Forums Forums Active Threads

Most history topics have topped out, there is very little history that hasn't been covered before.

Thousands of UK forums have died out for various reasons and the upcoming legislation* will be a major threat to the remaining ones. Social media has taken over but its all here-and-now, I can't get back to some replies I made yesterday on FB. You can't beat a forum for archiving community led information and it is very sad they are being lost. Even search engines are dumping more and more old information so if its on the internet you have no way of finding it if its years old.

*Online Safety Act 2023

Thanks for the link bert1!

If the site and forums were more active I’d happily get a subscription but I have a sad feeling the glory days of the site are long gone. Have seen little to no action on most of the forums in the last week which is really sad because it could be a great little community like it once was!

I’m guessing FB killed the site?

Reason,

https://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums...ve-permission-to-view-images#Post1041215

Thanks for the reply!

Sadly when I click the link it says “You do not have access to this attachment.”

If you haven't already done so, search Wirral History index of photos and History index.

It looks as if there's a big NATO exercise coming up :

https://defensescoop.com/2025/03/24/nato-ramstein-flag-2025-exercise-plans/#:~:text=When%20it%20unfolds%20between%20March%2031%20and,Royal%20Air%20Force%20Netherlands%27%20Leeuwarden%20Air%20Base.

Military personnel from more than 15 nations in the NATO alliance are getting set to conduct a series of complex training missions that mirror realistic, contemporary combat scenarios and confront emerging adversarial threats, according to two senior officials overseeing the massive, upcoming Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise.

When it unfolds between March 31 and April 11, the event will span 12 allied operational air bases and incorporate more than 90 fighter jets and support aircraft from across NATO’s arsenal.

Hello!

Does anyone remember Bidston docks and the 3 giant iron ore cranes? Was gutted to just find out it’s all gone, even the school I used to go to has gone!

I remember in the early 80s, I was at Mosslands both upper and lower but I remember when I was in the lower school, I’d spend hours just looking out the window watching the cranes empty the ships! I’d go home one night only to return the following day to a new ship!

Genuinely gutted to see that even the dock is no longer there, it’s all been filled in, all you can see is the quay and the old rails of both the cranes and the trains that used to collect to ore to take away!

Even the school has gone!!!

There is a lot activity around RAF Shawbury today and two helicopters went there passing Wirral from Anglesey at about 10am however I don't think that is related. Trails may be occurring at a number of flight levels today making it look like there are more flights than normal. Quite a lot of civilian flights appear to be using the Wallasey beacon and flying straight over us, routes are governed partly by wind directions.

Just witnessed a mass of jets flying overhead. Coming from the direction of the Irish Sea... maybe SHannon Airport where US use it for military purposes.

There were about 15-20 tracer trails overhead, and when I moved to the front of the house, there were at least another 10. All coming across from the same point and then fanning out towards Europe and Northern Europe.

Did anyone else witness this. About 30-45 minutes ago. So high up I couldn;t even hear them.

Haha... I'll ask him !

All is well granny, very glad to hear the gentleman from the colonies is all good, if he's grumbling he's missing his visits to the Ayrshire acupuncturist. He always said she the finest of pins.

Thank you Bert. We can always rely upon you.. Hope you are ok. The other chap is still fine, grumbling and squeaking. (joking). He's all good, we have chats every couple of months over the long distance blowers .

1851 living Bidston Hill,

Death,

Name Richard Leay
Death Age 77
Birth Date abt 1780
Death Date abt 1857
Burial Date 12 Nov 1857
Burial Place Bidston, St. Oswald, England

Granny,

The person you look for, 1841 census, address Bidston cum Ford.

Richard Leay, 60, Stone Mason.
Ann, 60
Margaret, daughter,
John, son, Stone Mason

... and I couldn't find a Richard Lea 'daddy' .

According to Wirral.Gov.. Tam O'Shanter's

https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/Data/Virtual%20Committee%20(Wirral%20Intranet%20Information%20Items)/20071101/Agenda/Tam%20O%27Shanter%20Farm%20Management%20Plan%2022%2011%2006_25471.pdf

In ‘Auld Lang Syne’, by Harry B Neilson, printed in 1935, mention is made that
the date 1837 can be seen on a stone garden wall of the cottage. It is stated
that Richard Lea cut the date on the wall and carved the Tam O’Shanter stone
and also the weather vane with its animal heads, lion, dog etc. It is said he
made them in his spare time to decorate his cottage.
Part of the cottage, seen in the foreground of the photo below, is roofed with
thick, stone flags, which in past times was a common method of covering
buildings in Bidston, where stone was plentiful.
The list of farms which were on the Bidston Hill heath land in the year 1840
includes the Tam O’Shanter farm, and tells us that the size of the farm was 6 acres.


