From a Birkenhead Rope Factory...

At the end of the 19th century two brothers worked in a Birkenhead rope factory, one was George Wilkie (the Uncle of David Wilkie's Grandfather).

George and his brother fixed a rope from the factory roof into the bails of hay and, removing their belts, used them to slide down the rope as the original invention of an Aerial Ropeway.

This became very popular with the other workers in break times!

The two brothers set up similar systems to operate at the summer season Fairground coming to New Brighton. It became so popular with the Fairground that they asked the brothers to travel with them for 12 years!

History of the New Palace & Adventureland Gallery