Wirral’s history – and in particular the Wallasey coast – is steeped in stories of pirates, privateers and smuggling.
But the most famous historical name associated with these legends is Mother Redcap, whose smuggling inn was located along Egremont Promenade.
Unfortunately few reminders of this colourful character and her establishment exist today - beyond Mother Redcap being used as the name for a nearby care home.
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Mother Redcap – whose real name was Poll Jones – was a guardian of treasures and loot for the smugglers that haunted the Wallasey coastline.
Every smuggler who had gained their prize along the coastline would evade capture by running inside tunnels and caves with their loot.
Legend has it that there are hidden tunnels all over Wallasey, and they are all connected back to Mother Redcap's.
She was well known for being trustworthy in allowing contraband and loot to be stored within the building and hidden tunnels beneath the inn – although this service was for a fee and a cut of the profits.
Long before the days of its height as a Victorian seaside resort, New Brighton was known simply as Black Rock or Rock Point.
In the year 1595, a small stone white-washed building was built by the Mainwaring family. The building was small and stumpy looking but it was by no means weak, as the walls were three foot wide.
When this house was built, rumour has it that it was the only building on the banks of the River Mersey between the old Seacombe Ferry boathouse and the old herring curing house at Rock Point (New Brighton).
It was not known as its final name, Mother Redcap's, until the 18th century. Before that, the building was given names such as The Halfway House and Seabank Nook, along with other names. But the most famous of all was Mother Redcap's.
The building looked nothing more than a small white cottage, but this was useful in allowing the goings on to go unnoticed. The true identity of the building was hidden inside.
Outside of the Inn was a wooden seat made up of thick timbers from wrecks. It had a short wooden flagstaff at one end with a large plain wooden vane at the top. This vane was supposed to work with the wind but it was in reality a security measure against the local authorities and Royal Navy.
The staff fitting down into a round wooden socket in the shingle could be turned manually in any direction and was used by the smugglers for signalling.
When the vane pointed to the house, it meant "come on", and when pointing away, "keep off".
At the other end of the seat was another post, with a sign hanging from it with a portrait of Old Mother Redcap holding a frying pan on a painted fire, and underneath these words: "All ye that are weary come in an take rest, Our eggs and our ham they are of the best, Our ale and our porter are likewise the same, Step in if you please and give 'em a name."– Mother Redcap
So outside of the Inn was well protected, the smugglers had a signal post for coming ashore with their loot, but getting inside of the Inn was another matter.
The front door was made of solid oak and was believed to be five inches thick and studded with square headed nails. This was confirmed in 1888, when the remains of the door, although much decayed, were found in the cellar while alterations were being made to the building.
Mother Redcap's house would go on to be a cafe, but later became derelict.
Sadly by the 1970s the cottage was so damaged by vandalism it was deemed unsafe and was demolished.
Today - beyond the name - few people enjoying the stunning views from Egremont Prromenade across the River Mersey towards Liverpool, or enjoying a stroll in nearby Vale Park, will probably have any knowledge of the area's significant role in the smuggling trade.
