Greasby

The earliest known human settlement in Merseyside has been found at Greasby, believed to date from approximately 7000 BC.[5] A rectangular floor of sandstone slabs and pebbles suggests regular use by the nomadic hunters of that period.[6] The remains of burnt hazelnut shells found at the site were used for radiocarbon dating. The results specified a time period between 8300 BC and 8500 BC, even earlier than previously thought.[7] National Museums Liverpool archaeologists excavated the site between 1987 and 1990.[7][5]

Greasby was an Anglo Saxon settlement, as witnessed by the form of the name, Gravesberie, in the Domesday Book.[8] Gravesberie derives from the Old English gräf (a grove) and burh (a fortified place). This has been recorded as meaning "grove farm/settlement",[9] or alternatively, a "stronghold or fortification by a grove, trench, canal or wood".[10][11][12] The name was Scandinavianised to Greasby, under the influence of Old Norse speakers in Wirral (gräf and býr, with býr meaning "settlement" or "farmstead").[13] The name of the village has been variously spelt over time, including: Grauesberi, Grauesbyri, Grauisby (1093), Grauesbi (c.1155), Grauesby (c.1170), Griseby (1280) and Graysby (1610).[10][11][14]

Prior to the Norman conquest of England in 1066, Greasby was owned by a man named Dunning, who may have been an official (bailiff or steward) for the earls of Mercia.[15] After the invasion, all land in the area passed to Hugh d'Avranches.[16] By the time of the Domesday Book (1086), Greasby was under the ownership of Nigel de Burcy and consisted of eight households. [8][17]

After the Second World War the area expanded considerably, with significant residential development across previously agricultural land. This has resulted in Greasby becoming contiguous with the nearby settlements of Moreton, Upton and Woodchurch.[18]

Civic history

Greasby was formerly a township split between the parishes of Thurstaston and West Kirby, within the Wirral Hundred. It held civil parish status between 1866 and 1974.[19] From 1866 Greasby was part of Wirral Rural Sanitary District, which was replaced in 1894 by Wirral Rural District. In 1933 the village transferred to Hoylake Urban District.[20] On 1 April 1974, local government reorganisation in England and Wales resulted in most of the Wirral Peninsula, including Greasby, transfer from the county of Cheshire to Merseyside.

The population of the village was 123 in 1801, rising to 177 in 1851, 290 in 1901 and significantly increasing to 4,367 in 1951.[19][21]

The restored pump, on the corner of Pump Lane

Greasby Cross, 19th century replacement for an ancient stone cross

Greasby is bounded by Arrowe Brook, at Upton Meadow, and by Greasby Brook which flows around the western and northern sides of Greasby. Greasby Brook merges into Arrowe Brook between Greasby and Saughall Massie, which becomes a tributary of the Birket.

Greasby Cross is an iron cross on a sandstone plinth that was placed in the centre of the village in 1862 to replicate an earlier, possibly medieval, cross on the same site. A restored late nineteenth century water pump is on Old Pump Lane.[10]

Greasby Old Hall on Frankby Road has been a Grade II listed building since 1953.[22] It is a seventeenth century sandstone house, although remnants of a possibly fifteenth century timber structure survive within.[23]

Manor Farm is a red sandstone and brick building with associated barns and are all Grade II listed buildings.[24][25] Manor Farm has a date stone inscription of "IM 1680" and has been previously known as Greasby House and The Manor.

The village is within the parliamentary constituency of Wirral West. The current Member of Parliament is Margaret Greenwood, a Labour representative.

At local government level, Greasby is incorporated into the Greasby, Frankby and Irby Ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in the metropolitan county of Merseyside. It is represented on Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by three councillors.[26] The most recent local elections took place on 6 May 2021.

Shops on Greasby Road

The village contains a post office, a branch of The Co-operative Food, a Boots pharmacy, a branch of Age UK, a William Hill bookmaker and a BP petrol station. A Sainsbury's Local convenience store was opened on 8 October 2014, along with a veterinary surgery which opened on 6 October 2014.[45][46] These were opened in new retail units, after many parts of the local community opposed the construction of the new building.[46][47] Greasby also has a number of other small shops including a butchers, florist, greengrocer's, estate agents and a number of fast food takeaways.

• John Bowe, English actor, born in Greasby
• Mark Head, literary critic, born in Greasby
• Craig Lindfield, English footballer, born in Greasby
• Bill Rigby, English footballer, died in Greasby
• James Hype, English DJ, raised in Greasby

• Mortimer, William Williams (1847). The History of the Hundred of Wirral. London: Whittaker & Co. p.273.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Greasby.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Greasby.

• Greasby website