*click for larger version
Well done to Mason Edwards for creating this railway poster promoting golf at Hoylake. Mason comments on his latest work (he also created this poster):
It is based on the 1950s style posters that the then British Railways used display at stations on the Wirral line.
The image shows the golf club more or less as it was in the 50s, and I hope conveys the atmosphere of the Open in the 30s to 50s. There were none of the hospitality facilities, and corporate shenanigans of the current championships. There were tents and simple wooden score boards, and no stands as far as I can remember. It was more of a stewards with ropes affair!
The main golfer is meant to look (I hope!) like Bobby Jones who won it in 1930 as an Amateur. In the same year he won the British Amateur followed by the Open at Hoylake, and later the American Open! An amazing feat at the age of 26 /27? Apparently he retired a year or so later at the age of 28.
The posters are available as A4 or A3 prints from Jo at the Seagrass Studio Gallery, 9a The Quadrant, Hoylake.
I’ve got the other poster of Hoylake Station by Mason which is amazing
Thanks Syd. for your kind comments.
Are you any relation ofJesse Bird, who used to have a removals business in Hoylake?
I can see the name in the weekly copy of the “addy”, the Hoylake News and Advertiser to you!
Best wishes, mason
Hi Mason, yes Jesse Bird was my grandfather and his father also named Jesse was my great grandfather. It was my great grandfather who built the house in Market St and the adjoining stables for his horses which used to pull the lifeboat and the fire engine used by the Hoylake Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Was Jesse Bird who had the removals business next to the Ship Inn, the father of Stan Bird and grandfather to Gary and Keith, who lived in Lake Place?
Jesse Bird was Stan Birds grandfather and the great grandfather of Gary and Keith. Stan`s father was Frank (son of Jesse) who was a brother of my father.
Can buy the hoylake posters on-line.
John, I’m sure a phone call or an email to Jo Whelan at Seagrass Studio Gallery will work. if you don’t live in Hoylake. She may be able to post one to you. Do let me know if you don’t have any luck. in which case you can contact me via my website and I can send you one direct.
Syd, I have often wondered if you are related to the late Richard (Jack) Bird. He was my godfather and great-uncle and was the registrar for Hoylake and district..
Hello Keren ,yes John Richard Bird was my great uncle, him being a younger brother of my grandfather Jesse Bird.. Uncle Jack (as I used to call him ) was indeed the registrar for Hoylake for many years. Until his death in 1974 he resided in Trinity Road and I have a few photos of him Just trying to work out who was your grandfather ? Kind Regards Syd
Keren replies:
Hello Syd, thank you for replying. Uncle Jack married Peggy Lloyd who was my grandmother’s sister. My grandfather was John Fenney and my grandmother was Emily Lloyd. Uncle Jack retired as registrar the day after he recorded the birth of my son, also Richard. As children we were told many stories of the ‘Bird Family’. When Uncle Jack died I inherited two big bags of photos but many of them have no names on them. I spent a huge amount of time at 40 Trinity Road as a child and loved the old dog Laddie!
My grandparents lived in Ethelbert Road and their children were Reginald (killed 1943), Eileen and my Dad,Geoffrey. I went to school at Meols a with Robert Bird who fitted in the jigsaw somewhere.. Another gentleman I met through Uncle Jack was Anthony Bird, he lived on Birkenhead Road with his grandmother he died at Christmas 2015 aged 94yrs.
Hope this is not too rambling for you… Keren
Hi Keren, this is so interesting and I would like ask you more about Uncle Jack. When I started collecting Old Hoylake photos in the early sixties he gave me a couple of fantastic photos which I still have. I was wondering if your dad was a member of St John’s Church in Meols and if you knew my wife’s father Ernie Ledsom. If you are on Facebook maybe we could communicate further if you would like to ? Kind Regards Syd