Frequently Asked Questions
(and stuff you did'nt know you did'nt know about Ellesmere.)
Thanks to Wikipedia for many of the detailed explanations below. Take a look at the History of Ellesmere.
Damaged Ducks?
What is wrong 
with that bird by The Mere? People rightly report injured wildlife to the Mere's Visitors Centre or the Country Side Service's rangers. Sometimes they report seeing a Goose with a strangely deformed wing which turns out to be a case of 'Angel Wing'. This condition affects an occasional Duck or Goose and is thought to be either a genetic problem or due to an incorrect diet when the birds are young. It is possible that feeding the birds on left over bread instead of a natural diet results in this problem ...more from Wikipedia.
So it is a good idea to avoid giving the birds human food, and to stick to the bags of grain you can buy for that purpose near The Mere.
Why Ellesmere Canal?
Ellesmere Canal was originally intended to be built north-south, connecting Shrewsbury and Chester. Competition from the railways forced the investors to accept that the eventual route was more viable. The name Ellesmere Canal was eventually dropped to be replaced by the Shropshire Union Canal, Llangollen branch. The point where the canal reaches the sea, Netherpool became know as Ellesmere Port (the port for Ellesmere) , its present name.Thomas Telford was second in command for the canal's construction and he is said to have lived in Ellesmere during that time....more on Wikipedia.
Who was Eglantyne Jebb?
Save the Childrens Fund was founded by Ellesmere resident Eglantyne Jebb. She is commemorated by the Eglanyne Jebb Sports Centre at the Lakelands School opened by HRH, The Princes Royal, Princess AnneWhere's Ellesmere Island
Well if you 'google' Ellesmere, after this site you will probably come across Ellesmere Island. The surprising thing is that its not the island in the Mere but a large slice of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It got its name from the fact that it was discovered by an expedition sponsored by Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere. - read more on Wikipedia. The larger island in The Mere (at Ellesmere) is called Moscow Island (or Cow Island for short) as it was man-made in the harsh winter of 1812 as an early job creation programme by the folks at Otely House (the Egertons again).
Why is there an manuscript of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer called The Ellesmere?
Why is there an Lake Ellesmere in New Zealand?
Famous Visitors?
Charles de-Gaulle knew my father
During WWII French leader Charles de-Gaulle visited his wife and daughter a number of times when they were renting Gadlas Hall just outside Ellesmere. ...more on wikipedia. Let us know if he indeed met you or any of your ancestors.
What are those strange birds with bumps on their bill seen by The Mere?
Does the Lands End to John o'Groats Route pass through Ellesmere?
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