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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?