Waterloo, Merseyside

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Waterloo
Crosby Town Hall, Waterloo, Merseyside.jpg
Waterloo Town Hall
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Waterloo
Location within Merseyside
OS grid reference SJ315985
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town LIVERPOOL
Postcode district L22
Dialling code 0151
Police Merseyside
Fire Merseyside
Ambulance North West
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Merseyside
53°28′41″N3°01′52″W / 53.4780°N 3.0310°W / 53.4780; -3.0310 Coordinates: 53°28′41″N3°01′52″W / 53.4780°N 3.0310°W / 53.4780; -3.0310

Waterloo is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England. Along with Seaforth the two localities make up the Sefton Ward of Church. The area is bordered by Crosby to the north, Seaforth to the south, the Rimrose Valley country park to the east, and to the west the Crosby Beach and Crosby Coastal Park.

Contents

Crosby Beach begins in Waterloo at the Crosby Marine Park and stretches 3 miles up to Hightown and is the location of Antony Gormley's Another Place . Waterloo is home to The Plaza Community Cinema, an award-winning volunteer ran cinema and host of local community public events.

The area is connected to Liverpool in the south and Southport to the north by Merseyrail Northern line at Waterloo railway station.

History

Waterloo was historically part of Lancashire and originally an area of Crosby, named Crosby Seabank. At that time it consisted mostly of cottages, the beachfront, sand-hills and fields. [1] The area grew in popularity with wealthy visitors from Liverpool prompting the planning and construction of a large hotel in the Georgian style to be named the Crosby Seabank Hotel. [1] The grand opening coincided with 18 June 1816, the first anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, and was named the Royal Waterloo Hotel in honour of the event. [1] Gradually, as population increased and the area became an identifiable location it became known as Waterloo, with several streets taking the name of names associated with the battle cementing the association. [1]

Some of the buildings in Waterloo such as the Grade II Listed Potters Barn park buildings are replicas of those found in Waterloo, Belgium. [1] [2]

Governance

Waterloo was included in the urban district of Waterloo with Seaforth, and subsequently became part of the municipal borough of Crosby in 1937. On 1 April 1974 the Municipal Borough of Crosby became part of the newly created Metropolitan Borough of Sefton.

From 1918 until 1950 Waterloo was within the Parliamentary seat known as the Waterloo constituency, a safe seat for the Conservative Party. From 1950 until 2010 Waterloo was within the boundaries of the Crosby constituency. From 1997 to 2010 the Member of Parliament (MP) was Claire Curtis-Thomas, a member of the Labour Party, prior to her election the Crosby seat was generally considered to be a safe Conservative Party stronghold, like its predecessor seat, with Tory MPs elected at every election barring the 1981 Crosby by-election where Shirley Williams of the Social Democratic Party was elected to represent the constituency.

As a result of boundary revisions for the 2010 general election the Crosby constituency was abolished and Waterloo was included in the expanded Bootle constituency. For elections to Sefton Council, The southern part of Waterloo is within the electoral ward of Church and is represented by three councillors. The Northern part from St John's rd to Queensway is in Victoria and is represented by Cllr Jan Grace, Cllr Les Byrom CBE and Cllr Michael Roche.

Landmarks

Facing Waterloo from Marina Waterloo-merseyside.JPG
Facing Waterloo from Marina
Site of 'Another Place' sculpture by Antony Gormley Ironman-crosby.JPG
Site of 'Another Place' sculpture by Antony Gormley

Waterloo is a residential suburb of predominately Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian villas, mews and terraces, facing the sea. The South Road offers shops and restaurants. A series of public gardens – built as a job creation scheme during the 1930s Great Depression run adjacent to the esplanade that abuts the marina leading to the coast and beach.

Chaffers Running Track

Chaffers Running Track was established in the early 1960s. It was much loved and extensively used by the residents of Waterloo including local schools for their weekly sports days – and indeed the rest of Sefton. Southport and Waterloo Running Club used Chaffers as their base for about 15 years until the Litherland Park Sports Centre (LPSC ) was built. When the plans for LPSC were given the green light the Council left CHaffers running track to nature. In June 2020 the restoration of the overgrown running track was undertaken by Marsh Lane Harriers ( all volunteers ) and headed by founding member of the running club John Carragher, the brother of footballer Jamie Carragher. The project is backed by the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation covering some initial costs. The MLH project came about due to a local runner Len Wilson, of Rimrose Runners having conversations with Chris Murphy, of Marsh Lane Harriers about the possible restoration of the running track. It had been discussed in 2019– following the idea, and fundraising, of restoration by Councillor Michael Roche/Rimrose Valley Friends ( RVF ) members. Following no attempt to fundraise by RVF, in April 2020 Chris Murphy arranged a meeting between himself, Len Wilson John Carragher and friend ( a machine driver ), and Phil Carragher from the 23 Foundation. At that meeting, despite some obstacles, John Carragher – backed by the JC 23 Foundation – offered to undertake the restoration without funds coming from any other source. All the volunteers who carried on the work on the project were Marsh Lane Harriers ( friends of John Carragher ).

