| TALES
FROM THE NORTH END
"International
singer Charlie Landsborough and Brookie actress Suzanne Collins
share their memories of living in "The North End."
BBC Community Producer for Wirral - Estelle Condliff
On Wednesday the 23rd of October 1844, the foundation stone was
laid for the Birkenhead docks system. The occasion heralded a future
for the area we now know as the North End of Birkenhead. It was
such an important day for the town that a general holiday was declared.
Three
years later, the area's most famous landmark, St James' Church was
built, closely followed by a school of the same name, which for
over a century would educate local children.
The North End of Birkenhead has given us famous names like Wirral
Railway FC's star player Dixie Dean, golfing brothers Bill and Norman
Sutton, the boxer Wally Thom and of course our own "Professional"
Lewis Collins.
What
about the shops and the people who owned them? Halliwells the Butcher
in Laird Street, Mrs. Chamberlain 's chippy in Stanley Road, later
to become Packer Francis's, and the smell of fresh bread from Wilkinson's
Bakery.
Do
you remember the world famous Tapestry Works which was founded by
the Lee family in the late 19th century. Mr. Lee's Magic Lantern
Show was every Thursday at half past five. It had children from
the local area clamouring to get in, many would be disappointed.
Perhaps
you witnessed one of the many Saturday night altercations in The
Blood Tub, the local hostelry - where bare fisted men, stripped
to their waist fought it out and when their last punch was thrown
and their energies spent, shook hands and headed for the bar.
The project explained
Rob
McIntosh is Wirral Young Citizen of the Year
PICTURE
GALLERY
We've
been inundated with photographs from years gone by. You can see
what life was like in the past including school days, coronation
parties, social life, landmarks and so on. If you have any 'photos
you'd like to see up on the website, you can take your them to the
Gautby Road Play & Community Centre. Don't worry if they're
in a bit of a state, Andy and Wendy will restore them back to their
original condition. We'll glady add them to our photo gallery.
To
see the gallery click
here
CD
COMPILATION
We've compiled an oral history with the help of the people who lived
and worked there. There are stories from the war, the wash house,
school days and favourite teachers. Also, memories of the boating
lake, coronation parties, days spent caddying at the West Cheshire
Golf Club, day trips to Bidston Hill and the Rhododendron Gardens,
or the Rods as they were known, there's much more including interviews
with international singer/songwriter Charlie Landsborough and former
Brookside actress Suzanne Collins.
 |
| Andria
Crabtree - contributor to "Tales from the North End"
a radio series which will be available in the Autumn. |
A CD
compilation, produced by Estelle Condliff - BBC Community Producer
for Wirral - is available from Wirral Libraries. There are 4 CD's
(£6.99 + £1.50 p&p), or a single MP3 version (£3.99
+ 75p p&p).
A donation of £1 will be is made to local North End charities
from every set sold.
For more information contact the Reference Library in Borough Road,
Birkenhead, personal callers welcome. Ring 00 44 (151) 652 6107.
Email birkenhead.ref@wirrallibrary.net
This CD is not available from Radio Merseyside's reception.
http://www.wirral-libraries.net/northend/northend.html
Website:
www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory
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