ART GROUP

Under the expert tutelage of Terry Edgar, a group of Wallaseyans’ meet in the Table-tennis Room on Thursday afternoons for a few hours of relaxation with pencils, paintbrushes or pastels, producing art works of all types, although water-colour seems to be the most popular medium.

From time to time, the high-quality results (arising from individual talents and Terry’s encouraging tuition) are exhibited in the 140 lounge of the Clubhouse for other Members’ approbation. A few vacancies exist in the group for highly-accomplished old hands or raw beginners alike.

RAMBLING GROUP

September Walk:
 
Weather forecasting is not quite the exacting science that it's made out to be, although some people would disagree particularly perhaps the BBC ! However, that given for Friday 16th September turned out to be more or less correct. Fortunately because it was the day of the Wal's September walk. Described in the pre-walk details as being 'linear in nature' the embankment between Harrison Drive and Meols varies little from a straight line. Starting at the bottom of Harrison Drive we headed west in the direction of Leasowe passing some once familiar land marks long since gone ! Who can remember afternoon tea with sand filled sandwiches at the chalets or the Derby Pool (opened in 1932 presumably by Lord Derby. He opened NewBrighton baths in 1934 or was it Lord Leverhulme ?) the scene of many a romantic and lasting matrimonial partnerships. Continuing along the embankment, the original having been built between 1829 and 1850 following an Act of Parliament in 1828, it was constructed to prevent erosion of this part of the coastline, we eventually arrived at for want of a better name, Leasowe Bay. It is difficult to imagine but this part of Wallasey in the 1920's and 30's was a wilderness of sandhills and marsh, Green Lane being the main thoroughfare connecting the parishes of Wallasey Village and Moreton. Looking inland at this point we could see the oldest of Wallasey's three golf courses, Leasowe Golf Club opened in 1891 beating Wallasey's opening by four months ! It's first captain was John Ball, the 1890 Open winner. It moved to it's current site in 1893 having been originally nearer to Leasowe lighthouse. Two of the town's most historic buildings are near neighbours, the first being Leasowe Castle. Built in 1593 by the 5th Earl Derby it was originally known as Mockbeggar Hall. In 1802 it was purchased by a Mrs Margaret Boode widow of Lewis Boode  an Indian
tea planter. Mrs Boode met a tragic end when her carriage overturned in Breck Road. A memorial to this accident still exists albeit overgrown and somewhat in a damaged state, due to the bombing during World War 2, in Breck Road. A link with another war this time the Great War of 1914 - 18 is that German pow's were incarcerated in the castle for the duration of that conflict. In the latter part of the 1890's it became a hotel but was not a success. Put on the market it was eventually bought by the trustees of the Railway Convalescent Homes and remained with them until reverting back to a hotel in more recent times. The other historic building of note is of course the Leasowe Lighthouse of 1763. The largest brick built lighthouse in the United Kingdom at 101 feet it ceased to operate in 1908 although it's last keeper Mrs Williams used it as a tearoom until her death in 1935. Originally coal fired it was converted to oil in 1772. A tablet above the entrance bears the inscription MWG 1763 which were the initials of William Gregson who was mayor of Liverpool at the time.

Wallaseyans' Walk, June

Herman Melville would have felt quite at home at the beginning of this month's club walk. Why?, because it started at the Moby Dick pub in West Kirby's lower village. New club member Frank McKechnie unlike Melville's 'hero' steered us on a steady course along the beach in the direction of Thurstaston in weather although slightly wet and windy was no way as daunting as that off the coast of Newfoundland !!
Deciding that 'Martha's' cottage was just a little too far we altered course in land to pick up the Wirral Way and head back to 'harbour'.
Although the Wirral Way can claim to be one of the first, if not the first, country park in the UK, your writer always laments the fact that it never became a preserved steam railway. A number of enthusiasts ,in the wake of Dr Beeching, did try to negotiate a deal with British Railways to purchase the line but the cost was beyond their means - a bit like the current rail fares! What a missed opportunity. For those of you who travel to Chester by Merseyrail the remains of the former Wirral Line station can still be seen at Hooton.
To walk the Wirral Way is always a pleasure at any time of the year and the month of June is no exception. With the hedgerows in full bloom, the landscape at it's best and with a following wind we made good time back to the pub with the dual 'pleasures ' of removing one's boots and a well deserved pint.

Wallaseyans' Walk, Friday 15th April.

 
Not one man and his dog but rather ten Wal's walkers and TWO dogs enjoyed a fine spring day for this month's ramble. Starting from the former baths site at Parkgate the walk took the usual circular route via Gayton ending up back at Parkgate. It's difficult to imagine the Dee at this point being open water now that it is silted up. Once Chester became un-navigatable Parkgate became the major port on the this side of the peninsula and when this likewise became untenable paved the way for that 'fishing village' Liverpool to become the great port that it did. Enough of the history lesson and back to the walk. On reaching the end of the narrow embankment path, walkers at this point are required to turn right and ascend a steep hill arriving out of breath at Old Gayton which is one of Wirral's twenty-six conservation areas.Nestling behind tall walls and mature trees lies Gayton Old Hall now privately owned but in the 17th century provided overnight B&B accommodation (allegedly) for Oliver Cromwell before setting off from Parkgate to subdue the rebellious Irish. Avoiding wayward golf balls at Heswall Golf Club we skirted the course arriving in the tiny hamlet of Backwood. Somewhat of an exaggeration as it only consists of the rather nice Backwood Hall, now a private residence, Backwood Hall farm, a cottage or two and a couple of barn conversions !
Beginning to tire some of us were glad when the outskirts of Parkgate once more hove into sight. A final dash along the promenade, nodoubt urged on by the prospect of a well deserved pint, saw us arrive at our destination, the Red Lion, for a well-earn lunch, dogs included.

Wals Walk 18 February

 
Undetered by the muddy conditions that would have made even Hoffman's hippopotamuses whince 17 brave Wals walkers braved the elements , a biting wind, on February's walk. The starting point at the Bassett Hound provided ample car parking space before we set off to cross fields to the old 'village' of Storeton having 'risked life and limb' crossing the Bidston to Wrexham railway line! A footbridge provided a safer crossing of the M 53 motorway. Storeton as a settlement has it's origins in Saxon times. Closer inspection of one of the farm building reveals remains of the orginal manor house. Leaving the village we headed for the equally charming hamlet of Landican this time passing under the busy M53. Landican, better known for the neighbouring cemetery, again has it roots in medieval times. Even today it is one of Wirral's secret places.To para-phrase a certain well known actor ' not alot of people know that'. Standing on it's 'village green' one could imagine being anywhere in the UK apart from the ever present intrusive sound of the nearby motorway! The terrain on leaving Landican proved even too much for the Wals stalwarts and the decision was taken to return to via an easier route to Thingwall and then to the finish at the pub. Here we were in competition with several funeral parties and it was decided to seek refreshment elsewhere, which we did at the Glegg Arms, Heswall to everyone's satisfaction.
Details of March's walk to be announced.