Birkenhead 246155 225124279 2008-07-12T00:20:58Z Snowy 1973 1610846 add image, copyedit {{other|Birkenhead (disambiguation)}} {{infobox UK place| |country= England |official_name= Birkenhead |latitude= 53.3932 |longitude= -3.0145 |population= 83,729 <br />([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]])<ref name=2001census /> |metropolitan_borough= [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]] |metropolitan_county= [[Merseyside]] |region= North West England |static_image= [[Image:Birkenhead Wirral Museum.jpg|240px]] |static_image_caption= <small>The former Birkenhead Town Hall, now Wirral Museum, in [[Hamilton Square]]</small> |constituency_westminster= [[Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)|Birkenhead]] |post_town= BIRKENHEAD |postcode_district= CH41 |postcode_area= CH |dial_code= 0151 |os_grid_reference= SJ324890 |london_distance= }} <!-- start of article --> '''Birkenhead''' is a town within the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]] in [[Merseyside]], [[England]]. It is on the [[Wirral Peninsula]], along the west bank of the [[River Mersey]], opposite the city of [[Liverpool]]. At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]], the town had a population of 83,729.<ref name=2001census>{{citeweb|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_ua_ew_part1.pdf|title=2001 Census: Birkenhead|work=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=17 April|accessyear=2007}} </ref> [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of [[Cheshire]], Birkenhead is perhaps best known as a centre for [[ship building]], as a [[seaport]] and its related industries. Because it is close to Liverpool, many residents commute there. ==History== [[Image:Woodside Ferry Terminal 2006.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]] terminal for the [[Mersey Ferry]] in Birkenhead]] The name Birkenhead is possibly from the [[Old English]] ''bircen'' meaning birch tree, of which many once grew on the headland which jutted into the river at [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]]. The first [[Mersey ferry]] began operating from Birkenhead in 1150 when [[Benedictine]] monks under the leadership of [[Hamon de Mascy]] built a [[Birkenhead Priory|priory]] there.<ref>{{citebook|title=Birkenhead - An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|page=pp14-15|date=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000524.html|title=Birkenhead Priory|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> Distanced from the [[Industrial Revolution]] in Liverpool by the physical barrier of the River Mersey, Birkenhead retained its [[agriculture|agricultural]] status until the advent of the steam ferry service in 1820. Shipbuilding started in 1829.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://nautarch.tamu.edu/PROJECTS/denbigh/Laird.htm|title=Birkenhead-Built: An Unrivaled Historical Legacy|work=Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University}} </ref> An iron works was initially established by [[William Laird]] in 1824 and was joined by his son [[John Laird]] in 1828. The business eventually became [[Cammell Laird]]. Notable vessels built at Birkenhead include [[HMNZS Achilles (70)|HMS ''Achilles'']], [[HMS Affray|HMS ''Affray'']], [[CSS Alabama|CSS ''Alabama'']], [[HMS Ark Royal (91)|HMS ''Ark Royal'']], [[HMS Birkenhead (1845)|HMS ''Birkenhead'']], [[HMS Caroline (1914)|HMS ''Caroline'']], [[Huáscar (ship)|''Huáscar'']], [[RMS Mauretania (1938)|RMS ''Mauretania'']], the pioneer submarine [[Resurgam|''Resurgam'']], [[HMS Thetis (N25)|HMS ''Thetis'']] which sank on trials in Liverpool Bay, [[HMS Conqueror (S48)|HMS ''Conqueror'']] and [[HMS Prince of Wales (1939)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']]. In addition to the ferries, the [[Mersey Railway]] tunnel in 1886 and the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway road tunnel]] in 1934 gave rapid access to Liverpool, so opened up the Wirral Peninsula for development, and prompted further growth of Birkenhead as an industrial centre. The town's population grew from 110 in 1801 to 110,912 one hundred years later and stood at 142,501 by 1951.<ref name="Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead">{{citeweb|url=http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/chs/birkenhead.html|title=Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead|work=GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> ==Governance== Formerly a township in Bidston Parish of the [[Wirral Hundred]], Birkenhead was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]] in 1877, and became a [[county borough]] with the passing of the [[Local Government Act 1888]]. The borough included the parish of Birkenhead St. Mary and the townships of [[Bidston]], [[Claughton, Merseyside|Claughton with Grange]], [[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]], [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] and part of [[Bebington]], later known as [[Rock Ferry]].<ref name="Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead" /> The townships of [[Landican]], [[Prenton]] and [[Thingwall]] were added in 1928, followed by [[Noctorum]], [[Upton, Merseyside|Upton]] and [[Woodchurch]] in 1933.<ref>{{citebook|title=Birkenhead - An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|page=p110|date=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref> Prior to [[1 April]] [[1974]], Birkenhead and the rest of the Wirral Peninsula, was part of the county of Cheshire. The implementation of the [[Local Government Act 1972]] caused Birkenhead to lose its county borough status. The town has since been administered as part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]], in the [[metropolitan county]] of Merseyside. The current [[Member of Parliament]] is [[Frank Field (UK politician)|Frank Field]]. ==Geography== The [[List of conurbations in the United Kingdom|Birkenhead Urban Area]], as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]]<ref name="FOPM_UrbanAreas">[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf The UK’s major urban areas] Office for National Statistics</ref>, includes Birkenhead, [[Wallasey]], Bebington, Ellesmere Port, and the contiguous built-up areas which link those towns along the eastern side of the Wirral. In the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]], the area so defined had a total population of 319,675, making it the 18th largest [[conurbation]] in England and 22nd in the UK. {{Birkenhead}} ==Economy== [[Birkenhead Market]] was first established on what is now the site of [[Birkenhead Town Hall]], between Chester Street and Hamilton Street, on [[10 July]] [[1835]].<ref name="Yesterday's Wirral">{{citebook|title=Yesterday's Wirral|first=Ian & Marilyn|last=Boumphrey|date=1981|isbn=0-9507255-1-X}}</ref><ref name="Birkenhead Market: A Brief History"> {{citeweb|url=http://www.birkenheadmarket.co.uk/index.asp?page=3|title=Birkenhead Market: A Brief History|accessdate=15 September|accessyear=2007}}</ref> An increase in the town's population by 1841 led to the opening on [[11 July]] [[1845]]<ref name="Birkenhead Market: A Brief History" /> of a much expanded market on a larger site nearby. Michael Marks, of [[Marks & Spencer]], opened one of his first seven 'Penny Bazaar' stalls here during the 1880s.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.knittingtogether.co.uk/doc.asp?doc=7383&cat=745|title=Michael Marks|accessdate=2 July|accessyear=2006}} </ref> During the 1970s, the commercial centre of the town was redeveloped around the principal shopping area of Grange Road. Following two fires at the original Birkenhead Market in 1969 and 1974, it was later moved to new premises adjoining the Grange Shopping Precinct development. Commercial expansion continued in the early 1990s when the Pyramids Shopping Centre was opened. ==Landmarks== [[Image:Birkenhead Park.jpg|thumb|right|Birkenhead Park]] [[Image:Edward VII Memorial.jpg|thumb|right|Edward VII Memorial Clock Tower, designed by [[Edmund Kirby]].]] [[Birkenhead Park]] is acknowledged to be the first publicly funded park in [[Great Britain|Britain]].<ref>{{citebook|title=Birkenhead - An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|page=p33|date=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref> The park was the forerunner of the [[Parks Movement]] and its influence was far reaching both in Britain and abroad – most notably on [[Frederick Law Olmsted|Olmsted's]] design for [[Central Park, New York]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001109.html|title=Birkenhead Park|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> Designed by [[Joseph Paxton]] (later Sir Joseph Paxton) in 1843 and officially opened in 1847, it was an immediate social success. The park's main entrance, modelled on the Temple of Illysus in Athens, and its 'Roman Boathouse' are notable features. There are sandstone lodges at the three entrances, each with a different style of architecture, [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]], [[Norman architecture|Norman]] and [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]]. There are also two lakes and an ornate 'Swiss Bridge'. William Laird, a Scot, and his son John, were influential in the design of the town. Parts were laid out in a grid-iron pattern like [[New Town, Edinburgh|Edinburgh New Town]] with similar architecture. The chief architect was [[James Gillespie Graham]] from Edinburgh. This grid pattern was centred around [[Hamilton Square]] which was started in 1826 and, apart from [[Trafalgar Square]] in [[London]], contains the most [[Grade I listed buildings]] in one place in England.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200064/10054/content_0002083.html|title=Architecture: Hamilton Square|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=2008-01-14}} </ref> including Birkenhead Town Hall. A short distance from Hamilton Square are two other notable landmarks: the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway Tunnel Main Entrance]] and the [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside Ferry Terminal]]. The film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' had scenes shot at Woodside. These scenes were as a representation of [[Dover]] in the 1920s.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wheredidtheyfilmthat.co.uk/film.php?film_id=60|title=Chariots of Fire|work=Where Did They Film That?|accessdate=18 February|accessyear=2007}}</ref> Religious landmarks include [[Birkenhead Priory|Birkenhead Priory & St. Mary's Tower]], St. James' Church and St. Werburgh's [[Roman Catholic]] Church. Other notable landmarks include [[Bidston Windmill]] on a ridge behind the town, Flaybrick Watertower and [[Flaybrick Hill Cemetery|Flaybrick Memorial Gardens]]. ==Transport== ===Trams=== Birkenhead had the first street [[tram]]way in [[Europe]]. Opened on [[29 August]] [[1860]] the first line ran from [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]] (adjoining the terminal of the Mersey Ferry) to [[Birkenhead Park]]. This early system was horse-drawn and was the brainchild of flamboyant American, [[George Francis Train]].<ref name="Birkenhead - An Illustrated History">{{citebook|title=Birkenhead - An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|date=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000522.html|title=Birkenhead Tramway & Wirral Transport Museum|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}}</ref> A preserved tram is currently on display in the Woodside ferry terminal booking hall. Two replica trams, imported from [[Hong Kong]], have been brought into service as part of a heritage tramway between Woodside and [[Wirral Transport Museum]]. ===Railways=== In 1886 Birkenhead and [[Liverpool]] were linked by an [[underground railway]] system, which today is part of the [[Merseyrail]] network. The major underground station in Birkenhead is [[Hamilton Square railway station|Hamilton Square]], the nearest station to the ferry terminal. Hamilton Square station is linked to the "Liverpool Loop" of the [[Wirral Line]], which includes [[James Street railway station|James Street]], [[Moorfields railway station|Moorfields]], [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] and [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]] stations, all of which are underground. Other stations located in Birkenhead include [[Birkenhead Central railway station|Birkenhead Central]], [[Green Lane railway station|Green Lane]], [[Rock Ferry railway station|Rock Ferry]], [[Conway Park railway station|Conway Park]], [[Birkenhead Park railway station|Birkenhead Park]], [[Birkenhead North railway station|Birkenhead North]] and [[Bidston railway station|Bidston]]. The Wirral Line from Birkenhead travels south to [[Chester]] and [[Ellesmere Port]], north to [[New Brighton, Merseyside|New Brighton]] and westwards, across the Wirral Peninsula, to [[West Kirby]]. The [[Borderlands Line]] leaves Bidston station, in the north of Birkenhead and travels through the rural centre of Wirral, ultimately leaving England near [[Shotton]] and terminating in [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]].<br /> [http://www.merseyrail.org/documents/NetworkMap.pdf View Merseyrail Network Map] From 1878, until its closure in 1967, [[Birkenhead Woodside railway station]] was the town's mainline railway terminus. Originally located close to Woodside Ferry Terminal, the site has been redeveloped into flats, a bus depot and offices for [[HM Land Registry]]. ===Roads=== Junctions 1 and 3 of the [[M53 motorway]] allow access to the national motorway network. The [[A41 road|A41]] [[trunk road]] connects Woodside with [[Marble Arch]] in [[London]]. The [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway road tunnel]], opened in 1936, runs underneath the River Mersey and connects the town to Liverpool. ===Maritime=== Birkenhead's dock system is part of the [[Port of Liverpool]], operated by the [[Mersey Docks and Harbour Company]]. The [[Twelve Quays]] ferry terminal allows a direct freight and passenger service to [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]. The [[Mersey Ferry]] at Woodside runs a passenger service to Liverpool, as well as chartered cruising. ===Airport=== The nearest airport is [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] (formerly known as Speke Airport) located about 8 miles (13 km) from Birkenhead. ==Education== ===Schools=== Among the town's schools are two independent schools. Birkenhead's oldest independent school is [[Birkenhead School]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk|title=Birkenhead School|accessdate=2 February|accessyear=2007}}</ref> It was exclusively a boys' school from its founding in 1860 until 2000 when its sixth form became co-educational. It also has a preparatory school for boys aged 3–11 and will become fully co-educational in 2008. "Old Birkonians" (as former pupils are known) include the lawyer [[Lord Birkenhead|F. E. Smith]] (Lord Birkenhead), [[Andreas Whittam Smith]] (chairman of the [[British Board of Film Classification]] (BBFC) and founder of ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper), [[Andrew Irvine (mountaineer)]], and [[Philip Toosey]], hero at the [[Bridge on the River Kwai]]. [[Birkenhead High School For Girls]] is an independent school for girls, founded in 1885 and catering for girls aged 2½–18. It is a member of the [[Girls' Day School Trust]]. Its alumnae include the actress [[Patricia Routledge]]. In late 2007, both schools announced fundamental changes. [[Birkenhead High School]] decided to become a state-funded [[Academy (England)|Academy]] school and [[Birkenhead School]] decided to become co-educational for pupils aged 5-18.<ref> {{citeweb|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/search/display.var.1819178.0.school_prepares_to_make_historic_move.php|title=School prepares to make historic move|work=[[Wirral Globe]]|date=8 November 2007|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}}</ref> Both changes are driven by falling numbers of pupils in the schools. ===Colleges=== Birkenhead's technical college in Woodside (Previously in Borough Road), now called [[Wirral Metropolitan College]], had a theatre named after one of its most famous former students and Birkonian (born 1936), [[Glenda Jackson]], the [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning actress and [[Member of Parliament]]. The Borough Road campus and the [[Glenda Jackson Theatre]] were demolished in late 2005, to make way for flats, although Wirral Metropolitan College flourishes on other sites across the Wirral. The theatre secretly housed an emergency command centre for the region in its basement, accessible via the college. Politicians and officials would have retreated to this secure [[bunker]] in the event of nuclear war to coordinate the recovery effort. By the 1990s, after the end of the [[Cold War]], the bunker had been decommissioned and the surrounding complex of rooms was used by the college as a rehearsal space and recording studio. Other colleges include the [[Birkenhead Sixth Form College]] located in the Claughton area of Birkenhead. ==Healthcare== Birkenhead is served by [[Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust]] (through its Arrowe Park Hospital, St. Catherine's Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital sites) and [[Wirral Primary Care Trust]]. Formerly, Birkenhead was also been served by Birkenhead General Hospital on Conway Street and St. James' Hospital in Claughton. ==Arts and leisure== ===Arts=== The Laird School of Art was the first public school of art outside London and was given to the town by John Laird. It opened on [[27 September]] [[1871]]. The [[Williamson Art Gallery and Museum|Williamson Art Gallery]] was opened in 1928 and houses a fine collection of paintings, porcelain and pottery. In 1856, Birkenhead Library was opened as the country's first public library in an [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated]] borough.