The term 'Merseyside'
Whats the earliest that this term got used for describing the region, anyone know?
I have come across a news report from the Daily Post in 1925 in which the stipendiary magistrate says "Liverpool was once described as the black spot on Merseyside".
Anyone got any older stuff?
That's amazing really because the Borough was only recognised officially I suspect in 1974 when the boundaries were reconfigured and we were in Lancashire no more.
I thought it was 1970s too.
Well, bear in mind Radio Merseyside went on air in 1967 with that name, so the term had been around for ages before the administrative county was created in 1974.
A very good point.
yep ive read oldish books where the area has been refered to as Merseyside, may even have some, will have a look
collegepudding
Spike informs me there is a 1947 book called Bombers over Merseyside. I must admit to not knowing it was called Merseyside so far back. I don't even remember hearing people call it that myself in the 70s even though Radio Merseyside was obviously up and running in Commerce House.
I have always thought of it as an old term that includes Birkenhead and the wirral side along with Liverpool and it's northern and southern suburbs.
Even if you just describe the docks, "Liverpool" would not include the ones on the south side of the river.
The term "Liverpool" is pretty restrictive in describing the area - Merseyside is much more encompassing and descriptive of the populated/inductrial area - even before London used it to make a new county like area...
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