So, out of interest I looked for Richard Lea on Family Search..

Looked for 1841 census.

Richard Lea,(aged 10yrs) Residence Old Chester Road, Event place Bidston , Cheshire.

Continuing down the list, there are 16 more names at Residence Old Chester Road, Event place Bidston.

Could I be right in thinking that they were all farm workers who came from the 'workhouse' ? BUT, I can't find him in the 1851 census.

I really don;t nw what I;m trying to say, but looks as if there is little proof that he actually lived there.

Looks like the Queens Royal has been saved from demolition and is in advanced stages of refurbishment. From what I can tell, it appears to have been taken over by an established restaurant/hotel chain.

Timeless Elegance and Comfort:

AnItalian bedroom Italian bedroom is the perfect blend of sophistication, luxury, and comfort. Known for its exquisite craftsmanship and elegant designs, it brings a touch of timeless beauty to any home. Featuring premium materials such as solid wood, genuine leather, and plush fabrics, Italian bedroom furniture offers both durability and style.

Elegant Designs with Luxurious Details
Italian bedrooms are renowned for their ornate bedframes, often crafted with intricate carvings, tufted headboards, or sleek, modern silhouettes. The use of rich color palettes—such as cream, gold, and deep brown—creates a warm and inviting ambiance. Decorative accents, including chandeliers, mirrors, and plush rugs, add to the sophisticated charm.

Superior Comfort and Functionality
Italian bedrooms prioritize comfort and functionality. With plush bedding, high-quality mattresses, and soft textiles, they create a cozy retreat. The furniture pieces, including nightstands, dressers, and wardrobes, offer practical storage while enhancing the room’s aesthetic.

Transform Your Space with Italian Elegance
An Italian bedroom is more than just a sleeping space—it’s a luxurious sanctuary. Whether you prefer a classic, ornate style or a sleek, contemporary look, investing in Italian bedroom furniture brings timeless elegance and refined comfort to your home.

Good to see this again, long gone as did Belle Vue, apparently there are still about ten tracks around the country, not sure I'd be interested any longer like I was back in the day.

A nice little history lesson,

Last couple

Continued

Images from my late uncle's slide collection. These colour photos are some of the best ive seen of the racing here and too good not to post up. Took in 1971 by my uncle from the stands.

I inherited some photos from my late uncle recently and will share some here. These were titled 'Wirral Festival of sport 1971' and show some motorcycle racing round the dips in New brighton. Scanned from slides.

Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much!

Never in a month of Sundays would it dawn on me that you could do such a thing as to look up things like that, I just always assumed once it had been and gone, that was it.

It would seem it was quite well known, have now seen a few folk writing into crash magazine saying how they had bought games and things from the shop way back when!

I would have been working in Fads in 1987/88 before moving to Max Spielmann in 89. Was only there for the one summer season but the money was great for the time, well over a £150 a week and as there was no minimum wage back then made sense to leave Fads which even though was permanent, what I’d earn from Max Speilmann as a summer temp for 8 weeks was equivalent to 8 months at Fads!

Sadly (but quite happily) my idea of banking the money and buying myself some time went straight into Microsnips till!

Once the summer of 89 was over, my time in Liscard had come to an end as I had a mate who worked in Moreton who told me about a job their so never really got much chance to visit Liscard once I was working full time in and around Moreton.

Once I’d left Liscard, I’d visit Birkenhead probably weekly and my new “local” computer shop was at the top of Charing cross in Birkenhead. I always remember every time I’d turn the corner to go down the escalator to the platform in Liverpool Central Station seeing a big lite up advertisement of the inside of the shop! God what I would do to be able to see that once again!

Thank you so much for taking the time to post the link, sadly I’d didn’t work for me. Did you notice if the link I posted worked? I’m not sure if it’s this site? I get the feeling things that should be easy to do are made to be as difficult as possible.