Liscard

infobox UK place
country= England
official_name= Liscard
latitude= 53.41944
longitude= -3.047
population= 14,301 (2001 Census) [citeweb|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5941381&c=liscard&d=14&e=16&g=361788&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1205957451203&enc=1|title=2001 Census: Liscard|work=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=19 March|accessyear=2008]
metropolitan_borough= Wirral
metropolitan_county= Merseyside
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Wallasey
post_town= WALLASEY
postcode_district= CH44
postcode_area= CH
dial_code= 0151
os_grid_reference= SJ307919
map_type= Merseyside Liscard is an area of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England. The most centrally located of Wallasey's townships, it is the main shopping area of the town, with many shops located in the Cherry Tree Shopping Centre.

Origin of Name

The first mention of the settlement was circa 1260 as "Lisnekarke". The name derives from the Irish words lios na carraige, with the name meaning "hall at the rock". In the past the name has been spelt as "Liscak" (1260), "Lisecair" (c.1277), "Lysenker" (1295) and "Lyscart" (1417). [citeweb|url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/magical/placenames/liscard.asp|title=Place Names: Liscard|work=National Museums Liverpool|accessdate=19 March|accessyear=2008] [R.Coates 'Liscard and Irish names in northern Wirral', Journal of the English Place Name Society, volume 31 (1997-8), pages 23-26]

History

Liscard Hall was built in 1835 by a Liverpool merchant, Sir John Tobin. Its grounds later became Central Park, and the building itself later became an art college. A “model farm” was also developed nearby by his family. The former Grade II listed arts building within the grounds of Central Park was destroyed by fire on 7 July 2008, [citeweb|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/3196945.Blaze_rips_through_Hall/ |title=Blaze rips though Hall|work=Wirral Globe|date=7 July 2008|accessdate=10 July|accessyear=2008] and has been completely demolished. [citeweb|url=http://www.liberator31.co.uk/wallasey/liscard_hall/index.html|title=Liscard Hall|accessdate=17 July|accessyear=2008]

Liscard Battery was built in 1858 to help protect shipping on the River Mersey and defend the port of Liverpool. It was equipped with seven 10-inch guns. Set back from the river and hidden by new building, it was known as "the snake in the grass" to local inhabitants. The battery was obsolete by 1912, and sold on, and houses were erected on top, and now the site has an odd appearance with only the curtain wall and ornate crenellated gatehouse surviving.

The area originally had a railway station as part of the Wirral Railway. Known as Liscard and Poulton railway station, it was part of a branch line which included Seacombe railway station as its terminus. This branch is long-closed and its route now forms the approach to the Kingsway Tunnel.

Description

Liscard is situated three miles from Birkenhead, and four miles from Liverpool (via the Kingsway Tunnel). The area is largely residential and contains mainly high-density semi-detached and some terraced housing.

Central Park is now the largest park in Wallasey. It has two areas for young children, with swings, slides and other games, large areas of greenery, a large listed former arts building and a popular walled garden. There is also a cricket ground and a large duck pond. It links Liscard to Poulton and Egremont.

Education

Liscard includes The Oldershaw School, a secondary school with specialist status as a Business and Enterprise College

Liscard Ward

Liscard is also a local government ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, the ward also takes in Egremont, and is represented by Conservative Party Councillors Leah Fraser, Karen Hayes and James Keeley. The most recent local elections took place on 1 May 2008.

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats
candidate = Daniel CLEIN
votes = 195
percentage = 4.7
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = David HAWKINS ~
votes = 1369
percentage = 33.0
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = James KEELEY
votes = 2122
percentage = 51.14
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = United Kingdom Independence Party
candidate = Robbie QUINN
votes = 304
percentage = 7.33
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Jacqueline SMITH
votes = 159
percentage = 3.83
change =

~ indicates retiring councillor

References