TOURISM IN VAUXHALL
MAKING MORE OF NORTH DOCKS
Making more of Liverpool's North Docks is seen as a vital part of plans to encourage Tourism in Vauxhall. Community activists and urban design experts are calling for a radical new initiative for the development of the waterfront on Liverpool's North Docks.
Driving or walking along the Dock Road, it's hard to miss the huge (Grade ll) sugar silo (see pictured below) built by Tate & Lyle in the 1950s, close to the Huskisson Dock. When in operation the sugar was brought into the silo via a huge conveyor tower and once inside the silo an overhead railway system was used to distribute the sugar along the full length of the silo.
Promoted as being 'The Little Oasis on the Dock Road' the Atlantic Corner stand on the corner junction of Sandhills Lane and Regent Road, Liverpool 20. The Atlantic Corner is a family run business and is well located on the famous Liverpool Dock Road - Only 1 mile from Liverpool City Centre 3 minutes walk from Sandhills train station. The residence contains simple but comfortable accommodation that is completed by tea and coffee facilities, TV and more. Phone 0151 922 9815 or email vera@atlantic-corner-hotel.co.uk You can also visit www.atlantic-corner-hotel.co.uk
Vera at the Atlantic Corner Hotel is also keen for the adjoining Atlantic Pub (circa 1887) to feature in the attractions to the North Liverpool area and it is easy to see from the photos below why Vera feels the Atlantic Pub is like a jewel in the crown. Vera is determined not to waste the opportunity to get the Pub open day and night for tourism, local trade or functions
Reviving dockland communities left stranded by bad planning and a collapsed economy must be central to a new North Liverpool Master-plan. It's time for leadership and vision." Among those backing the campaign is Dr.Rob McDonald from the School of Architecture at Liverpool John Moores University. He says: "We need imaginative and independent thinkers to devise a dynamic and sustainable urban master-plan, working with local residents and stakeholders".
The history of Liverpool's North Docks and in particular those in the Vauxhall area is a major part of the development of the city of Liverpool. This is clearly evident in information contained within the website
http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/liverpooldocks.html
The North Docks is Vauxhall are set to become a major tourist attraction when the Leeds - Liverpool Canal Link is established, enabling canal narrow boats to journey from as far up the canal as Leeds into Liverpool's Albert Dock. See http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/liverpool-link.htm
PUTTING VAUXHALL ON THE MAP
A prime aim of the Tourism in Vauxhall Project is to put the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton districts of Liverpool onto a recognised tourist map of Liverpool. All of the buildings and locations highlighted by the Tourism in Vauxhall Project (and featured on this webpage and or on other webpages on this website) are situated within the areas shown on the map above. We hope in time to have map specially designed to show the buildings and places 'well worth a visit'.
DANDY PAT
Many an Irish emigrant settled in Liverpool town
Some of these people achieved fame and renown
One of these of who you will learn
Was a man from Wexford, called Patrick Byrne
His flamboyance, the coat and hat
Soon earned him the nickname - DANDY PAT
Pat was a publican his pub the 'Morning Star'
But it was his philanthropy that spread his name afar
He was always ready with a helpful deed
For those who often found themselves in need
In 1890, he went to his rest
His friends in the community made a special request
His body had returned to Wexford to lay in its grave
But they wished for Liverpool his name to save
In 1892 a monument of elegance and grace
Was erected outside Pat's pub on Scotland Place
On the monument was an inscription
To tell it was there through public subscription
This memorial in ornate brown stone
Insured in future Pat's name would be known
Many years in the same spot it did stand
Until area redevelopment did command
It could no longer stay there
So it was moved to Pownall Square
There it stood until August of 1983
Then for no other reason that no one could see
But that they were on destruction intent
Vandals took stones and smashed that monument
Oh do these people ever pause
And look at the damage mindless actions cause
Poem by Joe O'Grady - September 1983.
The restored monument to Dandy Pat Byrne (see pictured above) was restored, sited and unveiled in the grounds of St Anthony's Church, Scotland Road in the year 2000. This monument is very much a focal point of interest to people visiting St Anthony's Church and especially to those visiting the Heritage & Visitor Centre. The most often asked questions being “who was Dandy Pat Byrne”? and “why is there a monument to him”?
In appreciation of this interest etc, local author Mike Kelly (along with the Scottie Press) is working on producing a small book (approx 11,000 words plus photos) about the life of Dandy Pat Byrne and about how and why the monument was restored. We would like to hear from readers who may be interested in this book, which could be published before Christmas of this year and priced under £3. Please email ronformby@scottiepress.org
OLD BANK COULD BECOME HERITAGE CENTRE
In 1998 as part of a community campaign which asked 'Has Scotland Road Got a Future' the Scottie Press voiced up the benefits to be gained from having the Old Bank Building on Scotland Road used as a History & Heritage Resource Centre in order that the fame of Scotland Road and its people could be recorded and promoted to current and future generations of people. In 1998 the Liverpool Daily Post featured an article entitled "BATTLE IS ON TO SAVE SCOTTIE ROAD HERITAGE". This article voiced up how campaigners aim to give famous building a new lease of life. Much water has gone under the bridges since 1998 but the Scottie Press has never lost sight of this idea. The Old Bank Building (circa 1882) was recently up for sale again and as such the Scottie Press spoke to Louise Ellman MP about the possibility of having the Old Bank Building included in Project Jennifer and brought into use as a Scotland Road History & Heritage Centre that would marry in with the St Anthony’s Visitor Centre (see photo above) and be enhanced by the Throstle’s Nest Hotel now able to provide Bed & Breakfast Accommodation. This all aimed at securing ways by which visitors to Liverpool can be attracted to the Scotland Road area as part of the Tourism in Vauxhall Project.
We would be grateful to hear from Scottie Press website readers who might wish to voice up their thoughts on why a Scotland Road History & Heritage Resource Centre with hopefully a tea rooms would be a very positive way of showing that Liverpool City Council will try to ensure that Scotland Road does have a future beyond that of a six lane motorway. Please email ronformby@scottiepress.org
IN SUPPORT OF HERITAGE CENTRE
Dear Scottie Press, I think the idea of a Scotland Rd History and Heritage Resource Centre with a tea room would be a brilliant idea. I don't live in Liverpool any longer but have Italian connections to Little Italy. I would love to visit such a centre where all the resources were together and think a tea room would be necessary for visitors such as myself who would be happy to spend a day or more there researching and chatting with the few people left keeping the memories alive.
I find it so sad that a big part of the area has been demolished for fast traffic and now very little is left of the Scottie Rd I knew as a child Surely such a centre is the type of project the Council should be thinking of now that people are so interested in researching their family history. There are lots of people whose families emigrated from Scotland Road who will travel from many other countries to trace their families' history. How sad when they if they get to the area their forefathers came from and find there is nothing left of the area. So much has already disappeared don't let any more of the area go Surely not too much to ask to retain what little is left of an area with such rich history in the making of the City of Liverpool.
Carol P A Moretta Rigg
IRISH FAMINE PLAQUE
On Regent Road, Vauxhall, Liverpool 3, alongside the Clarence Dock Gates there is a plaque, which remembers the Irish Famine. Two million Irish people came to Liverpool in one decade, fleeing a country that had been devastated by famine. This was approximately a quarter of Ireland's population. From January to June 1847 over 300,000 Irish immigrants arrived in vessels that were termed 'coffin' ships, passengers were packed together on deck in all manner of weather, some ships arrived with a third of the passengers dead. The trip across the Irish Sea could take three days if the weather was bad.
Many thousands of those who came to Liverpool in 1847 sailed on to a new life in America and other New World Countries but many more who came to Liverpool stayed in crowded cellars and houses in the Vauxhall and Scotland Road areas. Typhus, Dysentery and Cholera were prevalent. It is estimated that 60,000 people caught the fever and 40,000 contracted dysentery.
