They depict scenes of people and places, mainly from 1954. See how different the era was in our city.
37. Willowbank. Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston 1954 Former residence of the Toulmin family.
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38. Johnny Sullivan - The 'Pride of Preston' Wedding Day With June, his new bride, in 1954. The following comment is from John Sullivan, Johnny's Son: My father first went to America in 1952 when he was just 19 years old to further his boxing education and was based in New York where he trained in the famous Stillman's Gym. He had 5 fights, losing the first but winning the next four before returning to England. He then returned to America in 1956 and fought many of the top 10 boxers in the world, including Joey Giambra (twice), Jackie Labua and Rocky Castellani; the Castellani fight was top of the bill at Madison Square Gardens, New York. This was the first time a British born fighter had topped the bill at this famous boxing arena. I have the radio commentary and video footage of these fights and others. At this time my father was living in New Jersey. My parents eventually settled in Oakland, California where they lived for 8 years before returning to Preston in 1965. I was conceived in the USA but born at Preston Royal Hospital on Christmas Day 1965. Being the first Christmas Day baby the Preston & District Hospitals Welfare Society, presented me with a solid silver spoon, which I still have today. My father died on the 4th February 2003 in Chorley Hospital after suffering a stroke. My mother June Sullivan lives in Chorley as do my two sisters Leslie and Lorraine. Image and caption courtesy of John Sullivan. Copyright John Sullivan ©
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39. Preston Docks c.1962 The two banana boats, MV Geestland and MV Geeststar at the main basin. Image courtesy of S. Warren. Comment courtesy of Clydebrae: The "Geeststar" and her sister "Geestland" were designed for Geest's service to the Windward Islands. Commissioned in 1960, they flew the Dutch flag and were regular callers at Preston. In the early 50's the UK Government promoted schemes to encourage peasant farmers to grow bananas in Dominica and on St Lucia, but regular shipping opportunities stifled take up. In 1954 John van Geest took control of the Antilles Group of Companies and in September of that year Antilles Products Ltd changed name to Geest Industries (BWI) Ltd. At the same time negotiations were finalised with the respective banana associations of the four Windward Islands for exclusive rights to ship and market all production. Regular shipments to Preston followed initially using chartered tonnage until the building of these two ships. Production romped ahead - in 1954 the Windwards exported 6686 tonnes and by 1961 it passed the 100,000 tonnes mark. The Geest brand became a familiar site in competition with Fyffes. Throughout the 50's and much of the 60's Preston was the major Northern hub for Geest, with Barry in South Wales the alternative port. Traffic was very much one way, dominated by bananas and other tropical fruits, the latter still deemed exotic and in small quantities. Cargo was taken outwards but volumes were low, the ships sailing moreoless in ballast condition. Outward cargoes included bales of jute fillis, banana wrappings, tractor parts, chicken feed and domestic items including, on occasions, beer. As an illustration the "Geeststar" sailed from Preston, on her 14th voyage, on 2nd August 1961 and arrived back on the 28th - she then set off again on the 30th. Typically she would discharge around 900 tonnes of bananas working overtime 0600/0800hrs and 1800/2200hrs as and when necessary to achieve quick turnrounds. In the early
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40. Johnny Sullivan - The 'Pride of Preston' The Champion in 1954. The following comment is from John Sullivan, Johnny's Son: My father first went to America in 1952 when he was just 19 years old to further his boxing education and was based in New York where he trained in the famous Stillman's Gym. He had 5 fights, losing the first but winning the next four before returning to England. He then returned to America in 1956 and fought many of the top 10 boxers in the world, including Joey Giambra (twice), Jackie Labua and Rocky Castellani; the Castellani fight was top of the bill at Madison Square Gardens, New York. This was the first time a British born fighter had topped the bill at this famous boxing arena. I have the radio commentary and video footage of these fights and others. At this time my father was living in New Jersey. My parents eventually settled in Oakland, California where they lived for 8 years before returning to Preston in 1965. I was conceived in the USA but born at Preston Royal Hospital on Christmas Day 1965. Being the first Christmas Day baby the Preston & District Hospitals Welfare Society, presented me with a solid silver spoon, which I still have today. My father died on the 4th February 2003 in Chorley Hospital after suffering a stroke. My mother June Sullivan lives in Chorley as do my two sisters Leslie and Lorraine. Image and caption courtesy of John Sullivan. Copyright John Sullivan ©
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