Guiding

Guiding started in Rainford in 1925 and ran until 1947 when there was a break until 1963.

It was originally part of North District, then North West District, becoming a District in its own right in September 1976.

Rainford Congregational Church was its first meeting place in 1963. Guiding was encouraged by Minister Arthur Huyton, who had strong links with Peter Street Institute – which was the first Unit of Guiding in St Helens.

In the early seventies Guiders, parents and friends banded together with the aim of raising money for our own meeting place and, with land from Lord Derby being made available to us, this was finally achieved. Lord Derby opened our new headquarters on the 25 July 1974.

History of Guiding in Rainford Document

Rainford Community First Responder Group

Rainford Community First Responders are volunteer members from within their community who act in support of the North West Ambulance Service by providing a time critical response to patients within their local areas. They are appropriately trained to nationally agreed standards for competency, and respond quickly through the 999 system, to certain life threatening medical emergencies. They are trained to deliver basic life support and defibrillation to patients in cardiac arrest, and also attend a range of other emergencies, such as respiratory arrests, breathing problems, allergic reactions, diabetic emergencies, strokes, fitting and convulsions, abdominal and chest pains, heart attacks, severe haemorrhages and other unconscious patients, where they can deliver first aid and oxygen therapy to the patient, and treat conditions, which if left untreated could deteriorate rapidly, and subsequently lead onto a cardiac arrest.

Statistics have shown that in cases of a cardiac arrest, early delivery of basic life support and use of a defibrillator, can dramatically improve the pre-hospital survival rate. If an equipped First Responder is already in attendance when a cardiac arrest takes place, that survival rate has the potential to rise even more so.

In November, 2008 Rainford’s own group of First Responders became operational, and the area is now covered from 8am until midnight most days of the week by a dedicated team of volunteers, the majority of whom have other full time occupations. Their presence has, quite literally, saved several lives.

The area covered by the group encompasses Rainford, Crawford, Crank and Kings Moss, and is bounded by the A580 East Lancashire Road, M58 and the Kirkby, Billinge and Upholland boundaries. Within the area reside a population of approximately 10,000. When a 999 call is made by a resident, providing that the emergency is of a type that a First Responder is trained to deal with, central ambulance control notifies the on-call members of the group and the ambulance crew simultaneously. Usually it is the local First Responder who arrives first at the scene, and provides that essential care in those first critical minutes of the emergency.

Rainford Horticultural Society

Started in 1977, after meetings with St.Helens Council, allotments started on the field behind the new Church of England primary school, this however was only temporary as the land was scheduled for an extension to the school. Eventually the site was moved to Rainford Junction on the site of the old Railway sidings. Quickly, the Society gained gardening enthusiasts from the village, and soon after began to hold social events with interesting speakers. The meetings went from strength to strength after being moved from behind the Golden Lion to Rainford North End Club. Currently the society holds in the region of 140 members, and the majority of them attend the meetings on a regular basis. The meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month from September to May. Each month there is an auction of members’ surplus plants and on other months there are speakers on topics of horticulture. Non members are welcome to attend meetings and the yearly outings to gardening events.

1st Rainford Scout Group

Founded in 1961, the first few meetings were held in the Village Hall, soon after a den was acquired at church farm. A Cub Pack was then formed in the spring the following year. A group and parent committee was formed, which raised the necessary funds to provide the fast-expanding group. Sir Douglas Glover, our local Member of Parliament at the time, opened these excellent premises and the group continued to go from strength to strength. Originally from 24 scouts and 2 leaders, there are now 2 Beaver Colonies, 2 Cub Packs and 1 Scout group and a Scout unit, with the age ranges of 6 - 8, 8 - 10 ½, 10 ½- 15½ and 15½ - 20 respectively. It is a full Scouting programme of awards, badges, camps, outings and competitions with contributions to community projects. Details of weekly meetings are found here

Crank Womens' Institute

It was in 1922 that the people of Crank decided to form a branch af the Womens' Institute, and on a winters day on the First of February of that year a gathering of the clan met in the Crank Recreation Hut and set down the foundations of the present day flourishing organisation. Mrs Col. Guy Pilkington of the famous glass firm was our first president, followed by equally capable ladies, Mesdames Mrs Makin, Mrs Foster, Mrs Warham, Mrs Kerfoot, right up to our present president, Mrs Hunter. As a successful WI. we are currently engaged in the organisation of educational classes such as cooking, dressmaking, embroidery, upholstery etc., backed up sometimes with the assistance of a hired speaker, or film show. We have a strong, enthusiastic bowling team, and have a much contested yearly internal competition where members compete for the various trophies, like the Pilkington Cup and the Baseter and Gaskell Cup. There is also the Harriet Glover Competition Cup, awarded annually to the overall yearly winner of that year’s monthly competitions, in whichever category, which could cover anything from flower arrangements, greetings card design to cookery contests. There is a yearly show held for members who display crafts, cookery. dressmaking etc., all contesting strongly for the coveted Kerfoot Cup. Other activities include day trips to many of the beautiful villages, towns and countryside of our lovely county of Lancashire; visits to historic cities are also included. From the charity fund-raising aspect the activities are diverse with coffee mornings, hoe-downs, jumble sales etc., donations to the allocated charity are usually in excess of £500. The Walking Club has its own Walkers Cup which is presented to the entrant with the best attendance record. We also have the Luncheon Cup within our ranks, providing companionship and pleasure, as well as gastronomic satisfaction! Crank Gala, independent to the W.I., provides a means for us to hire a stall and promote our cooking and craft skills, proceeds from which are divided between the Crank Gala Commitee and our own funds. Quiz contests are popular with our members and are held on a regular basis. Members of the WI. have the opportunity to attend one of the many courses held by the Women’s Institute at Deenman College. There is a wide choice of courses giving plenty of scope for people wishing to increase their knowledge and skills. One important function within our ranks is the celebration of the yearly February anniversary of the formation of the Crank W.I. in1922. This celebration is in the form of an American Tea Party where all our members bring their own food to share in a buffet type presentation. Since 1922 we have come a long way, moving our ‘house’ twice, from our humble beginnings in the Old Recreation Hut, to the Rainford Village Hall in 1976, and from there to our present home, Rainford Parish Church Hall in 1980. Leslie Bromilow (2000)

Groups

Rainford Siler Band: Website

Rainford Silver Band is one of the most progressive in the area, winning prizes at major competitions throughout the North West. It was founded some 30 years ago after starting life as the Rainford Boys’ Brigade Band. The band now attracts players from a wide area and is based in a purpose-built headquarters attached to the village hall. This was constructed with the help of National Lottery funding—the band providing one third of the cost through its own efforts. Much of this finance was raised through the generosity of people and businesses in Rainford and the band is very appreciative of the community's support and that of Rainford Parish Council.

The Band, one of the few non-sponsored bands, has an active list of vice-presidents co-ordinated by the Band president David Wood which helps with fundraising. Many players have come and gone through the Band's ranks over the years, with quite a few going on to play with Championship section Bands. Today the Band has a good mix of players of all ages and is making excellent progress under Musical Director Linda Nicholson. Linda also conducts the St Helens Youth Brass Band-this years national champions in their section. Four members of the Rainford Silver Band also play with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and this year played at the European Brass Band Championships in Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

For the last 20 years the Band has organised the Northern Open Brass Band Championships in the Theatre Royal, St Helens. These major Championships attract bands from throughout the country and are now sponsored by national retailers Wilkinson. Bookings can be made via Paul Rigby on 01257 463600 Leslie Bromilow (2000)