Over the weekend and this morning there have been some great comments on the site!
Julian Priest and Judith Irvine have contributed with some great comments and information, so thanks go to them.
Julian sent some information about the grass on Hoylake beach, suggesting that as the sand (mud) is rather soft, the grass hasn’t been treated because tractors can get stuck in the mud (see photo – even the RNLI can have trouble).
Judith has recalled some memories of the old Houghs yard and the monkeys that used to live in Warren Road.
This morning, John Parr left an great comment about the sale of the old lifeboat station. John was the originator of the plans to develop the building into a lifeboat museum and interestingly he has two of the old lifeboats! Please do share your thoughts with a comment on your own on that news item.
Have you noticed that when you post a comment you can also tick the little box to receive email notification of any new comments for that item? It’s a great way of reading replies to your comment and for not missing what other readers have to say.
Thanks again for all your comments and emails!
The photo of the tractor stuck in the mud was taken while we (Hoylake Lifeboat Crew) were carrying out what is called a sand anchor exercise. Basically the small trailer that normally carries the “skids†has a large anchor blade stored beneath it which we lower to dig into the sand or mud. We then attach the winch wire from the Talus tractor (large tractor) and pull ourselves out of trouble. On this particular evening the process was taking much longer than expected as the mud or slutch is extremely soft and sticky! However as this is the worst part of the beach at the moment so it proves our equipment works!
We are also concerned about the grass but unfortunately we do not have a say whether it stays or goes!
Would it be possible to Make the old lifeboat station a listed building or get the National Trust to take it over. It would be a shame to let this building be developed by people who don’t care about it’s history.
The decision of the new Wirral Borough Council’s sub-committee to recommend progressing proposals for a Hoylake Lifeboat Museum is very welcome. However, there is a lot of hard graft ahead and money will need to be raised. But the prize is great….the safeguarding of a landmark building many of us grew up with and a celebration of more than 200 years of courageous lifesaving by local people. What is more, we have the exhibits….a museum in waiting. Hoping that one day we mightestablish a museum, I found myself having to go about things the wrong way round. I started with the rediscovery of the last Hilbre Island rowing lifeboat, “Chapman”. Built 1900-01, she was last launched in anger on 23rd July 1937 down Hilbre’s magnificent slipway.She is now saved from virtual dereliction and ready to form the centre-piece of the new museum. She is the oldest surviving “Liverpool type” lifeboat and features on the National Register of Historic Vessels. Also on the Register is Hoylake’s old 1970’s lifeboat “Thomas Corbett” which I came across in Ireland and brought back to the Wirral. She needs more work but her restoration will provide a fascinating working exhibit.
I have also gathered many of the wonderful lifeboat models exhibited on Lifeboat Day along with an archive of rare books and documents on lifeboats and lifesaving going back to the 1800’s. All these are there for a museum.
But first we needed the political will which now seems to be there. Next we have to establish a Charitable Trust to develop the project. I would very much welcome support from local people who can share this dream and contribute to bringing it about. I am John Parr…..I am proud that my ancestors served in the crew, sadly 4 of them died in the loss of the lifeboat in 1810. I do hope we can garner support.
Thank you.