Bidston

File:Sun Goddess on Bidston Hill-by-Peter-Craine.jpg

Bidston has been occupied since the Mesolithic era, evidenced by flints excavated during the 1990s.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/archaeology/historic-characterisation-project/Wirral-Part-6.pdf|title=Wirral Historic Settlement Study|work=Museum of Liverpool|pages=8–10|access-date=24 October 2016}} Neolithic and Roman artefacts have also been discovered in the vicinity of the village. The circular nature of the St Oswald's Church grounds indicate an early origin to the site. Bidston Hill contains a number of ancient rock carvings, including that of a Sun Goddess, thought to have been carved by the Norse-Irish around 1000 AD.{{cite web |url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001101.html |title=Bidston Hill |publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628051440/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001101.html |archive-date=28 June 2008 |mode=cs2}}

The original parish of Bidston comprised Bidston, Moreton, Saughall Massie, Claughton and Birkenhead.{{harvnb|Randall|1984|pp=60–66}} Bidston Hall was originally held by the heirs of Hamon de Massey. The hall eventually passed to the Stanley family, after being purchased by John Stanley of Lathom on 24 June 1397.

The residential buildings in the village core date from between the 16th and 18th century. Typically, these are former farmhouses, farm buildings and cottages, constructed from local red sandstone. Many are Grade II listed buildings.{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/planning%20and%20building/built%20conservation/bidston/Bidston%20Village%20Appraisal.pdf|title=Bidston Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan|work=Wirral Council|pages=12–26|access-date=25 October 2016}}

The Liverpool to Holyhead semaphore telegraph was set up in 1826, on which Bidston had a signals station. This replaced a flag signalling station dating to 1763, and which itself was replaced in 1861 by an electrical telegraph. Along with the construction of Bidston Lighthouse in 1771, this facilitated shipping to the Port of Liverpool.{{cite web|url=http://atlantic-cable.com/Article/Holyhead-Liverpool/|title=Liverpool - Holyhead Semaphore Telegraph|work=History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications|access-date=24 October 2016}} Bidston Observatory was added in 1866, further enabling shipping movements on the River Mersey.

In the 19th century, Bidston underwent industrial expansion. The greatest effect was possibly the drainage of Bidston Moss, during the construction of Birkenhead Docks. By the end of the century, Bidston had also gained significant railway infrastructure with an engine shed and a railway junction where the Birkenhead to West Kirby, New Brighton and Wrexham lines met.{{cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/features/bidston/index.shtml|title=Railways at Bidston|work=Disused Stations|access-date=24 October 2016}}

A goods marshalling yard was added to the railway infrastructure by the early 20th century. During World War I, Bidston had an army training camp. Bidston Aerodrome opened temporarily in 1920, on the site of what is now the golf course.{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralhistory.net/bidstonaerodrome.html|title=Bidston Aerodrome|work=History of the Wirral Peninsula|access-date=24 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tamoshanterfarm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/summer13.pdf|title=Bidston Memories|work=Tam O'Shanter Times|issue=61|date=Summer 2013|access-date=24 October 2016}} Bidston Dock was opened in 1933,{{cite magazine|title=Rea's of Birkenhead|magazine=Railway Bylines|volume=5|issue=10|date=September 2000|first=Adrian|last=Booth|publisher=Irwell Press|page=477|issn=1360-2098}} remaining in use until the 1990s. During World War II, a German prisoner-of-war camp was temporarily established. Although never used for its original purpose, Bidston Hill's air-raid shelter was built from December 1941, having 2,213 bunks and 793 seats.{{cite web|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/db/1447851481.html|title=Bidston Hill, Wirral|work=Subterranea Britannica|access-date=27 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/step-inside-tranmeres-hidden-wwii-10482278|title=Step inside Tranmere's hidden WWII tunnels|work=Liverpool Echo|first=Lorna|last=Hughes|date=22 November 2015|access-date=27 October 2016}} The Gordon, a three-wheeled car, was produced in Bidston between 1954 and 1958.

The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory's Joseph Proudman building was opened in Bidston in 1975,{{cite web|url=https://noc.ac.uk/f/content/downloads/2011/proudman-history.pdf|title=From Astronomy to Oceanography - A brief history of Bidston Observatory|page=5|work=National Oceanography Centre|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020124322/http://noc.ac.uk/f/content/downloads/2011/proudman-history.pdf|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} surviving until 2013.

File:Bidston Hill - DSC04355.JPG, with Liverpool Bay of the Irish Sea beyond.]]

