Issue 8 • May/June 2014
The local interest magazine for West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy
Caldy Rugby Club • The Metropole Hotel • History of Hilbre Islands • More than a Muddy Puddle • Plus much more
Fully Licensed Bistro Bar Finalists in 2014 Wirral Tourism Awards (most professional bar team)
Sit, relax, watch and just dream whilst sipping a glass of Bubbly, or a bottle of our finest wine watching the famous sunset over Hilbre Island – one of the best sunsets in Britain. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY FRIDAY FROM 8PM
Enjoy a glass of wine from our well chosen, worldwide selection (served with free olives) Special Ciders & Beers Bottle Cask Ales With great music to add to the ambience.
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Buy 2 glasses of wine and receive the rest of the bottle free. Other drinks offers also available.
We are also very DOG friendly, with Coronation Park at the rear, and every dog receives a free dish of Winalot Shapes (don’t tell the other dogs)!
NEW OPENING TIMES
Sunday to Thursday 9am To 7pm • Friday and Saturday 9am to 11pm
Our experienced and friendly staff are waiting to greet you. SOUTH PARADE, MARINE LAKE, WEST KIRBY • TELEPHONE 0151 625 3882
Welcome to the eighth issue of The Lake, the local interest magazine for West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy. We would like to thank our readers for your kind comments and to encourage you to keep writing to us with your thoughts and stories.
@lakewirral
We’d also like to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine wouldn’t be possible – we are extremely grateful to them for their continuing support. 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. Contact the Editor by email: jon@lakemagazine.co.uk Or by post to: Jon Bion, Editor, The Lake, Royal Standard House, 334 New Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Wirral CH42 1LE. Telephone 07796 945745.
Published by: Wirral Advertising Media Ltd, Royal Standard House, 334 New Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Wirral CH42 1LE.
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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.
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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. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Wirral Advertising Media can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers. Any views expressed in The Lake are not necessarily the views of the publisher.
CONTENTS
Pages 26-29
Accounts accounts@lakemagazine.co.uk Delivered free to 12,500 homes and businesses in West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols and Caldy
04 The Metropole Hotel
30 UK North Blind Sailing
06 The Claret Jug in Hoylake
31 More than a Muddy Puddle
14 West Kirby Social Club
34 Under the Gavel
16 A 2006 Open Diary
36 The Three Peaks of North West Wirral
18 History of Hilbre Islands
38 Mums in the Know
20 Wilson Trophy History
39 Fitness Queen
22 Caldy Rugby Club
40 Wirral Open Studio Tour
24 ‘Open’ Brings Hoylake Heroes to the Fore
42 The Importance of Languages
04 The Lake
The Metropole Hotel Opened October 1899 By Heather Chapman The Marine Lake opened in October 1899 and attracted holidaymakers and visitors to West Kirby, making it a vibrant seaside resort. Hotels, boarding houses and apartments were in great demand. When looking back at the history of West Kirby hotels in the nineteenth century we think of coaching inns like the Ring O’Bells, West Kirby Hotel and The Black Horse. The Dee Hotel was not built until the railway reached West Kirby in 1878. The Marine Pagoda and the Metropole Hotel
The water supply is abundant and pure, and is obtained from the deep well borings on Grange Hill (Hoylake and West Kirby Water Co), 350 feet deep, and is carried in iron pipes.” The Metropole Hotel still stands on West Kirby promenade today, but has now been converted into apartments. The old boathouse at West Kirby with the Metropole Hotel to the right
Many people remember the impressive Victorian Hydropathic Hotel (known locally as the Hydro Hotel and later as the Hoylake Hotel) on West Kirby promenade. The hotel opened in 1884 and was demolished in the late 1960s. The Metropole Hotel was a little-mentioned hotel, built at the Dee Lane end of the promenade (between the present day Victoria Drive and Salisbury Avenue). The hotel was built in the early twentieth century by William Watson Christian, an enterprising Manx builder, who came to Wirral in the 1860s with his siblings. The Christian brothers built many of the fine buildings in West Kirby, including The Christian Institute (which was opposite West Kirby Station and demolished in 1963) and The Crescent. This hotel was said to be modelled on the hotels on the Douglas promenade, Isle of Man. The architecture certainly bears a close resemblance. In 1906 the West Kirby address was Central Promenade, which also bears a similarity to the division of promenade on Douglas waterfront. At this time there were several vacant plots of land on the promenade. By 1911 the promenade addresses were known as Hydro Parade, Deeside Parade and New Parade. A 1906 advertisement for The Metropole Hotel boasts: “It is capable of accommodating 40 visitors, and is well furnished throughout; all the rooms have a bright and comfortable appearance,
and, in fact, the place has been brought up to modern ideas, especially in respect to ventilation and sanitation; these are both perfect. The management is frequently congratulated on the excellent internal arrangement of the house, and the feeling of home comfort which it engenders among the visitors. The Metropole is lighted by electricity. There are some pleasing and extensive views from the Metropole of Mostyn, Flint, Holywell, the Welsh Coast, and Great Orme’s Head, and the lake in front of the house affords good yachting, boating, and bathing to all in perfect safety.
The Marine Pagoda The Marine Pagoda stood next to the Metropole Hotel, on the corner of Victoria Drive. This marquee was a popular venue for summer entertainments with pierrots, concerts etc. In 1909 a wrestling act in Jiu-Jitsu style provided a different sort of entertainment. There was great excitement in West Kirby with the news that a gentleman residing in West Kirby had succeeded in making a flight in a bi-plane of his own invention. It was built in the Marine Pagoda enclosure. The Marine Pagoda was dismantled in 1910, following its last season of entertainment.
The Lake 05
Deeside Art Group 67th Annual Exhibition at Westbourne Hall The 67th Deeside Art Group Exhibition runs between Saturday 21st June and Saturday 28th June at Westbourne Hall, West Kirby and is open every day. This is an open exhibition and is therefore open to members and non-members alike. Admission is FREE.
House and building plots for sale Thurstaston Road, Irby
You do not have to be a member of DAG to enter your work. Simply email Vice Chairman, David Wilson for entry conditions and a registration form – davart@btopenworld.com Handing-in and selection is on Saturday 31st May between 9.00am and 12.00 noon
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06 The Lake
On a recent trip to Wirral by kind permission of the R&A, the Claret Jug found time to meet some winning members of the Hoylake community. Photography by Jane Hockey. 1
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1. Jackie Hall MBE is the mastermind behind the Hoylake Help Shop and Melrose Hall, a community centre that also stages live music 2. Pam and Les Bell are the proprietors of tea rooms close to Hoylake Station and their fine food and drink will revive the weariest traveller. 3. Ian Hazlehurst is a member of Incredible Edible Hoylake, an initiative that uses public places and unused spaces to grow foodstuffs for free. 4. Chris Ashcroft, an assistant in the Royal Liverpool Golf shop run by PGA Master Professional, John Heggarty. 5. Peter Lewis, who leaves Kingsmead School this summer, will be apprentice greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. He will have direct experience of The Open and some very early starts. 6. Headmaster Mark Gibbons and students from Hoylakes’s Kingsmead School take a break from training. 7. Merseyrail and Hoylake station will play important roles transporting tens of thousands of Open spectators to and from Hoylake. It will be a busy but rewarding time for Station Manager, Mike Trippit and his staff.
Your Solar Update from Natural Energy Sources Last month’s budget made it easier for pension owners to cash in part, or all of their pensions. Instead of receiving poor annuity and investment returns (currently around 1% to 3%), an attractive option is now being able to redirect part of a pension pot to invest in Solar PV and receive around 10% per year through a combination of the Government’s Feed in Tariff scheme and the ‘free’ electricity that system owners can use.
But returns to be had from solar don’t end there. The vast majority of domestic solar systems also send a lot of the generated energy back to the National Grid. As the system owner doesn’t receive any additional benefit for this exported energy (the scheme mainly rewards the customer for how much their system generates rather than exports), it is in the owner’s interest to use as much as they can.
Tony Edwards, from Bromborough-based installer Natural Energy Sources, explains: “For a well installed large domestic system, costing around £6,000, the owner would receive around £600 per year through the Government scheme – basically calculated at 18p for every one of the c.3,400kWhs that the system would generate. If the owner was able to use about 50% of the generated energy in their own home (which is the Government’s assumption), this would reduce the electricity bill by around £250 as the owner could use energy that they have generated themselves rather than buying it from their electricity supplier – meaning that the owner would be £850 per year better off following the installation.”
The average home in the UK uses around 3,000kWhs of electricity in a year, slightly less than a large solar system would generate. The challenge arises, however, in using all of the generated energy as it is produced during the daytime, whereas most is used during the evening. So, how do you use as much as you can? Tony advises: “The more generated energy you can use, the bigger the saving. While the ability to convert daylight to electricity has been around for many decades, it’s only in the past two to three years that advances have been made in helping you use as much as possible. For example, two years ago it cost £2,000 for equipment to automatically
redirect your surplus generated energy to an immersion heater, effectively storing it as hot water, whereas this can now be installed for a fraction of this cost if a suitable immersion and wiring is already in place. Also, there are devices on the market for under £200 which compare digitally what your solar system is producing with what you use in the house – guiding you as to when to switch on appliances such as tumble dryers and dishwashers, to make use of the free electricity. And, of course, as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles become more popular, this will provide a further way to use the energy – running your car for free! “Technology to store the surplus in battery form to allow you to use it during the evening is also now available, and the cost of this should improve to make it a viable option in the next two years or so. These battery systems will be available to retrofit to existing solar systems, so those installing systems now will benefit both from the Government scheme (which will probably phase out for installations from 2016), and the ability to use all of their generated energy.”
08 The Lake
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For example, every room, large or small, needs some storage. But what kind? The trend in recent years has been towards modular wall-hung furniture sited alongside wall-hung WCs and inset mirror cabinets. That is not to say that traditional fitted furniture does not have its place in a modern room – it can do, if room size or storage needs demand. However, independent hung items give the impression of more space, and today the choice of colours is as wide as those available from fitted ranges. Laufen, for whom Prenton-based Bathrooms & Wetrooms are the premier Wirral dealer, have launched new additions to their Palomba and Pro ranges, heralding both changes in styles and colours, some of which can be seen at the company’s showrooms opposite Tranmere Rovers FC. Keuco, for whom Bathrooms & Wetrooms are the Wirral’s sole dealer, have also introduced new ranges to add to their already successful Reflex and Elegance collections. Keuco Royal 60 and Royal Universe offer totally integrated packages of Vanity Units, Basins, Wall Units and Mirror Cabinets. And this style of design fits more appropriately alongside the simplicity of appearance offered by walk-in wetroom showers – tiled bases with simple single or hinged screens. When coupled with a digital shower, the arrangement offers a look that’s more in keeping with busy lifestyles. Bathrooms & Wetrooms is the region’s sole distributer of Aqualisa Ilux digital showers, a range that includes the only digital shower to offer a pre-programmed facility. Aqualisa was the first UK company to develop digital showers, launched some 15 years ago, and they remain the pre-eminent manufacturer in this field. Many have tried to emulate but have invariably fallen short. The full range of Aqualisa’s showers can also be seen at Bathrooms & Wetrooms showrooms, the first step in arranging for the company to design and fit a truly elegant bathroom.
