Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Stones in Field near Bidston Village

Errain, again the reason for Cheshire's barrows being far more numerous than Wirral (in my opinion) is the lack of research in the area, combined with the fact that Wirral is roughly 70sq miles, whilst Cheshire is approx 900sq miles in total. Less than 10% of the size. I personally know of a another three 'possible' BA barrows in Wirral I have identified from LIDAR and Aerial photography, which is the same criteria used to judge the Cheshire barrows (as opposed to confirmed excavation) and as earlier mentioned, place and field names offer more possibilities.

I see the point you are making however, but think other factors such as coastal inundation, ploughing etc will have removed a lot as opposed to Wirral being a 'wild' area. However, prehistory is not my specialism, so I'm just offering an opinion.

Hi Deano, Like you I'm in the arena of sppeculation, has always puzzled me that there is such a lack, upon the Wirral, of Neolithic and Bronze Age structures. I had not previouisly heard of confirmed barrows at either of the two spots mentioned, so look forward to seeing details of those. Another point I ponder on relates to location and environment of such barrows, would not coastal margins of the area at the time, ironically where a significant number of individual finds have ben discovered, have proved a touch unsuitable for siting, what must have been places of special reverence? I'm imaging such areas of the Wirral either being subject to denudation and areas of either tidal flats and or salt marsh; hardly an ideal envirionment to locate such important structures. What do you think? If so would it not follow that a people may position burials further inland, on higher ground?

im of the opinion that much of the northern prehistoric sites would have been out beyond hoylake,

when i was young my dad and i found a few seperate structures/post holes (some with remains of posts) way out amongst the submerged forest

we surveyed and photographed the area but ill be damnded if i can find a copy of it we did send a copy to the liverpool museum for there records but its highly doubtfull they still have it !

are there any oppurtunities for volunteers on excavations in merseyside ?

i have experience albeit from a good while ago. In my youth worked at the Chester "Princess st" and "Hunter street" sites under Mr T Strickland, i also surveyed and monitored the kiln site at Souters lane in Chester for the museum and i also worked at Wroxeter under Dr K.Pretty in the mid 80's for 3 summers

Hi, With your experience hopefully some opportunity could emerge, would be wonderful if you and/or others can shed light into this overlooked aspect of Wirral's past. Even better if a clearer understanding could be agreed on the origins of these stone rows

Jabber, you should consider joining Chester Archaeological Society. They plan a number of Cheshire based excavations as well as field work. They also run some excellent lectures at the Grosvenor Museum. You can also contact Dan Garner who has been running the Heather & Hillforts excavations that are always happy to take volunteers experienced or otherwise.

thanks deano , ill look into contacting them

I'm a council member of CAS, so feel free to ask if you have any queries.

excellent, can u send me the address to apply to etc pls

alternatively i could pm you my name and address


im wondering if you knew my dad, he worked for chester museum about 15 years back ( maybe longer)

Well I'm only 28, so wouldn't have known him personally, but no doubt some of the older chaps in the society will. I will PM you my email address.

thank you

Found the link to the history of the coastline, it is an amazing read although very long.

CLICKY PDF version

CLICKY - Text version

thx dd

gonna take that away with me and give it a read this weekend

Here's the form....apologies if this is classed as advertising!!

http://www.chesterarchaeolsoc.org.uk/CAS_MembershipForm_10-12-10.pdf

thanks deano, will get onto this once i get back from fishing