Rimrose Valley Wildflower Meadow

In 2019 a 3 acre wildflower meadow was established instigated by local resident Linda Gaskell with help from Sefton Councillor Michael Roche. The meadow is located within the former athletic track At Chafer's Fields. The varieties were selected by Richard Scott of the Eden Project and include Cornflower, sunflower, field marigold, camomile and poppies. It is planned to extend the meadow each year along the Valley.

The Marina

The Marina is a stretch of fields and protected natural wildlife area near the Marina Lake. The area begins adjacent to the Royal Seaforth Dock. A path runs through the Marina toward the sand dunes of Crosby Beach, it is the main route taken by foot to get to the beach, beginning at the top of South Road, Waterloo. The Marina has a café (Waterloo Place opened in 2015) and the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre (opened in early 2010). The Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre offers a bar and bistro, a fitness suite, accommodation and suites for hire.

Antony Gormley's "Another Place"

The beach at Waterloo is the permanent home of Antony Gormley's Another Place . [3] The permanent art installation consists of figures of cast iron facing out to sea, spread over a 2 mile (3.2 km) stretch of the beach between Waterloo and Blundellsands. [3] [4] [5]

The Plaza Community Cinema

The Plaza Cinema has been a part of the fabric of Waterloo since 1939. The opening coincided with the outbreak of World War II forcing it to immediately close its doors under wartime restrictions until the public order was rescinded by the government. [6] [7] Originally named The Plaza, it has changed hands numerous times during its life, becoming known as The Odeon in the 1950s, The Classic in the 1970s and The Apollo in the 1990s. [6]

In 1996 the cinema was closed when the owners decided to sell the property for redevelopment. [6] [7] After numerous petitions the cinema was reopened on 18 July 1997 under a community trust and its original name restored. After successfully raising money to secure equipment, the re-opened cinema was staffed entirely by volunteers apart from the projectionist. After the support of British Film Commissioner Sir Sydney Samuelson the cinema was able to secureThe Lost World: Jurassic Park as first film to be shown. [6] [7] [8] Since then The Plaza has been a focal community point in Waterloo, offering Autism friendly screenings, Kids clubs and social clubs. [9] In September 2009 the Plaza celebrated its 70th anniversary. [7]

In May 2010, the venue hosted the celebration event for the Who I Am and Where I'm From project which showcased a collection of animations produced by the Polish Community in Sefton called Polska Tales. [10]

In July 2011 the cinema completed an £80,000 refurbishment that saw Sir Sydney Samuelson attend its reopening ceremony. [11]

In 2016 the Plaza was awarded a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. [9]

Education

There are three primary schools: Waterloo Primary, St. Johns C of E Primary, and St Edmunds & St Thomas's RC. Local High Schools are situated in Crosby.

Transport

The district is served by Waterloo railway station on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network. Waterloo is connected to Liverpool by the "Dock Road". The number 53 bus runs through South Road, Waterloo and into Liverpool City centre.

Sport

Waterloo was home to Waterloo rugby club who took their name from the area having played there from 1884 until 1892 before moving back to Blundellsands. In 1992, they famously defeated then English champions and cup holders Bath 9-8 in a fourth round cup tie. The marina in Waterloo, and adjacent Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, is also home to the Crosby Scout and Guide Marina Club.

Notable residents

A local charity, the Waterloo Partnership fundraises locally for Waterloo in Sierra Leone [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Borough of Sefton</span> Metropolitan borough in England

The Metropolitan Borough of Sefton is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England. It was formed on 1 April 1974, by the amalgamation of the county boroughs of Bootle and Southport, the municipal borough of Crosby, the urban districts of Formby and Litherland, and part of West Lancashire Rural District. It consists of a coastal strip of land on the Irish Sea which extends from Southport in the north to Bootle in the south, and an inland part to Maghull in the south-east, bounded by the city of Liverpool to the south, the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley to the south-east, and West Lancashire to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bootle</span> Town in Merseyside, England

Bootle is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, which had a population of 51,394 in 2011; the wider Parliamentary constituency had a population of 98,449.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Crosby</span> Human settlement in England

Great Crosby is an area of the town of Crosby, in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England and is historically, part of Lancashire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formby</span> Town in England

Formby is a town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, which had a population of 57,098 at the 2023 Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosby, Merseyside</span> Town in England

Crosby is a coastal town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England. Historically in Lancashire, it is north of Bootle, south of Southport and Formby, and west of Netherton. It abuts the areas of Blundellsands to the north and Waterloo to the south. It is approximately 6 miles north of Liverpool City Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hightown, Merseyside</span> Village in England