10 The Lake Cut out and keep this advert to receive reduced selling commission rates. Expires 30th June 2014.
M & S leads charity boost
Marks & Spencer Cheshire Oaks has raised a staggering £25,000 for its chosen Charity of the Year, Guide Dogs. The store, which is regularly used as a training venue for new dogs and puppies, chose the charity after seeing first-hand the benefits it gives to local customers. Employees and customers have immersed themselves in raising funds throughout the year for the charity, whose local base is in Knotty Ash, Liverpool. The store’s team of caretakers took part in a sponsored challenge, which saw them sitting in a pool filled with cold rice pudding, while male employees took part in sponsored leg waxes and beard shaving. Other fundraising efforts included a 10K run and a fashion show at West Cheshire College, as well as traditional events such as bag packs, cake sales and tombolas. The store’s Plan A Champion, Shena Holland said: “We are delighted to be able to give something back to the region and have really enjoyed getting involved with the charity and meeting the many dogs, volunteers and guide dog owners and learning about how Guide Dogs have changed their lives.” In addition to raising £25,000, the team has named five guide dog puppies; Bobby, Cheshire, Spencer, Oake and Betty, who may well be used by some of the local customers who regularly visit the store with their guide dogs. If you would like to learn more about the work of Guide Dogs, or to find out how you can be a part of the amazing work of the charity, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk
Hoylake Care Home – 1st in the UK to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer Red Rocks Nursing Home, in Hoylake, Wirral has recently become one of the first independent care homes in the UK to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, based on the cost of living in the UK. The Living Wage campaign has been running for ten years and has lifted over 45,000 people out of poverty. An independent study of the business benefits of implementing a Living Wage policy in London found that more than 80% of employers believe that the Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff, while absenteeism had fallen by approximately 25%. 66% of employers reported a significant impact on recruitment and retention within their organisation and 70% of employers felt that the Living Wage had increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer. Mike Vaughan, Red Rocks’ Managing Director said: “We have always tried to reward staff in recognition of our entire team’s hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence - they deserve it.”. Rhys Moore Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: “The benefits the Living Wage brings to staff and business are clear. I welcome the leadership shown by Red Rocks Nursing Home on this important issue.” To find out more about becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer visit www.livingwage.org.uk
12 The Lake
The Great Send Off On 7th September 1914, 700 Lever Brothers employees travelled from Port Sunlight to Chester by train to enlist in the 13th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. They were the largest group of volunteers to sign up to the Great War effort from any works in the country. Port Sunlight Museum is recreating this event, commemorating its 100th year centenary on the morning of Sunday 7th September 2014, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Merseyrail, who will transport the ‘volunteers’ to Chester by train, and working in partnership with the Cheshire Military Museum, the 700 will march to Chester Castle to enlist. The event will begin in Port Sunlight with speeches performed by professional actors playing key historical figures, including Lord Leverhulme himself and a musical fanfare from the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass, before the volunteers are transported to Chester by train. Participants will be given a card with information on relating to one of the 700 men. Port Sunlight Museum Heritage Manager Katherine Lynch said: “It’s really important people understand the significance of the event. By providing participants with information about the individuals – where they lived in the village, what department they worked in the factory, which campaigns they served in – it will help people to appreciate the enormous impact such a mass departure had on the village, and of course many never returned.” The volunteers will walk as a group to the Cheshire Military Museum at the Castle where they will be formally enlisted, before refreshments are served in the castle grounds. For more info, visit the website www.portsunlightvillage.com. The Trust is also keen to hear from people who are related to, or have information about any of the Port Sunlight soldiers. Please contact Collections & Research Officer, Stuart Irwin on 0151 644 4802 or email s.irwin@portsunlightvillage.com
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14 The Lake
We talk to Harold Rutter who has been a member of West Kirby Social Club for 58 years and has served on numerous committees throughout the years. What about the members?
Tell us a bit about the beginning of West Kirby Social Club. Well, the club’s been around for over a hundred years and was actually founded in 1899. It started life as the West Kirby Working Men’s Club, a name that remained until the 1970s. It was started by construction workers who were working on the Marine Lake – they wanted somewhere to socialise after work so they got on and created a club for themselves. They originally rented a shop on Albert Road and that was used until they moved here in 1906. The idea was to extend the club – adding the shop next door would have been a good plan, but as they were only tenants this was not possible. Our current premises were newly built then and they’ve provided an ideal location. The members put a billiard table in as soon as they moved in and snooker has been popular at the club ever since.
As it was a working men’s club, only men could join as members and ladies were only allowed to come in on show nights, but in 1988 ladies were allowed to join as well. This was a massive boost to the club as the ladies really got involved with darts teams and so on. At our height we had 700 members. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons, membership has dwindled in recent years, but with some forward-thinking we hope to address this problem and increase numbers over the next year or so. Membership is only £10 per year (£7.50 for senior citizens) and with the price of drinks cheaper than almost all the local pubs, it represents very good value for money. How is the club hoping to attract new members? I’m pleased to say we’ve recently been successful in an attempt to have our rates reviewed and this has dropped from £11k to £4k. As the cost of Sky is based on rates, this means we can now install satellite TV and show all the football and big sporting events. Darts, snooker and bingo keep us fairly busy during the week and we are looking to introduce a regular poker league. We also hope to open late for some World Cup
matches this summer if the demand is there. We have entertainment on once a fortnight – these nights only cost £3 and we have some very good acts. Non-members are very welcome on show nights and can just pay on the door. Do you hire the concert hall for private functions? Yes. Both members and non-members are welcome to book the room for any event at a very competitive price. The room can accommodate a disco or live music on the stage. Over the years we have hosted wedding receptions, birthday parties, christenings, retirement parties and funerals. As we are in the centre of West Kirby it is a very convenient location and easily accessible. The room comfortably seats 90 people and these events provide a welcome boost to club funds. We have a midnight licence and this can be extended until 1am if requested. So you’re open for business and looking forward to the next hundred years! We are indeed. A lot of our members come from outside the area so we are keen to attract local residents. It is amazing how many local people don’t know we are here, so we need to spread the word!
Tell us about the club when you joined? When I joined in 1956 there were only 56 members – and only males were permitted to join back then. My dad was a member from 1914, so that is why I joined. Over the 18 months after I joined, I managed to introduce 64 new members. We used to have a lady playing the piano and regular Saturday night entertainment once a month. Things moved on and in 1961 we bought the shop next door and extended the middle floor of the club – the dividing wall was put up in 1965. That extension is now our concert room and was made possible by a loan from the brewery. In 1981 we extended further and bought the room above the Indian restaurant, which is now our current members’ bar. Things were different in those days – all the work was carried out free of charge by our members. I remember when we managed to get seven large girders in by hauling them with rope through the small back window! I say we did the work for nothing, but we did get a free pint after a hard days graft!
Harold Rutter in the Member’s Bar
West Kirby
Social Club The club has seen many changes over the years. Some things stay the same though, such as the welcoming atmosphere, good prices, live entertainment and support for the local community.
As well as the existing members of the club we invite visitors to enjoy for themselves all that West Kirby Social Club has to offer. Located at 98 Banks Road we have a great location which is easy to get to on foot and with lots of nearby parking for those travelling by car.
Live Entertainment every other Saturday
Function Room
17th May – A brilliant entertainer
MICHAEL ANTHONY Upcoming events include theme nights, ABBA and Country & Western evenings
Newly installed big screen with SKY
Our function room is a great venue, able to host up to 90 people comfortably, with a fully licenced bar, catering service and easy access in the heart of West Kirby.
Snooker • Mens and Ladies Darts • Quiz Nights
Telephone 0151 625 7657 Email: westkirbysocialclub@hotmail.co.uk • Website: www.west-kirby-social-club.co.uk
West Kirby Social Club, 98 Banks Road, West Kirby CH48 0RE
16 The Lake
A 2006 Open Diary 20–23 July, Royal Liverpool By Mark Gorton Day 1 They came. They saw. But they didn’t conquer. There was speculation in some quarters that the best players in the world might make Hoylake the worst choice of venue for the 135th Open Championship. The links were called ‘obsolete’ and ‘a thing of the past’; but if Thursday proved anything it was that the course will remain an important part of the future of the greatest golf tournament in the world. Despite a downpour in the small hours of this morning that softened up the fairways and made the greens more user-friendly, the links demanded the highest standards of accuracy and control. It was both intriguing and refreshing to watch the brightest talents carefully plot their way round with strategic use of irons and fairway woods off the tees, and all day we were treated to golf that demanded as much brain as brawn. Though it was golf that most of us cannot emulate, we could entertain ourselves by trying to understand its many nuances. Also heartening were the reactions of the players on completion of their rounds. Many evidently think that Hoylake is a stiff but fair test of golf and are eager to rise to its challenge.
If Day One was all about testing the links’ defences and probing any weaknesses, Friday should bring more fireworks as the leaders strive to maintain their grip and others attempt to battle their way into contention. The weather forecast predicts lower temperatures and the odd shower, though the heatwave could return at the weekend – meaning that on Sunday we could see a dramatic last day played on fiery fairways and unpredictable greens.
Day 2 Woods casts his spell… Tiger burned bright and Ernie was something Els – and already there have been predictions that the 135th Open’s final, dramatic act will be a Sunday shoot-out in the sun between these two great players. It has also been pointed out that Tiger Woods has never lost a major he has led after two days; that he enjoys turning his mind to links golf; and that he appears to be right back at the top of his game. But it would be wrong to think that the script has been written. As Tiger himself said, “we have a long way to go” and, on a course where the margins for error are very narrow, we are promised another 36 holes of absorbing play and oscillating fortunes before the Claret Jug is handed to its new and rightful owner. As the third day begins, those in contention will know that Hoylake can deliver triumph and despair in equal measure – there are birdies to be had and mistakes to be punished. A stumble by The Great One (and nothing resembling his fabulous but fortunate eagle two on the 14th), a little bit of magic from Els, DiMarco,
Goosen and others and, you never know, that powerful Woods spell might be broken by the time Saturday is over… Maybe Sunday will be more ‘Gunfight at the OK Corral’ than ‘High Noon’. For almost four decades, Hoylake has been the missing links of British golf. Now the course is back with a bang. Even though ‘mighty winds’ have not blown and show precious little sign of doing so, the 135th Open is shaping up to be a great championship - intelligent golf of the highest quality, huge crowds, appreciative galleries, fabulous weather and a global shop window for England’s golf coast.
Day 3 The stage is set… “Sergio! Sergio! Wherefore art thou Sergio?” Answer: one shot off the lead with Ernie Els and Chris DiMarco. As the putter of leading man Tiger Woods cooled despite the heat and Ernie Els’ iron play lost direction, Sergio Garcia gave a bravura performance. He struck the ball beautifully and coped well with greens of changing colour and variable pace. Chris DiMarco vied for top billing with plenty of straight hitting and confident putting, while Jim Furyk and Angel Cabrera played subtle supporting roles that were not short of star quality. Still waiting in the wings: Hideto Tanihara, Mark Calcavecchia and Adam Scott. Which means that tomorrow will not be ‘High Noon’. Nor will it be ‘Gunfight at the OK Corral’. It could be ‘The Magnificent
© Getty Images
The Lake 17 Seven’. Or even ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ if someone lower down the leader board gets off to a flyer (assuming we can count the Dee Estuary as an ocean…). That’s how wide open the 135th Open Championship is as we anticipate the fourth round. An absorbing day’s play in front of large Saturday crowds ended with the tournament perfectly poised. Tomorrow one moment of madness, or one moment of luck… or one moment of genius (and let’s hope it’s the latter) could decide who wins the Claret Jug and is crowned champion golfer. The course is now right on the edge, demanding ever more skill from those who maintain and play it. It is ready for the final day – and what a day it promises to be.
Day 4 The mighty champion… Yesterday evening I sat here trying to draw movie parallels with what might transpire on the final day… but they didn’t quite pan out. Instead of a Hollywood formula we were given something subtle. There was a happy ending, true, but it was one that begged questions – about perfectibility, about mortality, about faith, and about the nature of sporting genius. Golf is the loneliest of games. The greatest and most ordinary players are painfully aware of the effect a troubled mind can have on a body trying to execute the most precise movements. Today, Tiger Woods treated us to a display that wrote another chapter in the life story of history’s greatest golfer and, it seemed, allowed him to step from the shadow cast by the death of his influential and much loved father. Tiger’s situation was not unique. Chris DiMarco was competing just weeks after the passing away of his mother. But whereas DiMarco sensed a presence, Woods dealt with an absence. DiMarco found company and took comfort in it, while Woods learned to play alone. Both states of mind are admirable and a reminder that golf remains a game that brings out the best in people. The 135th Open Championship at Hoylake was a great championship. Thanks are due to the many agencies and individuals that made it possible, to the players who played so well, and, above all, to those who spent their hard-earned money to form such enthusiastic and appreciative crowds. Let’s hope we can be treated to another similar spectacle this July.
