January/February 2014

Issue 6 • January/February 2014

The local interest magazine for West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy

An Imperishable Record • The Urbanisation of West Kirby • Hoylake Community Cinema • Plus much more

B

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E S P O K E

I T C H E N S

And F

I T T E D

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U R N I T U R E

Alexander Fitzpatrick offer a full design, project management and installation service in Wirral and Cheshire.

Providing a personal service of exceptional value and quality.

www.afhi.co.uk Chester 01244 881 798

The local interest magazine for West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy. @lakewirral

Welcome to the sixth issue of The Lake.

The Lake provides local interest and historical stories on a bi-monthly basis and we hope you enjoy it.

Please get in touch if there is anything you want to see in future issues, or if you have any stories or pictures of your own that you want to share.

Cover image

by Marianthi Lainas

Published by: Wirral Advertising Media Ltd, 42 Price Street Business Centre, Price Street, Birkenhead CH41 4JQ.

By email: jon@lakemagazine.co.uk or by post to: Jon Bion, Editor, The Lake, 42 Price Street Business Centre, Price Street, Birkenhead CH41 4JQ. Telephone 07796 945745.

Contacts:

Our team has years of experience in design, production and distribution.

The magazine is delivered door-to-door to 12,500 homes and businesses in the area and copies are available from various outlets.

Editor Jonathan Bion 07796 945745 jon@lakemagazine.co.uk

If you feel that advertising in The Lake would benefit your business, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you. Please contact Alan Strange on 07788 510868 or email: alan@lakemagazine.co.uk

www.lakemagazine.co.uk Photographs and original material are submitted at the sender’s risk and must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope if you wish them to be returned. The publishers will not accept responsibility for loss or damage.

CONTENTS

Pages 26-29

Sales Director Alan Strange 07788 510868 alan@lakemagazine.co.uk Accounts accounts@lakemagazine.co.uk Delivered free to 12,500 homes and businesses in West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy

04 Geoffrey Dodleston Hope

22 The Urbanisation of West Kirby

08 West Kirby Sailing Club

30 Once Around the Lake

12 Hoylake Community Cinema

34 High Five – 1913 Open Championship

15 The Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom

37 Under the Gavel

17 An Imperishable Record

40 Career Choices

20 Wirral Symphony Orchestra

42 Vegetarian Cooking

04 The Lake

Geoffrey Dodleston Hope 1880-1953

By Heather Chapman I recently bought an interesting painting in a broken frame at a car boot sale in West Kirby for £1. On the back was written ‘Hill Houses, Darmonds Green’, painted by G D Hope, 1936. This triggered my quest to find out more about G D Hope.

I had seen G D Hope’s name mentioned before, but didn’t realise that he was a local artist. Some of his unfinished historical research on the ‘Field Names of West Kirby’ was filed at Birkenhead Archives and Ms Sue Craggs has now completed the project, which is located in West Kirby Library.

Geoffrey Dodleston Hope was born at Thurstaston Hall on 23 Nov 1880 to William and Georgiana Catherine Hope nee Squarey. Geoffrey went to Sedburgh Boarding School, Cumbria, matriculating in 1899. He then took up the study of chemistry and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science at the Liverpool University and of Doctor of Philosophy.

He became Chief Scientific Officer to the Indian Tea Association and travelled extensively. His promising career came to an abrupt end, about 1916, when he was bitten by an insect, causing an illness that almost killed him. He returned to West Kirby (his parents had moved to Riverside on West Kirby promenade) in wretched health and was never able to work again. Gradually his health improved and he was able to pursue his favourite hobbies of archaeology, painting and history.

Geoffrey Dodleston Hope leaves us a legacy with his paintings of old West Kirby. He donated his paintings to West Kirby Library when it was housed in Sandlea Park. His obituary states: “Almost everyone in West Kirby and district knew 72-year-old Dr Geoffrey Dodleston Hope, who could often be seen painting pictures of historic buildings,

Hill Houses (just before demolition and road widening.

They were situated between Stone Hive and Leigh Road)

particularly old farm houses, so that records of them might be available long after the stones, bricks and mortar had crumbled away or fallen prey to modern developments.”

Geoffrey was a member of the Deeside Art Group and his paintings were often exhibited locally, many in Sandlea Park library.

He also gave some paintings to the home owners, on the condition that they must hand them in to the library if the owner should leave the district. West Kirby Library have allowed me to copy some of these paintings, and other kind owners of Geoffrey’s paintings have done likewise.

There must be more of Geoffrey’s paintings hanging in people’s homes. On the back of a painting of a house in Darmonds Green he has written: “I have now completed paintings of all the houses in Darmonds Green.”

If you have a painting, signed G D Hope, please contact me on 0151 625 7013 or email thechappies@btinternet.com) so that I can scan it and complete a book about the life story and paintings of this popular local artist.

This painting was with the West Kirby collection, but nothing was written on the back.

There is a possibility that it was in the Darmonds Green/Lang Lane area.

Geoffrey Dodleston Hope died in 1953. He is buried with his family in Thurstaston churchyard, close to the wall of Thurstaston Hall, where many years of his boyhood were spent.

I have really enjoyed researching the Hope family. They have several important local connections. Geoffrey’s great-greatGrandfather William Hope (1741-1827) was a Liverpool merchant and his villa stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall. Hope Street in Liverpool is named after him. Geoffrey’s great-grandfather Samuel Hope JP (1781-1837) was a cotton broker and banker in Liverpool and his grandfather Thomas Arthur Hope (1817-1887) owned 14,000 acres of land in Ireland. After grandfather Thomas Arthur Hope married he moved to Stanton Hall, Bebington. His mother’s family, Squarey, were connected to peerage. Geoffrey was also related to Robert Hope Jones, the inventor of the theatre organ.

Old Village cottages

The Lake 05

With the ever-increasing number of homes having solar panels on the roof, many readers will now be aware that in most cases the systems are converting daylight into electricity – through what is known as the photovoltaic (or ‘PV’) process. The generated electricity is then used in the home in the first instance, with the balance being fed into the National grid.

The Governments ‘Feed in Tariff’ scheme rewards system owners for every kilowatt hour that their system generates, with further financial benefit to be had as the amount of electricity having to be bought from the Grid is reduced.

The solar PV sector in the UK has been on a rollercoaster over the past four years, mainly due to changes to the Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme being controversially implemented by the Government. The sector has, however, gone from strength to strength, with the number of installations nationwide now at around 400,000. The volume of installations has pushed prices down, with the price of the larger domestic installations now around £5k - £6k, compared with £16k only three years ago.

Whilst the FiT incentive has decreased, this has only been in line with cost reductions, and domestic customers can still achieve

returns of around 10% per annum on the installation cost. Panels are normally warranted to generate a minimum of 80% of the year 1 level in year 25 – and, with the continual increase in electricity prices, system owners generally recoup the cost of their investment within eight years or so.

Tony Edwards, founder of local Solar PV installation company Natural Energy Sources, is hoping that the Government’s ongoing commitment to the technology will continue to provide the much needed certainty for those interested in investing in the technology. Tony explains: “Whilst the Government made mistakes in the way in which they handled many decisions surrounding Solar PV during 2011 and 2012, we have, at last, got to the right place – an acknowledgement that this technology works, is good for the UK, and will play a part in the energy mix moving forward. And, whilst the new process for determining the reward level for those who invest in the technology is still bedding in, the basis for the reward levels is logical and provides the sector with much needed certainty to move forward with.”

It isn’t just homeowners who have realised the many positives of solar PV. Landowners, particularly in Devon, have sought to capitalise by filling fields with Solar arrays,

and, closer to home, several councils are taking advantage – Natural Energy Sources installed 800 panels across five high schools for Flintshire County Council during 2013.

The new method of calculating rewards involves the Government reviewing the number of installations during the previous quarter and then applying a pre-determined formula to reduce the rewards for future installations – with the reduction in rewards being greater if there has been increased take up. It is expected that the incentive level will fall by 3.5% at the next trigger date of 1st April.

This is good news for customers, and companies like Natural Energy Sources.

Tony continues: “Despite nearly four years trading and having recently received an award for 100% customer satisfaction across 150 installations, it has been a worrying period due to the Government failing to provide any confidence that they would continue to support new installations of what is a great technology. The landscape looks to be changing however, and whilst we recommend that anyone interested in solar considers a pre 1 April installation, we are confident that the financial returns will remain attractive for those who look into it after that date.”

06 The Lake

Lees Solicitors Sponsor West Kirby FC Lees Solicitors is delighted to announce their sponsorship of West Kirby Football Club.

Both West Kirby FC and Lees Solicitors’ roots on the Wirral date back to the late 1800s. Under one guise or another the club have been playing football since 1893, and took up residence at Marine Park on Greenbank Road in 1950 where they are still playing today. They compete in the West Cheshire League and have brought plenty of silverware back to the club over the years.

West Kirby FC recently merged with West Kirby Wasps to ensure they provide great opportunities for children and young people in the area from the age of four upwards.

“Lees Solicitors was founded in 1889 and has always had a strong foothold in the Wirral as does West Kirby FC, so we are pleased that we can come together and support such a strong, well established community team,” commented Joanna Kingston-Davies, CEO at Lees Solicitors.

Roy Williamson, Vice Chair of West Kirby FC said: “It means so much to the club and players to have a brand new kit. It all helps to build team morale and of course keep us up there in the West Cheshire League. The teams train hard and give it their all so it’s brilliant that Lees Solicitors can provide them with new kits to play in.”

08 The Lake

West Kirby Sailing Club Bottled Firefly/Christmas Series

By Phil Shepherd At the end of November, West Kirby Sailing Club hosted the ‘Bottled Firefly’, which is an event deigned to celebrate its status as a Team Racing Academy. Over a weekend, freshers from northern universities are taught to team race, and then compete for the trophy. Teams from the universities of Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam took part in some exciting racing, though Sheffield Hallam were pipped to the podium by the club’s own youth team, which had also entered to gain experience.

WKSC Youth Team – winners of the Bottled Firefly

Readers of The Lake will be only too aware of the damage wreaked by the storm during spring tides at the beginning of December.

WKSC’s boatyard suddenly became awash when the tidal surge coincided with strong westerly winds. Within minutes, dinghies and cruisers alike were piled on top of each other in a heap, resulting in considerable damage. Club members turned out in force to minimise further problems and tidy up but several boats were, unfortunately, beyond repair.

One of the highlights of the year is the Boxing Day pursuit race in which the dinghies start at different times, depending on their class handicap, all competing to catch up with the slower boats ahead of them, and resulting in a climactic tight finish after 90 minutes.

The Christmas series of races for the hardier dinghy sailors had a good turnout despite the number of boats awaiting repair. A particularly large number of juniors sailed in Cadets, having been inspired by coaching from Niki Birrell, the paralympic sailing medal winner.

WKSC now looks forward to a New Year which includes more sailing, more racing, and more coaching for beginners and improvers than ever. Amongst many major events being organised this summer, the Finn Class, as sailed in the Olympics

by Gold medal winner Ben Ainslie, will be hosted by the club for their National Championships on our unrivalled, beautiful River Dee.

Peter Williams won this in his Illusion, theoretically the slowest boat on the lake.

John Carlin, with daughter Nicky, won the Christmas series in his Albacore.

