"That Which Is Good Should Be Preserved" (No, not me!!)

This blog is the first of perhaps three about Birkenhead Park and its surrounding bits - so to speak. It continues my theme of attempting to raise awareness regarding areas of the Wirral, other than the very naturally scenic west side. Some won't immediately be as appealing for many reasons but they hold their place in our rich heritage and being reminded about them will hopefully encourage people to take ownership, show an interest, be aware of the threats to their survival and play a part in their (your) future.  Feel free to agree or disagree but please, do try to find time to visit and make up your own minds regarding their importance.  You can also source plenty of info as ever, by using tin'ternet.

I am ashamed to say that is has been decades since I visited Birkenhead Park, a place only fifteen minutes from where I live - another sign of how fab the Wirral is and how spoiled for choice we are.  Yesterday though, having taken son, David, to the station I decided not to pass by but to call in.  It was the perfect autumn day and the place was buzzing with families enjoying the sunshine, football sessions, dog walkers etc.  The first thing I came across was the very modern, new cafe and visitors centre which also houses an art gallery with a very good exhibition on by the Egerton (?) Art Society.  I walked around the fields and over to the large lake and then thinking I had walked everywhere, I thought I'd have a nose through some other gates, only to find another very beautiful lake to walk around.  People of all ages love to feed the ducks and geese don't they!

Feeding ducks at the Swiss Bridge

Birkenhead Park (for the people) opened in 1847 and was Britain's first public park.  If you recall from a previous blog, the building of  Rock Park (for newly rich merchants) was completed in 1850 so can you imagine the elegant Victorian splendor in and around Birkenhead then - for every sector of the community to enjoy.  After visiting it in 1850, Frederick Law Olmstead was strongly influenced by the park and incorporated features into New York's Central Park.  I have been to Central Park and whilst is it wonderful, so too is the one we have here in Birkenhead. What a shame it doesn't have such global recognition and appreciation.............yet??  Maybe it does but I just don't know about it.

 "Never underestimate what a small, dedicated group of people can do" 

Margaret Mead 

For the excellent work that has been carried out in the park we have to thank The Friends of Birkenhead Park, established in 1976 (a similar time to the Rock Park Conservation group starting up) in response to the park's neglect.  The major renovation work carried out in 2004 transformed the park.  New initiatives will include the creation of community gardens to enable groups to learn about wildlife and plants and provide skills training in growing fruit and vegetables plus the laying out of a Victorian Garden. They aim to address many local, social needs and be an asset for the schools, groups and the community as a whole.  Pretty amazing stuff eh? 


Please do forward blog details to as many as possible to help spread the (Wirral) word!

                                                      They get everywhere!
  

Raby Mere

I really do look forward to loads of things but the fact is that the older we become, the more we have to look back on.  We return to people and places and it is impossible not to be conscious of the changes which have arisen over time.  Sometimes though, places have changed very little and this is apparent if you visit Raby Mere, just 20 minutes from where I live. This is an area of 'Special Landscape Value' something which has been put in place to preserve the character and appearance.  The mere's original purpose was to drive a watermill for grinding corn but it is now owned (leased?) by Port Sunlight Angling Club.  The club was originally formed by employees of Levers (part of Leverhulme Estates) in 1947.

In the days when I was taken there with my family, you could row on the mere which was great fun.  Other pleasures there were just as simple - going on the swings, buying ice cream and feeding the many ducks!  It would seem that the only thing you can still do is feed the ducks. The house in the above photo is quite beautiful but not in the best condition.  I do hope the plan isn't to leave it to fall into disrepair and then knock it down. Does anyone know??? 

I look at this vast expanse of water and think what a shame there doesn't appear to be any public access or boating on it now, even occasionally.  So many children will never get the opportunity to have the fun as we had, especially when we got stuck in the trees! An added bonus today was that I met a lovely girl, who was feeding the ducks with her son.  She clearly loves the Wirral too and has promised to send me a list of walks around the Raby area.  Thank you!