The Story of Garston

This is the story of Garston. a town in its own rights. the story starts in the 12th Century with the Benedictine Monks and Adam De Gerston through to Alfred Jones and The norris Family. It tells how Garston became an industrial hub with its own Schools, hospitals, railways and even Docks. Garston was also mentioned in the Doomsday book.
Documents pre-Medieval times are rare and, in the case of Liverpool, virtually non-existent. We have no maps to show us what the land looked like in detail, although there were maps being produced pre-1150 by the "School of Andists" formed by the Benedictines at St Albans Abbey. A map may, therefore, have been produced by the monks of Stanlawe, who had an interest in Garston, although none have been known to survive.
Garston in early times was administered from West Derby. Edward the Confessor had chosen West Derby for the site of a castle and hunting lodge and held it until 1066, when it was given to Roger of Pictou, who developed a wooden mot and bailey. The land and its forest was so important that it was the centre of administration alongside Lancaster for the area. West Derby's importance waned as Liverpool prospered, due to Liverpool being on the coast and in a more strategic position and it was this small hamlet that gained royal favour.
It can be established from the Doomsday survey for the manor of West Derby Hundred that Garston had a mixed farming economy. There was an extensive open field system with land available for the pasturage of 500 sheep, 20 cows, oxen and draught horses granted to Cocklesands before 1206.
We have no contemporary maps but we can interpret what the immediate area looked like by first of all examining the present topography.
The township of Garston was dominated by Mossley Hill, which is 175 feet above sea level, whilst in the background is the Woolton ridge, taking in parts of Allerton, which has three summits, ranging from 225 feet to 275 feet above sea level, plus a ridge line 150 feet above sea level. Between these two portions of high ground, there is a valley, which leads from Garston through to Wavertree, ascending up to West Derby.
A valuable plan was produced in 1855 by the Garston local board, which was used to identify the drainage patterns within South Liverpool and the tributaries it produced. The value of this plan is that the land was still rural in nature and substantially unaltered from much earlier times.
The prominent Mossley Hill of bunter sandstone is now occupied on its summit by Mossley Hill church. Mossley derives from thickets within a clearing, so it can be supposed that the Hill rose above common scrubland.
Four water courses run through Garston. Oskoesbrok, later renamed the River Jordan, ran through Otterspool. A stream also ran through what is now Garston North Dock, originating from the Allerton area, whilst another ran along the bottom of the Woolton Ridge following approximately the West Allerton to Allerton railway line, joining up with the water course from what is now Woolton Village, to form Garston Brook. This discharged into the Mersey through what is now Stalbridge Dock. A small water course also ran along the boundary joining the Speke township through what is termed the Plantation.
The land in Garston was mostly agricultural divided up into smallholdings with rental paid to a landlord. A Norris deed of 1342, ref. 278, has
Roger, son of Simon de Gerstan, granting to Alan le Norreys of Speke a plot of land called Gresselonddale stretching from the sea to Aykebergh.
A plot of land in Holm stretching from Aykebergh to the way to the Mosse.
In the Holm … abutting against Gerstanheth.

[@telabib]

When i was young ( over 60 yrs ago ) my mother used to attend a Gospel meeting at the bottom of King street, it was just opposite the pub. It was held in the upstairs of a terraced house, which is now no longer there. I have great memories of going there.

[@barryhughes7376]

Brings back happy childhood memories. I lived on Palmerston Road in Garston until I was 18. Moved away 40 years ago but still remember a lot of places shown on this film. Thanks for showing it Paul.

[@veryhighguy]

glad you liked it

[@petergroverd6626]

Hi Bud , I was brought on Derby Street that was under the bridge off Banks Road. I moved to Chester 40 odd years ago and brought up a family here but always remember with a lot of love for Garston. My brother wrote a song about Garston some years ago and performed it at the Woodcutters social club on Window lane. It was my oldest brother Mike who wrote it with a friend called Parry. Under the Bridge I believe were the Mud Men. Like you Mate I enjoy good childhood memories.

[@petergroverd6626]

As a child from Garston born in 1963 now living in Chester for years now. I have enjoyed this very much. Can someone confirm that the narrator of this film is Roger of Radio Mersey fame? Question asked now in 2024.

[@veryhighguy]

Yes it was Roger

[@telabib]

I remember the garston empire, and going there to see psycho in around 1961. I couldn't get in at first because i was under age, but my mates who got in opened a side door for me and i got in to see it. I spent many a happy hour at the garston empire.

[@veryhighguy]

still there but not well looked after. i think its up for sale again.

[@chrism8705]

Fantastic video love local history I don't live in garston but I delivered to most companies there from the 80s till 2015 no tanner's left now in Liverpool all gone

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

[@andrewbennett7756]

I no it well my grandad worked on the docks my mum and gran lived there for years mum still lives at the rear of the senastaf. I always rember home James coaches they were purple 💜

[@marksavage1108]

Nan Grandad and father came from Garston, Nan and Grandad are still there, in St Michaels, I was born to Byrom Street off King Street, moved at 18 months. My first love was from the top of St Marys Road, good friends from Merideth Street. You can still hear the brook flowing under the grids at the bottom of King Street, the first yard with the remaining tall chimney has the manhole cover outside. I remember sliding down the front of Albert Jones hospital, nan constantly sewing our pants up.

[@veryhighguy]

Sadly the hospital has been demolished and replaced with a building what will only last half the time Sir Alfred Memorial did. I think i know where you mean is it the spot where Adams mill was

[@JayFal68]

Just watching this now, very interesting

[@veryhighguy]

it is yeah.

[@wmr9019]

Benediction monks?? I think you meant BENEDICTINE

[@andrewbennett7756]

Can you do one of the Liverpool tunnel that wer dug all over the place thanks

[@owez7113]

Searched for garston and this was made a day ago :)

[@veryhighguy]

iv had it for years but decided to upload it the other day

[@stormytempest6521]

GARSTON, A PORT WITHIN A PORT !

[@paulhudson563]

Does anyone remember the name of the Record shop that used to be on St Mary's road?

[@JayFal68]

Carlin Music was the small shop

[@veryhighguy]

there was one called gullys in james street and iv just been told there was a NEMS what surprised me

[@paulhudson563]

@@JayFal68 was that about 4 shops in once you past the junction, heading to town from the baths?no Jay. Before the junction heading to town

[@cozza-ow1bz]

The fella whose shop it was, was called Rick, we used to go in and he would always play the Jam songs for us(1979)

[@user-ng8uu2tt7r]

Nothing about Holy Trinity school.

[@veryhighguy]

it must of been a nightmare for the maintenance guys.