May 31st 2010 - Calderstone's English Garden

Bank Holiday today so a trip to Calderstone's English Garden was arranged. There are so many beautiful parts to this garden. My favourite is the fern border - I love the way they appear from nowhere in late spring and unfurl to reveal their symmetry. The old potting sheds are in the background and the hedge surrounding the gardens beyond. I'll return to take some other shots to show this magical space in all its summer glory.
'Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date'
(Images that don't make the blog are regularly added to the slideshow)

May 30th 2010 - HUB Festival

The annual HUB festival was, once again, held at Otterspool Prom. It is the UK's largest urban youth and extreme sports event. Activities included skateboarding on Europe's tallest 'vert ramp', street dance, combat calligraphy on a 250 metre long wall and, of course, live bands. A 'sick' event for the kids!

May 29th 2010 - Wedding Of Jimmy And Suzanne

I had the pleasure to be asked to take the photographs at Jimmy and Suzanne's wedding at St. Sebastian's church in Kensington. A really happy day, despite the rain, with love and happiness a plenty. Scousers are renowned for their humour, as is well known, and weddings are no exception. Laughter was the order of the day - here Jimmy proudly holds aloft his marriage licence, much to the amusement of his wife, the priest and guests. I truly enjoyed the occasion and wish the happy couple the very best.

May 28th 2010 - Traders Tower Wapping Dock

This tower is situated at Wapping Dock. I had never thought much about the history until it was told to me by local businessman (and my wife's grandfather), Stanley Caulfield, a few years ago... forgive me if I don't get the exact facts right... The large castle chess piece was built for merchants to see their ships arriving up the Mersey. The ships would use flags to communicate with the merchants on land, saying how much cotton etc. they had on board. The merchants would then tell buyers how much stock was due to be unloaded in a few hours time. Obviously, the merchants who got to the buyers first got the best prices, and that is why some cunning fellow built a smaller tower on top of the original, supposedly getting an advantage of seeing his ships coming before the other merchants could see theirs. I love this story that Stan shared with me, and every time I pass the tower I am reminded of 'Stan, The Merchant Of Liverpool'. Stan sadly passed away last year but his spirit will always live on for me in this building.

May 27th 2010 - Wildflower Meadow

I have passed this grass verge many times but today I was amazed to see the beauty of it. It is just off the M62 going towards the National Wildflower Centre. It is a riot of colour and wildlife, a real jewel at the side of the road.

May 26th 2010 - Simpson Street

This buiding caught my attention today, it is situated in Simpson Street which is just off Jamaica Street. This whole area has a really unusual atmosphere, a forgotten part of the city which is definately worth strolling around, trying to picture by-gone days. Let's hope the area can be thoughtfully regenerated.

May 25th 2010 - Pageant Of Power

The Pageant Of Power rolled into town tonight. Fast cars, planes and boats. These speed boats were racing around the Albert Dock at speeds touching 60mph. There were plenty of spectators enjoying the late evening sunshine and entertainment.

May 24th 2010 - Bowling Club House Calderstones

After a busy day at work, I took an early walk in Calderstones Park to try to photograph the elusive English Gardens. But again the gardens were closed. I shall keep trying... Liked the misty haze around the clubhouse and the way the light and the hedge frame the image.

May 23rd 2010 - Calderstones Park

An early moring walk in Calderstones to take a photograph of the English Gardens, but unfortunately the gardens were closed. I was lucky enough to capture this image of the early morning sun rising through the trees. It turned out to be one of the year's hottest days. Summer is on its way...

May 22nd 2010 - Town Hall

Liverpool Town Hall is 'home' to the Lord Mayor M.Storey. It is in fact the third Town Hall to be built on or near the site. The first Town Hall was built in 1515, followed by the second in 1673. Today's Town Hall was built in 1754 by architect John Wood from Bath. The Statue of Minerva sits on top of the domed roof designed by Felix Rossi, sculptor to the Royal Family. A semi forgotten building in Liverpool, due mainly to the other fantastic architecture in the city, but still it is a very impressive historical building.

May 21st 2010 - Skyline Sculpture

A 5 metre sculpture called Skyline is situated at the base of Betham Tower. In the words of the sculptor, Oliver Barratt, 'Liverpool sends out ships to the edge of the world, which bring back cargo and history. Threads of cotton impossibly tangled, brought from the west and sent out to the east'. I enjoy looking at this tangle; a much needed tangle within the surrounding large symmetrical glass structures with their straight concrete lines.

May 20th 2010 - Landing Stage
Early morning on the Mersey, I took this photograph at Princes dock where this old landing stage sits. I love the light of the early morning and unspoilt fresh air. A seagull sits on top of the ticket booth - I had tread with care so as not to disturb it. The Royal Daffodil ferry sailed past on its first sailing of the day.

