February 28th 2010 - The Matchworks

A cloudspotter's dream today - strange, dark and beautiful clouds over head at The Matchworks on the Garston/Speke border. Formally the Bryant and May match factory, (where the work force had a 100% record for not going on strike!) the 1948 site became a flagship project for architects, Urban Splash. It is now converted into office space.

"Colour purple

Dream burning

February's sea"

Another month ends...Some of the photographs from February that didn't appear on the blog have been added to the slideshow.

February 27th 2010 - The Brewery Tap

A grey afternoon, so a stop at the Cain's Brewery Tap was called for! This pub, as the name suggests, is attached to the local Cain's Brewery - the place to sample a pint of Formidable Ale. The brewery became one of Britain's top 50 businesses in 1919, such was its success and popularity. It was founded by Robert Cain, who came to Liverpool from Cork, Ireland. Following years of uncertainty, the brewery is now owned by the Dusanj brothers and recent success was found when their Raisin Beer won a top supermarket award and Cains was commissioned to brew a special beer to celebrate Liverpool's Capital of Culture Year in 2008. Long may Cains reign!

February 26th 2010 - Reflections on the Echo Arena

A slice of the Echo Arena reflecting the River Mersey. This arena was a long awaited venue for Liverpool, so 'stadium' bands can now play in the city. I always enjoyed watching bands at the Royal Court, but times have changed and it seems it's all down to economics nowadays... Still, it's an inspiring building nonetheless.

February 25th 2010 - Will

In Hale Village this afternoon, taking photographs in connection with the historical figure, the Childe of Hale. Noticed Will, a local resident, spring cleaning the war memorial on the Village Green. Will told me he had lived in the 'chocolate box' village all his life.When asked about the proximity to the airport he told me the noise from the planes doesn't bother him - that to him they're just like buses coming and going.

February 24th 2010 -Rising Tide

Looking across from the Albert Dock to Wirral on a cold afternoon. Cammel Lairds ship building yard can be seen. The tide was just coming in and the sun was casting its rays through the broken clouds.

My photograph of the Liverpool Skyline appears on the homepage of the Ex-Pat Blog (www.expat-blog.com)

February 23rd 2010 - Mersey Tunnel Ventilation Shaft

Ignored by many, the ventilation shaft for the Kingsway Tunnel is a joy to photograph. This building is situated on the Dock Road, the other is on Wirral at Woodside. Next time you pass, take a look and marvel at the symmetry of this concrete beauty.

February 22nd 2010 - Liverpool Skyline from Everton Brow

Mid afternoon sun rays shining down on a cold Liverpool. This photograph was taken from Everton Brow, where there are great panoramic views of the city. St. John's Beacon, now known as 'The Radio City Tower', can be seen to the left, with the Liver Buildings and Beetham Tower also visible overlooked by the snow capped mountains of North Wales in the distance. (Image best viewed magnified).

February 21st 2010 - Gung Hei Fat Choi

Despite Chinese New Year officially being last weekend, the traditional annual celebrations in Liverpool took place today. Snow had fallen overnight, with a sprinkling left on the arch in Chinatown when the lions and dragon arrived to dance this afternoon. The crowds were out to celebrate the Year of the Tiger in style. I liked the way the 'sun' was centred in the archway in this shot, and the movement of the flags and banners around the dragon. A riot of colour and noise in Britain's oldest Chinese community.

February 20th 2010 - Rodney Street

Liverpool's own Harley Street; the 'Georgian Quarter', with Grade 2 listed buildings and a number of blue plaques. Rodney Street is home to many of the city's law firms and private medical practices, not to mention the museum in the previous home of the renowned local photographer, E. Chambre Hardman. No matter how often I travel down this street I am always pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the Anglican Cathedral as I round the corner - seeming to spring from nowhere...here it peers over Rodney Street, with a watchful eye.

February 19th 2010 - Farmer's Fields in Hale

Out early this morning to catch the best of the sky before the predicted snow clouds roll in. Beautiful morning light across the fields in Hale, looking towards the factories near Frodsham - their chimneys billowing. Just visible through the mist is a hazy Runcorn bridge. Heading for home the skies darkened and a light flurry of snow fell (Image best viewed magnified).

