11
The Royal British Legion, Sir Frederick Lister House, Park Road East, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4BE
Description: Founder Branch of The Royal British Legion. In 2011 we celebrated RBL’s 90th anniversary. Birkenhead born Sir Fredrick Lister KCBE founded the The British Legion (later Royal British Legion) in 1921 in his home town, making it the very fi rst Branch in the country and the start of the whole organisation. The British Legion was born in Birkenhead. Our Branch will be open during the Heritage Open Days so please do come and visit us.
Admission Details:Open each day of the Heritage Open Days Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th of
September 10 am to 3 pmNo booking required
Refreshments will be availableNo disabled access yet sorry
Contact:Mrs Tanya Cawood
077 9109 1869
34 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6AE
Description: The Wilfred Owen Story is the fi rst permanent exhibition to commemorate Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated war poets of all time who spent his formative years in Birkenhead. The gallery follows his life, and honours the genius of the town’s famous adopted son. The exhibition also includes Wirral’s forgotten war poet May Sinclair, who was born in Rock Ferry. May Sinclair is celebrated along with other female war poets at the Wilfred Owen Story.
Admission Details:Tuesday 10th September, Wednesday 11th September, Thursday 12th September and
Friday 13th September 11 am to 2 pm
There will be a daily screening of the fi lm by BBC’s Inside Out - ‘Wilfred Owen in
Birkenhead’. The exhibition now includes Owen family letters.
For further information see www.wilfredowenstory.com
Pre-booking required for groups of 10 or over
Tea and biscuits availableThere is disabled access
Contact:Dean Johnson0753 937 1925
SIR FREDERICK LISTER HOUSE THE WILFRED OWEN STORY
12
Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 8ED
Description: George V laid the foundation stone on 24th March 1914. The building is in Renaissance style with facing Derbyshire stone. Visitors will see the Council Chamber, Round Room and Civic Hall. There will be a talk on the history of the building by Joy Hockey of Wallasey History Society prior to the tour.
Admission Details:Friday 13th September 2 pm to 4 pm
Meet in the Town Hall reception area at 1:50 pm
Pre-booking required Visit limited to 25 persons
Contact:Chris Morris
0151 608 5050
1 Taylor Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1BG
Description: The oldest part of the museum buildings was built in 1892 as double deck stables, a resting place for horses journeying between Ireland and Britain. During the war part of the building was used as an ARP (Air Raid Precaution) and fi re warden station. There is a wonderful collection of old local transport vehicles including buses, trams and motorbikes on view.
Admission Details:Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September
1 pm to 5 pm No booking required
Contact:Bob Tennant Technical Custodian0151 647 2128 07939 323239
WALLASEY TOWN HALL WIRRAL TRANSPORT MUSEUM
1313
Priory Street, Birkenhead, Wirral,CH41 5JH
Description: Monks from Birkenhead Priory, a Benedictine monastery, founded in the mid 12th century, started the fi rst Mersey Ferry service. The priory ruins include the chapter house, still in use as a chapel and the cloisters, later used as a graveyard. Close by is the newly renovated tower of St. Mary’s Church, designed by Thomas Rickman and consecrated in 1821.
Admission Details:Guided tour by William Meredith, archivist,
Wirral Archives Service
Thursday 12th September 2 pm to 4 pmPre-booking required. To book a place
contact the archivist [email protected]
Priory opening hours Summer: Wednesday to Friday 1 pm to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm Winter: Wednesday to Friday 12 noon to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am
to 4 pmDisabled access is limited to ground fl oor
areas
Contact:William Meredith
0151 606 2929
Mayer Buildings, Lower Bebington, Wirral CH63 7PL
Description: Pennant House, home of Joseph Mayer, Mayer Hall, the Clock Tower (formerly the Mayer Free Library) Mayer Park, were all the gift of Joseph Mayer to the people of Bebington, for community use.
Admission DetailsTours of the buildings are available Saturday
7th to Friday 13th September
Activities planned for Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September Heritage Exhibition and displays by local groups in Mayer Hall
Guided walk around Lower Bebington Saturday 14th September 2 pm to 4 pm.
Guided walk round Mayer Park Sunday 15th September 2 pm to 3:30 pm
Music event Sunday 15th September 12 noon to 2 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.
Admission by free ticket only
Programme available by contacting/emailing [email protected]
Pre-Booking for tours of the buildings (Maximum in group 8)
Hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes available to buy at a café in the Clock Tower
on the 14th and 15th SeptemberDisabled access available to ground fl oor of
Mayer Hall and Clock Tower
Contact:Dennis Boyd
0151 609 0257
BIRKENHEAD PRIORY MAYER HALL
1414
Bessborough Road, Birkenhead, CH43 5RW
Description: Christ Church is a listed building housing one of the fi nest organs in the area, by Father Willis. It has connections with the Owen family as Wilfred Owen and his parents worshipped here. Also there are two War Memorials, one being a beautiful carved pulpit. There will be guides available and historical displays.