Boxing Day Pursuit Race

Contacts Phil Shepherd, Vice Commodore 0151 625 5579 www.wksc.org.uk Forthcoming events: British Universities Sailing Association Qualifier 8th,9th February Ladies’ Team Racing National Championship 22nd, 23rd February 65th Wilson Trophy 9th,10th,11th May

The Lake 09

Damage caused by storm

Cadets

10 The Lake

Innovation is key

The design of the self-filling toilet cistern signalled a revolution in bathroom design. And in today’s technological driven world, the pace and nature of change grows ever faster and wider.

For example, the walk-in wetroom, a new concept just ten years ago, has become a must-have in most people’s bathrooms or en suite rooms.

Similarly digital showers.

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You can benefit from access to heavily discounted, high yielding local properties before they hit the open market.

Discounts of 15-20% and yields over 8% are typical.

‘House prices rose by 7.5% across the UK in 2013’ Halifax building society data, January 2014.

Our Wirral team deals with all aspects of property investment.

This is includes refurbishing property, finding tenants and managing rental payments.

“I have purchased 3 investment properties in the last 7 months with Wirral Property Solutions, they have been so helpful and I love the way they deal with everything including tenants!”

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or email us callback@wirralpropertysolutions.com and make 2014 a financial success!

And multi-media systems featuring bathroom-safe televisions and docking stations in bathroom cabinets are becoming ever more popular, All made possible by advances in digital technology, which is responsible for the latest innovation – a bath that acts as a sound box! Music while you bathe.

From Kaldewei, Europe’s leading manufacturer of steel baths, comes “Sound Wave”, a system that transforms one of their baths into an audio speaker delivering an extraordinary underwater sound. Its components, including a Bluetooth® receiver, are concealed in the bath through which audio files from your smartphone, computer, tablet or any other Bluetooth® enabled device can be played wirelessly.

The acoustics created are of the highest quality and as Kaldewei’s sole Wirral-based dealer, an example can be seen, and heard, at Bathrooms and Wetrooms Prenton showroom.

Innovation is key to Bathrooms & Wetrooms approach to design with technology playing its full part in devising elegant and truly bespoke bathrooms and a visit to their website – www.bathroomsandwetrooms.com – will illustrate the huge variety of individual designs they have installed into customers’ homes. www.bathroomsandwetrooms.com

12 The Lake

Community Cinema The Parade, Hoylake

By Mark Howard On the last Friday of every month, the main hall and café of the Parade, Hoylake Community Centre, are transformed into Hoylake Community Cinema. We screen high quality independent and classic films to an average audience of between 90 and 100 people, often sold out at the capacity 120.

There’s a licensed bar, home-made food, and after the screenings we have quizzes with prizes... It’s a unique and hugely enjoyable community event.

We have guest speakers, including Dai Bradley who played Billy Casper in Kes, and cult British director Alex Cox, who, along with Daniel Craig, is a patron.

Glenda Jackson MP is a supporter.

The first film, screened in 2011, was the Sam Taylor-Wood film Nowhere Boy, about the early life of John Lennon. As the credits rolled, we realised we had created something very powerful… tears were streaming down faces, the audience visibly and more profoundly affected by the film than surely would have happened in a multiplex environment.

We had also made a small profit on the night for Hoylake Village Life, a community group of residents and businesses who formed in 2009 to try to make Hoylake better by promoting the town through a website, street banners, events and ultimately attracting new businesses and residents.

Mark Howard

The film night was a great way to support this initiative – there was every reason to do it again… and so Hoylake Community Cinema was born.

By screening great films locally, we had triggered a sense of nostalgia for the days when cinemas were on every high street (and, in Hoylake’s case, right by the beach).

We had also created a new way for people to mix and make new friends.

High emotions in the audience are a recurring theme; this is the real magic of the movies. Tears, laughter, revulsion, grief, shock and awe… when people share emotional experiences like these they become closer. With a couple of hours after the film to sit in the bar and enjoy a few drinks, and take part in a short, fun quiz about the film, those new friendships are forged; the community is stronger as a result.

On 11 November 2011 we screened Gillies MacKinnon’s Regeneration, the film adaptation of the Pat Barker book, preceded by a hugely evocative reading of the Wilfred Owen poem Dulce et Decorum Est, by an actor from the Wilfred Owen Story, dressed in WW1 uniform. Again, at the end of the film, the audience sat in stunned silence… another powerful punch, packed in an unlikely environment.

The Lake 13

of world history across the globe, what could possibly go wrong? With an endearing love story entwined to boot, the observatory employees try, fail, and eventually succeed – to impress the visiting NASA official. If Hoylake had a satellite dish, the film could have been made here!

We’ve screened other classic comedies including Billy Wilder’s Some Like it Hot and The Apartment; Robert Hamer’s Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Coen brothers’ disturbingly hilarious dark comedy Fargo.

Similarly with Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others; Siddiq Barmak’s Osama; Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Downfall; all films that would make for incongruous and much less satisfactory viewing in a cleaning fluid-scented retail centre multiplex where the environment that you re-enter after the film jolts you back into a world that is, in so many ways, less real than the one just experienced.

But Hoylake has enough salt water… there is plenty of laughter too.

Rob Sitch’s The Dish, is a gentle Australian comedy about the part the rurally-based Parkes Observatory played in the transmission of the first Moon landing in 1969. As the community’s realisation of the global and historical importance of the moment grows, the film focuses as much on the moon landing itself as on the increasingly absurd behaviour among the community and the local politicians. As sheep wander past the dish that is to transmit live television images of one of the most famous events

Powerful dramas and thrillers, too…

Hitchcock’s North by North West; Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront; Spielberg’s classic summer blockbuster Jaws.

And films for the kids, too… Hayao Miyazaki’s Arrietty and Spirited Away… stunning and breathtakingly beautiful animations from one of the world’s greatest animators and story tellers… plus Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach; and Aardman Animations’ Arthur Christmas.

We’re currently a third of the way through our third season… planning for the fourth season starts now. The whole shebang involves a team of about 15 volunteers, dedicated and passionate people who get enormous satisfaction from being involved with a community project that is so popular.

From licensing the films, to producing and distributing flyers and posters, selling tickets, updating the website, organising and preparing the food, preparing the quiz, making the prizes, staffing the front desk, setting up the bar (which is ably run and staffed by Hoylake’s Vanilla Lounge

alongside our volunteers) and then managing the finances and submitting returns forms to the distributors, this is a monumental but streamlined and highly effective team effort, well co-ordinated and managed.

And what a venue… thanks to the hospitality and support of the Parade Community Centre staff and management team we have just the right space, just the right atmosphere…

We’ve enjoyed great press coverage too, on radio, newspapers and online. Liverpool Confidential journalist Laura Brown said: “Cinemas have been one of the easiest things we’ve found to shake off in Liverpool and our standards have fallen pretty far.

As we’ve let heritage screens fall into rack and ruin, all we need now is someone to dangle an independent movie screening in front of us and we think we’re being served well. We’re either being educated or brainwashed in Liverpool. Hoylake, like an usher with a torch, is showing us the way.” Now that’s the kind of publicity we like.

The audience is not just made up of locals… people come from Liverpool and elsewhere across the region, and for the Alex Cox screening we even had people travel up from Nottingham!

If you’ve not yet been to Hoylake Community Cinema, please do come, you’ll love it! The website lists our upcoming films – you can book online and even buy gift vouchers for friends and family. www.hoylakecommunitycinema.co.uk

14 The Lake

Wirral Chamber Music Series 2014 Promoted by Hoylake Chamber Concert Society

Westbourne Hall, Westbourne Road, West Kirby CH48 4DQ Friday 31 January 2014 The Wu Quartet

Friday 28 February 2014 The Cappa Ensemble

Friday 28 March 2014 Martyn Jackson with Alison Rhind

String Quartet Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn

String Trio Boccherini, Beethoven, Finzi, Taneyev, Schubert

Violin & Piano Corelli, Beethoven, Grieg, Wieniawski

All concerts start at 7.30pm. Tickets £13 available at the door www.chamberconcert.co.uk

2014 West Kirby Library Local History Week West Kirby Remembers WW1 Exhibition will be on display in West Kirby Library from 7th–12th April. Members of the West Kirby Museum Research Group will be attending the display between 11.00am and 3.00pm on Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th, and Thursday 10th of April. If you have any stories to tell, memorabilia or pictures to show us, please talk to the team.

Heather Chapman will be giving a free illustrated talk about ‘1914 West Kirby’ on Thursday 10th April 2014 at 2pm in West Kirby Library. Heather will be outlining the impact war made upon West Kirby in 1914.

The popular seaside town had just enjoyed August Bank Holiday weekend when war was declared. Holidays were cancelled and West Kirby became a very different place.

Within two weeks the Public Hall was taken over by the military and soldiers became a familiar sight in the town.

Elizabeth Davey at West Kirby Museum Event Well known local historian, Elizabeth Davey, will be giving a talk on ‘Wirral through the ages’ on Friday 14th February 2014. The doors will open at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start in St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby.

The Lake 15

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The Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom The Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom would like to thank all our members, supporters, sponsors and volunteers for making 2013 such a successful year.

In this economic climate it is hard to raise the money required to provide all the plants which “make our village smile”.

Money is available in the form of grants for our larger projects but to be successful in our bids we need a large support membership to show the community is behind what we do.

We have updated our website with our review of 2013 which shows all we do. If you would like to support us in any way details can also be found on our website www.hoylakeinbloom.co.uk We have applied to ‘Love Wirral’ for a grant to buy the seeds for our wild flower beds in the Parade Gardens. This year we are hoping to add a small bed of poppies in the parade gardens called ‘Lest We Forget’ to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

There are many groups applying to the ‘Love Wirral’ fund for all kinds of worthwhile projects. It is up to the public to vote on which project they would like to see selected and we hope to be successful.

We are sure you are well aware that the Open Golf is returning in July 2014.

We wanted to try and involve our young people in the Open Golf; one of our volunteers came up with the idea of a ‘Floral Golf Bag’ competition. Any children’s groups under 16 are invited to enter. Entry is free. We will provide the old golf bags, along with any help that is needed.

Carr Farm have kindly offered to supply the compost and a £10.00 plants voucher.

Lees Solicitors are kindly sponsoring the prize money which is an amazing £200 for 1st prize, £100 for 2nd prize and £50.00 for 3rd prize.

This really shows the community working together to show the world our village at its best.

www.remodellandscaping.co How many towns get such an opportunity?

We must make the most of it.

The floral golf bags will be on display in T 0151 648 6494 ‘The Row’ in the centre of Hoylake every M 07896 216 day between 10am and 4pm 163 from July 12th to July 20th. The public will be able to vote for their favourite.

So come on, what have you got to lose? If you work or play with any children’s group of any sort, toddler groups, schools, church groups, guides, scouts etc. Any age up to 16. Pick up an entry form and send it to us as soon as possible.

We would be very happy to come and talk to your group about the competition or the Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom and to give any advice. We would also like to ask if anyone could spare an hour or two during the competition to help with voting.

For further information please contact us either through our website or email contact@hoylakeinbloom.co.uk or phone Jan on 07725 540049 or Ina on 0151 632 5402.

Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom is a Registered Charity, number 1101968. Please visit our website www.hoylakeinbloom.co.uk

The Lake 17

An Imperishable Record The Great War

By Stephen Roberts

Grange Hill Memorial

‘An Imperishable Record’ is the title of a feature which appeared in The Hoylake and West Kirby Advertiser of 22nd December 1922, describing the dedication of the Grange Hill War Memorial in West Kirby.

