A STOP the Rot success story will get its grand reopening this weekend after a £110,000 restoration.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Joan Lang, will give official approval to the unique West Derby courthouse at a ceremony on Saturday.

The sandstone Tudor structure is the only free-standing post-medieval courthouse in Britain and dates from 1586 when it was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, as Lady of the Duchy of Lancaster manor of West Derby.

But it was deteriorating and was on the English Heritage's 'buildings at risk' register as well as the ECHO's Stop the Rot hitlist.

Funding from the city council's buildings at risk programme and a £45,000 English Heritage grant funded the repairs, with replacement sandstone brought from St Bees in Cumbria because there were no red sandstone quarries left in Liverpool, and traditional lime and mortar used.

Stephen Guy, of the West Derby Society, said: "The courthouse reopened last July, and over the summer it had morethan 900 visitors. It was a great success considering there was very little publicity.

"This year so far we've been averaging 50 people each Sunday, although we've had up to 106 visitors in one afternoon."

The city's executive member for heritage, Cllr Berni Turner, said: "It's a credit to all the volunteers and local people who have got involved and to the council officers and English Heritage who have really pulled together on the project."

The courthouse has document cupboards dating from the early 18th century, which are believed to have come from the home of the Earl of Sefton when he moved to Croxteth hall. The date 1711 is carved into the wood.

The official reopening is at 10.30am this Saturday. The courthouse is open from 2-4pm every Sunday from April to October and entry is free.

Hidden Charm - a must!!

It's on my doorstep as well I really should take advantage of things like this,great news this though.:snf (41):

It's on my doorstep as well I really should take advantage of things like this,great news this though.:snf (41):
Mine too, Paul. I must pass it most days, although I've never been in it! I find it difficult to see how they spent £110,000 renovating it though.

There's a building of similar age and style directly opposite which someone started to renovate a while ago, but work seems to have stopped — more's the pity.

http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/Wdch01.jpg
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/Wdch02.jpg
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/Wdch03.jpg

Pics courtesy of Keele University (http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/manorcourtsimages.htm)

Pictures please dudes and dudettes :Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:

I went in it many years back.

I've got a pamphlet with some of the history of West Derby - must root it out.

Excellent pictures scousemouse I hope you don't mind I've borrowed them and put them on SSC because the picture we had there was very poor,I suppose I should have asked first but it is all for the good of Liverpool,please forgive me.:PDT_Aliboronz_11:

Thet are great pics :PDT_Piratz_26:

Thet are great pics :PDT_Piratz_26:

I put them in the hidden charms thread because the one there was blurred and no good at all but these are amazing,I've never seen inside there before.

Sorry fellas, but I forgot to credit Keele University with the pics!
Guess I'm living up to the stereotypical scouse!! Hope you'll come and visit me inside.

I've now corrected the omission. :Colorz_Grey_PDT_24:

PS. There's another pic in the site Paul.

I may try to get there tomorrow as it's only a five minute walk from mine. I've been in there a couple of times as a kid, so it's been a few years. From what I remember, the interior is very 'Blackadder' if I'm to coin a term. :)

I may try to get there tomorrow as it's only a five minute walk from mine. I've been in there a couple of times as a kid, so it's been a few years. From what I remember, the interior is very 'Blackadder' if I'm to coin a term. :)

Blackadder was class, that series especially.

Blackadder was class, that series especially.

Aye, it was. I'm sure you could blag that West Derby Courthouse was the set for for Blackadder II to some unsuspecting tourist, as it could easily pass as it. :)

Aye, it was. I'm sure you could blag that West Derby Courthouse was the set for for Blackadder II to some unsuspecting tourist, as it could easily pass as it. :)

I have a cunning plan.........

Seriously though - I must take a trip there too.

Historic city courthouse reopened

One of Liverpool's oldest buildings - the 16th Century West Derby Courthouse- is to be officially reopened after a successful restoration programme.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41805000/jpg/_41805514_courthouse203.jpg
The courthouse has been
extensively repaired

It will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Joan Lang, on Saturday.

