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