The image of the soldier on the memorial lies permanently lodged in my memory and helps to form my perceptions of history and politics, war and peace. My Dad showed me the soldier one dreary midwinter’s afternoon when we were spending the day with his mother, my Grandma, Mrs Gladys Roberts of Greenbank Road, West Kirby. I remember the sense of timeless melancholy as the wind sighed around the sculptures and we contemplated the soldier’s improbably titanic physique, the accompanying lists of names and the pious epitaphs. I felt a little overwhelmed as my otherwise laconic Dad expressed anger at the loss of all those precious local lives and enunciated the commonly held belief that these poor men and women had died for nothing.

A year or two later I was taken up Grange Hill by my maternal grandmother, Mrs Annie Hadwin of Broughton Avenue, West Kirby. It was a typical late August day for those years - warm, humid and dowsed by intermittent thunderstorms. The paths leading up to the memorial had become occasional rivulets, bordered by tiny lateral moraines of fallen gorse needles. My Gran seemed more jolly and carefree than my Dad had been, even while she pointed out the name of her beloved husband who died in 1944.

Perhaps she was holding her grief at bay, determined not to spoil a precious day with her grandson. She pointed at a cluster of Great War names and told me that they were my uncles. I did not really understand how they could have been and failed to take them in.

Within the last few years, partly motivated by a desire to discover who those ‘uncles’ were, I have returned to the Memorial many times and begun to research the life stories of all the people recorded thereon who died during the Great War. The three men my Gran was pointing at were George, Thomas and William Holmes, close relations of her mother, Louisa Holmes (1886-1960) of Hoylake.

Louise Holmes 1886 -1960

At the Grave of my Great Great Uncle Thomas Holmes

In fact, only Thomas was an uncle of mine.

He was Louisa’s elder brother who died aged 38 in Belgium in 1915. In 2010 I visited his grave in Wulvergem Churchyard near Ypres.

The other two Holmes men were Louisa’s cousins. George died during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 and William on the Somme in 1916. Further researches have revealed my connections to many more men recorded on the memorial. But this is not about me. It is about the people who are recorded on the memorial and everybody from the surrounding area who died but whose names were not inscribed upon it.

‘An Imperishable Record’ is a grandiloquent phrase, typical of the time - an attempt to soften the unbearable and incomprehensible loss of nearly 400 local men and women during the Great War of 1914-1918. Presumably the monument itself was thought to be imperishable.

Sadly, we know better: even concrete and granite are mutable and impermanent and inscriptions vulnerable to frost, wind and rain. Indeed, in the brief time since the monument’s dedication, most of the people whose names it bears have been forgotten by its neighbours, even though, as a body, they are faithfully honoured every Remembrance Sunday and by casual visitors on a daily basis.

18 The Lake With your help, I now aim to make the original wish for an ‘Imperishable Record’ to come true. In reality, nothing is imperishable, especially not the internet, but it is at least a means of publishing the biographies of our fallen ancestors and of enabling all interested parties - whether they be descendants, family members or fellow researchers - to assist in the project of turning the names on the panels into real people once again.

casualties were islands - they were all parts of families, neighbourhoods, churches, chapels, clubs, societies and communities.

Arguably, in many ways, the people they left at home suffered as much as if not more than did the deceased. This site will start to explore the experiences of as many people as possible, both civilian and military, in order to achieve a more rounded understanding of the effects of the Great War on local society.

Please have a look at my website entitled ‘An Imperishable Record’ at http://grangehill1922.wordpress.com/

As I write (on 5th January 2014), I have written biographies for about 80 of our local Great War dead. I will post each of these separately as quickly as I can. There is a page called Names. This contains the names of all the people recorded on the Grange Hill Memorial as well as those who were not inscribed thereon but were recorded in The Hoylake and West Kirby Advertiser of 22nd December 1922 and in other sources which are explained on that page. As biographies are written, they will be added to the site as Posts and hyperlinked to the lists on the Names Page.

So, if a name is highlighted on the Names

It is actually in the form of a blog. This enables me to publish people’s biographies as separate posts, which can be added to by members of the public who might want to contribute information, ask questions and make observations at the end of each post. By this means, we will be creating a dialogue and thereby getting as near as we possibly can to bringing our fallen ancestors to life. We will not be stopping there, because we will also be recreating the world in which they lived. None of the

page, you can click it and you will be taken straight to his or her biographical Post.

I am very glad to say that I have just begun to collaborate with a wonderful team of local historians led by Heather Chapman, who are researching all the people on the war memorial in St Bridget’s Church in West Kirby. The website is already showing the benefits of our partnership. I look forward to building up many more such relationships with local enthusiasts so that the website can be as rich as possible.

In addition to constructing the website, I am also researching a PhD at the University of Central Lancashire about the whole of Wirral in the period c.1910-1925, focusing on the impact of the Great War on local society. I will be very glad to discuss this project with anyone who might be interested and to learn from anyone out there who might already have completed similar research or who would like to share documents, artefacts, memories or other resources.

Please get in touch with me via my work email: stephen.roberts@queenkatherine.org

The following is an example of the posts which appear on the website. It is the biography of Frank Case of West Kirby, which I find one of the most haunting and memorable: Frank Case was the son of Edward Case (1866-1953) and his first wife, Mary.

Edward was from Nantwich. By 1901 he was living in Deva Road West Kirby, with his second wife Charlotte (née Horbury, born in about 1867 in Seacombe). Frank now had two half brothers, John Horbury and Hubert, the sons of Charlotte. By 1911, they were all living in their five-roomed house on North Road in West Kirby. Frank was employed as a clerk. Edward Case was a well known local figure. He was a district councillor and chairman of the West Cheshire Association Football League. Despite his humble Cheshire origins (his father was a shoemaker and he an insurance agent), he is still remembered by older West Kirby residents as being referred to as “Sir Edward”. His second son, John Horbury is remembered as being active in local youth groups. He was friendly with the author’s family and gave wedding presents of identical fish knives and forks to both his parents and an auntie and uncle in the later 1950s.

Frank was a bright, strong and athletic lad. He was 5’ 10½” tall and weighed 12st 12lbs. He was Hon. Treasurer of the West Kirby Bowling Club and played centre half in football; he was also holder of the Dr. King Challenge Cup at West Kirby Swimming Club.

Frank also acted as secretary to the West Kirby Church Lads’ Brigade and was a good musician – he played the Last Post at St. Andrew’s Church upon the death of King Edward VII in 1910. He was “educated in West Kirby” and by 1914 was betrothed to Miss Dora Hicks of North Road.

Frank Case

By the time war was declared, Frank had been in the Liverpool Scottish as a territorial soldier for four years. He signed on for full time service in Liverpool on 5th September 1914. He then trained in Edinburgh and arrived in France on 1st November 1914.

He eventually served for a total of a year and 339 days. Probably due to his father’s status and involvement in local society, Frank’s military career received an unusually high amount of coverage in the two main local newspapers – he featured in at least six articles between 1915 and 1916. Large sections of several of his letters were also published. They were so well written and contain such poignant detail.

According to the Birkenhead News, in January 1915, Frank wrote to his father and was “so confident of a speedy and successful termination of hostilities” that he asked him to buy him a couple of tickets for a forthcoming football match. During June 1915, it reported that he was “safe and sound”. In August of that year, he went home on leave. The Deeside Advertiser stated that he looked “the very picture of health”. In March 1916, the same paper reported on another period of leave and was bold enough to assert that; “His varied experiences on the Western Front have rather improved his physical development.” Frank’s father colluded with the local press in conveying the uplifting image of the energetic, positive and dutiful young soldier – the ‘sturdy Scot’, who was undaunted by the shocks and challenges of war and a role model for any wavering young men who had not yet joined up.

The Lake 19 have survived. He said: “Fortunately, I was on night duty, and was soon at his side. It seemed to comfort him considerably to find someone he knew near at hand. Personally, I am very glad I was there to be of service to the brave lad in his hour of need. Conscious as he was all the time, he stuck it like a true Briton, and all present, including the officers, marvelled at his wonderful pluck and fortitude throughout. He was greatly concerned about the fate of his horses, which he must fairly have loved. On leaving the dressing station his last words were, “Just write and tell my Dad I’m not a bit downhearted.” Poor Fred himself was shattered and signed off with more tragic words: “I cannot write more at present.

I’ve no heart to do so after twelve hours’ strenuous duty amongst sights that are too awful for words.” A nursing sister also wrote to Frank’s father with further details of his death.

Birkenhead News 29th April 1911. Edward Case, father of Frank is sitting extreme right

Frank saw some serious action, which he described with tact, holding back some of the more difficult details about the inevitable and undoubted mental trauma he must have endured. He was present when Captain Arthur Twentyman from Birkenhead was killed on 29th November 1914 near Kemmel in the Ypres Salient, not long after his unit had arrived at the front line. Frank helped to recover his body and assisted in the burial service. He took part in the famous charge by the Liverpool Scots at Hooge near Ypres on 16th June 1915, which accounted for at least five of the other men on the Grange Hill Memorial and he witnessed the destruction of Hill 60. He described how the hill was undermined by miners from the “homeland” who complained about their striking colleagues in South Wales. He also described the state of Ypres itself.

Frank was deeply affected by the deaths of two of his favourite officers - Major Andrew Stewart Anderson (whom Frank said had been shot and bayoneted, but whose official record describes him as “missing presumed killed in action” and who had signed Frank’s attestation papers in 1914) and Captain John Graham of Hoylake, both of whom died in the charge of 16th June 1915. Again, his words were used as recruiting propaganda by the Deeside Advertiser when he opined that if other young men could see what was being done in Belgium by the Germans, there would be no ‘slackers’. He predicted that “if the Germans ever got to England, the treatment of women and children would be even worse than it has been in Belgium and France”. His most haunting words appeared in the Deeside Advertiser 18th August 1916: after a brief description of how he and his comrades dispatched enemy soldiers who were hiding in their dugouts –

“a bomb thrown down upon them quietens the whole lot” – he said; “I could provide you with further details about the things I have seen, but it would make you ‘creep’ for a week. Of course we get used to the experience of modern warfare.”

Frank also testified to the remarkable phenomenon on the Western Front which helped to preserve the morale and cohesion of Britain’s citizen soldiers – the way they managed mentally to maintain a sense of home wherever they were, often by meeting and talking about old friends. Frank made a point of listing the other local lads he had seen - Fred Hynes, Sid Bird, Joe Totty, Tom and Frank Davies, Ted Evans (brother of Miss Evans at Hill’s), Frank Doyle (who used to live at the Public Hall) and Jack Davies from Grange. “It makes one forget the war for a few minutes and does one good to have a local chat,” said Frank.

Five months later the first batch of Frank’s possessions was sent home to his beloved Dad – a packet of letters and photos, a plain identity disc, a scribbling tablet, two pipes (one broken), a thermometer in a case, a metal ring, a tobacco pouch, a tinder lighter, a lanyard, a jack-knife and a cotton bag. On 5th February 1917 some more items were posted – two razors, a comb and a brush in a leather case, a letter and a cloth case.

Frank’s memorial scroll was posted on 1st April 1920.

