Birkenhead memories
Here are memories of Birkenhead and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Birkenhead or a Birkenhead photo.
Tunnel Road Memories
I lived in number 9 Tunnel Road which is still there today. It's the road running from the side of the flyover at the bottom of Chester Street to access the tunnel. Me and my brother and sisters played every day on the top (as we called it), this is where the gardens were situated right at the mouth of the tunnel. We would use white pavement chalk to draw a house on the ground and pick sods from the grass and sell them as cabbage to play shop. We would play whip and top and the lads would play kick the can (football only with an old can they had found) to amuse themselves, as they couldn't afford footballs in them days. We would play allio and we would play on the old coaches that used to get dumped on the bottom field at the bottom of Tunnel Road. The kids from Tunnel Road, Egerton Street and Getley Street would have stone (Jokker ) fights in November so we... Read more
1960's Tunnel Memories
I clearly remember these Land Rover "Tunnel Patrol" vehicles although I was only 7 in 1965. I thought that they were real Police vehicles (were they labelled "Tunnel Police" I wonder?) and I remember being puzzled by the cream colour as ordinary Police vehicles were either all white or sky-blue with white doors. My family used to visit my grandmother (who lived in Tranmere) virtually every week and my Dad used to play a game on the way home with me and my mother when it was dark. It was called "How Many Cars in the Tunnel Without Lights?". Each of us had to guess a number for how many cars would be seen in the tunnel without any lights on, and the closest to the actual total, won. You were supposed to leave your lights on (sidelights I recall) but many people turned their lights off as the interior of the tunnel was quite brightly lit. In those days the branch tunnels used to be "open" more often than... Read more
71----71a Heswall Busses
I can remember coming back across the Mersey on the ferry boat and getting a bus home. 71a right to the top of our road. 71, a walk home from Irby Village. or the Crossville Heswall bus and walking form Pensby. I was much fitter then ......
Queens And Kingsland Dance Halls
What happy memories I recall of my early dancing days, learning to jive at the Queens Kingsland and New Brighton Tower. I went a lot with my older brother Cliffy Keogh, there were live bands then and only stayed open till 11 o'lock pm. We lived in the big house on the corner of Camden St and Claughton Road opposite St Andrews Square. I had seven brothers and five sisters, but never seemed crowded because it was a really big house. I have very fond memories of my childhood and all the friends I made. In the 60's, my friends and I used to go dancing at a club over the shops in Grange Rd, the Park Ballroom now Houlihans) in Claughton Village or The Empress in New Brighton. Anyone out there remember those good old days?
PTS Nurse Training
It was about this year -1960 - I did PTS nurse training at Arrowe park - does anyone remember me? Sister Happell was on A1, the children's ward at St Cath's - she was an amazing sister - strict but brill.
Cathcart Street
Yes we lived at 40a Cathcart Street, I can still remember the AINSLEYS, also the COOKS, the BURNS ect, great little street, all the best, ERIC APTER (the jockey 1).
The Good Old Days
Hi, as a kid me and our Mick would be look outs for workers from Camel Lairds playing pigeon toss for pennies. At the side of the building to the right of the tunnel we lived in the Abbey Buildings and the tunnel area was a play area for us kids, we would play in railway sidings to the right of the pic. We would play on the gardens at the front of the tunnel, it was so different in them days. We would watch bikers on Sunday coming through the tunnel and from Woodside heading for Wales, hundreds of cyclists all whistleing as they went past. No cars in them days as such. As kids we would go down to Woodside, pay to go on the ferry if we had the money to do it? and hide in the toilets, go back and to all day till we got found out and got kicked off, we would go and get our name stamped on the piece of aluminum on... Read more
Cathcart Street
Us Ainslie's remember 'the Apters', who was the 'jockey' in the family? Was it Eric Apter senior? Who was Michelle Apter, my bro was in !! love with her when we were kids.
Tunnel Vision
Went through the tunnel when I was about 8 or 9 with my Dad when he was driving trucks (sorry lorries)for Roebuck's in Heswall, we would be driving through with the window down, great fun with all the diferent sounds and smells, until he told me to close it.
The Co-Op in Conway Street, Corner of Cathcart Street.
My first job when I left school (St Hughes, Park Road South) at 15 was in this shop. I was there for 3 years, until I left for bigger money at Levers. The manager was Jack Francis, a decent man who once slapped me over the back of the head for accidentally dropping bottles of pop on the floor. I forgave him though. I used to deliver orders on Friday afternoons and sometimes would borrow the butcher boys bike next to the garage a few yards away. I nearly crashed it into the back of the number 10 bus in Claughton Road one day, when I applied the brakes. They didn't work and I must have worn the toes of my shoes out stopping it.
My first day in the shop was on 6th January 1962, scraping the Xmas posters off the window with a Stanley blade. My weekly wages were £3 12/-6d. My mother took the £3.00 off me for my keep. A pair of jeans... Read more
Frank Connely's
I also did a paper round at Connely's in the early 1950s, I lived next door at 40a Cathcart Street, I think it is a vacant plot now. We had a greengrocer's in Oxton Road.
