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Not much mate. I'm rattling my brains trying to remember if there was a date on that stone. If I can find out anything about it I'll let you know tomorrow.

About some of the other things you said:- I think the Custs may have gone to that church rather than Wallasey because it's actually nearer (to Leasowe Castle). There used to be some kind of family vault or memorial in the base of the church tower. There's still a side room with a small glass case set in the wall that has a wreath of white flowers preserved in it, sent by Queen Victoria to mark the deaths of one of the Cust family. I kid you not, it's something like a hundred and thirty years old! Try and ask to see it next time you're in there.

kicking myself that we didnt ask for 'backstage access'
Thankyou for your additional info tho- fascinating history, right here on our door steps!

That’s a helluva memory you’ve got, geekus. Remembering the surname helped me track down the MI. The inscription in full is:

“Sacred to the memory of Martha, wife of William Clark, youngest daughter of John and Catherine Owen of Moreton, who died 8th September 1846 aged 21 years.

Nineteen years a maid, two years a wife, nine days a mother, and then departed life.”

Sounds like childbirth complications. If anyone’s interested I can do a bit more digging into her background as I have a lot of info on Bidston and Moreton.

Right again on the wreath. It was sent by Queen Victoria to the funeral of Percy Cust who died in 1884, aged 14. From memory, he was one of the Queen’s Pages.

Great Stuff you two some good info worth a revisit me thinks

Great stuff. Thanks

some interesting stuff there,geekus and nightwalker.

Yep…count me in next time. A couple more bits of info on the questions raised by your visit.

Martha Clark’s child was named Catherine and she was christened on 11th September 1846 – the same day as her mother was buried. What a day of mixed emotions that must have been for the families.

Bidston was the Cust family’s local church. Noel Smith in his book ‘Almost An Island’ writes: “Lady Cust used to attend Bidston church making the journey to Bidston along Reeds Lane. She would ride in a yellow curricle with outriders in attendance. The servants would also go with her”. Now that’s style!! He also writes that “At the church she acted as a sort of banker, with whom the village folk could deposit their savings. At the rear of the church there was a small folding desk behind which she would sit”. I wonder if the desk is still there.

Lady Cust is buried in Bidston churchyard. Her epitaph reads “Mary Ann Cust, wife of Gen. the Hon Sir Edward Cust, bart., born 23rd September 1799 died 19th July 1882”

thanks for that info, it would be good to go back and ask about the desk!

The desk is still there - just ask and we'll show you - we just have to make sure the door is held shut first - the desk opens into the space where the door opens!

oh thanks for letting us know!!

Yer. Great stuff.
Are the flowers still there?

Yes to that too

Apparently, Lady Cust was also responsible for closing down the village pub. She didn't like going to Church on a Sunday morning and seeing the local drunks all sleeping off their hangovers in St.Oswald's churchyard!

lol typical woman haha

oh geekus you'll have to come with us when we go back!!

Thank you, rocks. I'll certainly look out for that.

And in answer to the question by Rudebox about the flowers, yes, I saw them there only a year or two ago.