*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.
Brings back happy memories. My grandfather let me go on one of these canoes when I was only 7 or 8 and I had no clue how to paddle it! In the end I had to be rescued and my grandad said I couldn’t “row for toffee” which confused me no end because I didn’t know you COULD get toffee!
great pic look at all the boats in the gulley my brother spent many a happy day on those canoe with his friends. brings back lovely memories thanks for posting
I remember my mum showing me this picture years ago. It was a postcard for visitors to Hoylake to buy.
My brother, Kevin, and I are pictured in it. We are in the foreground and have our backs to the camera. I have the red trunks on and my brother has the blue. Talking to us is our childhood friend Kevin Smith who lives in Meols.
I recall my brother and I were forever trying to scrounge free goes in those rusty old canoes throughout the summers of our childhood. No need for life jackets in those days!
I remember that postcard so well. I was DESPERATE to find myself on it (but never could). I loved that little boating lake.
What a shame it became disused and still greater shame that all that is gone now
The Lake is still there, having been saved a few years ago, by the Residents, and refurbished and now looked after by Hoylake Model Boat Club.
I spoke to one of the members only yesterday and in the New Year we will have to empty it after the massive storm earlier this month it is full of sand and debris.
We need a heavy duty pump to drain it.
Anyone out there who could lend one???? or a donation of £200 to hire one.
I remember the boating lake very well. Circa 1964 when I was 10 years old. My mum and two sisters lived on Birkenhead Road until the 70’s..
I went to the primary school at the end of School Lane.
Hoylake baths is where I learnt to swim and I was never out of the place all summers long. I remember the rust bucket canoe’s at the boating lake with fondness and used to sail (try) a red toy yacht without success.
I remember that there was also a gathering called ‘Uncle Sam’ ( I think that was the name) on the sand next to the lake nearly every summer for all the kids to attend. I think it was a religious type of gathering with prayers and all kinds of sand competitions.
I’m 72 now but the memories came flooding back after reading a couple of posts