Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Now and Then Whetstone Lane c.1910.

These soldiers are parading in Whetstone Lane c.1910.

The building in the background behind the tram side pole was the Grange Hotel which stood at the junction of Grange Road (off to the right) and Atherton Street (straight ahead).
The hotel dated back to at least 1850, when the licensee was Elanor Postlewaite, and Grange road was then Grange Lane. The hotel which later became a Birkenhead Brewery Pub was demolished in the mid 1980's and McDonalds now occupies the site.

The nearer building which is seen standing on the side of Grange Road was a branch of the North & South Wales Bank which was built in 1902 at a cost of £6,793 and incorporated the manager's house.
Midland Bank took them over in 1908 and this branch closed in 1991.

Good stuff Joe

You just know where every thing is lol

The building 'Charing Cross Carpets' was the ROXY Cinema.

Another view, looking up from Borough Rd with the Old Fire station on the right.

Nice Pic. Good to see a main road as it once was.

my nan and grandad used to live on borough road opposite the fire station. photo brought back memories for me.

Talking about Whetstone Lane, does anybody have any photos of the top end of it around Derby Rd intersection. My family Doctor was on the corner and just past him going up the hill were(1964) about 5/6 three story mansions. I remember doing some roof work on them when I was a jobbers Mate for WF Crowe and Son they were in Derby Rd. The view from the roof of those mansions was breathtaking I reckon I could see the feathers on the Liver Birds. Looking back now, I am bloody terrified>

I have been working on my family tree, I was wondering if anybody knows any information regarding the shop opposite the Fire Station. 262 Borough Rd, I have a census record showing it being a Chip Shop. Any news would be great!

don't know if this helps from 1916 Wilmers Street Directory

I think it was a pet shop in 1960s when i knew it?

Fried fish dealer, love it.

262 borough road,
In 1894 was listed as Mrs Mary Roberts, Licensed Broker.
In 1896 was listed as William Davies, Licensed broker
in 1902 was listed as George William Diamond, fried fish dealer
in 1914 was listed as Thomas Seville, fried fish dealer

the info comes from Gores / Kellys directories,which are available to view on-line. just google cheshire directories...

Thanks George Wm is the man I am after!

Maternal grandad died on the steps of Midland bsnk in 1938 not feeiing well he sat down on step and passed away It was the family bank for many years

Have downloaded this picture on a different topic but hope it may be of some interest.Thanks to 'Yoller' who provided the following information.

From the Liverpool Echo, 10th and 14th of May 1918 (edited)

Conductress Edith Jones, aged 21, of 64 Frodsham Street, Birkenhead, was readjusting her trolley pole after her tram arrived at the Woodside terminus when she became jammed between her own tram and the one behind, whose driver had just started to test his electric brakes.
A verdict of accidental death was later reached by a jury, who expressed sympathy with driver William Glover, that this should be his first fatal accident in the 15 or 16 years he had worked as a driver.
(It’s not clear from the report if Glover was driver of Edith’s tram or the tram that killed her).