The onward journey to America was an ordeal and it is recorded that one in six emigrants who sailed for America in 1847 died. The peak year for emigration was 1852 when almost 300,000 people left Liverpool, and this tidal wave of humanity was to see nearly nine million people emigrate to America from Liverpool with a thousand ships a year were leaving the port.
TITANIC CONVENTION
The 94th anniversary (1912-2006) of the sinking of the famous White Star Line, Titanic is on April 14th. The British Titanic Society are to hold their annual convention at Liverpool's Aldephi Hotel (Fri-Sun 21st - 23rd April). A feature of the convention will be a commemorative tour of the Liverpool landmarks that recognise the connections the city has with the White Star Line. These include the former White Star Line HQ in James Street and the Memorial to the Heroes of the Marine Engine Room at the Pier Head. Many Titanic crew came from the Scotland Road area and it's recorded (see diagram) that the longest alley-way on the ship's E Deck was called Scotland Road.
The Scottie Press contacted the convention organisers to suggest that members of the British Titanic Society visit Scotland Road as part of their commemorative tour.
If you would like more details about the convention visit www.britishtitanicsociety.co.uk
or email info@britishtitanicsociety.co.uk
On Tuesday 31st January the Scottie Press organised a whistle stop Tourism in Vauxhall bus tour for Mark Stewart (Tourism Development Manager - Liverpool Culture Company). The bus tour was arranged in order that Mark could gain a better visual awareness and appreciation of the Tourism in Vauxhall Project's aims and potential. Listed below are the places visited on the day and about which the tour highlighted.
- ST MARY OF THE ANGELS CHURCH
- LITTLE ITALY (Plaque Gerard Street)
- GERARD GARDENS
- ST FRANCIS XAVIER'S CHURCH
- COLLEGIATE
- EVERTON TOFFEE
- ST ANTHONY'S CHURCH & VISITOR CENTRE
- THROSTLES NEST HOTEL
- ROTUNDA THEATRE
- LIVERPOOL FILM STUDIOS
- AWESOME WALLS ROCK CLIMBING CENTRE (Formerly St Alban's Church)
- VAUXHALL WAREHOUSES
- DOCK ROAD WALL
- STANLEY DOCK & TOBACCO WAREHOUSE
- SIX SIDED CLOCK
- STANLEY LOCK GATES (Leeds & Liverpool Canal)
- LITTLE WALES (Pall Mall)
- KITTY WILKINSON
- HANNAH MAY THOM STATUE
- JAMES WILLIAM CARLING
- BYROM STREET WATER TAP
- ELDON GROVE
- LEE JONES CENTRE
- CANAL BIRD LIFE PROJECT
- WELSH HISTORY OF OVER THE BRIDGE
- HISTORY OF LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL
Mark has contacted the Scottie Press to advise that Liverpool City Council's Communities and Tourism Scrutiny Panel recently considered a report on Heritage Tourism in Liverpool's Neighbourhoods. This report recognised that there was a developing tourism offer in Liverpool's neighbourhoods with potential for further development. Liverpool Culture Company is committed in principle to encouraging tourism development outside the city centre. Liverpool can expect to attract 1.7 million visitors in 2008 and from 13th February this year tourists to Liverpool can get all the information about Liverpool and 2008 from Tourist Information Centres at the 08 Place in Whitechapel (City Centre) and from the TIC at John Lennon Airport.
It is a firm intention of the Tourism in Vauxhall Project to have information on display at the Tourist's Information Centres about what visitors to Liverpool can see in the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton areas and to produce a virtual 'Tourism in Vauxhall' DVD which they can view and a book they can read.
The Scottie Press was recently contacted by The Mersey Partnership to advise that they were promoting the history of the Little Italy area of Liverpool at a Tourism Exhibition in Milan and as such had written to Italian newspapers highlighting the efforts of the Scottie Press in the promotion of this famous district of Everton, Liverpool 3.
Liverpool City Council recently announce that it was to ask residents of Liverpool about how best to influence the changing face of the city. They listed five objectives in a core strategy. These included strengthening Liverpool's economy and building strong communities. It is clearly evident that Tourism in Vauxhall can help achieve this if given the proper support and encouragement. If you would like to register your support for the Tourism in Vauxhall Project please email ronformby@scottiepress.org
TOURISM IN VAUXHALL PROJECT
LOCAL AUTHOR
Local author, Ged Fagan is photographed at the entrance to Liverpool Central Library wherein he spends a considerable amount of time researching information and viewing photographs for a new book about Liverpool's Tenement Housing & living. Ged's two books - 'IN A CITY LIVING' (1 + 2) have been a great success and he hopes his third book will prove to be equally as popular.
Ged has also undertaken research work for a book he is writing in conjunction with the Tourism In Vauxhall Project. He is very keen to hear from readers who may have information and or photographs they feel should be included in these books. You can contact Ged by emailing fagan@rosewoodtrucking.co.uk
Concerns have been expressed to the Scottie Press about how the district of Vauxhall is misreported in newspaper and by other media as Everton, Kirkdale or even City Centre. We are grateful to a Scottie Press reader who contacted Liverpool City Council about this issue and we print below a reply he received
"Historically there has never been a definitive map to indicate the different boundaries of Liverpool and the exercise has never been comprehensively undertaken. It was decided that there was a need to define the boundary lines of the City Council's Master Signing Plan, so the Traffic Management Section spent two years trying to decide the most appropriate locations through extensive consultation and research. All of the Ward Councillors across the city were involved and they approved all districts prior to the erection of the signs.
Vauxhall is not a district, therefore it would not be signed as such. The sign that has been erected on Scotland Road was checked by a member of Vauxhall Residents Community Group who confirmed that the sign was in the right place and the Traffic Management Section are satisfied that this is the case".
The ongoing efforts to encourage Tourism in Vauxhall most certainly appreciates that Vauxhall is very much a district of Liverpool and a very famous district at that. The Tourism in Vauxhall Project is keen to hear from readers who would support the project's intentions to seek ways by which signs can be erected to clearly indicate that people are in the Vauxhall area - mindful of the very many people that will be visiting the district in 2006 - 2007 2008 - to experience a Tourism in Vauxhall bus tour.
Vauxhall Road runs from Boundary Street, Liverpool 5 to Hatton Garden/Tithebarn Street, Liverpool 3. It was originally named Pin Fold Lane. Vauxhall was the name of a house on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal past, which the road led. The name derives from Vauxhall Gardens in Lambeth, London, in the 18th century.
With the growth of Liverpool as a major port in the late 18th and early 19th century, the development of Vauxhall as an industrial area was inevitable. By the 1840s this industrialisation of the area had grown considerably as had housing development. Between the years of 1841and 1851 there was an increase of 4000 houses, roughly parallel to the population growth.
If you would like to see the Vauxhall district clearly signposted please contact ronformby@scottiepress.org
In Liverpool there were many merchants and businessmen supporting the Southern (Confederate) States in the American Civil War. Liverpool was Britain's main port of entry for southern cotton. Within the Vauxhall area of Liverpool there was at one time a branch of the Charleston cotton firm John Fraser & Co., - Fraser, Trenholm & Company. Their office at 10 Rumford Place, Liverpool 3 was to become the official 'Confederate Embassy', and the Confederate Navy agent in Liverpool, Commander James Dunwoody Bulloch was given an office there.
Rumford Place is situated at the lower end of Chapel Street and can be accessed from Chapel Street or from Old Hall Street. Our photo shows Rumford Place with the former Confederate Embassy on the right hand side and the Daily Post & Echo Offices in the background. Prominent on the 10 Rumford Place (listed) building are two flags and a number of plaques.
This Vauxhall street dates from about 1800.There is in Great Crosshall Street, Liverpool 3, a building which will become St. Patrick's apartments.
This building was at one time a day school and Sunday school connected to St. John's church. This church stood immediately west of St. George's Hall in its own grounds with a cemetery. The Liverpool Corporation acquired the church and grounds, which were turned into St. John's Gardens at the beginning of the 20th century.
