Wednesday 1 September 2010

September 1st 2010 - Sunset Over The Mersey
Most of Merseyside children went back to school today and true to form it was one of the best days of summer. This evenings sunset over the Mersey was spectacular .... I can feel the days tumbling down to a precious few....here comes the Autumn.

Tuesday 31 August 2010

August 31st 2010 - Perfect Lighting
Lighting for taking photographs does not get much better than this. The one thing I have learnt in this project is it is so important to get the lighting right, whether it is being patient and observant outdoors waiting to capture a shot or when working in the studio; if the lighting is not sparkling wait until it is, or adjust the studio lights until it is. And don't even think of Photoshop!
I am sure Mr Picasso would agree.

Monday 30 August 2010

August 30th 2010 - Jim Morrison Lives
I had the good fortune of seeing Jim Morrison 'live' outside The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Derby Square today. It was part of the Matthew Street Music Festival. My daughter, however, was not the least bit impressed. She said it was 'just a load of noisey noise.'

Sunday 29 August 2010

August 29th 2010 - Matthew Street Festival
Today was the first day of the Matthew Street Music Festival which saw over 300,000 vistors coming to the city centre to enjoy the bank holiday revelry. John Lennon looks on ..... I can only wonder what JL would have `Imagined' of it all.

Saturday 7 August 2010

August 7th 2010 - Mount Pleasent Car Park
I like the symetry of the concrete muti storey car park and the beauty of the evening sky. Beauty and the beast coming together to make a pleasing photograph.

Friday 6 August 2010

August 6th 2010 - End Of An Era
I read recently of the relocation of Royal Mail's Copperas Hill Sorting Office. I must admit my heart did sink. I don't particularly like the building but for as long as I can remember it is a building that has been central to Liverpool life. It also marks the end of the Liverpool Post Mark on letters... unbelieveable! Who, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to end the 2nd oldest postmark outside London? It seems they believe the historic Liverpool postmark must be replaced by the mighty......Warrington post mark!

Thursday 5 August 2010

5th August 2010 - Cooper's Emporioum
I am always fascinated when a building is demolished.. I love the cut away view that is revealed and, at the time, it saddens me to think a building with so much history; people working and living within this concrete block for so many years and that these memories, tears and laughter will soon be gone. And many laughs were had at Cooper's Emporium by all accounts. A true atmospheric ale house.

Wednesday 4 August 2010

4th August 2010 - The Bridge Of Sighs
This is the bridge that links L1 shopping centre with the NCP car park, and many sighs can be heared from both children and men about to embark on another shopping trip with mum/partner. For me, however, it was an opportunity to play with light and angle.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

August 3rd 2010 - Albert Dock
A different view of the Albert Dock taken in the evening sunshine. The new bus station is in the foreground. I like the way the lines of the window divide the photograph up, I could spend a long time photographing the different combinations of symmetry made by the glass

Monday 2 August 2010

August 2nd 2010 - River Mersey Steps
High tide on the River Mersey this evening, and these old steps caught my eye. I like the feeling of age and strength in this photograph the strength of stone losing the battle of liquid erosion from the ancient Mersey.

Sunday 1 August 2010

1st August 2010 - The State Ballroom - Through The Keyhole
A sad picture of The State, a great alternative club of the 1980's. You were always guaranteed a good night at The State, especially on a Thursday when it cost 1p to enter. Situated in Dale Street, it was first used for Tea Dances in the 1930's. It is of an Art Nouveau design and is a Grade Two listed building. The Littlewood's Pools Group used it for their social club and later as storage space. The State closed on 11th November 1989 and as the photograph shows, it is need of much love and restoration.

Saturday 31 July 2010

July 31st 2010 - Falkner Square
Falkner Square was completed in 1830 and is truly a gem in Liverpool's crown. It was one of the first public open spaces in the city and is of great historic importance, surrounded by Georgian terraces. The Square is named after Edward Falkner, born in 1760. Falkner was a well-liked individual who became Sheriff of Lancashire following a very successful military career. The area around the Square was purchased by Falkner and his family and Falkner Square was completed in the mid 1800's. Although the houses were grand, they stood empty for a number of years as they were considered too far from the City Centre to travel by horse and carriage. During that period the area was known as 'Falkner's Folly' but later became more popular and all properties were inhabited. Most are now apartments, with one building converted into a well known Youth Hostel, favoured by young travellers from around the globe for it's friendly Liverpool welcome. I took this shot of Falkner Square for the early evening light through the trees.