Bidston is in the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula, {{convert|1.9|km|miles}} from the Irish Sea at Leasowe, approximately {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} east-north-east of the Dee Estuary at West Kirby and {{convert|4.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of the River Mersey at Seacombe. The village of Bidston is situated on the north-western side of Bidston Hill, with the centre of the village at an elevation of approximately {{convert|16|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.{{cite web|url=http://www.osola.org.uk/elevations/|title=SRTM & Ordnance Survey Elevation Data in PHP|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627005017/http://www.osola.org.uk/elevations/|url-status=dead}}

The Birket passes between Bidston Village and Bidston Moss, before discharging into West Float and then into the River Mersey.

{{Geographic location|width=auto

|title = Neighbouring places

|Northwest = Leasowe

|North = Wallasey

|Northeast = Liscard
Poulton

|West = Moreton

|Centre = Bidston

|East = Birkenhead

|Southwest = Upton

|South = Beechwood

|Southeast = Claughton

}}

Bidston is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in the metropolitan county of Merseyside. The village is part of the parliamentary constituency of Birkenhead. The current Member of Parliament is Mick Whitley, a Labour representative. He has been the MP since 2019 and currently holds a majority of 17,705.

The area is also part of a local government ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, this being Bidston and St. James Ward. Bidston is represented on Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by three councillors. These are Julie McManus, Ann McLachlan and Brian Kenny, who are all Labour councillors. Ann McLachlan is also the Deputy Leader of the council.{{cite web |url=http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |title=Wirral Borough Council, Your Councillors by Ward |access-date=15 January 2017 |mode=cs2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140207075636/http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |archive-date=7 February 2014 }} The most recent local elections took place on 5 May 2016.

{{Election box begin | title=Confirmed candidates for 2016 United Kingdom local elections{{cite web |url=http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=3&RPID=0 |title=Election Result for 6 May 2016 |date=5 May 2016 |publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |access-date=15 January 2017 |mode=cs2}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Julie MCMANUS

|votes = 1702

|percentage = 69.2

|change = -7.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = United Kingdom Independence Party

|candidate = Debbie CAPLIN

|votes = 329

|percentage = 13.4

|change = +13.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Nick HANNA

|votes = 190

|percentage = 7.72

|change = -2.98

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Jayne Louise Stephanie CLOUGH

|votes = 107

|percentage = 4.35

|change = -1.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Brian Downing GILL

|votes = 82

|percentage = 3.33

|change = +0.17

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

|candidate = Benjamin HALLIGAN

|votes = 51

|percentage = 2.07

|change = -1.53

}}

{{Election box end}}

The electorate numbered 9,985, there was a turnout of 24.6% and the majority is 1,373.{{cite web |url=http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=3&RPID=0 |title=Wirral Borough Council, Election Result for Bidston and St. James ward on 6 May 2016 |date=5 May 2016 |access-date=15 January 2017 |mode=cs2}}

File:Be and Queue (geograph 2156916).jpg

The major employers in Bidston are a 24-hour Tesco superstore and B&Q. The Tesco superstore and petrol station, built in the 1990s, occupy the site of the former Bidston steelworks and a disused railway marshalling yard. Meanwhile, B&Q operates within the Bidston Moss Retail Park, a {{convert|5.9|ha|acre|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning/Docs/DMZfiles/28783_15.pdf|title=Design and Access Statement|work=wirral.gov.uk|access-date=23 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024030115/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning/Docs/DMZfiles/28783_15.pdf|archive-date=24 October 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} development built in the 1980s, which includes branches of Halfords, Home Bargains, Carpetright and Pets at Home.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/aldi-reveal-plans-new-wirral-10129282|title=Aldi reveal plans for new Wirral store|work=Liverpool Echo|first=Liam|last=Murphy|date=24 September 2015|access-date=23 October 2016}} Marks & Spencer and Aldi each opened stores at the retail park in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/step-inside-new-ms-food-11413525|title=Step inside the new M&S food hall at Bidston Moss |work=Liverpool Echo|first=Lorna|last=Hughes|date=1 June 2016|access-date=23 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hundreds-queue-aldi-store-launch-11221840|title=Hundreds queue for Aldi store launch in Wirral|work=Liverpool Echo|first=Kate|last=Lally|date=21 April 2016|access-date=23 October 2016}} Other businesses, which formerly occupied the retail park, included MFI.

The Valley Road Industrial Estate includes the premises of Park Group PLC, a Christmas hamper and pre-paid gift card provider.{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralchamber.co.uk/Press-and-PR/News/Park-Group-increases-its-coverage-of-the-retail-sector/|title=Park Group increases its coverage of the retail sector|work=Wirral Chamber of Commerce|date=21 October 2013|access-date=24 October 2016}}

Bidston Moss also has one of the main waste and recycling centres for Wirral, which is operated by Veolia.{{cite web|url=http://www.veolia.co.uk/merseyside-and-halton/HWRCS|title=Household Waste Recycling Centres|work=Veolia|access-date=24 October 2016}} Originally part of the same site, the former Bidston tip was in operation from the 1930s, closing around 1997,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/survival-on-the-wirral-1610243.html|title=Survival on the Wirral|work=Independent|first=Tony|last=Bell|date=7 March 1995|access-date=24 October 2016}} and then landscaped as part of the Bidston Moss Nature Reserve.

Bidston Village Church of England Primary School is located in Ballantyne Drive, close to the centre of the village, and accommodates around 300 pupils.{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/li/primary_schools.detail.131281/|title=Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School|work=Wirral Globe|access-date=24 October 2016}} Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is located on Gautby Road. The Observatory School, located on Bidston Village Road, is a community special school serving pupils aged 11–16.{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/li/secondary_schools.detail.127715/|title=The Observatory School|work=Wirral Globe|access-date=24 October 2016}}

File:Bidston, Birkenhead - DSC03537.JPG

St Oswald's Church is Bidston's Church of England church, and dates back to the 13th century. The current building has a 16th-century tower, with the rest of the church rebuilt in the mid to late-19th century. Holy Cross Church, the last designed by F. X. Velarde and built in 1959, is a Grade II listed building located at the junction of Hoylake Road and Worcester Road.{{cite web|url=http://taking-stock.org.uk/Home/Dioceses/Diocese-of-Shrewsbury/Birkenhead-Holy-Cross|title=Birkenhead Holy Cross|work=Taking Stock|access-date=25 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1390588|title=Church of the Holy Cross|work=Historic England|access-date=25 October 2016}} This church is Bidston's local Catholic church but is now closed and boarded up.{{when|date=February 2021}} Bidston also has a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, located in School Lane.{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/planning%20and%20building/built%20conservation/bidston/Bidston%20Village%20Appraisal.pdf|title=Bidston Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan|page=25|work=Wirral Council|access-date=25 October 2016}}

A play and community centre is situated on Gautby Road, and a model boating lake is opposite.{{cite web|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/306390|title=Gautby Road Play & Community Centre|work=Ofsted|access-date=24 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/8982289.No_steam_ahead_at_Wirral_boat_lakes/|title=No steam ahead at Wirral boat lakes|work=Wirral Globe|first=Geoff|last=Barnes|date=19 April 2011|access-date=24 October 2016}}

The only operational public house, within the vicinity of the village, is The Bidston on Hoylake Road.{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/WIR/011/bidston-bidston|title=Bidston|work=WhatPub|access-date=24 October 2016}} Bidston has had a couple of public houses closer to the centre of the village. The Ring 'o Bells Inn closed in 1868, and is now a residential property.{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/planning%20and%20building/built%20conservation/bidston/Bidston%20Village%20Appraisal.pdf|title=Bidston Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan|page=6|work=Wirral Council|access-date=25 October 2016}} The Corsair closed prior to 2009, and the site was approved for a residential construction in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/13754507.Plans_for_flats_on_site_of_Bidston_pub_are_approved/|title=Plans for flats on site of Bidston pub are approved|first=Craig|last=Manning|work=Wirral Globe|date=18 September 2015|access-date=24 October 2016}}

File:Bidston Hill Observatory - geograph.org.uk - 1405200.jpg

Bidston Hill comprises {{convert|100|acre|km2}} of heathland and woodland maintained by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council as a nature reserve and public park. The land was purchased in stages from 1894 to 1908 by Birkenhead Corporation from local landowner Lord Vyner. It is the site of Bidston Windmill, built around 1800 and Bidston Observatory, owned by the Natural Environment Research Council.

Adjacent to Bidston Hill is Tam O'Shanter Cottage, which is believed to have been built about 300 years ago. Its name derives from a stone carving of the poem Tam O'Shanter by Robert Burns, which adorns a wall on the site. In 1950, the building was recognised as having special historical interest for preservation. Despite two fires and threats of demolition in 1954 and 1975, the cottage was rebuilt and restored in the mid-1970s. Four acres around the cottage were developed as a city farm in 1986, known as the Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm.{{cite web |url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200029/469/content_0001103.html |title=Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm |publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109091806/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200029/469/content_0001103.html |archive-date=9 January 2008 |mode=cs2}}

Opposite the cottage is Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Birkenhead's first municipal cemetery.{{cite web |url=http://www.gavinrymill.com/flaybrick/his.html |title=Flaybrick Memorial Gardens: History |access-date=18 March 2008 |mode=cs2}} The grounds encompass an arboretum and nature trails.