The opening ceremony will feature members of the Sealed Knot society, who re-enact Civil War battle scenes.

The courthouse had fallen into disrepair but a £110,000 repairs programme has secured its future.

The cash came from the Council's Building at Risk programme and English Heritage.

'Fascinating history'

Courts have been held in West Derby since Saxon times but the courthouse dates from 1586 when Queen Elizabeth I, as Lady of the Duchy of Lancaster Manor of West Derby, commissioned the building.

It was in use by 1623 and is thought to be the only free standing building of this period still containing its original courtroom fittings.

Benches and storage cupboards that contained original court documents are still in place.

Specialist conservation architects, builders and furniture restorers have been involved in the restoration work.

Councillor Berni Turner said: "The Courthouse is a precious Elizabethan building and has a fascinating history which the public will now be able to view."

Source: BBC NEWS | Merseyside (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5111812.stm)

Hi all

I picked this up at http://www.whatwashere.com/. I can't speak to the accuracy of the information.

The West Derby Courthouse was built in 1586 and was renovated in the last two years. It is open to visitors on sundays between 2.00pm and 4.00pm between April and October. The courthouse is situated next to the 61 bus stop.

http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/Wdch01.jpg

More pics at
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/hi/resources/manor_courts/manorcourtsimages.htm

I photographed the Courthouse in the 1960's in black and white with my old Kodak Brownie with a motor scooter or two outside so I must scan that pic and post it too.

I know that years ago the vague shape of the motte and bailey castle at West Derby was visible, I believe, in a field east of the village. Is that still the case? Can anything be seen. Anyone know, and how does one get to it if is visible? Thanks in advance for any information.

Chris

Its a cool place there chris.

have you seen the stocks opposite

http://h1.ripway.com/andalucia/stocks.gif

http://h1.ripway.com/andalucia/stocks1.gif

Great pics, Tony. Yes I do remember the stocks which reminded me of the similar iron stocks on Water Street at Thornton near Crosby where the L5 Ribble Bus used to turn around by the Nag's Head. My Auntie Mary used to live at 28 Water Street so I was up there quite a lot as a lad.

Chris

^^Hi Chris^^ I've merged it with another thread that contains info and pics too, cheers.

^^Hi Chris^^ I've merged it with another thread that contains info and pics too, cheers.

Great, thanks, Kev, I kind of thought there had to have been an existing thread!

Chris

Anyone know what is happening with the large house in sandfield park that has been derelict for years? I'm not sure what it's called but it can be seen from queens drive at the junction with derby lane (near west derby comp). There was a 'for sale' sign on it a few weeks ago, but it was taken down after just a couple of days. I hope it's been sold and wil be renovated soon.

Anyone know what is happening with the large house in sandfield park that has been derelict for years? I'm not sure what it's called but it can be seen from queens drive at the junction with derby lane (near west derby comp). There was a 'for sale' sign on it a few weeks ago, but it was taken down after just a couple of days. I hope it's been sold and wil be renovated soon.

Don't know what's happening at the moment, but I've read on another thread that the last occupants were The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (not sure if that's the exact title, but everybody knows them as the "Mormons").

Don't know what's happening at the moment, but I've read on another thread that the last occupants were The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (not sure if that's the exact title, but everybody knows them as the "Mormons").

Hi Philip

You have the name correct, the Mormons or LDS Church.

Chris

Jona has a brilliant website on this house .

http://gwalia.moonfruit.com/

Jona has a brilliant website on this house .

http://gwalia.moonfruit.com/

Hehe ya beat me to it! I SO want to own this property one day and live in it. Explored from top to bottom - video of the interior of the building too! :PDT11

Can this place still be visited?

Can this place still be visited?

Total lockdown by the City Council. They've put massive secure metal plates up over every window and door, no one can get in any more - not that I've tried though.....:unibrow:

Chris George's post on the previous page says it's open from April to October though. Although he did say the source of the information might not be too accurate.

