The Francis Frith Collection.
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2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Parkgate

Parkgate photos (15 available)

Old photo of Parkgate

Parkgate maps (2 available)

Old map of Parkgate

Parkgate books (10 available)

Parkgate memories

Connah''s Quay Power Station and the Salt Marsh Reclamation Project

Parkgate, the Beach c1940

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE ALL THE SAND AT PARKGATE AND HESWALL WENT TO? and does anyone have any memories of how the Salt Marsh has changed since the first land/salt marsh reclamation scheme was launched (so I've been told) in the 1930s? Does anyone remember the building of Connah's Quay Power Station in 1950, does anyone remember seeing the sand dredger being used to build the foundations for the new power station plant (in 1950) and how did the AEA/CEGB salt marsh reclamation project effect Parkgate beach and the estuary?

Family memories.

Parkgate, c1955

I was amazed and delighted to see a photograph of my mother and grandmother.
Nearest the camera is my grandmother, Mrs Archie Turner (1892-1974) who lived in Whitford Road, Birkenhead. Next to her is her eldest daughter, my mother, Mrs Clifford Bolt (1916-2003) who lived in Arthur Street, Birkenhead. They would both have been tickled pink to see themselves in print and famous!
Contributed by Margaret P Halpin

Merseyside memories

Connah''s Quay Power Station and the Salt Marsh Reclamation Project

Parkgate, the Beach c1940

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE ALL THE SAND AT PARKGATE AND HESWALL WENT TO? and does anyone have any memories of how the Salt Marsh has changed since the first land/salt marsh reclamation scheme was launched (so I've been told) in the 1930s? Does anyone remember the building of Connah's Quay Power Station in 1950, does anyone remember seeing the sand dredger being used to build the foundations for the new power station plant (in 1950) and how did the AEA/CEGB salt marsh reclamation project effect Parkgate beach and the estuary?

Family memories.

Parkgate, c1955

I was amazed and delighted to see a photograph of my mother and grandmother.
Nearest the camera is my grandmother, Mrs Archie Turner (1892-1974) who lived in Whitford Road, Birkenhead. Next to her is her eldest daughter, my mother, Mrs Clifford Bolt (1916-2003) who lived in Arthur Street, Birkenhead. They would both have been tickled pink to see themselves in print and famous!
A memory of Parkgate contributed by Margaret P Halpin

Extracts From Parkgate & Merseyside books

Ditton, St Michael's Church, Ditton Hall c1965

With so many workers arriving here in the 1800s from Ireland there was a strong Roman Catholic presence and this enormous church was built in the 1870s to serve that congregation. For the first 23 years it was also a collegiate church for Jesuits with, at one time, 32 priests, 22 scholastics and 17 lay brothers.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Ditton, Ditchfield Road c1965

There have been several Ditchfield Halls near here. In the 1500s and 1600s the Dychfield family that lived here were strong Roman Catholics and refused to attend the Protestant services at their local parish church at Farnworth. Instead they built their own chapel but they were still fined for not attending the official church services! The last Ditchfield Hall was demolished in the 1960s.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Promenade 1923

It would have been near here that the ferry landed. The first ferry was established in 1178 by the baron who owned Halton Castle on the southern side of the estuary. His estates included lands on the northern side and, apparently, the ferry was set up primarily so his tenants could cross the river more easily in order to pay him their taxes.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Church Gardens 1923

St Mary’s Church was consecrated in 1910 and has room for a congregation of over 750 people. The church has a most unusual feature - built into the wall around the churchyard, overlooking the road, there is a pulpit from where, perhaps, the vicar could harangue those people taking their ease here in the gardens on a Sunday afternoon.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Bridge c1965

Despite the title of the photograph there are, in fact, two bridges depicted here. The railway bridge, in the foreground, was opened in 1868 when a train with 500 passengers on board crossed over. The main part of the bridge consists of a lattice of iron girders. Built by William Baker, the chief engineer for the London and North Western Railway, it used 48,115 rivets.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".