The mole of edge hill tunnels the book

Williamson tunnels host play on the mole of edge hill liverpool. The williamson tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the edge hill area of liverpool, england. Moles will tunnel in the yard in each season of the year each and every type of mole will tunnel in the yard, however there are several different types of tunnels in which a mole will dig in the following paragraphs i will attempt to explain each type of tunnel and the kind of moles that could possibly dig these tunnels in greater detail shallow tunnel. Joseph williamson 10 march 1769 1 may 1840 was an english eccentric, businessman, property owner and a philanthropist who is best known for the williamson tunnels, which were constructed under his direction in the edge hill area of. There is an arrangement of loose soil and this is raised by the burrowing animals most commonly by moles. Membership the mole members magazine monthly members meeting. This labyrinth was constructed by one joseph williamson who has come to be known as the mole of edge hill. Joseph williamson and his environment are important for my book and its flow. Any one who wants to get more information is recommended to refer to one of the sources at the bottom of this page. Nicknamed the mole of edge hill, joseph williamson was a wealthy tobacco merchant who, in the early 1800s, paid hundreds of unemployed men to dig seemly pointless tunnels under edge hill. If you or your group has an existing booking we will contact you shortly. The williamson tunnels are a labyrinth of tunnels in the edge hill area of liverpool, england, which were built under the direction of joseph.

The williamson tunnels are a labyrinth of tunnels in the edge hill area of liverpool, england, which were built under the direction of joseph williamson between 1810 and 1840. Mole questions mole answers ask a questions about moles. Today 10th march in 1769 joseph williamson was born. Standard oak lodges decor in this large corner house. The williamson tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the edge hill. The williamson tunnels heritage centre is owned and. The world of williamsons tunnels paperback july 3, 2006 by david clensy author. Having a mole around can actually be beneficial to your yard, since they eat other pests, but they also cause lawns to.

The mole, of course, refers to will burrows, and was influenced by the edge hill mole, namely joseph williamson, whose network of tunnels beneath liverpool was a great inspiration for the book. Williamson tunnels explore liverpool liverpool tours. One reason moles are often mistaken for rodents is that rodents like pocket gophers and voles often take safe passage in abandoned mole tunnels. Mersey tunnels become a unique heritage site society. There are many tunnels in the liverpool area, including sundry rail tunnels and those of the mole of edge hill. We thought it was a memorable title, but chicken house wanted something with a more modern feel that reflected where the series of books will be. Trapping moles learn trapping techniques that work. The first half of the book is a short novel in which the author brings the eerie subterranean world to life, imagining what williamsons life may have been like. These are great locations to set up traps going in both directions to get your mole. I spoke to the family i was staying with whether the song was true and we looked up the williamson tunnels. Take a guided tour through a section of the network of tunnels and view exhibitions which depict the life and times of one of liverpools most eccentric characters.

The mole of edge hill the williamson tunnels consist of a labyrinth of tunnels in the edge hill area of liverpool, which were built under the direction of the eccentric businessman joseph williamson. Joseph williamson was an eccentric, businessman, property owner and a philanthropist whose philanthropy earned him the nickname the king of edge hill, whilst his tunnel building activity earned him. They are thought to have been created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist joseph williamson between 1810 and 1840. The mole of edge hill is at the williamson tunnels from march 2428 with. Featuring more than 85 vintage photographs, bygone liverpool charts the development of the city from its victorian prosperity to its wartime austerity.

The mole of edge hill is the story of eccentric entrepreneur joseph williamson who built a mysterious tunnel network in liverpool in the early 19th century. Moles dig an extensive tunnel system on many levels, most of the soil gets compressed into the sides and floor of these tunnels, but when the mole digs tunnels just under the surface they push excess soil to the surface to get rid of it. The mole of edge hill is as roughly made as one of williamsons tunnels and id advise you to wrap up warm as this subterranean venue is not heated. Theres no finer way to get to grips with the glorious history of this european. Escape the rain at britains 12 best underground attractions. Joseph williamson english businessman, property owner and philanthropist. Joseph williamsons tunnels are a bizarre collection of brick cellars. Joseph williamson 10 march 1769 1 may 1840 was an eccentric, businessman, property owner and a philanthropist who is best known for the tunnels which were constructed under his direction in the edge hill area of liverpool, england.

The williamson tunnels are a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns under the edge hill district of liverpool. Going underground digging out the williamson tunnels. The williamson tunnels consist of a labyrinth of tunnels in the edge hill area of liverpool, which were built under the direction of the eccentric businessman joseph williamson. Often you can find these tunnels along walkways, edges of lawns, and foundations. The mole, of course, refers to will burrows, and was influenced by the edge hill mole, namely joseph williamson, whose network of tunnels beneath. Even his history is a mystery, born in warrington, oh no, after some more research, actually he was born in barnsley, yorkshire still debated he had a bit of luck in business and this allowed him to buy a plot of land in edge hill, liverpool. He is remembered as the mole of edge hill due to his employing hundreds of men to construct a network of tunnels beneath the edge hill area.

