One of the many bits of trivia I have collected over the years is a book (maybe 300 pages) titled
"Outline Plan for the County Borough of Birkenhead"
My copy has hardly been touched over the years and a 38 x 30 " map in a rear flap pocket has probably never been opened.
The page size is an odd 9.5 x 12 inches so I had to dig out the A3 scanner to copy some of themto insert below
[That is if I can work out HOW to insert an image - I am very new to this site]
I have only attached two images for the moment in case I have done it wrong or the file size is too large etc. If I have then I am sure someone will tell me.
OK, let us see how we get on with those and whether there is any interest in more as scans of text or photos.
Because the book is a PLAN it contains a fair number of maps and photos of the "as it was/ as it is" state - and then even more of the artists impression type ie what some folk thought Birkenhead could look like with various redevelopment schemes.
Snod.
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
OK Folks here goes with 3 more scans from the book - all showing the "as is" scene around 1947
Snodvan
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
Right that has sorted one thing - the file sizes were too big to show the pictures diectly. It would be helpful to have a file size guideline please.
Anyway - I guess links take up less bandwidth on the server
Snod
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
Three more files. Most seem to be of the dock/ waterfront area
Snodvan
Ariel view of the Four Bridges route across to Wallasey
Woodside railway station viewed from the river
Areiel view of Woodside and the Grayson, Rollo & Clover Docks
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
The really interesting question is whether this book is generally available through local archives? I really have NO idea when/ where I acquired it. I THINK it was when I was given a whole load of books (mostly novels) by a widow after her husband died. That would have been in the early/ mid 1960s. I have no idea what her husband's job had been but MAYBE it was something to do with the council. Whatever, the book is in near pristine condition and the maps and Borough history it contains are no doubt fascinating to the Birkenhead oriented members.
Because of the unusual page size and a need to set up an A3 scanner it will take a bit of time to do some more work for future posts.
Some of the fold out pages are even too big for the A3 scanner
Snodvan
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
Well, the following set of scans will provide him with some homework to update the list. They are scans of pages from the 1947 document in which they list the history of Birkenhead. Reference is made to "the maps". Those maps (some geological, other showing fields then roads then industry run from 1824 through to 1945. Scanning those will be a separate job - and we will have to see what the scan quality is like
For the moment - read on
Snodvan
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
I have just sent Mark a PM with a couple of images of the maps, asking for his advice ie are the images good enough to post. The issue is that the original images are only about 6x5 inches and even with a magnifier the detail is "miserable". Scanning gives a bigger picture but still no more detail.
Snodvan
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness