Kirkbyography - A picture of Kirkby

The story of Kirkby told through the photographs of John Wakefield, memories of residents, images from Prescot Museum's collection and footage from the collection of ARK at Knowsley Archives. Interviewees travelled around Kirkby in a taxi to visit sites of importance to them and have a chat along the way.
This film by Graeme Lycett was commissioned to accompany Kirkbyography, an exhibition of photographs of Kirkby taken in the 80s and 90s by local photographer John Wakefield, shown alongside images from Prescot Museum's collection, mostly dating from the 60s.
Kirkbyography is on display at Kirkby Gallery until 14 October 2023.
Kirkby Gallery is free to visit. Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and Saturday 10am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm).
Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby L32 8XY
Find out more: www.prescotmuseum.org.uk/kirk...

[@SuperPeb1]

This is great as it's my home town, brothers still lives there. Thank you for putting this together and posting it xx

[@paulmuwadeeb2161]

I'm a Kirkby kid, born in 1974 and lived all but 12 months of my life here. It's not perfect, but it is home - my home. And I love it.

[@jamesmason5491]

I'm a southdene lad. Brought up in kirkby. It put me right to survive for the rest of my life. St Kevin's was a great school with brilliant teachers. Always in my mind as I haven't lived there for 20 years great memories. 9:43

[@annedarbyshire7634]

I am from Grassendale in South Liverpool, but married a Kirkby lad and we have lived here, not far from his mum and dad, since 2002. I didn't know Kirkby before I met my husband, but Kirkby along with Speke, Netherĺey and other overspill areas had always fascinated me. There is a certain spirit that lasts a few generations in people that have been uprooted. I didn't imagine I would come to call one of those areas home and come to feel more like I belong in Kirkby more than I ever did in Grassendale. I love being a part of the history of such a unique town.

[@juliacollins3062]

Brilliant! Made me teary and made me smile at the same rime. Lived in USA for 24 years but still come HOME to Kirkby every year to see family and friends. Loved my childhood there.

[@alisonlovesart2975]

This is so good and brings back all those Happy memories of living in kirkby . Thanks to all concerned 😊

[@user-pc3np4tw5d]

Concerning behave Southdene me dont act like your from somewhere when we are right there try and get down the L32 steps Hahaha you know

[@user-gq5xr9hn9s]

Brilliant to watch - is there more? Made me smile so much my face hurt. Left Kirkby in 1989 to join the Navy. Miss it so was great to hear the people and see the sights again

[@blackhurjo1]

I came across this video by accident.....I worked at Mill Farm in 1980/81 on a training scheme. I remember the play leaders Steve Guy and Paddy. I worked with John Hoply an Stephen Murphy. John I had known from St Kevin's School......John Wakefield I remember from Hugton college in 1988/89. I also remember his brother Stephen....Well done to everyone involved in making the short film

[@user-lj6gk6nm9e]

i live in kirby now was born in bolton brought up down south im what you call a northen cockney been here for 8 years now just love it and the people just proper people thank you kirkby

[@TheDarkArt657]

Since 1974 when Huyton became the political centre the people of Kirkby has lost so much. The Kirkby sports centre and cycle track, the civic buildings, the community centres and church clubs, the big factories, the football pitches, no big supermarket for 40 years, no picture house or hotel (apart from the refugee hotel on the east lancs.). So many famous and noteworthy people from here but we have been dumped on from a great height.

[@buster321ish]

Thank you for letting me relive my memory's xx

[@antw8884]

Love Kirkby, the people are amazing. I live in Maghull now but Kirkby is still where I say I’m from ❤

[@stephenodonnell619]

Same here!

[@annkennedy5310]

Fabulous ❤ left Kirkby when I was 8 I went to St Maries till 1971

[@mima0151]

Has made me smile so much ❤ I'm proud to say I was brought up in Kirkby. Our mum and dad were there from 1958 in Changford.

[@David1131955]

Wow! What a superb film! I really enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane. Thanks for sharing.

[@savanajohn1890]

I moved to Kirkby from Anfield Road in 1951, to Ravenhead Ave., Southdene. At that time there were not any schools in Kirkby. My mother insisted that I went to Junior school, so I walked a cross Ribblers Lane through the wood to a tram stop on the East Lanc Road. i then caught the 19 tram to Sleepers Hill /Breck Road and walked to Anfield Road School. Come hale or shine and i was seven years old. I left Kirkby in 1966 to go to a Teacher Training College in Dudley Worcs. I returned for a short time in 1969 and purchased a house in Mount Crescent by Kirkby station. Moving from there to Childwall in 73. Just as a point of interest my Father was the last Chairman of Kirkby UDC. Thanks for sharing this film.

[@phishtahko3905]

Great feature film!, thanks to all involved.

