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West Derby Society

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The West Derby Society - raising awareness about this historic Liverpool district and assisting with planning issues since 1977.

19/09/2026

WORK BEGINS ON RESTORATION OF CROXTETH HALL ;PEACH HOUSE
Today’s pictures show work has begun on the repair and restoration of Croxteth Hall’s historic Peach House.
Part of the stately home’s Walled Garden complex, the refurbishment follows a £245,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The refurbishment includes:
• Replace all damaged glass.
• Repair cracking to wall.
• Hardwood repairs.
• Repair pointing.
• Replace all crumbling mortar.
• Re-bed existing access ramp.
Our pictures show the entrance to the site with necessary restricted access during the delicate repair works. Scaffolding can be seen along the roof and work has started on replacing and repairing sections.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society chairman, said: “It is good to see these much-anticipated works taking place.
“When the Molyneux family lived at Croxteth Hall, fruit and vegetables were supplied from the walled garden.
“Hugh Molyneux, the last Earl of Sefton, who bequeathed the Hall and park to the people of Liverpool, was particularly fond of peaches.”
There was further good news for Croxteth Hall Countryt Park this week with the announcement that nearly £2 million is being invested in improvements.
The cash will come from the Queen Elizabeth Trust and the Lady Sefton Trust. The initial phase will include a community garden in the popular walled garden.
The late Queen occasionally visited Croxteth Hall.
Hugh, the last Earl, is seen in this picture taken at the races in the 1950s. Lord Sefton – in the left foreground – at 6 ft 5 inches towers over Princess Margaret, the Queen and Queen Mother.

11/09/2026

WEST DERBY’S HISTORIC CHURCH BELLS TO RING OUT AGAIN
The bells of one of West Derby’s most historic churches are to ring out again … for just half an hour.
Following minor repairs, a full peal of the long-silenced bells will be heard at the former St James’s Church on Mill Lane between 9 am and 9.30 am on Saturday 19 September.
The last time they were rung was on 23 June 2019 for the final Church of England service.
The Grade II-listed building now hosts the thriving St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church. The special bell ringing is to mark the ordination of Deacon Cyril as St Thomas’s priest at a ceremony.
Veteran bellringer Bryan McCahey said: “We're hoping they can be rung a little more often. I rang for the 2019 service and used to ring for weddings in the 1980s.”
He will be joined by bellringers from across Merseyside.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society chairman, said: “It will be uplifting to hear the evocative sound of these Victorian bells ringing out over West Derby once again, however briefly.”
St James’s Church was paid for by wealthy Eliza Thornton who lived at The Elms, a big house that once stood on Town Row.
A beautiful memorial commemorating the generous gift can be seen at the church along with other monuments including the unique Lusitania war memorial.
In 1859, 12 years after St James’s was built, Mrs Thornton also paid for the six bells cast by Sears & Stainbank of London.
They range from the massive 12 hundredweight (cwt) tenor bell to the 5 cwt treble.
The late Jack Cooper and David Power wrote in their popular 1982 book A History of West Derby: “The bells have given us a great deal of pleasure over the years.
“There is a great attraction in bell-ringing and even greater satisfaction in listening.
“It is comforting to know that even modern, cynical Man appreciates the soothing and timeless quality of pealing bells.”
See attached pictures.

16/08/2026

NEW ROOF FOR YEOMAN’S HOUSE
Work has started installing a new slate roof on the Grade II-listed Yeoman’s House in West Derby Village, as seen in today’s picture.
The sandstone building has been a feature of our ancient community since Tudor times.
Work on restoring the historic gem was begun by the late James Charleston after he acquired the building in 1992.
Jimmy, an American deep-sea diver, learnt metalworking and joinery skills to help restore much of the atmospheric building.
Work has been slow because of strict conservation and building regulations.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society chairman, said: “We are delighted to see this latest phase preserving one of our much-loved attractions.”
The archive picture shows the roof which is being replaced.

04/08/2026

URGENT: SURVEY ABOUT HISTORIC CROXTETH HALL’S FUTURE
Liverpool City Council has launched a survey about the future of historic Grade II-listed Croxteth Hall and Country Park.
Click on this link to take part: https://survey.orlo.app/67042930-971b-4997-aaf2-5393c2947f67
It doesn’t take long – the deadline is this Sunday 9 August.
The city council says the survey is part of its ongoing engagement with residents, park users, volunteers, community groups and local organisations.
Over recent years, people have shared their views and ideas with park staff about how the park could be improved and how more people could enjoy its green space, heritage, facilities and activities.
The city council says the result of this feedback, and the ongoing work of staff, volunteers and partners has resulted in improvements and activities.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society chairman, said: “Hugh Molyneux, 7th and last Earl of Sefton, bequeathed his ancestral home and park to the people of Liverpool in 1972.
“Liverpool’s own stately home is administered by the city council on behalf of the people.
“it is essential that the people’s voices are heard so please fill in this survey.”

