J Paterson (nee Gregory) writes:

My late fathers sister and family lived at 13 Chapel Rd. My brother lived with them for some of the war and attended the infants school for a short time. They were John and Lena Roberts, John junior and Helen. John senior had a greengrocers shop somewhere near and I used to help some times in my school holidays-this would be about 1957. My family lived in Croydon I have tried on many occasions to find out by writing if my cousin still lives there, and have even travelled on one occasion from my home in (Croydon) South London. I found the graves of Lena and John Roberts in the local graveyard and went to no 13 Chapel Road but was unable to get a reply. I would like to trace Helen Roberts who emigrated to New Zealand in the 60s but have no idea how as don’t know her married name. Any information welcome! My father had a large family and step family with whom he was estranged.

If you can help contact via email: jepat @ btinternet.com

*click for larger

Following on from the great old 30s photos of the boating lake here’s the lake in vivid technicolour. Kindly sent in by Peter Wilson, this is a view of the lake from the late 50s, early 60s.

Bonus points for those of you who recognise someone.

*click for larger

Philip Barton writes:

Attached is a wedding photo of Edith Barton and Thomas Murdock, taken in Hoylake in 1920. If any of your readers are able to identify any of the guests (especially the naval officer) I would be grateful if they could get in touch with me. Thank you.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you know more.

Chris Clare of local firm Invest & Protect (website) writes:

“We want to change the frontage of our office from the current unsightly mess it is to nice shop frontage. Not for any financial benefit but more from an aesthetic point of view as it is currently ugly. The address is 45 Market Street and it used to be the Lloyds TSB, hence its unsightly look.

The thing is we would really like to know what it was before, how many windows did it have, how far up Wood Street did they go, so we can do the remodel some justice. This leads me to the reason for asking for help, does anyone have any old photos of the building or any recollections of how it looked in the past particularly the windows and how they were situated.”

So, if you can help, get in touch.

Can you help the Hoylake in Bloom team?

Have you got an aquaroll you no longer need (it’s used for carrying water, usually for caravans and has a handle to pull it along – pictured). Hoylake in Bloom are soon to plant up the sensory garden and there is no water nearby.

Please call Jan on 07725 540049 if you can help.

Nick Prebble, (not pictured – that’s Bill Giles) currently working in London as a meteorologist for MeteoGroup UK, stumbled upon an old publication entitled Medical Climatology.

The book, published sometime around the 1920s discusses the Wirral climate and how it might improve ones health and makes for an interesting read. Here’s what it says about some local villages and towns:

West Kirby

Mild and warm all through the year with a large amount of sunshine but, owing to its more sheltered position, it is perhaps less bright than Hoylake. It is recommended for cases of chronic respiratory and renal disease, of feeble circulation and valvular trouble (heart disease), and of neurasthenia requiring sedative treatment. It is not suitable for acute or advanced phthisis (consumption) or rheumatism.

Hoylake

The climate is warm and bracing but not so in autumn and winter, greater even than that at Blackpool. Hoylake is very useful in convalescence but because it is rather liable to sea-mists in winter it is said to be unsuitable for chronic bronchitis, valvular disease, rheumatism or renal complaints.

New Brigthon

The beach, of rather muddy sand, is safe for children and for bathing. There are amusements of every description, but although the climate is bright and bracing, the place is too overrun by trippers to be, in any way, suitable for invalids.

Poor old New Brighton didn’t receive a glowing report did it!

With regard to West Kirby, whenever I go along the beach from Red Rocks up to Dee Lane it often feels warmer along there to me. I wonder if it’s due to the sand dunes in front of the golf course and the board walk?

Do people living around the left-hand corner of Wirral enjoy health benefits as a result of the local climate? Does the sea air help blow the cobwebs away? What do you think …have your say with a comment!

David Barker writes:

Can anyone help me to find the son and daughter of George Barker who was the verger for many years at the parish church and lived just across the road form the church. His wife’s name was Emily, and his son was Arnold, who was a policeman. His daughter’s name was Sylvia, they would be in there 60s plus now. I have some info that Arnold may have moved to Spain.

I have not lived in England since 1964 and have lost contact with the family, as I am now in my 70′s I would like to let them know that I am still alive and kicking.

Much appreciate any help.
David Barker

If you can help David at all, feel free to email him at sristkids@wideband.net.au

HoylakeJunction.com reader Colin Malone asks:

Can anyone tell me why we who live in Meols/Hoylake cannot get a bus to Liverpool? If there was a sudden rail cancellation, people in West kirby, Moreton, Bidston etc would only walk yards to get on a bus to Liverpool.

We in Meols and Hoylake have to get a bus to the above places to get the bus. I have written to Arriva to which they replied other bus companies got through Hoylake. But they dont. Any reason why?

In the wall of the only bank that Hoylake doesn’t have anymore you’ll see the above artwork where the cash machine was.

What do you think the painting symbolises? That we’re all prisoners to money and the banks that we trust it with perhaps?

I wonder who painted that?

During January Incredible Edible Hoylake (facebook page or email incrededhoylake@gmail.com) undertook a survey to see the benefits of locally sourced eggs and where in Hoylake you can buy them. This is what the survey concluded:

• lower food miles involved
• supports the local economy
• prices can vary but are often less than eggs sourced from non-local

And here is a list of Hoylake shops that sell locally-sourced eggs:

• Bill Page Butchers
• Hoylake Fisheries
• Three Sisters
• Cost Cutter (Grove Road)
• Lifestyle (Market Street)
• Newsmag Extra (Albert Road)

I do know that a few locals keep ex-battery hens in their gardens and enjoy a steady supply of fresh eggs …you might try a spot of bartering if you’d like some! We’ve had some ourselves and you can’t half bake some great sponge cakes!