Focus Point 1:
King George's Way
King George's Way is the path onto the Hill from the corner of Upton Road and Boundary Road by the traffic lights. King George's Way was opened by King George V and Queen Mary on Wednesday 25th March 1914.
On that day their Majesties arrived at Huyton Station at 11.20 am. From there, they proceeded to Chester arriving at 12.15 p.m. His majesty then pressed an electric button that opened the doors of a new wing at the local infirmary. The train left at 1.00 for Hooton Siding where luncheon was taken. Forty-five minutes later they arrived at the station where they were met by the local dignitaries and then proceeded to Port Sunlight arriving at 2.00 p.m. to be greeted by Sir William Lever.
After a tour round the works, they travelled by motor to Hulme Hall, where the King pressed another electric button to lay a foundation stone to the memory of Lady Lever.
Their majesties then proceeded to Birkenhead arriving at 3.56 p.m. and were received by the Chairman of Cammell Lairds, another quick tour round and then on to Birkenhead Town Hall where a low dais had been erected in front of the Municipal Building. In front of thousands of school children (who had been given a day off) waving Union Jacks the King pressed an electric button and declared the new extension to Bidston Hill open. After completion of the ceremonies everyone sang the National Anthem.
Re-entering their cars, the King and Queen proceeded via Hamilton Square, Argyle Street, Conway Street, Park Road North, Upton Road (brief pause maybe, as his aides told him why he pressed the electric button for the new King George's Way), Boundary Road, Upper Flaybrick, Tollemache Road and on to Wallasey. There a stand had been erected and yet another electric button was pressed to lay the foundation stone of Wallasey Town Hall.
From there to Seacombe Ferry, across to Liverpool and then to the Riverside Station arriving at their starting point, Huyton Station at 5.50 p.m.
Does this represent the record for electric buttons pressed in one day? On the Royal Train did he say to his Mrs “my finger's killing me?”
A tree was planted by Mr A.W. Willmer (president of the Birkenhead Chamber of Commerce and an ex mayor) to commemorate the event.
In 1920 the British Women's Temperance Association asked permission to erect a coffee stall on King George's Way. At first permission was not granted but the Bidston Hill Management Committee relented and a stall was there for many years selling tea, coffee and hot water. This saved people taking spirit lamps onto the Hill (which were banned) and reduced the risk of fire. The stall was finally sold, due to lack of interest, to Eastham Cricket Club in 1939.
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