Post by Admin on Nov 7, 2014 12:00:20 GMT
Have you heard of the Pirates & Smugglers on the shores of Wallasey? Have you heard about the legend of Mother Redcap’s missing treasure? Gavin Chappell and Tony Franks-Buckley are the lead experts on the Myths & Legends that haunt the area once known as Black Rock all the way to Seacombe. Whilst the Industrial Revolution was occurring across the River Mersey in Liverpool, Smugglers were waiting ready to pounce upon the many ships that were coming in to port. Nobody was safe. Come and join us as we tell you about the Pirates & Smugglers of Wallasey. Starting at the new Marine Point we will take you near to the area of the Wormhole Cave complex, where an underground network of tunnels was once accessed. Local Historians and Authors Gavin Chappell and Tony Franks-Buckley will introduce you to the legend of Wirral's underground tunnels and of the Pirates & Smugglers. We will also be using old photographs to show you comparisons of areas and how they have changed through time.
Heading back into the New Brighton Resort, we will then take you to the New Brighton Palace, where again there is another network of underground tunnels. We must stress that these tunnels are on private propert and will not be accessible at the moment. These tunnels are said to have linked with the Wormhole cave structure, supposedly reaching as far as Mother Redcaps towards Egremont, spanning the whole of the Wallasey shoreline. We will then take in the glorious sight of the Black Pearl, New Brighton's very own Pirate Ship. Having been destroyed by storms and fire two previous times, a team of skilled workers and the spirit of the New Brighton community have once again restored her to glory. This is a popular destination for children, where several pirate days and events have been a great fun for all to enjoy.
Walking on to Mother Redcaps, we will then talk about the mystery that surrounds the missing treasure of Mother Redcap and how she made a living, not only as an innkeeper, but also in her notorious role as a safe-keeper of hoards of treasure and looted contraband in her very own hidden tunnel network. Something that since her death has never been found. Moving away from the Pirates & Smugglers, we then move on to the Magazine Village, which gained its name because it once housed the Ammunition of Liverpool. The storage was that dangerous it was moved from Liverpool to the Wallasey Shore for safety reasons. Part of the Liscard Battery can still be seen today, including the front gates. Also in the Magazine Village is the famous story of the witch’s curse of the Magazine Hotel. There is also the mystery of Jake Bolt's Coffin Lid, housed in the Pilot Boat pub, which was previously used as a morgue for bodies found floating in the River Mersey.
Heading back in to New Brighton and in particular the Tower Grounds, we will move into the 20th Century when the seaside resort really began to come alive. People would travel from all over the North West to enjoy the pleasures of New Brighton. It once housed the largest tower in Britain, which had an outdoor fairground, and it even its own professional football team, all housed within the Tower Grounds. The Tower Ballroom was also the venue for rock bands such as The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Little Richard, Billy Fury and many more big names. Sadly in 1969 this all came to an end. Moving on into the theatre district of New Brighton we shall talk about the many theatres that existed around the resort, popular Victorian entertainment, of which one theatre remains today. Finishing back at the Marine Point we will talk about the fatal storms of 1990 when the resort defences were broken and the banks of the Mersey erupted, causing mass damage right along the Wallasey Coastline, but more importantly, bringing the end to the New Brighton Outdoor Bathing pool that was never to be replaced. Join us on a journey through the ages and find out how a sparsely populated coastal area was once frequented by Pirates and Smugglers and how it grew in to being one of the major seaside resorts in Britain.
Children go free when accompanied by an Adult. Hidden Wirral wishes to promote local history to children. However large group bookings must be booked in advance as a fee will be required.
The meeting point will be outside The Light Cinema, Marine Point 12pm. Travel Directions to New Brighton. You can reach New Brighton via Train from all areas of the North West. Or why not take the famous “Ferry Across the Mersey” from Liverpool to Seacombe, then take a bus down to the New Brighton Resort or from Liverpool via Bus marked New Brighton Arriva Bus 432/433. You can purchase a Saveaway Ticket that will cover you for Bus & Train routes across Merseyside during that day. This event is also wheelchair friendly, guide dogs are welcome and if you have any special requirements such as hard of hearing please let us know.
