Bidston hill - 25th Sep 2009 7:25pm
Movements in favour of public acquisition of Bidston Hill were made in 1883 and 1897 – the latter being in connection with Queen Victoria's jubilee; however, it was not until 1893 that the project was taken in hand. The Hill formed part of the estate of Mr Robert Charles de Grey Vyner who conducted negotiations in a handsome manner by taking the lowest of three valuations, making his own contribution to the fund.
In 1907 steps were made to secure another portion of the Hill, which was “on the market”. It was feared that the land might be used for building purposes. The area in question was an area of 22 acres on the south-eastern slope of the Hill, known as the “Pine Woods”. It was acquired as a memorial to the late Mr Edmund Taylor whose hard work and influence made it all possible. The cost was £10,500 in 1907.
Other acquisitions were:
1893-94: the summit of the Hill – 24 acres £5,800
1897: A further portion of 38 acres £11,750
1900 Several smaller pieces, amounting to about about 4 ½ acres £2,260
In all 88½ acres were acquired at a cost of £30,310 (1914). The corporation contributed £14,625 and the rest was raised by public subscription,
On 8 th December 1933, Mr Royden (Chairman of the Bidston Hill Committee) considered the Rhododendron Gardens would be ‘a grand addition' to the Hill.
Text of the inscription on the Windmill
“This land, including the woods surrounding this windmill, containing, with the adjacent piece of land known as Thermopylae, about 90 acres was purchased from R C de Grey Vyner during the years 1894 – 1905 at a cost of £30,310. Of this sum the corporation of Birkenhead contributed £14,625 and £15,655 was raised by public subscription.
A portion of the land, viz the eastern wood containing 22 acres was purchased as a memorial to the late Edmund Taylor, of Oxton, in recognition of his great services in connection with the acquisition of Bidston Hill for the benefit of the public.
The land belongs to and is maintained at the expense of the corporation of Birkenhead, but, according to the deeds of conveyance, it must always be used as an open space and a place of public recreation and must be preserved and maintained as far as is possible in its present wild and natural condition., special care being given to the preservation of the trees, gorse, heath and heather, and also of this windmill. Bye laws have been made and a keeper and assistant appointed to see that they are observed.
The public, for whose enjoyment alone the land was secured, are invited to aid in preserving it from fire and damage.
In 1907 steps were made to secure another portion of the Hill, which was “on the market”. It was feared that the land might be used for building purposes. The area in question was an area of 22 acres on the south-eastern slope of the Hill, known as the “Pine Woods”. It was acquired as a memorial to the late Mr Edmund Taylor whose hard work and influence made it all possible. The cost was £10,500 in 1907.
Other acquisitions were:
1893-94: the summit of the Hill – 24 acres £5,800
1897: A further portion of 38 acres £11,750
1900 Several smaller pieces, amounting to about about 4 ½ acres £2,260
In all 88½ acres were acquired at a cost of £30,310 (1914). The corporation contributed £14,625 and the rest was raised by public subscription,
On 8 th December 1933, Mr Royden (Chairman of the Bidston Hill Committee) considered the Rhododendron Gardens would be ‘a grand addition' to the Hill.
Text of the inscription on the Windmill
“This land, including the woods surrounding this windmill, containing, with the adjacent piece of land known as Thermopylae, about 90 acres was purchased from R C de Grey Vyner during the years 1894 – 1905 at a cost of £30,310. Of this sum the corporation of Birkenhead contributed £14,625 and £15,655 was raised by public subscription.
A portion of the land, viz the eastern wood containing 22 acres was purchased as a memorial to the late Edmund Taylor, of Oxton, in recognition of his great services in connection with the acquisition of Bidston Hill for the benefit of the public.
The land belongs to and is maintained at the expense of the corporation of Birkenhead, but, according to the deeds of conveyance, it must always be used as an open space and a place of public recreation and must be preserved and maintained as far as is possible in its present wild and natural condition., special care being given to the preservation of the trees, gorse, heath and heather, and also of this windmill. Bye laws have been made and a keeper and assistant appointed to see that they are observed.
The public, for whose enjoyment alone the land was secured, are invited to aid in preserving it from fire and damage.