Ainsdale, Station Road c1965 (ref. A174034) | Station Road, though
quite short in length,
still manages to
achieve a broad mix
of shops and dwelling
houses. The left-hand
side of the road
shows some evidence
of renewal building
in the slab-fronted
style of the shops in
the middle distance.
Unlike Formby village,
there is little evidence
of homes being
converted to shops here.
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Ainsdale, the Lido c1965 (ref. A174006) | Despite a number of attempts at
regeneration, the Lido at Ainsdale
was an early casualty of the national
move to overseas holidays. However,
a lifeline has recently been thrown in
the form of the development of wind-
powered sports such as kite surfing,
kite flying, landboarding, kite buggies
and blokarting on the nearby beach.
If the activities prove as popular as
they are expected to, there are plans
to develop Ainsdale Lido into a visitor
centre, shop and training facility.
During World War II the Lido was
temporarily known as HMS Queen
Charlotte (1941 to 1946), when it
was used as the base for a naval anti-
aircraft gunnery school.
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Ainsdale, the Sandhills c1965 (ref. A174002) | In common with the rest of
this coastline, the sand dunes
now constitute the major
defence against incursion
by the sea. The sand itself is
contained, more or less, by
strong-rooted grass (mainly
marram or star grass). However,
it has been accepted that
the natural movement of the
coastline cannot be halted
unless it be at an unacceptable
cost to the taxpayer for the
benefit of very few. Ainsdale
still allows motor vehicles
to park on the beach for a
small charge. The author can
recommend the area as a
perfect spot for viewing and
photographing some of the
most spectacular sunsets in
the country.
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Barnston, Tree Cottage c1955 (ref. B441001) | Tree Cottage appears to
be a substantial property,
possibly the home of a
senior agricultural worker
or land agent. The attached
outbuildings are obviously
well maintained, as opposed
to the rather ramshackle
appearance of those opposite,
and this suggests a long-term
occupation of the house. It is
possible that the building has
undergone a change of both
ownership and name during the
past fifty years, since there is no
longer any recorded trace of a
Barnston property with this title.
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Barnston, Beech Farm c1955 (ref. B441006) | Situated at the top of a steepish hill on the road from Heswall, the entrance to Beech Farm is
on the right in our picture. Its claim to fame is the Barn Stone - a huge granite boulder swept
down from Scotland during the last Ice Age.
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Barnston, the Village c1955 (ref. B441007) | It is obviously a
quiet time of day
in this Cheshire
village. The 'School'
sign on the left
was redundant in
1955, because the
establishment had
already closed; the
children had been
moved to a new
establishment in
Sandham Grove,
Heswall. The
building to the
right of the Scott
K3 telephone kiosk
is probably the
village post office.
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Barnston, Dale House Camp c1955 (ref. B441017) | This picture gives an impression of a disused military establishment surplus to World War II
requirements. Nothing could be further from the truth. Now over a century old, the camp is set in
about 15 acres of woodland on the edge of Barnston village; as a registered charity its aim is to
provide accommodation and outdoor activities for individuals and organised groups. There are
sleeping facilities for 120 people, a cafe, a play area for the very young and access to some of the
finest countryside the north west has to offer.
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Barnston, The Fox and Hounds c1955 (ref. B441003) | The building in the
picture was built c1910
on a site of an alehouse
and barn; similar
hostelries had stood
here for almost a century.
Licensing records show
the Black Horse and the
Sportsman's Arms as
previous incarnations.
In 1984 the present
licensee made significant
changes internally,
but managed to do so
without destroying any
of the character of what
he describes as 'a vintage
thirties Wirral pub'.
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Bebington, Spital Cross Roads c1965 (ref. B660064) | This important road junction makes possible an alternative traffic flow between Bebington and
Bromborough, and between the M53 motorway and New Chester Road (the A41). The Three Stags
on the corner with Church Road (left) is now designated a Big Steak Pub. Not the place for a quiet pint of best bitter.
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Bebington, Heath Road c1960 (ref. B660048) | Linking Lower
and Higher
Bebington, Heath
Road also forms
one boundary
of the Wirral
Grammar Schools
site. The open
space on the
right-hand side
of the road marks
the playing fields
of a local primary school.
