1 Dedication This book is dedicated to all my friends and family who have supported me through my life and help me achieve the goals that I have reached. I also dedicate it to my loved ones who are gone but not forgotten. Joyce Dennett Norman Spearing Derek Franks Mabel Buckley Acknowledgements I would like to thank my family who have supported me through tough times and good times especially my Mum and my best friend Uncle John. I would also like to thank those that have educated me and allowed me to become the person that I am today. And last but not least I would like to thank Gavin Chappell whose previous work on Pirates in the area has helped me considerably as well as the help he has also given me. 2 Contents About the Author – A brief biography about the Author and historical interests. Introduction to Wallasey – A general introduction to Wallasey that gives an overview of the area. The Red & Yellow Noses – Geographical rocks that have been a long standing feature of Wallasey. The New Brighton Tower & Fairground – A chapter dedicated to the once highest tower in Britain and the fairground that was a main feature of New Brighton from the Victorian era through to the fire in 1969. New Brighton Promenade – A brief overview of the longest promenade in Britain. New Brighton Fort Perch Rock – An overview of the fort that was built as a defence to Liverpool. New Brighton Lighthouse – A brief overview of the light of the River Mersey that guided ships into the bay and help avoid the rocks on the beaches. The Liscard Battery of New Brighton – A brief overview of a munitions factory and storage moved from Liverpool to a more suitable area in New Brighton. Liscard Castle – A brief overview of what was actually not a castle but was one of Wallasey’s Mansions suitably named Liscard Castle due to its features. New Brighton Pier – A brief overview of the New Brighton ferry terminal that also offered entertainment to the public, from 1867 until its destruction in the late 1970s. 3 New Brighton Life Boat – A chapter dedicated to the awards given to the brave men who patrolled the River Mersey. New Brighton Floral Pavilion – A brief overview of the main theatre on the New Brighton front that is still present today. The Tivoli Theatre – A brief overview of one of the theatre’s situated on the New Brighton front in its heyday. New Brighton Palace – A Brief overview of an iconic building of the New Brighton waterfront that has been a centre point of New Brighton and still is in this present day. New Brighton Vale Park – A brief overview of one of the areas of beauty featured in Wallasey that has been present since 1890s. Nelsons Gutter – A brief overview of an area that is often forgotten due to its destruction during the Second World War. Old Wallasey Mill – A brief overview of an industrial part of Wallasey’s history. The Wallasey Mill is one of the forgotten places that was a main feature in Wallasey. Wallasey Old Dwellings – A brief overview of old housing in Wallasey which were some of the earliest homes to be built. The Seven Schools of Wallasey – A brief overview of the iconic places of education in Wallasey, one of the places who embraced education at an early age, compared to other areas. The Breck – A brief overview of the old quarry of Wallasey whose stone can be found in many buildings connected to Sir John Tobin. Wallasey Village Brow – A brief overview of one of the highest points in Wallasey, that offers a view of the Welsh mountains on a clear day. 4 St Hilary’s Church – A brief overview of a church that has been present since the Tudor era, that has survived from fire and the Tudor tower is still present this day St Peter & St Pauls Church – A brief overview of the dome from home as named by sailors returning home from the seas, due to its striking feature that sticks out on the landscape of Wallasey. Wallasey & Major Sea Disaster Connections including Rake Lane Cemetery – A chapter talking about Rake Lane and its memorials and gravestones connected to major sea disasters such as the Titanic & Lusitania. Wallasey Hero of the Battle of Britain – A brief overview of Flight Sergeant Ray Holmes who was well known for saving Buckingham Palace during the Second World War, who has been acknowledged by the Royal family for his bravery. Wallasey & The World War II Blitz – A brief overview of Wallasey during the Blitz of the Second World War. Margaret Boode – A brief overview of a lady who was thrown from her horse and killed, remembered by a memorial placed on Breck Road in her honour. Eric Idle – A