29/06/2026

LOWLANDS SUMMER FAIR SATURDAY 11 JULY
A day full of fun at the Lowlands Summer Fair 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday 11 July. FREE ENTRY.
Lowlands has been the home of the West Derby Society for nearly 50 years.
Exciting bouncy slide, candy bar, bric-a-brac, silver jewellery, handcrafted cards, candle wax, knitting crafts, sparkle handcrafts, bottle tombola, gardening stall, raffle and more!
All in the setting of our beautiful Grade II-listed building in its own grounds.
Limited parking.
13 Haymans Green, West Derby, Liverpool L12 7JG.
Buses 12, 13 and 61 stop at the end of Haymans Green.
For more information call 0151 226 5352 or contact [email protected]

20/04/2026

WORK ON WEST DERBY’S NEW ZOE’S PLACE IN HAYMANS GREEN
Today’s images show construction work on the new Zoe’s Place children’s hospice at the former West Derby Bowling Club in Haymans Green.
Now known as Little Lights, the charity is currently based in the former 1960s convent building at Broughton Hall, Yew Tree Lane.
The principal contractor for the new location is construction firm Krol Corlett.
Little Lights Haymans Green will ensure that children receive expert medical care, symptom management, respite support and end-of-life care.
Families benefit from counselling, wellbeing services and practical support.
Our images show both the Haymans Green entrance and the contractors’ access on Eaton Road North.
A plan of the site and artist’s impression of the new building are included.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society (WDS) chairman, said: “Zoe’s Place contacted the Society as soon as they were interested in the site.
“While WDS was sad to see the end of West Derby Bowling Club after so many years, the new hospice will enhance the West Derby Village Conservation Area.”
See attached images and captions.

19/04/2026

WEST DERBY’S TUDOR COURTHOUSE PUBLIC OPENINGS
West Derby’s unique Grade II*-listed Tudor courthouse this year celebrates 21 years of regular public openings.
The former manor court of the powerful Molyneux family of Croxteth Hall, the tiny time capsule dates from 1586 when Liverpool had just seven streets.
It is open 2 pm to 4 pm most Sundays April to October or for special interest groups, schools etc any time by arrangement with the West Derby Society. Admission free.
Given to the people of Liverpool by lord of the manor Lord Salisbury a century ago, the historic gem remains little known even among historians and academics.
Until the last court sitting in 1910, the court dealt with land and property issues as well as minor public order offences. It could only issue fines or punishment in the stocks.
Following a campaign by the West Derby Society, the courthouse was given a £110,000 refurbishment in 2005.
Before that date it was rarely open to the public. A condition of the refurbishment grant was that the building regularly opens its massive, studded door to the public.
Stephen Guy, West Derby Society chairman, said: “Despite being open for more than two decades, the courthouse remains little known, even locally.
“As Britain’s only post-medieval freestanding courthouse and the oldest non-ecclesiastical public building in Liverpool, it deserves to be better known.”
See today’s attached images and captions.

30/03/2026

FORMER MARGARET BEAVAN SCHOOL EASTER UPDATE
Today’s West Derby Society (WDS) images show progress made at the former Margaret Beavan School site.
Re-roofing our Grade II-listed mansion – formerly called Eddesbury, the home of cotton broker Danson Cunnigham – is now nearing completion.
The new houses in the grounds are also taking shape.
Recent WDS research indicates the beautiful house stood empty in 1925 after the Cunninghams moved out.
In 1926 it was occupied by Liverpool City Caterers Ltd, presumably linked to school meals and other facilities. The grounds were listed as recreation grounds for the catering department.
The Larkhill Floral Fete and Flower Show was held there in the 1930s.
The building became the Margaret Beavan Day Open Air School, run by Liverpool Education Committee, in 1934. It functioned for 70 years before closure in 2004.
In later years the West Derby Carnival was among popular events in the grounds, still fondly remembered today.

Address

Correspondence Only Please To: West Derby Society, C/o Lowlands, 13 Haymans Green, West Derby
Liverpool
L127JG

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

0151 228 8717

Website

http://westderbysociety.wixsite.com/westderbysociety

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