Thurstaston Road c1955, Irby
Thurstaston Road c1955, Irby Ref: I42015
Memories of Thurstaston Road c1955, Irby
Anchor Inn
The Anchor Inn was one of my Mum and Dad's favourite haunt. When my husband and I were courting in 1984 we went in one evening and there was a gentleman (quite inebriated) perched on a stool, cigarette in one hand and a whisky in the other. He fell backwards, stool and all, and landed with cigarette and glass of whisky still intact clutched in his hands.
Irby Village
I remember the paper shop opposite Mathews' that was Steeles and I delivered papers from there when it was taken over by Ernie Jones and his wife. Mathews' shop has been converted into flats. How times have changed. My dad Tom Hardy is still a member of Irby Club and has been for over 55yrs.
I also recall the old sandstone farm house which was derelict when I was a child standing opposite the Anchor Pub, now where the library stands. Also recall the first shop on the left hand side as you entered the village from Irby Road was a small Tesco's.
A Life Once Irby
Born Irby 1955. Lived in Woodlands Road. Emigrated to Australia in 1967. Memories are still vivid of Irby, sledging on Sutton Hill, exploring Dawpool common, walking the pathways between villages and through the woods, down to the old quarry. Spent a lot of time at Houghs farm, went to school with Margaret at Dawpool Primary. It's good to see all the older photos of the village, made me feel nostalgic to say the least. Still a Pom at heart.
Irby & local memories
Read and share memories of Irby and Merseyside inspired by Frith photos.
Irby in The 50's
My father Dennis Stephens, used to manage the tennis courts and bowling green on Mill Hill Road. My aunt Effie Wheildon, took over the pet shop after Grace Shatwell ended her tenure and moved from her bungalow (opposite our house at 59 Mill Hill) further down the road to another house that was once a market garden, where she opened a little shop. Grace and her son William emigrated to New Zealand, and I met her in Aukland for dinner when we were on holiday there in the early 1990's. My father was a well known character around the village, a respected horticulturist and also the village chimney sweep among other things. George Devaney was my brother-in-law, and his daughter Cecile is my niece. She married Len Robinson from Coombe Road and they emigrated to Canada about 1980 and she is now a Canadian citizen. Sadly, Len died of cancer about two years ago. I have lived in the US since the early 80's and just retired after 25 years as a... Read more
Growing up in The 70s
I was born and brought up in Thingwall Drive, right on the boundary of Irby and opposite the entrance to the golf course. I went to Irby CP School, Coombe Road, and then onto Calday Grange Grammar School. My Granny lived just past the Anchor Inn, and stopping by to Miss Ellis shop for a treat after walking the dogs on the common was a regular indulgence. The far shop on the left was the post office, then coming back towards us, there was Donna's, the hair dresser and the chemist. I used to love the smell of the Legion; stale ale and fags but with a mellowness of old leather, and who could forget the fish and chips on the corner to the right? We never went into the Oak Barrel, it was too expensive for my family! Just to the left of the photographer there was Barclays Bank but it had the badging from Martin's Bank. I was always confused by this, no matter how many times my... Read more
Irby Hall Farm
Irby Manor is a very old building listed in the Hundred of Wirral and was once surrounded on three sides by a moat. There are stories of an underground tunnel leading to Thurstaston so as the early occupants could escape via the River Dee should there be a need. As a kid I remember the farm was owned by "Pop Griffiths"? and later passed on to Vince McLure. I used to visit and help out in the dairy with Spud, who worked there as a farm hand. Later in time I worked as a painter and decorator in some of the rooms. I remember the place being a bit dark inside. Pete
The Paper Shop
The shop seen first on left was owned by a Mr.Mathews and was the new paper shop (newsagents). A handful of young boys including myself and a couple of girls used to deliver the newspapers on bicycles to the local community. The previous shop was more like an old shed. Irby was a lovely peaceful little village.
Thanks For The Memories
My goodness this brings back memories! I grew up in Irby and we lived in Oaklea Road from the late 40’s to the late 60’s – I’m now a true blue Aussie having lived in Queensland since the mid 70’s but about to revisit Irby in September this year – guess I’ll notice a few changes!