© Getty Images
2006 Open Championship Final Standings Place
Player
Score
To par
Money
1
Tiger Woods
67-65-71-67 = 270
–18
£720,000
2
Chris DiMarco
70-65-69-68 = 272
–16
£430,000
3
Ernie Els
68-65-71-71 = 275
–13
£275,000
4
Jim Furyk
68-71-66-71 = 276
–12
£210,000
T5
Sergio García
68-71-65-73 = 277
–11
£159,500
Hideto Tanihara
72-68-66-71 = 277
-11
7
Ángel Cabrera
71-68-66-73 = 278
–10
£128,025
T8
Carl Pettersson
68-72-70-69 = 279
–9
£95,350
Andrés Romero
70-70-68-71 = 279
-9
Adam Scott
68-69-70-72 = 279
-9
18 The Lake
History of Hilbre Islands Article from Wyrale By Greg Dawson Hilbre Islands were almost certainly part of the Wirral mainland in prehistoric times. It has been suggested that originally they would have been one large island. There was believed to be a Bronze Age settlement on the island which would have given reasonable security, as no one could approach without being seen. In those days there would possibly have been enough farmland to help support an extended family group or clan, with the added advantage of plenty of fish and shellfish. Metal objects, pottery and glass from the Roman period have been found on the island. The Romans were believed to have had an observation post there to keep an eye on shipping going to and from Chester. After the Romans left Wirral in about 410 the local Celts probably made use of the Island until 615, when Wirral was conquered by the Angles under the leadership of Aethelfrith. A cell of Anglo-Saxon Benedictine monks settled on the Island and a burial ground has been found. This small island became known as St Hildeburgh’s Eye, possibly after being dedicated to the 7th century Saint, St Edburge of Mercia. The Vikings who frequently sailed the River Dee would have been familiar with the island, where the treacherous rocks to the south are still called Tanskey Rocks. The name Tanskey probably comes from the Norse words tonn a tooth, sker a reef and eye a small island, meaning the island with rocks like teeth. After 1066 the two Anglo-Saxon monks were replaced by two Norman monks. William the Conqueror’s nephew, Earl Hugh of Averanches, gave a number of Wirral manors to Robert de Rodelant, Baron of Rhuddlan, who was his cousin and Commander-in-Chief. The manors given to Robert were Great and Little Mollington, Leighton, Thornton, Gayton, Heswall, Thurstaston, Wallasey, Great and Little Meols, and Caldy, including the village of West Kirby. Hilbre Island was part of the manor of Caldy. The Bishops Transcripts include the following description: WEST KIRBY This village and the advouson of the Church were given by Robert (Richard writes the ledger book) together with the Church of the Island adjoining viz. Hildeburshay (now Hilbre) and the Church of St. Peter in Chester to the Abbey of Utica in Normandy wherein
Hilbre Island (photography by Ron Thomas)
his ancestors were buried, and not long after the Abbot & Convent of St. Ebrulfe released, or rather sold those places to the Abbot and Convent of Chester for 30 shillings a year to be paid at their manor of Totheling at the charges of the Monks of Cheshire. Reference is made in this very old document to the church of the island which was believed to have been a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The island and chapel became a detached part of St Oswalds parish in Chester, owned by St Werburgh’s Abbey. In 1088, Robert of Rhuddlan was killed at Deganwy by the Welsh. Some of his lands eventually passed down to Robert Lancelyn who, in about 1190 granted the monks £3 a year from the manor of Little Meols. A tenement in Meols, as well as the fishery and lake (later called Hoyle Lake) was given to the monks by Robert Lancelyn’s son William. During the 1300s the island became a place of pilgrimage to Our Lady of Hilbre and the offerings helped maintain the cell of monks who lived there undisturbed until the Dissolution. The monks probably also maintained a beacon fire as a guide to Chester bound ships.
Henry VIII had for a considerable time sought to divorce his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, with the Pope’s blessing. Negotiations dragged on for years. Tired of waiting, Henry declared the Act of Supremacy, replacing the Pope with himself as Supreme Head of the English Church. He divorced Catherine, and in 1539 a copy of the Bible, translated from Latin into English, was placed in every church. In the same year the Dissolution of the Monasteries was ordered and the cell on Hilbre Island, along with every monastery in the land was closed. Henry VIII believed he was a true Catholic to the end of his days. One of the monks, Robert Harden, left the island to become a priest at West Kirby, whilst the other monk, Robert Wigan, stayed on the island and made a living from farming and fishing. Hilbre in those days was a very important little port, and there is ample evidence of this. During the 1500s a lot of shipping was registered as being ‘of Hilbre’. Top right is a list of Wirral shipping (as originally spelt) for the 35 days from 27 October to 30 December 1544, all of which paid dues to Chester as they were Chester ‘creek’ ports.
The Lake 19 This shows how busy Hilbre was compared with other nearby Wirral ports. The popularity of the island port was probably due to it being a good anchorage, close to the open sea, therefore mariners did not have to navigate channels as they would to reach other ports. The sandbanks protected the Hilbre anchorages by breaking the force of the waves. As would be expected at a small port in 1544, the vessels listed above were small, being between five and 16 tons. They were usually taken to sea by their owners who were often farmers or fishermen from neighbouring villages. The cargoes were mainly herrings, sheepskins, wool, coal and corn, which may have been taken to and from Hilbre by other small boats. Some goods would have been carted or taken by packhorse across the sands, to and from West Kirby, Caldy and Dawpool. During the later 1500s there were more boats recorded as being of Hilbre than of all the other Wirral ports put together. After Chester and Liverpool, Hilbre was the most important port in the Dee/Mersey area. In 1571 there were ten ships using Hilbre as the home port and one using West Kirby. The following year there were also several ships sailing from Heswall. Most of the trade was with Ireland. Cargoes of coal from the Deeside pits, sugar, cloth, knives etc., were shipped mainly to Dublin.
DATE
NAME OF SHIP
HOME PORT
NAME OF MASTER
XXVI I Oct.
The Nottorke
Helbre
Richard Lytill
XXX Oct.
The Michaelle
Hilbre
Thomas Lytill
II Nov.
?
Hilbre
Rob. Radcliff (of Greasby)
III Nov.
The Marten
Neston
Richard Kempe
X Nov.
The Peter
Hilbre
Richard Sheppard
XII Nov
The Trinitie
West Kerkbye
Peter Warrington
XIII Nov
The Rose ?
West Kirkbye
Thomas Wright
XIII Nov.
The Christopher
Hilbre
John Wright
XXII Nov.
The Marten
Neston
Richard Kempe
XX I V Nov.
The Pride
West Kirkbye
John Couentrye
? Dec.
The Goodlocke
Code (Caldy)
Thomas Hogg
XXI V Dec.
The Nuttock
Hilbre
The boats returned to the Dee full of animal skins for the Chester leather industry. Most skins were from sheep or lambs but many were from various Irish wild animals including martens, otters, foxes and wolves. Not all the trade and activity was honest: in 1585 a ship was stolen from a Wirral port by ‘pirates’ who could not ‘navigate it through the channel’ and were caught on Hilbre.
Richard Lytill
There was a customs house and beer house on the island. The beer house was probably a rough dive frequented by some unusual characters, from rough and ready honest mariners, shipowners and soldiers to smugglers and wreckers. Trade would be very good at times when men waiting for bad weather to clear probably did a lot of heavy drinking.
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20 The Lake
Wilson Trophy History Began 1949 By Alan Jenkins In April 1948, West Kirby Sailing Club was invited to send a team to Dun Laoghaire for a mixed class team racing event, competing against teams from the South of Ireland and South of England. A team was sent to compete and, to the surprise of the Irish, this unknown team were runners-up and, but for a mistake in the final, could have won. That evening over celebratory drinks the possibility of holding a similar event in West Kirby was discussed, but limited to one class – the ‘Firefly’ One Design. This was the conception of the Wilson Trophy, now one of the best team racing events in the world. Boats would have to be lent by West Kirby members and part of the racing would be on the River Dee because it was thought that no one would travel to race on a ‘pond’. Support would have to be gained from the Oxford and Cambridge Sailing Society, which was then the most important body sponsoring team racing, and finally, accommodation and hospitality should be provided by West Kirby members, free of charge, for visitors.
Bill Wilson (photograph by Eric Hosking)
It was decided that the racing in the morning should be on the tide and on the lake in the afternoon when it would be low water. One big problem was the club did not own a tractor so it was decided to use a horse to pull four Fireflys at a time across the beach, in order to get much time as possible on the water. After three years the decision was made to sail exclusively on the Marine Lake. The first winner of the North West Firefly Championship was Itchenor Sailing Club, with
the Oxford and Cambridge Sailing Society runners-up. The event was a great success and it was decided to make it an annual event. On 19th October 1953 it was decided to change the name of the meeting to the ‘Wilson Trophy’ in honour, not of a Prime Minister, but somebody more important to the event: Bill Wilson, loved locally and one time Commodore of WKSC. (The above is taken from Anything But Sailing written by West Kirby member, the late John Millar).
27th May 1949 (photographer unknown)
The Lake 21
Fireflys 1995 (photograph by John Millar)
In 1995, West Kirby had the honour of hosting the first ever Team Racing World Championships. West Kirby had run championship events away from home, but never on our home waters. To run a World Championship event at home was something very special. 24 colour-coded brand new Firefly boats were purchased especially for the event with the help of many sponsors. Teams came from Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Japan, Czech Republic, Australia, USA Canada, and Holland. The winners were Great Britain with Ireland runners-up. In 1999, the Golden Jubilee of the Wilson Trophy took place to celebrate the event. It was decided to extend the entries from the normal 32 teams to 50. In the early stages this required two courses at the north and south ends of the lake. The event ran over three days and the winners were New York Yacht Club.
2014 saw the 65th running of the Wilson Trophy on 9th, 10th and 11th May and saw teams representing Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland and USA.
Forthcoming events at West Kirby Sailing Club 12th & 13th July 2014 WKSC Regatta 11th, 12th & 13th July Finn Class National Championship
1995 winners (photograph by John Millar)
22 The Lake
Caldy Rugby Club Celebrating 90 years By Jon Bagley Ninety years ago, a group of Old Caldian’s played a game of rugby on a field next to Caldy Crossroads. The facilities included a piece of grass to play on and some tin baths to get clean in afterwards. The following year Sir Alfred Paton bequeathed 20 acres of land to the National Trust to be used for the enjoyment of sport in the Community and Caldy Rugby Club had a home. Many developments have been made since those early days, with possibly the most important being the creation of the club’s current main pitch, 40 years on, under the leadership of the President at the time, Guy Tills. Ninety years after its founding, the club is thriving, with 450 children playing rugby in age groups from U6 to U19’s, 50 coaches at various levels of Rugby Football Union Coaching standards, dozens of volunteers assisting in everything from catering to children’s safeguarding and from cutting grass to maintaining the buildings, and three senior sides playing rugby across the North of England. The club’s first team play at level 4 in National League 2 North, the second team compete at the highest level that they can play at in the league structure and the third team are the highest ranked third team in the North West leagues. This season, throughout the junior section we have had numerous successes at county level and our minis numbers are growing year-on-year.
Clubhouse in the snow
Caldy were one of the first clubs in the country to be recognised as an RFU accredited club at a function held at the home of English rugby, Twickenham, in 2011. Possibly, though, the club’s proudest hour comes when they see their youth develop into huge talent. In addition to our own first team players who have been coached at Caldy all their lives, we have also sent off players to greater things, including Shaun Woof, who played Premiership Rugby for several years at Leeds; Dave Jones, who was selected for English Counties last season; Sam Dickinson, who is a regular in the Northampton Saints line-up alongside Courtney Lawes, George North, Dylan Hartley and numerous other seasoned internationals. Sam has also made it into the England Saxons squad this season and
Willie John McBride at the club
Caldy’s hopes are on him making the full squad in time for the Rugby World Cup 2015. In its 90th anniversary year, Caldy have already done some celebrating. On the 28th February they welcomed Willie John McBride, one of the most famous rugby players of all time, to speak at the club. Willie John spoke to 180 members after local restauranteurs Hickory’s had served
1st XV in action
The Lake 23
1st pitch from clubhouse
inspiration to all who meet him. Everybody is welcome at Caldy on the day and the £5 admission charge is being donated to the Royal Marines Charity.