GREAT CROSSHALL STREET
There were at one time two Welsh Chapels in Great Crosshall Street, which would make one assume that the Welsh population was spreading from their established area and stronghold of St. Paul's square Pall Mall, Liverpool 3.
One chapel was at the junction of Marybone great Crosshall Street. This building (pictured above - beyond Prout's Garage) became in later years the office of Brian Green Typewriters before being demolished to make way for student block accommodation (also photographed above). The other Welsh chapel building has long since gone
CAPITAL OF CULTURE
Liverpool Culture Company are determined that the city's historic sites will be central to both the 2007 and 2008 festivities and celebrations. Council leader, Warren Bradley says that 2008 represents a fantastic opportunity for Liverpool to showcase its architectural heritage.
Two new groups have been set up to co-ordinate thinking about how to present the best historical attractions. One panel brings together departments within the council and the other is an external group featuring the National Trust, English Heritage, National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool Heritage Forum.
The Liverpool Culture Company advises that they have projects bubbling up all over the place and that Liverpool people are rightly proud of their heritage and want to share and celebrate it with others. I am keen that the attention of Liverpool Culture Company and the other organisations listed above is drawn to the historic architecture in the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton areas.
I list below a number of buildings in the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton areas that I consider worthy of showcasing by Liverpool Culture Company. I would be pleased to hear suggestions from readers as to others they think should be showcased.
- St Anthony's Church
- St Mary of the Angels Church
- St Francis Xavier's Church
- Collegiate College
- Everton Toffee
- Throstles Nest Hotel
- Stanley Dock Warehouses
- Tobacco Warehouse
- Victoria - Six Sided Clock
It's a point worth raising the history of the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton areas has seen much of the historic architecture lost to demolition. The books written by Terry Cooke, Freddy O'Connor and myself published many fine examples.
Ged Fagan
The National Museums Liverpool plans for the new £67 million pound 'Museum Of Liverpool' (to be built on Mann Island - between the Albert Dock and the Pier Head) is centred on making it the world's leading city history venue. This is to be achieved by ensuring the museum documents the social history of Liverpool through exhibits as diverse as recreating the stage where the Beatles first performed to the reconstruction of a Liverpool dockyard. If all goes to plan the work is scheduled to start by June 2006 and the first phase of the museum should be completed in time for 'Capital of Culture' year 2008.
One of the many ideas within the plans to ensure that Tourism In Vauxhall can also be a well-established attraction for visitors to Liverpool in 2008 is the creation of 'The Dockers Experience'. This would take the form of refurbishing one of the dockside warehouses in the Vauxhall area to recreate scenes that would have been part of a Liverpool dockworker's daily life in the Vauxhall area over a period of more than 200 years.
By around 1800 the combined tonnage of shipping entering and leaving the port of Liverpool was estimated to be around 400,000 tons. This was to rise rapidly and in 1900 the tonnage was recorded at 12.4 million. By 1860 new docks had been built in the Vauxhall area, which included Bramley-Moore, Salisbury, Nelson, Collingwood, Trafalgar and Stanley. The abundance of dock work created in the late 1800s attracted many men from all parts of the United Kingdom. It also encouraged men from other parts of the world who had had plans to emigrate to the New World countries to decide to stay in Liverpool and find employment on the docks. Their jobs often demanded considerable physical stamina allied to a knack of handling and moving heavy weights when unloading timber, grain, cotton etc. Their pay was considered good in comparison to other ports albeit that in the 1870s their pay was 4/6d a day.
'The Dockers Experience' will record this 19th century history. It will also portray the ability of Liverpool Dockers to adapt to the changing demands of their employment throughout the1900s (including the First and Second World Wars) until the closure of the aforementioned docks in the Vauxhall area. To help with this aspect of Tourism In Vauxhall Project the Scottie Press would like to hear from former and current Liverpool Dockers who may have information (photographs - memorabilia - memories etc), which they feel would enable the concept of 'The Dockers Experience' to be presented in a comprehensive manner to the Liverpool Culture Company (Capital of Culture) to seek their backing.
If you can help please contact ronformby@scottiepress.org
My fondest memories of growing up are all related to the family life that engulfed us all. The docks had been a prime target for night raids by Hitler's Luftwaffe. Bombings all around the 'three ugly sisters' trying to knock out the power to most of that area had been unsuccessful, thanks in the main to many an intervention by the RAF 's Spitfires and dogfights out in the Irish Sea. Liverpool, like a lot of other English city's, took a battering from these incessant raids but failed to get the press like London, their only Scousers.
People seem to forget that Liverpool was the major port for most of the commerce that came to England. Thousands of ships have graced the docks over the years. Cargo was transshipped to and from all corners of the earth and the Liverpool Docker was second to none. Yes we even have a downside, but at the time that was par for the course, the slave trade was prolific through the port of Liverpool as the trade ships from Africa used Liverpool as a transient base before heading mainly to the America's.
January 1943, I was born into a family of dockers. My father, Barney Daly, toiled for many years, before, during and after WWII working at any and all docks along the dock road. So who made up this family, my mother Lily, was the eldest of eleven children seven boys and four girls. All seven of my uncles worked the docks, Thomas (Bomb), John, Willie McMahon, Peter, Joe, Jim and Alex McVeigh. Grandma married twice, so we had the McMahon's and the McVeigh's. For a time we lived next door to each other at 23 and 25 Regent Street, Grandma in number 23.
At the time it appeared to me that everybody in the street worked at the docks or had some family working at the docks. Employment was scarce you could count on one hand the number of employers in the area. Bibby's, Silcock's, Tate & Lyle, Stanley Warehouse or the Cotton Warehouses. By far the biggest employer was the docks. Think about this for a situation to get work and put a bit of something on the table for five kids, more if the family came visiting. Take a typical day, go to the clearing house in Vulcan Street and pick up your 'tally', hopefully you would be picked by the foreman issuing them, many a time it was the old saying "it is not what you know but who you know" he would tell you what dock to go to. Report at that dock pronto, give your tally to another foreman and then bust your hump loading or unloading cargo and pray that you would be called back the following day or go through the same process. This was a daily routine and many many men would not be picked, my father included.
We always had a meal, but it was not a breakfast, lunch and dinner scenario like today's children. How about a dripping butties, or an HP sauce butties, sugar butties, we thought that was fine. Brawn, now that was a word that brings back memories. Mom could make a meal out of anything and one of my father's favourites was pressed pig's cheek or tripe and for a special Sunday he might get some salt fish. Silly things but they are wonderful memories.
Accidents happened on a regular basis on the docks; freezing cold weather never helped the old bones of some of the older dockers. My father coming home one day with just a small towel around his hand, he had gotten his index finger jammed in one of the cargo landing nets and it took the top off his finger when it hit the ships handrail, no time for hospital go later when the job is done cannot afford to miss a days work. Not as sprightly as the younger ones who had started to become more outspoken and forthright on the scene. Regardless, all my family stayed put working the only job they ever knew. He's getting older, as are the rest of the McMahon's. The tally man is not seeing him as much as he did in years gone by, work is becoming harder to get.
The family has always been the answer, Lily needs some support, and so the family of dockers do what they always did came knocking. We shared 25 Regent Street with my uncle Willie and his family and he was always the one to come up with solutions.......by hook or by crook! It started one night when he came home from doing his day on the docks, a pair of wader's drapesed across his shoulders. He called my mom to come and see him and to our surprise he emptied the waders out, cans of Spam, Jam and the ultimate lumps of Cocoa. We never cared what had been in the waders before or even if he had worn them, we feasted on the Cocoa.
It was coming up to Christmas 1949, dad had been in a terrible slump with little or no work, other than cleaning the stables locally, and although when you have never really been the lucky person who got lots of presents for Christmas it was still Christmas. Again, the family rally around Uncle Bomb, Willie and John all came knocking. A scrawny turkey and a massive ham plopped on the table for mom its OK Lily they are surplus stock!
