Here are some current Hoylake news items – feel free to comment below.
HSBC Bank Closure
Concerned residents gathered outside the Hoylake branch of HSBC last Friday morning to ask people to sign the petition to oppose the proposed closure of the last remaining high street bank branch in Hoylake. HoylakeJunction.com reader Mr M K was one of several readers who received the following email:
“We are constantly evolving our services to help you do your banking at a time and place that suits you. With the growth of telephone and internet banking in recent years, this is now easier than ever which has naturally lead to some branches being used less often.
Therefore after careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to close our branch at 2 The Quadrant, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside CH47 2EG as of 1.00pm on Friday 18 March 2011.
On this date, accounts held at Hoylake branch will be automatically transferred to the HSBC branch at 38 Grange Road, West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside CH48 4EA. We’ll take care of moving everything for you and key details such as your sort code and account number will not change. Any items you have in Safe Keeping will be securely transferred at no cost to you.”
What do you think? Is the closure inevitable?
1810 Memorial Fund
There will be an unveiling of the memorial to remember the eight Hoylake Lifeboat Crew who lost their lives 200 years go on 22nd December 1810 whilst going to the aid of the people on board the ship Traveller which had been driven on shore in the Mersey. The unveiling will take place at 11am, Wednesday 22nd December at the Lifeboat Station.
Lifeboat Museum
There have been further developments – expect a separate news item within the next 24 hours here on HoylakeJunction.com
New Shops
Following the opening of the Urbane gift shop and Somethings Brewing cafe in The Row and the relocation of Honest To Goodness health food shop to the old Barry menswear shop there have been further shop openings. Specialist running gear shop Runners Sports has opened in what was the chocolate shop and spectaclewarehouse.co.uk have opened (or about to – the sign went up on Friday) in the old Vertu Antique shop in The Quadrant.
Christmas Lights
Christmas lights are up along Market Street and Hoylake has something a little different this year too. A religious film from 1964 entitled The Gospel According to St Matthew by Pier Paolo Pasolini is being projected onto the front of St Luke’s Church in Market Street. There is a full write up of the film here and you can read more on the HVL website. I’m not sure of the times the film is projected – whenever I’ve gone past in the last week I haven’t seen the projection (though perhaps I do need glasses!). Feel free to share your comments about the unique projection below.
Car Parking at Blue Anchor
There is a sign outside the Blue Anchor about using their car park. For non patrons there a £1/hr charge for using their pub car park.
Pebbles Cafe
Does anybody know what is happening with the proposed Pebbles Cafe at the site of the old toilet block opposite Trinity Road? I’m sorry to those readers who’ve asked me for an update, but I’m none the wiser myself.
HoylakeJunction on facebook
There is a new page over on facebook for HoylakeJunction – so if you prefer to read HoylakeJunction from within facebook then feel free to “like” the page and tell all your facebook friends too! Personally, I’m not really a facebook user but as many, many millions of people are I thought it’d be a chance to spread the reach of the site and hopefully we’ll receive more photos, history, feedback and news. Oh, thanks to those of you who have already “liked’ the page including regular contributor Matt Biagetti – it’s appreciated!
Footy Rumour
I’ve heard a rumour that a local Premier League manager is now living in Hoylake? Is it true?
Mystery Caravan
Does anybody know anything about the Land Rover and caravan (pictured) that has been parked up on Meols promenade for several months now? I presume it’s taxed and parked legally otherwise it would be moved. Several readers have asked me if I knew anything about it – can you shed any light on this one?
The Caravan has caused plenty of comments at our Coffee Mornings. A very cheap way of winter storage. Even when it was broken into the owner did not remove it, just boarded it up. He says it has broken down apparently. Mend it we say and move it on.
The Police can do nothing as it is Taxed and therefore not illegal, just a cheek!!!
The council cannot do anything either for the same reasons.Apparently lots of people have rung them up. If the caravan was unhitched and not insured, then the council could have it removed. (probably why the white trailer has recently gone from nearby.) The only way forward is for the council to put restrictions on that stretch of road , for example, to 24 hour or 48 hour parking. You do get caravanettes and suchlike staying overnight and that should be allowed for visitors to the area.
Mind you, there is no rear number plate affixed to the caravan…………..got to be an offence there!
I found this interesting article on the Wirral council website while looking for something else!
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/transport-and-streets/roads-highways-and-pavements/highway-obstructions#road
What’s the Council’s view on caravans, trailers and mobile kitchens on the road?
Caravans and trailers can present a nuisance when they are left stored on the road. The Council appreciates that when a touring caravan comes out of storage, owners might need to park it outside their home for a short period of time in order to prepare for a trip.
However, if a caravan or trailer is left on the road, enforcement officers will investigate. Owners will be asked to remove the caravan/trailer from the highway.
Well there was a smaller white trailer parked-up on Meols prom and that’s now been moved. I think ‘cos the caravan is attached to the old landrover it’s classed as legally parked?
I see that the glass from the smashed rear window looks like it’s been left on ground behind the caravan.