Junior awards day
a celebration lunch and, in addition to recounting stories of some of the most fantastic British Lions tours, he also talked about grass-roots rugby and how clubs like Caldy are the future of the game.
the 17th May when the club will be the venue for the Cheshire v Northumberland game. This is sure to be a fantastic match and entry at the gate will only cost £5, with juniors getting free entry.
On the following evening a similar number of guests enjoyed a 1920s themed gala dinner and were wined and dined, entertained by a live band and danced the night away.
The 90th Anniversary celebrations will continue into the year and Caldy Rugby Club are proud to announce that they have forged a fantastic partnership with the Royal Marines. Working with the Merseyside branch of the Royal Marines Reserves, the first ever Caldy XV v Royal Marines game is to be played on Saturday May 24th at Caldy Rugby Club. In addition to bringing their full squad, the marines are bringing with them a kid’s assault course and camouflage face paints to make this a true family day. They will also be joined by local marine and Afghan veteran, Peter Dunning, and by triple amputee Mark Ormrod, author of the fantastic book Man Down and an
In April, the club had their most successful Past Players and Captain’s Dinner ever, with 170 former players eating in the marquee before watching some fantastic rugby. They had past captains in attendance covering 21 seasons and the club are honoured that they have hosted their oldest member this season, Charles Elston, a true gentleman who captained the club in 1946. For the first time in their history Caldy are hosting a County Championship match on
On the following day, the famous Caldy Sevens will be held. In its 71st year, Caldy Sevens is the longest continuously running sevens tournament in the UK. There will be teams from Scotland, England and Wales and the line-up will include two Royal Marines sides and a side from the Mercian Regiment. Specialist sevens outfit, the North Wales Exiles will be challenging for a place in the final alongside the strong Glasgow Hawks side and the Rugby Club of Liverpool, founded and managed with the main purpose of playing great sevens rugby and raising funds for the Have a Heart charity. Also in the running are local clubs, including Caldy themselves, and the Caldy Trustland 3s. Over the whole weekend the club will have a beer tent open and food and refreshments will be available. It will be a family day and everybody is welcome. Admission to under 18s is free. Ninety years on, Caldy really is a club that is prospering. The balancing act of maintaining professional standards at the senior end whilst retaining all the fun aspects of mini rugby is managed by a fantastic team of volunteers. Throughout the club, Caldy believe that they are using sport and the English Rugby Football Union’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship to develop young people in the best possible way.
24 The Lake
‘Open’ Brings Hoylake Heroes to the Fore July. Taking place at the Parade Community Centre is ‘Grow Your Own Day’ which will involve three films all with a growing theme. This will include film festival highlight Grow Your Own, written by Carl Hunter from Liverpool band The Farm and Frank Cottrell Boyce, a British screenwriter and novelist. In addition Carl Hunter will be hosting a question and answer session. Practical and helpful demonstrations from Hoylake and Meols in Bloom, Incredible Edibles and Hoylake Allotments are also part of the Festival.
Incredible Edible planter
With less than three months before the return of the Open golf championship, the world’s media is once again preparing to descend on the Royal Liverpool course. But while their focus will be on global superstars like Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy, it’s a team of local heroes who are collecting the plaudits in Wirral. Serious preparations for the event have been evident for months, and no visitor to Hoylake can fail to have noticed the impressive efforts to spruce up the town in preparation for one of sport’s most prestigious tournaments. But it’s the all year round work of dedicated volunteers in the town that has really made the difference, each spending many hours running and supporting the numerous local community organisations. Thanks to this committed crew the town now boasts, amongst many other projects, a community cinema, an annual arts festival, and a village planting scheme that’s done so much to brighten up the main roads, shopping thoroughfares and the Parade Gardens.
community schemes. Most importantly, it has brought big-screen entertainment back within reach of Hoylake’s residents. “The Community Cinema has proved to be enormously popular, and it’s the undoubted jewel in our crown,” says HVL Chair, Linda Gardiner. “The last Friday of the month at the Parade Community Centre has become a regular date for alternative film enthusiasts, and an important part of the area’s social scene.” Wirral, of course, has long-established links with the movie industry, once providing the backdrop for a variety of scenes in the multi-Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire. More recently, Hoylake’s own Daniel Craig graduated from promising British actor to Hollywood A-lister by becoming the latest, and – in box-office terms – most successful, James Bond. “Daniel is one of our famous patrons,” adds Linda. “Other supporters include Glenda Jackson, the cult film director Alex Cox, born just up the road in Bebington, and the actor David Bradley who played Billy Casper in Kes.
“This is an exciting venture for HVL,” says Linda “Not only is it a chance to show some great films in Hoylake, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to work with other groups who, like ourselves, are working so hard to improve the town.” But the cinema is only one project for which HVL has reason to be proud. Over the last 12 months it has helped stage a number of events that have brought life and colour back to the seaside streets. The Christmas Lights provided a good focus for the Town over the Christmas period but perhaps the most successful events have been the Halloween and Easter parties. Organised in conjunction with the Parade Community Centre, these attracted more than 700 excited children and parents who came along to enjoy the disco, face painting and other competitions In addition to fundraising, HVL has been busy applying for grant aid for projects, and as a result has been able to donate funds to groups like Hoylake & Meols in Bloom, ‘Incredible Edible Hoylake’ and the Wednesday Special Needs Club Meanwhile, the activity has given rise to other groups like Hoylake Business Network, which grew out of HVL and now meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Holiday Inn Express.
One of the most active groups working in the town and the driving force behind much local activity is Hoylake Village Life. The community group set up in 2009 to ‘do something about the empty shops’ has developed broader regeneration as its aim.
“Along with local scriptwriter Mark Gee, they’ve joined us to talk about their experiences, to share their perspectives on the film industry, and to answer our questions.”
“The Network is going from strength to strength. Every month someone makes a short presentation about their business, and we have such a great venue provided by Holiday Inn Express who also lay on food, demonstrating their support for the community groups in Hoylake,” says Linda.
In the five years since then, HLV has achieved its goal by holding events, developing and supporting groups, raising funds and donating grants to local
Building on its Friday night success the Community Cinema will, for the first time in 2014, join forces with Festival of Firsts to run a joint Film Festival over two days in
“Other than that it is very social. The meeting ends with ‘speed dating sessions’ with people making new, valuable and sometimes unexpected contacts.”
The Lake 25
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Telephone: 0151 625 8709 Mobile: 07887 886818 management and content, so people such as trainee journalists and web-design students would be a valuable asset. “We will also shortly be seeking a new treasurer, so if anyone with accountancy or bookkeeping skills would like to help we would be delighted to hear from them. We can be contacted via our website.” Useful websites: www.hoylakevillage.org.uk www.hoylakecommunitycinema.co.uk www.hoylakevision.org.uk www.festivaloffirsts.com www.hoylakeinbloom.co.uk www.hoylakehelp.co.uk www.hoylakeparade.com
Plants helping to enhance the street scene
The Hoylake Neighbourhood Planning Forum, ‘Hoylake Vision’, was also born out of HVL. Ultimately this group will be able to make an impact on local planning decisions if their Plan is accepted by residents. Following discussions with local people over many months they are now at the stage of preparing a Plan for the area which, when finalised, will be shared with locals for further consultation.
“None of this is possible without the support of volunteers, whose enthusiasm and commitment keeps everything afloat,” adds Linda. “We are always on the lookout for new volunteers who are interested in what we do, willing to help with existing projects or have ideas for new areas of work. At the moment we need help with our website,
26 The Lake
Lingdale Road, West Kirby CH48
£785,000
Substantial Seven/Eight Bedroom Detached Family Home • Expanse of Versatile Living Space Set Over Three Storeys • Tastefully Appointed with a Wealth of Original Features Lounge, Music/Sitting Room, Dining Room and Family Room • Beautifully Presented Breakfast Kitchen with Utility Room Off • Seven Bedrooms, Bedroom Eight/Study and Two Bathrooms Gated Access, Driveway, Detached Garage and Outbuilding • Well Maintained Gardens to the Side and Rear with Lawn and Patio
Mereworth, Caldy CH48
£699,950
Executive Five Double Bedroom Detached Home • Located in the Prestigious and Desirable Area of Caldy • Offering an Expanse of Luxury Living and Entertaining Space Lounge with Feature Fireplace, Study, Snug, Utility Room and W.C • Impressive High Specification Kitchen Diner with Seating Area • Two Contemporary En Suite Shower Rooms and Family Bathroom Detached Double Garage With Duplex Floor with Gym and W.C • Well Manicured Gardens Laid to Lawn with Large Decking Area
The Lake 27
Caldy Road, Caldy CH48
Offers in Excess of
£2,000,000
Croft Drive East, Caldy CH48
£1,800,000
Captivating and Distinctive Seven Bedroom Detached Home • Located in the Prestigious and Highly Regarded Area of Caldy • Standing within Approx. 2.6 Acres of Mature Manicured Grounds • Built in 1929 and has been within the Same Family for over 45 Years Many Original and Unique Features Including Two Turrets and Feature Fireplaces Grand Reception Room, Formal Dining Room and Morning Room • Direct Access to Stapledon Wood and Caldy Hill • Seven Bedrooms full of Character, Bathrooms and Shower Room Sweeping Driveway, Double Garage and Various Outbuildings Internal Inspection Essential to Appreciate this Exquisite Home
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
Cottage Drive West, Heswall CH60
Manor Road, Thornton Hough Village CH63
£1,699,950
£950,000
Architect Designed Four Double Bedroom Detached Bungalow • Detached three Bedroom Lodge with Split Level Lounge/Dining Room • Encapsulated in Approximately 6.5 Acres of Natural Private Grounds • Sensational and Unrivalled Views Towards the Dee Estuary Set Within the Prime Location of Heswall Designed to Fully Absorb the Views 34’ Lounge, Dining Room, 25’ Living/Family Kitchen, Snug/Study • Indoor Heated Swimming Pool with En-suite Wet Room and Dressing Room • Ample Off Road Parking, Triple Garage, Central Heating and Double Glazing
Imposing and Substantial Detached Five Bedroom Character Residence • Period Property Dating Back to 1904 (Formerly the Village Manse) • Expanse of Living and Entertaining Space Set Over Three Storeys • Reception Hall, Lounge, Formal Dining Room and Sitting Room/Snug Traditional Breakfast Kitchen, Butlers Pantry, Utility, Cloakroom and W.C • Five Generously Proportioned Bedrooms, Bathroom and Shower Room • Encompassed in Magnificent Formal Grounds of Approximately an Acre • Manicured Lawns, Outdoor Heated Pool, Tennis Court and Outbuildings • Gated Access, Sweeping Driveway Leading to a Detached Double Garage Exceptional Far Reaching Views Across Rolling Countryside Towards Wales
Thurstaston Road, Heswall CH60
Pipers Lane, Heswall CH60
£850,000
Stunning Three Double Bedroom Detached Bungalow • Absorbing Sensational Views Across the Dee Estuary • Finished to an Exceptionally High Standard Throughout Perfectly Blending Character Features with Modern Touches • Bay Fronted Lounge, Dining Room and Utility Room • Impressive Family Kitchen with Bi-Folding Doors onto Decked Area Driveway, Double Garage, Central Heating and Double Glazing • Beautifully Maintained Lawned Grounds Rolling into Heathland
£725,000
