Heswall

infobox UK place
country= England
official_name= Heswall
latitude= 53.3285
longitude= -3.0992
population= 7,750 (2001 Census)citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/factsandfigures/census2001/oneward2recset.asp?ref=TS15|title=Wirral 2001 Census: Heswall|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=2007-07-16]
metropolitan_borough= Wirral
metropolitan_county= Merseyside
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Wirral South
post_town= WIRRAL
postcode_district= CH60
postcode_area= CH
dial_code= 0151
os_grid_reference= SJ269818

Heswall is a town on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. Administratively, it is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. At the time of the 2001 census, the total population of the ward was 16,012 (Male: 7,474; Female: 8,538), [citeweb|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5941384&c=heswall&d=14&e=16&g=361635&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1|title=2001 Census: Heswall|work=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=2007-07-16] which included the nearby villages of Barnston and Gayton. The population of the town of Heswall itself was 7,750.

Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the county of Cheshire.

Geography

Located on the eastern side of the Dee Estuary, with views across the river to North Wales, Heswall is about 30 minutes' drive from the Roman city of Chester and about 20 minutes' drive from Liverpool. The spires of Liverpool's cathedrals can be seen on the horizon from high ground.

The town of Heswall consists of three parts: upper, lower and the 'hills'. The commercial upper part is centred at the junction of Telegraph Road and Pensby Road. Lower Heswall village is quieter and designated a conservation area. 'Heswall Hills' is the South East of upper Heswall - the main roads running through it being Barnston Road and Brimstage Road. Typically, though, Heswall Hills is classed as either Heswall (it's postage town) or Barnston. Barnston Primary School is located in Heswall Hills.

History

Heswall was recorded in the Domesday Book as "Eswelle" and owned by Robert de Rodelent, who also owned much of the land on the eastern side of the River Dee. In 1277, it became the property of Patrick de Haselwall, who was Sheriff of Cheshire.

In 1801, the population was recorded as 168. By the census in 1841, it had only grown to 398. Prior to 1897 it was known as "Hestlewelle" or "Hesselwelle". Its growth was started by wealthy merchants from Liverpool who had originally chosen it as a retreat but the arrival of two railway connections allowed them to commute. One line is the Borderlands Line from Wrexham Central to Bidston which opened in 1896. This line is still active and has Heswall railway station on the eastern edge of the town. The station was formerly called Heswall Hills to distinguish it from the older, now demolished, Heswall Station. The old station was in Station Road in the Lower Village on another line from West Kirby to Hooton. This opened in 1886 but the line closed to passengers in 1956. The track of the old railway became a footpath, the Wirral Way.

The Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital originally opened in Heswall as Liverpool Country Hospital for Children in 1909.citeweb|url=http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.php?show=ConNarrative.180&chapterId=739|title=Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children|work=E. Chambré Hardman Archive|accessdate=2008-02-23] The hospital was well known for having no glass in the windows on the wards as it was believed at the time that this would help cure the ill children of disease.Fact|date=February 2008 It stood on the opposite side of Telegraph Road from the "Puddydale", it had a tall square clock tower and extensive grounds with views over the Dee estuary. The hospital closed in 1985 and the site is now occupied by a Tesco supermarket.

Open spaces

There are several areas of open space. The largest is the Dales, an area of dry, sandy heathland overlooking the River Dee. It has the status of both Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Within this SSSI lies 'the Dungeon', a small river valley cut into the hillside. A path connects the Dales to the Wirral Way and the coast. Other open areas also overlooking the Dee are the Beacons, and Poll Hill, which is the highest point on the Wirral Peninsula.

The large grass area near the centre of town is known as the "Puddydale". In former years, Heswall County Primary School was situated on the eastern edge of the field, but has since been demolished.

Notable people

Births

*Ian Astbury, vocalist for rock band The Cult.
*Ian Botham, retired English cricketer.
*Jim Bowen, comedian and former presenter of darts game show "Bullseye".
*Paul Bracewell, a football midfielder who played for Stoke City, Sunderland, Everton, Newcastle United, Fulham and England.
*Christian Furr, the youngest artist to have officially painted Queen Elizabeth II. [citeweb|url=http://www.christianfurr.com/about.htm|title=Brief Biographical Information|work=christianfurr.com|accessdate=2007-08-12]
*Scott Minto, retired footballer.
*Philly Morris, downhill skier, cancer survivor and founder of checkemlads.com testicular cancer charity.
*John Peel, the late BBC Radio 1 disc jockey, radio presenter and music journalist.
*Anne Thelwell, won Miss United Kingdom in 1959
*Ian Woan, a football winger best known for his playing years at Nottingham Forest.

Resident connections

*Ringo Starr spent two years in Heswall's Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital when he contracted chronic pleurisy as a child.
*In 1964, Paul McCartney bought "Rembrandt"; a detached mock-Tudor house in Baskervyle Road, Heswall, Cheshire, for his father, Jim McCartney, which cost £8,750. Jim later moved to a bungalow nearby, and lived there until his death on 18 March Miles 1997 p210.] [citeweb">url=http://magicalbeatletours.com/tour_wirral.htm#rembrandt |title=Photo of Rembrandt |work=magicalbeatletours.com |accessdate=22 October |accessyear=2007]

Notes

References

*Miles, Barry | title=Many Years From Now | publisher=Vintage-Random House | year=1997 |isbn=0-8050-5249-6

ee also

*St Peter's Church, Heswall

External links

* [http://www.Heswall.com Town website]
* [http://www.lowervillage.co.uk/ LowerVillage.co.uk]
* [http://www.wirral.gov.uk/er/heswallsssi.htm Heswall Dales SSSI]