Old ‘Sir’ Edward Case and his wife must have found some solace in the knowledge that at least they had two more sons and that dear Frank had served bravely and cheerfully. Doubtless, Edward ‘moved on’ and tried to live his life as fully as possible, continuing to be a councillor, football administrator and pillar of the community, but it is surely unlikely that he and the rest of the family ever recovered from their profound and shocking bereavement.

Poor Frank met a tragic end: it appears that he was working for the transport section on 9th August 1916. He was in charge of an empty horse-drawn limber and had some kind of accident. It is not known whether this was the result of enemy action, but he received serious leg injuries and was quickly conveyed by motor ambulance to number 21 Casualty Clearing Station, which was staffed by a Lancashire Unit (2-1st W. Lancs., 2nd Ambulance). Remarkably, one of the medics therein was one Fred Fowles - a teacher at the Hoylake Higher Elementary School (he is remembered by some of the author’s older relations as being the head teacher of the Hoylake Parade School during the 1940s), who knew Frank.

Frank was admitted at 4.30 am and died at 10. Fred Fowles’s letter is one of the most touching by anybody from the area to

Frank’s possessions listed in Service Record

20 The Lake

Wirral Symphony Orchestra 30th Anniversary

By Rod Tann The Wirral Symphony Orchestra, widely regarded today as one of the region’s leading amateur symphony orchestras, celebrates its 30th anniversary this season with a series of exciting concerts throughout the spring and summer. Over these next two issues we will document the way in which the orchestra has developed over these past 30 years.

The orchestra’s members come from many walks of life including the medical and teaching professions, engineering, higher education, finance and the private sector, together with retirees and students. All these musicians have busy lives but still find time to attend weekly rehearsals, practise their instruments, learn the music the orchestra is playing and in many cases to assist in the running and administration of the orchestra.

Whilst now a large and vibrant musical ensemble, the Wirral Symphony Orchestra has its roots in the St Bridget’s Music Group, a small choir and orchestra founded on the initiative of John Beilby, who was then the Deputy Organist of St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby. Local amateur musicians, many of whom were former members of an earlier group, the Wirral Sinfonia, were recruited by Peter Crook, a former member of that orchestra.

All Angels in Newton, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the church’s consecration.

Now an orchestra of 23 players, we played works by Mozart and Handel, and with a combined choir, performed the well-known Vivaldi Gloria.

by Gabrielle Horne in early 1995. During the years Gabrielle was with us, she further developed the orchestra’s standards and skills. After outgrowing the hall in West Kirby in 2000, the orchestra moved into its present home, the Hoylake Chapel.

The orchestra continued to grow in the late 1980s and rehearsal space again became a problem - such that late arrivals required major disruption to reach their seats if far from the door! St Bridget’s school hall became the new rehearsal venue, and it was around this time that the orchestra also had another change of conductor, Valerie Malley taking over from Len Smith.

Reflecting its wider repertoire, the orchestra had been using the ‘Wirral Symphony Orchestra’ title since 1995 under the umbrella title of St Bridget’s Music Society. Gradually, however, the ties with St Bridget’s were becoming increasingly tenuous so the time had come to establish itself as an independent organisation. In 2005, the WSO was constituted and subsequently registered as a Charity.

Our April 1990 concert marked a move away from St Bridget’s Church as a concert venue and we began to give performances at Westbourne Road Hall, West Kirby. The orchestra settled into a regular pattern, giving two main concerts each year. Another landmark in the orchestra’s development saw an ambitious concert of British music staged in Hoylake Chapel in May 1993, in conjunction with Hoylake Choral Society.

The size of the orchestra’s membership continued to grow and, with over 50 regular members and the help of extra players, it was able to tackle an ever more demanding repertoire. Perhaps its greatest achievement was a performance of Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony in 2008, to mark its 25th anniversary.

The original 15 or so players began attending weekly rehearsals under John Beilby’s direction, in the rather cramped choir aisle of the church. The Rector didn’t expect the musicians to support regular church services, although the choir helped to put on the ‘Service of Nine Lessons & Carols’ at Christmas time and also gave regular Easter performances of Stainer’s Oratorio, The Crucifixion.

By the mid-90s, the orchestra was performing three concerts each year and was able to muster over 40 players for these occasions.

We also engaged soloists to play concertos, extending our existing repertoire, and opportunities arose for the orchestra to play for other organisations, including the Wallasey Arts Association and in venues such as St Hildeburgh’s Church, Hoylake and Calday Grange Grammar School.

Short concerts were held in the church, involving both singers and orchestra. We performed, for example, excerpts from major works such as Handel’s oratorio, Messiah.

Following Val Malley’s move away from the area, the orchestra’s baton was taken up

A number of times during the orchestra’s history it outgrew its circumstances and had to find a new home or a new identity.

The first of these came after just a few years, when the space available became too small to accommodate new players wishing to join. We moved rehearsals into a room in the adjacent Church Centre. By this time, John Beilby had left St Bridget’s and Len Smith had taken over conducting the orchestra.

The first concert the St Bridget’s Orchestra gave outside its home church was on 16th July 1988 at the church of St Michael and

Shortly afterwards, Gabrielle Horne left the area and the committee sought to appoint a new conductor. The WSO had now grown to such an extent, both in size and ambition of repertoire, that, following its advertisement for a new conductor, it was able to attract the interest of Jonathan Small, Principal Oboist of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. We were delighted to appoint him as our conductor.

In the second part of this narrative, we will look at how the orchestra has developed during these recent years, under Jonathan Small’s direction.

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22 The Lake

The Urbanisation of West Kirby

By Tony Franks Buckley www.tonyfranks-buckley.com For many centuries West Kirby was a small agricultural community; it wasn’t until the arrival of the railway that it changed. It was the 19th century and the Victorian influence of the Industrial Revolution and urbanisation that West Kirby’s landscape was shaped into how we know it today. West Kirby is situated in the north-west corner on the coast of the Wirral Peninsula, at the mouth of the River Dee across from the Point of Ayr in Flintshire, Wales. To the north-east of the town lies Hoylake, with the suburbs of Grange and Newton to the east, and the village of Caldy to the south-east. At the 2001 census, the population of West Kirby was 7,680, and as part of the West Kirby and Thurstaston Ward, its population in 2001 was 12,869. West Kirby was a township and parish within the Hundred of Wirral. It became part of Hoylake West Kirby Civil Parish and Hoylake Urban district in 1894. The population was 148 in 1801, 435 in 1851 and 4,542 in 1901. The name West Kirby is of Viking origin. The Kirby word was originally pronounced “Kirkjubyr” and means ‘village with a church’. However, at that time there was already a place called ‘Kirkjubyr’, and that place was on the other side of the Wirral in Wallasey. In order to differentiate the villages the Norse added the ‘West’, as it was West of Wallasey which has also been referred to as Kirby on some maps.

St Bridget’s Church

The old village was originally located around St Bridget’s Church which played a large role in the expansion of West Kirby; however, in modern times the town is centred on West Kirby Railway Station, which is around half a mile away. At the time of the Doomsday Survey, West Kirby was originally owned by a Robert De Rodelent. The survey shows five tenements and a Frenchman with a Sergeant and two ploughs. The settlement was in an ideal position; it had good farm land, an abundance of fresh water and wildlife, woods, scrubs and marshes as well as hills that looked across the surrounding lands and rivers and had complete access to the River Dee.

West Kirby Promenade Postcard 1905

Many people do not know that several centuries ago, West Kirby was an island just like Wallasey. Given its strategic location at the mouth of the Dee just across from the Point of Ayr in North Wales, it is little wonder why maritime history is so prevalent in the West Kirby area. This is how West Kirby was described in Lewis’s A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848). It is bounded on the north by the Irish Sea, and on the west by the estuary of the Dee; and from some rising ground about a quarter of a mile from the shore, extensive views are obtained of the Irish Sea, the river Dee, and the Flintshire and Carnarvonshire hills.

The quality of the soil varies materially in different parts. In the townships on the seashore it is very light and sandy, and, being in a great measure sheltered by hills from the easterly winds, is particularly suited for the growth of early potatoes, for which the district has long been celebrated.

Some extensive commons are yet unenclosed, and much even of the best land in the parish affords scope for improvement. The Dee today is much different to the river of over 1000 years ago.

Back in the early centuries, large vessels could go into the River Dee until they reached the marsh land of Thingwall or Dingsmere; however, today much of the River Dee Estuary is silting up and needs constant maintenance.

Did you know that pirates and smugglers once frequented the area? Not only have there been Romans and Vikings on these shores, pirates have made their presence known too, just like the well known pirates and smugglers of Mother Redcap, who took advantage of the busy trading routes through the River Mersey. The River Dee played an important role towards trading of goods with the likes of Ireland and it was a busy estuary that pirates and smugglers frequented until the silt got too bad that ships were no longer able to navigate the river. Parkgate is a prime example of how

the river has changed through the years.

You can find out more about the pirates and smugglers in Gavin Chappell’s excellent and well researched book Wirral Smugglers.

West Kirby is also famous for its Victorian promenade, (rivalling the promenade of Wallasey) flanked by the Marine Lake that permits boats to sail even at low tide. In the Victorian days, West Kirby was a great seaside town, much like New Brighton which was the playground of the northwest until a disastrous fire in 1969. It had fine sandy beaches, many shops and a large variety of hotels and entertainment including children’s and adult activities.

Many early photographs show the beaches of both West Kirby and New Brighton to be packed with families. The dress code was not how we see things today; it was a religious sin to show flesh in those days, as religion played a huge part of life in the 19th century. As depicted in the photographs, you would see people sporting large pants and shirts, the women were well covered with large hats and the children with long pants and they would be seen building sand castles. Donkey rides were also a popular form of entertainment and many were available to pace up and down the beach front. Just like today, a short walk whilst the tide was out allowed a day trip to Hilbre Island and was always a hit for the more curious day trippers. The beaches were also packed with entertainers, hawkers and Punch and Judy shows for the kids: a true picture of a Victorian seaside resort. More information can be found in my book An Introduction to the West Wirral Coastline, which is available on Amazon.

At the south end of the Marine Lake, which is now integrated into a modern house, there is a small circular sandstone tower.

This tower is known as ‘Tell’s Tower’. This is a remarkable story of a man and his dog.

The tower was built by John Cumming Macdona MP in memory of a remarkable St Bernard dog for which he had great

The Lake 23 too was a reverend at some time in his life and he was also president of the Kennel Club. The family are now all dead; the last of them was Mrs Macdona who was alive in the 1960s or 70s. The Macdonas gave the land for the use of the West Kirby Sailing Club and where Macdona Drive is now situated was where their house stood.

He buried the dog underneath the tower with a plaque and small inscription as a dedication to his beloved pet. The entrance to Tells Tower can be seen from Riverside, and the actual tower can be seen from the slipway down to the River Dee. Take a look next time you are out for a stroll.

Tells Tower

affection for. John Cumming Macdona lived at Hilbre House in West Kirby with his dog. After the animal died in 1871 he built the tower in the corner of his garden.

The Macdona’s were a family from Ireland.

William Coules Macdona became vicar of St. Marks in Royton, Nr. Oldham and the benefactor of the land to the church was his older brother John Cumming Macdona who for a time was MP for Rotherhithe. He

You can enjoy a long stroll around the coast which can be extended to the area of Seacombe around the other side of the peninsula. You can also take a trip over to the island of Hilbre where much wildlife can be viewed, including Grey Seals. www.tonyfranks-buckley.com

The area has seen many changes over the years and the same in political sense. On the 1st April in 1974, West Kirby was absorbed into the newly created Metropolitan Borough of Wirral as part of the reorganisation of local governments in England and Wales. At that point, West Kirby ceased to be part of Cheshire for administrative purposes and became part of the newly administrative county of Merseyside.

