Sean & Steve's Historic Wirral & Merseyside 1: Meols & the ancient clinker boat under the car park

BBC Radio Merseyside, 28th March 2018. The first of Sean Styles and Steve Harding's tour around some of the historic sites of Wirral and Merseyside. Starting with the fascinating story of the ancient boat buried deep under the patio/car park in front of the Railway Inn, Meols. Steve tells Sean about the advanced plans to dig it up with the Pub/ Brewery's permission, and to then assess the condition of it - radar scans show that the vessel - up to 10 yards long - is still there, take samples to get it dated - using for example radiocarbon dating. Lots of opportunities for the public and Schools will be made to be involved and appreciate this fantastic heritage. Then the blue clay will be put back and the boat will remain safe underground until the time comes when appropriate preservation strategies are in place and it can be permanently excavated and displayed. The boat was discovered in the 1930's when the the old pub building was demolished and a new one built further back from the road, the site of the old one becoming a patio/ car park. One of the workmen - John McRae - made notes about the nature and position of the clinker (overlapping planks) built vessel before the foreman told the workers to put all the blue clay back: the best advice he could have done as the clay is a superb preservative. Is it an old Scandinavian Clinker? We should hopefully find out soon.