Flash back: Fab memories of Vale of plenty; Peter Grant on a community of the past is looking to the future...

BELLE VALE is fab-in fact Prefab. That is the view of the folk who are proud of this area of Liverpool and its housing heritage.

Not many places in the city have their own book out celebrating such a special community.

But Belle Vale is no ordinary community and The Belle Vale Prefab Project is not just a hobby - it is a labour of love.

A book is just the start - there are plans for a photographic exhibition and DVD.

So how did the BVPP come about?

Sue Glover secretary explains: "Back in 2002 some old friends were brought together at the 50-year reunion for former pupils of Belle Vale School.

"The conversation turned to the past and the post-war spirit and all the many happy times when people stuck together, you could leave your front door open and people generally cared about each other and each others' houses."

At the reunion the memories came flooding back and they all agreed that there was a lot of love in the community.

So the pals decided to set the record straight and spend time to preserve it for posterity It was far too important to be forgotten.

And so was born The Belle Vale Prefab Project.

Adds member Sandra Harrison: "We wanted to bring together neighbours and friends to remember. The outcome was the book and it has already proved a massive hit."

Called Prefab Days: A Community Remembers (pounds 9.99), it is a 110-page reflection with photographs and anecdotes recalling memories of the unique community from the time of the first dwellings in 1947 through to the demolition programme of 1969.

Available from Belle Vale Post Office, an initial 1,000 print run is selling fast.

There is also a website and a newsletter.

Now the dedicated team meet once a month, with their second birthday celebration in August and a Christmas do.

And they are determined to bring out a sequel book with little help from their friends and the ECHO.

Through Flashback, they are urging those who knew the Prefabs to get in touch either via e-mail, internet or letter.

The Belle Vale community had 1000 dwellings on the site; the largest in the UK and probably Europe.

There have been many famous Belle Valers. Paul McCartney went to Joseph Williams primary school and a major coup is the president of the Belle Vale Project... Tesco supremo Sir Terry Leahy 

The committee is thrilled by his patronage and solid support.

Says chairperson Celia Kelly: "In April last year Sir Terry Leahy agreed to be our president and he is very supportive.

"As a young child, he lived in a Prefab in Endbrook Road and attended Our Lady of Assumption school.

"We are seeing new people arriving at each meeting.

"But this book is only the springboard, we'd love to hear from more people who grew up there and loved it."

Contact the BVPP via e-mail on [e-mail]

The next meeting is on May 31 at Lee Valley Millennium Centre, at 7pm. The group's website is www.bellevaleprefabs.com Letters can be sent to 62 Hey Park, Huyton, Liverpool.

Photograph Sales You can order the ECHO archive pictures from our photosales department from pounds 8. Call 0151 472 2549 with a brief description of the picture and date and page on which it appeared.

CAPTION(S):

ON PARADE: A boy scout troupe take to the streets; FOND MEMORIES: Belle Vale Prefab Project members (left to right) Celia Kelly, Sue Glover and Sandra Harrison with their book; PREFAB FAN: Sir Terry Leahy, patron of the project