Thursday 29 July 2010

July 29th 2010 - St Andrews Church - Summer Fruits
The Church of St. Andrews in Rodney Street was built by the Scottish Presbyterian Church in 1823. It is in great need of restoration - hopefully it will be fully restored for its 200 year anniversary. The summer fruits in the foreground shroud the pyramid tomb of James MacKenzie - I shall tell his story in Halloween week; it is worth waiting for!

Wednesday 28 July 2010

July 28th 2010 - 18 Sefton Park Road
An unusual door leading to a Georgian mansion behind. Another wet day in Liverpool; it has not stopped raining since the announcement of the hosepipe ban at least 3 weeks ago. This property is up for sale if you fancy a slice of bohemian living in Liverpool. I shall have to sell a few Paulo Sabian 2011 calenders to put my deposit on it! Due to numerous requests since starting this blog, I am now taking orders for calenders for 2011, so please email if you are interested in purchasing one, I shall post details soon.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

July 27th 2010 - Peter Kavanagh's
One of Liverpool's most famous pubs is situated on the corner of Egerton Street. Peter Kavanagh was born in 1873 and was a successful landlord and a respected figure within the Catholic Church. The pub dates from the 1870s when it was named 'The Liver Inn', it was renamed in the 1970s after the man himself. The Hogarth Room in the pub is home to some beautiful murals which were painted by Eric Robinson in 1929. The murals depict scenes from Charles Dickens' 'The Pickwick Papers'. It is a real community pub with locals, students, professors and photographers amongst the clientele.

Monday 26 July 2010

July 26th 2010 - Queen Victoria
Cunard's Queen Victoria sailed into Liverpool today. She is the second largest Cunard ship ever built after the Queen Mary. Camilla , Duchess of Cornwall, had a second tour of the ship in dock. Her first visit saw her fail to succesfully smash the champagne bottle on the side at the naming cermony.



Sunday 25 July 2010

July 25th 2010 - The Atlantic Avenue Diesel Engine
This diesel engine was restored as part of the regeneration of the Atlantic Avenue by Merseyside Development Corporation. It symbolises the use of trains in the area which were often seen but I haven't seen a dock train in years, they played an important part in the import and export trade of Liverpool Docks.

Saturday 24 July 2010

July 24th 2010 - Bankfield Street
A scene looking down to the docks and beyond to Wirral. A feel of two different eras coming together.

Friday 23 July 2010

July 23rd 2010 - Tate And Lyle Sugar Silo
A forgotten grade II listed Liverpool building at Huskisson Dock - the Tate & Lyle Sugar Silo. It was built the 1950's. The sugar silo fell into a state of disrepair, but the building itself is still used.

Thursday 22 July 2010

July 22nd 2010 - Sailor At Regent Street
My eagle eyed son spotted this sailor on top of this abandoned pub. I have tried to research it but to no avail. I shall keep looking to find out more information. Perhaps the seagull on top his head may know.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

July 21st 2010 - View From Switch Island
I noticed this landscape today whilst driving to work. If I turned 180 degrees the photograph would have been of the busy motorway interlink of Switch Island. The church in the distance is Sefton Parish Church a grade 1 listed building and one of Merseyside's oldest places of worship.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

July 20th 2010 - Queens Drive Flooded
More heavy rainfall and the end of Queens Drive had to be closed due to flooding in the dip under the bridge. With the start of the school holidays lets hope the sun will shine. Surprisingly there is still a hose pipe ban in place.

Monday 19 July 2010

July 19th 2010 -Isle Of Man Landing Stage
A wet end to the day and a photograph of the Isle Of Man Ferry Landing Stage. Parts of Merseyside have seen heavy rain today due to the tropical-like storms we've been having in the region, as can be seen by the drenched, glassy pavement in this photograph and the dark clouds hovering.

