 FORMBY (norse for Fornis settlement) is famous for its nature
reserve, pine woods, a thriving red squirrel colony and asparagus growing.The first UK marine life saving stations was established here in 1776.  CROSBY takes its name from the Norse for
village with crosses. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to Uctred. In 1824
it was described as... a great sea-bathing place, 6 miles NNW of Liverpool. There is here
a school called the Merchant Taylors Free Grammar School founded by the late John
Harrison, citizen and merchant of London.Little Crosby is a village which has changed very
little throughout the centuries. There are some fine 17th century cottages, an early 18th
century smithy, an old well-cross and a Roman Catholic Church built in 1847. WATERLOO was previously known as Crosby
Seabank but adopted its present name after the 1815 battle.Potters Barn is a replica of the farmhouse of La Haye Sainte which featured in the 1815 battle. Nearby Wellington Street and Blucher Street recall the names of the two victorious allied commanders. Captain Smith, in command of the ill-fated Titanic lived at numbers 4 and later 17 Marine Crescent.  THORNTON was the point, due to its position in relation to the Parish Church of Sefton, upon which the ancient church ways from the northern townships converged. Church ways were routes along which coffins would be carried and bearers would rest at the ancient wayside stone crosses. There they would refresh themselves during rest periods, probably at such establishments as the Grapes or Nags Head where there have been inns simce 1629.  HIGHTOWN used to be the site of the
Crosby lighthouse, a square-built tower, about a quarter of a mile from the station, which
was burnt down in 1898.Late in the 19th century the Liverpool School Board built a Truant School. It was divided into Church of England and Roman Catholic sections, each with their own headmaster. Discipline was strict and in the early days boys were put into cells for breaches of regulations. The school changed in purpose over the years and was demolished in the 1960s. The "Seaside Tattler and Waterloo Cracker" appears to
have been a private publication brought out by a small party of Waterloo residents, each
of whom contributed something to it as an evening's entertainment. |
From
"The Seaside Tattler and Waterloo Cracker" of 1859 When the sun with sultry heat Burns the bricks and bakes the street How I long thy sands to view- Waterloo! Others in the stifling town Gulp gin-slings and cock-tails down I such fatal draughts eschew- Waterloo! But I see thy smiling shore Where in many circles soar Albatross and wild sea-mew- Waterloo! Then before me, schooners, brigs Steamers, sloops - all sorts of rigs - Pass in panoramic view- Waterloo! While in nearer prospect seen Gorgeous groups of crinoline Spifflicate me through and through- Waterloo! Senseless critics, with a frown, Stigmitise thy green as brown I can vaunt thy ether blue- Waterloo! What a contrast is thy shore To the city's fiendish roar, With its wild hullabaloo- Waterloo! Where pedestrians, cabs and drags Throng the roads or muddy flags With a roving, restless crew- Waterloo! When amid the hours of night Nature's self puts out the light Vainly sweet repose I woo- Waterloo! Evening oysters, morning chips Hoarsley bawled from senator lips Make sweet sleep a bug-a-boo- Waterloo! Ah, how different the scene When within thy haunts serene I can taste Elysium true- Waterloo! Wrapped in peaceful slumber deep No peeler makes my flesh to creep No-nothing breaks my balmy snooze- Waterlooze! |