The History of Birkenhead & Bidston: The Wirral Peninsula
Franks-Buckley, Tony
Synopsis "The History of Birkenhead & Bidston: The Wirral Peninsula"
The History of Birkenhead & Bidston is a historical introduction in to the industrial town of Birkenhead and the village of Bidston. Birkenhead is Wirral's best known industrial area, famed for centuries for its maritime trade and commercial activity. The name Birkenhead derives from the Old English 'birchen' which translated into' birch trees on a headland'. This of course refers to the area known today as Woodside which in ancient times was a large piece of land filled with Birch trees that jutted out into the river Mersey. Although today many people consider Birkenhead the centre of Wirral's economy, it is only in recent years that this area has become heavily populated and the hub of Wirral industry. Prior to the 1800's there was very little in Birkenhead to talk about other than the old priory, a ferry house and a sparce population. Birkenhead had a meagre population of 110 people in 1801 suggesting that very little trade or activity went on in this area. Within the short period of 50 years and thanks to some very clever town planners, the population had rocketed to over 8000 residents sparking the boom which transformed Birkenhead in to a busy industrial town. Bidston is a suburb of Birkenhead, situated on the Wirral Peninsula. Bidston also holds many treasures such as the hidden tunnels beneath Bidston Hill, the Bidston Observatory and the Tam O'Shanters farm. In modern days it is a mixture of the well-preserved Bidston Village, Bidston Hill, the industrial estate Bidston Moss and a modern housing estate. This book will give an insight in to the historical areas of Birkenhead & Bidston and will bring back memories of those who were born and lived in the town that is home to the first public park in the world. The town of Cammell Laird ship builders that was second to none. Step back in time and remember the great areas of Birkenhead & Bidston
