IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Abbey Close, BIRKENHEAD, CH41 5FQ

Birkenhead Priory, a Benedictine Monastery established 1150 is the oldest building on Merseyside. Much of the original building still remains and other parts have been sympathetically restored to their former stature. Climb the tower of St. Mary’s Church dated 1822, and experience the panoramic views of Liverpool’s waterfront, the unmatched views across Birkenhead to Oxton Ridge, Bidston and the Wirral coast.

The Scriptorium built on top of the Chapter House nearest the camera

Founded in 1828 and is based on the River Mersey, Cammell Laird is one of the most famous names in British industry. In its heyday, the Cammell Laird shipyard built more than 1350 ships including many famous and innovative vessels. The company played a key role in World War I and II both building and repairing vessels. During World War II alone the shipyard produced nearly 200 vessels both commercial and military in support of the UK war effort. Including HMS Rodney, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Ark Royal. The company’s Birkenhead site expands across 130 acres and includes four dry docks, a large modular construction hall and extensive covered workshops. It is also at the centre of a marine and engineering cluster with easy access to support services classification societies and port state authorities. The company was nationalised along with the rest of the British shipbuilding industry as British Shipbuilders in 1977. In 1986, it returned to the private sector as part of Barrow-in-Furness-based Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL). VSEL and Cammell Laird were the only British shipyards capable of producing nuclear submarines. After the end of the Upholder class submarine building programme in 1993, the owners of Cammell Laird, VSEL, announced the yard's closure. Part of the shipyard site was leased and then sold with the new owners adopting the Cammell Laird name. Today the company operates as an engineering services specialist in military ship refit, commercial ship repair, upgrade and conversion and shipbuilding. http://www.clbh.co.uk/ Cammell Laird http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cammell_Laird Wikipedia

In 1999 the tower was dedicated as a memorial to those who died on the submarine Thetis which sank 60 years previously on sea trials in Liverpool Bay off the North Wales coast. The names of the 99 men who died are recorded as you move up and down the 101 steps to reach the parapet and the unparalleled views of the river, Liverpool and Birkenhead but, most particularly, the shipyard of Cammell Laird so many ships of importance to the country’s history, including Thetis, were built. ** Courtesy Birkenhead Priory

The Queensway tunnel is the older of the two Mersey road tunnels and opened in 1934.

The Laird Family Vault.

View of the Liverpool waterfront from St Mary's church, Birkenhead Priory the ancient Benedictine Monastery and original ferry across the Mersey.

On the left hand side are back-to-back terraced houses, typical of Birkenhead. In the distance, you can see the eastern part of Birkenhead town centre. On the far right is the Liver building, across the River Mersey in Liverpool. The flyover takes you from the town centre to the Mersey road tunnel. Argyle Street South eventually leads to Argyle Street, the main clubbing area.

Here, there seems to be mix of light industrial, commercial and residential properties. The Liverpool skyline in the background.