Holthill School/St Joseph's Youth Club, Tranmere
I lived in Wallasey but went to school in Birkenhead in the mid 1960s. I have very fond memories of the area. I made many friends at St Joseph's youth club. I remember two brothers - Dave and Steve Jones - who lived on the Woodchurch Road, next door to the Swan Pub. Also Anthony and Martin Kelly (again brothers who lived in Tranmere . Does anybody else remember them or me? My maiden name was Anne Kelly.
Claughton Road, Birkenhead
I brought up 3 children in Cyprus Street and have loads of memories of the area before demolition of the house from St. Johns Street through to Charing Cross. This was a redevelopement area in the 1960s -70s. Many of us were glad to get away from the cellar houses with outdoor toilets and no hot water or bathrooms. Across the road was a convent known as The Little Sisters of the Poor, next door was the Liberal Cclub where my sister had her reception in 1968. I am looking for photos of that area for a blog I'm doing which involves with Out On A Limb project.
Great Memories on The Number 77 Bus
Oh, yes, the number 77 bus, I met my husband on this bus. Seems it was a magic number for meeting future husbands. We used to get off at Granger Avenue, opposite The Swan. We had many wonderful trips on this bus. After going to the pictures at night, we would have hot dogs upstairs in the front seat. There was a place at Woodside that made the best. Even way before then, I would come home on the 77 bus, from Singleton Avenue, after being at school, age 5, goodness, now you would never let your 5 year old travel that far on a bus. Thanks for the great memories number 77.
Cold Mornings on my Paper Round.
I was a paper boy at Frank Connely's newsagents at the corner of Cleveland Street and Cathcart Street, if you think it's cold now, that winter had to be the worst. My name is Dibber Hayes, it would be interesting if any one remembers me or Davey Dunn or Frannk Connelly's shop.
The Grange Hotel
My stepfather was the manager of the Grange Hotel and I used to live there until I got married. My bedroom was overlooking Charing Cross and I used to spend hours just watching the never ending stream of shoppers and business people pass below my window, also there were two public houses in view fom my window and this provided some entertainment at times. I found it extremely handy living at the Grange as all the shops one could require were at my doorstep. The continuous noise of a busy traffic thoroughfare was hardly noticable after a while (in fact when my stepfather moved to pub in Wallasey Village my mum couldn't sleep because of the lack of it). Sadly the Grange is no more, it fell into disrepair and was considered dangerous and succumbed to fast food industry, and changed its name to McDonalds.
Little Crossby, Big Memory
My friend and I would go on numerous bike rides around Formby, Southport and Crossby. We came from Bootle and as we were only 12 years old these bike rides seemed to be a trip into another world. I moved to Australia later in life, the memories seem even more beautifull and bright than they may have been if I did not emigrate. I remember our trip down Stanley Road, Braisnose Road, Crossby Road and after that we turned on the road that led to Little Crossby (which was just at the side of the George Hotel). We would stop off at St Mary's Church and rest a while. We would ride all day and sometimes into the night, what a different life it was with not many distractions, with simple pleasures and a safe enviroment that was reflected in people's attitudes. From there we would travel to Formby or Southport which were also places that left an indelible memory. It's hard to think how a child of today could... Read more
Dacre Hill
All the days playing footie on the halfie at the bottom of Richardson Road. Spending endless summer evenings on the grass at fairs, cameras with my mates Gary M, Degsy, Paul Foster, Bogga etc. I recently bought a book called 'Liverpool and The Wirral - A Miscallany', in it was mentioned Rocky's Night Club and the fact it is supposedly haunted, well I used to work there and can honestly say it definitely is.
77 Bus.
Memories! Memories! I just logged on to the site and how interesting to see the old 77 bus at Woodside Ferry. My husband to be at the time worked on the Birkenhead Transport . I met him on the 77 Bus route going through from Woodside to Upton. We married in 1963. Fond Memories. Still together 49 years down the road.
Cleveland Street.
I used to live across the main road from the tunnel, on Cleveland Street, next to the Seamans Mission. That road looked hundreds of yards wide, and I used to sit near the entrance on a wall, watching the cars going into and coming out of the tunnel. A long walk up to Hamilton Square, then through the bus depot into the ferry.
At that time, the world was huge, but relatively quiet compared to nowadays. I last visited back about 2003, and it all looks minute in comparison.
Farewell to Birkenhead
This was where my 'farewell' party was held before I emigrated to Canada. Many old schoolfriends, co-workers and family came to wish me luck!! and I'm still here in Canada 42 years later!!
Halfway House ...
