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.