Roderick gordon was born, grew up and went to university in london. Interview with rodrick gordon and brian williams uk. The mole of edge hill is as roughly made as one of williamsons tunnels and id. Also known as the mole of edge hill, noted for his tunnels under the edge hill district of liverpool. Thousands of people live in the subway, railroad, and sewage tunnels that form the bowels of new york city and this book is about them, the socalled mole people. Williamson tunnels heritage centre liverpool 2020 all. This labyrinth was constructed by one joseph williamson who has come to be. Joseph williamson was an important enough local figure to warrant the nickname the king of edge hill when he was alive, but one gets a better flavour of how he was regarded when the posthumous nicknames he picked up after death in 1840 are considered.

Volunteers have so far removed tonnes of soil, rubble and 160 years rubbish out of the tunnels and there is still a long way to go. The shouting echoed down the tunnels, and i used to pick up my bag and run like hell. The mole of edge hill takes place at the tunnels from march 24 to 28, with shows at 2. The world of williamso ns tun nels david clensy on. In the mole of edge hill writer david clensy presents a dual approach to understanding more about this singular character. Thousands of people live in the subway, railroad, and sewage tunnels that form the bowels of new york city. Get out, or the mad mole of edge hill will get you. Clensy, david 2006, the mole of edge hill, isbn 1411617924. This is just an outline of the history of the mersey tunnels. He would come to be known as both the king of edge hill and the mole of edge hill for his labyrinth of underground tunnels. Williamson tunnels heritage centre, the old stable yard, smithdown lane, liverpool, l7 3ee.

Williamson tunnels host play on the mole of edge hill. Part of the tunnel network is now open to the public as a tourist attraction. This extensive pictorial history is married with an enlightening commentary by writer david clensy, who gives readers a personal introduction to his liverpool home. Beneath the streets of edge hill in liverpool exist an extensive network of tunnels. Joseph williamsons house site, mason street, edge hill, liverpool. Trapping moles in those raised, just under the surface tunnels can be quite easy, especially if you can find the tunnel that is used most often. Many years ago i heard a song called the mole of edge hill and was reminded of this when the train i was on went through edge hill station. The mole of edge hill is at the williamson tunnels from march 2428 with performances at 2.

Williamson tunnels heritage centre about the centre. Mole of edge hill williamson tunnels heritage centre. Rodents make clearly visible entry and exit holes to the tunnels. Bearing in mind the latest coronavirus guidance, friends of williamsons tunnels has decided to suspend public visits to the tunnels with immediate effect and until further notice. Williamson tunnels heritage centre liverpool all you. In the early 19th century, edge hill was the site of two railway works. Joseph williamson 10 march 1769 1 may 1840 was an english eccentric, businessman, property owner and a philanthropist who is best known for the williamson tunnels, which were constructed under his direction in the edge hill area of liverpool, england. They were built in the first few decades of the nineteenth century under the control of a retired tobacco merchant called joseph williamson. This book is about them, the socalled mole people living alone and in communities, in the frescoed waiting rooms of longforgotten subway tunnels and in pickaxed compartments below busway platforms. The overall structure of the mole hill shows that this conical mound is consisting of the soil.

Visit the tunnels with the friends of williamsons tunnels. They live alone and in communities, in subway tunnels and below subway platforms and. Joseph williamson, the mole of edge hill, 1769 1840 was an eccentric philanthropist who gave unemployed soldiers returning from the napoleonic wars work digging pointless tunnels beneath edge hill and the surrounding area, a sort of underground folly. Bbc news uk england the enigma of liverpools labyrinth. Location of williamson tunnels in merseyside the williamson tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the edge hill area of liverpool, england. Williamsons tunnels remain one of liverpools most intriguing mysteries, some two centuries after they were constructed by the citys greatest eccentric. I first heard about the mole after reading david clensys book the mole of edge hill, which i would recommend its a really good read. For many years it was thought that joseph williamson was born in warrington, however, research by staff and volunteers of the williamson tunnels. Extract from the 1890 ordnance survey map of edge hill, liverpool. Moles are small, furry creatures that burrow underground, often creating tunnels and holes in lawns. The williamson tunnels heritage centre provides an insight into the fascinating underground world created by joseph williamson in the early 19th century. Between 1805 and his death in 1840, williamson employed thousands of men digging out a network underneath land that he owned in edge hill. But when the railwaymen spotted us, they would shout.