Nice one Wirral as they say in these parts, but what more can we tell you about the Mersey peninsula where the Open Golf Championship is being played?
And where we spent our first night on Merseyside, in New Brighton, ahead of a year working in Liverpool, where I also penned a golf column.
It was while there that I got a call one day from friends at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, to tell me that a golf legend had shown up.
And whether I wanted to interview the legendary Gary Player, who was completing a round for a Japanese television show.
Twas ahead of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and we spoke of his fellow South African Ernie Els’s chances.
Gary was in good company in the peninsula, a magnet for sporting celebrities with Liverpool footballer and golf fanatic Ian Rush owning half of the Wirral.
New Brighton new wave
And so back to New Brighton, where we started this Wirral odyssey.
And a reinvented holiday resort for those from the big city and further afield.
New Brighton has touches of the Brighton on the south coast, tower, ballroom and pier.
And an artsy Victorian Quarter with New Brighton priding itself on its street art.
While the 800-seat Floral Pavilion on the prom regularly hosts comedy shows, performances, pantomimes and plays.
And if you’re lucky you might see local comedians John Bishop and Jason Mumford.
While there’s everything from mermaids to military history and tunnels on the Hidden Wirral Myths & Legends Tours.
For the Three Gen day troupers.
And New Brighton is just for starters.
Sunlight of our life
For those who want to go back in time then Port Sunlight is a living heirloom.
And a reminder that there was a day when employers looked after their staff, in and out of work.
With Lord Lever setting up a village for his workers at his soap factory, Lever Brothers, which eventually became Unilever… the lucky suds.
And also enlightening them and us, or Sunenlightening if you will, in the arts through the Lady Lever Art Gallery
While Port Sunlight also boasts pop musical history which you can learn about in the Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village.
And how the Fab Four, with Ringo Starr newly ensconced, played their first gig together.
While fans of Peaky Blinders will recognise the village as Auntie Polly’s home.
So if the commentary around the Open Golf Championship at Hoylake has piqued your interest in the Wirral.
Why not make it a day trip from Liverpool or better still stay there.
You will want to do both anyway as you’ll be boarding the Ferry across the Mersey of course.
So Nice One Wirral and remember…
People around every cornerSeem to smile and sayWe don’t care what your name is, boyWe’ll never turn you away.