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Dingle Glen
The Story of the Dingle Gerls is about a group of Ladies from various parts of the globe that came together with a common interest on the Internet. Initially, it was by email, then on to a forum, where we still are. Our roots stem from the same place, Dingle, Liverpool.
Dingle received its name from Dingle Brook (Dingle actually means a wooded valley) that flowed to Knott's Hole. Dingle is within the boundary of the old Toxteth Park, one time known as The Royal Park of Toxteth, a hunting park for the King and nobility. The area was a very picturesque part of Toxteth Park as can seen above in the Dingle Glen photograph and the two images below. However, this is not the Dingle we knew.
Knott's Hole
Wishing Well Steps - Dingle Glen
Watercolour of Knott's Hole, Dingle
Toxteth Park has a mention in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and was then recorded a Stochestede. It has since had a number of variations in the name and in 1447 became Toxsteth. Later the 's' was dropped.
Liverpool has a chequered history that can be read in many online web pages, but on of the greatest reads I ever had was The Royal and Ancient Park of Toxteth by R.Griffiths who wrote a book in 1907.
The Ancient Chapel of Toxeth that stands on the corner of Park Road and Dingle Lane, built in 1618 and is one of the oldest churches in the United Kingdom. The little school adjacent was built in 1611. The chapel was partly rebuilt in 1774.
Liverpool had its 800th Year Celebration in 2007. Liverpool became a Borough by the then King John in 1206.
In 2008 Liverpool was honoured with the title of European Capital of Culture, how aptly named because one thing Liverpool has is culture.... lots of it.
Progress arrived in Dingle which saw the docks and industry take over the foreshore. The great Overhead Railway that ran from Seaforth Sands to the Dingle. The banks of the River Mersey at Dingle became rather a muddy eyesore and became known as The Cast Iron Shore. The lovely Dingle of past years was lost.
We did not know this beautiful Dingle of so long ago. We grew up in the 40s, 50's and 60's and so on. We were 'War Babies'. Dingle and Liverpool sufferered a major blitz during WWII. Many properties were very badly damaged and far too many people killed and injured, some of whom were our family, friends and neighbours.
The Liverpool people we knew and grew up with were always ready with a laugh and a smile, a good joke, pint of beer or just have a natter over a cup of tea. Always ready to help their neighbour. Children played in the streets without fear - sometimes until late at night, if parents permitted.
Games played, knock a down ginger, tick, two balls, skipping, roller skates, throwing a rope over the lamp post and have a swing. Coppers will come and give you a clip around the ear if caught playing in the phone boxes, which were a novelty to us kids.
Memories, and more memories of what we had, if we didn't have it, we didn't miss it and if we couldn't afford it, we did without and just got on with it.
We have seen many, many changes in the Dingle over the years. Some good and many not so good. No matter what is thrown at Liverpudlians, they get up and move on with a smile on their face. They are the people we knew and remember.
This group of ladies who once lived in the Dingle, grew up and moved on to different parts of Liverpool, England, Wales, Ireland and other countries like Canada and Australia, not to mention America. These ladies have been coming together on the internet for quite a number of years and known as 'The Dingle Gerls'.
This web site is to share a selection of poems, images and quilt pieces our gerls have made - I always write 'gerls' like this, because if it was said in scouse dialect that is how girls is pronounced.
Dingle Gerls such as Jeanette, Maggie, Maureen, Iris, Pat, Peggy, Barbara, Dot H, Dot T, Violet, Sylvia, Marge, Sue, Marie, Dot B, Hilda, Carol, Joyce, Rene, Frances, Meg, Pauline, Lavinia, Julie have in their own way contributed much to keeping alive this vibrant group of gerls. Not all remain in contact these days I'm saddend to say, but we do have fond memories of our times together on the net. During one reunion, the Dingle Gerls received an invite to be in the studio with Billy Butler and he phoned Australia to create a link-up with me(Maureen) and the gerls, it was so much fun and we will always cherish those memories.
Dingle Gerl's Reunion 2006
Some of our gerls have written wonderful poetry that we share here, along with photographic memorabilia of our Dingle in Liverpool. Pretty quilt squares created by the gerls which can be viewed on the next page.
FOREVER FRIENDS
We're joined in a friendship
That time cannot sever
With bonds we have built
We'll remain friends forever
We're welded in spirit
Attached by our hearts
And fused by the feelings
That friendship imparts
We're tied by emotions
Connected by dreams
Reinforced by our hopes
Unified by extremes
No longer a function
of time or of space
Our love is a substance
That life won't replace
No matter how distant
We'll always endeavour
To sense the full meaning
of Friendship Forever
©Maureen Eves-Lavis of Creative-Designs/DingleGerls
This document and all the photographs, memorabillia are copyright to the authors and owners and must not be
copied, translated or archived in any manor without the permission of the owner.
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