Like most places on the Wirral, West Kirby has turned from a small habitat into a thriving populated area. Whilst doing so it still retains much of its natural beauty.

West Kirby Beach 1902

24 The Lake

Swap Resolutions For Lasting Solutions

By Tracey Locke, Serenity Clinic, West Kirby (www.serenity-clinic.co.uk) Salon Treatments •

Specialised anti-cellulite and inch loss massage techniques and wraps can reduce the appearance of cellulite and ‘flab’.

•

Numerous body toning and inch-loss treatments are available such as Genie, Laser Lipo to shrink fat cells, etc. A good body therapist/technician should be able to advise you on the most suitable treatment for your needs. These produce inch loss and toning, but for long-term results, I’d always recommend more advanced non-surgical treatments.

Advanced Treatments

It’s that time of year again. Out comes the gym gear that’s been lurking at the back of the wardrobe and all remotely tasty food is banished as we embark on another diet.

But, don’t we do this every year before our enthusiasm starts to wane? Tracey Locke, lead clinician and owner of Serenity Clinic, highlights some non-surgical body solutions to replace those short-lived resolutions…

There’s no question that a healthy diet and regular exercise are vital for looking and feeling good but, for many of us, sticking to a regime is difficult and even if we do lose weight we still don’t achieve the figure we dream of. The right treatments can produce lasting improvements in terms of how you look and feel and correct those ‘imperfections’ that no amount of exercise or dieting can solve.

A Fresh Start: Detox If you feel good on the inside, then invariably you look good on the outside.

After overindulging during the festive season and turning to comfort food in the cold weather, it’s no surprise that our bodies often don’t function at their optimum at this time of the year. Detox is a great way to kick-start the ‘new you’.

At Home Detox juices and products such as slimming green coffee are a great way to get your body working more efficiently and lose some

weight. They also give you that important initial boost to restart a healthier lifestyle.

Salon Treatments Inch loss wraps such as Universal Contour Wrap and massage treatments that stimulate the lymphatic system are a great way to remove toxins from the body and achieve an instant lift to set you (and your body) on the right path.

Advanced Treatments Colonic Hydrotherapy combined with Detox Programmes with professional nutritional support make a real difference from the inside out and can also ease digestion problems and reduce the unpleasant side effects of a sluggish system, such as bloating or water retention.

Shaping Up Many of us pay substantial fees to join gyms and exercise classes and while we may lose weight, we often don’t achieve the figure we want. Whether you’re a size 8 or a size 18, there are always parts of your body that you won’t be happy with, regardless of how much you exercise.

Homecare Regular moisturising with anti-cellulite or skin tightening creams using massaging movements will help. The massaging action will also improve circulation and hydration, thus improving appearance.

•

Fat Cavitation (Fat Popping).

Literally pops the fat cells so that they are destroyed and removed naturally by the body’s systems. Unlike inch-loss laser treatments that have been available for many years, Fat Popping offers a longer-term solution as the cells are destroyed rather than just emptied so that they can refill (as is the case with laser lipo type of therapies).

•

Cryolipolysis (Fat Freezing).

Whether you’re a pear or an apple, we all tend to have areas such as the stomach, thighs, hips or bottom, where we have a propensity to carry pockets of stubborn fat that no amount of dieting and exercise will shift. Cryolipolysis (Fat Freezing) offers a real painless, non-surgical solution to these annoying areas. With no need to exercise and only one treatment usually required, this procedure can help you to achieve the figure you really want.

•

Skin Tightening.

While it’s great to drop a dress size and increase muscle tone, it can be disheartening to be left with loose saggy skin which can prevent you from wearing short sleeves or dresses.

Skin tightening can really make the most of weight loss and enable you to wear the clothes you want with no fear of bingo wings, a droopy bust or sagging thighs. Our skin’s elasticity diminishes as we age, so this is a ‘must’ for anyone wanting to enjoy the full benefits of their hard-earned inch/weight loss.

The Lake 25

26 The Lake

Merepool, Croft Drive East, Caldy CH48

£1,800,000

Unique Detached Residence Set in the Heart of Caldy • Seven Bedroom Home with Two Bedroom Annex/Apartment • Standing in Little Over an Acre of Landscaped Grounds Luxurious Home Recently Undergone a Wealth of Improvements • Impressive Leisure Suite with Pool and Gymnasium • Expanse of Modern Living and Entertaining Space Beautiful Mature Lawned Gardens, Ample Parking and Garage • Closer Inspection Essential to Appreciate the Calibre of Accommodation

Meols Drive, Hoylake CH47 Captivating and Distinctive Seven Bedroom Detached Home • Located on the Prestigious and Sought After Meols Drive • Expanse of Family Living and Entertaining Space Three Large Reception Rooms with Original Features • Morning Room Leading Through to a Fitted Kitchen •Master Suite with Dressing Area and Four Piece En-suite Six Bedrooms Set over Two Floors with En-Suite and Shower Room • Extensive Lawned Gardens, Garage, Outbuildings and Driveway

£849,995

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Leas Park, Hoylake CH47

£964,995

Dawstone Road, Heswall CH60

£895,000

Substantial Five Double Bedroom Detached Family Home • Occupying a Corner Plot Off the Prestigious Meols Drive • Exceptional Living Accommodation Appointed to a High Standard Large Entrance Hall, Five Reception Rooms, Utility and Cloakroom • Generously Proportioned Kitchen Diner of the Highest Quality • Master Suite with Dressing Area and Four Piece En-Suite Four Further Double Bedrooms all Benefitting from Having En-Suites • Double Garage, Ample Parking and Beautiful Lawned Gardens

Prestigious and Imposing Four Bedroom Detached Home • Well Planned Accommodation Set Over Three Floors • Exceptional Views Across the Dee Estuary & Welsh Hills • Wealth of Interior Features including a Lift and Marble Fireplace • Four Double Bedrooms Each with En-suite Facilities Driveway, Turning Circle and Large Integral Double Garage • Situated in a Highly Regarded and Sought After Location • Closer Inspection Essential to Appreciate the Calibre of this Home

Winnington Road, Hoylake CH47

Ferns Close, Lower Heswall CH60

£799,995

£649,950

Attractive and Distinctive Five/Six Bedroom Detached Family Home • Occupying a Large Plot in the Prestigious Area of Hoylake • Substantial and Well Appointed Living Accommodation Many Character Features Including Open Fireplaces • Billiard Room, Lounge, Sitting Room, Morning Room and Cloakroom • Impressive Fitted Kitchen with Granite Work Surfaces and Breakfast Bar • Master Suite, Four Further Bedrooms, Bathroom and Wet Room Beautiful Wrap Around Gardens, Garage and Ample Off Road Parking

Contemporary Four Bedroom Detached Home • Tastefully Appointed Bespoke Accommodation Spacious and Well Planned Living Space • Sensational Views Across the Dee Estuary Two Reception Rooms and Impressive Fitted Kitchen • Four Good Sized Bedrooms and Three Bathrooms • Beautiful Landscaped Gardens fully Appreciating

The Royal, Hoylake CH47

Birkenhead Road, Meols CH47

£625,000

Substantial Five Bedroom Detached Home • Cul-de-sac Location in the Sought After Area of Hoylake Enviable Outlook from Terrace Towards the Coastline • Spacious and Well Planned Family Living Space Lounge, Dining Room, Snug and Downstairs W.C • Galley Style Kitchen, Utility Area and Large Conservatory • Close to the Royal Liverpool Golf Course and Local Amenities Closer Inspection Essential to Appreciate this Family Home

£420,000

Substantial Five/Six Bedroom Victorian Semi Detached Home • Character Property Offering a Wealth of Original Features • Situated in the Prestigious Area of Meols Close to Amenities Exceptional and Tastefully Appointed Family Living Space • Three Spacious Reception Rooms and Downstairs Shower Room • Large Fitted Breakfast Kitchen with Utility/Storage Off Five Bedrooms set over Two Floors with Dressing Room and Bathroom Ample Off Road Parking and Good Sized Enclosed Rear Garden

28 The Lake

Mostyn Avenue, West Kirby CH48

Offers in Excess of

£350,000

Wirral Mount, West Kirby CH48

£339,950

Bay Fronted Victorian Semi Detached House • Retaining Many Original Features Boasting Three Entertaining Rooms • Four Good Sized Bedrooms with Potential of a Fifth Well Proportioned Rooms Full of Character • Detached Garage and Rear South Facing Garden Gas Central Heating and Original Sash Windows • Viewing Is Strongly Advised To Fully Appreciate this Property

Extended Three Double Bedroom Detached Home • Tastefully Appointed Family Accommodation Situated in the Highly Regarded Area of West Kirby • Close to Local Amenities and Renowned Schools • Spacious Lounge, Cloakroom and Utility Room • Open Plan Modern Kitchen Diner with Centre Island • Driveway, Gas Central Heating, Double Glazing and Detached Garage Good Sized Rear Garden with Lawn and Patio Areas

Salisbury Avenue, West Kirby CH48

Hilbre Road, West Kirby CH48

£329,950

£297,500

Attractive 1930’s Bay Fronted Semi Detached Home • Boasting Four Good Sized Bedrooms Located in the Sought After Area of West Kirby • Tastefully Appointed and Spacious Family ; Living Space • Lounge and Open Plan Dining/Living Breakfast Kitchen • Driveway, Garage, Central Heating and Double Glazing • Enclosed Block Paved Rear Yard • Closer Inspection Strongly Recommended

Luxury Duplex Three Bedroom Apartment • Situated in the Sought After Area of West Kirby Close to Local Amenities • Tastefully Appointed Accommodation Over Two Floors Beautiful Features Including Antique Radiators and Coved Ceilings • Lounge with Feature Window and Impressive Bespoke Dining Kitchen • Three Bedrooms, Dressing Room, Study and Family Bathroom • Private Well Maintained Garden with Lawn, Paved and Patio Areas Internal Inspection Essential to Appreciate the Standard of Accommodation

Baytree Road, Frankby CH48

Gleggside, West Kirby CH48

£239,950

Traditional Three Bedroom Semi Detached Property • Elevated Position with Stunning Open Aspect to the Front and Rear • Extended and Well Maintained Family Living Space Spacious Lounge, Dining Room and Extended Kitchen • Three Good Sized Bedrooms and Family Bathroom • Long Driveway Leading to a Detached 40ft Garage • Beautiful Enclosed Rear Garden Mainly Laid to Lawn • Impressive Views Over Rolling Countryside and Liverpool Bay

£224,950

Attractively Presented Three Bedroom Semi Detached Home • Entrance Vestibule, Welcome Hallway and Feature Parquet Flooring • Formal Front Dining Room with Bay Window Living Room with Feature Fireplace and Contemporary Decor • Modern Fitted Kitchen Diner with Integrated Appliances • Utility Room and Ground Floor WC • Smart Family Bathroom Suite and Stairs to Loft Room • Ample Off Road Parking, Garage and Superb Rear Garden

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Hillbark Road, Frankby CH48

£204,950

Well Appointed Four Bedroom Semi Detached Property • Beautiful Location Fronting Royden Park Cloakroom, L Shaped Lounge Dining Room and Conservatory • Beautiful Views from Balcony Across Paddocks and Greenbelt Land • Four Bedrooms, Balcony Area and Family Bathroom Driveway and Integral Garage • Small Enclosed Mature Rear Garden Closer Inspection Strongly Recommended

Column Road, West Kirby CH48 • Substantial Detached Home • Five Bedrooms & Four Reception Rooms • Family Bathroom & En-Suite • Breakfast Kitchen

£2,200pcm

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30 The Lake

Local Wildlife Once Around the Lake

By Matt Thomas The Marine Lake has to be one of West Kirby’s defining features; indeed it is from where this publication takes its name. It is the home of the internationally renowned Wilson Trophy and until recently the bracing Boxing Day Dip. Many non-sailors walk around it for an afternoon ‘constitutional’.