February 18th 2010 - Spring Heeled Jack at Saint Francis Xavier's Church

The church of Saint Francis Xavier in Salisbury Street, Everton, was opened in 1848 and was designed to hold 1,000 people. This proved to be insufficient and so an additional Sodality Chapel was built onto the original church in 1889. This stunning church still holds services today. However, it is also the place of the last sighting of the infamous character 'Spring Heeled Jack' who, it was reported by police and clergy, was able to leap 20 -30ft over the roof-tops in Liverpool. He made his last appearance in 1904, hanging from Saint Francis Xavier's church spire and bouncing around on the cobbled streets below, much to the amazement of the large gathering of locals. With one last leap it is claimed that he jumped, spitting red fire balls, over the roof tops and into William Henry Street, never to be seen again. Take a close look again the photograph - can you see him?

February 17th 2010 - Metropolitan Cathedral

Another wet and cold night. The Metropolitan Cathedral looked very space age; yet another piece of unique architecture Liverpool has to offer. The illuminated stained glass window looked beautiful shining out under the 'crown of thorns'.

February 16th 2010 - Storm Brewing

A storm was approaching Liverpool Marina when I took this photograph this afternoon. The Liver Buildings are just about visible, with the new Big Wheel to their left. Liverpool's very own 'VATican' (The Customs and Excise Building) can be seen on the far left.

February 15th 2010 - Reflection

A grey day with relentless drizzle, so I put off taking photographs until tonight. Still the rain fell... I took a number of shots of the multicoloured and ever-changing lights that make up the facade of Liverpool University's Engineering Building but felt that this one best summed up the day. I caught the reflection in the puddles on the pavement opposite the building, in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, just as they changed to an amber glow. Here in Liverpool the streets are paved with a different kind of gold.

February 14th 2010 - Eros

What could be more fitting on St. Valentine's Day than a photograph of Liverpool's own Eros in Sefton Park. Eros is a second casting of the original, by sculptor Alfred Gilbert, which stands in Piccadilly Circus, London. Eros is an aluminium casting on a bronze fountain base. The sculpture was removed in 1991 for conservation work. Sadly, it was found to be so damaged it was decided it should be kept indoors and is now on permanent display in the NMGM Conservation Centre. This cast was recently replaced on the fountain in the park. I liked the way Eros appears to be balancing in mid-air, his dark form standing out against the backdrop of white sky in this photograph.

February 13th 2010 - Harthill Copse

I have been listening with interest to the on-going debate around Harthill Copse; a saved area of tiny woodland within the allotments in one of my favourite spots, Calderstones Park. I took the top photograph on a frosty New Year's Day earlier this year. This is a rear view of the trees in the Copse - a haven for wildlife and alive with bird song. It was with a saddened heart, therefore, that I wandered past and saw this scene, captured in the second image, this morning. The trees have been cruelly uprooted and the site flattened. A sorry day for our city and bitterly ironic, coming just months after our Year of the Environment.

February 12th 2010 - Sunrise over Liverpool Docks
Taken early this morning from Crosby beach; yet another stunning sunrise. February seems to be turning into a month of spectacular skies. I had the feeling that spring is not too far away; there was a freshness in the air that the season brings. So long winter, I shall miss you...

February 11th 2010 - Penny Lane

Continuing with the Penny Lane sign project (taking one photograph a month on the 11th to see how the sign evolves) I checked out the sign I took last month but still no graffiti, I think it must be an easy clean sign. So I ventured up the lane to find this sign painted on to the wall which is a lot more organic. Click on the photo and have good close up look.

February 10th 2010 - Sitting Bull, Otterspool Prom.

After working indoors all day I was glad to get out into the fresh air at Otterspool Promenade, where there was a beautiful sunset. Dhruva Mistry's sculpture 'Sitting Bull' caught my eye, with its outlandish peach red colour it looks strangely at one with the world, staring proudly out over the River Mersey, admiring yet another glorious evening sky.

