Metropolitan Borough of Wirral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Borough of Wirral
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Wallasey Town Hall
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Motto(s):
By faith and foresight
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![]() Wirral shown within Merseyside
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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.)
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• Total | 324,011 | |
• Rank | 34th | |
Demonym(s) |
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Ethnicity (2021) | ||
• Ethnic groups |
List
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Religion (2021) | ||
• Religion |
List
55.0% Christianity
37.3% no religion 1.0% Islam 0.4% Hinduism 0.3% Buddhism 0.1% Sikhism 0.1% Judaism 0.4% other 5.3% not stated |
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Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) | |
Postcode areas |
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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.
Contents
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 | ||
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Birkenhead | Mick Whitley | Labour Party | 2019 | ||
Wallasey | Angela Eagle | Labour Party | 1992 | ||
Wirral South | Alison McGovern | Labour Party | 2010 | ||
Wirral West | Margaret Greenwood | Labour Party | 2015 |
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:
Lorient, France
Gennevilliers, France
Midland, Texas, United States
Reno, Nevada, United States
Sibiu, Romania, Romania
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
- The 96 people killed at the Hillsborough disaster: 15 September 2017
- Andrew Devine (97th Hillsborough Victim): 21 March 2021