My wife, along with many other keen runners, uses it as an ideal training loop for half marathons and some just sit next to it to eat their fish’n’chips. And why not? It has fabulous views across the Dee Estuary to Hilbre Island and the Welsh hills beyond.

On a clear and calm day you can even see the mountains of Snowdonia.

I go there for a spot of... birdwatching.

Despite all of the boats, windsurfers, walkers and joggers, the marine lake can be excellent for birds. A lot of my photography exploits along the muddy banks of the Dee either start or finish with a spin around the lake to see what has floated in on the last high tide. (As I write this article the winter of 2013/14 is unleashing another violent storm that is swamping the lake and much of South Parade, although the lake wall is standing up to all that has been thrown at it so far.)

Between October and March the first species I look for out on the water is the Red-breasted Merganser. This is a member of a group of ducks known as ‘sawbills’, so called because their bills are serrated so they can hold on to slippery fish. They catch their prey by diving underwater and swimming around for up to a minute. They often resurface from the water dozens of metres from where they dived. The marine lake is ideal for them – the tide brings in many small fish to the lake and once it has retreated to beyond Hilbre, these fish are

trapped in the shallow lake making them prime targets for these opportunistic ducks.

There can be up to 30 Mergansers present in good years, but the flock tends to stick mainly to the middle of the lake away from the people walking around the edge. However, if you go out early in the morning after the tide has ebbed they will sometimes come close enough to get good views and some pictures.

When the tide is in the Mergansers often go and feed out on the open sea, but that doesn’t mean the lake goes quiet. On the contrary, once the mudflats are covered the many thousands of wading birds that winter on the Dee have to find somewhere to roost. A small band of these shorebirds will often make their way to the armour stone opposite Tanskey’s Restaurant to rest up and preen before returning to the estuary for low tide. If you approach the wall quietly when the tide is at its peak, it is sometimes possible to get good views of a high tide roost that usually consists of Redshank, Dunlin, Turnstone and Knot.

Over the years, the marine lake has played host to some rare and unusual birds. Since I have been watching birds on the Dee, oddities like Little Auk, Great Northern Diver, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck have all put in a brief appearance on the lake.

Perhaps it is the ready supply of food and the shelter from the open sea that they enjoy while they regain their bearings.

After autumn storms, Guillemots, passing by the estuary after leaving their breeding grounds, have been blown into the sanctuary of the lake. These are birds that you would usually have to travel to remote sea cliff colonies to observe, but I have been able to photograph them swimming contentedly on the lake just yards from boats, walkers and joggers.

On warm summer nights, as I have strolled around the lake watching another fantastic sunset over Hilbre, I have heard the screech of feeding and displaying Sandwich Terns.

Most feed out in Liverpool Bay but I have

watched as the odd one drifts over the lake to plunder unlucky sand eels from the water. As they have arced across the skies, a Shag has been paddling along the surface looking for similar fishy treats. Even though they are not as attractive or graceful as the terns they are worth some casual observation. I have spent many happy hours watching these overlooked and underrated birds diving torpedo-like into the water in pursuit of prey. They seem to favour flat fish for their meal.

Then there are the gulls. The ever-present chip stealers. They are often maligned as being the thieves and bullies of the bird world, but they are interesting in their own right. It is great to watch their petty squabbles on the jetties by the sailing school. A sudden squawking and mobbing group always gives away who among the walkers has a bag of chips. Recently we have been joined by a special gull that I know as J1CR. This bird was caught by researchers in Norway and a white ring was placed on its leg with the inscription J1CR. From Stavanger it travelled to the marine lake where it spent the winter of 2012/13. It disappeared from here in the summer but was found back in Norway close to where it had been ringed. Then in late 2013 it was spotted again on the pontoon in the marine lake! Clearly it liked its first visit to West Kirby and made plans to return. It was last seen between Christmas and New Year on the pond in Ashton Park, no doubt avoiding the worst of the wind and rain on the exposed lake!

There is much more to the marine lake than just boats and views. Look a little closer and there is something special waiting to be seen. So, next time you go once around the lake, make sure you keep your eyes open, you never know what you will find – and remember, after you’ve finished a lap of the lake in the stormy winter of 2014 there are plenty of places for refreshment in West Kirby where you can warm up! www.fromthemuddybanksofthedee.com

The Lake 31

Red-breasted Merganser

J1CR gull

Guillemot

Wader Roost Lake

32 The Lake Cut out and keep this advert to receive reduced selling commission rates. Expires 28th February 2014.

Harp Concert by Janet Harbison Irish harper, Janet Harbison, is giving a concert at 7.30pm on Saturday 15th February at West Kirby Methodist Church.

An acknowledged authority on the Irish harp as a composer, author and academic, Janet will present an evening of Irish harp music and culture, combined with stories about the history of the harp and her work in bringing young people together in Belfast during the time of the Irish Troubles.

Director of the Irish Harp College and founder of the Irish Harp Orchestra, Janet has played before presidents in both Europe and the USA, and is a prominent voice in Irish music. Her collaborations include artists such as the Chieftains, Sir James Galway, Derek Bell and Brian Kennedy in internationally acclaimed performances in many of the world’s most prestigious venues.

Graham Gladden, organist at West Kirby Methodist Church said: “We are thrilled that Janet Harbison will be performing at West Kirby Methodist Church. Her reputation as being Ireland’s ‘Queen of the Harp’ promises a very special evening for all who come.”

Janet is Ireland’s most prolific and celebrated composer of original harp music, from solos to orchestral works. In her work at the Irish Harp Centre on the bank of the River Shannon at Castleconnell, she specialises in a unique aural training method which inspires harpers of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to professionals, to join the world-wide community of happy Irish music-makers.

West Kirby Methodist Church is on Westbourne Road. Further details about the church and its current activities are available on the church website, www.westkirbymethodist.org or by calling 625 2472.

Front Cover Photograph Geoff Wellsteed, Secretary of the Cheshire County Cricket League from Caldy, has contacted The Lake regarding Steve Deer’s photograph on the cover of our last issue.

Geoff wrote: “Your Issue 5 front cover photograph might have caused some of your readers to wonder about the identity of the cricketer featured on the side of the camper van.

It is, in fact, Lou Vincent the former New Zealand international who played with distinction for Oxton CC during the 2012 season. Dogged by depression for a good part of his life, the purchase of the van inspired him to use his cricketing travels to raise awareness of, and money for Mind, the mental health charity.

The Lake 33

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34 The Lake

High Five 1913 Open Championship

By Joe Pinnington With The Open Championship due to return for the 12th time in July, Joe Pinnington takes a look at JH Taylor’s heroic win at Hoylake in 1913.

At the height of the English summer of 1913, The Open returned to Hoylake for the fourth time in a space of 16 years.

All the leading players of the game arrived, led by ‘The Great Triumvirate’.

Of the three previous championships that had been played at Hoylake, neither Harry Vardon, James Braid or JH Taylor had won The Open but one of them was runner up to Harold Hilton in 1897, to Alex Heard in 1902 and to Arnaud Massy in 1907. Now must be the time for the record to be corrected. Surely?

Just to make a point about climate change and all that stuff, the weather in the middle of June was shocking: high winds, rain, just vile - the usual cyclical trends of weather perhaps?

But I digress. The championship was played over four days with all players having to qualify first.

John H Taylor qualified by the skin of his teeth, with only a single shot to spare. So he made it to the championship itself over two days and then had to play four more rounds of golf. In his splendid book, Golf: My Life’s Work, JH Taylor gives a vivid insight into the events of that Championship and states naturally that only his first Open win at Sandwich in 1894 ranked higher. He thought his time had come and gone on the Cheshire links. This was a disappointment to him as, ever since his caddie days at Westward Ho!, he had looked upon Hoylake as a second home. In those early days of English golf Hoylake was as good as a next door neighbour and, what’s more, it was the home of his other great hero, Johnnie Ball. The thought of never winning a championship here disturbed him a great deal and he realised that 1913 was, in all probability, his last chance.

So before the Championship proper he had the fright of his life as he only qualified with that single stroke to spare.

“Most of the competitors had finished the qualifying two rounds and playing the 36th hole I remember asking George Duncan what the qualifying score was, and it came as a shock that a five was necessary at the last hole to get in,” he recalled. “The last hole is not a difficult four, a driver and a pitch over the cross bunker.” (why have these wonderful bunkers gone out of fashion?)

“Most probably it was nerves but I failed to make proper contact and the ball ended in the bunker. I dug it into some rough stuff at the back, scuffled it out to within a couple of yards. As I faced up to it I remember saying to myself, ‘Well, Taylor my lad, there’s only one place for this and that is the bottom of the hole’, and that’s where it went after a wobble on the rim.”

before he rounded the out of bounds; but he did and word came that he had taken a ten and his chances were scuppered. In his memoirs JH Taylor recalls how sad he was to see such a fine player struggling to such an extent, and added that he was even sadder to hear Moran had been killed only two years later fighting as a trooper in the Irish Horse Unit.

The 1913 Open Championship not only provided JH Taylor with his fifth and last win, but also gave him the opportunity to play one of his finest rounds of golf. His third round of 77 in a gale was one of the most wonderful demonstrations of dogged and determined play ever seen at Hoylake.

Taylor also struggled at the first and he took two full wooden shots to reach the corner.

JH recalls that, as he approached the first tee, dear Old Jack Morris was on faithful duty like a Roman sentry and wished him well. He stopped and watched Mike Moran, who was only a couple of shots behind, struggle to even stand up and swing the club in the wind. It seems extraordinary that such a fine player (albeit only about nine stone in weight) would take five shots

Fortunately the wind was blowing off the out of bounds copse so he could hug closely. Another full Brassie shot failed to reach the green but he took only two more to finish with a creditable five. Then the rain got up but he continued to score reasonably, even though drenched. A gentleman who was following him helped considerably by providing numerous towels that Taylor suspected had been raided from the lavatories. These towels were kept under his waterproofs and withdrawn one by one so that Taylor could dry his hand between each shot.

The Lake 35 creation of two public courses in Richmond Park. For many years he was the acknowledged head of his profession and it was due to him that professional golf climbed out of its unsatisfactory condition.

He was born in the vicinity of Royal North Devon Golf Club and also died there, aged 92.

Few men in the history of golf have done more across the whole spectrum of the game and few men deserve greater acknowledgement and praise than John Henry Taylor.

What a life. What a legacy. What a man.