Sunday 18 July 2010

July 18th 2010 - Penny Lane
Month 7 for the Penny Lane sign and for new followers I am taking a photograph of the same road sign of Penny Lane to see the subtle changes over the year. A few extra names added, zoom in and compare with previous photographs.

Saturday 17 July 2010

July 17th 2010 - Paul, Chris And Charlie
Took this photograph of Paul, Chris and Charlie on their way to the Brazilian Carnival. They certainly caught the eye of everyone passing.

Friday 16 July 2010

July 16th 2010 - Radio City Tower
Radio City Tower, pictured between the chimney pots of the Great Western Hotel in Lime Street,
was orginally called St. John's Beacon. It was built in 1965 and stands 125ft. tall. I can remember having Sunday dinner up in the rotating restaurant, which was a bit disconserting for a 10 year old. After falling into disrepair for many years following a kitchen fire, Liverpool's commercial radio station, Radio City, moved in during 1990.

Thursday 15 July 2010

July 15th 2010 - Reflection
A wet evening which is a good excuse to play around with light reflections. I photographed this image along Hope Street, the red light is from the neon sign of the Everyman Theatre. Out of focus and obscure can sometimes work just as well as pin sharp - it gives the image a truer sense of how I sometimes feel the scene appearing.

Wednesday 14 July 2010

July 14th 2010 - Quiet After The Storm
The worst of this evening's storm had passed when I took this photograph. A peaceful scene, looking across to Wirral. I seem to have an affinity with the coast at the moment and I'm really enjoying the light, particularly in the evenings, down along the waterfront at Liverpool.

Tuesday 13 July 2010

July 13th 2010 - Malmaison
A view of the Malmasion Hotel, stripped of its fascia due to construction problems; it reminds me of the insides of a compter circuit board. Perhaps extravagance is only skin deep? They don't build 'em like they used to!

Monday 12 July 2010

July 12th 2010 - Sunset In Sefton Park
A sunset vista that I have never noticed before, and the scene lasted all of 5 minutes... I love this kind of image - it isn't laboured or even considered, it's just there where you least expect it, and so short lived and unexpectedly beautiful.

Sunday 11 July 2010

July 11th 2010 - Pier Head Landing Stage
Another peaceful end to the day, this is a photograph of the new landing stage used by the Mersey Ferries. The tunnel vent and Birkenhead Town hall are silhouetted against the evening sky.

Saturday 10 July 2010

July 10th 2010 - Form And Texture
I was down at the Pier Head last week and saw this wonderful bit of street sculpture. Merely the steps leading down to the new canal linking the Albert Dock with the Pier Head, but when the light hits the stone the colours sing. The Pier Head is certainly the place to be on a summer evening, the colours radiating are truly magical. I shall return for the next few days to make the most of the light.

Friday 9 July 2010

July 9th 2010 - Stok
I had the pleasure of meeting grafitti artist, 'Stok', this evening. Understandbly, he didn't want to show his face. He was working on a piece in Princes Road, Toxteth. When asked about his views on Bansky he gave a wry smile and said "When you meet Steven Gerrard in the street you don't ask him about David Beckham". I also asked why he doesn't paint when it's dark, to avoid police hassle. His reply was, "Because I'm at home with my feet up having my tea!"A really genuine bloke who, through his art, is bringing communities together. He commented on how many people stop to chat while he's out painting...

Thursday 8 July 2010

July 8th 2010 - Three Faiths
I took this photograph today from the corner of Princes Road in Toxteth, at the point where the duel carriageway begins. I liked the fact I was able to capture three different places of worship within one shot - The Jewish Synagogue in the foreground beyond the railings and the dome and spires of the Greek Orthodox church and the Anglican Cathedral respectively, in the distance. Liverpool certainly boasts to be the World in One City, and the same can be said of all faiths. Just a few streets in the opposite direction is the new Mosque too, all buildings within just a few square metres of each other.

