I have been told that the attached photo is not Woodchurch, Wirral but Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent. Having spoken to an admin member of an Ashford local history group, he has no knowledge of this post office. I have since found out that there is another Woodchurch in Kent but someone (originally from the Wirral) who now lives near this one (Isle of Thanet) assures me that it isn't a photo of that Woodchurch.
This has been listed on ebay as Woodchurch near Ashford, however I strongly doubt that. While Ashford had some old sandstone buildings, Woodchurch (Kent) appeared to have none apart from the church.
I think it looks "right" for Wirral, similar sandstone building were everywhere, castellations weren't unusual, indeed the wall around the Arrowe Park Hotel is still a castellated sandstone wall.
The other Woodchurch (Birchingston-on-sea) appears to be just an area named after a farm and wouldn't have been big enough to support a post office, it didn't even grow much when RAF Manston was built literally beside it. Again its not a sandstone area.
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I have sent an email to the guy who sold a copy of this postcard on ebay asking if he had any local knowledge of its where abouts but I won't hold my breath waiting for a reply. It may be worh contacting The British Postal Museum & Archive Freeling House, Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DL Tel: + 44 (0)20 7239 2570 Email: [email protected]
I'm pretty sure it's "our" Woodchurch. I remember the building was still there until the Woodchurch Estate was under construction. It was in Pool Lane. It was in my roaming territory when a youngster. A fair distance down on the RH side after leaving the junction with Arrow Park Road. Pool Lane originally went past the church and joined Woodchurch Road at the bend at bottom of the hill.
A lad in my class at Prenton Primary, David Wilkinson (Wilko) lived in that house. Not sure if it was still a P.O. or not then. I don't remember the ivy though. Maybe Bert could trawl his records and maps on this ?
The maps below, 1894/1938 put the Post Office in Church Lane, close to what is now the Arrowe Park Hotel, marked Horse & Jockey on map. The 1911 census describes the building having 4 rooms, not including Kitchens, halls, landings, etc. The building in the photo doesn't appear to have 4 rooms but the building just in view behind could make it up to 4.
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Further searching of ebay threw up another copy of this postcard from a seller in Chester. Item number 251780748837 which ended 14th January 2015. The title of the item was 'postcard woodchurch Birkenhead post office'. I believe the possible error of location may stem from the first seller placing it nr Ashcroft, Kent. This is likely because being from the south it might be the only woodchurch he was aware of. On the back of one of the cards sold was inscribed "Uncle Edwin's post office" if that's of help to any local historians. Then again, its always possible our man from Chester has put it in the wrong location for the same reasons as above!
Thank you all for the fascinating information. Can't believe how quickly people answered. I bought the photo yesterday on e-bay believing it was on the Wirral and not Ashford, Kent as stated. I have 2 more photos, one of which has a Birkenhead postmark. To my untrained eye they do look very similar to my original photo.
Last edited by andym; 10th Mar 20158:31am. Reason: no photo
Being a dimwit, ive not phathomed how to add images yet. Take a look at the ebay link i posted a little earlier. The post card looks the same but closer inspection shows its from an earlier year. There are no leaves on the trees and no postbox on the corner wall. The seller states its Birkenhead. Thanks Bert1.
