People are being given the chance to find out more about the history of West Kirby during September, as part of Wirral’s Heritage Open Days.
The events include a walk around Ashton Park, an opportunity to look around St Bridget’s Church and a special exhibition at the town’s museum themed around 1878, when the current West Kirby railway station opened.
Saturday 8 September
Ashton Park Walk – meet at St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby at 10am or 12 noon
Take a guided walk around West Kirby’s park, which opened in 1901 following delay and overspend, and find out more about the Ashton family, who gave the park its name.
Booking is required, and each walk takes 75 minutes.
Contact: Martin Harrison on 0151 625 8535 or email martinandsueharrison@gmail.com
Saturday 8 September and Saturday 15 September
West Kirby Museum, St Bridge’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby – from 10am until 4pm
Founded in 1892 and totally refurbished and extended, West Kirby Museum now houses fragments of 10th century stone sculpture, and documents the history of West Kirby Old Village as well as St Bridget’s Church and School.
September’s exhibition is titled ‘1878 – The Railway comes to West Kirby’ and looks at the opening of the station which today links the town with Liverpool.
Booking is not required.
St Bridget’s Church, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby – from 10am until 4pm
Have a look around the town’s Anglican church, which has a history of worship dating back 1,000 years.
Although it was substantially rebuilt in 1869, some medieval masonry survives including a 15th century stone tower.
It is also home to a rare Norse Hogback stone.
Booking is not required.
Wirral’s Heritage Open Days are organised by the Wirral History and Heritage Association, a voluntary organisation for history groups and societies.
