Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Cross Hill ,Thingwall

The first edition 1 inch to the mile O/S map of Wirral shows Fiddler's Folly quite clearly, granny. Not sure exactly when the area was surveyed (probably 1830's - 40's). But whatever the 'Folly' was, it was probably there pre-1850's.

I think you will find that those pesky fiddle players were always trying to challenge me to a contest...

...'The Folly' is also featured on Bryant's Map of 1831.

Thanks for that Ying Yang. I will do wee search.

I wonder which is the earliest map which shows them.

The map in Greg Dawson's book, which I was looking at, doesn't seem to line up so perfectly (that might be me) and it shows three areas named as Cross Hill all with different boundaries.

Will take more time to study when the sun goes behind the clouds in a day or two.

The pesky Phantom Fiddler is next due to appear New Year 2017...

No need to look far for your 'wee' search, granny. There are plenty on Wiki who will happily take the pish...

After reading Granny's mention of Thingwall, I was inspired to dig out Greg Dawson's book "Tingvelle". On the map (1850) on page 93, on the right hand side is a list of who owns the fields, the ones marked 11 belong to Fiddler's Folly. I've had the book for some time, I bought it years ago when I was seriously into Genealogy a few of my ancestors are mentioned in it. It's a cracking read anyway.

Locomotive, you're right, it's a brilliant book and full to bursting with the local information. I've had mine about 15 year and bring it out again and again, there's always something new to find.

If anyone should be interested in a copy, as I'm not sure if they are still in print, there is one for sale on ebay at the moment.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tingvelle..._DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5418cd2204

granny. have just a copy off ebay, thanks for the info

Goody ! Hope you enjoy it ,Jimbob

And now I've bought a copy from Amazon

Cool ! Hope you find it interesting, Chris.

With thanks to the gentleman who I have just mentioned on the Woodchurch Stone thread, he also gave some more information about Thingwall.

There were two wells on the farm down Thingwall Lane , there was a path behind Barnston Road by Woodbank, leading to the Irby Mill, and as it crossed Mill Fields, that is where Mill Fields got the name from.

When the foundations were dug for the Basset Hound, there was a wattle and daub building of some sort unearthed and another well. It was filled in and everything was left things in place.

He gave me a wonderful description of characters and names and the tricks they got up to. As some of these people probably have relatives around and about, I feel it unethical to relate such things.

There was also a mortuary behind Thingwall Open Air Children's
Hospital on which Murrayfields now stands, where he used to catch rabbits because they had so little food it was the only way to survive.

My one wish is to have a contraption to record what he says. My memory is not as good as it was, and nowhere near as good as his is, even now.

This doesn't relate to Cross Hill, but I had to put it somewhere at the moment.

Looking at the map of Thingwall, I think he may have meant Thingwall Mill, rather than Irby Mill. There again, who am I to argue with such a man ?

Granny; you should have a look on e-bay and get a little portable recorder.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f..._nkw=digital+voice+recorder&_sacat=0

Thanks Chris. Being a total failure with technical stuff, I usually pay no interest and consequently had no idea these things existed. Just what the doctor ordered.

To be honest, granny, I've no idea if the cheapos are any good. If it were me, I'd try bidding on one with a recognised name: Philips, Olympus, Sony etc. Something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-V..._DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aadacb1f6