JANUARY:1997 started on a sad note, the death of local Conservative MP Barry Porter setting the scene for the Wirral South by-election.

By Spring the country's media will make Wirral the centre of national attention as a full dress rehearsal for the General Election.

FEBRUARY: By February it was under starters' orders. The Globe entered into the spirit of the by-election by having a racing page, 'The Westminster Stakes', featuring candidates and the bookies odds on them winning. The start and finish would be on February 27.

MARCH: March saw Ben Chapman take over as new Labour MP for South Wirral - something of a shock result after a tough and sometimes controversial campaign by the host of candidates taking part.

APRIL: By April the whole of Wirral were going to the polls again, this time for the General Election on May 1. Ben Chapman had to defend his seat, while Conservative candidate Les Byrom had a second go.

At the end of April, local author Leslie Harrison died after just publishing a book trying to clear the name of a Wallasey Captain involved in the Titanic disaster. It was Captain Lord's plight to remember, marking the 85th anniversary of the sinking when Captain's Lord ship was nearest the Titanic. The April 1912 disaster controversy continues to this day.

MAY: May saw a new Labour Government, an all-Labour Wirral and a shock defeat for Wirral West Conservative MP David Hunt at the hands of Stephen Hesford. Mr Hunt would become 'Lord Wirral' late in the year and join the House of Lords.

Wirral schoolgirl Faye Dempsey found national fame as Olivia Newton John in TV's 'Stars in their Eyes'

Smiling children from Chernobyl visit Wirral - hosted by local families. They were pictured enjoying a party at Boathouse, Parkgate. All the children were victims of the nuclear fallout in Russia 10 years ago.

JUNE: June saw controversy in the normally quiet Hoylake/Meols area. Residents were angry that a children's home for problem kids was being sited at Brookfield, a detached house. Amazing scenes as residents march on Wallasey Town Hall in protest - but the scheme eventually goes through.

JULY: July sees start of a Globe-backed charity appeal in memory of Kerry Hughes-Jones, aged 20, of Eastham, killed in a terrible car crash, which also claimed two brothers. The money is for Arrowe Park Hospital intensive care unit.

It's official. Stephen Muff of Bromborough makes Britain's best bangers. The ace sausage maker wins another national award.

Another month of high and low notes. Hundreds of workers at Tulip told that their company is shutting down to move to a greenfield site elsewhere in the country. Campaign to save jobs is launched.

You lucky lads! Two separate factory syndicates in Wirral win huge amounts on Lottery.

AUGUST: August ends on a very sad note, the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a car crash. The Globe and the people of Wirral join a nation's mourning.

Celebration time as Globe has 24th birthday edition while Wallasey MP tells the press about aspects of her private life, earning the support and respect of colleagues in Government.

SEPTEMBER: To Boot or not to Boot, the ban on car boot sales in Wirral rages on as a controversy with booters wanting the council to allow them again.

Birkenhead is the most improved town centre in the North West - says boss of Merseyside Development Corporation, Chris Farrow. He should know . . . and a new-look Birkenhead town centre proves his point.

OCTOBER: Search for real-life Cinders started - someone to turn on the Christmas lights in Birkenhead.

Lord Hunt of Wirral, it's official. David Hunt, former Tory MP for Wirral West joins Upper House and Globe has exclusive pictures of ceremony.

NOVEMBER: Spice Girls frenzy joins Guy Fawkes on November 5. Spice Girls look-a-likes at Round Table firework display at Tranmere Rovers.

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford helps ban bangers in the Commons.

Laser key ring lout shines beam at police helicopter.

DECEMBER: Globe reader Emma Povall is our real-life Cinders as Coronation Street stars come to Birkenhead to turn on Christmas lights. Search for Miss Wirral Globe '98 is launched.

Birkenhead is on TV for its Town Safe Campaign by Merseyside Police.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field and Government Minister pioneers controversial 'New Deal' for young people without jobs. Shoppers on Wirral's Mersey Line suffer as train drivers holds strikes, but Tulip workers told the company may stay in Wirral after all. Optimism for 1998, we hope they do.

Happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers!

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.