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/product-p44389|title=Birkenhead Central Library|work=visitliverpool.com|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> The library was situated in Hamilton Street until 1909, when it moved to a new building in Albion Street, near Birkenhead Market. In the 1930s, this building (along with much of the surrounding area) was demolished to make way for the entrance to the [[Queensway Tunnel]]. The present library, [[Birkenhead Central Library]], is situated on Borough Road and was opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] in 1934. Despite being in England, Birkenhead hosted Wales' [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1917<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/aug04e.shtml|title=Title page of the 1917 Welsh National Eisteddfod programme held at Birkenhead|work=Archives Hub|accessdate=18 February|accessyear=2008}}</ref> as well as an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1879. As in Liverpool,<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/history/pages/liverpool.shtml|title=The Liverpool Welsh|work=BBC Wales|date=7 January 2008|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> migrants from Wales, especially north Wales, contributed greatly to the growth of the town and its cultural development in the 19th century. The first local Birkenhead Eisteddfod, a precursor of the national events, took place in 1864.<ref>{{citebook|title=Liverpool 800: Culture, Character & History|editor=John Belchem|date=2006|isbn=1-84361-035-0}}</ref> The 1917 National Eisteddfod was notable for the award of the chair to the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, known as [[Hedd Wyn]]. The winner was announced, and the crowd waited for the winner to accept congratulations before the chairing ceremony, but no winner appeared. It was then announced that Hedd Wyn had been killed the previous month on the battlefield in [[Belgium]], and the bardic chair was draped in black. These events were portrayed in the [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominated film ''[[Hedd Wyn (film)|Hedd Wyn]]'', and were apparently intended as a protest against the war policies of [[Prime Minister]] [[David Lloyd George]], who was present. There is a commemorative stone for the event in Birkenhead Park.<ref>Stephen J. Roberts, ''A History of Wirral'', 2002, ISBN 978-1-86077-512-3</ref> The [[Argyle Theatre]] was a major theatre and music hall which opened in 1868 and became notable for the calibre of artistes who appeared there. Later in its life, it was also used as a [[cinema]]. The theatre was destroyed by bombing in 1940.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/BirkenheadTheatres.htm|title=Birkenhead, Wirral, Theatres and Halls|work=arthurlloyd.co.uk|accessdate=16 July|accessyear=2007}}</ref> The Little Theatre was established in 1958 from a converted former [[Presbyterian]] church, whilst more recently, the Pacific Road Arts Centre in Woodside opened in 1999. ===Media=== Birkenhead is served by local daily newspapers the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' and ''[[Liverpool Daily Post]]''. The free local weekly newspapers are the ''[[Wirral Globe]]'' and the ''[[Birkenhead News]]'' (part of the Wirral News group). The local radio station [[Buzz 97.1|Wirral's Buzz 97.1]] is now broadcast from the studios of Marcher Sound in Wrexham, despite having a local phone number. In addition, there are four other local radio stations that transmit to Birkenhead: [[BBC Radio Merseyside]], [[Radio City 96.7]], [[Juice FM|Juice 107.6]] and [[City Talk 105.9|CityTalk]]. Birkenhead is situated within the television regions of [[BBC]] North West and [[ITV|ITV's]] [[Granada Television]]. ===Sport and leisure=== As well as Birkenhead Park, other recreational open spaces in Birkenhead include Mersey Park and Victoria Park. [[Arrowe Park]] is a large area of parkland at the western edge of the town. In 1929, the [[3rd World Scout Jamboree]] was held there. Birkenhead is the home of [[Tranmere Rovers Football Club]], a professional [[association football|football]] team who play at [[Prenton Park]] near the Tranmere area of the town. They are in [[Football League One]]. [[Cammell Laird F.C.]] is the town's semi professional [[association football|football]] club who play at Kirklands in Rock Ferry. They are in [[Northern Premier League Division One South]]. The town is also the home of several successful amateur football leagues, both 11-a side and six-a side. The [[Birkenhead Park Football Club]] was founded in 1871, the same year as the [[Rugby Football Union]]. The club originally played in the Lower Park but moved to their current home in the Upper Park in 1885.