IT is more than 30 years since Harry Hayes retired from the police so his fascinating book “Always a bobby at Market Gate” could be said to be overdue.
But it has been worth waiting for because it provides a picture of a Warrington that few now remember – a Warrington which, for Harry, is a place of ghosts.
He writes: “Almost every street brings back a memory of accident or incident. I can still see the Co-op milk horses who knew their round; the knocker-up; the Crown and Sceptre; noises, creaks and wild life from the old market at night, fish and potato market, fire station, et al.”
Grappenhall resident Harry Hayes started his police career with the old Warrington Borough Force. He served briefly with Lancashire Police when they “took over” Warrington and ended as an Inspector with Cheshire Police when the borough moved over the county boundary.
When he retired, the Chief Inspector said: “Inspector Hayes is one of nature’s gentlemen.” Harry’s comment was: “So was Tarzan.”
His book is peppered with names which are well remembered by this reporter who, in those days, was free to wander around the police station, getting to know so many officers by first name and earning their trust. And places too, many of which have fallen to the demolition man’s hammer.
It has pictures of Warrington’s first police car – a Sunbeam loaned by a local dealer – and of police football and cricket teams. Royal visits. Detectives with their obligatory trilby hats looking more like Hollywood gangsters.
Today, police have radios, mobile ‘phones and communicate on Facebook and Twitter. When Harry started it was a pillar in the street with its flashing light to summon the nearest officer.
He reluctantly admits Warrington is, in many ways, better today. But he regrets the diminished role of “service” in a bobby’s job.
But he concludes his story with a forecast that the “village shop” will return. In 50 years’ time he says, someone will earn a knighthood for proposing that we have smaller police forces, where everyone knows each other, and efficiency abounds.
“People will wonder why no-one every thought of that before.”
He dedicates his book to the bobbies of Warrington Borough Police, who gave 30 years of their lives to patrol the streets of this once small town. Excellent loyal servants to the police service as a whole.
T order a copy of the book email Harry at [email protected].
Picture: Harry Hayes, albeit nearly 30 years ago, he says.