May 19th 2010 - The Grafton

The Grafton Ballroom situated on West Derby Road was opened on February 2nd,1924. The Beatles, Duke Ellington, Henry Hall and Joe Loss have all played here. I recently heard Ricky Tomlinson reminiscing about when he used to go on a Saturday afternoon for ballroom dancing. It was closed as a nightclub in 2008 but it will always be associated with the famous Thursday 'grab a granny night'! It is now a comedy club. The Grafton has served Liverpool well over the years, lets hope it can one day somehow find its former glory.

May 19th 2010 - Crosby Beach

I was early for my 'proper' photographic assignment today, so I took advantage of this rare happening and made a detour to Crosby beach. It was a beautiful morning made even more special when I heard my first skylarks of the year singing their operatic arias, and just for five minutes I felt at one with nature and myself...then I made the fateful mistake of looking at my watch; oh well, at least I took a photograph.

May 17th 2010 - City Skyline

A familiar view for travellers along the A580, an unexpected vista across the fields of Knowsley. The two cathedrals along with the ghostly Welsh hills in the background. Where else could you see such a fantastic skyline.

May 16th 2010 - Sefton Cricket Club

Today was a perfect day for playing and watching a game of cricket. I ventured down to Sefton Park (one of my favourite grounds to play and watch), and took this photograph of the Sefton versus Formby game. The club moved to Sefton Park in 1876 and in 1877, W G Grace was amongst three Gloucestershire players who made up a South Of England team and played at the ground. What W G Grace would have made of England winning the Twenty Twenty World Cup today is anyone's guess; but any win against Australia in cricket is good win, even if it is a diluted form of the game.

May 15th 2010 - The New Picket

On my arty travels last night, I came across The Picket which I knew had moved, but not to just off Jamaica Street. I went back today to take a photograph of this marvellous and detailed mural. Painted by Belfast Loyalist, Mark Ervine and Republican artist, Danny Devenny with the help of local community groups. Characters on the mural include Kitty Wilkinson champion of the poor who set up wash houses for all in the city and Irish born Agnes Jones who made an outstanding contribution to nursing, becoming the first trained Nursing Superintendent at Liverpool's Workhouse Infirmary. Her work for the sick paupers was enormous, but took its toll as she died at the age of just 35 from typhus fever. The mural is a true work of art, which many probably missed last night. I didn't go in but I hope the atmosphere is still the same as the old Picket which was always a welcoming place to debate your politics without fear of recrimination. Long live the Picket.

May 14th 2010 - Light Night

Il mattino ha l'oro in bocca? Artist Filip Gillissen's installation launched the 2010 International Liverpool Biennial. The walk through the thick mass of golden tinsel was for one night only and it proved to be a very sensory experience... but I feel the real art on display tonight were the people queueing to see the exhibit.

May 13th 2010 - Speke Old Airport

A grey and overcast afternoon. This a DH89 Rapide which started flying from Speke airport in June 1930. Liverpool airport was opened on July 1st 1933. During World War II the airport was requistioned by the Government, who mainly used it for building and testing war planes imported from America. In 1986 airport services were transfered to the new airport, and the buildings went into disrepair; until more recent times when it was turned into a swanky hotel.

May 12th 2010 - Pillbox At Springwood Avenue

I have passed this wartime pillbox many times and never paid much attention to it. A bit of research shows it was put in this peaceful location at Clarke's Gardens to defend against any potential attack of Garston docks, and to also protect the railway lines at Hunts Cross from advancing Nazis. A small reminder of what often seems inconceivable to the younger generation.

May 11th 2010 - Penny Lane

Back to the Penny Lane sign saga! I tried to get a photograph from when our, now new, Deputy Prime Minister signed the Penny Lane sign (see last month), but the gates are still locked. I went back to old faithful, which has a few subtle changes. Get down there with your pens and become a piece of Paulo history (book is being published at the end of the year)...not that I'm advocating graffitti, you understand!

May 10th 2010 - Picnic In Calderstones

I took an early morning walk in Calderstones Park and the blossom trees in the picnic area were absolutely beautiful, leaving a carpet of petals around each tree. The blossom seems to be late this year, or maybe it's just my imagination.

May 9th 2010 - Court Hey Park - National Wildflower Centre

I took this photograph of the stables at the National Wildflower Centre after having a delicious Sunday lunch at their wonderful cafe. The grounds were acquired by Robert Gladstone, who was the eldest brother of the four times British Prime Minister William Gladstone. He built the mansion house, Court Hey Hall, in 1836. During the second world war the Ministry Of Agriculture Fishieries And Foods requisitioned the stables as a quarantine station. Amongst the animals quarantined were Chipperfields Circus' camels and lamas.

