A PUZZLER about why an area is known as Nutgrove Steps sparked a flurry of responses from Coffey Time readers.

Among them was Michael McCully, who wrote in to say that his late mother, who had lived in Thatto Heath, always October, referred to the corner, at what is now the junction of Nutgrove Road and Nutgrove Hall Drive, by the aforementioned name.

Michael said: "Even I can vaguely remember there used to be a flight of steps on that corner, before Nutgrove Hall Drive was built.

"I think there was an old church on that bend as well. Anyway, that is the reason why that corner is referred to as 'Nutgrove Steps' by those of the older generation.

"Furthermore, my mother always referred to the bus stop outside the former Rainhill Hospital as 'The Asylum Gates'.

"Not very PC these days, I suppose. Anyway, it was commonly used and bus conductors/drivers on 'The Trolley' (Route 7/8) never turned a hair at its use!

"My mother used to work at the hospital many years ago - so she would have known how to buy the correct ticket to that location.”

Meanwhile, Dennis, from Parr, chipped in with his offering on the Steps, sending me an image from Google where he says there was an bus stop many years ago.

He added: "When it was a bus stop it was called The Steps because of the steps leading up to the houses on both sides of the road (the ones on the right are just out of shot).

"There are also the steps to the church, hence Nutgrove Steps."

Meanwhile, Martin Webster is keen to track down some details of a World War II train accident in St Helens, said to have been caused by deep snow.

He writes: “I’m actually after a bit of help. I recall, I think not long after you’d started doing ‘Coffey Time’, you published an article about a train accident in St Helens caused by particularly deep snow.

"This happened during the dark days of WW2, and there was, at the time, a news blackout.

"My dad told me in the early part of the war, there was a heavy snowstorm and a train got buried near Lea Green colliery, and the miners had to dig the passengers out.

"Does any reader recall this or any other times when we did have deeper than modern ‘deep snow?"

Martin adds that he was recently discussing another past feature about the Friday Nighters, a group of musicians/singers who’d tour local pubs (on a Friday night, oddly enough…) to raise money for charity.

He added: "My dad - Keith Webster - is an original member, and is in the photo you published.

"Unfortunately, many of the original members have passed away, but the remaining ones still get together on occasion to enjoy a pint and a laugh.”