Bidston Moss was originally low-lying wetland marsh at the head of Wallasey Pool. In 1936 most of the land was given over to residential, commercial and industrial landfill. Since the cessation of waste disposal operations in 1995, Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and the charitable trust Groundwork Wirral have undertaken environmental restoration works to landscape the site.{{cite web |url=http://wirral.groundworknw.org.uk/project.asp?action=view&id=264 |title=Bidston Moss Vision Plan |publisher=Groundwork Wirral |access-date=16 July 2010 |mode=cs2 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The former landfill sites are now part of a nature reserve, which has several sections surrounding Bidston Moss Retail Park and Junction 1 of the M53.{{cite web|url=http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Bidston%20Moss%20Context%20Plan_0.pdf|title=Site Context Plan - Bidston Moss|work=Newlands Project|access-date=24 October 2016}}

Bidston Village has won title of Best Small Village several times at the Northwest In Bloom awards.{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/13930165.Bloomin__marvellous_awards_for_Bidston_village/|first=Craig|last=Manning|title=Bloomin' marvellous awards for Bidston village|work=Wirral Globe|date=2 November 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}}

Bidston Golf Club and 18-hole golf course,{{cite web|url=http://www.bidstongolfclub.co.uk/course-tour/|title=Course Tour|work=Bidston Golf Club|access-date=25 October 2016}} opened in 1913,{{cite web|url=http://www.bidstongolfclub.co.uk/aboutus/|title=About Us|work=Bidston Golf Club|access-date=25 October 2016}} is situated to the north of the village, on the opposite side of the M53 and railway station. The Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre, operated by the local council and located on Valley Road, offers six indoor and two outdoor tennis courts, a sports hall, a fitness suite and five-a-side football pitches.{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/leisure-centres/wirral-tennis-and-leisure-centre|title=Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre|work=Wirral Council|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026002719/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/leisure-centres/wirral-tennis-and-leisure-centre|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:A554 road at Bidston Moss, Birkenhead (2).JPG

The village is nearest to the northern end of the B5151 road. The retail park is situated on the A554 and also adjacent to Junction 1 of the M53 motorway. The A553 Bidston bypass separates the village from the railway station, and the retail park, to the north. This dual carriageway allows quicker road travel between Birkenhead and Moreton. The former route, through the centre of the village, is now cut off at the western end by the M53.

The locality is served by Bidston railway station. Trains operate to Liverpool and West Kirby on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network and to Wrexham on the Borderlands Line. Birkenhead North railway station is also a short distance away from the locality.

National Cycle Route 56 passes through the centre of the village, along Bidston Village Road and School Lane. The route continues alongside the A554 and turns off before Bidston Moss Retail Park, travelling between the retail park and the nature reserve and then beneath the M53 motorway. This route goes from Chester to Liverpool via Leasowe and Seacombe and includes part of the Wirral Way, along its course.

• Lewis Collins, English actor, born in Bidston
• Elsie Kelly, English actress, lives in Bidston
• Harry B. Neilson, illustrator, lived at Meadowbank, 36 School Lane, BidstonChristopher Proudlove, [http://writeantiques.blogspot.com/2007/07/life-and-times-of-comic-genius.html?m=0 Life and times of a Comic Genius] at writeantiques.blogspot.com, accessed 5 March 2019

• Listed buildings in Bidston

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|title=The Search for Old Wirral|first=David|last=Randall|publisher=Countryvise|date=1984|isbn=9780907768807|oclc=263480984}}

• {{cite book|title=The History of the Hundred of Wirral|first=William Williams|last=Mortimer|year=1847|publisher=Whittaker & Co.|location=London|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyhundredw01mortgoog#page/n236/mode/2up|id=pp201-205}}
• {{cite book|first1=Nikolaus|last1=Pevsner|author-link1=Nikolaus Pevsner|first2=Edward|last2=Hubbard|author-link2=Edward Hubbard (architectural historian)|title=Cheshire|series=The Buildings of England|publisher=Penguin|year=1971|pages=95–97|isbn=9780140710427|oclc=521341}}

{{commons category|Bidston}}

• [http://www.tamoshanterfarm.org.uk Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm]
• [http://www.wirralhistory.com/bidston.html Everything on Bidston]

{{Birkenhead}}

{{Populated Places in Wirral Borough}}

Category:Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral

Category:Birkenhead