Mark Baker
Author's posts
Oct 27
Success! Birkenhead Market `not moving to Argos building’
Although Birkenhead Market is outside Hamilton Square, Mark Skillicorn, Chair of Wirral’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing (ERH) Committee, said: “The market has always been a fundamental part of the fabric of Birkenhead, and it’s vitally important that we are making the right decision about its future for the town, the traders and our residents.” The Friends …
Oct 27
Renovation Works on 63 Hamilton Square have started?
The whole of frontage of 63 Hamilton Square has been recently covered by scaffolding, in order to undertake renovation works to this Grade 1 Listed Georgian building. It undertake such work requires Listed Building Consent to be granted by Wirral Council. The Council’s Planners recognise that the Friends of Hamilton Square Conservation Area should …
Oct 27
Latest Scheme for the Woodside Ferry Area
Wirral Council have announced a new regeneration project for Woodside area, with a budget of nearly £10 million. The latest scheme shows the reintroduction of heritage trams and a bus terminus linking to the famous Mersey Ferry and it’s listed Ferry building, plus the ‘U-Boat’ Experience, together with a lot of green landscaping and limited …
Oct 27
Remembering a great Birkenhead actress
The Friends of Hamilton Square Conservation Area, were deeply saddened by the announcement of the death of Dame Patricia Routledge, famous around the World in her role as Mrs Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet). (see IMDB) The Friends Secretary, Margaret Henderson, spoke for all the Friends when she said “We acknowledge Patricia as an ambassador of Birkenhead. …
Oct 26
Update on Birkenhead’s waterfront £22m plans, with views over Liverpool.
Wirral Council have outlined a regeneration project of £3m for Hamilton Square. Improvements will include a new public space, cycle lanes, better pedestrian access, and other upgrades. The plans have gone out for public consultation multiple times and were unanimously given the final sign-off from councillors earlier this year. To avoid problems faced by a …
Dec 20
Education about Towards Net Zero 2025
In addition to the Hamilton Square Net Zero Project, the University of Liverpool, in partnership with Wirral Council, plan events with local schools, such as talks and games focusing on the climate change crisis. Agustina Solassi, Principal Heritage Officer at Wirral Council said, “If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to send …
Dec 15
Hamilton Square Towards Net Zero – Accredited conservation architect sought.
Wirral Council, in partnership Historic England, are starting the first phase of the Towards Net Zero project to find the best way of reducing energy use in Listed Buildings. Properties in Hamilton Square have been chosen for this pilot project. The Council is about to enter the competitive tender process to appoint an accredited conservation …
Dec 06
Widespread anger over Wirral Council’s decision to stop the Town Hall Clock chimes
The Chairman of the Friends of Hamilton Square Conservation Area, Philip Barton, has been giving interviews with BBC North West Tonight, Radio Merseyside, Liverpool Echo, BBC5 Live and LBC, regarding the sudden decision to stop the quarter hour Clock chimes after over 100 years of service to Birkenhead residents and business, due to a single …
Dec 04
Don’t stop the Clock for Birkenhead.
A local Birkenhead resident, Josephine Wood eloquently summed up local concerns on Wirral Council stopping the Town Halls’ Westminster Chimes: ‘For 63 long years, the resonance of the Birkenhead Town Hall clock chiming has woven itself into the fabric of my existence. It paints audible strokes on the canvas of our shared experiences and serves …
Dec 02
Bells stop ringing from Town Hall – due to ONE complaint in over 100 years
People in Birkenhead have been surprised by the sudden loss of quarter hour Westminster chimes from the famous Birkenhead Town Hall clock after over 100 years of telling the local time. Philip Barton, Chairman of the Friends of Hamilton Square Conservation Area, investigated and says, ‘In August 2024 Wirral Borough Council received a single complaint …