Admission DetailsSaturday 7th and Sunday 8th September
2 pm to 4 pm
Come and hear our famous Willis Organ with a free Organ recital at 3 pm
on Sunday 8th September No booking required
Refreshments will be availableThere is disabled access
Contact:Rev Karen Freeman
0151 652 3990 (Church Offi ce]
Church Drive, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH62 5EF Description: Christ Church is a fi ne Grade 2* listed building set in the village of Port Sunlight. It has many interesting features, including considerable wood carvings in English oak and carved roof timbers in Canadian pitch pine. There are two stained glass windows by Bossanyi, an historic four manual organ built by Henry Willis II and a peal of eight bells.
Admission Details:Monday 9th, Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th September 11 am
to 4 pm and Friday 13th September 11 am to 1.30 pm
There will be leafl ets availablePre-booking required for parties
There are several refreshment facilities in the village
There is disabled access
Contact:Arnie Waters
0151 608 8406
CHRIST CHURCH, OXTON CHRIST CHURCH, PORT SUNLIGHT
1515
Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 5JH
Description: The Scriptorium at the Priory became the Conway Chapel in 1996 and is dedicated to the memory of HMS Conway, a training ship moored off Rock Ferry from 1859 to 1941, after which she was moored off Anglesey. Apart from the stained glass windows refl ecting the history of the training ship, the chapel contains many artefacts relating to life and activities on board, along with information and war records of old boys. The honours boards include a record of the four Naval offi cers who were awarded the Victoria Cross.
Admission Details:Saturday 7th September and Saturday 14th September 12 noon to 4 pm Sunday 8th
September and Sunday 15th September 12 noon to 4 pm.
Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th September 2 pm to 4 pm.
No booking required for dates stated above.
Open at any other times by appointment with contact.
No disabled access.
Contact:David Holbert0151 644 7560
or email [email protected]
St Mary’s Parish Church, Stanley Lane, Eastham, Wirral, CH62 0AQ
Description: Eastham, the ‘village in the east’, is fi rst mentioned in Domesday and is one of the oldest villages in Wirral. Today many of its buildings are Victorian but the village retains a medieval street pattern, centred on the church of St Mary, with its churchyard, sundial, ancient yew tree and lych-gate. The parish church is Medieval, built about 1150. There are also many Grade 2 listed buildings in the village for you to look at.
Admission Details:There will be fl oral displays in church
representing the Seasons of the Church’s Year. St Mary’s Church will be open
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 15th
September 1 pm to 4 pm
There will be an organ recital on Sunday 15th September at 3 pm
No booking requiredTea and coffee availableThere is disabled access
Contact:Sue Abraham0151 334 9216
ST MARY’S CHURCH, EASTHAMCONWAY CHAPEL, BIRKENHEAD
1616
Rake Lane, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 5DE
Description: The Chapel was originally opened in 1882 and in recent years fell into disrepair. In 2009 it became the Church of St Elisabeth the New Martyr. It has been beautifully renovated and is now a Russian Orthodox Church. It is available for interdenominational burials and is also licensed for weddings.
Admission Details:Wednesday 11th September and Sunday
15th September 2 pm to 4 pm No booking required
There is disabled access
Contact:Diane Robinson0151 639 4231
Rowson Street, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 2LY
Description: St. Andrews was built in 1870 on the style of a Greek cross. The church and tower have been altered since then. Some of the churches woodwork has been recovered from Ennerdale Road and Liscard Congregational churches. The stained glass windows suffered some bomb damage during the war; they depict memorials to the lives of people belonging to the church. Also war memorials from constituent churches.
Admission DetailsFriday 13th September and Saturday 14th September 11 am to 3 pm, Sunday
15th September 2 pm to 4:30 pm
Cakes and hot drinks will be availableRamps are available to access all parts of
the church
Contact:Peter Purland0151 639 1797
RAKE LANE CHAPEL, WALLASEY ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, WALLASEY
1717
Church and Norse Hogback Stone St Bridget’s Church, Church Road, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 7HL
Description: An opportunity to view this historic Church and the Norse Hogback stone which is on display in the Church.
Admission Details:Saturday, 7th September 10 am to 4 pm
Two tours , each of about 1 hour:
Church Tour – 11am. Meet in porch. Interior of the church, architectural features, stained glass, mainly by Charles Kempe, and
inscriptions.
Churchyard Tour – 2pm. Meet in porch Exterior of the church, points of historic
interest and graves of signifi cant individuals.
Pre-booking for each tour is required Maximum number in each group is 15
Refreshments are not availableThere is disabled access.
St Bridget’s Church is 10 minute walk from West Kirby Railway Station
Contact:Menai Dillon
0151 625 6266
Claremount Road, Wallasey, Wirral,CH45 3NH
Description: The old Tudor Tower dates from the 1530s, although Christian worship has taken place here for over 1,000 years. The old church was burnt down in February 1857. The present church was designed by Hay Bros., built and consecrated in 1859, the clock was added in 1893. The organ was one of Henry Willis’s, its 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2009 and it has recently undergone a full renovation. The original Norman Font has now been installed in the Old Tower.
