Wirral . . . Memories of the 1900’s and ‘20’s

Our Wirral series now covers the first 80 years of this century.

This release looks at life and events in the early 20^th century with unique film of:

The River Mersey Ferries and passengers of almost 100 years ago - Seacombe and Egremont in 1901.

Neston Female Friendly Society Walking Day in 1910 with the visiting fairground, compared with the event in 1997. A tradition almost 200 years old.

Bebington station in 1910 - passengers boarding and departing by steam train in the fashion of the day.

1914 - The First World War - Port Sunlight men say farewell to their loved ones as they depart by train for the trenches - many may never return. The war is recalled by a local survivor. The Wallasey Ferry boats, Iris and Daffodil, return from the Zeebrugge blockade in 1918. Lord Leverhulme unveils Port Sunlight War Memorial in 1922.

1916 The Children's Hospital in Leasowe and in the 1920s The Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital in Heswall.

In the 1920s scenes at Hooton Aerodrome, Bromborough Dock opens, Red Cross Nurses in Heswall practise and parade for inspection. A group of ladies, in wonderful fashions and headgear, visit Thornton Manor, to be greeted by the second Lord Leverhulme. In wartime, on the lake there was ice skating and ice hockey.

In 1930, we take a holiday at the beach chalets at Harrison Drive, New Brighton.

In 1929 we visit the 'Coming of Age' World Scout Jamboree at Arrowe Park - the largest ever held with 50,000 scouts from all over the world together with 300,000 public visitors. (A more comprehensive record of the 1929 World Jamboree at Arrowe Park is contained in the 'The Quest of the Golden Arrow' Milestones in the history of the Scout Movement.)

Finally in 1928 we take a later look at the Neston Ladies procession.

Narrator: Monty Lister of Radio Merseyside