WIRRAL HISTORY & HERITAGE

ASSOCIATION

Wirral Heritage Open Days2013

Saturday 7th - Sunday 15th September

Sponsored by Supported by

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Welcome to the 2013 Wirral Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days 2013 celebrates England’s outstanding architecture and culture by offering free access to properties which are usually closed to the public or normally charge an admission fee.

Wirral’s Heritage Open Days are organised by Wirral History and Heritage Association in partnership with groups and individuals across the Peninsula.

Details of the events in this brochure will be available on the national Heritage Open Days website www.heritageopendays.org.uk. Entries received after publication will also go on the national website and on wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk

Downloadable copies of this guide are available on www.visitwirral.com

Whilst the majority of openings and events take place within Wirral Borough, we are delighted to include activities in south Wirral. For further information about Heritage Open Days in West Cheshire contact Chester History and Heritage on 01244 972210 or email chh@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this brochure, which has been supplied by individual events organisers. However, Wirral History and Heritage Association cannot be responsible for any discrepancies or last minute changes to the programme. Any updates will be shown on our website.

wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk

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Welcome …

As Wirral’s Heritage Champion and someone with a lifelong interest in local history, I am delighted to have been asked to introduce this year’s Wirral Heritage Open Days. The programme of talks, visits and events, entirely organised by volunteers, provides both local residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to learn more about the Wirral and its remarkable heritage.

As always, I am impressed by the drive, enthusiasm, knowledge and professionalism of those who have put the programme together and have no hesitation in assuring visitors to Wirral Heritage Open Days that they will enjoy a great day out.”

Jerry Williams, Councillor and Heritage Champion

Heritage Open Days is a national event and Wirral’s contribution to the programme has become ever more popular over the years. Since it began visitor numbers have steadily increased and the event has drawn in people from outside the area as well as attracting visitors from Wirral itself.

Admission to all events is free of charge, something particularly welcome in these times of fi nancial constraint.

The current programme has been achieved through Wirral History and Heritage Association’s Open Days Committee working in partnership with venues, individuals and societies throughout Wirral.

I would like to thank all those who gave of their time in its preparation and the many enthusiasts of our local history, heritage and culture who volunteer their time so freely to make Heritage Open Days successful. Do please use the nine days to see and do as much as you can. Wirral has a long and fascinating history... it belongs to you all!

We rely on visitors’ comments to help us improve Wirral’s Heritage Open Days. It would assist us in planning for future years if you could complete a feedback form. These are available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/KPF7YCV.

Sincere and grateful thanks to all.

Peter France, Chair, Wirral History & Heritage Association

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Bidston Hill, Vyner Road North, Bidston, Wirral SJ287893 (Tam O’Shanter Farm car park CH43 7PD)

Description: The windmill is a brick built tower mill put up to replace a wooden peg mill that was destroyed by a fi re in 1791, and used to grind corn up to 1875. The mill and roof have been recently extensively restored by Wirral Borough Council. Well worth a look.

Admission Details:‘Bats permitting’

There is a winter roost usually in the building that we are unable to disturb. They usually come sometime in the Autumn depending

on the weather and temperature.

Saturday 14th September,10 am to 12 noon

There is a minimum height restriction for access to the higher fl oors (1.06m). Children under 11 years old must be accompanied by

an adult at all times

No booking required. First come fi rst served

Refreshments will be available from the café at the Tam O’Shanter Farm

Limited access into the mill building, but a new pathway from Tam O’Shanter car park makes access easier across the hill to the mill

Contact:John Jakeman Nic Harding0151 653 9332 0151 653 9332

Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Boundary Road, Bidston CH43 7PD Excavation site 50 metres from Tam O’Shanter Farm

Description: Open day at current dig site at potential medieval farmhouse. Come along for a chance to tour our current archaeological project, see a display of fi nds and meet members of the excavation team.

Admission Details:Saturday 14th September

10:30 am to 4 pm

No booking required

Refreshments are available at Tam O’Shanter Farm café

Uneven ground unsuitable for wheelchairs

Contact:Website:

www.bidstoncommunityarchaeology.weebly.com

Email: bidston-community-archaeology@hotmail.co.uk

BIDSTON WINDMILL BIDSTON COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY

OPEN TO VIEW

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Ss Peter, Paul and Philomena Church, 7 Atherton Street, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 9LT

Description: The Dome of Home, an architecturally ambitious, and little altered Catholic church of 1935, welcomes visitors daily. Monumental in scale, Baroque in its spatial conception, with its hemi-spherical dome visible from afar, this well-loved, familiar landmark, has been recently established as a Shrine Church.

Admission Details:The church is open daily from 8 am until 7:30

pm for all visitors

Dome on your Doorstep Heritage Tour

Saturday 7th Sept 2 pm - 5 pmSunday 8th Sept 3 pm - 5 pm

Monday 9th Sept 10 am - 11 amTuesday 10th Sept 3 pm - 4 pmThursday 12th Sept 3 pm - 4 pm

Friday 13th Sept 3 pm - 4 pmSaturday 14th Sept 2 pm - 5 pmSunday 15th Sept 3 pm - 5 pm

Pre-booking is not required. Please report to a volunteer guide in the Foyer if you wish to join a tour. Tea and biscuits are available on

Saturday 7th, Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Saturday 14th.

There is disabled access to the church. Access to disabled toilet is via an outside ramp.