Wednesday 7 July 2010

July 7th 2010 - Ringo Starr's Liverpool Home
It is Ringo Starr's 70th birthday today and he gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. He will also be remembered as the narrator of the children's televsion programme, Thomas The Tank Engine. This photograph shows the family home ( first house on the left) 11, Madryn Street, where Ringo grew up. The atmosphere on the street was charged with memories of times gone by. There were no cars parked and all but one house was boarded up ready for the bulldozers to move in. Is Ringo's house worth saving? You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go go go...
I was interviewed about this blog on BBC Radio Merseyside by Roger Phillips today. To listen to the interview visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p008m8g4/Roger_Phillips_07_07_2010/
(online for the next 7 days). Fast forward to just before the end of the first hour of the show. If you are a new viewer to the blog, thank you for visiting! Enjoy viewing the photographs of Liverpool from January 1st to the present. Your comments would be gratefully received. Paulo

Tuesday 6 July 2010

July 6th 2010 - St. George's Hall at Dusk
A warm evening in Liverpool, with dusk fast approaching when I took this photograph of the side entrance to St. George's Hall; the recently extended and refurbished Empire Theatre in the background. Both buildings have been sympathetically lit to show them in all their glory, particularly the neoclassically styled Hall, which is in the William Brown Street Conservation Area and recognised as part of Liverpool's World Heritage Site. From the mid 1800's St. George's Hall was used as the city's law courts. Today, an excellent museum allows visitors a taste of what the atmosphere was like for many awaiting trial in the grim cells which still exist beneath the building, in contrast with the exquisite wood panelled law court and the majestic ballroom and chambers above.

Monday 5 July 2010


July 5th 2010 - River Reflection
A beautiful sunset at the Pier Head this evening. I caught this reflection of the River Mersey and the floating landing stage in the window of the new, soon to be opened, Museum of Liverpool Life. A peaceful and still scene - it reminded me, strangely, of Venice. The light lasted for a few fleeting moments before disappearing.

Sunday 4 July 2010

July 4th 2010 - Calderstones School (Quarry Bank)
Inspired by watching the film, 'Nowhere Boy' last night, which documents the teenage years of John Lennon, I wandered along to his old school, Quarry Bank, now named Calderstones School. Although he named his first band after the school, John was said to have frequently been in trouble whilst studying at Quarry Bank. My wife, an ex-pupil of the school when it was still Quarry Bank and during the period after it changed its name to Calderstones in the 1980's (as part of the school re-organisation programme), had a much more positive experience and loved her time there. She tells an amusing tale about the opening of the Beatles Museum. Word got out that curators had been told there was a desk at the school which John had carved his name into and they were keen to acquire for their collection. Over the days that followed just about every wooden desk in the school had 'John Lennon Woz 'Ere' etched into the surface! John Lennon was just one of many of the 'famous sons' of Quarry Bank; from politicians and actors, to the comedian Les Dennis! Calderstones is now one of the largest and most popular comprehensive schools in the city. Set in stunning surroundings, this photograph shows the original Quarry Bank wing, a sandstone listed building, formerly the home of John Bland, a wealthy Liverpool timber merchant.

Saturday 3 July 2010

July 3rd 2010 - Liverpool Cricket Club
Founded in 1807, Liverpool Cricket Club is the oldest amateur sporting establishment in Merseyside. Lancashire 1st team regularly play here and some of the greatest cricketers ever have graced the wicket. Such cricketers as WG Grace, Wassim Akram, Andrew Flintoff and Viv Richards have played at this thriving and welcoming club.

Friday 2 July 2010

July 2nd 2010 - Sefton Park Band Stand
The newly restored band stand looks splendid in the brilliant summer sunshine. It is said that it was the inspiration for The Beatles Sergeant Peppers album from a picture of it on a 19th century postcard. It reminds me of Echo and the Bunnymen playing the Larks In The Park music festival in the 1980's. Sefton Park is certainly looking fantastic after the recent redevelopment.

