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Heswall Boys' Camp
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on May 8, 2008 4:18 PM
THE Heswall Society recently presented Heswall Library with a copy of a "History of Heswall Boys' Camp".
The history and recorded audio memoirs were prepared with a lottery grant from Awards for All.
Dennis Clegg from the Heswall Society is pictured below presenting the history of the camp to principal librarian Paul Irons.
Heswall Boys' Camp was founded in 1904 by the Liverpool Reformatory Association to provide holidays for children in its care.
In 1934 it was bought by the Liverpool Boys' Association as a general holiday camp for visiting children from Liverpool. In the post-war years it attracted groups from across the UK and abroad.
The history of the camp includes the stories of some of the organisations which used the camp and audio interviews with people who had holidays there or who were volunteers.
One of the organisations, the Heswall Disabled Childrens' Holiday Fund, was created in the early 1960s to provide holidays for disabled children. Heswall man Alistair Shaw was instrumental in setting up the fund.
One of the early disabled visitors was Bert Massie, who came to the camp every year from Sandfield Park Special School. He went on to become Sir Bert Massie, CBE, who was chair of the Disability Rights Commission until its closure at the end of September 2007 and is a commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
On the CD he relates how the Heswall Disabled Childrens' Holiday Fund provided his only chance of a holiday and talks about his various adventures and the outings organised by local people.
The history also relates the changes of the 1970s and 1980s, the improvements to the facilities at the camp and its decline and eventual closure.
Principal librarian Paul Irons said: “There is a great deal of interest in local history and this document will be a valuable addition to the local history section of Heswall Library and other copies will be held in the Wirral archives and at Bebington. Â
"It shows how the Boys’ Camp became very much a part of the local community and tells some fascinating stories. Â
"We are particularly pleased to have the various personal reminiscences on the CD. They take us back to a different era and bring that era to life. Â
"Not only will it appeal to people interested in local history but we hope it will also be a useful resource for local schools."
Do you have any memories or photos to share about Heswall Boys' Camp? If so e-mail lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk or write to Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.
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Heswall war hero remembered
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on April 23, 2008 3:24 PM
A HESWALL war hero is being remembered 500 miles from home.
Dutch historian Mike Kleinlugtebeld is on a quest to honour the men who gave their lives in his country.
He is now trying to find out more about a Halifax bomber which crashed in the town of Olst on April 3, 1943, killing all seven on board.
One of the crew - who were all buried in Olst - was Pilot Officer Peter Delamere Boyd from Heswall.
Mr Kleinlugtebald, who lives in Zwolle, in the east of the Netherlands, said: “I am very interested in the airwar over Overijissel during the Second World War. The Halifax bomber, of 419 squadron, crashed some 15km from my hometown. They were buried in Olst.
“I want to give them to recognition and honour they deserve and make sure they will never be forgotten.
“I would very much like to come into contact with relatives or other people who can tell me more about this brave pilot."
Anyone with more information can contact Mr Kleinlugtebeld on 0031 0624 102627 or e-mail kleinlugtebeld@home.nl
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Memories Mystery 3 - Vale Park tree walk
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on April 23, 2008 1:45 PM
READER Hilary Ludbrook needs your help to solve our latest Memories Mystery...
Hilary, from Bebington, said: "I am desperate to find photos/memories about the "tree walk" which was in Vale Park, New Brighton, in the early/mid 1950s.
"The health and safety would have hysterics about it today- my memories are of (as a child about five or seven) walking through the trees - at a seemigly great height - along a suspended boardwalk.
"There were all kinds of lights in the tree but I especially remember larger-than-life, plastic rabbits and squirrels which lit up in sequence so they looked as though they were hopping along the ground or running up the tree (the squirrels, not the rabbits!)
Can you help Hilary? Leave your comments below!
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Douglas Bader's visit to Wirral
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on April 23, 2008 1:25 PM
A FEW weeks ago Wirral News featured a photo showing Second World War ace, Group Captain Douglas Bader inspecting Wirral air cadets in the 1960s.
We have since been inundated with memories and photos, and will be featuring as many as possible in the paper and on the blog.
