hi ,im part of courtney park community centre based on the woodward rd rock ferry, we are trying to reseach the history of the estate and any help would be well received. we know it was built 1929 and was known as the derby park estate then but thats as far as ive got .Any info or stories or pics would really help .

Only thing I know of the estate is that they put the housing office at the corner house in 1997/1998. I lived on the estate when my daughter was born in 1998 and they had a Barnado's worker based there too who helped with the opening of the community centre on the estate.

Long time since I been there though lol xx

I have a friend named Colin Sloan who lived with his family on the estate during the
2nd World War. He was evacuated to Wales for a very short time but soon came back with his bros and sisters. He remembers many of the names of residents of that time . Many kids from that estate were at the Dell Primary School with me
in the 1950s and most went on to Alpha Drive Secondary or Kirklands as it was
known. Derby House was the big "mansion" that stood on the corner of Rock Lane
West and New Chester Rd. It was built approx 1607 and demolished 1930s.
Had a massive estate stretching from Dacre Hill right down to New Chester Rd.
originally. The Oakshott family lived in Derby House 1890-1930 and most of them
are buried in churchyard of St.Peters Church. Come back if you want anymore info.

In case it's of interest, here's the area from the 1912 OS map.

What was the building on the corner of Rock Lane East & New Chester Road where the Abbotsford was eventually built? When I was a kid it was just a field but there had obviously been a big house there at one time.

Abbotsford was the name of a big Victorian house which was lived in by the Massie
family in the 1880s and 1890s. They were related to the landed gentry from
Dunham Massie in Cheshire. The house was used as a military convalescent home
during Word War1 and then was a hotel/guest house in the 1930s. Fell into ruin
and may have been damaged finally by bombing in World War 2. There is a picture of the house in one of Boumpheys books. The name Abbotsford comes from
Sir Walter Scotts home near Edinburgh. There was another big piece of land on the
corner of Morecroft Rd. & New Chester Rd. which was called the Manor. Think this
had been site of Morecrofts mansion but in the 1950s & 60s it was a great place
to play cricket on ! Later became O,Gradys builders yard.

Hi my mum moved into new chester rd in 1930 she took over the house in the early 1950's after her mum died and remained there until her death in 1983 all my brothers and myself were born in the house - corner of proctor rd - feel free to ask questions

Was this where St Peters Hall once was?

thanks for info on woodward rd, it was interesting and any info or pics ur friend may have would be great .

Hello there

My father Donald Colley b1926 lived at 96 Woodward Road for many years his father was Joe Colley a well known policeman Thanks for the information does anyone have any memories of the family?

Hello
Does anyone have any photos of Thomas Street birkenhead My mother Christina Ashcroft lived at number 4 for many years with her father James Ashcroft and her sister Mary Neilson

Many thanks

Stubsy,

My great grandparents lived in Woodward and Thomas Street ....I can remember visiting them ....they lived quite close to you ...just can't remember what number ....I think it was about 1965....if I find any photo's I will post them online.

Cheers

Thomas Street pic click here

Cheers Derek
Many thanks for the map and marvellous colour photos of Thomas Street you even managed to find one which features the house in which my mother"s family lived (number 4)She was actually born right the other end at number 62 (in 1923)Several of these houses were demolished about 1938 and so the family moved further up the street
Best Wishes
Stubbsy