Timeline – Knowsley Village

֍ Sir Thomas Stanley, 2nd Lord Stanley created 1st Earl of Derby

1435

֍ Henry VII visited Knowsley

1495

֍ Landscaped gardens constructed by Capability Brown at Knowsley Hall

1770s

֍ The 'Derby' horse race founded by 12th Earl

1780

֍ Menagerie founded at Knowsley Park

1780s

֍ Prince Regent George IV entertained at Knowsley Hall

1820

֍ Construction begins on Church of St. Mary the Virgin, built at the expense of 13th Earl of Derby

1841

֍ St. Mary's Church consecrated

1844

֍ Knowsley Tithe Map and Apportionment Schedule completed

1847

֍ A Derby Memorial Chapel (including an effigy) erected by public subscription in St. Mary's Church to the memory of 14th Earl

1871

֍ Yew tree planted in St. Mary's churchyard and celebrations took place in the village to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee - 20 June 1887

1887

֍ State dining room refurbished at Knowsley Hall

1890

֍ Lych-gate added to entranceway to St Mary's Church

1895

֍ Foundation stone of the new Village Hall laid by the Earl and Countess of Derby. A time capsule in the form of a sealed bottle containing local newspapers and coins was placed in the corner cavity - 29th May

1896

֍ Official opening of Knowsley Village Hall, a gift of Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby to the village - 21st February 1897

1897

֍ Western Gateway to Knowsley Church rebuilt

1899

֍ Carved tower screen added to Knowsley Church. A gift of 16th Earl of Derby in gratitude for the safe return of his children from Africa

1904

֍ South Wall mosaic of St. Mary's Church started

1912

֍ Royal visit to Knowsley by King George V and Queen Mary

1913

֍ Edward George Villiers, 17th Earl of Derby recruits the first of four battalions of 'Liverpool Pals': 17th battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment

1915

֍ Peace celebrations at Knowsley Park

1919

֍ A gift of Memorial Windows - 'Victory and Self Sacrifice' given to St. Mary's Church by 17th Earl and his wife

1923

֍ Carved oak front cover added to the church font

1930

֍ Royal visit to Knowsley by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

1938

֍ Pulpit in memory of Rev. F.A.H. Score added to St. Mary's Church

1945

֍ Princess Margaret visits Knowsley Hall

1950

֍ Queen Elizabeth II visits Knowsley Hall

1954

֍ Opening by Lord Rosebury, of the Memorial Gates on Knowsley Lane in memory of 17th Earl of Derby

1958

֍ Knowsley Safari Park created on a part of the Knowsley Estate

1971

֍ Grand Lodge of Knowsley Estate demolished
֍ M57 motorway built crossing part of the Knowsley Park Estate

1972

֍ Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley created

1974

֍ Dedication of a Chapel in St. Mary's Church, in memory of Maud Cook, popular local school teacher who died in 1974
֍ Demolition of Tincle Peg Cottages

1978

֍ Major restoration work carried out at St. Mary's Church

1981

֍ Burial in Knowsley St. Mary's churchyard of Edward, 18th Earl of Derby
֍ Edward Richard William Stanley becomes 19th Earl of Derby following the death of his uncle

1994

֍ Appraisal of Knowsley Village's Conservation Area completed

2005

֍ Masterplan approved to build an estate of around 150 new homes and some business units on Knowsley Lane, to be called Earlsfield Park

2017

֍ Groundwork begins on the new Earlsfield Park estate, construction period to be around three years

2019

֍ The whole year 2020 was dominated by the Coronavirus COVID-19. Working from home or being on furlough became the new normal, together with social distancing measures and the wearing of face coverings

2020

֍ Regeneration of Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields, Knowsley Lane begins with resurfacing of the pitches - July 2021
֍ Public urged throughout the year to become vaccinated against the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

2021