The tour is mainly a flat ground walk but a few short uphill walks will be included.
Unfortunately due to the Private ownership of the tunnels, we can not take you inside, but we will give you a detailed description and pictures of what they look like.
To Purchase Tickets Click Here
Heading back into the New Brighton Resort, we will then take you to the New Brighton Palace, where again there is another network of underground tunnels. We must stress that these tunnels are on private propert and will not be accessible at the moment. These tunnels are said to have linked with the Wormhole cave structure, supposedly reaching as far as Mother Redcaps towards Egremont, spanning the whole of the Wallasey shoreline. We will then take in the glorious sight of the Black Pearl, New Brighton's very own Pirate Ship. Having been destroyed by storms and fire two previous times, a team of skilled workers and the spirit of the New Brighton community have once again restored her to glory. This is a popular destination for children, where several pirate days and events have been a great fun for all to enjoy.
Walking on to Mother Redcaps, we will then talk about the mystery that surrounds the missing treasure of Mother Redcap and how she made a living, not only as an innkeeper, but also in her notorious role as a safe-keeper of hoards of treasure and looted contraband in her very own hidden tunnel network. Something that since her death has never been found. Moving away from the Pirates & Smugglers, we then move on to the Magazine Village, which gained its name because it once housed the Ammunition of Liverpool. The storage was that dangerous it was moved from Liverpool to the Wallasey Shore for safety reasons. Part of the Liscard Battery can still be seen today, including the front gates. Also in the Magazine Village is the famous story of the witch’s curse of the Magazine Hotel. There is also the mystery of Jake Bolt's Coffin Lid, housed in the Pilot Boat pub, which was previously used as a morgue for bodies found floating in the River Mersey.
Heading back in to New Brighton and in particular the Tower Grounds, we will move into the 20th Century when the seaside resort really began to come alive. People would travel from all over the North West to enjoy the pleasures of New Brighton. It once housed the largest tower in Britain, which had an outdoor fairground, and it even its own professional football team, all housed within the Tower Grounds. The Tower Ballroom was also the venue for rock bands such as The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Little Richard, Billy Fury and many more big names. Sadly in 1969 this all came to an end. Moving on into the theatre district of New Brighton we shall talk about the many theatres that existed around the resort, popular Victorian entertainment, of which one theatre remains today. Finishing back at the Marine Point we will talk about the fatal storms of 1990 when the resort defences were broken and the banks of the Mersey erupted, causing mass damage right along the Wallasey Coastline, but more importantly, bringing the end to the New Brighton Outdoor Bathing pool that was never to be replaced. Join us on a journey through the ages and find out how a sparsely populated coastal area was once frequented by Pirates and Smugglers and how it grew in to being one of the major seaside resorts in Britain.
Children go free when accompanied by an Adult. Hidden Wirral wishes to promote local history to children. However large group bookings must be booked in advance as a fee will be required.
The meeting point will be outside The Light Cinema, Marine Point 12pm. Travel Directions to New Brighton. You can reach New Brighton via Train from all areas of the North West. Or why not take the famous “Ferry Across the Mersey” from Liverpool to Seacombe, then take a bus down to the New Brighton Resort or from Liverpool via Bus marked New Brighton Arriva Bus 432/433. You can purchase a Saveaway Ticket that will cover you for Bus & Train routes across Merseyside during that day. This event is also wheelchair friendly, guide dogs are welcome and if you have any special requirements such as hard of hearing please let us know.
The tour is mainly a flat ground walk but a few short uphill walks will be included.
Unfortunately due to the Private ownership of the tunnels, we can not take you inside, but we will give you a detailed description and pictures of what they look like.
To Purchase Tickets Click Here