Hightown is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England, located midway between the city of Liverpool and the coastal resort of Southport. It is 8 miles north of Liverpool city centre and is located on the coast near the boundary of the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool Bay. The River Alt joins the sea at this point and forms an estuary. There is a pumping station on the River Alt at Altmouth, built 1972, as part of a programme to alleviate flooding in the area. This is on the Altcar Rifle Range, a Territorial Army base originally established in 1860 by Lt. Col. Gladstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherton, Merseyside</span> Human settlement in England

Netherton is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thornton, Merseyside</span> Village in England

Thornton is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire and situated to the north east of Crosby, it is a residential area of semi-detached and detached housing which dates mainly from the 1930s. Many of the houses, particularly those around Edge Lane and Water Street, feature notably long gardens. The A565 Liverpool-Southport road serves the area. At the 2001 Census the population of the village and civil parish was recorded as 2,262, falling to 2,139 at the Census 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway</span>

The Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway (LC&SR) received parliamentary authorization on 2 July 1847 and opened between Southport and Liverpool, on 24 July 1848. The Liverpool terminal was a temporary station on the viaduct passing near to Waterloo Goods station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosby (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1950–2010

Crosby was a constituency in Merseyside, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1950 until 2010. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

<i>Another Place</i> (sculpture) Sculpture by Sir Antony Gormley at Crosby Beach, England

Another Place is a piece of modern sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley located at Crosby Beach in Merseyside, England. It consists of 100 cast iron figures facing towards the sea. The figures are modelled on the artist's own naked body. The work proved controversial due to the naked statues but has increased tourism to the beach. After being exhibited at two other locations it was put on display at Crosby on 1 July 2005. After some controversy Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council decided on 7 March 2007 that the sculptures should be permanently installed at the beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seaforth, Merseyside</span> Human settlement in England

Seaforth is a district in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England. Historically in Lancashire, it is north of Liverpool, between Bootle and Waterloo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosby Beach</span> Beach near Liverpool, England

Crosby Beach is part of the Merseyside coastline north of Liverpool in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England, stretching about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) North-West from the Seaforth Dock in the Port of Liverpool, through Waterloo, where it separates the sea from the Marina. The beach was awarded Keep Britain Tidy's Quality Coast Award in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sefton Central (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2010 onwards

Sefton Central is a constituency represented by Bill Esterson of the Labour Party since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A5036 road</span> Road in Merseyside, England

The A5036 is a road in Merseyside, England, which comprises two sections separated by a gap of around 1.6 miles (2.6 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blundellsands</span> Human settlement in England

Blundellsands is an area of Crosby in the ceremonial county of Merseyside, England and in the historic county of Lancashire. It is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, and a Sefton council electoral ward. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 11,514. This area was not measured in the 2011 Census. For current figures see Blundellsands (Ward).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton-le-Sands, Merseyside</span> Human settlement in England

Brighton-le-Sands is an area of Merseyside, England in the borough of Sefton. It is located close to Crosby, situated between Blundellsands to the north, Waterloo to the south and Great Crosby to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterloo Town Hall, Merseyside</span> Municipal building in Waterloo, Merseyside, England

Waterloo Town Hall, also known as Crosby Town Hall, is a municipal building in Great George's Road in Waterloo, Merseyside, England. The building, which was the headquarters of Waterloo Urban District Council from 1863 to 1937 and then of Crosby Borough Council from 1937 to 1974, is a Grade II listed building.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Battle of Waterloo: Merseyside township celebrates battle's bicentennial". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Potter's Barn (1257626)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Another Place by Antony Gormley". Sefton Council. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Gormley's statues stay out to sea, BBC News, 7 March 2007, retrieved 8 March 2007
  5. ↑ Iron Men to stay in Crosby, Crosby Herald, 8 March 2007, retrieved 8 March 2007
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Plaza Cinema". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Crosby's Plaza cinema proves to be great survivor to stay in picture". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "Plaza Cinema, History". plazacinema.org.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Waterloo cinema awarded by the Queen for voluntary services". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Crosby event marks celebration of Polish culture". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Review of 2011: The year Crosby had the X Factor". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Echo, Liverpool (23 September 2004). "Why Cherie is proud of Scouse roots". Liverpool Echo.
  13. ↑ Bona, Emilia (17 March 2019). "Inside historic mansion owned by founder of tragic Titanic shipping company". Liverpool Echo.
  14. ↑ Echo, Liverpool (12 April 2012). "Waterloo woman living Titanic captain Edward Smith's former home to opens doors to history fans". Liverpool Echo.
  15. ↑ "Josh Kirby". Liverpool Museums.
  16. ↑ Echo, Liverpool (14 November 2013). "The Waterloo born traitor who fought for the Nazis". Liverpool Echo.
  17. ↑ Two Waterloos, One Hope, The Waterloo Partnership, retrieved 28 March 2007
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