Admission Details:Saturday 14th September 10 am to 4 pm Sunday 15th September 1 pm to 4 pm
Supervised visits to the old tower and
Church bell towerRoof access is restricted
No booking requiredTea, coffee and bacon butties available
Contact:Ann Hughes Rev Alan Ward
0151 638 5241
ST BRIDGET’S CHURCH, WEST KIRBY ST HILARY’S CHURCH, WALLASEY
1818
Albion Street, New Brighton, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 9LF
Desciption: Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott (Grandfather of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who designed Liverpool Anglican Cathedral). Built of Storeton sandstone (same material as the Saxon Crosses in Sandbach). The church is ‘Victorian Gothic Revival’, but light and airy internally. The chancel has wall paintings by Hemmings, the famous Victorian artist, and some of the stained glass is by the Camm family of Smethwick. The organ was originally in St. John’s Church, Egremont. It is 1833 vintage, by Bewsher and Fleetwood, and boasts almost 2,000 pipes. Churchwardens will be around for most of the day to answer questions.St James church is currently in the early stages of major conservation and is hoping to raise £250,000 in order to fund this.
Admission Details:Saturday 7th September and Saturday 14th
September 10 am to 4 pmNo booking required
Refreshments are availableAlbion Street (South Porch) is wheelchair
accessible
Contact:John Timms
0151 639 5830
High Street, Neston, CH64 9TZ
Description: The church has many attractions including, stained glass window by Kempe, Hardman, Morris, Byrne-Jones and many more, the Falklands Chapel rescued from HMS Plymouth, the font used for the christening of Lady Hamilton, the unique Viking stones found nowhere else in Europe. Guides will be available during opening times, to speak and take visitors round.
Admission Details:Thursday 12th September to Saturday 14th September 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 15th
September 1 pm to 4 pm
It should be noted that the Church of St. Mary and St. Helen is open every day
between 8 am and 3 pm
Tours are possible. Pre-booking required for Tours. Refreshments available and there are
cafés nearbyThere is disabled access
Contact:Peter Rossiter0151 336 5503
ST JAMES’ CHURCH, NEW BRIGHTON ST MARY AND ST HELEN, NESTON
1919
Parkgate, WirralCH64 6SL
Description: This newly refurbished church was closed for many years but following major renovation was reopened in 2010. Local community projects, in support of the Bishop’s Trust, raised the necessary funds, and the Fisherman’s Church, as it is known locally, is a testament to their sterling efforts.
Admission Details:Guides will be available during opening times, to speak to visitors and to show them around.Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September 10:30 to 4:30 pm Sunday 15th
September 11 am to 4:30 pm Members of the church will be available on Saturday and Sunday to welcome visitors and
talk about the building. South Wirral Art Society will be staging an
exhibition during the Open Days No booking required
Tea and biscuits will be availableThere is disabled access
Contact:Val Johnson
0151 336 [email protected]
Bidston Village Road, Bidston, Wirral, CH43 7QT
Description: St. Oswald’s church has been part of a tradition of worship on this site that stretches back at least to the 8th century. The existing church was rebuilt in 1856 and the Tower dates from 1593. There are numerous beautiful stained glass windows within the church some of which attract great attention from specialists, one was crafted by Morris to a Burne-Jones design. There is a wreath within the church that was given to Sir Edward and Lady Cust by Queen Victoria on the death of their son, who was a page boy to the Queen. The Reredos below the east window is a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ and was hand crafted in mosaic by the Italian artist Salviati, who was commissioned for the purpose. Tours around the Church are available during the day.
Admission Details:Thursday 12th September 10 am to 3 pm
No booking requiredRefreshments will be available
There is disabled access
Contact:Churchwarden, Mr Tony Endean
0151 652 7328
ST OSWALD’S CHURCH, BIDSTON ST THOMAS’ CHURCH, PARKGATE
2020
Manor Road, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 1DA
Description: The Memorial Church is a Grade 2* listed Arts and Crafts designed church by the Liverpool fi rm of Ware and Rathbone and built by James Merritt in 1899. The interior decorations are by the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts, including works by Walter Gilbert, Bernard Sleigh and Benjamin Creswick. The main feature is the Della Robbia panel by Harold Rathbone.
Admission Details:Saturday 7th September 12 noon to 4 pm
No booking requiredPossible refreshments
There is disabled access
Contact:Terry Edgar
0151 639 9707
Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 2UE Description: One of Birkenhead’s most recognised land marks. Oxton Congregational Church was built in 1858, refl ecting the very fi nest 19th century craftsmanship. The minor hall was built in 1902. The church suffered a bad fi re in February 1922 and was not reopened until September 1923. By 2007 the church was derelict and £1.25 million of internal work has been completed to allow the building to open for community use.
Admission Details:Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and
Friday 13th September 1 pm to 4 pm
Guided tours availableNo booking required
Refreshments will be available
Contact:Karen Inman/Richie Dixon Rev Paul Epton0151 653 4013 0151 653 8307
THE MEMORIAL CHURCH, WALLASEY WIRRAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE