IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Newsham Drive, LIVERPOOL, L6 7UH

A riot of dandelions at the northern end of this 121 acre Victorian park with houses on Newsham Drive seen through the trees.

Like many park herons, this individual has become habituated to human presence, allowing much closer approach than birds in wilder habitats.

Viewed from the junction of Lower Breck Road.

This 121 acre park was opened in 1868. The boating lake seen here, the larger of two lakes in the park, no longer has boats but is evidently well used by fishermen.

The Liverpool Seamen’s Orphan Institution was established in order to provide care and education for the many Liverpool children who lost families at sea. A group of Liverpool merchants and shipowners funded the establishment of the orphanage in 1869, in a temporary rented building on Duke Street and in 1870 Liverpool City Council donated land next to Newsham Park and a large building was erected to house and educate the orphans. It was opened in 1874. The building had separate wings for boys and girls but shared dining facilities, hospital and classrooms. All orphans were taught reading and writing, in addition girls learnt knitting and needlework and boys were instructed in carpentry. The Institution also made an agreement with the ‘Indefatigable’ training ship, to train boys after leaving the orphanage. During World War II, the orphans were evacuated to Frankby, Wirral but returned to Newsham Park in 1948. In 1949 the decision was made to close it down and in 1951 the building was sold to the Ministry of Health and turned into a hospital which itself has recently closed. Despite the closure of the orphanage, the institution still exists and continues to provide support for Liverpool families.

This building was opened in 1874 and designed by the celebrated architect Sir Alfred Waterhouse on behalf of the Liverpool Seamens Orphan Institution to provide a place for children who had lost their families at sea. The orphanage closed in 1949 and stood empty. After standing derelict for two years it was finally purchased by the Ministry of Health and it became a hospital in the newly formed NHS. The hospital eventually closed in 1988 and the site has been derelict ever since, gradually falling victim to the elements and vandalism.

Newsham park was my playground in my earliest years. I revisited it later to find it still has moments of tranquility!