Impressive and Substantial Five/Six Bedroom Detached Family Home • Stunning Views Across the Dee Estuary and Towards the Welsh Hills • Spacious and Versatile Accommodation Set on a Sought After Road • Cloakroom, Lounge, Sitting Room, Dining Room and Games Room/Bed Six Generously Proportioned Dining Kitchen with Appliances and Utility Room • Master Suite with Dressing Area, En Suite and French Doors To Balcony • Ample Parking, Garage, Central Heating, Double Glazing and Solar Panels • Set in Beautiful South West Facing Landscaped Well Established Gardens
28 The Lake
Hoscote Park, West Kirby CH48
£695,000
Boundary Road, West Kirby CH48
£565,000
Prestigious Newly Refurbished Six Bedroom Semi Detached Home • Offering an Expanse of Luxury Living and Entertaining Space • Taken Back to Brick and Renovated to a First Class Specification • Two Reception Rooms, Cloakroom and Utility Room • Impressive Breakfast Kitchen of Outstanding Quality • Six Bedrooms Set over Two Floors with Contemporary Bathrooms Driveway, Lawned Front Garden and Enclosed Rear Garden Located Approximately 190 Metres from West Kirby Marine Lake
Impressive Four Bedroom Detached Family Home • Situated in the Sought After Area of West Kirby • Perfectly Blending Modern Touches into a Character Home • Bay Fronted Lounge, Sitting Room and Dining Room • Modern Fitted Kitchen and Downstairs W.C Contemporary Four Piece Family Bathroom • Driveway Leading to a Detached Garage Well Maintained Rear Garden with Patio, Decking and Lawn
Bramhall Close, Wirral CH48
Elwyn Road, Meols CH47
£435,000
£410,000
Five Bedroom Detached Family Home • Entrance Hall, Study and Ground Floor WC Large Living Room with Smart Karndean Flooring • Separate Formal Dining Room to Rear Substantial Family Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Five Double Bedrooms and Family Bathroom En Suite to Master Bedroom and to Second Bedroom Driveway to Double Garage, Front and Rear Gardens
Attractive Four Double Bedroom Detached Family Home • Located Within an Excellent Catchment Area for Local Schools • Beautifully Presented and Well Proportioned Accommodation Exceptional Family Living Space with Many Charming Features • Spacious Lounge, Dining Room and Conservatory • Modern Fitted Kitchen with Diner Off, Rear Vestibule and W.C Off Road Parking, Detached Garage and Workshop • Enclosed Well Maintained Rear Garden with Patio and Lawn
Birkenhead Road, Meols CH47
The Spinney, West Kirby CH48
£399,950
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
£349,995
Large Four Bedroom Detached House • Excellent Family Living Space Spacious and Well Planned Accommodation • Three Reception Rooms and Large Kitchen Diner Four Double Bedrooms and En-suite to Master • Good Sized Enclosed Rear Garden Extensive Block Paved Driveway and Garage • Internal Inspection Strongly Recommended
The Lake 29
Grammar School Lane, West Kirby CH48
£294,950
Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow • Occupying a Good Sized Corner Plot Situated in the Sought After Area of West Kirby • Well Appointed and Presented Accommodation Spacious L Shaped Lounge Diner • New Fitted Kitchen With Utility Room Off Two Double Bedrooms and New Bathroom Suite Driveway, Detached Garage, Double Glazing and Central Heating
Grosvenor Road, Hoylake CH47
£259,950
Charming Three Bedroom End Town House • Beautifully Maintained Period Property Immense Amount of Character and Charm • Lounge, Dining Room and Downstairs W.C Well Fitted Breakfast Kitchen and Rear Hall/Utility • Three Good Sized Bedrooms and Family Bathroom • Benefitting from Gas Central Heating and Double Glazing Front Lawn and Patio, Driveway and Rear Courtyard
ANTED SIMILAR W Column Road, West Kirby CH48 • • •
Impressive Five Bedroom Detached Home Spacious and Well Appointed Character Property Four Reception Rooms and Large Breakfast Kitchen
• • • •
£1,975 pcm
Situated in the Sought After area of West Kirby Five Well Proportioned Bedrooms, En-Suite and Bathroom Available Immediately Early Viewing Strongly Recommended
Castle Drive, Heswall CH60 • Refurbished Traditional Semi Detached • Three Reception Rooms and Conservatory • Brand New Kitchen/Breakfast Room
£950 pcm • Three Bedrooms and Family Bathroom • Double Glazing & Central Heating • Driveway, Gardens and Superb Rear Views • Fantastic Convenient Location
ANTED SIMILAR W Sandy Lane, Irby CH61 • • • •
Attractive Four Double Bedroom Detached Bungalow Occupying a Good Sized Plot In the Popular Area of Irby Beautiful Front Aspect Overlooking Rolling Farmland Sun Porch, Dining Hall, Spacious Lounge and Kitchen
£925 pcm • Four Double Bedrooms, Modern Shower Room and Separate W.C • Mature Lawned Gardens to the Front, Side and Rear • Driveway, Garage, Gas Central • Heating and Double Glazing • Closer Inspection Strongly Recommended
The Lydiate, Lower Heswall CH60 • Four Bedroom Detached Cottage • Three Reception Rooms * Gas Central Heating - Double Glazing • Ideal family Home - Viewing Recommended • Idyllic Location in Lower Heswall
£1,100 pcm
• Conservatory - Front and Rear Gardens • Detached Garage - Fitted Wardrobes
30 The Lake
UK North Blind Sailing Registered Charity By David Owen
the Mersey. The RMYC have been fantastically helpful and supportive with advice, boat bits and inclusion in their many social events. Inclusion is our primary aim. There is no other sailing organisation in the UK that includes blind and partially sighted people in mainstream yacht racing and social events. We compete as part of the fleet at RMYC, at the two-week Beaumaris Regatta on the Menai Straits in August and organise RYA training courses for our members up to whatever level is achievable.
Mylne on the Mersey
The Paralympics showed us how much people with disabilities can achieve. One sport that was missing, however, was sailing. On the Wirral one organisation has been addressing that. The UK North Blind Sailing Association (UKNBS) is a registered charity which began in 2009 with the dream of Robert Owen to enable local people who are blind or partially sighted to take an active part in sailing. We had a taster session in the Albert Dock in Wayfarer dinghies with the Liverpool Watersports Centre and due to the enthusiastic response set about some serious fundraising. Five years later we have funded ten keelboat training weekends at Plas Menai, bought a well-used minibus, got rather wet on a Level 2 dinghy course at West Kirby RYA school and now have two Mersey Mylnes at RMYC at Rock Ferry. The Mylne is a classic 25-foot wooden oak and mahogany day racer. There are ten at the club, originally built in the 1920s and lovingly repaired, re-caulked and repainted many times since then. All the boat names traditionally begin with the letter ‘M’. Ours are ‘Mermaid’, rescued from the yachting equivalent of the knackers yard after she was wrecked several years ago and now painted bright yellow, and ‘Mersey’, a sleek black beauty. They are the perfect keel boat for our UKNBS members, with a deep cockpit that protects from the elements and is impossible to fall out of, even when the yacht is heeled over with water rushing over the deck at an exhilarating five knots.
Blind and partially sighted people in our community struggle with disproportionate levels of unemployment, isolation and depression. The difficulties of socialising, travelling on public transport and accessing opportunities are hard to grasp for those of us with full sight. Physical activity and participation in sociable events enable all of us to lead more fulfilling lives and UKNBS makes a modest but important contribution in that way to the lives of our members, of whom there are now 60 of all ages and abilities. That number includes our sighted crew of whom two are RYA qualified Day
Skippers and two Yacht Masters. They enjoy the immense satisfaction of providing safe opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to learn how to sail and participate fully in club races. Sailing is a joy for the senses. The wind on your face, the smell of the sea, the sound of the sails filling and the sight of the sun on moving water. At the end of our first season on the Mersey one of our blind members spent several hours on the Mersey ferry recording the sounds of the river on his phone so that he could listen to it during the winter and recapture that joy until the start of the next season... We welcome new members whether sighted, partially sighted or blind. No sailing experience is required, just a moderate level of fitness and a desire for something new. Fundraising is a constant cycle and contributions of any amount are welcome. Contacts www.uknblindsailingassociation.org Rob Owen at uknblindsailing@ymail.com David Owen at davidmowen59@hotmail.co.uk
The winter repair schedule has enabled us all, sighted and blind, to learn the new skills of caulking, steaming green-oak ribs and generally messing about with two old boats. Five members of the UKNBS committee, three of whom are partially sighted and registered blind, are members of the RMYC. We sailed in 54 races last summer with two sighted crew for three partially sighted. No trophies but plenty of fun and sailing experience on the challenging waters of
Plas Menai training weekend
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More than a Muddy Puddle Gilroy Nature Park By Matt Thomas
‘Gilroy’
One of my favourite parts of the little patch of countryside that I watch and record is Gilroy Nature Park – ‘Gilroy’ for short. When I say this to people they often ask ‘Where is that? I’ve never heard of it!’. It is definitely not one of the more famous of Wirral’s wildlife hotspots, but it is well worth checking it out for a great bit of nature watching. Gilroy and the surrounding fields are sandwiched between West Kirby and Hoylake, bordering the new allotments in the former and adjacent to the municipal golf course in the latter. Back in the early 1980s the area that is now the nature park was a landfill rubbish dump, but looking at it now this is hard to believe. Today it is a community-managed park with a big duck pond, areas of reed and emergent vegetation, a small wooded copse and a wildflower meadow. It teems with wildlife. There are paths and tracks around the park making access easy and it has become a popular spot for parents to take their children to feed the ducks. Beyond Gilroy are the Langfields, known to some as the Carr Fields or just ‘the Carrs’. Here Skylarks and Lapwings breed in summer and if the winter is wet and the fields flood, then the odd Swan has been known to drop in. Some Snipe, a beautifully cryptic and camouflaged wading bird, can be found here too. A public footpath links the two villages and this path and those off it allow you to explore the whole location in a couple of hours. The most productive part of the area for me has been a flooded field that is next to, but not actually part of, the nature park! I call this field Gilroy too, as you could throw a stone from one pool to the other they are so close, only separated by the aforementioned footpath and a hedge. At first glance it doesn’t look like much, it resembles a large muddy puddle, but it is much more than that. This flooded field has attracted all kinds of interesting birds over the last few years. This is due to its location on the north-west tip of the peninsula and it being right between the important bird feeding areas on the Dee Estuary and north Wirral coast. I find it best in the periods of migration, spring and autumn, but a visit in the height of summer is well worth it too.
Black-tailed Godwits
In spring lots of Black-tailed Godwits stop off at Gilroy on their long journey north to breed in Iceland. Many winter on the estuary of the River Dee and I am well used to seeing them in their beige winter plumage. On spring passage, however, they are transformed into striking cinnamon orange breeding colours and their bills, a soft pink in winter, take on a fantastic, almost luminous, peach hue. A flock of up to a thousand of these elegant waders can descend on Gilroy for a couple of weeks in the spring. They seem to zoom out to the estuary to feed on the mudflats, but come back to Gilroy to roost overnight. In the morning sun they are a sight to behold, preening and washing their feathers ready for their flight to the breeding grounds. Unusual things drop in too. I have seen Ruff, another arctic breeding wading bird, appear in the midst of the Godwits, hang around with them for a few days before disappearing without trace. In spring you are almost guaranteed a Common Sandpiper or two, although you never know quite when. This is another species of wader; they do breed in this country and possibly in Cheshire but not at Gilroy. Like the Blackwits and the Ruff they are just passing through. I have a real soft spot for these birds. They are small and kind of cute – they walk busily around the edge of the pool bobbing their tails as they go, picking tiny flies from the mud and the surface of the water. Although they are not as brightly coloured as the Blackwits and are never as numerous, I don’t mind – I think it is the unpredictability of when you will find them that I like. It feels like a treat the first time you find one. More unusual Sandpipers like Green or Wood Sandpiper have been known to turn up at Gilroy from time to time.
