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Metropolitan Borough of Wirral facts for kids

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Borough of Wirral
Wallasey Town Hall
Wallasey Town Hall
Coat of arms of Borough of Wirral
Coat of arms
Motto(s): 
By faith and foresight
Wirral shown within Merseyside
Wirral shown within Merseyside
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country England
Region North West
Ceremonial county Merseyside
City region Liverpool
Incorporated 1 April 1974
Named for Wirral Peninsula
Administrative HQ Wallasey Town Hall
Government
 • Type Metropolitan borough
 • Body Wirral Council
Area
 • Total 98 sq mi (253 km2)
 • Land 60.6 sq mi (157.0 km2)
Area rank 185th
Population
 (2005 est.)
 • Total 324,011
 • Rank 34th
Demonym(s)
Ethnicity (2021)
 • Ethnic groups
Religion (2021)
 • Religion
Time zone UTC+0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode areas
  • CH41–49
  • CH60–63
Dialling code 0151
ISO 3166 code GB-WRL
GSS code E08000015

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a special area in Merseyside, North West England. It's home to about 324,011 people (as of 2005 est.). This area covers the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula, which is about 60.6 square miles (157.0 km2) in size.

Some of the main towns in Wirral include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake, and West Kirby. Wirral is the westernmost metropolitan borough in England. Across the River Mersey to the northeast, you can see the city of Liverpool.

Wirral's Location and Borders

Wirral is surrounded by water on three sides. The River Mersey is to the east, the Irish Sea is to the north, and the River Dee is to the west. To the south, Wirral shares a border with the borough of Cheshire West and Chester, which covers the rest of the Wirral Peninsula.

Wirral's History: How it Began

The Borough of Wirral was created on 1 April 1974. This happened because of a law called the Local Government Act 1972. Before this, the area was made up of several smaller parts. These included the towns of Birkenhead and Wallasey, along with Bebington, Hoylake, and Wirral Urban Districts. They all joined together to form the single borough we know today.

Wirral's Economy and Development

Wirral's economy includes many different types of jobs and businesses. In 2006, big plans were announced for a huge project called Wirral Waters. This project aims to develop the docklands area with new industrial buildings, offices, homes, and places for fun and leisure.

Planning permission for Wirral Waters was given in 2010, and work started in 2011. This is a very long-term project, and development could continue for up to 30 years. It's a major effort to bring new life and opportunities to the area.

Education in Wirral

Wirral has a mix of schools for students. When the borough was formed in 1974, it brought together different school systems. Some areas had comprehensive schools, which means they accept all students regardless of their academic ability. Other areas had a selective system, with grammar schools for students who passed an exam and secondary modern schools for those who didn't.

Over time, laws changed how schools worked. Now, parents can apply for their child to go to almost any secondary school in the borough. This means students from different areas can attend different types of schools.

Today, Wirral has 16 comprehensive schools and 6 grammar schools. Two of the comprehensive schools and two of the grammar schools are Roman Catholic schools.

Wirral's Members of Parliament (MPs)

Members of Parliament, or MPs, are people elected by the public to represent them in the UK Parliament in London. They speak up for their local area and help make laws for the country. Wirral has four MPs, each representing a different part of the borough. All of Wirral's current MPs belong to the Labour Party.

Area Represented MP's Name Political Party Year First Elected
Birkenhead Mick Whitley Labour Party 2019
Official portrait of Mick Whitley MP crop 2
Mick Whitley MP
Wallasey Angela Eagle Labour Party 1992
Official portrait of Ms Angela Eagle MP crop 2
Angela Eagle MP
Wirral South Alison McGovern Labour Party 2010
Official portrait of Alison McGovern MP crop 2
Alison McGovern MP
Wirral West Margaret Greenwood Labour Party 2015
Official portrait of Margaret Greenwood MP crop 2
Margaret Greenwood MP

Fun Places to Visit in Wirral

Wirral has many interesting places to explore, especially if you love nature! The Wirral Council looks after five special Local Nature Reserves. These are places where nature is protected and you can enjoy the outdoors. They include Bidston Moss, Dibbinsdale, Heswall Dales, Hilbre Island, and Thurstaston Common.

Wirral also has part of the Wirral Country Park. This was the very first country park ever created in Britain, which is pretty cool!

Wirral's International Friends (Twin Towns)

Wirral has special friendships with towns and cities in other countries. These are called twin towns or sister cities. It's a way for different places around the world to learn from each other and share cultures.

Wirral is twinned with:

Freedom of the Borough: A Special Honour

The "Freedom of the Borough" is a very old and special honour that Wirral can give to people, military groups, or organisations. It's a way to recognise those who have done something amazing or have a strong connection to the area.

Individuals Honoured

Some of the people who have received this honour include:

  • Lieutenant Commander Ian Edward Fraser: 1993
  • Joseph Lynch: 1996
  • Raymond Holmes: 2005
  • The Right Reverend David Urquhart: 2006
  • Michael Chan, Baron Chan: 2006
  • Stephen Maddox: 2010
  • Police Constable David Phillips: 21 May 2016
  • Frank Field, Baron Field of Birkenhead: 16 February 2022
  • Paul O'Grady: 8 June 2023 (Awarded after he passed away)
  • Glenda Jackson: 9 October 2023 (Awarded after she passed away)

Military Units Honoured

Several military groups have also received this honour:

  • The Cheshire Regiment: 1996
  • The Royal Marines: 1998
  • 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment: 2009
  • 234 (Wirral) Transport Squadron, RLC (Volunteers): 18 February 2012
  • 107 (Lancashire and Cheshire) Field Squadron (Volunteers): 18 February 2012
  • HMS Astute, RN: 6 July 2015
  • Wallasey Sea Cadet Corps: 6 July 2015

Organisations and Groups Honoured

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