Victorian Fern Specialists
Dear Sirs,
I am most interested in a Victorian Fern Specialists, that was one once operating in this Parish, by the name of W. and J. Birkenhead. I have read a copy of the 1983 Journal Volumne 11.1 in which there is a feature headed “W. AND J. BIRKENHEAD ‘FERNS A SPECIALITY’ by N. A. Hall – 1983”
I wonder if anyone knows how I may contact “N. A. Hall” or indeed has any information about W. and J. Birkenhead, of Sale, Cheshire. If so please I can be contact on 0161-969-2795 and address below.
May I thank readers most sincerely for their kind help.
Michael J. Riley
Parish Archivist
for St. Paul’s Parish Church
Springfield Road, Sale, Cheshire.
Tel: 0161-969-2795
Email: michaeljriley@btopenworld.com
Postal Address:
Tralawney House
78 School Road
SALE
Cheshire M33 7XB
This post was submitted by M J Riley.
Category: Forum |
2 Comments » 
Dear Michael, I have only just come across your post. I am not sure if you have received any responses but I have quite a bit of information as I researched the Birkenhead family because William and John established the Christadelphian Church in Sale in 1867 of which I am a member. Their father George was the post master and they lived in the post office at 15 Washway Road. William and John had a fern shop next door. Our church first met in the living room above the post office in 1867. The building is still standing.
I have a copy of a book that John published in 1892 called Ferns and Fern Culture. It has some wonderful adverts in the back including the Birkenhead’s Beetle Trap.
William was a particularly active preacher in those early years and established a number of our churches in the North West of England after he returned from America where he first heard our founder John Thomas preach.
I would be happy to discuss further.
Phil Hill
Dear Michael, I was a member of St. Paul’s Choir for quite a few years, Mr Risk was the choir Master, I cannot see my self on the Photo, I do see Bary Mason, and Graham Fields, and of course Mr. Risk, after services on Sunday’s four of us would go over to what used to be the Sunday School and play bridge. Mr Risk also made a train set up with hundreds on feet of hand made tracks and a very complicated electric system, which eventually we had to dismantle because of the frequency it ran on interfered with peoples reception of radio and TV. My those were the good old day’s, I remember going on a choir trip, and singing to the royal family at Sandringham, and visiting and singing in several Cathedral’s. Mr Risk was a good Choir Master, but did not want a mixed choir, no ladies !The photo was very small and some people were obscured,
Good luck Keith Parkinson