Night shifts sometimes came up, usually a continuance of the day shift, this was the cream as it was a little extra overtime money. This was usually cargo that had a deadline for delivery or a sailing deadline. The prize one for a night shift was the Guinness ship, it sailed in from Dublin with those wonderful kegs full of the elixir of life. From conversations you always needed a good tap man to somehow extract a certain portion for the dockers who were only doing their dutiful best to unload the cargo and maybe lighten the load a wee bit. My father loved a pint when he was on his drinking spree, usually Christmas through January then teetotal after that. So overtime on the Guinness ship was truly a bonus.
Another great memory centered on the dockers dress code, the cap was a must the leather belt also, strong boots and two good hooks. But it is the one that was worn on a Sunday that sticks in my mind, Sunday best. Most of the dockers came from either Irish or even Welsh backgrounds and Sunday Mass was a big occasion for them all to meet later for a good old natter. The suit was pressed with razor sharp creases; the cap was like new, shirt with press stud collar and always a tie. You always thought your dad was the smartest even if all the uncles looked likewise and some even better, Uncle Joe.
When I was a little older my sister Sally and I would sometimes go to the clearing house to pick up dad's wages. Lines and lines of dockers all waiting for the paymasters to go into their little booths so they could be paid their meager pittance. Roll a smoke, maybe share one with your mate and just wait, the weekly ritual was never ending, or so it seemed. I suppose one of the biggest thrills was for my dad to ask me to take his 'long hook' and his' short hook' to the Blacksmiths on Vauxhall Road to have them reshaped and sharpened, that will be two pence son. Coming home down Burlington Street with the two hooks hanging from my trousers I dreamt that one day I would be a docker just like dad and all my uncles.
Today I am glad I never went down that road as the containerization killed what I remember so vividly.
Joe Daly
Liverpool's warehouses, great and small, are the most powerful symbols of its maritime and commercial character. They are no longer seen as evidence of economic decline, these warehouses are now recognised as crucial assets of an historic landscape. This renewed appreciation of warehouses needs to be translated into positive conservation action if they are to remain as relevant to the future as they were to the past. By housing The Dockers Experience in one of the remaining Warehouses in the Vauxhall area the project would support the vision of organisations such as English Heritage to hand on these precious resources to future generations.
Almost all guided 'heritage' walks in Liverpool are concentrated in and around the city centre. These walks highlight buildings such as the Town Hall, George's Hall, Anglican Cathedral, Albert Dock, Royal Liver etc. They may also go to areas such as Rodney Street, Lime Street, Duke Street, Chapel Street and Mount Pleasant. Although these walks adequately provide visitors to Liverpool with an insight into the development of Liverpool from the 13th century they do not give such visitors a chance to fully understand the links that areas around Scotland Road had with the cities claim to have been at one time the second city of the mightiest empire the world has ever known.
The Tourism In Vauxhall Project aims to provide 'heritage bus tours' that will show how from the late 18th century much of Liverpool's fame arose from the world's awareness of Scotland Road and its surrounding districts. The Tourism In Vauxhall Project will make sure that the heritage, assets and facilities of the Scotland Road area, are continued to be made known worldwide.
In the 1800s Scotland Road was the main route that linked the then town of Liverpool with the north of England and beyond. Between 1846 and 1849 many Irish immigrants escaping the great famine were to settle in the Scotland Road area and with the growth of the port of Liverpool Scotland Road became 'world famous' as a vibrant road always bustling with activity, with its many shops, churches, lively public houses, Rotunda Theatre and 'Paddy's Market'. It was also globally recognised for its unique sense of community spirit and how residents stayed loyal to each other in even the harshest of times.
The 1920s saw changes made to poor housing conditions in the Scotland Road area and these were to continue up to the start of the Second World War when the area was to suffer severe damage from blitz bombing. But it was in the mid-1960s that the most damage was done to the world famous road when in conjunction with house demolition work also started on the second Mersey Tunnel. The neighbourhood changed almost beyond recognition and was to hasten in the closure and demolition of many of the road's world famous shops and public houses. Current and former residents regard the Scotland Road area with great affection and the mere mention of a street, shop, church or pub often evokes fond memories of times past. The Scottie Press website provides ample examples of the depth of regard for, and interest in, Scotland Road's history and heritage that people (many now living abroad) have. If you would like to support the aims and ideals of Tourism in Vauxhall Project please contact ronformby@scottiepress.org
Liverpool is known throughout the world for the role it played in the development of a global trading network. Of all the building types in Liverpool it is perhaps the warehouses that are the most representative of the city's history for these structures handled the trade that brought Liverpool's prosperity. Once numbering hundreds, now much fewer remain. The surviving warehouses, large and small, are of great historical significance and can give great character to the areas of the city in which they are located.
The Vauxhall area of Liverpool is fortunate to still have fine examples of 19th and early 20th century warehouses in the Great Howard Street area and the greatest of these in terms of scale is the former Tobacco Warehouse (pictured above) built within the Stanley Dock in the years 1897 - 1901.
We also picture a number of empty and occupied warehouses located alongside, and within a few minutes walk of, the Tobacco Warehouse. We will be adding more photographs of warehouses in the Vauxhall area to this webpage.
The history of the Vauxhall area is part and parcel of the maritime and mercantile history of Liverpool. These trades required such a considerable number of warehouses that they once dominated the Vauxhall landscape and far exceeded those that now remain. Nevertheless it's vital that the remaining warehouses are appreciated for their past and potential future. By doing so the warehouses can offer up creative and sustainable opportunities to support Vauxhall's ongoing regeneration. This process can begin by first ensuring that current residents of Vauxhall along with those who own, and who work for, the businesses in the area are aware of the assets they have on their doorstep.
There already exists a partnership of organisations including English Heritage and Liverpool City Council who share a commitment to see warehouses play a dynamic role in the city's rebirth through regeneration. No doubt this partnership will gather strength in membership. It is of great importance that this partnership's membership includes the local business and residential community.
The Scottie Press will certainly voice the need for the local business and residential community involvement in the partnership's vision for the future of warehouses in Vauxhall.
If you would like to support our intentions and or offer up your thoughts and suggestions please contact ronformby@scottiepress.org
TOURISM IN VAUXHALL
MUST BE A PART OF
MERSEYSIDE TOURISM IN 2008
Merseyside will maximise opportunities to attract extra visitors to the region during European Capital of Culture year 2008. The region’s designated Tourist Board which has responsibility for promoting tourism across Merseyside and the Liverpool Culture Company have committed themselves to a joint promotions strategy.
With this in mind the Scottie Press is also maximising its efforts to secure ways by which the extra visitors attracted to the Merseyside region in 2008 can made aware of the many reasons why they should visit the Scotland Road, Vauxhall and Everton areas of Liverpool wherein they can see wonderful buildings such as St Anthony’s Church the Tobacco Warehouse and Collegiate College.
In 2005 the Scottie Press embarked on promoting Tourism in Vauxhall as a viable and sustainable means of securing a much-needed boost to the local economy and to job creation. The initial success of this project will be enhanced and it must be appreciated by those charged with promoting Tourism across Merseyside.
In early 2006 the Scottie Press is to meet with the Liverpool Culture Company to seek a guarantee that the aims of Tourism in Vauxhall are including in their programmes and promotions for Merseyside Tourism up to and including 2008 and beyond.
The Scottie Press recently met with Frank Tough to talk about Tourism in Vauxhall and to hear about his plans to make Camden 2 one of the biggest tourist attractions in the North West and beyond. Frank is creating a Camden Town like market at the Heritage Market, Stanley Dock, Liverpool. Frank says, for such a market to succeed it must be a market that sells eclectic and interesting merchandise not readily available elsewhere, especially the high street - and be on a site that is an attractive place to be. Stanley dock is an ideal site to establish such a market. It will become the hub of an exciting and fashionable area and will develop into a community within a community. Liverpool is ideally placed to catch a wide target area. Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds, Bolton and North Wales are all within striking distance. Liverpool already attracts a constant stream of tourists and this can only increase as we approach 2008 when Liverpool becomes the European Capital City of Culture.