brief historical fact of one of the famous Monty Python’s who attended school in Wallasey as a child. A fact that not many people know. Pirates & Smugglers in Wallasey – A chapter dedicated to one of Wallasey’s turbulent pasts of Pirating and Smuggling much of which is yet to be discovered but local author Gavin Chappell gives us a brief overview of what occurred. Mother Redcaps – A chapter dedicated to the centre point of Wallasey’s Pirate and Smuggling Past. Mother Redcap was an infamous lady in the history of Wallasey which many are not 5 aware of the underground tunnel networks that are connected to the inn which some say still hold the treasures that were hidden during the smuggling days. Fortunatus Wright – A chapter dedicated to one of the Pirates of the Caribbean who was born and raised in Wallasey. One of the most famous privateers whose story is yet to be told. Cheshire Cheese Wallasey Village – A brief overview of one of the oldest pubs in Wallasey which is said to have been visited regularly by William of Orange. Magazines Pub - A brief overview of a pub situated near the New Brighton waterfront that is said to be linked with Witches. Black Horse Inn – A brief overview of a pub in Wallasey Village that is linked to the horse racing days of Wallasey. The Boot Inn – A brief overview of a pub that has been present in Wallasey since Elizabethan times, and is said to have got its name from gold that was found near the area in a boot. Wallasey Town Hall – A brief overview of the Wallasey council building that has been an iconic mark on the waterfront of New Brighton. Grosvenor Ballrooms – A brief overview of a dance hall that was once visited by the Beatles and is still used in the present day. Liscard Hall – A brief overview of one of Wallasey’s mansion houses that is sadly no longer present and was built by one of Wallasey’s iconic people Sir John Tobin. Seacombe Pottery – A brief overview of another of Wallasey’s industrial buildings, which supplied pottery across the world. 6 Penny Bridge – A brief overview of one of the connections to Wallasey from Wirral, which is still present to this day in a static form. East Float Flour Mills & Docks – A brief overview of the Wallasey docklands and its industrial building that has now been converted into living apartments. Seacombe Ferry – A brief overview of one of the connection points to the famous “Ferry across the Mersey” which is still one of the main visiting points by tourists in Merseyside. Egremont Ferry – A brief overview of one of the other landing points connected to Liverpool which is no longer exists. Seacombe Railway Station – A brief overview of the railway point of Seacombe that was removed to make way for the connection to the Kingsway Mersey Tunnel. Royal Iris & Royal Daffodil – A brief overview of two of the most famous ferries in the world, which were given Royal names. Wallasey Golf Club, Home of Stableford – A brief overview of one of the oldest golf courses in Britain that was home to the creation of the Stableford game. Ashville Football Club – A brief overview of one of Wallasey’s community clubs that has been serving the local community for over 60 years allowing children of all ages and seniors to participate in the game of Football. New Brighton Football Club – A brief overview of one of the old first division clubs that was connected to the New Brighton Tower and has also sadly become no more. Horse Racing in Wallasey – A brief overview of the birthplace of “The Derby” one of the most famous horse races in the world. 7 Guinea Gap Baths – A brief overview of one of the swimming arena’s of Wallasey which is the only one that is still existent. New Brighton Bathing Pool – A brief overview of the most iconic bathing facilities in Wallasey that was used for many years by visitors from all over the North West. The Derby Pool Swimming Baths – A brief overview of another of Wallasey’s bathing areas that was also an iconic place for visitors. Wallasey Road Names & Their Meanings – A brief overview of Wallasey road names and how they are connected to iconic people who helped make Wallasey as we know it today. New Brighton How it Looks Today – A brief overview on how New Brighton looks today after the regeneration project that will hopefully turn New Brighton back to a major tourist attraction. 8 About the Author Wallasey Historian and Author that completed BA Honours Degree in Modern History at Liverpool John Moores University under the guidance of fellow author Prof Frank McDonough, Dr Mike Benbough-Jackson and a host of others.