I remember – Constantines the grocers with personal service and food wrapped for you in brown paper bags - I think their son was Tony? and we went to the same school, Mrs Ellis’s house-school, Coombe Road Primary. Dr Barnes’ surgery in the little white building on the right, and he made house-calls – Mr Harrison the dentist next door. Public footpaths – one from next to the Anchor Inn to Thurstaston and the other through the wood (name escapes me) half way along Thingwall Road and then over fields and ending up in the, usually muddy, farmyard in Irby Village. Toboganning at Suttons Hill! Meeting friends at... Read more
Irby
I moved to Irby in 1957 and remember the sandstone cottage that was there before the library. I think a lovely girl called Prudence Cottrell lived there and she had a strawberry roan pony that was always in the garden. Mrs Matthews had the corner shop at the top of the road into the village and the hardware store was owned by the Carter family, The Oak Tub was definitely right and next to the hardware shop was a little cafe place where my mother used to stop and chat with her buddies each day. I think this was owned by Mrs. Steele. I can remember the Post Office in a little cottage that was pulled down quite soon after we moved there. I don't remember Dawpool Farm but I used to work for Henry Rogers at Benty Farm on the common at the weekend when I was at school. I thought at one time I'd like to go into farming but I was hopeless! We lived in Heathbank Avenue... Read more
Irby, The Village c1955
I was born in Irby 1940, and well remember the village, what a lot of changes have taken place. I too remember the cottage which preceded the library, and went to school with the young girl (very pretty) who lived there. I worked at Dawpool Farm, and would be interested to find any photos of the farm, or of anyone who had worked there, as I am trying to put my memories down in writing. Who remembers sledging down Suttons Hill, by the church?
The shops I remember were: the first one after the cottage was The Oak Tub, a grocer, the next was Mrs Duttons a hardware shop, next I think a ladies hairdresser, next was Brecons, the chemist then the Irby Club, and so on. John Hough's farm was opposite and Irby library was where the chippie is now. If anyone can remember Dawpool Farm etc, please e-mail me, I would love to hear your recollections. john193@supanet.com
Reference Simisters Butchers
The butchers shop indeed was Simisters, it was run and owned by Bob Simister, a good friend of my dad. Bob on retiring from being a butcher ran a taxi service from his home on Irby Road, I used him frequently when I was home on leave from the army to run me to Lime Street. There was also a fruit and veg shop called Millwards in the village and Miss Thompson had the haberdashery where if I recall correctly you could get spare parts for your bicycle also.
Irby Village
We moved to Irby from Selsdon, Surrey, in 1957 and I can remember Mathews' paper shop and the hardware shop owned, I think, by the Carters. I also remember that beautiful cottage that was demolished to make way for that dreadful library building. The name Cortrell rings a bell and the young girl that lived there had a lovely piebald pony. There was also a butcher's shop called Siminster's. How much of that have I remembered correctly?
Memories From my New Home in Chicago
Having grown up in Irby and now living in Chicago. It was great to see some excellent picture of the old Irby village. The white sided building in this picture on the left is the Irby Club. My Grandfather Percy Hayward was the first steward at the club and my Mother lived at the club until my grandfather retired from his position.
I joined the Irby Club as a member and later became the membership secretary for a number of years before leaving to move to Chicago.
Great photos and great memories. Thanks.
The Paper Shop
The shop seen first on left was owned by a Mr.Mathews and was the new paper shop (newsagents) a handful of young boys including myself and a couple of girls used to deliver the newspapers on bicycles to the local community.The previous shop was more like an old shed. Irby was a lovely peaceful little village.
Irby Hall Farm
Irby Manor is a very old building listed in the Hundred of Wirral and was once surrounded on three sides by a moat. There are stories of an underground tunnel leading to Thurstaston so as the early occupants could escape via the River Dee should there be a need. As a kid I remember the farm was owned by "Pop Griffiths"? and later passed on to Vince McLure. I used to visit and help out in the dairy with Spud, who worked there as a farm hand. Later in time I worked as a painter and decorator in some of the rooms. I remember the place being a bit dark inside.
Pete
Irby to Thustaston
Irby for me was the place that led to walks and holding hands along the coast at Thustaston. I found the village to be a quaint quite place in the 1970s that had an almost magical feel in the spring when the flowers started to bloom. I now live in Minnesota, USA but I often times remember the sounds and smells of that spring time in Irby and Thurstaston. I hope the area has retained its enjoyable character over the years.