Frank's plans for Camden 2 will be good news for Liverpool for when he took over The Stables in Camden (London) in 1991 it had just 30 traders and within four months there were almost 650. Frank has big plans for Camden 2 and wants everyone to know about them and be part of them. These plans have already seen a food court opened which provides housing for Chinese and Italian food along with coffee stalls and burger bars. There are also newly built stalls were new traders have extensive ranges of Retro Clothing. All these are added to stalls that are both eclectic and versatile and provide choices for buying furniture, paintings etc.
Every week a design team and consultants plan new areas and are applying ideas that will add to the markets aura. Time and thought are invested into how they can make the building attract a range of people who want to come and enjoy the experience of visiting the new Camden 2. Frank has plans to build, literally, a high street in the alley between the buildings, creating glass fronted stalls encased in chrome framing. This will prove to be in some respects the heart of the market.
Frank told the Scottie Press that he is passionate about the history and heritage of Liverpool and in particular the Vauxhall area wherein the Stanley Dock is situated. Frank was very much aware that Liverpool was once the second city of the mightiest Empire the world has ever seen. It is his belief that with ventures such as Camden 2, Liverpool will become a great city again.
The Scottie Press will certainly be following up the development of Camden 2 and will publish details on this website as part of the Tourism In Vauxhall Project. You can also visit www.heritagemarket.co.uk
The efforts to secure Vauxhall in Tourism as a viable and sustainable means of encouraging increased regeneration of the Scotland Road and Vauxhall area has been given a big boost by news that the Throstles Nest Pub has been extensively refurbished and continues to provide excellent Bed and Breakfast facilties which will enable people to appreciate at close quarters the history and heritage of this famous part of Liverpool. The Scottie Press website has been adding information about Scotland Road and surrounding areas to its Projects section 'Tourism in Vauxhall' webpage. This information shows why Scotland Road was and is so world famous.
The Throstles Nest Hotel dates back to 1881 and in those times it was very much a hotel with many people staying at the Throstles Nest prior to departing for America, Australia and many other parts of the world. The name of the Hotel was chosen as at one time Throstles nested in the grounds of St Anthony's Church, which is right next door. Also next door to the Throstles Nest Hotel is the St Anthony's Church Visitor Centre and the restored monument to Dandy Pat Byrne.
We picture an aerial photograph of the Throstles Nest Hotel and St Anthony's Church and encourage readers to view a website about the Hotel www.throstlesnesthotel.co.uk
British Titanic Society Annual Convention
With the British Titanic Society holding their Annual Convention in Liverpool in April 2006 the Scottie Press is making efforts to advise the organisers that Scotland Road has a connection with the famous White Star Line Ship. It is acknowledged that the longest alleyway on the Titanic's E Deck was known as Scotland Road. This information and more is featured on our Projects section - Tourism in Vauxhall webpage. Click Here!
TOURISM IN VAUXHALL
On Friday 26th August the second of what are trial bus tours to promote the Tourism in Vauxhall Project took to the road. Almost 40 people boarded the bus at the Vauxhall Millennium Resource Centre, and among those on the tour were Louise Ellman MP, Linda McDermott and Jenny Collins (Radio Merseyside), Eileen Willshaw (Liverpool Culture Company), Heather Quinn and Alison Pollard (National Museums Liverpool), John Oakley (Neighbourhood Management Team), John Studholme (Special Initiatives Regeneration) and Ian Harvey and Peter Bembridge (Civic Trust).
As with the previous bus tour the places visited were; St Mary of the Angels Church, The Everton Toffee, St Anthony’s Church Crypt, Awesome Walls (formerly St Alban’s Church), the Dock Road, Stanley Dock – Tobacco Warehouse, Hannah May Thom Statue (Holy Cross), Eldon Grove, the Lee Jones Centre and the Stanley Locks and Canal Bird Life Project (Leeds & Liverpool Canal).
Pictured on the banks of the canal near to Lightbody Street Bridge is Louise Ellman MP who is joined on the photograph by members of her staff, Julie Lloyd and Rob Carney. Also photographed is Leo Bellier who has been gaining work experience in the MP’s Constituency Office. Leo, who lives in Brittany told the Scottie Press that he had wished he’d known about the many interesting things to see in the Scotland Road and Vauxhall area as he could have shown them when his parents visited him in Liverpool.
It is planned to have more of these trial bus tours in 2005 in order that the Tourism in Vauxhall Project can be up and running in 2006. If you would like to know more about the Tourism in Vauxhall Project please contact
or email ronformby@scottiepress.org
Experts estimate that the Capital of Culture will attract 1.7 million tourists to Liverpool. Tourism is also anticipated to become one of the major factors in the regeneration of the city of Liverpool. But tourism should also be a means by which the inner city areas of Liverpool can benefit from worldwide visitors to Liverpool who are keen to be made aware of and to appreciate the city's history, heritage and culture.
Many millions of pounds have been given to Liverpool, which has been spent on the city centre's building and infrastructure projects. But money should also be made available to the inner city areas to help such areas reap the rich dividends that tourism can bring to local economies and help create much needed local jobs.
The Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council firmly believes that tourism in Vauxhall could be a viable and sustainable feature of the areas future. The Scottie Press has organised this test run of what could be a full four-hour guided bus tour of the Scotland Road and Vauxhall area. This tour will point out many of the areas famous landmarks and will provide chances for people on the full tour to stop and look around. Detailed information about the Scotland Road and Vauxhall area will also be made available.
THE STREET FOR BARREL ORGANS AND BARGAINS
When the bulldozers took over Scotland Road – the road that was for so long the heart of Liverpool – it began to die, a victim of what was called progress. The road that was known in all the seaports of the world from Bombay to Barcelona was slaughtered by the 1970s planners and developers. Soon to go forever were the world famous pubs, shops and business premises as they were ground ruthlessly into rubble.
Pictured in 1970 was one of last remaining stretches of Scotland Road on which the pubs, shops and business premises struggled on in the face of what many people considered would see Scotland Road lose the exuberance of its famous past.
Scotland Road in its day was as unique as London’s Old Kent Road. And it had the reputation for being the cheapest place in the world. If you could not get a bargain in Scotland Road then you couldn’t get a bargain. All day, and well into the night, the road was thronged and busy. But on Saturdays it really came to life. Saturday was distinctive for its sounds. In every other street barrel organs would be playing. Itinerant musicians trudged the gutters playing fiddles, whistles and all manners of instruments. Saturday was the day when the pubs held free-and easies with a wide range of variety of turns.
As for the cheapness of the goods that were sold on Saturdays old memories say that beer was once less than 2d a pint and matches less than 2d for a dozen boxes. Two ounces of tobacco could be bought for 6d and a hundredweight of coal cost you 8d. For 3d you could buy 14lbs of potatoes or for 4d buy a dozen kippers. Eggs would cost 1/- for 30. The favourite dishes of those days were spare ribs closely followed by boiled beef and carrots. It has been recorded that if you waited on Scotland Road until about midnight on Saturday, you stood a chance of getting you Sunday joint for nothing.
A ROAD FAMOUS FOR ITS SPORTING STARS AND LEGENDS
Some of the most famous men of football came from the teeming courts and terraces of Scotland Road. Players like Johnny Morrisey, Jimmy Melia, Bobby Campbell and Larry Carberry all first started kicking a ball about in the Scotland Road area. They often had to play on cobbled streets or on the world war 2 bomb-sites. Often there would be games every evening and about 30 or 40 players would be involved in a match. Games of street football were also played on Sunday afternoons. For these young boys, football was more of a religion than a sport and you were either a Liverpudlian or Evertonian with dreams of playing professional football. For Johnny, Jimmy, Bobby and Larry their dreams were to come true. Jimmy Melia signed professional forms for Liverpool FC aged 17 and made his senior bow against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in 1955. Jimmy also played as wing half for England. Johnny Morrissey went on to play for Everton. Larry Carberry played at full back for the Ipswich team that was promoted into the then 1st Division under the management of Alf Ramsey. Bobby Campbell played for Liverpool before becoming trainer coach at Portsmouth and later the manager of Chelsea.