Thursday 1 July 2010

July 1st 2010 - The Ancient Chapel Of Toxteth
The first sermon in this chapel was made on the 30th November 1618 by Richard Mather. It is a grade 1 listed building. The land was sold by Richard Molyneaux to a community of Puritains so that they could practice their religion in relative freedom. Members of the Melly family are buried in the graveyard. A certain peace can still be felt which is surprising considering it is situated on such a busy road junction.

Wednesday 30 June 2010

June 30th 2010 - Slowell Street
I always enjoy looking at this building - I love the symmetry of the steps. If you look on the right hand side of the photograph, a gable end of a listed JMU building once stood here. Masonary cleaning work started on it but the building came unsafe and, more's the pity, it had to be demolished.

Tuesday 29 June 2010

June 29th 2010 - Pigeons In Flight - Shelmore Drive L8
I spotted this scene the other week whilst taking the photograph of the `Florrie', so I went back this evening just as the the sun was beginning to set. The tight knit community of Toxteth, where kids still play out on the streets and neighbours can still be seen chatting on the doorstep, gives the area a real sense of community. The view over to North Wales is unexpected, as was the flight of homing pigeons. I have not seen homing pigeons around Liverpool for a long time... I wonder if they are ever tempted to fly to the Welsh hills?

Monday 28 June 2010

June 28th 2010 - Well Worn Steps In York Street
Just tucked behind Liverpool One shopping centre there is this magical piece of Liverpool. It is like stepping back in time; the old doorways, steps and brickwork still survive and it is not hard to imagine life here 250 years ago. One company who established themselves in York Street in 1758, were Fawcett Preston. They made pans, kettles, guns and other iron goods. They also produced sugar boiling pans and sugar cane crushing machinery and steam engines for use in the Caribbean sugar plantations around 1813.

Sunday 27 June 2010

June 27th 2010 - Toxteth Cathedral - Princes Road
I was surprised, yet again, by Liverpool's history; this is a photograph of Princes Road and the church on the right is the, now derelict, Welsh Presbyterian church known as the Toxteth Cathedral. The spire is 200ft and it dominates the Toxteth landscape. The church opened in 1868 and was designed by architectural brothers William and George Audsley. It was a focal point for the 30,000 Welsh Presbyterians living in Liverpool.At that time it was said that there were more Welsh speakers living in Liverpool than in the Welsh capital Cardiff.

Saturday 26 June 2010

June 26th 2010 - China Town
A view looking up towards China Town with the Metropolitan Cathedral poking above the Chinese arch. I like this view because it makes a change from seeing China Town from the other end of the road.

Friday 25 June 2010

June 25th 2010 - Are you Happy?
Graffitti asking us to consider whether or not we are happy. It formed part of Liverpool Biennial and can be found in Duke Street. The bulding on the left is now a `gentlemens' club', but it appears to have been a warehouse in its glory days.

Thursday 24 June 2010

June 24th 2010 - Come on England
This splendid house in Windermere Terrace L8 has taken supporting England to a another level by painting the front door as the cross of St. George! England played this afternoon and beat Slovenia one nil. The next game is against Germany, so I think I would be heading down to B & Q for a tin of white gloss paint. This house was once home to Liverpool poet Roger McGough.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

June 23rd 2010 - Echo
An Echo van parked up at the Echo Offices on the Strand. The Echo has gone through a few changes in recent years, notably not being printed in Liverpool and being delivered to newsagents with the other morning papers! An iconic vechile taken for granted, to me it stands alongside red double decker buses, taxis and red telephone boxes.

Tuesday 22 June 2010

June 22nd 2010 - The Florrie
The Florence Institute For Boys was built in 1889 soley paid for by a West Indies' Merchant, Sir Bernard Hall, as a lasting memorial to his daughter Florence, who died in Paris at the age of 22.
It was the first building in Britian to be built as a Boys' Youth Club. Fitted out with a gym and library, Bernard Hall built it, as the plaque on the building states, as `an acceptable place of recreation and instruction for the poor and working boys of this district of the City'. Funding dried up in 1987 and this outstanding Victorian building fell into disrepair. Funding has been promised and restoration work will hopefully get under way very soon.