Miscellaneous, Liverpool

Imagine this. Imagine an artist that was, in his day, selling as much as Elvis or the Beatles. Stumped? Well, welcome to one Billy Fury. A Liverpudlian, now mostly forgotten except amongst music buffs, he really was that big. Certainly a sort of Elvis copy with the upturned collar, pouting lip and quiff, he had 1950's girls literally falling at his feet.

Born Ronald Wycherley (I can understand the name change) in Liverpool in 1940, he became a huge star in the 50's and 60's with hits such as Halfway To Paradise and I'd Never Find Another You.

He worked in TV and films until his untimely early death in 1983 from a long-standing heart complaint. In a city so musically dominated by the Beatles, and to a lesser extent Gerry and the Pacemakers, it is nice to see that this once huge star is remembered in his home place. I thought the statue was a fitting tribute, forever looking out over the Mersey. I think he would have liked it.

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As I have mentioned in other Liverpool tips, the city is inextricably tied to the sea and a seafaring life. In and of itself, this can be a risky enough occupation, but in times of war, the risks are increased exponentially.

Whilst soldiers, airmen and military sailors are rightfuly remembered, there seems to be somewhat of a lack of remembrance of merchant seamen. Especially in the Second World War, when Britain was essentially unde siege from Nazi Germany, this is doubly true.

I have visited the monument to merchant seamen close by Tower hill in London, and never fail to be moved by the sacrifices made. There is a memorial fittingly by the side of the Mersey (main photo) but I found nearby several other small memorials sited on what seemed to be some sort of industrial hatch. I found this a little sad. If you are on the waterfront just East of the Albert Dock, have a look round and you will find these memorials to a lot of brave men.

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Having just wandered out of Lime Street station on my most recent trip to Liverpool, I was just ambling fairly aimlessly as I like to do and felt like a quick drink. Purely by chance, I spotted the Ship and Mitre pub, and what a find it turned out to be.

Readers of my other pages will know I like a drink, for which I make no apology, and I do like the traditional British pub in all it's various forms. This place certainly is one of the best I have visited, it really scores on so many levels.

Firstly, and most importantly, the drink. This place justifiably prides itself on it's selection. There are twelve real ales on draught, changing literally daily. They have a noticeboard affair listing the current selection, which changes several times a day, and also forthcoming beers. Add to this about 30 German bottled beers and about 40 Belgian (or was it the other way round?), a good wine selection, and an excellent spirit selection, and you really have a recipe for a good place. For a cider drinker like myself, the choice of four draught and numerous bottles is almost unheard of and very welcome.

Add to the mix a delightful Art Deco building, which is one of my favourite styles, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, all with the typical Liverpudlian friendliness, and things only get better. A decent kitchen completes the scene, with the local dish Scouse, from which the locals derive the nickname Scousers, being particularly good. Think of an Irish stew made with beef instead of mutton and you have the idea.

Perhaps the best indicator of how good a pub this is comes from the complete mix of people who rub shoulders there. I saw everyone from suited businessmen to working men after a day's graft to students from the nearby University to the odd tourist like myself. Indeed, during the quiz night, you could hardly move in the place.

Even if you are not a drinker, I would recommend a visit here just to have a look at what a good British inner city pub should be.

Largest two tier theatre in the country hosts touring productions, musicals and concerts. The Empire Theatre in Liverpool is owned by The Empire Theatre (Merseyside )Trust Ltd., a registered charity.

In 1986, local government reorganisation ended the life of the County Council and the Trust, now independent, became the owner of the Empire Theatre.

Apollo Leisure was appointed as managers responsible for all commercial risks and for the maintenance of the property. This removed the need for public sector subsidy. In 1995 the building was in its 70th year and in need of major improvements. Apollo Leisure had brought life back to the theatre and increased audiences, but the larger touring shows and popular musicals could not be accommodated.

The Trust decided to completely refurbish the building and increase the depth of the stage. Liverpool City Council was supportive in planning terms and was interested in a theatre extension that is now on the site of “The Legs of Man” a former public house. In July 1999 The Queen came to Liverpool and reopened the main theatre building.

The total capital project cost some £11 million which was financed from an Arts Council Lottery Grant, Apollo Leisure, European ‘Objective One’ funding and many generous donors. The final project, the Atrium and Annexe, was completed in 2002.

The tour departs every thirty minutes and each tour lasts one hour the tour encompasses 12 stops starting at the famous Liver Buldings, between stops you can experience sights like the war museum in Chapel Street or remain on the tour and visit Matthew Street, the home of the Cavern Club where the Beatles played. Sir Thomas Street will offer the customer the chance to experience the Conservation Centre and its diverse collections.

Adult: £8.00
Child (5-15yrs): £4.00
Senior (60+): £6.00
Student (requires valid Student ID): £6.00
Family (2 Adult + up to 3 Children): £20.00

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St George's Hall is in Liverpool city centre on Lime Street opposite Lime Street railway station It is a building in neoclassical style which contains concert halls and law courts, and is a Grade I listed building.

St George's plateau is the flat space between the hall and the railway station and contains statues of four lions by Nicholl and cast iron lamp standards with dolphin bases. Also on the plateau are monuments, including equestrian bronzes of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria by Thomas Thorneycroft, and a monument to Major-General William Earle by Birch. Between the equestrian statues is a cenotaph which was unveiled in 1930, designed by L. B. Budden and sculpted by H. Tyson Smith. It consists of a simple horizontal block with a bronze relief measuring over 31 feet (9 m) on each side. Sharples and Pollard regard it as one of the most remarkable war memorials in the country

It is often called the Birkenhead Tunnel to specify it serves Birkenhead as opposed to the Kingsway Tunnel, an alternative tunnel crossing the Mersey, which serves Wallasey.

The tunnel is 3240m (2 miles) long. It contains a single carriageway of four lanes, two in each direction. Different height restrictions apply to the nearside and offside lanes in each direction, due to the curvature of the tunnel. All buses are required to use the offside lane, regardless of their height.

Lane signals (consisting of an illuminated green arrow or red cross) are displayed at regular intervals, although under normal circumstances none of the lanes are currently used bidirectionally. This is in contrast to the Kingsway Tunnel, where three out of four lanes operate in one direction during peak hours.

The tunnel has two branches leading off the main tunnel to the dock areas on both sides of the river. The Birkenhead branch tunnel (known as the Rendel St. branch) is disused. It was closed in 1965. The Liverpool branch tunnel remains in use, in the exit direction only. It emerges opposite the Liver Building. Originally it carried two-way traffic, and the junction inside the tunnel was controlled by traffic lights, but this arrangement was discontinued to reduce the delays brought on by increasing traffic levels

If you walk up Water Street (across the road from the Liver Buildings) keep a look out for the old National Provincial Bank Building on the R/H side just before you reach the Town Hall. The huge doors are decorated with two fantastic ferocious looking tigers. Rubbing the fangs is said to bring good luck and was routinely done by Indian sailors who believed it would ensure them a safe onward passage. Recommeded for all VT's!