Boxing writers once hailed the 15 round ‘thrill-a-minute’ fight between Harry Carlton and Dom Volante in front of 20,000 fight fans as being one of the greatest contests ever fought at Madison Square Garden. Dom had been down four times, but each time came back and by the 10th round Carlton (from New Jersey) was considered close to exhaustion. In the end the fight ended in a draw. Dom Volante became a favourite with Americans who thought his all action style was very appealing. Dom had three more bouts in America all of which he won, including a return fight with Harry Carlton.
Dom Volante was born (1905) in rooms above a stable in Gerard Street off Scotland Road an area of Liverpool known as ‘Little Italy’ because of the numbers of Italian immigrants who had settled there. Dom’s mum and dad were born in Naples. Desperately poor there they came to Liverpool to seek a better life. Dom went to School at Holy Cross. He started his boxing aged 12 at a club in Gerard Street and this club was to produced other boxing stars including Tony Butcher, Billy Simpson, Frank Short, Don Vario, Joe Curran and Ike Bradley. But Dom Volante was to become recognised as being one of the most courageous, clean and gallant little fighters the world of boxing has ever known. In total Dom fought 127 professional fights and only lost a few. In his time Dom was one of the best featherweights this country has produced beating men who were champions although the fights were not for titles and men who later went on to become title holders. Sadly an eye injury put paid to title ambition for Dom and he was forced into premature retirement. For years after, Dom sailed the world on Cunard liners in the first class gymnasium. There he met and worked with millionaires and film stars like Joseph Cotten, Nancy Sinatra, Bette Davies etc. All grateful to the help Dom gave them when endeavouring to keep fit or lose weight.
THE FRENCH PRIEST AND HIS ASTONISHING CURES
St Anthony’s Church in Scotland Road – a road once home for many thousands of Irish Liverpudlians – began as a French Chapel. It all started when in 1804 one Father Jean Gerardot moved into what was then the farthest corner of Liverpool, to Mile End, in the new Scotland Road, where he bought a piece of land and built a chapel – St Anthony’s.
In 1798, Irish people crossing to England and staying in Liverpool needed shelters, and these destitute vagrants – many of whom died in cellars – looked to the outskirts of the city for shelter and life. So they came to Scotland Road and its empty spaces and wastelands. It was for them, as well as for French prisoners of war in Borough Gaol in Great Howard Street, that Father Gerardot built his chapel between Dryden Street, Grenville Street and Scotland Road and settled there.
Father Gerardot’s chapel – which quickly became known as the French Chapel – was a great help for the many poor people seeking spiritual comfort as well as keeping peace amongst the newcomers from Ireland and the more ancient citizens of Liverpool. At the time it was built there were only three Roman Catholic churches in Liverpool – not sufficient for the 10,000 plus Catholics in the “new Liverpool”.
It is said that the French priest had a knowledge of medicine and performed ‘astonishing cures’, particularly in the cases of dropsy and he became one of the most well-loved and respected men in Liverpool. Father Gerardot died in the arms of his best friend, Canon Henri Orre of Poitou, the curate, in 1825, and was buried in his own chapel before the altar. Some years later, the French chapel, too small for its parishioners, disappeared before the present St Anthony’s (see photo below) opened on September 29th, 1833, some hundred yards father on.
The bodies of Father Gerardot and two other priests, as well as that of a woman, Mary Kayes, probably the benefactress of the chapel, were moved a month later to the vaults of the new church, where they still lie to this day. And there, in 1845, came Canon Orre to take his last repose near to his old friend.
It is recorded that in the 1920s Scotland Road was one of the most densely populated areas in the world and in 1970 St Anthony’s church had over 3,000 parishioners. The then Parish Priest, Father Jim O’Reilly expressed his worries as to how long they would remain with him. “People”, he said; “are moving out all the time to follow the many others who were moved by the council to Kirkby and to what was called Cantril Farm” - now Stockbridge Village. Born in County Meath, Father O’Reilly was very much aware of the Irish history of Scotland Road. The Irish who came in the 1840s to escape the Great Famine were dumped in the area. That was when they paid 6d for a single fare from Kilkenny and Wexford. Lots of people all over the city of Liverpool and indeed the world will have roots in Scotland Road although they might not realise it.
PUBLIC MEMORIAL TO PUB KEEPER
Scotland Place, were the John Moores University now stands, once had a clock towered pub, the ‘Morning Star’, kept by ‘Dandy Pat Byrne’ who was originally from Wexford, Ireland. He became known as Dandy Pat because he always wore a sealskin vest and white topper. As a city councillor he became renowned for his battles for the ratepayers and in his private life for his benefactions to the poor and to Holy Cross and St Joseph’s churches. When he died a fountain was erected to his memory right opposite the pub. He was probably the only pub keeper in Liverpool to have a public memorial.
In 1998 the remains of the original fountain memorial were discovered in an old corporation yard and efforts were made to restore as much as possible. The restored monument (see photo below) has stood in the garden area at the rear of St Anthony’s Church since 2000. It is situated very close to the St Anthony’s Visitors Centre, which opened in 2004 as part of the churches 200th Anniversary celebrations.
The Visitor Centre will enable people to trace their family roots in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool as the church has an expansive volume of birth, marriage and death records. It is also possible to visit the brick lined crypt of the church by appointment.
SCOTLAND ROAD
Scotland Road runs along what was the old coach route to the North, from Liverpool city centre. It became a turnpike road in the 1770s as the road to Preston via Walton and Burscough. It was after this that a stagecoach travelled this road through Lancaster and Kendall to Scotland, giving Scotland Road it’s name. The name soon became synonymous with Liverpool, epitomizing both the best and worst of the cities attributes. Although the origins of Scotland Road date back to the 1770s, it is 1803 that is viewed as the birth of Scotland Road. Through the years, those who lived in this area came from differing cultures and diverse backgrounds.
In the 1850s, Scotland Road had a population of Irish, which is recorded as being denser than was found in any other civilized city. The primary reason for this overcrowding was the Irish immigration, caused by the failure of the potato crop in many parts of Ireland in the 1840s. This led to thousands of people trying to make a new life for themselves in the new world of America. Unfortunately the cost of the move was often too great for many families, and once they reached Liverpool they did not have the money to pay for their passage. To say that they settled in vast numbers would be an understatement. In the end, immigration peaked at about 300,000 in the year 1847. This would prove to one of the most detrimental things to happen to Scotland Road as it acquired the reputation as a ‘poverty land’. Coincidentally, bad housing led to bad health. The main killers seem to have been cold, hunger, cholera and typhus. Unfortunately, situations such as these do not lend themselves to instant solutions, and many of the problems could not be solved quickly and were indeed to continue. Scotland Road was still amongst the worse areas for housing in the 1960s.
The amazing thing about Scotland Road and its people was their ability to overcome all the adversity and hardship that they faced. In Scotland Road the population remained humorous and proud in the midst of poverty and defeat. The constant good spirit of locals has largely contributed to the area becoming world-renowned.
Scotland Road was well known for the number of pubs it boasted.
The development of these establishments began in the early 19th century and dramatically rose up to the beginning of the 20th century. In the early 20th century the number of pubs in the Scotland Road area peaked at approximately 224, with 65 actually positioned on Scotland Road. A pub on every corner was how some described Scotland Road. It was well recognised that these pubs provided venues where ‘good people could have good nights’. The pubs possessed an inviting warmth and were an integral part of the community.
THE STREET THAT WENT ROUND THE WORLD
There was once a time when you could ask any seaman in mid-Atlantic to direct you to a particular part of the ship and he would reply, “Oh, it’s about half way along Scotland Road”, or something of the sort. Scotland Road would have been mentioned - that is, if you wanted to get your bearings right. And your information would not be taking the Mickey in mentioning a road that was, at that moment probably a thousand miles or more away. For, on many of the giant passenger liners that sailed from Liverpool and other British ports, the longest alleyway that ran through the ship was known as – yes you’ve guessed it – Scotland Road. Even E Deck on the Titanic had an alleyway nicknamed “Scotland Road”.