If you are lucky then you might just bump into something rare on this pool. I have seen Garganey here, a striking species of migratory duck. The whole population winters in Africa, India and Australasia before moving north into its European breeding areas and, occasionally, a few get their bearings wrong and drop in unexpectedly to places like Gilroy. It never fails to quicken the pulse when you find a drake with its bold white eyestripe and shades-of-grey plumage drifting lazily around the pool.
Whitethroat
These events are few and far between though. The Blackwits are only there for a few weeks of the year either side of summer and you have to rely on luck for the ‘rares’. However, in the height of summer a walk will be rewarded with some regulars. Butterflies are there in abundance and a wander along the paths will get you Small Tortoiseshell and in the shady glades of the copse you will find Speckled Woods defending territories from Peacocks. In the hedges Common Whitethroats tend to chicks, while overhead Swallows swoop after a myriad of flies. In late summer when their young have fledged they bring them down to the pool to feed and you can get quite close to them, a last chance to see them before they head south for the winter. As the pool dries and shrinks over the long hot days of July, dragonflies patrol its receding edges. Southern and Brown Hawkers compete with Emperors for prey. There is so much to see in this often overlooked corner of my Patch. Indeed, Gilroy is much more than a muddy puddle. www.fromthemuddybanksofthedee.com
Common Sandpiper
Swallow
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Excess (Beach Body) Baggage By Tracey Locke, Serenity Clinic, West Kirby (www.serenity-clinic.co.uk) Remember the days when you had to sit on your suitcase to close it because you’d packed every item in your wardrobe for a two-week holiday in the sun? Now we often have to pay the equivalent of a month’s salary to take luggage on a plane, most of us have managed to reduce our holiday wardrobe to the size of a carry-on case. Yet, there is some baggage that most of us still take every year… low confidence when it comes to our bodies. Lead clinician and owner of Serenity Clinic, Tracey Locke, has solutions to some holiday hang-ups. It’s safe to say that nobody’s ‘perfect’ and we all have parts of our bodies we’d like to change. But, when it comes to the beach or poolside, there’s nowhere to hide. As a result, when the temperature rises body confidence can sink.
Hairy Moments If you shave or wax at home then avoid unsightly ingrown hairs by exfoliating as this unblocks pores, which is the cause of the problem. I definitely recommend salon hair removal, as it will last the whole time you’re away. If you opt for waxing or threading look for a clinic that offers a wide variety of waxing as they are more likely to be trained in specialist waxing. Don’t just stick to your legs, either. People can feel embarrassed about having their bikini line waxed, but there’s no need and it’s worth it. There are more permanent hair removal techniques, too, such as IPL and laser, but
plan ahead as although the results are superior, you can’t expose your skin straight away. Your therapist will be able to advise you on this, but if you’re going away this summer it’s time to act!
Sweating The Small Stuff A shiny face rather than a golden glow can make people very self-conscious and this can be exacerbated by make-up and sun cream. Choose mineral make-up that allows your skin to breathe and, unlike other make-up products, isn’t oil-based. It will give you a more matter finish and won’t block pores. There’s a wide choice of sunscreen these days, which include skincare products that combine anti-ageing benefits with broad-spectrum sun protection up to SPF 30. Take the time to find a product that works for your skin as well as against the sun’s rays. It sounds simple, but drinking plenty and carrying a small electric fan that pops in your bag will help you stay cool and reduce perspiration, as will avoiding spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. If you have excessive body sweating, treatments such as IPL or Botox injections can help, but seek professional advice before undergoing these procedures.
Toe-Curling Embarrassment For some people it’s baring their extremities rather than their bodies that can be a problem, but flashing your feet on the beach is unavoidable unless you like the ‘bikini and wellies’ look. Although there’s no
quick fix for conditions like bunions or hammer toe, smooth skin and brightlycoloured toes can detract attention from a myriad of foot imperfections. A callus peel will leave the skin on your feet baby soft and with gel nails you can enjoy chip-free, lasting colour for up to four weeks, so you don’t have to worry about your feet while you enjoy your holiday.
A (Flab)bergasting Thought Sheer panic at the prospect of putting on swimwear and revealing your bulges, bingo wings, cellulite or spare tyre(s)? Very few of us would stand in the middle of town in our underwear, yet on holiday we’re forced to wear little more on the beach. But, you can make a real difference to your body shape without surgery, through the latest body sculpting and fat-busting technology. From larger areas such as the tummy and buttocks to stubborn pockets of fat, cellulite, and loose or sagging skin, body sculpting is a worthwhile investment if you are unhappy with your shape. It will cost a few hundred pounds, but it offers long-term benefits rather than quick-fix treatments such as wraps and massages. It’s also a great deal cheaper than surgery and is painless, with no downtime or exercise programmes. Top it off with exfoliated, well-moisturised skin, a spray tan, good posture (sitting up straight makes you look pounds lighter) and a pair of wedges (to add height and make your legs look even more toned) and banish your beach body baggage.
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
Why pay more for your Mercedes-Benz service? It is a common misperception amongst new car owners that they are legally required to have their car serviced at the official dealership, rather than use the independent and almost certainly cheaper local garage. When you buy your new car you may be offered a three-year service deal, but these often prove poor value for money. At MB-Wirral we offer a personal service at a competitive price. Why not use your local Mercedes specialists rather than have the inconvenience of travelling to Chester or Liverpool? Under EU Block Exemption legislation, which has been around for many years now, a manufacturer cannot force a buyer to have their car serviced by their official dealership network, and cannot refuse to honour a new car warranty simply because a car has been serviced elsewhere. As a car owner, you have the right to take your car to any licenced garage or mechanic for servicing but you must ensure that the servicing is carried out exactly as per the manufacturer’s servicing schedule. At MB-Wirral servicing is undertaken using genuine parts and lubricants as specified by the manufacturer and recorded on the digital service network; therefore, you are assured no loss of any warranty benefits whatsoever.
Basically, a good rule to remember, is that if you’re paying for the work, you have the right to choose who does the work.
About MB-Wirral
MB-Wirral provides servicing to Mercedes-Benz schedules with no hidden costs. In addition to engine, gearbox, chassis and electronic maintenance and servicing, MB-Wirral also provides full diagnostics servicing, fault finding and analysis, flexible and reduced cost servicing for older vehicles and MOT testing. The company also prides itself on going the extra mile through the provision of a comprehensive range of personal touches including providing courtesy cars and collection/delivery services. To discuss your individual requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us on 632 0006 or by email at info@mb-wirral.co.uk. Better still, drop in and see us at MB House, 39A Carsthorne Road, Hoylake Wirral CH47 4FB.
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Under the Gavel – a View from the Rostrum John Bathurst Crane with his regular column on the auction world...
Smiles bring in the highest bids!
It is always very gratifying when our telephone is constantly ringing at our Auction Rooms and our email ‘In-box’ is full of enquiries from clients. I suppose it means that we are ‘getting it right’ somewhere along the way and have been doing so for over 30 years. Visiting clients in their homes is always a joy and a privilege and not really like work, even though I don’t get home to Cato Towers until quite late some evenings and many Saturday mornings are taken up too. It IS what we are here for and that is what makes me tick and gives a purpose to life… there is no cure for passionate workaholism! Some people have tried to suggest I take a holiday; I did that once and don’t rate them much! The Wirral and North Wales are good for me ! I have much to fit into life at the moment. Radio Clatterbridge takes up time as I now broadcast there every month with Steve Evans. We are doing some auctions for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and a two-monthly valuation day at the Claire House shop in Irby also keeps me busy. I also prepare and deliver talks to local groups who are interested to hear about the REAL antiques world, which is a bit different from the entertainment you see on the TV. Having said that, we are filming again for The Antiques Road Trip in May, which is always good fun. We were the company chosen to film the very first Cash in the Attic about 15 years ago. Talking about Wirral firsts, I have illustrated the first copy of Batman magazine which I discovered in Wirral only this morning. You may remember The Topper children’s comic c1954. The first issue came with a cardboard and paper ‘thunderclap’ as a free gift. It is now worth about £2,000 in
Superman Comic No.1
fine condition. I had one myself, which was probably consigned to the dustbin within a week… Wirral discoveries are nice, and recently we achieved £2,300 for a horseracing picture by the well-known artist Peter Biegle. Its size was good and would look well in even a small house. Large pictures, no matter how good, can be problematical.
Cantonese vase and table
always to be found on the internet bidding on vases and stands such as the ones illustrated. This vase and stand would make together in the region of £600 or more. Again, these are Wirral discoveries; they came from different houses as it happens, but work well together for the photograph. G-Plan and Ercol furniture is now rising very rapidly in price in the auction rooms and some astounding results have been experienced recently. Five years ago this furniture would have been placed in a skip!
Over the jumps
Silver and jewellery from the same property made very good prices, with a small pair of silver-gilt candlesticks achieving £1,600. We are finding that only the finest antique furniture is bringing the highest prices locally, but now with the advent of LIVE internet bidding (while the auction is actually taking place), people from the Far East are bidding quite well on the middle range goods. Furniture which is suitable for painting for modern homes has also doubled in price recently, but only to internet bidders. There is a constant change in demand and you have to keep abreast of the times. Far East buyers are still very keen to ‘re-own’ works of art from the Far East and are
1960s teak desk - now desirable
The Lake 35 There is now strict regulation in the sale of ivory, turtle shells and some rosewood furniture. It is totally illegal to sell these items without having what is known as a CITES certificate. There is a small charge payable for this endangered species certificate and we can apply for one on your behalf. Once the certificate is granted, the transaction will be legal; however, you will not get a certificate under any circumstances for an un-worked elephant tusk. Finally I have illustrated a mystery object. Probably late 18th or early 19th century. Answers on a postcard please (!) or come to visit us at our Auction Rooms in Liverpool – better still, if you have items
for valuation, I can come to visit you at any time as long as you put the kettle on! I can remember many extremely pleasant client visits in Wirral, as I had this morning in Hoylake and it is still a learning curve for me even after 35 years. The very rare objects and some pictures are always good to see and it is nice to be able to draw on the memory of thousands of auctions we have held over the years… happy Antiques Hunting...
Mystery object
Telephone me on 07836 209995 or at the auction room on 01244 680055 (Chester) 0151 709 5559 (Liverpool) 0151 342 2321 (Heswall and Wirral) www.catocrane.co.uk Email – info@catocrane.co.uk
How good golf links with a good life The vicar at St Hildeburgh’s, Rev Paul Rossiter, said: “We decided to set up the prayer labyrinth to coincide with the Open because in golf you face many challenges and, as Christians, we also face challenges. Golf is accessible and engaging and so is prayer. Both involve selfdiscovery – you find out a lot about yourself and your true feelings.” People entering the labyrinth will be given a booklet suggesting ways to approach the theme of each hole. They will take a yellow practice ball and walk the fairways to the first four greens unburdening various negative emotions, reflecting on their life and what they have read in the booklet, with the aim of developing a sense of forgiveness. They will drop the practice ball into the fifth hole, discarding negative thoughts along with it, and pick up a white match ball which they will carry along the final four fairways, focusing on four points at which Christ may have touched their lives. There are no ‘right answers’. Each person will have different thoughts and experiences. Mr Rossiter explained: “A reflective journey such as this tends to trigger thoughts – regrets, desires, resolutions, enlightenment or moments of well-being. As people reflect as each stage of the journey, they can record their thoughts on a card. Vicar of Hoylake, Rev Paul Rossiter
Good golf can parallel a good life, according to a project to be staged in the ‘golfers’ church’ next door to the venue of this year’s Open Championship. The venture will be held at St Hildeburgh’s, Hoylake’s parish church, which borders the Royal Liverpool golf course, where the world’s top players will compete for the famous Claret Jug at the Open in July. A ‘prayer labyrinth’ in the form of a nine-hole golf course – complete with greens, water, rain and wind – will be laid out in the church. It will represent a spiritual journey based on themes familiar in golf as in life, including Facing the Challenge, Fear of Failure, Anger and Frustration, Friendship, Patience, and Achievement. Actual golf incidents will feature on the church’s audiovisual screen. Anger and Frustration is typified by Doug Sanders taking a two-foot putt at St Andrew’s to win the 1970 Open – and missing. Friendship is evoked by memories of the 1969 Ryder Cup, when the entire competition depended on the match between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin. On the 17th Jacklin drew level with a 35-foot putt then, at the 18th, Nicklaus controversially conceded Jacklin’s putt, ensuring that the match ended in a tie.