At the Briars or sixth hole there was a mighty carry even in a slight breeze, and on this day the wind was blowing something akin to a hurricane. JH made his par by risking the bushes, playing a safe approach and ending with a well planned five. From then to the end of the round he played solid golf that no one could match and believed it was the finest round he ever played and was four shots clear with just one round to go.

In the afternoon the wind had died a little and the rain ceased. He led a procession and recalled the memorable shot again at the Briars. He took a bolder line for his drive and the second he ripped home with a driving mashie which nearly knocked the pin out and left the ball a foot beyond the hole. Bernard Darwin described the shot as follows: “The ball seemed to make a hole in the wind as it bored its way along.” It was a shot of which Taylor would be forever proud.

The procession ended in victory and the win was one of Taylor’s greatest triumphs.

To win by eight shots a championship that included Vardon, Braid and Ray is a feat that shall be remembered as long as golf is played and recalled. JH himself never forgot that morning of the last day when he battled with and triumphed over the ‘Hoylake wind’.

John H Taylor returned to Hoylake for the l924 Open and after 36 holes was in contention, but a bout of lumbago finished his chances on the last day and he finished in fifth place, pretty good for a man of 53.

And it was during this championship that he registered the course record of 70.

In recent years the Royal Liverpool Golf Club has acquired some notable pieces of golf memorabilia, including the splendid JH Taylor Baffy that was presented to the Club by the soon to be disbanded Tanganyika G.C. The Baffy was the Club’s President’s Prize and was one of the clubs JH used when playing in the 1924 Open.

Taylor must have enjoyed the air in the North West of England as he had an outstanding Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes’ first Open in 1926.

Furthermore, he was the architect that Royal Birkdale engaged to transform the course in l934. Previously the course was played over the sand dunes but it was Taylor’s idea to play through the valleys of the dunes that we see today.

Bernard Darwin believed that JH would have been a success in any walk of life he chose. He was a moving spirit in the formation of the Professional Golfers Association in 1901 and instrumental in the

You may like to know...

I received a telephone call out of the blue late in 2003 from a gentleman called Denis Quinn from the old Tanganyika Golf Society. Denis was its secretary. He told me that the club was about to be disbanded and asked if Hoylake would be interested in receiving the Presidents Prize, the JH Taylor Baffy (an old lofted wooden club).

Tanganyika was a land long ago in east Africa within the British Empire named after the Lake Tanganyika. In 1964 it merged with Zanzibar to form the new country of Tanzania.

The Baffy, I was assured, was used by JH Taylor when, at the age of 53, he recorded the course record at Hoylake in the 1924 Open. In all probability he could have been using the same club in 1913. True, it was 11 years previously but, taking the European war of four years into consideration and the lack of development in club manufacturing during this period, it is certainly possible. And I like to think it is certain! The club is on display in the Royal Liverpool Club House.

36 The Lake

Rowe Fitted Interiors wins award from Theo Paphitis Wirral-based firm, Rowe Fitted Interiors has won a ‘Small Business Sunday’ award from Dragon’s Den investor and entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis.

The leading, family-run business specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of quality bespoke kitchens and bedrooms across Wirral. With over 20 years’ industry experience, Rowe Fitted Interiors has built up an established reputation for delivering an exceptional, personal and complete service from start to finish.

Small Business Sunday, shortened to the hashtag #SBS on Twitter, was created by Paphitis to recognise and reward small businesses that tweet him @TheoPaphitis and describe their business in one tweet including the all-important hashtag #SBS. Each week Theo reviews and chooses his personal favourite six winners who are then re-tweeted.

As Theo has nearly 350,000 Twitter followers, this in turn provides a massive boost to the winning businesses with benefits ranging from their own increased Twitter followers, website hits and more importantly, for many, increased sales.

Steven Rowe, Managing Director and owner of Rowe Fitted Interiors said: “To be publicly recognised by one of the UK’s leading business leaders and mentors is a huge

Theo Paphitis with Steven and Carrina Rowe

honour. The award speaks volumes about our company ethos and service and to say we are delighted is an understatement. Since the coveted Paphitis re-tweet we have been inundated with new business leads and support from the local community, including customers past and present. Having also recently become a Trading Standards

Approved company, which reaffirms our guarantee to treat customers fairly, this is a really exciting time for our current and future business development.”

Rowe Fitted Interiors received their Small Business Sunday award from Theo at the #SBS Winners Event 2013 held on 28th November at the ICC in Birmingham.

The local interest magazine for West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy

Could advertising in The Lake help your business?

We distribute 12,500 magazines to homes and businesses in the area.

For advertising contact alan@lakemagazine.co.uk or telephone Alan Strange on 07788 510868.

The Lake 37

Under the Gavel – a View from the Rostrum John Bathurst Crane with his regular column on the auction world...

I have been ‘embracing all’ over the Christmas and New Year break! And how interesting it has been!

scene by a living artist from Ruthin called Harry Robertson.

In my opinion, Harry Robertson is a master second to none. He has been painting for over 60 years, having studied at the Manchester High School of Art from the age of ten. Harry has taught painting in various institutions and has written extensively on his subject.

Not, I hasten to add, social embracing, but I have been upskilling myself and embracing new internet marketing techniques. Nine days in bed with a form of flu that only men catch and with no visitors to interrupt me, gave me the time to concentrate.

Twitter as much as ye may, because now ‘follow us on Twitter’ means something to me… A few minutes with Jon, our worthy editor and Roger Hyde from Hyde Computer Services in Irby very quickly taught me the basics.

Used seriously as a business tool, you can put business messages and photographs with a short text which can be viewed, or ‘followed’, by anyone in the world. After just ten days, Cato Crane had over 80 specialist antiques dealers looking at our sites and items for sale by auction. Twitter marketing, combined with our worldwide online live auctions, is now creating much more interest than ever in the objects we offer for sale in our Auction Rooms in Liverpool, which of course leads to higher prices for our sellers.

Find us on Twitter – @CatoCrane The internationally renowned painter Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was born on a farm in Cheshire in 1901 and loved all things rural and the inhabitants of the countryside, especially the animals and birds. His eye was trained to see exquisite detail and his skill is that his pictures appeal to the naturalist, the art lover and the

This particular picture is only six by eight inches, but now has pride of place at home.

It is worth a trip to the Royal Cambrian Academy to view their exhibitions which change regularly and can be viewed on line.

You can also follow them on Twitter!

Tunnicliffe – Autumn in Westminster

sportsman. A great achievement. I have been fortunate enough to see several works by Charles Tunnicliffe over the years and his pictures are still very much sought after in auction rooms across the country.

Finally, we recently discovered a three-piece silver tea set in a red leather box. On the satin on the inside of the cover I discovered a gold representation of a crown. On the base of the silver teapot there is an inscription, which says: ‘J.A. Tilleard from the Duke of York December 1895’.

Tunnicliffe was an excellent draughtsman and, even when he was tasked by commissions which may not have enthralled him, he drew and painted with a surety of hand that is the sign of a great master of the art.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds commissioned him to illustrate their magazines. The collection was sold in auction in 1995 when the top price was over £5,000.00 for a single watercolour.

Charles Tunnicliffe spent most of his life living in Anglesey where he died in 1979.

Before Christmas I visited the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy, which is well worth a visit. While I was there, I did remember my own rules, but I could not resist breaking them: I always say don’t buy small paintings, don’t buy river scenes and don’t buy modern artists, because I am biased against all things new! However, I have illustrated here a small new river

Duke of York Silver Tea Set

I recently did some research on this item and it will be auctioned within our auction rooms in the near future. I will leave it to you to do your own research relating to the inscription and maybe hazard a guess regarding its value…

Keep watching our website and following us on Twitter. If you have rare or interesting objects for me to see then please call me directly on 07835 209995. Cato Crane Auctioneers (www.catocrane.co.uk) and Five Counties Valuations (www.5CVC.co.uk)

Tunnicliffe – Swan Wood Engraving

Sunlit River by Harry Robertson

A very happy New Year to you all…

38 The Lake

Cosimo aims for Michelin Star as new manager of The Lawns Restaurant

By Eric Wells

Local Images

Award-winning fine dining venue The Lawns in Wirral has strengthened its team with the appointment of Cosimo Odierni as restaurant manager.

Cosimo joins The Lawns – Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa’s 3 AA Rosette restaurant – after two years as a restaurant manager at the popular San Carlo in Liverpool city centre.

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector, 44-year-old Cosimo has worked in a range of leading hotels, restaurants and cruise lines across Europe.

He is aiming to help bring a Michelin Star to The Lawns, which is regarded as one of the top fine dining restaurants in the region.

Cosimo, from Higher Bebington, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity as The Lawns has built a reputation as an excellent restaurant.

I am used to working in high-end venues but feel that this is another step up. I hope that as restaurant manager I can use my experience and expertise to further improve The Lawns and strengthen its standing as one of the best restaurants in Wirral, Merseyside and the North West.”

Originally from the Italian town of Pavia, south of Milan, Cosimo moved to the UK in his early twenties to forge a career in hospitality.

Cosimo Odierni

He said: “It has been a fantastic journey that has brought me to The Lawns, starting when I moved to London to take a job at the Selsdon Park Hotel. From there I moved into cruise lines, working for Princess Cruises on their famous ‘Love Boat’ and then spending six years on the QE2 where I worked my way up to the role of Head Wine Steward.

“It was on the QE2 that I actually met my wife Helen, who is from the Wirral. Since moving back to the North West I have worked in the Chester Grosvenor, was general manager of Kuki’s in West Kirby and then moved to San Carlo.

“San Carlo was a different type of restaurant – very busy with lots of covers, always looking to get large numbers of people in and out. The Lawns is much more focused on quality and the fine dining experience of our customers. We aim to give the best customer service, be attentive to our guests and provide expert knowledge of our food and drinks menus.

“This is a great team – from the kitchens to front of house – and everyone has been very welcoming.”

Geoff Dale, Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa General Manager, said: “We were delighted when Cosimo agreed to join us as he has such a depth of experience and knowledge of the restaurant industry – particularly in Wirral and the North West.

“The Lawns will continue to go from strength to strength with Cosimo on board and we share the same vision of creating a restaurant which is known far and wide for its food and fine dining experience.”

40 The Lake

Career Choices Making the right choices

By Susanne Christian

Fact: Did you know that there are over 200 different types of apprenticeship offering over 1,200 job roles?

School leaving age You may have heard that the school leaving age is being raised for those who finished Year 11 in September 2013 and for those who started Year 11 in September 2013. But does this mean your child has to stay at school? Will other types of education and training count?

University Your children (or grandchildren) have the world at their feet. But it may not seem like that to them. Just starting out in their careers, they have more opportunities than ever before. Faced with choices about courses, subjects, jobs and study they may be feeling overwhelmed. Which GSCEs to choose?

Which A levels are best? Stay at school?

Go to college? University?

Are you trying to help your child (or grandchild) make decisions about their future? You want the best for your children or grandchildren. That goes without saying. But what is the best?

Full-time study? Vocational qualifications?

Academic subjects? A job with training?

Part-time study combined with a full-time or part-time job?

It’s a changing world and change is happening faster than ever. We all mean the best for the young people we support, but what do we know about the world of modern qualifications, apprenticeships, university courses and graduate schemes?

Apprenticeships Take apprenticeships, for example. You may remember apprenticeships which lasted for years, in hairdressing or construction, perhaps. Nowadays, apprenticeship opportunities range from IT to outdoor activity leadership and from marketing to charity campaigning. But what qualifications would your son or daughter need? How long is the training? And what will they earn?

