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Issue 126 – October 2017
INSIDE
PUB WITH NO BEER WIN, WIN, WIN By Stephen Guy
THE grand opening of Wavertree Playground by the Lord Mayor was being prepared when a notice board appeared on land opposite the park gates in Smithdown Road. Brewers Burton, Bell & Co proudly announced that they were EXLOGLQJ WKH +DWĂ€HOG +RWHO RQ WKH site. This prompted residents to protest in letters to the Liverpool Mercury. “I hope the Mayor and those of the licensing bench who accompany him will take special note of the board,â€? fumed one in August 1895. “I would strongly oppose the erection of a public house on this ground.â€? Another wrote: “I am sure there are quite enough public houses around this new ground without adding to their number.â€? The park was given to the city by an anonymous benefactor, leading to the open space being dubbed The Mystery. “I am inclined to think no greater insult could be offered to the generous donor than for the authorities to licence a gin palace right opposite the principal entrance to it.â€? However, the brewers went ahead before a licence was granted, building a substantial hotel with Ă€QH DUFKLWHFWXUDO IHDWXUHV LQFOXGLQJ
Win tickets to Wizard of Oz panto see page 4
An interview with Sir Ken Dodd page 3
LIFE ‘n’ STYLE with Jade Ainsworth – Pages 12 & 13
Car review – Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo D PRVDLF HQWUDQFH à RRU SURFODLPLQJ ´+DWÀHOG +RWHO¾ SLFWXUHG LQVHW Burton’s gambled on success – a petition in favour of a licence was
circulating even before it was built. This was a prime location between Sefton Park Station FORVHG DQG WKH SDUN The hotel opening were strongly opposed: the Liverpool Mercury reported that the application for a full licence had been adjourned XQWLO $ PDS VKRZV the building still apparently empty. It is assumed that a licence was refused because of its proximity to the park entrance and the objections of local residents. A restrictive covenant may also have been invoked by landowner Lord Salisbury, who may have been irked that the pub was named after his
VWDWHO\ KRPH +DWÀHOG +RXVH LQ Hertfordshire. The building never opened as a pub and it has been used by several businesses and organisations over the years. Directories show that the premises served as Sefton Park Conservative Club between DERXW DQG Others occupying the building included a dyer, timber merchant and Neta Homestores for many years. The building still thrives as Fitwell House, home of a work and school wear shop and a funeral director’s. Q Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier +HDG RSHQ DP WR SP HYHU\ day, admission free.
page 19
Jungleparc ticket offer for LINK readers page 5
Strange Tales by Anton Valdemart pages 8 and 9
Schools – Bellerive and Merchant Taylors and much, much more