May 8th 2010 - Sunburst Gates - Toxteth
These Sunburst gates are situated at the entrance to Princes Park, Toxteth. The gates represent the sun and its rays, designed by Sir James Pennethorne. The gates have recently been restored to their former glory, and they really shine out and give you a piece of sunshine no matter what the weather.

May 7th - Probe Records

Probe Records - a real blast from the past for me! I have fond recollections of visits to this haven for 'Vinyl Sniffers', but when it was in its original Button Street location and Dead or Alive's frontman, Pete Burns, was one of the excrutiatingly fashionable (and, if I'm honest, scarily intimidating) counter staff. Originally set up by Geoff Turner, it continues to cater for all lovers and collectors of rare ('proper') records - sadly, one of the last of its kind...Love the juxtaposition with the faded painted advertisement for 'garage tools' on the wall behind and the electric blue tower of Urban Splash's Tea Factory poking over the flat roof.

May 6th - Birthplace of Gladstone

General Election day, so I felt a trip to the birthplace of Prime Minister Gladstone was appropriate. This grand house in Rodney Street (Liverpool's version of Harley Street) gives some insight into Gladstone's not so humble beginnings. However, an ornate stone plaque next to the front door is all that remains to indicate he was ever there. William Ewart Gladstone was son of a wealthy Liverpool merchant and was educated out of the city at Eton and Oxford. Gladstone was four times Liberal Prime Minister of Britain and a prominent figure in Victorian politics. He campaigned on a wide range of issues, most notably home rule for Ireland (but not, to my wife's annoyance, the Women's Suffrage Movement...)

May 5th 2010 - Cabin Club

This intricate wood carving is on the door of Liverpool's renowned Cabin Club. The Cabin started off life in the 1950's as the Kontiki Club, but had limited success. The owners joined forces with Brian Gilbertson of the Latin Quarter and Pink Parrot Clubs (There actually was a pink parrot at the club's front desk!) and the Cabin Club was born. Over the past 50 years it has reinvented itself on a number of occasions as a French restaurant, disco, casino and live music venue, but has always stayed true to its philosophy that all are welcome - famous faces and joe public alike.

May 4th 2010 - Picton Clock

Designed by architect James Picton in 1884, as a memorial to his wife, Sarah Pooley. It is situated at the top of Wavertree High Street. The Metropolitan Cathedral can been seen on the horizon with the impressive sunset behind. The inscription on the side of the grade II listed clock tower is worth a mention -

Time wasted is existence; used is life.

The slow sweet hours that bring us all things good,

The slow sad hours that bring us all things ill,

And all good things from evil. Not at once,

Not all to be forgotten.

Hereby we see the minutes, how they run:

How many make the hours full complete,

How many hours bring about the day,

How many days will finish up the year.

So minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years,

Pass'd over to the end they were created,

Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.

May 3rd 2010 - Saint Philip Neri Church Gardens

The beautiful Spanish Garden of the Saint Philip Neri Church in Catherine Street was a welcome sight in the mid morning sunshine today - a wonderful calming atmosphere lies therein, in contrast to the busy streets into the city centre that surround it. The oratory became the base for the two Universities' Catholic Chaplaincy in 2001, although the original St. Philip Neri church in the area dates back to 1825 and has strong links with the community; the priests having set up a school and later a home for local street children in and around Hope Street. The present church building was completed in 1920 and was inspired by the then priest, Fr. John's love of St. Mark's in Venice. The architect P.S.Gilby was responsible for the design and for the marble and mosaic decoration. Sadly, the presbytery (now the gardens) and church windows were devastated by a bomb during the Blitz. The Spanish Gardens were completed in the 1950's and the church also became central for Liverpool's Polish community - with Polish priests resident and a weekly mass celebrated in Polish. A hidden jewel in the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

May 2nd 2010 -42 knight Street

Knight Street was named after the two brothers, John and James Knight, who laid out the street in 1785. I was attracted to the old advertising sign on the side of the building. On closer inspection it says, Joseph Glover & Co. - Plumbers, Painters and General Contrators. There seems to be telephone number but no sign of an e-mail address! A fading piece of Liverpool's history.

1st May 2010 - May Day Celebrations - Liverpool Socialist Singers
Newly formed Liverpool Socialist Singers' desire is to sing for change. Today they were singing outside the famous Bold Street bookshop, 'News From Nowhere', which celebrates its 36th birthday today. Long may this refreshing and welcome bookshop continue to trade in these financially challenging times.