Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Pubs Past & Present 706 Plough Inn 25and 27 Breck Road Wallasey

Hi- my sister, now living in Nottinghamshire - I now live in Canada - told me about this website and that information on Darley Dene was there. However, I did not expect to find information also about our childhood home - 27 to 29 Breck Road. That house had been in our family since the early 1950s and I spent many wonderful childhood days exploring the region, playing in Darley Dene, exploring the underground tunnels there, being chased by the Civil Defence. Also walked the public path to Bidston Hill many many times. Played in the Bluebell Woods, loved the Breck and spent many happy days in the area of Spraggs Farm on our homemade rafts.

I have not lived in England now since the early 1970s but my brother was there right up until he died three years ago. It was then sold to a contractor. I was absolutely amazed to see the pictures of the renovations and brings many many memories. Yes, this house was the Plough Inn, there is a cellar. The barrels of ale used to b e rolled down to the cellar where the small front garden is now and there was access to the cellar under the stairs in the front room of 25 and 27. Also read that the place may have been haunted and was exorised in the 1950s. I agree it may have been haunted. My bedroom was the top left hand room and I sometimes felt a prescence there. However, the reference to excorcisms in the 1950s may not be accurate. It it happened it was likely earlier than than.

What a wonderful site this is. I now live in Canada and have lived here many many years, but have great memories of my childhood.

Great site.

No, the roof was blown off when Darley Dene was hit but it was that shape before. the original cottage is 25 and was built about 1812. The front on Breck Road is Victorian and was built when the pub was extended some time probably late 19th century hence the funny roof . The room I mentioned where the cellar entrance(window to right of front door on the pic of 25) was the window of the original beerhouse bar (that's why it had the cellar entrance) but later the bars were moved to the front. I believe the landlord who hanged himself did so in the old bar. All this information was collated by my family in 1940 when they moved in and came from conversations with old men who had been regulars
as far back as the 19th century. On Derek's great pics you can still see the iron studs that held the nameboard up. Darley Dene was over the bridge heading for Wallasey Village and was on the left just over the bridge. Not sure what is there now. I remeber the ruins being used by the civil defence in 1958. Also a bit further was Spragg's farm right on the road. That brewed beer for the Plough and a few other locals. There was a pond in the field behind Spraggs and I remember going there looking for frogs. Like others it was 'bottomless'.

Great to read Celtichris's post too, I can though confirm that the exorcisms did take place in the 1950's on 25 although the occupants of 27 were propbably not aware as people did not talk about such things even with neighbours who were good friends. A priest from St Alban's attended on I believe three occasions. Interesting to hear Chris felt a presence in his room because 25 originaly had three bedrooms but the largest was returned to 27. When this room was in 25 my mother and auntie separately experienced something there. I wonder if it is the same room?

Thanks for some really interesting history on our house. The back portion of 27 and 29 must have been part of the original cottage dwelling because the walls were 3 feet thick. We were also told that in the years before we moved in and after the house ceased being a pub, that it was a store of some description. Not sure if that was true but when my dad bought the two dwellings back in the 1950s, it needed a lot of fixing up. And, yes, a couple of the surplus bedrooms not used by the family in the cottage, were transferred to our use, but, one room in particular was never used because of a very strong presence felt by nearly every person who lived there. It was never used as a bedroom because nobody really wanted to stay there for too long and became just a store room. That would have been part of the original cottage. Interesting about the exorcism - I'll ask my sister if she knew anything.

Fascinating stuff.

This is brilliant guys thanks for sharing

Welcome to Wikiwirral celticChris, stick around, there's lots more to see

So darley dene had tunnels?
Were they anything like the bidston tunnels?

This is great! My Mum some sold icecream and lemonade from a room at the front of 27. It was the one nearest 25. Before Chris's family had 27 my great Uncle Bill was there and that's how my Mum had the store. Chris ask Gail to email me. Gave her my address on a message but she probably didn't get it. Bit confused about number 29. Were was that? I only knew 25 and 27 or was 27 really 27/29 how fascinating.

I think it'smy mistake
the houses are in 3 parts
left side not sure of the number
number 25 front door
numer 27 front door

25 is the cottage on the side
pub must of been one building no 27
Now its converted into two houses no 27 29,

I know that the contractor also converted 25 into two flatlets before he got possession of 27. I don't know how he numbered them?

When we bought the place, the address was 27 and 29 Breck Road, but we only used 27 as our actual mailing address. There were two front doors - the picture of the pub shows this. However, my Dad boarded up, from the inside, the door to the left of the front door (29 Breck Road). Perhaps when it was a pub 29 was the entrance for the residents of the pub, and 27 the entrance for the pub visitors. When I get over there for a visit I would love to see inside to check on how the renovations look - the house certainly needed an overhaul. Glad that it was preserved rather than knocked down - it has a lot of memories.

On the subject of hauntings: when my family returned to Wallasey after the war we bought a house in Brynmoss Avenue. The four landmines which destroyed Darley Dene also damaged several of the houses in Brynmoss, causing damage to the roofs. I remember seeing the houses whilst they being repaired; ours had a large area of the roof being replaced.
On several occasions when we lived there I was woken in the night by a number of large vibrations, separate and very violent, shaking the entire house. I found my Mother and told her, being quite frightened. She always said she hadn't heard them and put me back to bed.
However my Aunt came to stay with us for a short time and these vibrations occured while she was there. She and I met on the landing having been woken by the vibrations. So I was not the only one who heard, and felt, them.
I often wonder whether the house "remembered" the shocks of the land mines which would have given it a severe shaking.

When I was young my Dad, when home from the forces, used to take us to buy the Sunday paper and sweets at a shop called "Bryns" near to the Plough referred to elsewhere. It was on the corner of a narrow lane and the door was set into the corner of the house. If one looks today one can see where the door was.

Are you related to John Simpson? I'm trying to find out more about Darley Dene, not far from the old plough inn. I used to drink with John and Roy Bake in the pool inn.

Hi TigerTiger
Im looking for relatives. I'm Pat Lehmann's (nee Downie, twin of Peggy) daughter, Ros. Can u get in touch if poss? Your reports on Breck Rd are familiar to me and it's so great to see some of the history in print.
I lived in Peckforton, Cheshire (now Canada) and my dad's name was Paul
Hope to hear from u!
Kindest regards
Ros

So glad we found each other again Ros xxxxxxx