Wirral’s historic buildings opening to the public for four days in September as part of free Heritage Open Days event

Aug 19 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

HISTORIC buildings across Wirral are opening to the public for four days next month.

The UK-wide annual Heritage Open Days event was previously organised by the Civic Trust but it went into administration in April.

The Wirral Open Days are now being overseen by Wirral History & Heritage Association, an independent organisation bringing together the borough’s many history, heritage and family history groups.

Among the buildings to open for free from September 10 to 13 are Fort Perch Rock, Shore Road Pumping Station, the Grand Entrance (South Lodge) of Birkenhead Park, West Kirby’s Charles Dawson Brown Museum and St Hilary’s Church in Wallasey.

There will also be a series of guided walks around places of interest, including Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead Priory, Port Sunlight, Rake Lane Cemetery in Wallasey, Oxton Village and Egremont.

Tram rides will run from Woodside on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13.

The event traditionally runs over four days in September and aims to show people what lies behind the often closed doors of our heritage.

Len Ellison, chair of Wirral History & Heritage Association, said: “This is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the buildings that we pass every day without a second glance.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for the public to discover the heritage that shapes where we live now.

“We have added some fine walks around Wirral and we would ask all who participate for feedback.”

The association hopes to expand on the event in the future and organise a “Wirral Festival”, incorporating open days and the songs, dances and plays of old Wirral.

WIRRAL HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2009

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Guided walk of Riverside Birkenhead (including Hamilton Square). Meeting point: Woodside, 10.30 am

Birkenhead Priory Talk. Meeting point: 1pm at Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, Birkenhead

Guided walk of Birkenhead Park. Meeting point: 1.30pm at the Grand Entrance, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead

Guided walk of Bebington. Meeting point: 2.30pm at entrance of Mayer Park (opposite the Civic Centre)

Guided walk of Oxton Village. Meeting point:7pm at Shrewsbury Arms Pub,

Wilfred Owen Guided Walk. Meeting point: 10.30am,  B’head Central Library

Former Birkenhead Town Hal. Open 10am to 4pm

Shore Road Pumping Station Open 10am to 4pm

Free admission to Port Sunlight Museum All Day (Offer does not apply to Pre-booked groups or groups of 10 plus) Tel: 644 6466

Oxton Congregational Church, Oxton Road, Birkenhead. Open 10am to 4pm

Christ Church Port Sunlight. Open from 10am to 4pm.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Guided walk of Bidston Village Meeting point:10.30am at St Oswald’s Church

Wilfred Owen Guided Walk Meeting point:10.30am Birkenhead Central Library, Borough Road.

Guided Tour of Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton Meeting point: 11.30am in the Foyer. To book a place call 0151 666 0000

Guided Walk of Birkenhead Park Meeting point:1.30pm at the Grand Entrance. Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead

Guided Tour of Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton Meeting point:3.00pm in the Foyer. To book a place call 666 0000

Guided Walk of Oxton Village Meeting point: 7pm at the Shrewsbury Arms Pub, Oxton

Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton Open from 10am to 5pm

Former Birkenhead Town Hall Open 10am to 4pm

Shore Road Pumping Station Open 10am to 4pm

Oxton Congregational Church Oxton Road, Birkenhead open 10am to 4pm

Christ Church Port Sunlight Open from 10am to 4pm

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

Guided walk of Rock Park Meeting point: 10.30am at New Ferry Pier (bottom of the Dell)

Guided Walk of New Brighton, Magazines Meeting point: 11am at Vale House Café. To book a place call 637 1520

Guided Walk of Flaybrick Cemetery Meeting point: 11am Tam O’Shanter Farm. To book a place call 653 9332

Guided Tour of Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton Meeting point:11am in the Foyer. To book a place call 666 0000

Guided walk of Birkenhead Park Meeting point: 1.30pm at the Grand Entrance, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead

Guided Walk of Oxton Village Meeting point: 3pm at the Shrewsbury Arms Pub, Oxton

Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton. Open from 10am to 5pm

Grand Entrance South Lodge Birkenhead Park (Children’s activities) Open 12noon to 4pm

Former Birkenhead Town Hall Open from 9am to 1pm

Shore Road Pumping Station Open 9am to 1pm

Leasowe Lighthouse, Leasowe Open from 12noon - 4pm

Oxton Congregational Church Oxton Road, Birkenhead. Open from 10.00am 4.00pm

Christ Church Port Sunlight Open from 10am—4pm

Wallasey Memorial Church Manor Road, Wallasey. Open from 12noon - 4pm

St Hilary’s Church, Claremount Road, Wallasey. Open from 2 - 4pm

SUNDAY 13th SEPTEMBER

Guided walk of Rake Lane Cemetery Meeting point:1.30pm at the Chapel. To book a place call 648 3884

Family Walking Tour of Port Sunlight Meeting point:11.30am at Port Sunlight Museum. To book a place call 644 6466. Tour led by a professional storyteller

Guided walk of Birkenhead Park Meeting point:1.30pm at the Grand Entrance, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead

Family Walking Tour of Port Sunlight Meeting point: 2pm at Port Sunlight Museum. To book a place call 644 6466. Tour led by a professional storyteller

Guided walk of Rake Lane Cemetery Meeting point: 2.30pm at the Chapel. To book a place call 648 3884

Guided walk of Oxton Village Meeting point: 3pm at the Shrewsbury Arms Pub,Oxton

Family & Archaeological Event Meeting point: Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, 10am

Guided Walk of Egremont Meeting point 1.30pm at Seacombe Ferry

Fort Perch Rock New Brighton Open from 10am – 5pm

Grand Entrance South Lodge Birkenhead Park Children’s activities Open 12noon to 4pm

Former Birkenhead Town Hall Open from 9am to 1pm

Shore Road Pumping Station Open 9am to 1pm

Charles Dawson Brown Museum Adjacent to St Bridget’s Church West Kirby. Open 1 to 4pm. (Silver Band in Ashton Park 2 to 4pm)

Leasowe Lighthouse, Leasowe Open from 12noon - 4pm

Rake Lane Cemetery Chapel Rake Lane Chapel, Wallasey. Open from 1 - 4pm