Mark Hillkirk

Mark Hillkirk was a pupil at Bessie Street School and a friend of Terry Bates. In April 1972, Mark was caught by headmaster Wilfred Perkins writing "Barlamb fancies Terry Bate's Mam" (sic) on the blackboard (referring to deputy head Ken Barlow and Rita Bates). When questioned by Perkins, Mark tried to blame another pupil, Susan, for putting the idea in his head.

In October 1973, Len Fairclough stopped Rita Littlewood from selling fireworks to Mark and his friends at the Kabin and barred the lads from the shop. Mark later went to watch the communal bonfire with his friends. There, a freak accident occurred when a spark landed in an open box of fireworks, setting them off and setting Mark on fire. Ken Barlow rescued him by smothering him with his jacket but Mark was seriously hurt and had to have a skin graft on his leg. Alan Howard blamed himself for the accident as he was supervising the fireworks.

Years later, in October 1999, Rita was furious to discover that Sharon Gaskell was selling fireworks in the Kabin, as Rita had refused to stock them since Mark's accident.

1972

 * Mon 24th Apr
 * Wed 26th Apr
 * Mon 1st May
 * Wed 3rd May

1973
Episode 1335 (31st October 1973)|Wed 31st Oct]] Episode 1336 (5th November 1973)|Mon 5th Nov]] Episode 1337 (7th November 1973)|Wed 7th Nov]] Episode 1341 (21st November 1973)|Wed 21st Nov]]