Former neighbours of the man who refused to leave his home as his estate vanished around him have remembered him as the "heart of our community". Charlie Wright, who was born in the Birkenhead home which he would go on to staunchly defend in later life, died aged 74 earlier this year.
The ECHO reported on Sunday that Mr Wright's home on Ilchester Road, which he vowed never to leave, has been put on the market, with a sign outside the property stating a sale has been agreed. The charming old property, which still has its traditional chimney and garden gate, is now flanked by newbuilds that rose from the surrounding wasteland.
Neighbours share memories
After the ECHO published the tragic update, dozens of people responded with their own memories of the staunch community man who "fought for what was right".
Anne Jones said: "My old neighbour. [A] lovely man. He came around the day we moved in and a few days later had got us a new carpet for [our] front room as he knew we were having problems getting one to fit. He was always there to help."
Robyn Hampson added: "What a shame. He was [a] lovely man. Remember talking to him when my eldest was born. Good on him for standing his ground with the council and people demolishing the estate around him."
A man of principles
Charll Maney wrote: "What a man you were. You were the heart of our community. You fought for what was right. You gave us all youth centres, you made our area what it was. One stubborn man but [a] man full of hope, fight, laughter and love. [He] was extremely respected."
Angela Flaherty said: "Rest in peace Charlie you legend. My house backed on to his in Beaufort Road. [Those] flags have been on his house for years, well before I moved."
Tracey Stocks wrote: "A man of principles who couldn't be bought. There is more to life than money. You can't buy memories and he loved that house."
Standing his ground
Sue Welsh added: "Good on him for standing his ground, never letting the authorities take over. Your fight is over now Charlie, rest easy."
Maiu Raf added: "For some people, it's not just a house. It's probably where he grew up and has memories of his childhood, his deceased parents, his siblings, his wife, his kids. Imagine all the good memories he made in there living with his loved ones. Imagine the fun he had with his family during Christmas etc. It's his home filled with good memories. Money can never buy that."
Bianca Lee remembered Mr Wright during his final moments, adding: "I looked after him when he was in hospital. That house meant everything to him."
Mr Wright's story of determination and love for his community caught the attention of local and national media when he refused to let his house be demolished. Once surrounded by 600 council properties on the River Streets estate, near Birkenhead North train station, his house stood alone for a decade.
In explaining his decision to stay put while his neighbours' homes were torn down, Mr Wright told the ECHO in 2017: "I was born in this house. All our family lived here, there were nine of us. Once they got married, they moved and I was the last one - me and me mam."
His home remained as a lone display of defiance before developer plans for 178 new houses began in 2019. Ahead of the first spade in the ground, he told the ECHO: "It's going to be different having neighbours again."
He added: "It's going to be good to see it happening. My mates say 'You're going to be living on a building site for the next three years', but I don't mind. I can't wait for them to start."
After a life of admirable resistance and sticking to his guns, Mr Wright passed away on February 2.
