Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History BIRDS HOUSE

Apologies for the (very) long silence from me, I had every intention of posting regular updates on progress with the building work but somehow the work itself just took over. It’s all nearly finished and as was always going to be the case I now have to sell the house – I took it on because I wanted to rescue an amazing piece of architectural history and have loved living in it while doing the work but it was never intended as a long term home for me. It will be ready to put on the market sometime in July but I really want to find someone local who shares my passion for old buildings and can take on being its custodian for many years to come, so if there is anyone who is seriously interested or knows someone who might be I’m happy to show you around in its not yet finished state. I will also be having a couple of open days before it is advertised for anyone who wants to see the results of 5 years’ hard labour! A brief summary of what I have done:

Outside

All stonework repaired and repointed
All windows repaired, reconditioned or replaced; top floor and rear elevation fully double glazed
Pvc guttering and downpipes replaced with cast aluminium

Inside

Every room replastered, repainted, floors sanded and oiled, doors stripped and oiled
New winder stair (as it was originally) replacing bottom straight flight
New plumbing and wiring throughout
Kitchen and bathroom completely remodelled
New ‘A’ rated gas boiler heating whole house plus a big woodburning stove in main living room

I have some before and after photos on a separate website: https://sites.google.com/site/rogerkellyarchitect/the-old-house
...more to come

Hello Roger, That is really nice of you to post this information. Many of the previous members who you remember don't seem to use Wiki very much now, so maybe they have not seen your post.

You may remember myself as I did visit on one occasion ?

From the images you are showing it is looking lovely now. Much hard work and dedication. Let's hope you find someone who will love it as much as it has been for the last 300/400 yrs . I am still not really convinced with the date stone as 1697, but that is something else. All the information etc. just doesn't convince me as to why the barn would be so much older than the house . Maybe I'm forgetting some finer detail.

Good luck with the sale and respect to you for protecting and keeping this lovely home for yet another generation.

PM sent to you.

Great pics Roger- thanks for Update and pictures.

The Wiki Working Party enjoyed assisting you, (during the early days of your Project).. Some fond memories were made- not so many fond memories about that green lime-wash stuff though!!

The house looks fabulous. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to explore the place so thanks again.

Looking great Roger

youve done a great job Roger and yes Rude we have some fond memories like the time we ripped the wall paper off the bedroom that was meant to stay on.... ooops

Thanks for all your posts - it's good to hear from you again! I will definitely let you know when I plan to have the open days - it will probably be late July/early August at a guess - and I would really like as many genuinely interested people as possible to see it before I part with it...

I used to pass the house on my way to work and I was so pleased when it came into the hands of someone who obviously cared for and respected the building very much, and was prepared to go to a lot of trouble to renovate it. I hope whoever looks after it next is as sensitive to how important it is to the history of Wallasey as you have been, and treasures it.

its a great opportunity to get some "after" pics to go with our "before" pics

any date for the open days yet Roger?

It was listed on the Heritage Day list. All places fully booked , Rocks.

aww noooo i thought it would be posted on here

I'm disappointed as well, I've got the free "Heritage List Days" book from the library, it's not in that, I particularly looked for it, ah well, can't win them all.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/the-old-house-birds-house

I assume this had been arranged through English Heritage Open Days, rather than Wirral Heritage Open Days.

It's here as well, so not sure what's happened. Send a message and see if anyone cancelled.

https://sites.google.com/site/wirralhha/wirral-heritage-open-days-events---group-3/the-old-house