Wallasey-Images of where I waz brung up!

The county boundary has changed several times since the late nineteenth century, most significantly in 1974, when sizeable areas were transferred to the counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside. http://www.fhsc.org.uk/genuki/chs/

Three images of St Hilary's old tower the central image clearly shows the wording on the notice in image 3

Taken from first website as listed in credits below. Links refer back to that site and others.

As a young man in Moreton, I would visit the library and sign out The Rise & Progress of Wallasey in order to read up on various aspects of Wallasey history. I would refer to it as The Rise & Fall Of Wallasey, after the Rise & Fall of The Roman Empire film. It was quite prophetic really as, in my opinion, Wallasey has done just that, fallen. There is much that has worsened. When I visit it looks worse each time, shuttered shops, littered streets and now (Jan 26th 2006) the news that the Museum on the Docks is to go to make way for greed and money in the form of so called "luxury" apartments. Our heritage is blighted by the developer. The German U boat, the U534, is, at the time of writing this, likely to be lost to Merseyside. Socialism took over from the traditional Tory seat in both Council and Parliament and I believe Wallasey has never recovered. I have finally purchased my own copy of this book, reprinted with an additional chapter from my original 1960 library copy, in 1974.

This is the U534, image taken on 16th February 2006. As you can see there are banners placed about the site asking people
to support the campaign to retain such valuable historical memorabilia for future generations. It is imperative that both councils
and the country do their utmost to keep this here, on Merseyside, the home of HQ Western Approaches and Captain FJ "Johnnie" Walker
and the front line in the Battle of the Atlantic. The sub is still there (Feb 07) but moved 200 yards, towards tower in background.

Derby Pool Harrison Drive, on the seafront. There used to be a deco outdoor pool here but now a restaurant

I took this at Harrison Drive, by the Derby Pool, about 1600 hrs 16th Feb 2006 looking towards Wales.
The next four were taken by my daughter, Lorna. February coastline

The group of chimneys to the right of the lighthouse are, I believe, on the roof of The Railway Inn, Meols, some distance away

This image appeared in the Wirral News this week (November 10th 2006) as an "archive" image from the 60s. It's of the girls who worked the Stavordale Garage in Moreton, on Hoylake Road, in the swinging 60s!!! My sister (Jan) is the one on the right!! She now lives in Cornwall. Nice Cortina! Thanks to the Wirral News for sending me this copy. Steve Hallam contacted me from Australia in Nov 2008, he thinks the car is his old man's Corsair. The advert on the rear is for the Atlantic Garage along the road and behind the photographer was the Super Garage, Shell!! 5 garages in all occupied the road between here and Moreton Cross.

The next three were taken on Harrison Drive sea front, by the Derby Pool, 1st April 2007

One of the most famous races in the Horse Racing calendar is the Derby. But the origins of the race are to be found here at Leasowe Castle. The first "Gentleman's Racecourse" was established here. The actual year is unknown but must have been soon after 1593, when Leasowe Castle was erected. William Webb, writing in 1662, refers to the ‘fairlands or plains upon the shores of the sea which for fitness for such a purpose allure the gentlemen and others oft to appoint great matches and venture no small sums in trying the swiftness of their horses.’

In the autumn of 1682, the race meeting held here had an illustrious visitor and jockey in the person of the ill-starred Duke of Monmouth who, attended by many of his friends, was on a tour courting popularity in this part of England. On Sunday 10th September he arrived in Wallasey. Next day Monmouth went to Wallasey, and the day following he was joined there by the Mayor with a troop of forty horsemen, and a large concourse of people from Chester eager to see the running horses, and the Duke. The First Plate, value £60, was won by the Duke riding his own horse. Monmouth offered to lay £1000 on his horse, but no one would take him. Later, the Duke had two foot races with Mr Cutts of Cambridge, the first stripped, the second in his boots, both of which he won. The Duke, after the race, crossed over to Liverpool with his party. When the news came to Chester that he had steered his own horse to victory at Wallasey (though some hinted that it was by the contrivance of the gentlemen who rode against him) the populace were immensely elated, bonfires were lighted, the church bells rung, and nothing was heard in the streets but shouts of ‘A Monmouth! A Monmouth!’ The Mayor’s house was illuminated and the Duke and his friends were entertained right royally.

In the Eaton Hall Account Books the following entry occurs:

1st September, 1696. Peter Pemberton, a bill of charges att Wallasey at Jugler’s match, £1.12.6
September, 1696. Paid a bill of charges at Wallasey when Meale ran with ye Lord Ross his white horse Davies.
11th September, 1682, Monday. On Monday mid-day he started for Wallasey to be present at the races next day.