After two ''BIG C'' scares and an operation I finally managed to get back to the HALFWAY HOUSE (Sept 09)....seemed just like yesterday Steve and Kim were so friendly...How the area had changed oxton school had gone also Birkenhead Instit
I used to live next door at 295 (now demolished) to Halfway House on Woodchurch Road. I still have vivid memories of being taken into pub cellars from the age of about 3 to 4 during frequent air raids around 1941, surrounded by many neighbours, drinking lots of tea, and the landlord (the Murches). I left the area before being old enough to enjoy a drink, although I was often sent to the 'offee' for a half bottle of port. I have happy memories of the ARNO and junior school alongside. I would love to return one day before it's all too late.
Days of my Childhood
As young children my nanna would frequently walk my sister and I up to the Arno to play in the rough ground behind the rose garden. That was way back in the 1950's. She would sit and spend quiet time in the gardens whilst we ran and played like banshees. Later on we would go there with friends to play in the hills and bushes away from the watchful eyes of adults. My last visit as teenager was on the day we finished our A levels, when a group of us quite spontaneously headed up there. Perhaps it was a subconscious goodbye to a childhood that was so peaceful and idyllic and safe.
In 2003 I returned from Australia for my mother's funeral and was amazed and overjoyed to see it more or less unchanged. I can now appreciate the Rose Gardens and I sat in silence, enjoying the solitude and sanctuary, catching glimpses of so many happy childhood days. We were indeed blessed.
Does Anyone Remember?
Does anyone remember Park Road North in the 1960s? Well, I think it was the 60s as that was the year my mother was born. There was a shop along there, I'm not too sure of the name, but it was attached to a house, the owners' names were Bill Williams and Lill Williams, these were my grandparants. If anyone does remember or even has a photo it would be most apreciated if I could see or hear anything, thanks ever so much. :) x
Birkenhead
Who remembers Hursts Bakery on the corner of Parkfield Avenue and Claughton Road? It was still there when we went back around 2006. And the Sayers cake shops, the curry and chips that every chippie sold and all the good old English lollies and chocolate bars. My parents ran The Angel Inn in Beckwith Street, just off Conway Street, for many years. My wife went to Conway Street School and I to Hamilton Secondary. We were married at 16, came to Australia at 21 and had 4 children by 24. They weren't good old days but Birkenhead still was my childhood.
Hamilton Secondary
I went to Cathcart street and Hamilton Secondary School in the 1960s. Lived at Vittoria Court .. had many friends in the area, would like to hear from some that may remember me. I left for the USA in 1970.
Memories of Merseyside
Growing up in Tranmere
I grew up in Oriel Road in Lower Tranmere. My nan lived across the road from us. When I was 5 (1951) she had a stroke and my mum spent the next 5 years looking after her until she died, when I was about 10. In those days, there was a Salvation Army place at the bottom of Oriel Road and I remember when we had a street party for the Queen's Coronation, the Salvation Army lent the trestle tables which were put out in the street for the party. I was a real tomboy then and my favourite game was Cowboys and Indians. I always played with two of the boys who lived in Oriel Road as well, David and John. It was a good road to grow up in in those days, all the neighbours knew each other. Mum was never one for going into neighbours' houses but she would always chat when she met anyone in the street. I haven't been down there for a long time... Read more
22 Years in Higher Tranmere
I was born in St Catherine's Hospital during 1943 and spent the next 22 years living right across the street from it until I emigrated to Canada in 1965. I can remember my mother, my sister and I walking along Derby Road with the empty pram to pick up a bag of coal (in the days of rationing)! The corner shop was Morris's just at the bottom of the hill near North Road - we used to go there for a llb of broken biscuits and a little bag of Dolly Mixtures. At the top of the hill was the Post Office, Newton's and a family called Peacock used to have an icecream/candy shop next door - lovely home made ice cream. We used to walk down to play in Mersey Park and an extra long walk took us over to Victoria Park where we would watch the cricket being played on a Sunday afternoon. On Saturday morning we went to the film shows with the Auntie Gladys club from... Read more
Our Local Play Area
The Arno used to be our local play area. We used to take water and jam butties. We would be there most of the day.
Our Local Church
This photo was taken from against the wall of our property at 3 Bidston Road, where I grew up (1945-65). You can just see the shadow of the sycamore tree that stood at the top of the garden. This is the Bidston Road / Gerald Road / Townfield Lane junstion. The church and the cottage (2 Bidston Road) still reamin, all that is left of No3 is the sandstone wall. Note the gas light - this is about as far as street lighting had reached - it was quite safe to walk around at night in those days !! We were regular attenders at St Saviour's
My Local
The pub had only recently been rebuilt, the original haveing been flattened by an aerial mine in 1941, which also damaged St Saviour's, parts of which were still awiting repair. Until the rebuild it was an bomb site and used to play there. The property behind the photographer was also hit and had been demolished. New properties were built in the 1950s (5, 7, 9 Bidston Road). Even in the early 1960s there was still extensive bomb damage visible in Birkenhead, serving to remind one of the terrible bombing the area had received during the Second World War. I suspect that is Colonel Perry's Bentley! He used to drive it 200 or 300 yards down Bidston Road to go to the pub!
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