Alumni memories: Liz Holdsworth's swinging sixties journey

Posted on: 16 February 2024 in 2024

In the summer of 1963, when I was just 17, I took A-levels in biology, chemistry and physics, intending to be a doctor.

Further reflection made me realise that I couldn’t cope with people with their eyes hanging out, but I still liked people, so perhaps I could become what was then called a hospital almoner, now a social worker in a hospital.

I received advice that Liverpool was the best place to study social sciences. It was second to the LSE, but I would not be able to get into the latter because of my age.

A new hall of residence called Dale Hall had been opened in Mossley Hill. Amazingly, I had a lovely bedroom and shared a bathroom with only one other girl, who became my closest friend.

Ironically, Dale Hall has been demolished, but some of us were lucky enough to go back for our 50th anniversary to be treated so kindly by staff there, showed around, and treated to a nice meal!

Back then, in the swinging 60s, girls were expected to be back in by 10:30 pm, unless they had a late pass, which had to be requested.  Men were only allowed in our rooms during prescribed “Man hours!”. Interestingly enough, there were no such regulations for the men’s halls!

I’m afraid that social sciences were largely wasted on me as I yearned for facts and information which could be supported by scientific methods.

However, there were other interests, including being on the Guild council, and becoming deputy speaker of the house of debates.

I loved, and still love dancing and the dances every Saturday night at the student union were fabulous with lots of groups coming, including The Who and Manfred Man. The former I seem to remember throwing a lot of cream cakes about.

I was lucky enough to benefit from the British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) and went, at the end of my first year to America where I worked in Yellowstone National Park and travelled 10,000 miles on the greyhound coaches. I recommend it!

What was most memorable about my time in Liverpool was Liverpool itself and the Liverpudlians. So full of humour and fun and kindness.

I was very short-sighted and too vain to wear glasses and often got on the wrong bus because I couldn’t read the number. On one occasion, the driver stopped, and the whole bus was giving me instructions as to where I needed to stand to get to Mossley Hill.

In my third year, I lived on Eardisley Road at the Penny Lane stop. I have a memory of the bus conductor ringing the bell and the whole bus starting to sing Penny Lane!

In the city, as well as the memory of the Cavern, which was open then, my overriding memory is of the striking dockers walking through the city, coming to terms with what was happening with shipping containers, destined to do them out of jobs.

In my third year, I did a placement in the probation service and made visits down by the docks where they were still tenements, and policemen went in threes! I have to say I received nothing but courtesy and politeness and never felt threatened.

I guess, when I got my degree at age 20, I might have been reacting against social sciences in that I applied for Commission in her late Majesty’s, armed forces, and, after a year was a Captain in the WRAC.

Later, after marriage, I became a social worker in a men’s psychiatric prison, HM Prison, Grendon in Buckinghamshire, and then, in my 30s, I retrained as a solicitor.

It was through that job I became involved with an organisation called SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly) specialising in acting for older and vulnerable adults.

I had many years’ experience of acting for people with dementia, or for the families who were supporting them, and realised that on the journey they would be travelling, they would not be alone but would be taking with them, their nearest loved ones and friends, who would all go through the harrowing experience of trying to love and support their loved one with dementia as that person gradually, but inexorably, left them whilst still being alive. This led me to create PALZ UK (Professionals with Alzheimer’s or dementia from other causes) in Shropshire, which has been a highlight for me.

You can read more about Liz’s charity, PALZ UK here.