Irby

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 grifiths" ? 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.
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Contributed by pete b

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.
Contributed by Dave Hardy

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?
Contributed by Susan Reid-Povall

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.
Contributed by pete b

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.
Contributed by Steve Collier

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.

Contributed by Dave Hardy

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.
Contributed by Beverley Sharp