A popular village on Cheshire West’s coastline now has a series of commemorative plaques to mark fascinating features of its historic past.

The seven plaques have been installed in Parkgate where summer crowds throng the front, renowned for its ice cream and spectacular views of North Wales.

They result from an initiative by the Parkgate Society which has been promoting a heritage trail to enhance the image of the village.

At a short ceremony in front of St Thomas’ Church, Mostyn Square, the mayor of Neston Mike Shipman and Lesley Irvin, deputy church warden, unveiled the seventh plaque which tells the story of the village’s well-loved ‘fishermen’s church’.

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The sandstone church dates back to the 1840s.

The ceremony was attended by members from St Thomas’ congregation and the Parkgate Society along with Parkgate ward councillor Martin Barker, Neston town councillor David Carter and staff from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Parade at Parkgate on the Dee Estuary. Photo by Colin Lane
The Parade at Parkgate on the Dee Estuary. Photo by Colin Lane

The plaque at St Thomas’ and the other six were commissioned by the society in collaboration with the borough council and with the support of Neston Town Council.

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The other locations which have received plaques at this stage are Dover Cottage, Station Road for its links with Emma, Lady Hamilton, the greatest love of Lord Nelson, Mostyn House for its connection with the medical missionary Sir Wilfred Grenfell, Balcony House, a late 18th century property on The Parade associated with the Georgian love for sea bathing, Seven Steps on The Parade for its links with Parkgate’s shipping era, the Old Watch House for its connection with smuggling and Pengwern and Sawyer’s Cottage for their association with Parkgate’s sea-faring days, Sawyer’s Cottage also being one of Parkgate’s long lost public houses.

Details of the Parkgate Heritage Trail are available from Mozkitos and Nicholl’s Ice Cream Shop in Parkgate and from www.parkgatesociety.co.uk.

In connection with the unveiling a photograph exhibition was mounted in the church.