At over 160 pages, this book offers an insight into the West Wirral Coastline during the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries using factual information and pictures. The West Wirral Coastline is the most naturally beautiful area in the North West of England, offering diverse wildlife and species. Most notibly the grey seals at Hilbre Island. Over a thousand years ago Wirral was invaded by Norsemen and their legacy can be read in the local place-names, the -by suffix meaning village in the old Norse tongue; we still use the term by-law today. Find out about the Viking Hogback stone that is still housed in West Kirby to this day. West Kirby was west of Kirby in Walea, the old name for Wallasey. The focal point of their settlement was the site of St Bridget's Church in the old village, although the oldest remaining part of the building dates back to about 1150, placing it firmly in the Norman period. The growth of modern West Kirby really began in 1886. Hoylake and West Kirby together had 2,118 residents; thirty years later this figure had increased five-fold to 10,991. Down on the shoreline the Marine Lake is a major attraction for water sports. This was opened on 21 October 1899, and formerly included an open-air swimming pool. The pool has gone, but the lake itself has been extended to cater for the growing demand. This book will also focus on The islands of Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre which are located at the mouth of the Dee Estuary on the border between England and Wales. Hilbre is a designated nature reserve and Site of Specific Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area, a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance), and is a candidate for designation as a European Union Special Area of Conservation. Last but not least is the beautiful area of Caldy. Caldy Village was mentioned as Calders in the Doomsday Book. It is situated is on the west side of the Wirral peninsula and is developed around the old village and manor which dates from the late 17th century. In 1832 the village was bought by a Mr R.W.Barton. To this day, the character and nature of the Caldy village remains virtually the same from its rise in dwellings and population and it is still considered a low density area of good quality housing, offering a high environmental quality of life. Take a step back in time and enjoy the beauty that is, the West Wirral Coastline.
Tony Franks-Buckley was born in Birkenhead and lives in Wallasey near Liverpool. After studying History at Liverpool John Moores University, he has progressed into a further historical role, writing local history on Wirral. He is the author of short stories, pirate fiction and several books.
