Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Stanlow Abbey

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Good! Should discourage metal detectors and the like! It's a special site this, it's significance has gone hidden for a while. Hopefully the next few years will change this.
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I feel this is an unfair comment. Not all metal detectorists should be tarnished with the same brush. The majority are honest, and help archaeologists a lot! If it wasn't for detectorists a lot of artefacts would remain unfound. Is it better to leave things to rot or deteriorate unfound? Or to be found and shared with the world in museums?

The George and Dotties Rambling Club crack marine splinter group managed to have a mooch back in October - lovely place - Photos

great pics mate

The only access to Stanlow is either with the farmer who's sheep and cows graze Ince & Frodsham marshes. The wildfowlets who shoot on the same land as the farmer uses. The other access is through the refinary. Here you will need to get past the barriers on oil sites road to get to the offices. Then you will need a pass to get you through the gates to the ferry. You will also need a pass to board the ferry. Once over the canal the ferryman unlocks the gate to the island then locks it behind you. From the river Gowy to Eastham locks this land is leased to the RSPB and there is no public access at all. Besides the farmer and shooters the only other people allowed access are bird counters who count the birds on the Marsh once a month.

I know a few adventures that descended onto the island for a major explore (don't think they used any of the ways above) they did get onto the island and back (avoiding security) sadly they couldn't post pics up as they got a visit from the men in black ! (After clocking a number plate) 😮

A bit different from days gone by when I used to repair the television for Sgt. Roper who lived on the island. I just drove down Oil Sites Road, through the refinery & on to the ferry without being stopped & was then loaned a wheelbarrow to take my toolbox along the track to his cottage!

I take a camera all the time. I've never been asked not to use it.

This is what's left of Stanlow Island in 2014.

Please take some more 👍

Love the pictures.

That's some roof leak.

Whatever happened to dee?

Dee, where art tho?

I'd love to go. I tried to organise two visits with the PR departments of Stanlow / Essar, but neither would entertain it, even for an educational visit.

This little gem has been written in a notebook and hidden away for a long time. I cannot remember where I originally copied it from, but thought it nice to share, before it's lost or thrown in a skip. There has been an concerted effort to put the punctuation as it was translated, not typo mistakes, so this is the copy.

It must be very old. Hope you like it.



Headed:

Poem written by an unknown Stanlaw monk. Translated from Latin by Rev.F.G.Slater of Ince.


STANLAW

"Stanlaw ! where I hope to lie
when my hour shall come to die,
Hard thy lot and brief thy fame
Still thou teachest by thy name -
STAN and LAW together blending
Name all neighbour names transcending
LAW is Hill - I lift my eyes
To the hills beyond the skies.
STAN is Stone - O! Corner Stone !
What art thou but Christ alone ?
Alter Stone, on thee there lies
That blest Bread of Sacrifice
Stanlaw ! 'tis the Lord above
Gave thy name to tell his love '


Stanlaw Abbey founded 1178 by John de Lacy
Monks transferred to Whalley Abbey, Lancs in 1296.

Here are a few photo's taken on Stanlow Island around 1999/2000. Pictures show the ferry, ships berthed on the island and some stonework.

I don't know whether the walls are original from the abbey or the stonework had been re-worked by the Manchester Ship Canal Police staff who used to live in the houses which backed onto the area photographed. Judging by other illustrations and photo's posted, the tunnel entrance may well be original.