Back to the future – A new start in Maghull and how you can help!

Our planning story starts a couple of years ago, when we sat in a planning meeting discussing how we could celebrate Maghull’s most historically famous Moss Side Hospital and its hidden unique pioneering work in the treatment of shellshock (PTSD) in the First World War. Including the beautiful historical grandeur of its now demolished buildings and the thousands of people who have worked and were treated there, now replaced by the Poppy Field Housing Estate. We established a bronze statue, at Maghull North train station, that breaths life into the history and resonance in the present, whilst representing Maghull’s first public work of art and a myriad of interpretations that it invites.

During that meeting John Sayers (MTC Deputy Leader) raised the passionate and inspiring question of whether this unique celebration on Maghull’s timeline should be situated at its busiest front door/gateway at the junction of Liverpool Road South and Northway (A59), as a proud symbolic welcome and a catalyst to reinvigorate the area.

Sadly, in recent times, the narrative of this area has focused on the controversial Switch Island with its associated accidents, (despite its £6 million investment) excessive traffic, erosion of the greenbelt, and its potential to create another road controversially through the natural space of Rimrose Valley. In addition, over the last six months the roadworks associated with the recently completed redevelopment of the junction between Dover Road and Liverpool Road South have caused delays and frustration for the 20,000 (SMBC 2020) and increasing daily vehicle users. Whilst the huge barren Motor Range site and speculation over its future, compounds this negative perspective.

However, an alternative parallel discourse has been taking place on the Maghull & Lydiate in Old Pictures Facebook page, about the often unnoticed, area of wooded green space known as Woodend or unofficially since the 1950s as Bobby’s Wood.

Amazing History

It is a remnant of a mediaeval 2×5 mile wood that was owned by a Saxon called Uctred and mentioned in the 1066 Domesday Book. In addition, it is close to the River Alt (meaning old) where Viking long boats sailed when it was closer to the coastal estuary. Local schools want to use the history as part of their local syllabus. Liverpool Road South was a turnpike (meaning toll road). Whilst the only remnant of Woodend Farm, before it was demolished to make way for Northway (A59), is the sandstone wall at Lidl’s car park. Also neighbouring the wood, was the now demolished, Broadwood Farm, whose owner was rumoured to have planted a tree for each of his children. We recently counted 30 trees there! Finally, there was a tragic murder in the Wood within the last century.

Finally.

Maghull Town Council are currently two years into a 10 year lease from the Sefton Council owners, having negotiated this arrangement to maintain and enhance the area, whilst preventing the area from being ‘developed’ like so many of the green spaces in Maghull e.g. Damfield Lane. We are trying to make a positive difference.

PLEASE HELP your community to metaphorically provide a natural lick of paint to our front door by visiting our crowdfunding website at www.spacehive.com/woodend to see some of our proposals and donate – even a donation of £2 will help more than you know. We also have cash collections in Morrisons and Dover Road Post Office so far.

Thank You, Friends of Maghull and District.

#fomdcic