It was often the case that all the working parts of a ship ran off this alleyway – galleys, bakehouses, kitchens etc – so you just had to go along “Scotland Road” to reach any of them. And this probably more than anything else carried the legend of the famous road to all corners of the earth. Scotland Road aboard ships was also always the parade ground for the “Foo Foo bands”, just as the real Scotland Road ashore was the scene of many parades and bands. “Foo Foo bands”, by the way were members of the firemen and greaser crews selected for their ability to make sensible noises on a “kazoo”, an instrument that works on the comb and paper principle. It is recorded that when Jimmy Wilde the famous flyweight British champion boxer stepped ashore in New York, he was triumphantly played ashore by the ship’s “Foo Foo band”, which had been marshalled of course, in Scotland Road.
Seamen from Singapore to Manhattan would also know of the most famous doss-house in the world as being ‘Champion Whate’s’ situated at the corner of Taylor Street and Scotland Road. Generations of people passing down Scotland Road on tramcars and buses found themselves staring at the large notice board, which read ‘Champion-Whate – Good beds’. The building, which opened in 1919 and closed in 1979 was originally owned by a Walter Whate. He was at one time a wrestler although it’s still not known what championship he held. Men who sought lodging at Champion Whate’s would often only be able to afford a nights’ sleep draped across a thick rope that was slung across a basement room. It’s often considered that this is the origin of the saying “I’m so tired I could sleep on a clothes line”. The rope was actually called a “flop” – hence such lodging houses were referred to at one time as “flop-houses”. The rope was about two inches thick and of the kind that was used for towing barges.
The fame of Billy the Barber’s shop also spread far beyond Scotland Road for its recorded that Chinese and other foreign seamen took home tales of this shop and in turn recommended Billy’s shop to their colleagues and friends. Billy’s shop in Bostock Street also had a real Red Indian as a customer. He was appearing at the Rotunda Theatre and one day called in at Billy’s for a 1d shave.
Scotland Road’s most famous “Mary Ellen” must have been the shawled lady who sold oranges for many years outside the Half Way House at the corner of Bostock Street. Her fame came one night during the Second World War when she was mentioned on the German Radio broadcasts aimed at undermining the morale of people in Britain. These broadcasts by Lord Haw-Haw often mentioned people and places to add point to his threats. One night after boasting that German bombers had selected Liverpool for their target and were on their way, Lord Haw-Haw flaunted his knowledge of the city by mentioning “Mary Blunn who sold oranges along Scotland Road”.
One of the most famous daughters of Scotland Road is Cilla Black. Cilla was born Priscilla Maria White and grew up in the family home behind and above a barber’s shop at 370 Scotland Road. When aged five, she went to St Anthony’s School where she remained all her school days. Cilla used to go to Penrhyn Street play-centre and often entered into singing competitions at the centre and would often win the first prize of threepence. Cilla left St Anthony’s when aged 15 and went to Anfield Commercial College and her first job was a Dictaphone typist at the B.I.C.C. offices in Liverpool. But a month later she made her first record – a Lennon/McCarthy composition called “Love of the Loved” – and we all know what happened after that. She became an international star.
It’s a long way from 22 Roscommon Street to the deepest heart of Africa, but there is a close connection between this Liverpool address and the jungle. For this humble little house off Scotland Road was once the home of a certain Henry Morton Stanley - the man who immortalised the phrase, “Dr Livingstone, I presume?” Originally known as John Rowlands, he was baptised in St Hilary’s Chapel on February 18th, 1841. He was the illegitimate son of John Rowlands, a farmer of Llys, Llanrhaladr, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Parry, of Denbigh. As a baby, John Rowlands, was brought up by his 80-year-old-grandfather, Moses Parry, in a cottage on Castle Row, Denbigh.
However, Moses Parry died in 1847 and John Rowlands was placed at the St Asaph’s Poor Law Union Workhouse where he was to remain until aged 15. He then came to Liverpool and knocked on the door of 22 Roscommon Street in 1858, to find shelter with his uncle and aunt, Tom and Maria Morris. When he lived with his uncle and aunt he worked in a London Road haberdashery (often from 7am to 9pm), and later as a butcher’s delivery boy near the Bramley Moore Dock. One day he had the good fortune to deliver butcher’s provisions to a Captain David Hartinge of the Windermere packet ship. They had a brief conversation and the American signed him on as the cabin boy. Then the teenager shipped from Liverpool as a cabin boy to New Orleans. There he met Henry Hope Stanley who was a commercial broker and who offered him work and respectability. Although he was probably an employee rather than a “stepson”, John Rowlands adopted the name Henry Morton Stanley.
For many years there was a small plaque over the door of 22 Roscommon Street, which read “Sir Henry Morton Stanley, G.C.B., Explorer, 1841/1904 Finder of Dr Livingstone, Lived at this address 1858/1859”. At this time the house was occupied by an antique firm, and though it was in a quiet backwater, American tourists flocked there to take photographs. But the address meant little to most Merseysiders.
ALLEYWAY ON TITANIC WAS NICKNAMED“SCOTLAND ROAD”
The history of the famous White Star Line ship ‘Titanic’ has been well documented, down to the last minute of that fateful night in April 1912 and to the last inch of information about the size of the ship. It is recorded that the long wide passage that ran along the portside of E deck and was a popular route with the crew and steerage passengers, was nicknamed “Scotland Road” after the bustling working-class thoroughfare in Liverpool, the Titanic’s port of registration. The photographs below show Scotland Road in the early 1900s. With its vast numbers and mix of shops and what was claimed to be a pub on every corner it is no wonder that Scotland Road was described at this time as one of the most vibrant in Liverpool. As such Scotland Road was regularly visited by sailors and seafarers and indeed ship passengers from every part of the world.
Further documentation about the Titanic states that the corridor that ran the length of the entire ship was called ‘Scotland Road’. Pictured below is a map of E Deck on which can clearly be seen the indications to Aft Scotland Road and Fore Scotland Road.
An extract from accounts of the tragedy give further indication to the fact that the alleyway on E Deck was recognised and referred to as Scotland Road.
George Henry Cavell
George, of Lower East Road, Sholing, had been at sea for 18 months. all with the White Star Line. He had previously served on the Adriatic, the Oceanic,and the Olympic, before joining the Titanic at aged 22.
On the evening of April 14th Cavell was on the 8 to 12 watch, and was alone in the coalbunker in Boiler Room No 4. When the ship hit the iceberg Cavell felt a shock, and the coal collapsed in on him. He managed to dig his way out of the bunker, and came into the stokehold. As he did, the lights went out in No 4, and he then climbed up to the port alleyway, (Scotland Road) on E Deck, where the lights were still on.
With this in mind the Scottie Press is adding the Scotland Road connection with the Titanic story to the very many reasons why Tourism in Vauxhall could and should be a means by which the Scotland Road and Vauxhall areas of Liverpool can benefit from the increased numbers of visitors to Liverpool that are expected before, during and after 2008. A recent article in the Liverpool Daily Post (Mon 19th Sept 2005) says that Merseyside’s growing tourism industry has crashed through the £1 billion pound mark. The article also states that the tourism sector continues to offer strong potential for further growth.
The Tourism in Vauxhall Project will offer up opportunities and reasons for people to visit this area and as such encourage investment into the area, which will be to the benefit of people living and working in the area.
If you would like to help with this aspect of the Tourism in Vauxhall Project please email ronformby@scottiepress.org
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function in England, throw open their doors to offer free access to the public. In many cases these properties are usually closed to the public or charge for admission. This year (2005) the Merseyside Heritage Open Days took place between the 8th and 11th of September with a launch staged at the Tower Suite of the Royal Liver Buildings. Photographed speaking at this launch is Keith Blundell (Head of Tourism - Liverpool City Council).