February 9th 2010 - Hale Lighthouse

Beautiful skies early this morning. Took lots of photographs on the shore by Hale Lighthouse. The whole area comes alive with the sound of wading birds and early morning flocks of starlings coming in to land. Another difficult call to choose an image for today, so I'll add others to the February slideshow at the end of the month. Sun just peeping through the clouds and illuminating the sandstone under the lighthouse in this shot. Sadly, the lighthouse is no longer in use but remains one of the most prominent landmarks in Hale Village on the banks of the river.

8th February 2010 - The Liverpool Blue Coat School

The Blue Coat School dates back to 1706, and is now considered one of the 'top' selective secondary schools in Liverpool. Originally standing on School Lane in the city centre (now the Bluecoat Chambers Arts Centre) the school was established with the sole purpose of educating the city's poor children to read, write and manage accounts. The school moved to its current location during the Victorian era. The brightness of the tower's clock face and the blue accent light in the porch shone out through the misty evening air when I took this photograph.

February 7th 2010 - All Hallows Church

Evensong service at All Hallows Church in Allerton. A peaceful evening, with the strains of the church organ within earshot as I passed by. The lights from inside perfectly illuminated the beautiful Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris stained glass windows.

February 6th 2010 - Derby Day

Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs meet at Anfield this afternoon for the Derby. I mingled with supporters of the 'reds' and the 'blues' outside the ground before the game and took this shot next to the famous 'You'll Never Walk Alone' gates to Anfield. Good to see that, despite all the rivalry, this city remains one of the few in the country where opposing fans can be allowed to mix freely before kick off. Plenty of friendly banter and lots of laughter and handshakes.

February 5th 2010: Clarence Dock - Irish Gateway to Liverpool

I was drawn back to the docks today after researching the history of Clarence Dock. Once there, it was very easy to imagine the scene, the place has such tangeable atmosphere. Through these dock gates passed most of the 1,300,000 Irish migrants who had fled the Great Famine and "took the ship" to Liverpool in the years 1845-1852. Many continued on to New York with the same number, if not more, staying here -initially believing Liverpool was NewYork. Liverpool's own Ellis Island...

February 4th 2010 - Penguins at St. George's Hall

St. George's Hall has become a temporary home to many of the sculptures from the recent 'Go Penguins' art trail - hundreds of decorated penguins which were dotted around the city. The penguins are being auctioned for charity so were on display at the Hall today. In the foreground of this photograph is the 'Young Heart's Run Free' mirrored penguin by artist Gill Smith. Behind the sculpture is the Hall's world famous pipe organ and a stained glass window bearing the city's crest.

February 3rd 2010 - Goodison Park from Stanley Park

Passing the newly 'refurbished' Stanley Park this morning, taking photographs of the lake and bridge on this cold and dismal day. Noticed EFC's ground, Goodison Park, through the trees and took this shot. I hadn't realised the ground and the park were so close to each other. I like the fact this is an angle Goodison is not usually viewed from, and it is in total contrast to the area on the other side of the stadium.

February 2nd 2010 - The Mersey Wave

Peter Frink's sculpture, The Mersey Wave, stands astride the main route into Liverpool through Speke. At 200ft. long and 100ft. tall its two sets of illuminated aluminium fins stretch skyward and are 30ft. taller than the Angel of the North in Gateshead. When the sculpture was first unveiled in 2003, movement in strong winds resulted in the fins being rapidly removed to be made safe. It certainly is an impressive and imposing sight. I liked the contrast of the striking blue lights with the orange glow of the neighbouring street lamps on this gloomy and wet evening.

February 1st 2010 - Iron Man and the Moon

Lucky enough to be driving along the Dock Road just before 8am this morning - noticed the moon was still visible as the sun was rising behind me. I've always wanted to take a photograph of Antony Gormley's installation, 'Another Place' (100 life-sized iron casts of the artist himself, at intervals in the sand going 1km. out to sea at Crosby) but had waited for the right conditions. Today was the day...I'm really pleased with the images; the colours in the sky, the stillness of the scene and the moon reflecting in the water, and struggled to decide which to post. Check back at the end of the month for a slideshow of the others. Bitterly cold but a beautiful light.