Issue 105 – April 2015
ROAD TO TOWN By Stephen Guy, West Derby Society
IT STARTED as a rocky track long before there were roads linking West Derby to Liverpool. A community had grown up around West Derby Castle but changes came when King John granted Liverpool its charter in 1207. A stone castle was built in the new borough overlooking the Pool surrounded by just seven streets. West Derby started to grow in the 1580s when the powerful Molyneux family invested in the area. The earliest part of Croxteth Hall and the Courthouse and Yeoman’s House in the Village date from this time. West Derby Road was the only direct route into Liverpool for
centuries. At one point it becomes Rocky Lane, reflecting the surface of the uneven track. It was used by pedestrians, people on horseback and livestock. Roads were built from 1730 following the development of modern construction methods. Hard road surfaces enabled carriages and carts to move at up to 15 mph, transforming communications before the arrival of railways. West Derby Road was developed in Victorian times as Liverpool boomed. Good-quality housing was needed for a rapidly-growing population. Norwood Grove (pictured) was lined with spacious houses fronted by neat gardens. This 1905 view shows a dentist’s on the right and a smart couple passing the Congregational Church on the left.
Perhaps they are heading for Sheil Park – one of Liverpool’s lost public open spaces – over the road. I have many memories of West Derby Road before much of the area was transformed by redevelopment starting in the 1960s. This was the road into town and I would make the bus trip regularly. The first buildings of interest were whitewashed cottages in Tuebrook. Next came the Carlton cinema and we looked to see what was on – current and coming attrac-
tions were emblazoned on handpainted posters. This huge picture house was immaculately-kept, smelling of polish, and guarded by a manager in a dinner jacket and his uniformed staff. The Empress further along the road was smaller but had a veranda over the entrance. It was demolished when West Derby Road was widened. There was a grassy bank running alongside Newsham Park on the left as we headed up the hill. Further along there was a street of terraced houses and father would say: “We’re passing Every Street in Liverpool.” Join the West Derby Society at its next meeting 7.30 pm on Wednesday 15 April at Lowlands, 13 Haymans Green, Liverpool L12 7JG.
ALAN KENNEDY IS GUEST JUDGE AT SUTTON KERSH ‘BAKE OFF’ SUTTON Kersh held a ‘Bake Off’ at their West Derby Branch on Friday 13th to help raise money for Red Nose Day. The staff baked lots of homemade goodies which were then judged by LFC Legend Alan Kennedy along with the MD and marketing manager of Sutton Kersh. Josie Newport, office manager at the West Derby Branch won the competition with a key lime pie. Other entries included Gin and tonic cakes, rainbow cupcakes, coffee cake and a black forest gateaux
“What an amazing effort from the West Derby team, all the cakes were delicious. “It’s such a worthy cause and I’m grateful for the time everyone has spent putting this together. The busy world of property never stops but taking time out to think of others less fortunate is a real testament to the commitment of our staff,” said James Kersh, managing director at Sutton Kersh. So far over £335 has been raised from the West Derby office Bake off and also various fundraising activities from their head office.
James Kersh, Alan Kennedy, Josie Newport and Helen Goodwin.