Individual service What’s best will be different for each young person. That’s why individual career guidance is so important. The cuts mean that schools often do not have the resources to provide individual guidance for each pupil.

Assemblies, careers evenings and group sessions can help. But they are no substitute for an individual interview with a careers professional who will listen to the aspirations, hopes and fears of each young person. Are they making realistic choices?

Are they keeping their options open?

More people than ever have the chance to go to university – but at a price. It may have been harder to go to uni 30 or 40 years ago, but graduates left without debt.

Now young people (and their parents) have to think carefully about uni. It may be a great experience – and a relatively safe and easy way to leave home – but is it worth debts of £20,000 to £30,000?

Whether your child is in

Fact: Overall, more than one in 14 students dropped out of uni in 2011.

At some universities, over 20% failed to finish their course, while at others over 98% complete.

Meet Susanne Christian

The world of work

Year 9, choosing GCSE options Year 10, thinking about their options at 16 Year 11, choosing A levels Year 12, applying to university … they need help. These are crucial decisions which affect their future.

I am a qualified careers adviser, with many years experience in guiding people of all ages as they make choices about their future. I am also the author of several books on career choices for young people.

Most employers say young people don’t have enough real experience of the world of work. Two weeks’ work experience in Year 11 or 12 isn’t enough. How do they get the experience they need? Do they have to do an unpaid internship to get on in life?

I can see your son or daughter, by appointment, in your home, at a time to suit you – after school, evenings, weekends, school holidays. The fee includes notes as a reminder of our discussion.

Fact: 74% of employers recruiting young people say experience is ‘important’ or ‘very important’. (UKCES, 2010)

07837 345082 susannechristian24@gmail.com www.susannechristian.co.uk

I have a full CRB/DBS check.

The Lake 41

Dealing with probate? Lees can help Mark commented: “If you have been chosen as the person to deal with someone’s estate after their death then we can help you get to grips with the endless paperwork and what needs to be done by law to make sure your loved one’s wishes are carried out.”

Mark Duckworth, West Kirby Office

The loss of a relative or close friend is a very difficult and emotional time. For those who have the added responsibility of dealing with the estate of that person, they can find the process very daunting. Just the associated paperwork needed for the Probate Court or HMRC can be a trial in itself and then there is contacting and notifying all of the relevant people about the individual’s death.

We spoke to Mark Duckworth, Head of Wills Trusts & Estates at Lees Solicitors based in their West Kirby office, about the process known as probate that is undertaken on when someone dies. Mark heads up a team of lawyers at their Wirral offices that can provide you with hands on support, alleviate any stress and help and guide you through the process.

If you would like to carry out some of the work yourself, then Lees can assist you as much or as little as you would like.

Lees can help and advise you on the following issues that you will face: • You will need to obtain valuations of both the assets and liabilities of the deceased. The team at Lees have a wealth of experience dealing with this.

• There will be relevant people to notify of the death as a matter of course and Lees can do this on your behalf.

• Lees can help you with the complicated forms that will need to be completed for HMRC and calculate and agree on your behalf the amount of Inheritance Tax that will need to be paid (if applicable).

• Lees can apply on your behalf to the Probate Registry for the

Grant of Probate which will give you authority to deal with the deceased’s estate.

• Lees can offer you advice on alternatives which would best accommodate a beneficiary’s needs and in some cases reduce the amount of inheritance tax to be paid.

• Collecting in the assets, paying bills and finally distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.

• Preparing estate accounts for the beneficiaries.

Mark Duckworth explained: “The range of expertise and experience within the Wills Trusts & Estates department allows us to be in an unrivalled position in offering specialist advice and guidance through what can be a tough time following the death of a loved one.”

He continued: “No matter how simple or how complex the affairs are, whether there was a will written or not, our experts can help and alleviate the stress and heartache involved.”

The Wills, Trusts and Estates team at Lees Solicitors pride themselves on an approachable and sensitive service, meaning you can be reassured that your friend’s or loved one’s wishes are being carried out.

A Flexible Service Mark Duckworth said: “At Lees we recognise the need for change and to adapt to our clients’ needs and requirements. Saturday appointments are available at our office in Heswall (90/92 Telegraph Road). We also offer free half-hour appointments for anyone who wishes to find out more about our services, and we also offer safe storage of any will and can register it on Certainty’s national wills database.”

So why not get in touch?

Let the team at Lees Solicitors make things a little easier for you and your family. Lees offer a free initial half-hour consultation and free will storage for any will – so get in touch on

0800 387 927 or email info@lees.co.uk Call Lees at an office convenient to you: West Kirby 0151 625 9364 Heswall 0151 342 6273 Birkenhead 0151 647 9381

42 The Lake cooking, and a little of the history that led him to deliver such innovative and creative dishes. I was quite surprised to discover his knowledge around vegetarian cuisine, especially the veggie no-nos such as Parmesan and gelatine. I think that’s particularly rare in the general cheffing arena even today.

Vegetarian Cooking Immunity Boosters/Amici Bistro

By Aly Challoner-Jones Post Christmas blues? Sniff... cough... achoo!

Sounds familiar? You could be in need of a little pick-me-up. No trickery here, no supplements, no prescriptions, just no-nonsense good ingredients to help boost your immune system and stave off the onset of winter woes. We all need to ensure we are getting a good intake of antioxidants and immune boosters. There are many supplements available and each to their own, I might add. I take a multivitamin; I’ll try echinacea and good old honey and lemon with a slice of ginger. I love the instant zingy feeling I get from the ginger – I even pop in a little chilli or cayenne to stimulate the sinuses as well as the senses!

Let’s start with garlic, one of nature’s antibiotics and a real trooper for fighting bacterial infections. Use in soups, stir-fries, dressings and even rubbed into bread for a tasty bruschetta base. Vitamin C – you’ll find this in citrus of course and also kiwis and red peppers. Make sure you consume a variety of colourful fruit and vegetables – the more vibrant the colour, the greater the concentration of antioxidants. Remember that many vitamins are water soluble, so steam or eat raw rather than leech out goodness in boiling water. Get plenty of leafy greens be it raw, juiced or steamed.

The dark powerhouse plants help rebuild our DNA and boost new cell production.

Put all the ingredients in a processor and chop roughly, not completely to a paste.

You could also blend the ingredients by hand in a bowl. Scoop large teaspoons of the mixture and roll in your choice of grated dark chocolate, desiccated coconut, cocoa or ground seeds. (Try mixing a little cayenne with cocoa and cinnamon – it works I promise!)

Refrigerate for an hour and merrily pop into lunch boxes or directly into mouth!

You’ll find more recipes and tips at www.absolutecooking.co.uk. Follow the links to the Facebook and Twitter pages for information about products and services. Ebooks are on their way!

Mike at Amici and His Tale of an Egg!

We need zinc to produce healthy white blood cells, and guess where we can find zinc? Dark chocolate and sunflower seeds! You can’t imagine my delight when I discovered this! Barley and oats have wonderful antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties, and acai berries help prevent cell damage.

Fancy a little recipe to incorporate some of these flu-fighting combinations? I have just the thing, and who’d have thought that ‘nice’ doesn’t always have to be ‘naughty’!

These antioxidant, protein and energypacked gems aren’t an exact science. You can pretty much use any seeds, dried fruit, coconut, nuts and nut butter to reach the desired flavour and texture. As long as the mixture binds and rolls into balls it’ll be just perfect.

45g rolled oats 50g of your choice of a mix of crushed nuts, seeds, chopped dried fruit, acai berries (or powder) cocoa and coconut 2 tbsp cashew or almond butter 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

It’s a wintry Friday afternoon at 3pm... the place is busy, vibrant and full of joyful noisy chatter! I’ve arrived for my meeting with Mike Bennett, Head Chef at Amici in West Kirby. Almost every table is full, with people enjoying late lunches, early suppers or wedge of cake with coffee. There’s Mike, setting a high table with a plate of something delicious for me to sample! I’m quite excited and a little bit hungry. Perfect!

I’ve known Mike a while now, and we’ve been in touch mostly over food since he started at Amici around a year ago. I’ve learned of Mike’s passion and dedication to

The plate is building, and I can’t wait to get stuck in. He talks while he works and tells me of the tale behind this new egg salad with a twist. I must add at this point that the inspiration for the new dish originated from the sandwich choice Mike faced at the hospital, while awaiting the birth of his daughter. That’s dedication for you! This dish is due to appear on the new summer menu. Soft-boiled eggs, with a lemon aioli and a hint of curry – much lighter and more fragrant than the usual heavy mayonnaise base. Inside each bite I find a combination of textures, then sweetness from roasted peppers closely followed by subtle spices.

Crowning this dish is a flavour-crammed crunchtastic julienne salad of mooli, carrot and cucumber (no dressing, which I loved).

Then dotted around were radish pickled with rose water and star anise, and mounds of sweet potato and vanilla puree. This luscious lunch came with a side of wholemeal honey and hazelnut toast, poetic in every sense. I devoured the lot with delight. A rare pleasure, enjoying an egg salad and not a shred of lettuce nor slick of mayonnaise in sight!

What else is available at Amici? The menu is really varied with breakfasts, mains and light lunches, and a kids’ menu with colouring books and buggy space to boot. The team at Amici love to buy local produce where possible, and everything is cooked to order and incredibly fresh. Mike draws on his passion for fusion flavours and Asian cuisine to create a fabulous, extensive menu with exciting specials as well as the regular favourites such as creamy garlic mushrooms, Thai curries and the Hurricane Omelette. Gluten-free diets can be accommodated, and vegetarian food is prepared separately in the kitchen. Amici is spacious and welcoming with individual seating areas, high tables and comfy sofas.

There’s something to suit everyone’s tastes and mood, morning noon and well... afternoon! Open between 9 and 5pm Monday to Saturday. See you there!

Aly Challoner-Jones Vegetarian and Vegan Consultant www.absolutecooking.co.uk

ji m bar ro w Est. 1970

For over 40 years Jim Barrow Motor Factors have been providing high quality car parts to local garages.

Our success is based on three important factors Product Range

Formed in 1970 by Jim Barrow Snr to provide a high quality service based on strong personal relationships, the company still reflects these values in day-to-day operations.

We select our products and suppliers very carefully on the basis of quality, range, price and reputation

Our success led us relocate to new 5,000 sq ft premises close to the motorway network, allowing us to stock an even larger range of parts and ensure a fast service.

Our team of well-trained and motivated employees are dedicated to ensuring that our customers enjoy the best possible service

Our comprehensive knowledge of the motor parts industry coupled with the widest possible range from the best suppliers means that we can guarantee a price that is always competitive.

Staff

Service We strive to achieve the highest standards at all levels of our business. We know that speed and accuracy of delivery are important, that is why we have invested in a delivery fleet that provides a fast same day FREE delivery service

Contact us today on 0151 609 0609

8 Durley Park Close, North Cheshire Trading Estate, Wirral CH43 3DE Telephone: 0151 609 0609 • www.jimbarrow.co.uk

With 25 years’ experience IRBY MOTORS are the local car buying specialists you can trust Free no obligation quote • Friendly advice

9 Mill Hill Road, Irby CH61 4UB Telephone: 0151 648 5488

www.irbymotor.co.uk