10 Comments
Jan 27Liked by Abi Whistance

Lovely piece Ophira, takes me back to my childhood when my mum would use the wash house in what we called ‘The Billogs’. They were blocks of bullring tenements in Kirkdale between Melrose and Fonthill Rd. Whenever I walk into a Liver Launderette the smell of the driers takes me back. It was to a small child another world of wonder and machinery. Even though I’m lucky to own a washing machine there are still items like the duvet that don’t fit in domestic machines so off I go to the local launderette. I’ve always found ‘Liver’ to be a friendly and safe space. Kittys sounds brilliant and I may well visit it. Such a good idea and I hope it keeps on being successful. We need more places like this to get back to a community feeling.

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Jan 27Liked by The Post, Abi Whistance

Lovely piece! The Post is setting a whole new standard in journalism.

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Jan 27Liked by Abi Whistance

I really enjoyed that story, Ophira. Thanks. Kitty's looks like a successful social enterprise. Some essential magic ingredients are required, which you've described with great empathy in this piece. Let's have more co-ops in the city.

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Great read. Brought back a few childhood memories, thanks.

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Jan 27Liked by Abi Whistance

Lovely piece. Brought back memories of Steble Street wash house and swimming baths. Always used to pop into the wash house cafe run by Mrs Bowen after a (usually chilly) swim. The toast was wonderful and the atmosphere amazing - big machines, steam everywhere, lots of noise, chat and activity. There were bathrooms in the same complex - well used by many in the local community with no running hot water in their homes.

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Thank you for this well crafted story revolving around the retelling of one of Liverpool's finest females - Kitty Wilkinson. You captured the sense of community togetherness which a space dedicated to a mundane everday chore can engender. There should be more co-op styled businesses like this - Kitty saw many more laundrettes open up in her life - places where people shared problems, gossip and found support. A truly inspirational lady from humble background.

Her grave stone is to be found in St James cemetary below the Anglican cathedral. A quiet oasis and worth a visit.

The cathedral has a stained glass memorial to her - along with other notables. And a beautiful statue in St George's Hall in white marble - stunning.

So good to read some real journalism centred on my city - The Post keeps delivering.

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Well written and interesting - my thanks! I'm reminded of my own childhood growing up in Old Swan before we had mains 'lecky installed. I often went with my mother to the wash-house on Edge Lane [next door to the Meccaano factory!]. I'll be dropping in for a chat in the near future ...

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Feb 6·edited Feb 6

A very enjoyable read Ophira. The mention of the fact the the old wash-houses gave women "the opportunity to chat and exchange stories" made me smile...... an older friend of mine used to use an expression "you'll be the talk of the wash-house" if anybody was guilty of some embarrassing behaviour!

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Great piece and like a few others on here, brought back some fond memories of the "washy" on City Rd in Walton, where I'd sometimes be "allowed" to take some of our washing carted along in a plastic bag and simply emptied into the machine and washed (all under very explicit instructions on how to operate the machines and what settings,) then once finished , all simply thrown into the dryer

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I really enjoyed that ... thank you. I think The Post is the best read out there.

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