Treasure trove of Victorian bottles and papers unearthed in city park

May 27 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A SELECTION of glass bottles thought to date back to the 1890s, some embossed with an image of Stephenson’s Rocket, have been found as builders dismantle the Gladstone Pavilion, in Stanley Park.

Newspapers dating back to the 19th century and other historical artefacts have been unearthed during the regeneration project. Thought to have been buried during the Pavilion’s construction, the newspapers include one delivered to a Mr Gregory on October 20, 1898.

Embossed bottles from local companies, including Reece’s milk, R Stephenson’s and Brazier & Co have also been unearthed along with clay pipes and storage jars.

All of the discoveries are available for inspection by the public and historians.

DCT Civil Engineering, the main contractor on the 14-month project to restore the famous park has just completed the delicate operation of dismantling the Gladstone Pavilion.

It was during this process that the historical items were discovered. The Pavilion, now in 5,000 separate pieces, has now been removed from the site by a specialist cast-iron sub-contractor who will restore or replace the individual components, depending on their condition.

DCT’s Kevin McBride has been appointed as Park Liaison Officer for the duration of the project. He said: “We are encouraging visits from local groups – schools, colleges, youth clubs, scouts, guides – anyone who is interested in seeing what has been uncovered for themselves, or finding out about the history of the park itself, plus what the park will look like once it has been restored to its former glory.”