The Wirral peninsula was historically part of Cheshire but partly lies in Merseyside today. Evidence of the first human settlement dates from 7000BC and the importance of the area is shown by the waves of Celtic, Roman, Norse and Anglo-Saxon settlers over the centuries. Ferries have crossed the River Mersey since the 14th century although today the Wirral is linked to Liverpool by tunnel, Europe’s first street tramway opened in Birkenhead in 1840 and the world’s first passenger hovercraft service was launched in 1962 between Wallasey and Rhyl. Famous names in industry include Cammell Laird shipbuilders and Lever Brothers who built the garden village of Port Sunlight for their workers. The growing population could enjoy the world’s first publicly funded civic park in Birkenhead, which became the model for New York’s Central Park, and the roll call of famous names associated with the Wirral ranges from Wilfrid Owen to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Ian Botham to Daniel Craig.Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into the Wirral’s rich heritage, its special events and important moments. Celebrating the Wirral will be a valuable contribution to the history of the region and provide a source of many memories to those who have known it well over the years.
