Dr Stoop's Stone - 23rd Sep 2008 9:47pm
Have you ever noticed a sandstone pillar on Upton Road just as you are going past the top of Thermopylae Pass? Just on the right, going towards Upton.
OK - here's a photo:
Still no idea what I am talking about?
Well I had never seen this stone until I found a very brief description on the Friends of Bidston Hill website.
So next time you're driving along Upton Rd keep your eye out:
In the latter part of the 18th Century, Wirral was a very wild and desolate place. When dusk descended it was also a dangerous place and strangers would soon get lost.
A medical man, Dr Haughton, had patients in the parishes of West Kirby, Woodchurch, Tranmere, Wallasey, Birkenhead and Bidston. He had to make numerous journeys by night and day, often getting lost especially during night-time or when it was misty. For guidance he erected a stone gatepost, called in country dialect a “stoop” and thus originated a nickname for himself “Dr Stoop”.
The stone can still be found today on Upton Road nearly opposite “Thermopylae Pass”.
Does anyone have any idea why it is called Thermopylae Pass?
OK - here's a photo:
Still no idea what I am talking about?
Well I had never seen this stone until I found a very brief description on the Friends of Bidston Hill website.
So next time you're driving along Upton Rd keep your eye out:
In the latter part of the 18th Century, Wirral was a very wild and desolate place. When dusk descended it was also a dangerous place and strangers would soon get lost.
A medical man, Dr Haughton, had patients in the parishes of West Kirby, Woodchurch, Tranmere, Wallasey, Birkenhead and Bidston. He had to make numerous journeys by night and day, often getting lost especially during night-time or when it was misty. For guidance he erected a stone gatepost, called in country dialect a “stoop” and thus originated a nickname for himself “Dr Stoop”.
The stone can still be found today on Upton Road nearly opposite “Thermopylae Pass”.
Does anyone have any idea why it is called Thermopylae Pass?