' passbooks on the rail above the typewriter - a signal to update the account pdq. Ron would present an appropriately mocking face as he turned from the customer to have me snatch the book and disappear as low as I could below the screen to laugh. Our clothes always reeked of fish and chips because of Mrs Deagan's adjacent chippy. Each property in the corner building formed a segment: it was like working in a giant slice of cake that became narrower toward the rear and the staff facilities. Indeed the loo was literally closeted in the apex; it could be seen from the counter should the door be left open!

Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale. Mike Brown and the same view after demolition: down toward the beach. 1969

In the far off days of full service in holiday periods, head office staff would be transferred for the summer to seaside locations - Southport and Ainsdale being prime targets with the obvious attractions to young bank operatives. One reserve cashier, Carol (later Mrs Carol Pollitt) once shouted from the area hidden from customers, to Mike on the counter, "Like to see my new bikini Mike?" Mild mannered and courteous Mike replied " yes, all right".  Was the new purchase to be dangled seductively behind the screen ? No way! Carol slowly unbelted then flung open her raincoat to reveal the new bikini and everything else. Well he did ask! I once stood in a bowl of cold water at the counter with suit trousers rolled accordingly because the weather was so hot. 1968

Williams Deacon's Bank, Ainsdale during rebuilding; Mrs. Deagan's chippy is extreme left. Late 1968

I cannot remember much about the Bank's temporary office! I do remember driving off in Ron's car (on right) with a cloth bag of silver still on the bonnet! During one election, a local tory activist (and customer) complained to the police that Ron's 'Vote Liberal' placard strung to the car's wheel was legally causing an obstruction!

Ronnie during Inter branch soccer match 1966

Inter Branch Soccer match: top left Roger Aughton, centre Pete Scott, bottom second from left Ron, then Mike Halton; you may know others. 1966

Susan and Martin Fearn in the garden of their grandparents  James & Martha Fearn, with Meols Cop School in the background. Early 1969

After my father's untimely death, Ron and Mike Halton kind of shadowed me for a while. These pics were from a visit to Ron's  parents, Southport New Road, some time early in 1968

TO FOLLOW WHEN DIGITIZED FROM 120 NEG

Mike Brown in Ron's production of  'The Ghost Train' . I remember, in the wings stage left, trying to add steam train recordings for the sound effects without much success!

'The Ghost Train' again: waiting room scene. Mike Brown seated, you may know the other actors

Ronnie, extreme left, in what appears to be a panto where I said, 'no flash, so please keep still'! Well, only I did! Tripod and Meyer 135 telephoto from back of hall I think.

Ron centre stage, Mike Brown extreme right: Panto Aladdin 1968

Joyce, pre or post thigh slapping! Aladdin 1968

Aladdin 1968

Aladdin 1968

Aladdin 1968

Martin, Susan, and Ronnie at one of the fundraisers. Possibly the church hall in Norwood Rd., or the town hall.

Mrs Fearn Snr at Liberal Winter Fair

Double Decker Club

Ron opened a youth/dance/club called the Double Decker on the 1st floor events hall in the Lib Assoc Club in Sussex Rd. As a one-off event in 1967 Ron and his Double Decker team organized a disco on Ainsdale beach. Quite a few turned out but preferred to be 'cool' in the dunes rather than dance on the sand

Double Decker Club Beach Barbecue. Joan Topping (my sister), Ronnie, Christine Halton and Sue Aughton

Joan Topping, Ronnie, Christine Halton, Maureen Halton, and ?

Double Decker barbecue: centre Maureen Halton and Joyce Fearn, our friend Howard Haslam, and right Mrs Mike Brown

Double Decker Barbecue: Mike Halton, Pete Scott, Roger Aughton and R Jackson

Double Decker Barbecue: Self (Alan Topping), Pete Scott, Mike Halton. Memory is an odd thing. I remember the trousers but not the top, which looks suspiciously like Ron's!

Double Decker Barbecue: Customer Miss C Wright, I think from Howarth's shop opposite bank in Ainsdale

Only came out for a loaf of bread and walked into this lot!

Double Decker Barbecue: Dancing on the sand was, I recall, pretty impossible!

Joan Topping, Ronnie, Christine Halton, Sue Aughton

Double Decker Club (Liberal Association, Sussex Rd). I remember some miscreants trying to avoid the entrance fee, having found a ladder somewhere. Ronnie simply said, "let 'em in at the window, just take their two and six!" (That's a about £2/3 in today's money)

Just visible is the poster art we painted onto polystyrene sheets that were then fixed to the ceiling. Polystyrene, glue, and . . . . ladders! S'truth, wouldn't be allowed now!

Liberal Assoc Events: Garden Party (Drama Fete)

Joyce Fearn (left)  and friends inside 56 Norwood Avenue 1968

Joyce Fearn and friend, 56 Norwood Avenue, day of Garden Party1968

The following table is a seiries of Liberal events and fund raisers.  I did a shoot about the same time at the Hawkshead St Children's hospital, and may have inadvertently included some frames (in the event of your having no idea who these people are!). I recognize the colourful Rev. Colin Cooper, avant-garde vicar of a since closed church, Mesdames Fearn snr and jnr, but that's about all!

Liberal Election Pamphlet

Ronnie asked me to shoot some scenes for the Liberals' clean up Southport campaign theme that year. 1969

I remember my naively questioning Ron's 'adjustment' of rubbish on the beach for me to photograph! I recall, even in my naive and politically unsound youth, querying the removal of an icon (historical imperative we would use today!) and its supplanting with an out of theme concrete fountain supplied by - yep, a member of the council.  Love the cars - couldn't afford them then, and now they're classic, still can't!  A beefy operative (now-speak) twice our combined size queried our picture-taking on the site near the Vauxhall garage; Ron placated him with typical Ron-speak! Some shots of the bandstand deconstruction must clearly have been taken on different days - most likely me following up for the record. Amusingly, the association treasurer queried my fee (suggested by Ron) of 10/- (£15 now!) Kept a pamphlet copy for years - mislaid now.

Afraid that's all I have for Ron and Co.

Elsewhere on the web-site:

             There's a section for Ronnie's friends Mike Halton and Mike Brown's family soon should they or theirs have been looking.

                 There's a whole section of steam railways in the 60s.

                    And there's the obligatory current studio sessions.