“At similar events, people have been surprised at their own selfdiscovery – their thoughts and realisations. Some might need sympathetic counselling to help them to think things through. Support for them will be on hand and by phone.” St Hildeburgh’s has been regarded as the golfers’ church since members of the Royal Liverpool paid for the great stained-glass east window to commemorate fellow-members who lost their lives in World War I. Plaques commemorating the club’s fallen in both world wars are displayed in the building. The church also has a back door, installed in 1916, which shortens the walk to the golf course. The prayer labyrinth has the support of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. A spokesman said: “The club applauds the parish of Hoylake for marking the playing of the Open Championship over the Hoylake links with an imaginative initiative at the parish church. The game of golf and life have so much in common.” The prayer labyrinth will be open from 10am-4pm every day from Monday, July 14, to Sunday, July 20. Since the church will be occupied by people exploring the prayer labyrinth throughout the week, it will not be possible to hold some services. There will be no Evensong on July 13 or 20, and no service on Wednesday, July 16. More details about the prayer labyrinth are on www.sthildeburgh.org
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The Three Peaks of North West Wirral A circular walk along the Dee shore and over the Three Peaks of North West Wirral Distance 10 miles (16 kilometres) Total climb 925 feet (280 metres) Going: Easy The whole walk can be tracked on the Wirral A to Z, but the public footpaths are not marked as such. It is recommended that the OS Explorer series (1:25,000 scale) number 266 is used. The website www.streetmap.co.uk can be used. Walk devised and written by Jack Siviour
The three peaks are Caldy Hill at 70 metres above mean sea level, Thurstaston Hill (90 metres) and Poll Hill, the highest at approximately 110 metres. This is a description of a circular walk along the Dee coastline and over these hills. The starting point is the car park at the Thurstaston Visitor Centre, on the Dee shore (OS map ref. 239834) going anticlockwise for the best views. As far as possible the Wirral Way is avoided. From the car park at the Visitor Centre go west towards the river, but stay on the cliff top. Walk upstream (south easterly) following the path to a set of steps down to the beach. Continue upstream for about 600 metres, and as the height of the cliff diminishes, find a path up into Heswall Field (National Trust). In the hedge opposite and to the right there is gate leading to another gate and then to a path through some trees. This path opens into a small field. Go right to the far end of this field on to a bridleway which leads to Broad Lane. Follow this lane (about 1km) past the top of Banks Road and turn left over the Wirral Way at Delavor Road. Turn left into Pipers Lane, then right into Bush Way to enter Heswall Dales. In the Dales keep right,
eventually going between a fence and a wall to emerge on Thurstaston Road. Cross it to a footpath leading past Tesco to Telegraph Road. Cross Telegraph Road at the lights to a footpath on the north westerly side of The Puddydale. Continue ahead to Dale Avenue, then turn left on to Tower Road South and up to Poll Hill Road. The footpath opposite goes to Poll Hill, which is the highest point in Wirral. It has little to offer in the way of views, but note the communications tower. Continue along Tower Road South, crossing Quarry Road East into Tower Road North and then the footpath to Mere Lane. Here turn left, cross Telegraph Road into Oldfield Drive and turn right on the public way opposite Oldfield Road. This goes through to Thurstaston, parallel to Telegraph Road, and passes a footpath on the left to the Wirral Way via The Dungeon. At Thurstaston go past the church to Station Road and turn right up to the A540, then left. Cross this busy road in front of the Cottage Loaf, and go north into Thurstaston Common, and, keeping left, make for the viewpoint at 91 metres. Admire the 360 degree panorama, which was not available from Poll Hill, and will not be available from Caldy Hill. Descend from the viewpoint in a northwesterly direction along one of the many paths keeping close to the A540. On reaching the playing fields there is a finger post and an opening in the stone wall (which are not shown on some maps) to exit on to the
A540. Cross the road here, and turn left to a footpath on the right. The footpath becomes a bridleway, emerging on to Croft Drive East. Continue into Long Hey Road, and at the corner, take the path up to Caldy Road. Cross this road to the path into the woodland of Caldy Hill. After about 100 metres into the woods, ascend some stone steps, and continue on paths upwards, with houses on the left. On reaching the point where Kings Drive joins a bridleway ignore both and go ahead in a north-westerly direction, on any of the many paths at a height of about 70 metres, for about 500 metres to a walled bridleway, Fleck Lane. Turn left and head south, crossing Kings Drive and exiting on to Caldy Road not far from where the woods were entered. Cross the road and turn right, taking special care where the pavement is narrow, pass the church where the road turns sharply right, to a bridleway forking off the main road on the left. This emerges on to Croft Drive, and leads straight down to the Wirral Way. It could be the Wirral Way all the way back to the Visitor Centre, but better, use the bridle way rather than the foot/cycle way, because it is generally higher and gives views across the golf course and river to North Wales. Leave the bridleway at some wooden steps on the right and go down to the beach at the Sailing Club. Continue (tides permitting) along the beach, passing Shore Cottage to steps leading up to the Visitor Centre to complete the walk.
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Local volunteers take part in Marks & Spencer’s Big Beach Clean-up. On April 27th, 214 local volunteers descended on West Kirby Beach to take part in Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) Big Beach Clean-up. M&S customers and employees were joined by Wirral West Member of Parliament, Esther McVey and local Councillor, Jeff Green to help free the beach from rubbish and protect the area’s marine life, with more than a 148Kg of litter and rubbish collected.
“I would like to put on record my thanks to the Heswall M&S Store managed by John Turley for organising such a great event and huge thanks to for Sheena Holland for organising us all on the day.”
The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S’ Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the profits from the 5p carrier bag charge. Activities took place across 95 beaches and 45 canals in the UK.
The event is run in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and saw litter pickers collecting everything from wrappers, tin cans and pieces of rope to more unusual items such as half a wooden coat hanger, a waste bin, a golf ball and a bong! The volunteers picked up 2,489 items weighing 148Kg and filling 46 bags. Ms McVey said: “The amount of people who turned out for this year’s Big Beach Clean-up was absolutely amazing and demonstrates the strength that exists in our communities. I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to help tidy West Kirby Beach. Events such as this are all about bringing the local community together to help protect marine life and the environment, and it was fantastic to see so many people working together, having fun and supporting such a great cause.
L to R: Councillor Jeff Green, Dr Kenneth Young, The Rt Hon Esther McVey MP and Sheena Holland
A Viking group invaded Ashton Park during the May Bank Holiday and put on a fine show for the public. The group, called Wirhalh Skip Felag, is led by Steve Banks. Thanks to Alfie Milne for the photographs.
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The whole of May is dedicated to Wirral Walking Festival. It’s a brilliant excuse to get your wellies on (and baby carrier!) and discover some new places… or you could just revisit some of your favourites with a new group of people. I like the sound of the coastal walk - find out more at www.wirralcoastalwalk.org Hi again! Well, Easter is now out of the way and we are galloping headlong into the summer term! The absolutely perfect time to be heading outside and enjoying some fresh air and fun with the family. I love this time of year, the evenings are getting longer and lighter and we have the bonus of two bank holidays bookending the month. Fantastic. So, with that in mind we need some activities to fill our diaries. Not the dreary ‘must do’s’ like go to the dentist, sort the MOT and so on, I mean the frivolous fun- we all need more of in our lives.
And last, but certainly not least, we are heading over to Bolesworth International over the weekend of 12th-14th June to hang with the hoi palloi of the Cheshire horsey set. It looks like an amazing event, with international showjumpers coming from all over the world to compete. Great Britain is keen to build on the Olympic success and another event on home soil can only help. Don’t be put off if horses aren’t your thing though – there’s a whole programme of events for the whole family including a vintage funfair and a dog show. Kids under ten go free and you can save by booking online too.
Here’s my top family-friendly things to do this spring: Pack a picnic (and, realistically, a big ‘mummy bag of leaving the house’ essentials) and head out for the day. Wirral has so many gorgeous parks and open spaces to enjoy it’s a shame not to take advantage. We love Ashton Park, West Kirby and, if you’re good, you can stop for a glass of something cold on the way home; it would be rude not to!
If you’re worried that it might be too tame for your teens, fear not - there is also a climbing wall, zorbing and camel rides! Add a host of food and drink stalls and an open air concert from ‘boy’ band Blue and everyone’s happy. See you there everyone! Don’t forget the suncream.
If you’re a family of foodies then Farm Feast is the place to be on the 25th and 26th May - we can’t wait. There’s an incredible programme of events including butchery and cheese making masterclasses. For the little ones there’s pizza making, story telling and falconry displays. Oh, and did I mention that there’s whiskey tasting?!
Muma Leary x Muma Leary is a working mum of two girls who also writes the fantastic ‘Muma Leary’s Blog’ She’s just been nominated for a Brilliance in Blogging Award… you should vote!
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Rhiannon Lewis is a Wirral-based personal trainer. She runs the Fitness Queen Bootcamp Programme in West Kirby and gives The Lake readers some hints and tips on increasing their energy levels. A hot topic of conversation at our Fitness Queen classes recently is the high energy levels our members have after just a few weeks of exercising! They have more ‘get up and go’ in the mornings and feel more productive during their working day. They no longer doze off on the couch after a hard day’s work! Do you rely on tea or coffee to get you through the afternoon at work? Do you slump in front of the TV at the end of the day and feel exhausted? Do you struggle to imagine yourself having the energy to exercise? Here are just some pointers that can help you to rediscover your energy levels and put the spring back into your step this summer: Get Active for at least 30 minutes every day, whatever your interests are! You may think that a snooze on the couch will make you feel better, but new research suggests that physical activity may be more beneficial that a nap at sparking your energy levels. This is partly down to tiny organs within our cells called mitochondria. These are our very own ‘power house’ which produces our energy, depending on our requirements. So it makes sense that the more aerobic exercise you do, the more mitochondria your body produces to create more energy! The more active you are, the more energetic you will feel! Whether you enjoy fitness classes, brisk walks outside, running around the park after the kids, or swimming, keeping your body moving will boost your energy levels and general well-being. Eat Smart – Ironically the foods that we often chose for a quick energy boost are those that can leave us feeling more fatigued. Your body converts the foods you eat into glucose for energy,
the problem is that some food choices such as cakes, sugary drinks and biscuits are broken down rapidly, providing a quick burst of energy. Sound familiar? This energy is quickly used up, causing glucose levels in the blood to plummet, prompting the body to crave more of this type of food. You can offset this process by balancing your blood glucose levels throughout the day by including berries, unsalted nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, lean meat and wholegrains in your diet. This way you will maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day in addition to providing a full range of vitamins to support your immune system. Hydrate – you’ve heard it all before, but drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day really can make a difference! Just a 2% drop in hydration can reduce our energy levels by as much as 20%. Try leaving a water bottle on your work desk, in the car and around the home to encourage you to drink more water. Fruit and vegetables are 90% water and eight portions add to up approximately 500ml water, so don’t forget to include a range within your daily diet. Aim High - Setting yourself a weekly or monthly goal is an effective way to see how making small changes can have a big impact on your energy levels. For example, aim to drink six glasses of water a day for the rest of the week or aim to get outside for a brisk walk at least once a day this month. For a FREE TRIAL at a Fitness Queen class in West Kirby or for details on personal training please contact Rhiannon Lewis by email – rlewispt@ymail.com or Telephone: 07814 614 145. Website: www.wirralfitness.info
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Wirral Open Studio Tour 14th and 15th June 2014 By Dennis Spicer We are very pleased to announce that the Wirral Open Studio Tour is back once again after a very successful tour last year, being held on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2014. A little bit about what a Studio Tour is The idea is that professional and semiprofessional artists come together to throw open their studios, homes and workplaces to the public to show their work and be available to openly talk about their artistic practices. For many artists this can be a daunting concept, but also an inspiring one. We have all experienced that going into an art gallery can often seem overwhelming leaving you feeling confused about art, but the informal setting of an artist’s studio can be a relaxing and stimulating place to explore creative techniques and understand inspirations. Each year we are looking to make this event a very special weekend for participants and visitors to share in the creative arts. Part of the enjoyment of the tour is discovering the different environments artists utilise as work spaces, these range from purpose built studios to designated rooms within artists homes, and fabulous sheds in gardens. With the easy to follow foldout brochure and marker flags or banners to identify each venue, the tour is now a welcomed yearly calendar event. The origins of the Studio Tour Open Studio events have been happening all over the country for many years and Wirral’s first was in 2009, originally inspired by artist Micheline Robinson. With a network of artists from around Hoylake and Meols, the original tour was called Artists in our Midst. The free annual event was so successful that the following year it expanded to cover the whole of the Wirral peninsula and in 2011, it was renamed Wirral Open Studio Tour, which is now run by a group of volunteer artists. With the power of the Internet spreading the word on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, the number of artists participating has grown with more local firms and organisations showing an interest with much needed support and sponsorship.
