WESTDERBY
LINK
FREE
Issue 72 West Derby & Croxteth Park June 2012
The monthly independent advertiser 15,000 copies 12,500 into Homes 2,500 into Businesses
For Advertising Rates See page 2
PARK PARADES by Stephen Guy, West Derby Society
The elderly couple hired a horse-drawn trap for a drive around Newsham Park to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. At noon Mr and Mrs Campion, of 91 Heyworth Street, Everton, settled into their seats and set off at a pleasant canter along the drive. Suddenly things went horribly wrong. As the Liverpool Echo reported on 16 September 1889: “One of the wheels came off and the young man who was driving unaccountably released his hold of the reins. “The horse started off and carried on furiously down the road, precipitating the occupants of the conveyance to the ground. The elderly lady was badly hurt. The horse was ultimately secured in front of the Seaman’s Orphanage.” Newsham Park opened as public space in 1868 – it had originally been the private estate of Newsham House that still stands overlooking the rolling acres. Four fountains once graced the park. One, seen on a 1907
postcard, featured horses’ heads spouting water. For more than 200 years the land was owned by the Chorleys of Chorley who lost it after supporting Bonnie
Prince Charlie. The Crown sold the land to the Molyneux family, distant kinsmen of the Molyneuxs of Croxteth Hall. Thomas Molyneux built Newsham House. I have many fond memories of the park including firework displays, walking to work across snow-covered fields when the roads were impassable and having X-rays at the hospital in the 1960s. News items give a fascinating insight into Newsham Park’s Victorian heyday. The Liverpool Mercury reported in July 1880 that five-year-old Mary Holder gathered some buttercups, ate them and died later from irritant poisoning. In July 1884 two little girls, Ellen Bird and Elizabeth Ward, appeared before magistrates for
breaking branches off plants and trees. They had been warned by the park keepers who told the court that during the school holidays plants were greatly damaged by children. Both girls were each fined 2s 6d (12.5p) plus costs and ordered to pay 2s 6d damages. In October 1896, 18-year-old Thomas Watson travelled to the park from his home in Prescot to enjoy a Saturday game of football. A heavy thunderstorm broke out and he was killed by a flash of lightning. His clothes were torn to shreds. • Join the West Derby Society at the West Derby Courthouse (built 1586) in the Village - open 2 pm to 4 pm every Sunday, April to October.
Just a reminder… West Derby Village Market Saturday 2nd June 9am-2pm
www.liverpoollink.co.uk