The Palm-house
Whenever, Ann & I have a bit of time on our hands, we like to get out with Elle to Sefton Park, here in Liverpool. Sefton Park is one of Liverpool’s largest and although the park is now smaller than originally set-out, it still covers nearly one square kilometer’s in area.
Central to the park is the imposing Sefton Park Palm-house. this Victorian glass structure was derelict for many years, due to neglect and vandalism.
The Palm-house
However, in the 1980’s, The Palm-house started its own regeneration. An advert taken out in ‘the Liverpool Echo’ (our local newspaper) asked for sponsors to contribute, in order to pay for the glass panels which make up the total area of glass panes. As out daughter Catherine, had not long been born in the late 1980’s, Ann & I as her parents, sponsored a pane on her behalf (cant remember how much it was then), and housed in the Palm-house to this day, is a laminated book, showing ALL the sponsors who contributed and Miss Catherine Holmes, is still proudly in the book….
Palm-house Entrance
The Palm-house is now available for concerts, weddings and exhibitions to name but a few things which go on, and its always a joy to get in to see the plants, which grow in the City’s very own Rain Forest….
Although the regeneration of the park, has been a long time happening, plants and bushes are just filling out nicely now… the draining of the boating lake was a big event, and although I knew I had taken photos at the time… I really couldn’t remember, which year it was…. anyway, looking back through my vast archive, I eventually found the images I wanted. back in an April 2009 folder…
The draining of the Boating Lake (April 2009)
Lake turtles left high and dry (released pets)
The Parkland and connecting lakes and streams are really looking fantastic these days, despite the abundance of grey squirrels, and the occasional rat in the undergrowth… although Elle is in her element running in on the hope of catching one, which at her age (double figures) doesnt happen that often….
Connecting steams and rivers to the main Boating Lake
the structure to the left was the old bird enclosure, sadly not there now…
To those who follow this blog and live locally, as I know many do… perhaps we will see you in the park sometime… I hope you will make yourselves known to me, I can always do a blog to include you…. lol.
The Band-stand