and better with new talent to discover. With around 44 artists located across the Wirral, from Wallasey to Little Sutton and from the Dee Estuary to the River Mersey, you are likely to discover some hidden talent living near you making unique artworks, ceramics, glass-art or textiles, and perhaps a neighbour you had no idea was an artist. A small number of artists, for various reasons, are unable to show within their own homes/ studios due to restricted access or security reasons. These artists are coming together in one great location, the former Unitarian Church in West Kirby. Each location will have an identifying marker; this will either be a windsock, banner or bunting to help you locate the venues more easily.
places including libraries, shops, cafés and bars. You can find out more detailed information on our Facebook page Wirral Art & Wirral Open Studio Tour and on our website at www.wirralart.com Let’s hope that the weather will be kind to give us two fine days, but even if this is not so, we are sure you will find the artwork inspiring, the studio spaces fascinating and although you are not obliged to buy anything, you may take away a piece of original art to treasure. Opening times for the 2014 Tour Saturday 14th June 10am – 5pm Sunday 15th June 11am – 5pm We hope to see you somewhere!
Artist and Wirral Open Studio Tour member, Amanda Oliphant quotes “Artists often work in isolation and it is so refreshing to know that last year visitors ventured from all over the North West, eagerly hoping to see as many studios as possible. Visitors are warmly welcomed with artists sharing their personal spaces, places that are not usually open to the public. Chatting freely about the motivation behind their work, as well as discussing techniques and approaches is such a great way for people to gain an insight into an artist’s world and we hope this year’s Open Studio Tour will be as exciting and successful as ever.” How to find out more Soon you will be seeing posters and leaflet’s appearing in public places marking this year’s event, which is only one of the many exciting events the Wirral has to offer in 2014. The colourful brochure, designed once again by HeB Designs of West Kirby, with its easy to follow layout and trail maps, clearly making each venue with artist information, will be available from public
A beautiful display of glass art at the Unitarian Chapel West Kirby (image by Marianthi Lainas)
So what of 2014 This year the WOST team is busy networking, continuing to build on the foundations already laid. Most of the artists who took part in previous years have signed up once again together with many new artists, so we hope this year’s tour will be even bigger
One of the more unusual venues, Artists Helen Bennett and Elaine Hackett (image by Russell Bennett)
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Wirral Met Degree Show A final year Degree show showcasing the talents of art students from Wirral Metropolitan College will displayed at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum from the 16th of May until the 1st of June 2014. This year’s show also features work produced by final year students from the BA Illustration with Animation course. 2014 will see the end of a 17-year collaboration between Liverpool John Moore’s University and Wirral Metropolitan College before the college’s validation partner changes to Chester University. The Williamson has hosted all 17 exhibitions and hopes to continue to support the display of students’ work. Wirral Met’s BA (Hons) Fine Art Degree course was set up to provide local people with the opportunity to study at degree level. For many mature students, the idea of moving away from family and work commitments to study elsewhere was not an option. Because of this background the course has always been attractive to a wide range of students with many different forms of experience to bring to the study of fine art at Wirral Metropolitan College. Student Helen Howard had no intention of embarking on a degree course, but after finishing a year studying BTEC sculpture, she came to the realisation that she didn’t want to stop learning and developing her creativity: “So I enrolled on an Access course to allow me to study a BA Fine Art (Hons) degree. The work I am developing now stems from the difficult first year of my degree, when there was a triple bereavement in my family, and is an homage to the close bond I have had with my female relatives, particularly my mother, who collected ceramics.” Mature student Paula Ng has a similar personal aspect to her story. She started with Wirral Met after a major health scare, and said of her reaction to the course: “After my life-saving operation just over five years ago, my daughters encouraged me to do something for myself, rather than for others. I had always enjoyed making things with my hands. I saw an advert for a sculpture course at Wirral Met run by sculptor, Paul Bearman. I found my heaven. I am concentrating on my Catholic religion and the emotions that bring guilt, etc. I have really enjoyed using printmaking with tutor, Michelle Rowley. I still have to pinch myself sometimes that this is really happening. I will be graduating this year at 50.”
EVENTS SUMMER 2014 On Saturday 12th July the newly refurbished West Kirby Museum will be one year old. Everyone is invited to join us to celebrate our first year. There will be family fun and hands-on activities. Have a Time Team experience and learn how to be an archaeologist. Find out about West Kirby’s past, discover the 1,000 year history of St Bridget’s church and see Viking age stones found near the church. Free admission. June 7th
Museum open 10am - 2.30pm
14th Museum open 10am - 1pm 21st Museum open 10am - 1pm 28th Museum open 10am - 4pm for St Bridget’s Fair July 4th
Social evening and Annual General Meeting of Friends of West Kirby Museum held at St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby: 7pm for 7.30pm
5th
Museum open 10am - 2.30pm
12th Museum open 10am - 4pm. Stones and Stories - Celebrating our First Year 19th Museum open 10am - 1pm 26th Museum open 10am - 1pm August
Another student, Shams Khan, acknowledged the prestige of showing his artwork in the Williamson Art Gallery: “When I was a little boy, I always wanted to be an artist. Then I used to think art only meant painting. As I grew older I learned that there is so much more to art. This exhibition shows us exactly that and the fact that it’s on at the Williamson is a personal achievement.”
2nd
Museum open 10am - 2.30pm
9th
Museum open 10am - 1pm
Course Leader, Vincent Lavell, wishes to encourage the public to visit the show and explains: “Many people may argue that making art is something of a luxury in times of economic hardship. However, creativity and innovation are central to any thriving economy. This year’s exhibition demonstrates the continuing commitment Wirral Metropolitan BA Fine Art students make to establishing their practice within the wider culture. Social and political themes are explored alongside more purely visual and poetic responses to the world around us.”
30th Museum open 10am - 1pm
The exhibition can be seen from the 16th of May until the 1st of June. The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum is open from Tuesday until Sunday from 10 am until 5pm. The building is fully accessible, dedicated parking and a café is available.
20th Museum open 10am - 1pm
16th Museum open 10am - 1pm 23rd Museum open 10am - 1pm
September 6th
Museum open 10am - 4pm for Heritage Open Day. Walks, church tours, displays.
13th Museum open 10am - 4pm for Earth Fest at St Bridget’s Centre 27th Museum open 10am - 1pm
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Wirral Multilingual The Importance of Languages By Stuart Burke Is your business making the most of the potential global audience for your product or service? Are you looking to break into international markets or expand on your existing presence? Could you benefit from getting to know your foreign customers better? Evidence identified by the British Academy’s ‘Languages: State of the Nation’ report last year shows the UK is suffering from “a growing deficit in foreign language skills at a time when global demand for language skills is expanding”. The organisers of the 2013 ‘Language Festival’ - held in partnership with The Guardian – have suggested that the UK “is at a crucial crossroads”, and also found that: • The range and nature of languages being taught is insufficient to meet current and future demand. • Language skills are needed at all levels in the workforce, and not simply by an internationally mobile elite. • A weak supply of language skills is pushing down demand and creating a vicious circle of monolingualism. Comparisons of recent National Employer Skills Surveys indicate that 17% (2009) and 27% (2011) of vacancies in administrative and clerical roles went unfilled due to shortages of foreign language skills. Employers tend to obscure these deficits in the UK workforce by hiring native speakers, eliminating language requirements from job adverts, or focusing their business strategy solely on regions where English is the dominant language. The 2012 CBI Employer survey, based on responses from 542 companies, found that nearly three quarters of UK private sector employers see a need for – or at least a benefit in having – foreign language skills in their business. However, low levels of uptake are a cause for concern. In England, the proportion of students sitting GCSEs in a foreign language fell from 78% in 2001 to just 43% in 2011 in the wake of the decision in 2004 to make languages optional. Employers value not only language skills per se, but the inherent skills and attributes – in particular the international and cultural awareness – that speaking a foreign language brings. Evidence linking language skills to better business performance and the ability to
access new markets is strong. Employers have made clear that they want to see more people come into the workforce with at least a basic knowledge of foreign languages, along with a more globally attuned mindset. Of the UK adult population, 39% claim to be able to speak at least one language, besides their mother tongue, well enough to have a conversation. This compares to an average of 54% across 27 European countries. Currently a large proportion of the explicit demand for language skills – around half – is for the major western European languages most frequently taught within UK schools: French, German and Spanish. Indications of future demand show that a growing number of languages will be needed as the UK expands its global connections and responds to new economic realities. These include not only world languages such as Mandarin, Arabic and Russian – but also Turkish, Farsi and Polish. Without a system of language provision that can respond to the speed of globalisation, communication and mobility between people and places, we are already at a disadvantage. Language learning spans a vast range of areas such as business, cultural and community interaction and helps foster understanding in an increasingly globalised world. I set up ‘Wirral Multilingual’ towards the end of 2012, with the aim of raising awareness locally (in the North West of England) about language learning and demonstrating the benefits for both individuals and businesses. What significance does this have to such a small geographical area such as the Wirral (population circa 320,000), you may ask? Events taking place in 2014, such as The Open Championship in Hoylake and the International Festival for Business just across the River Mersey in Liverpool will see visitors to the area from across the globe, providing local businesses with unrivalled opportunities to build international
connections and commercial value, due to their international reach and significance. Given the wide range (and sheer number) of people attending such events, it is vitally important that employees of Wirral businesses have the skills to communicate effectively with customers from different cultures and backgrounds. I believe this understanding is key to delivering a successful customer service experience and ultimately repeat business. If there exists a language barrier or cultural differences, it can be an awkward experience for staff and customers alike. Wirral Multilingual aims to help increase staff awareness of other cultures and provide them with tips and techniques to provide a great service to overseas customers – including: • Greeting guests in their own language • Use of appropriate gestures • Avoidance of slang/jargon Thus enabling them to be true ambassadors of both their company and the Wirral region. As the Swiss linguist and semiotician Saussure so eloquently put into words: “In the lives of individuals and societies, language is a factor of greater importance than any other. For the study of language to remain solely the business of a handful of specialists would be a quite unacceptable state of affairs.” Thanks for reading. I would like to leave you with a selection of useful business tips when dealing with other cultures… • •
In Japan, the receiving and giving of business cards is taken very seriously, so don’t just stick them in your pocket or drop them on the table! In Russia, avoid jokes. The British sense of humour isn’t always understood or appreciated and can fall flat, causing embarrassment all round.
• In Dubai, don’t arrange meetings on Fridays, is as this the Muslim day of prayer and rest.
Wirral Multilingual was born out of a passion for learning about other languages and cultures from around the globe, and aims to promote the world of cultural diversity - and opportunity - that exists on the doorstep of those currently living and working in the Wirral Peninsula. For more information, please contact Stuart Burke at Wirral Multilingual by phone on 07956 120474 or by email on wirralmultilingual@gmail.com www.wirralmultilingual.weebly.com
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