More than 60 sites in Wirral are preparing to celebrate the borough's rich history as part of a national festival taking place next month.
Across September, a host of venues will be holding Wirral Heritage Open Day events to celebrate the incredible history of the Wirral peninsula. Each event will be completely free of charge and will form part England’s largest festival of history and culture; Heritage Open Days (HODs).
HODs will run from September 9 to September 18 (9th-18th September). The programme is coordinated by the National Trust with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery, and this year will adopt the national theme of Astounding Inventions; focusing on the innovations we can’t live without.
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Locally the festival has been organised by the Wirral History & Heritage Association (WH&HA) since 2009, with support from Wirral Borough Council. The association was set up to promote and encourage an awareness and enjoyment of Wirral's unique history and is entirely made up a team of volunteers who help to co-ordinate schemes like this one.
Paul Smith, from the WH&HA said: “The Heritage Open Days take place over ten days in September. Venues and volunteers work hard to provide free entertaining and informative experiences for families and history fans of all ages throughout Wirral and beyond.
"The website gives all the details and explain which events need to be pre-booked or where you can just turn up on the day. Some events will be on your doorstep, others may involve local walking tours or a day trip – grab a brochure and join in this festival celebrating the historical past and heritage our region is famous for. The Wirral has an exceptional choice so please join in.”
Highlights of this year's festival include Woodside Industrial Heritage Walk, which lasts for around two hours, a tour of Bidston Observatory, built in 1866, and Hooton Park Hangars and Airfield, a Grade 2 listed WWI Aircraft hangar that's now home to now a Living History museum.
Another standout event in this years HODs will pay ribute to little-known but talented local Trena Mary Cox. Several Wirral churches that feature stained-glass windows by Trena will be open for the public to explore.
Trena was born in Bebington in 1895 and lived in Oxton during her education and art training. Once established she moved her glass studio to Chester and produced outstanding windows for cathedrals, churches and other public buildings throughout the UK.
Paul said: “There’s an abundance of art, crafts and architecture to explore free of charge over the 10 days. For the first time we can draw attention to Trena Cox’s rare talent and extraordinary contribution to our local churches.
"Trena’s work was only known to a few glass history specialists until recently when Oxton-based researchers pieced together her story and fabulous local work. There is also a mystery as there are no known photographs of Trena to our knowledge! If anyone can help that would be fantastic.”
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