[@zapre2284]

I lived in kirkby from when I was born in 1980 until I moved out about 20 years ago. Its sad to see how fresh it looked, and now going back to see my mum and , the baths has gone, sports center has gone. I remember watching Monster Trucks there in about 1990. The community feel of this video is something I dont sense anymore unfortunately. As for the Peacock, that was Grandads second home !

[@beverlysmithbeverlysmith9220]

It took me back down memory lane when I was growing up in Kirkby which I still live🤗

[@stephenodonnell619]

Thanks for the great memories of Kirkby, we moved from Toxteth to Southdene in 1955 lived there til 1973. I remember the countryside before the Townie was built and a lot more, Went to St Kev's and remember getting the strap too well, I think I held the record for the most strappings in the 3rd yr. Oh and Spinney Woods, I practically lived there in the summer hol's

[@rewind2play]

Brilliantly produced video... great characters, visually engaging and full of heartwarming stories.. Hats off to you, from a fellow video producer and Kirkby lad.. We should produce a video all about the thriving music scene of the day.. Thank you...

[@royothebuzz]

Enjoyed this video. I was born on Westhead Walk, Northwood. Went to Simonswood infants then Primary school before Ruffwood Senior school. Worked in Kirkby market on the fruit & veg. Loved the Peacock, saw some great bands there. Happy memories. Thanks.

[@mackybmx]

That was Brilliant!! Loved every bit of that!

[@paulgilmartin9673]

Went to Kirkby in the 1973 for a week to family stayed for 6 weeks had a great time ❤

[@merseydave1]

Kirkby a new town in the borough Knowsley next to Liverpool ... full of people from Liverpool. Over me 58 years (of living in Liverpool) I think I went to the town Centre twice. On watching this video "the people" have informed me of the place and how they Love It Some of the images remind me of where I am from originally "The Childwall Valley Estate" built in 1962 next to Bell Vale. This is a Great Video and because of it, I intend to go and take a real look around Kirkby instead of just the town centre!.

[@jameshurst4461]

Thank you so much for this was amazing took me back so much.How lucky was we to have john taking them pictures.

[@Caninefuturesliverpool]

Love this ❤

[@jamesnewhall4192]

Love this thank you

[@steverandallart]

Beautiful x

[@user-kg5vw6df7o]

My mam and dad moved to Kirkby from Kirkdale Kirkdale to Park Brow Southdene

[@jaimz33]

I remember Mill Farm when it had waterfall and a high cliff, we used to put a rope on a scrawny tree on top of it and swing out over the river 30 feet below. Mind you the height of the slides in the park 30 feet wasn't scary

[@MrKrupp42]

Thanks

[@grahamnodwell5693]

The jewel in the crown was the kirkby sports centre the powers that be let it run down bit by bit would never of happened if it was in Huyton, The sports centre made world champion boxes, top professional footballers national cycling champion, Pulling it down was the worst thing that ever happened to this to town.

[@terrymoogan3773]

Terry Moogan here from usa born in scottie road real scouser Kirby great place, on the phone thee other day to a friend lives there, you will love my book coming out in December on amazon LIVERPOOL BANK ROBBER TO THE Hollywood Butler GOD BLESS YOU ALL Terry Moogan

[@joanmyers5148]

Terry we knew you in Santa Monica , the Kings Head, Ken and Joan

[@ena6631]

Does anyone know where the Karate photograph originated from? The boxing ring is on the right, looking at the photograph. Thank you.

[@lukeriely4468]

Mercer hights at the end. They were empty at that point. The plastic facade you see down the middle was originally verandas. They put those there because so many people committed suicide from there. Note the top one burned out? I remember that fire. Had he taken this photo a few weeks later, all that plastic was melted after kids set fire to a flat. It caught like grenfel did. It spread, but nobody lived there, of course, but the smoke was toxic, and it took fire fighters a long time to control. I can even remember those windows open on the 12th, 10th and 9th floors. They knocked them down, thankfully. But it used to be a fun place to play years before. I knew lots who lived in all 4 or those blocks on Mercer Avenue.

[@marsdenderrick8082]

Did john live in Elstead road

[@michaelstephen1984]

John Wakefield lived in Quarry Green Heights (if you mean that John) - he moved out and died not long afterwards. A great neighbour. Sadly missed.

[@marsdenderrick8082]

Yes John did live in Elstead Road second close on the left with his family. Think it was 34 facing miss browns . Nice family

[@joshuasage8826]

0:42s in….I did not consent to this 😂

[@jennyhorsfall2555]

Omg Josh I thought that looked like you! 😂

[@joshuasage8826]

“Horsefall!??…oh shit Moran!” …yeah did not consent 😂😂

[@jennyhorsfall2555]

@@joshuasage8826 🤣🤣🤣

[@tjnz]

It was and still is an absolute shīthole

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@tjnz you're not wrong about that. I've lived in Kirkby all my life (33 years)

[@onionsyes]

Amazing this. So sad that motor vehicles have ruined so much for us and our children. Roads too dangerous and clogged for parents to allow kids play out. Let's take them back :)