5 Nations-Tennis Traditional Cache

Birkdale Recreation Ground as it was first known was belatedly christened Victoria Park in 1898 in honour of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, but for many years the only recreation available was to walk on the asphalt paths and as such it was little used. It was though a large and profitable hayfield for the Council yielding two crops a year and although some development of the park was carried out it was not actively encouraged by the powerful ratepayers of the posh Birkdale Park residential area fearing hordes of trippers like the Marine Park in Southport. Eventually some sport pitches were created when the Council realized the park could become an income-generating asset and the south end became principally a playing field for girls from Birkdale Park’s many private schools with the emphasis on tennis, hockey and croquet. 1924 also saw Southport Corporation hold the first-ever Southport Flower Show at Victoria Park. The Southport Flower Show continues to operate within the park during August. The Park itself still houses 6 tennis courts, situated behind the former café that is now a Chinese restaurant. The Tennis courts in Victoria Park are free to use although they are quite run down.

This cache is not accessible without the use of specialist equipment. Do not attempt this cache without the necessary tools. A visual sighting is not counted as a find. Log must be signed. All unsigned finds will be deleted. A bright torch would be of use. Much care and stealth is needed to extract the cache please make sure the lid is on securely before replacing. Only the signing of the log will count as a find all other logs will be deleted. Please access this cache from the park and not from the roadside. There is limited parking nearby and an hour free on the road. Please do not park on the private car park belonging to the restaurant.