Contact:Anne Archer

077 43 23 50 46

Wirral Archives Service, Lower Ground Floor,Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 1ND Description: Guided tour of Wirral Archives. Come and have a behind the scenes tour of Wirral Archives, including a look at our Strong Room where the archives are stored, and see a selection of our holdings.

Admission Details:Wirral Archives are open every Monday

to Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

1 hour “Behind the Scenes of Wirral Archives” guided tours are available on

Tuesday 10th September 2 pm to 3 pm and 3 pm to 4 pm Maximum number in each

group 25

Pre-booking requiredfor guided tours

There is disabled access

Contact:William Meredith

0151 606 2929williammeredith@wirral.gov.uk

WIRRAL ARCHIVES‘DOME ON YOUR DOORSTEP’

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Marine Parade, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 2JU

Description: Fort Perch Rock was named after the nearby Sea Perch and Rock Channel. The barracks could accommodate over a hundred men and offi cers. Its defence included 18 guns to protect Liverpool and the Rock Channel from invasion. It is now Grade 2* listed.

Admission Details:Fort Perch Rock will be open Thursday 12th September and

Friday 13th September 11 am to 4 pm

Free admission - please note none of the museums will be open

Staff will be on hand to give a briefhistory on the building

No booking required

Refreshments available at café

There is limited disabled access

Contact:Doug Darroch0797 628 2120

North Parade, Hoylake, Wirral, CH47 2AL

Description: Tour round this imposing former Lifeboat House. Its primary exhibit is the 113 year old Chapman. The oldest Liverpool-type Lifeboat in existence, and the last lifeboat to serve at Hilbre Station. Also on display are postcards, nautical ephemera and much more.

“Chapman” was restored between November 2011 and July 2012, following a grant of £1000 from History Ships (a part of the National Maritime Museum). The leader of the restoration Team, Jon Britton (one of our Trustees) was awarded “Highly Commended” in the 2012 Marsh Volunteers Awards, run by National Maritime Museum.

Admission Details:Sunday 8th September

12 Noon to 4pm

Contact:Beverley Aspinall

0151 632 5529

FORT PERCH ROCK HOYLAKE LIFEBOAT MUSEUM

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LADY LEVER ART GALLERY

Port Sunlight Village, Bebington, Wirral, CH62 5EQ

Description: The Lady Lever Gallery is one of the most opulent galleries in the country. It houses a notable collection of fi ne and decorative arts, including British 18th and 19th century paintings and furniture, Wedgwood and Chinese porcelain displays.

Admission Details:The Gallery is open every day

10 am - 5 pm FREE ADMISSION

Saturday 7th September 1 pm to 4 pmStained Glass demonstration by

Collette Gavin, inspired by the exhibition: The Drawings of Edward Burne Jones

Wednesday 11th September at 2 pmTour of the Edward Burne Jones Exhibitionled by Sandra Penketh, Director of Art

Galleries

Saturday 14th September and Sunday 15th September at 11 am and 2 pm Introduction Tour of gallery

No booking required, tours last approximately 45 minutes.

Refreshments are available in the Lady Lever café

Contact:Lady Lever Art Gallery

0151 478 4136

Leasowe Common, North Wirral Coastal Park, Moreton, Wirral, CH46 4TA

Description: The lighthouse was erected in 1763 to guide ships to safe anchorage at Hoyle Lake. It is the oldest brick-built lighthouse in the country and was the fi rst building to have cavity walls. There is a spiral iron staircase with 130 steps and the building rises to 101 feet. It ceased to function as a lighthouse in 1908.

website: www.leasowelighthouse.co.ukemail: info@leasowelighthouse.co.uk

Admission Details:Sunday 15th September 12 noon to 5

pm for guided tours.

Admission is free but donations are welcome. Leasowe lighthouse

participates in the Passport Scheme.No Pre-booking required for open day

visits. Regular guided tours to the top.

Refreshments are available from café on the ground fl oor

Contact:Rosemary Quinn0151 353 0861

LEASOWE LIGHTHOUSE

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23 King George’s Drive, Port Sunlight,Wirral,CH62 5DX

Description: Port Sunlight Village is a 19th century garden village created by the ‘Soap King’ William Hesketh Lever for his Sunlight soap factory workers. Visit the recently refurbished Port Sunlight Museum which tells the fascinating story of the foundation and development of the village, its social history and its industrial past.

Find out more about Lady Lever, the wife of the village founder in a new special exhibition ‘The Lady behind the Lord’ which runs until March 2014.

Admission Details:Free entry to the museum Saturday 14th

September 10 am to 5 pm

No booking required

Port Sunlight Museum has its own Tea Room serving hot and cold drinks, hand-baked cakes and

light lunches

Contact:Port Sunlight Museum

0151 644 6466

Telegraph Station, Hilbre Island. Walkers must set off on their own from Dee Lane, West Kirby, CH480QG and will be met on the island at the Telegraph Station.

Description: The Friends of Hilbre will open the old Telegraph Station, which contains photographs and Information boards about the history and natural history of the Island.

This Telegraph Station was one of a series of 11 Stations which used poles with semaphore arms to relay shipping information from Holyhead to Liverpool during the years 1827 to 1861.

Admission Details:Saturday 14th September

10 am to 3 pm

Please contact Thurstaston Visitor Centre on 0151 648 4371

for safe crossing times and route information

This is NOT a guided walkNo booking required

No refreshments available not even drinking water

Access to the Telegraph Station and Hilbre Island

would be diffi cult for those with disabilitiesContact:

Allen Burton0151 648 7115

PORT SUNLIGHT MUSEUM HILBRE’S TELEGRAPH STATION