BELFAST HANGARS, A MERCHANT’S HOUSE AND A CAST IRON CHURCH-JUNE 9TH 2026

Our day begins at Hooton Hangars on the Wirral. Once a home of the Stanley family, it became an aviation centre in both World Wars. It was even Liverpool airport for a few years. The hangars are now a cornucopia of retired aeroplanes. There is a Second World War theme, because of its connection to the Airforce during this period. There is a collection of Victorian printing presses. We will have a guided tour. Cake and a hot drink on arrival

This visit is linked to, but independent of, David Mottram’s talk at the BLP on May 21st, 2026.

Sudley House was the home of a rich Liverpool merchant. It is a villa in its own grounds and so has interest as a typical bourgeoise house of this time. Its owner was part of a circle of rich art buyers, who actively supported the Pre-Raphaelites from the 1850s onwards. The Liverpool School of artists gave rise to many excellent artists working in this style. Sudley House has a collection of these lesser-known practitioners. Self-guided visit in the house.

We next move on to St Michael-in-the-Hamlet. Many of you visited Edmund Sharpe’s terra-cotta (‘pot’) church  at Lever Bridge. St. Michael’s is a cast iron church built by a local iron foundry owner. It is one of the two surviving cast iron churches in the country. They were ‘flat pack’ churches, built off site and capable of being erected anywhere. Thomas Rickman was the architect of this church. In February we had a lecture about his Gothic work. We will be given a short talk about the church.

An optional meal is available at Allerton Hall. This was originally a large Georgian house in its own grounds. These are now a public park.

The cost is £48.50 without the optional meal. This includes coach and gratuity; entrance to Hooton Hangars and refreshments and a donation at Sudley House and St Michael’s. The cost is £59.50 with the on June 9th 2026. We leave Handbridge at 9.15 am, Chester Railway Station at 9.20 and Boughton at 9.25. We return to Chester by meal. This includes a main course and tip.

The visit is approximately 5.45pm.

You will be notified of your place on this visit by 7th May 2026.

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ACCOUNT NUMBER : 01229346

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If you wish to pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Chester Civic Trust and send to: Chester Civic Trust, 51/53 Watergate Row South, Chester CH1 2LE