15 members of the Sunday Strollers got the local bus to Walton Road and walked up to Everton Football Ground. We went and had a look at the statue, that has recently been erected outside the club’s stadium, of three of Everton’s greatest players. Known as the “Holy Trinity”, they were regarded as the best midfield trio in England in the 1960s. They were Alan Ball, Howard Kendal and Colin Harvey
Then on to Anfield Cemetery and enjoyed an interesting walk around the grounds. In 1854 Liverpool Corporation issued an order prohibiting any further burials in the city’s overcrowded cemeteries. Land was subsequently obtained so that a new cemetery could be formed. The total cost, including the purchase of the land, came to more than £150,000 and the first interment in Anfield Cemetery, sometimes known as Liverpool Cemetery, took place in 1863. The layout was designed by Edward Kemp (1817-91), though T D Barry won the original competition. A crematorium was built near the southern edge of the site 1894-6. Two of the three original cemetery chapels have been demolished and one of the pair of Priory Road Lodges has also been lost.
We then we crossed the road into Stanley Park which is a 111 acre Grade II* listed park which has many historic features. The park is famous for dividing the home grounds of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs. You can stand in the middle of the park and see both football stadiums which are only about half a mile from each other. From the structural beauty of the grand sandstone pavilions to pretty rose gardens and wildlife habitats, there’s lots to explore at this Green Flag and Green Heritage award winning park.
Then onto the home of The European Football Champions- Liverpool Football club. Anfield has been the home of Liverpool FC since it opened in 1884. Anfield has also hosted non-football events, such as Rugby League and music concerts.
We then returned to Stanley Park and went to the Grade II listed Victorian conservatory which is set amidst picture-perfect rose gardens and lakes now known as the Isla Gladstone were we all enjoyed a Sunday Roast .
Thanks to Brian and Brenda Dickinson for making this month’s walk so interesting. We are hoping that David Scott will lead a walk soon around Port Sunlight so watch this space.