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Thread: Kitty Wilkinson

  1. #1
    Gnomie
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    Default Kitty Wilkinson

    A blessing to the poor.

    http://www.stjamescemetery.co.uk/kitty.htm

















    .

  2. #2
    Re-member Ged's Avatar
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    A cracking new statue of Kitty Wilkinson - see here.

    http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...4375-20137764/
    www.inacityliving.piczo.com/

    Updated weekly with old and new pics.

  3. #3
    Gnomie
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    Nice one Ged

  4. #4
    Libertarian
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    a few of todays scruffs in pyjamas could do with a good scrub down the washhouse.

    The last one only closed in about 1990 hard to believe but true! My Gran whose now 94 went to it all her life and was gutted when it shut as she had to start goin the launderette!

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    Senior Member ChrisGeorge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ged View Post
    A cracking new statue of Kitty Wilkinson - see here.

    http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...4375-20137764/
    Very good! Thanks, Ged!

    Chris
    Christopher T. George
    Editor, Ripperologist
    Editor, Loch Raven Review
    http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/
    Chris on Flickr and on MySpace

  6. #6
    chippie
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    Lovely statue but doesn,t she deserve better?

    A huge statue should have been erected near to the first wash house so that her energy and love for our city,s poor could have been merited better. She has more right to a statue than some pompous king, queen, lord, or duke.

    Watch out when you go out, you might fall over her statue.

  7. #7
    Re-member Ged's Avatar
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    She lived in Denison street where the now demolished King Eddy pub stood. I'd like to think whoever builds that tower there might incorporate something in it for her. She does have a stained glass window in the Anglican cathedral too though. You can find out more about her and from her biographer, Mike Kelly on www.scottiepress.org
    www.inacityliving.piczo.com/

    Updated weekly with old and new pics.

  8. #8
    chippie
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    Do you think they,d name the tower after her? They might put a notice over the toilet sink maybe. They,ll do bugger all for her.

  9. #9
    Senior Member taffy's Avatar
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    Default Kitty Wilkinson

    Quote Originally Posted by Ged View Post
    She lived in Denison street where the now demolished King Eddy pub stood. I'd like to think whoever builds that tower there might incorporate something in it for her. She does have a stained glass window in the Anglican cathedral too though. You can find out more about her and from her biographer, Mike Kelly on www.scottiepress.org
    Didn't the then Liverpool Corporation sack Kitty Wilkinson from her job at the first washouse.

  10. #10
    Gnomie
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    Who is Catherine seaward, she is a herione to us all
    the girl we know as Kitty, who came when we did call
    this Irish lass from Derry, came here when she was nine
    she understood and undertook, to help us all the time

    Kitty lost her father, on that boat to Liverpool
    her little sister drowned as well, how life can be so cruel
    her mother found a place, a home that they could make
    they struggled as they looked around, for jobs that they could take

    Domestics with Mrs Lightbody, a lady kind with face
    Kitty`s mum taught servants, to spin and make the lace
    nice old Mrs Lightbody, the poor she helped and praised
    kitty saw her kindness, and this with Kitty stayed

    Only two years later, and Kitty works the cotton mill
    her mothers poorly evermore , they left when she came ill
    so kitty works the cotton, for nigh on next 10 years
    here she first meets Tom Wilkinson, a man who really cares

    Kitty`s back in Liverpool, her mothers back here too
    their living now in Frederick Street, domestic jobs they do
    mental health effects her mam, she`s falling to the strain
    Kitty wont hear of the asylum, they battle through the pain

    Kitty meets her husband, Emanuel Demontee
    the Frenchman is a sailor and is drowned while out at sea
    She brings her two young boys up, works harder than a man
    along the way she always helps, the needy when she can


    Kitty meets Tom Wilkinson, the man she knew before
    they marry and he just like her, is glad to help the poor
    Denison street they rent a house, the door is open wide
    anyone in need of help, is welcome here inside



    A washroom in her cellar, tries to keep cholera at bay
    clean your bedding clean your clothes, 1p is all you pay
    In no time Kitty`s kitchen, is a washroom for the need
    her bedroom is a nursery school, to teach the kids to read

    Securing help from charity, from well off people too
    Kit and Tom kept helping, as their washroom grew and grew
    soon many wash houses, with public baths beside
    where springing up on many streets, big and clean inside

    The authorities sat up and looked, at what Kitty had laid
    wash house superintendents, the cities offer made
    the Wilkinsons accepted, a wash house in Frederick street
    they ran it ever helpful, and got praised by all they`d meet

    Now when our Queen Victoria, came up to see our city
    she wanted to meet dignitaries, she wanted to meet Kitty
    Although she sat and met the Queen, and this bit brings me laughs
    I bet you not long after, she was back running her baths

    In 1860 aged seventy three, Kitty sadly died
    From north to south,east to west, the city as one cried
    her funeral at St James, was attended by every class
    all had come to say goodbye, to the kindly Irish lass

    At our Anglican cathedral, stands a window for our Kitty
    the glass is cut so beautiful, the colours shine so pretty
    A really fine memorial, for all she chose to do
    a fitting way for Liverpool, to say our thanks to you

    God Bless You Kitty

  11. #11
    chippie
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    Brilliant Tony, one of yours?

  12. #12
    Junior Member CHRISMIZ's Avatar
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    Brilliant poem The wash houses were hard work but they were also the equivelent to a social club for women.

  13. #13
    Gnomie
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    Quote Originally Posted by chippie View Post
    Brilliant Tony, one of yours?
    Yep cheers

  14. #14
    Senior Member ChrisGeorge's Avatar
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    Hi Tony

    A fine narrative poem in memory of a great lady and a great Liverpudlian!

    Chris
    Christopher T. George
    Editor, Ripperologist
    Editor, Loch Raven Review
    http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/
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  15. #15
    Re-member Ged's Avatar
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    Tony, i've passed your poem over to Ron and Mike for them to see, fantastic that.
    www.inacityliving.piczo.com/

    Updated weekly with old and new pics.

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