Now that depends whether you are talking about the Courthouse or Sandfield Tower ;o) Sandfield tower is in a very poor state and with no floor thoughout the building, the City Council wouldn't let anyone even try for a guided tour.

I took this in February, from Queens Drive.

I remember my visits in there, one in the darkest winter one morning and then a brighter morning in the summer.

2456

THE West Derby Courthouse is set to be featured in the Granada TV series Lost Treasures. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=court-in-on-the-act%26method=full%26objectid=19324061%26siteid=500 61-name_page.html)

HERITAGE officials are trying to raise cash to restore grade II listed stocks.

They are looking at ways to fund the estimated £15,000 work on the stocks which stand outside the Elizabethan West Derby courthouse.

The iron stocks, believed to date from the 1860s, would be removed and repainted while new foundations were laid.

Campaigners said they were used as recently as 1962 to detain a drunk.

The inscribed stone plaque is also expected to be cleaned and reset so the full inscription is visible.

Holly bushes surrounding the stocks will be tidied up and cut back.

West Derby conservationists hope the century-old railings surrounding the stocks can be repaired and repainted.

The city’s historical environment champion Cllr Berni Turner said: “We’re constantly looking to improve, protect and preserve our heritage.

“While these aren’t the original stocks, they are still of great historical value.”

Stocks, where people – mostly men – were secured by their feet for up to six hours, were used as punishment until the late Victorian era.

West Derby’s original set of stocks were wooden and were on the north wall of the courthouse.

The current pair were made around 140 years ago and put up in 1904.

West Derby Society chairman Stephen Guy said: “The stocks are a grade II listed monument and we believe they were probably made as part of the Victorian nostalgia industry.

“It’s unlikely they were ever regularly used although as late as 1962 they were used to detain a drunk who was handcuffed to them rather than being put in them.

“The siting of the stocks at the turn of the last century was a master stroke for the village.

“These improvements will greatly enhance West Derby, which is one of the most picturesque city villages in Britain.”

catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

HERITAGE officials are trying to raise cash to restore grade II listed stocks.

They are looking at ways to fund the estimated £15,000 work on the stocks which stand outside the Elizabethan West Derby courthouse.


catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Actually they are sited across the road next to the Yeoman's House on the site of old West Derby animal pound but were once alongside the old court house

That seems like a lot of money for what they are going to do. Some politicians mate must have the bid in.

Sorry it only ever seems to be bad news that I copy and paste from the Echo - is there any good news anyone?

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=grandfather-shot-after-his-70th-birthday-party%26method=full%26objectid=19927496%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html

Isn't West Derby supposed to be an affluent area.

Chippie might have been a bit further out than he thought earlier when on another thread he mentioned that he couldn't lump nice areas in with bad when talking about thugs.

Heritage Officials have completely forgotten about Sandfield Tower in West Derby then and decided that a set of stocks is far urgent and needs to be done...:rolleyes:

In 1930 my Mum was placed in an orphanage or childrens home, with her brother (they were 6 and 8 respectively) It was a terrible time for her, until she grew up and left. Our understanding was that she was taught by Nuns and it was a religious School. She referred to it as Melwood Convent. A Carmelite Monastery still stands off Honeysgreen Lane, opposite the Bulldog Pub. We have tried everything to find information about this place but just keep running into dead ends. Can anyone help. It matters a lot to our family. Any photos, info; please help

In 1930 my Mum was placed in an orphanage or childrens home, with her brother (they were 6 and 8 respectively) It was a terrible time for her, until she grew up and left. Our understanding was that she was taught by Nuns and it was a religious School. She referred to it as Melwood Convent. A Carmelite Monastery still stands off Honeysgreen Lane, opposite the Bulldog Pub. We have tried everything to find information about this place but just keep running into dead ends. Can anyone help. It matters a lot to our family. Any photos, info; please help