The course, according to a map which still exists, seems to have extended for nearly five miles, running from the village out towards the Castle and back again, finishing near the present Wallasey Station. As the races were run in heats, and a win could only be obtained by the first horse leading throughout the last 240 yards, it sometimes happened that the distance had to be traversed two or even three times. Forty years later the popularity of Wallasey had so far increased that it is said that the most considerable stake in the kingdom was run for over this course. The names of the winners give some idea of the importance of the event. We find among them the Duke of Devonshire winning in 1725. About this time Lord Molyneux transferred his training stud to Wallasey. Lord Gower was a winner in 1723 and 1730, the Duke of Ancaster in 1728, and Sir Richard Grosvenor in 1724, 2726 and 1727. Blundell of Crosby, under the date February, 1727, records in his Diary (p. 223): ‘Coz. Butler went to Wallosy Race where Sir Richard Grosvenor’s horse beat a Black Horse of My Lord Molyneuxes.’ Was this a favourite that gave the name to the Black Horse Inn which on a carved stone bears the initials and "D with W.M. beneath it then 1722" and was it built to accommodate ‘the gentlemen and others’ referred to by Webb?

About 1732 the more important events were discontinued, though for some years afterwards a race was run at Newmarket called ‘The Wallasey Stakes.’ But if the great race was no longer run on the Leasowes, other events took place there during the latter half of the eighteenth century, as is evident from some inscriptions cut on the old door of the Racing Stable which stood in Wallasey Village, on the site of Sandiways Road. When it was built is not known, but probably between 1600 and 1642, possibly by William, sixth Earl of Derby. Soon after the latest of the dates recorded on the old door, namely 5 April 1785, Earl Grosvenor sold the stables and the adjoining land to one John Zewill, whose ownership was commemorated by the initials M and IZ beneath then the date 1787 cut in stone over one of the doorways. Here he and his wife are said to have lived for many years. The place afterwards came into the possession of someone of the name of Wotherspoon, who sold it to Mr Barton, who inhabited part of the house and intended, it is said, to repair the whole of it, but did not owing to the expense it would involve. At that time it was known as Sandfield Hall popularly called the King’s House. After Mr Barton’s death in 1851 it was allowed to fall into decay until demolished in 1895. The old oak was utilised in building some of the houses on the site, but the old door above referred to was presented to the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, and afterwards housed in the Liverpool Museum, only to be destroyed during the war by bombing. It was given by Mr Madders, one of the owners of the property, in 1892. It was an iron-studded oak door, showing marks of four horseshoes. In the centre of each of the marks the following inscriptions were cut into the wood:

Ingram Esqr. Tripod won 50 at Conway 176 - Ingram Esqr. Lady Day won 200 gs. at Preston 1767.

Upon each mark, until within a few years of 1893, a small, beautifully-made racing horseshoe was nailed. All that is left in Wallasey to remind us of its bygone glories as a racing centre is the Black Horse Inn. The racing stables have passed away, and even Jockey Lane has been rechristened Sandcliffe Road. Williamson’s Liverpool Advertiser for August 1792 mentions that some horse races were to be run at Seacombe on August 20, 21 and 22. Three prizes were offered of £10 each, the second a subscription purse by five ‘gentlemen’ of £10 each, and the third a sweepstake by ten ‘gentlemen’ of £5 each. All horses to be entered at the house of Mr Smith, Seacombe (Lord of the Manor of Poulton maybe ?).

May 5th 2008. Some images taken on that date:

	Magazine Lane, next to Vale Park
	Stone above archway
	Small but highly popular Vale Park, Bandstand enjoys frequent use in the summer months.
	Close up of Bandstand, names around the rim are composers
	Vale Park 's very popular Cafe.
	Victoria Road New Brighton, looking towards sea front. Normally on a Bank Holiday this would have been teeming with people. But the arcades have long disappeared and the area in front of the camera has been given over to residences in a short sighted effort to remove that which is now required - entertainment.
	Looking back up hill towards NB Station. Having driven around New Brighton this morning, I was surprised at just how few people where about.
	Looking toward Seacombe from New Brighton
	Ventilation tower of Kingsway Tunnel and Wallasey Town Hall evident
	and from Seacombe Ferry itself
	This was once the thriving bus Terminal at Seacombe. I would get the No 3 or 5 home!
	Zeebrugge Memorial 1918
	Maritime Heritage Trail - Seacombe Ferry
	Olde pic of Seacombe Ferry. These are displayed within the Terminal.
	Another of same
	This interior shot is well recalled by me from the mid - late 60s.
	Seacombe Ferry Terminal at high tide
	Fort Perch
	Fort Perch
	St Nicholas Church near the Derby, Harrison Drive
	I took this from across the river on Liverpool's Dock Road - May 29th 2008
	Also taken from Liverpool Dock Road, Fort Perch Rock New Brighton - May 29th 2008
	From a different perspective, Wallasey from out "at sea". Taken from the beach at Little Crosby - July 21st 2008 on the occasion of the Tall Ships visit.
	Looking into the mouth of the Mersey, Clearly visible is Wallasey Town Hall on the right.
	Leasowe Lighthouse, big zoom shot from beach in Crosby.
	Tall Ship passing New Brighton - July 21st 2008
	Wallasey
	New Brighton - July 21st 2008