Discussion

"Another cliché: you never really leave."

Quite right, you don't. To the point where, if I may, it isn't a cliché but a very hard truth.

No-one who lived in Netherley in the 1970's could forget it.

Thank you so much for this excellently written description of Netherley. I came across it whilst idly googling for photos of Netherly. A wonderful read.

I was born in 1953 (I'm 55) and I lost touch with my sisters after the death of my parents sisters when I was twelve.

Sombody in London, where I lived, told me in 1972 that one of my sisters seemed to be a girl he met in Liverpool. I packed a rucksack and set off to find her, arriving in Liverpool with little money.

After a night spent outside I met a guy in a pub called the Hole in the Wall, and he said "Oh, homeless? Come to Netherley where I live. There are loads of empty places to squat in."

So I did. And there were.

The next four years were were a nightmare.

It began by my risking my life literally sticking the apartment's live mains cables together to get electricity. I used to drink a lot and smoke draw, so I was soon sucked into acid, speed and various junk.

Life in Netherley became a miserable existence, eking out a living via small-time dealing and stealing. Many people I knew then died of drug overdoses or other related things and the whole place was a lunatic asylum.

I remember the kind Chinese man at the fish-and-chip shop (or was it a Chinese take-away?) next to a pub. I lived in various places including Scafell Close, or Road, or whatever.

Rock concerts in downtown Liverpool were a godsend because they were a good place to deal acid, particularly at concerts by Hawkwind and bands like them.

There was a lot of violence although I was never set upon, nor did I get into any fights at all. Lucky I guess.

Stealing was extremely prevalent, even amongst 'friends.'

Living in Netherley was like living on another planet. It had its own codes, rules, customs. Newcomers were immediately "sussed out" to see who they were. Visitors were unwelcome. Paranoia was rife.

A lot of the paranoia came from the extraordinary amount of hard tranquiliser abuse. Seconal, Nembutal, or other 1970's versions of them were everywhe

Oops, half of my last comment isn't on the screen having pressed 'Publish Comment.' Maybe it's too long?

I was just browsing and looked at the photos.
Number 15 made an impression the one of the shopfront shutters. Reminded me of shop parades in Liverpool.
I know Liverpool well but not Netherley.
Enjoyed the article because it made me think of Netherton and Croxteth - two areas I know.
Also found the previous comment by Mikool fascinating

I lived in Netherley between 69 and 85. We on the Wimpey Estate; which had St.Gregory's, The Blue Peter, The Turtle, The Falcon, The Boxing Club; always considered the Woodlands Estate posh! I do recall the locals there even tried to say it was Gateacre. LOL

Then there was the Unit Estate which Brittage Brow was part of.

Then at the top of Wood Lane where the 79 and 73a buses terminated were the posh people. Always thought they were private houses on the Woodlands.

Good article.

"Another cliché: you never really leave." The best opening line ever!!!

"Another cliché: you never really leave." The best opening line ever!!!

So amazing! This makes me want to do something major with my free time. Inspiring!!!