Timeline – Knowsley Village

1435

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

1495

֍ Henry VII visited Knowsley

1770s

֍ Landscaped gardens constructed by Capability Brown at Knowsley Hall

1780

֍ The ‘Derby’ horse race founded by 12th Earl

1780s

֍ Menagerie founded at Knowsley Park

1820

֍ Prince Regent George IV entertained at Knowsley Hall

1841

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

1844

֍ St. Mary’s Church consecrated

1847

֍ Knowsley Tithe Map and Apportionment Schedule completed

1871

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

1887

֍ 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

1890

֍ State dining room refurbished at Knowsley Hall

1895

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

1896

֍ 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

1897

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

1899

֍ Western Gateway to Knowsley Church rebuilt

1904

֍ 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

1912

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

1913

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

1915

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

1919

֍ Peace celebrations at Knowsley Park

1923

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

1930

֍ Carved oak front cover added to the church font

1938

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

1945

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

1950

֍ Princess Margaret visits Knowsley Hall

1954

֍ Queen Elizabeth II visits Knowsley Hall

1958

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

1971

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

1972

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

1974

֍ Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley created

1978

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

1981

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

1994

֍ 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

2005

֍ Appraisal of Knowsley Village’s Conservation Area completed

2017

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

2019

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

2020

֍ 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

2021

֍ Regeneration of Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields, Knowsley Lane begins with resurfacing of the pitches – July 2021