The Packhorse
Newsletter of AOUG in the North West (08)
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An ABC guide to Liverpool - Venue for the 2012 AGM Weekend
It is no wonder that this vibrant city of Liverpool was designated, a few years ago, as European City of Culture. I think that there are three important strands which best describe the old and the new aspects.
A stands for Architecture. Around the city fine examples can be seen in abundance and the skyline displays a multitude of varying styles. Built on the side of the Mersey, Liverpool was both an entrance and exit for travellers and thus many cultures are reflected in Liverpool`s streets, not least China Town with its magnificent entrance gate. The history of the city tells us that Liverpool, at one time the second largest port in the country, saw manufactured goods, using the river Mersey, being transported mainly to far flung parts of the world. Prior to 1807, when the slave trade was stopped, slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas and on the return trip to Liverpool tobacco, sugar and cotton were brought back. Around the famous Albert Dock was built the Royal Liver Building which was the world`s first multi-storey reinforced structure. The shipping trade has now virtually ceased but the Albert Dock, in particular has been modernised to become a central attraction of the area. Many of the warehouses have been modernised with cafes and shops on the ground floors. One of the warehouses is now the six storey Merseyside Maritime Museum, opened to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Also right on the waterfront, near the Albert Dock is the brand new Museum of Liverpool which opens its doors in early July, this year.
The Adelphi Hotel, which we will be using for our AGM, next year, was built in 1912 with the purpose to cater for the flourishing passenger trade to the Americas. When built it was described as the most prestigious hotel outside London. Modern architecture is now evident in the city. The St. Johns Beacon, 133 metres high, built in 1965, overlooks a shopping centre and is used by a local radio station.
However, any description of Liverpool cannot omit B for the Beatles, who were responsible for putting the city back on the map. In the late 1950`s The Cavern Club opened as a jazz club and the Beatles performed at that venue about three hundred times. In time the club was pulled down but later was rebuilt using the original bricks. Again, by the Albert dock, there is an audio exhibition, in one of the original warehouses, where Beatlemania can be followed and it is from here that the “Yellow Duckmarine”, (a bright yellow amphibian vehicle, named after the Beatles Yellow Submarine), takes you around the streets of Liverpool before splashing into the water and touring the dockland area.
Then C must be for Cathedrals. (The song states, "If you want a Cathedral we've got one to spare, …") and this is certainly true as linked by the aptly named Hope Street are the two cathedrals. At the eastern end is the Anglican cathedral, started in 1904 but with delays from two world wars, was not completed until 1978. This building is of medieval style and is the longest cathedral in Britain. In complete contrast, situated at the western end of Hope Street is the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral which you may have heard of in friendly terms as "Paddy's Wigwam". Originally designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the foundation stone was laid in 1933 but because of ever rising prohibitive costs, an open competition for a new design was held and the wigwam structure developed.
Liverpool has a wealth of places and things to see which they not stop at the city boundary for on the outskirts of the city, on the north side of the river lies Speke Hall and gardens. This consists of a fine Tudor timbered Manor House built by a devout Catholic family where a genuine Priest`s Hole can be viewed. Speke is a National Trust property and it is hoped that transport can be arranged for AOUG attendees to visit this property of which an American visitor famously remarked “…what a shame it was to build such a property right on the edge of Liverpool airport.”
I hope that this short snapshot of the venue of the 2012 AGM will appeal to you and that you may be tempted to attend the weekend to meet friends and get involved in the meetings. As usual, booking forms will be included with the Winter OMEGA, however you can also download a version.
Ramsey Hertzog - Chairman