Co-ordinated nationally by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage the event thrives on the enthusiasm and expertise of local people. Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life share their knowledge and memories with some 800,000 visitors every year, making Heritage Open Days England's largest voluntary cultural event.
Ian Harvey (Development Officer, Merseyside Civic Trust) said: "2005 was indeed a vintage year for Heritage Open Days on Merseyside. More properties and more volunteers than ever participated in this years event, confirming Heritage Open Days as Merseyside's largest free cultural event. Let us hope that 2006 will be even bigger and better."
At the launch of the Merseyside Heritage Open Days and opportunity was taken by the Scottie Press to photograph a view from a window in the Tower Suite, Royal Liver Building. In the photograph (below) two aspects of Vauxhall's history and heritage (the Six-Sided-Clock and Tobacco Warehouse) can be seen.
It is a desire of the Scottie Press to have Tourism in Vauxhall as part of the Merseyside Heritage Open Days in 2006 and we welcome support for this ambition. Please contact ronformby@scottiepress.org
BEST TOUR IN THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE
Dear Scottie Press, We were all delighted when Liverpool won bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008. But since that victorious day we have all come down to earth with many asking what does it mean for us? The inner city areas of Liverpool are often where the real heart of the city shines and this is oh so true in the Scotland Road and Vauxhall areas. No doubt the glossy brochures in city centre hotels will not promote this and so it is that I want to praise the organisation of a heritage trail bus tour on Wednesday 10th August around the Scotland Road and Vauxhall areas that was an eye opener for all the passengers on the bus. We really don't see what's around in our own communities and often fail to realise that in terms of culture the most valuable gift we have are our roots.
Everton Toffee, St Anthony's Church Crypt (see photo), St Alban's Church, the Dock Road, the Stanley Locks, Eldon Grove and what will hopefully become Vauxhall's mini Martin Mere on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. There was so much to soak in and realize that all this heritage and culture is ours and we want the world to see what we have to offer in Vauxhall. We may not be included in the guidebooks just yet but just wait until the Vauxhall Heritage Trail bus hits the tourist trail. When the tee shirt is printed it will read, Probably The Best Tour In The Capital Of Culture.
AT THE HEART OF THIS CITY'S STORY
Liverpool's role at the centre of so many international events gives it a special place in the world and an unrivalled uniquely interesting story to tell. Heritage based tourism has a vital role to play among the cocktail of initiatives that will fuel the city's revival; it'd s wonderful fruitful market for Liverpool to build upon. The Vauxhall area of the city has been right at the centre of this story, and so has many assets to tap some of the fruits through telling its own story.
From the romance of the sea, the highs and lows of city living, the cultural richness that has defined the city's image itself, the spiritual heart of the original Cosmopolis would offer an enthralling experience for many visitors. Tourists who visit the worlds great city's demand to get beyond the fluff of the sanitised 'tourist offer' ... in history, culture, even the vagaries of 20th century urban planning. Cities as interesting as Amsterdam and New York have developed their tourist industry in their historic areas outside the usual beat. Vauxhall has it all.
There are tremendous rewards to be had for Vauxhall. Heritage tourism offers local communities and entrepreneurs the opportunity to take hold of this potential, from hotels to tours and tourist information, and of course, in doing so provide a stimulus to the wider revival of the districts of the North End. Tourism isn't just about low wage service jobs in large hotels, there are many areas that can pay real dividends in providing tourists with the facilities and experiences they crave. From the docks, wharf's and warehouses, immigration and emigration, Scottie Road, historic churches to Paddy's market ....... Help them to get a feel of the real Liverpool.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF LIVERPOOL
"Our thanks go to Jonathon Webb for allowing us to feature a link to his wondeful Aerial Photographs of Liverpool site which show the proximity of the Vauxhall area to Liverpool City Centre and how the promotion of Tourism in Vauxhall can be good for the Vauxhall area and indeed the city of Liverpool".
Click here
to visit Jonathans Site to see more aerial photographs of the Liverpool area and other locations throughout the UK.
LEE JONES CENTRE (Limekiln Lane)
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Herbert Lee Jackson Jones was born in Runcorn in 1870. He was the son of a cotton broker. He was educated at Liverpool College, becoming proficient in art and wood engraving. Although he'd given thought to a career in the church, he gave this up to devote his life to philanthropy, funding the 'Liverpool Food Association' in 1893, soon to be renamed the 'Food and Betterment Association' and then 'The League of Welldoers' in 1909. From the earliest days his band of helpers were based in Limekiln Lane, right amongst those who he strove to serve. When it was known, in October 1936, that Jones was dying, crowds knelt outside the front corner of the building, praying for their true friend and benefactor. The front of the building was destroyed in the May 1941 blitz and only rebuilt in 1952. The figures above the door, dated 1953, are by M. Newton.
But tourism should also be a means by which inner city areas can benefit from world wide visitors to Liverpool who are keen to be aware of and appreciative of the history, heritage and culture of the city.
Areas such as Scotland Road and Vauxhall played a big part in the creation and development of Liverpool and as such should have opportunities to encourage visitors.
In appreciation of this the Scottie Press has set up this new webpage on its Projects section in order that the website can best promote reasons why people visiting Liverpool should think about having a day in the Scotland Road and Vauxhall area.
We begin our promotion of the Vauxhall area of Liverpool with photographs of Stanley Dock and of what was once recognised as the biggest brick built building in Europe. The Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock was opened in 1920.
This piece of Dock Board publicity from the time of its opening compares the tobacco warehouse with Liverpool's largest public building St George's Hall.
It is not commonly realised that before railways the canals carried considerable passenger traffic. Regular packet-boat services connected all the main centres with light, fast vessels drawn by two or more horses at a canter, with a postillion.
They had priority and usually had first and second-class cabins, heating and refreshments. A big advance on the cold and bumpy stagecoaches.
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Britain travelling a little over 127 miles with a water level of 53 feet above sea level. The history of the canal can be traced back to 1767 when the original survey work and design was confirmed. Construction began at Vauxhall Road/Leeds Street at the end of Old Hall Street in Liverpool in 1770.
Surely one of the most famous roads in the history of Liverpool must be what people refer to as 'The Dock Road'. Our thanks go to Ged Fagan who has provided this webpage with some information about the famous Liverpool Road and for his promise to send us more information at a later date.
Wellington Dock was built in 1848 and named after the Duke of Wellington and was used for the export of coal from the Lancashire and Yorkshire coalfields.
The Bramley Moore Dock which closed in1988, was originally opened in 1848 along with Salisbury, Collingwood, Stanley and Nelson docks under a £1.4 million ponds programme of works which was during a period of great prosperity and rapidly expanding commercial enterprise during the Industrial Revolution. At almost 10 acres, it is the largest of the five docks opened that day and was, like so many others, built by Jesse Hartley. It was named after the Chairman of the Dock Committee and Mayor of Liverpool, John Bramley-Moore.
Salisbury Dock features the hexagonal, granite built Victorian Clock and Bell Tower which, resembles a chess set 'castle' piece. It too dates from 1848 and is Grade 2 listed.
Stanley Dock is home of the largest brick built warehouse in the world (still standing) and was used for the storage of tobacco. It too is Grade 2 listed.
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Battle of Trafalgar
(Nelson and Collingwood)
The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on the 21st of October off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish Coast, between the Combined Fleets of Spain and France and the Royal Navy. As the British Fleet waited for the Combined Fleet (Spanish & French) to sail from Cadiz, Admiral Nelson had asked his captains to come aboard the Victory to explain his plan of attack. The ships were to form two columns, with Nelson in command of one and Collingwood the other. As a tribute to the achievements of both Nelson and Collingwood at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) two docks in Liverpool were named in their honour. It is fitting that these two docks should (in 2005) be promoted by the Tourism in Vauxhall Project as places where people might wish to visit as part of the 200th Anniversary of this famous sea battle.
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You can read more about the Battle of Trafalgar at http://www.nelsonsnavy.co.uk/battle-of-trafalgar.html