Peter Mather e-mailed to share his memories of the occasion and a photograph of him meeting Group Captain Bader.
He said: "The occasion was the opening of a new building for 472 (Hoylake) Squadron, Air Training Corps at Carr Lane Hoylake in 1968.
"I remember it well. I was the cadet flight sergeant of the squadron at the time and had earlier been asked by the commanding officer who I would like to ‘open’ the new building.
"Douglas Bader had for many years been my ‘hero’ and I told the commanding officer that the only person to do it was Douglas Bader.
"Little did I know at the time that the Commanding Officer, Flt. Lt. Alan Houston (far left of your photograph) worked for Shell as did Group Captain Bader, and through that contact, he was able to arrange the attendance of Douglas Bader
"If I remember correctly the day might have been inclement and some of the ceremony may have taken place inside a hanger. This might have explained the mud.
"The occasion was a momentous one for me and the squadron, and I have a very treasured photograph of me presenting our guest with a plaque to mark the occasion.
"I can remember him asking me at the time whether ‘the boys had made it’ and I felt somewhat ashamed given what he had achieved, to say that they hadn’t.
"This photograph shows (from left to right) Flt. Lt Alan Houston, I think Mr. Grenville, the then chairman of the squadron’s civilian committee, myself and of course, Gp Captain Bader."
IF you have any photos to share with our readers, e-mail lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk or send them to Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN, including a return address.
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West Kirby Primary celebrates 100th birthday
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on April 23, 2008 1:03 PM
WEST Kirby Primary School is celebrating its centenary this year.
The school opened in September 1908 - but celebrations started on February 1 with a special school assembly attended by the Mayor of Wirral Phil Gilchrist, Stephen Hesford MP and Nigel Saunders, chair of governors.
In the last 100 years there have been only eight heads - with Mr Whetnell headteacher when the school opened.
The school's log book contains fascinating insights into life over the last 100 years, with descriptions of life during both wars, outbreaks of illness and important events in the school’s history.
West Kirby Primary has also hosted a celebration for all former pupils - who were invited to watch a video of an interview with the school's 96-year-old oldest surviving pupil.
Children are now working on a centenary wall hanging, which will show changes to the school and how school life has changed in the last 100 years.
Headteacher Neil Le Feuvre said: "The children have had a wonderful day and have started to appreciate and learn some new things about their wonderful school."
DO you have any old photographs or memories of West Kirby Primary School to share with readers? Send them to lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk or write to Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, CH41 5AN.
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New Brighton Lifeboat
Posted by Wirral Newsdesk on April 23, 2008 12:54 PM
NEW Brighton Lifeboat is going back in time this summer!
The boat house on the promenade is hosting a “historical weekend� to coincide with the Wirral Show, on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, which will feature photographs and memorabilia from more than 140 years of saving lives at sea.
And anyone with photos or memorabilia of New Brighton lifeboat - or even a story to tell about a rescue – is being urged to get in touch.
Cliff Downing, lifeboat operations manager, said: “It really is amazing how many people and their families have been involved with the lifeboat and with that in mind we’ve decided to hold a historical weekend so people can share their memories and photos.�
According to RNLI figures, New Brighton responds to around 50 call outs a year, making it one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the country.
Cliff added: “There’s so much history here. We actually have a scale model of a lifeboat at New Brighton that was powered by steam.
“Some of the very old photos we have in the boat house have caused a lot of interest and we hope people will get in touch with their own pictures or memorabilia.�
If you can help, contact Cliff Downing on 07989 080868 or visit the boat house on Sunday afternoons between 2 and 4pm.
DO you have any photos or memories of New Brighton lifeboat to share with Wirral News readers? Send them to newsdesk@wirralnews.co.uk or write to: Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.
We will feature as many as we can in the paper and in the Memories blog.
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"I was a pupil from 1954 till 1961. As an infant I ..."
"I was a pupil at West Kirby Primary School from 19..."
"i go 2 grove street now and im leaving in 5 days a..."
"My Grandad Harry Buckley was involved with Tranmer..."
"The tree walk WAS in Vale Park definitely 1953/54...."
"Wasn't this in the Tower grounds and not Vale park..."