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Bebington, Higher Bebington Road c1955 (ref. B660041) | For all its evocative
name, Higher
Bebington Road is
quite short in length;
it services Bebington
High Sports College,
the Higher Bebington
recreation ground
and the local branch
of Wirral Libraries.
Apparently constructed
just after World War
II, the road surface
is composed of the
ubiquitous concrete
slab. There are so many
of these on the Wirral
that one has to imagine
a lurking machine of
titanic proportions,
together with its
attendants, waiting to
be fed large quantities
of cement and
aggregate to spread
on any surface not
otherwise occupied.
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Bebington, the Village c1965 (ref. B660057) | These pictures highlight the benefits of a variety of small shops serving a close community. No need for the weekly trek to
the supermarket and the massive loading of container-sized quantities of groceries into the car; just a short walk to collect
what you need for a couple of days. The growth of out-of-town sites has rendered such areas almost redundant, and few of
the retailers in these photographs are still in business.
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Bebington, Mayer Hall c1965 (ref. B660051) | Mayer Hall commemorates the life and
works of Joseph Mayer, the 19th-century
antiquary and book collector who made
his home in Bebington. The building
now houses a selection of municipal
offices, a small art gallery, and community
service groups. The floral bed to the left
of the picture highlights the work of the
Women's Voluntary Service before that
organisation received royal recognition
and became the WRVS.
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Bebington, Wirral Grammar School for Girls 1950 (ref. B660014a) | In 1955 the Grammar School would have been in preparation for its 25th anniversary the following year. Under modern
educational administration, this leading establishment is a selective foundation school catering for 11- to 18-year-olds. This
photograph was taken during high summer (note the open windows), but we wonder how many of today's pupils have
ever seen Cross Lane so devoid of traffic at any time of year.
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Bidston, the Windmill c1955 (ref. B443002a) | Situated a few hundred yards to the south of the observatory, Bidston Mill was built at the beginning of the 19th century
and was in full operation until 1875. After a period of disuse and neglect it was given new sails in 1994, and now provides
an interesting centre for the area's many visitors.
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Bidston, the Observatory c1950 (ref. B443001) | The observatory on Bidston Hill is a recognised weather observation station. Built in 1866 by the Mersey Docks and Harbour
Board to provide observations for the benefit of shipping, its records include a full set of observations dating from 1867.
In the middle of the 20th century it became an adjunct of the Tidal Institute at Liverpool University, and it is now known as
the Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences - Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.
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Birkenhead, Docks c1965 (ref. B399091) | By 1965 the docks at Birkenhead were in severe decline, as we can see from the sparse
shipping in these views. The flour mills (B399087, left background) are a reminder of
the port's heyday when the trading vessels of the world would have queued to unload.
Substantial government and private funding has since been invested here, and the
port has been redeveloped as the terminal for cargo and passenger services between
Merseyside and Ireland. A floating stage can work with two roll-on/roll-off ferries at the
same time. Many of the fine buildings have been converted to accommodate offices,
museums and apartments.
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Birkenhead, Charing Cross c1965 (ref. B399043) | With five roads
feeding into it, this
famous junction
(close to the access
to the Queensway
Tunnel under the River
Mersey) is one of the
busiest in the region.
Much has changed
since 1965. Traffic
control measures
mean that there
is almost no legal
parking in the area.
The Midland Bank
(right) is now a wine
bar, and the Grange
Hotel (left) is now
known as the Charing
Cross. Shop fronts
have tumbled, and the
'global' names have
moved in, as they have
in most other large
shopping areas.
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Birkenhead, the Docks c1965 (ref. B399087) | Our Lady of Lourdes'
Church is situated
on Leasowe Road,
Moreton. Built in 1957,
it features a strong
architectural style. Its
closed appear to belie
the traditional welcome
one would expect from
a parish church, but
even in 1965 it was a
brave cleric who held
the doors open wide at
all times.
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Birkenhead, Queensway Tunnel c1965 (ref. B399027) | The first of the road traffic
tunnels to be dug under the
River Mersey, the Queensway
Tunnel was opened by King
George V and Queen Mary on
18 July 1934. Some 200,000
people gathered to watch
the event - and 80,000 of
those celebrated with a
'tunnel walk' through from
Liverpool to Birkenhead.
Presumably they also walked
back. The tunnel entrance
has undergone minor
modifications since the 1960s,
but it is still recognisable from
our picture.
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