<ref>[http://www.birkenheadparkrugby.com Birkenhead Park Rugby Club] </ref> Located in the town are the Birkenhead North End & Victoria Cycling Clubs. [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] riders from the clubs include [[Chris Boardman]], [[Steve Cummings]] and [[Rachel Heal]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.bnecc.co.uk/about_us.htm|title=Birkenhead North End Cycling Club Olympians|accessdate=18 February|accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://fp.marklw.plus.com/htdocs/bvcc/theclub/history.htm|title=Birkenhead Victoria Cycling Club history|accessdate=18 February|accessyear=2007}}</ref> The first two [[Scouting|Boy Scout]] groups in the world were founded as the 1st and 2nd Birkenhead groups at the [[YMCA]] on the same night in 1908. The 2nd Birkenhead Scout Group is still operating and therefore is the longest running scout group in the world. ==Cultural references== Birkenhead is mentioned in the song "What She Said" on the album ''[[Meat Is Murder]]'' by [[The Smiths]]: ''What she read/All heady books/She'd sit and prophesise/(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead/To really really open her eyes).'' The town is also referred to in the song "Everything Is Sorrow" on the [[The Boo Radleys|Boo Radleys]]' ''[[C'mon Kids]]'' album: ''I worked in Birkenhead for you/It brings me tears even now.'' ==Notable people== In the arts, Birkenhead has produced several actors and performers including [[Glenda Jackson]], [[Lewis Collins]], [[Megs Jenkins]], [[Patricia Routledge]] and [[Paul O'Grady]] (also known as [[Lily Savage]]). It has also produced poets and authors such as [[Adrian Henri]] and [[Michael Z. Williamson]]. The [[World War I]] poet [[Wilfred Owen]], though born in [[Oswestry]], lived in Birkenhead from the age of 4 and was educated at the [[Birkenhead Institute]]. The town has produced some notable artists such as [[Philip Wilson Steer]], [[Bessie Bamber]], the workers at the [[Della Robbia Pottery]] and two cartoonists: [[Norman Thelwell]] and [[Bill Tidy]]. In music, Indie band [[Half Man Half Biscuit]] hail from Birkenhead as do [[Paul Heaton]], lead singer of the [[Housemartins]] and the [[Beautiful South]], singer/songwriter [[Charlie Landsborough]] and [[Desmond Briscoe]] co-founder and original manager of the pioneering [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]. Birkenhead has also produced notable sportsmen such as [[Matt Dawson]], the [[rugby union]] player; [[William Ralph Dean|'Dixie' Dean]] ([[Everton FC]]), record-breaking footballer, who was born at 313 Laird Street; and several other footballers including [[Jason McAteer]] and [[David Thompson (footballer)|David Thompson]]. In the field of science and engineering Birkenhead claims [[Thomas Brassey|Sir Thomas Brassey]], Victorian civil engineer and Professor Sir [[John Eric Richardson]], electrical engineer, [[academic]] and champion of the [[polytechnic]] sector. [[Elvis Costello]] moved to Birkenhead in 1971 with his mother who was from Liverpool. Although Elvis' father was himself from Birkenhead. Elvis lived there briefly and formed his first band, a folk duo named Rusty. ==Twin towns== Birkenhead is [[Town twinning|twinned]], as a part of Wirral, with [[Gennevilliers]] in [[France]], [[Lorient]] in France and [[Latina, Italy|Latina]] in [[Italy]]. Birkenhead also has a [[Sister City|Sister City Agreement]] with [[Midland, Texas|Midland]], [[Texas]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200096/662/content_0002058.html|title=Town Twinning|work=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> ==Future== The major redevelopment project under consideration is [[Peel Holdings]]' '[[Wirral Waters]]'. This would allow for a £4.5 billion of investment in the regeneration of the dockland area. This equates with an investment of over £14,000 for each of the 320,000 residents of the Wirral. At the [[Great Float|East Float]] and [[Vittoria Dock]], the development would include several 50-storey skyscrapers, {{convert|5000000|sqft|m2|-3}} of new office space and {{convert|11000000|sqft|m2}} for new residential flats. A retail and leisure quarter at the former [[Bidston Dock]] site would encompass another {{convert|571000|sqft|m2|-2}} of space. The whole project would create more than 27,000 permanent new jobs, aside from the employment required for construction and other peripheral employment. The development would be expected to take up to thirty years.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.peel.co.uk/peelholdings/source/newsdetails.asp?type=1&page=1&newsid=122|title=Peel unveil plans for £4.5 billion "Wirral Waters" scheme|work=Peel Holdings|date=5 September 2006|accessdate=14 January|accessyear=2008}} </ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{Merseyside}} [[Category:Birkenhead]] [[Category:Towns and villages in Wirral]] [[Category:Towns in Merseyside]] [[cy:Penbedw]] [[de:Birkenhead]] [[fr:Birkenhead]] [[it:Birkenhead]] [[nl:Birkenhead]] [[pl:Birkenhead]] [[pt:Birkenhead]] [[ro:Birkenhead]] [[fi:Birkenhead]] [[sv:Birkenhead]] [[uk:Беркенгед]] [[vo:Birkenhead]]