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Eli, seems to have been a popular guy. assuming it's the same Eli as mentioned here. Google; 'Eli Birkenhead' and see what pops up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/27/a2040427.shtml

The market was a busy place, especially on Saturdays, with characters like Eli who sold crockery and displayed plates and saucers by letting them slide down his arm. His patter attracted a large audience.

Last edited by granny; 23rd Jul 2016 6:32pm.

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"Ladies (chink chink) not 5 bob,(chink chink) not even 3 bob,(chink chink) this 24 piece dinner set (chink chink)2 bob and that's daylight robbery"

Last edited by fish5133; 23rd Jul 2016 10:00pm.
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No photos unfortunately but they will have them at the Records office on Canning St near Woodside

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Originally Posted by Dotdl
No photos unfortunately but they will have them at the Records office on Canning St near Woodside


https://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/471130/re-eli-birkenhead-market.html


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Picture off pinterest saying Eli's Birkenhead
[Linked Image]

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From what I vaguely recall he used to be on a raised platform and prospective customers would all be in front of him at ground level.After he'd done his spiel about a particular item those wanting to buy would put their hand up shouting
" e r Eli" and he'd have staff bring the goods to you and get the cash

Last edited by derekdwc; 24th Jul 2016 10:51am.
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Saturday nights after dark in the open market, with the hiss of the Tilley lamps was always fun. I remember one seller of crockery (not Eli), who, when it was getting late, would start throwing plates and cups onto the cobbles to break, yelling "well, if nobody wants them, I'm not taking them back to Bolton". People couldn't bear to see it broken and so started to buy.


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When Eli did his banter he used to bang plates together so hard that I was amazed they didn't break, but they never did.

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Anyone remember these trains running up Beaufort rd over Duke st right along the docks in the eighties
I did not see it happen that much so it was great when they tootled along blowing its horn.

Here are a couple crossing Duke st

[Linked Image]03162 Duke St, Birkenhead 10/11/83 by MagLad, on Flickr

[Linked Image]

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Used to hold up the No.10 bus to New Brighton.
Oh, and none of your diesel rubbish; proper steam locos.


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The picture of the stall looks more like Fletchers than Eli's. The family that used to run it lived in Exmouth St then later on the Woodchurch estate.

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Originally Posted by chriskay
Used to hold up the No.10 bus to New Brighton.
Oh, and none of your diesel rubbish; proper steam locos.


Hahaha, I am not old enough to remember all that steam stuff

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Also in the days when the docks where in full swing the trains on that line where controlled at that junction by a police man in the box in the middle of the road.It was the only crossing point that was manned 24 hours a day.


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I was wandering why there was no level crossing gates
Here is Wallasey Bridge rd crossing
[Linked Image]
Sometimes the driver would let kids jump into the cab as it was moving
Very dangerous when you think about it now crazy

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I think those gates in pic are still there as you go round the roundabout top of Beaufort road

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Last edited by derekdwc; 25th Jul 2016 4:23pm.
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