Category: Blog

Windermere Jetty Museum – Distant Shores No.1

I’ve finally crossed the threshold of Windermere Jetty Museum having been unable to accept an invitation to the official reopening five years ago, but driven past countless times since. My last visit was 25 years ago in its previous incarnation as Windermere Steamboat Museum (a better self-explanatory title as it’s not a museum of jetties). …

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Closure of 30 James Street Home of the Titanic Hotel

THE closure and sale of one of Liverpool’s landmark buildings, the 30 James Street – Home of the Titanic Hotel and former headquarters of the world famous White Star Line, is deeply disappointing news. This is the second time the hotel has gone into administration in two years after conversion from offices, when it was …

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Curtains for ‘The Ship Beautiful’

SEVENTY-five years ago, this week one of Liverpool’s – if not the world’s – greatest ocean liners sailed into Gareloch, Scotland, under her own steam to be broken up at Faslane. After an incredible 36-year career beginning in 1914, Cunard Line’s RMS Aquitania, the last of the Edwardian four funnelled superliners, finally rang ‘finished with …

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Was Birkenhead Jules Verne’s sci-fi inspiration?!

DID Birkenhead and Wirral really inspire the greatest science fiction novelist of all time to write some of his world famous books? That’s the belief of John Lamb, 61, who claims he has discovered irrefutable links between Jules Verne and Birkenhead, most famous for its Cammell Laird shipyard, the world’s first public park and Tranmere …

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Fizz & Ships maritime wine tasting docks in Aigburth

Back by public and parish demand! St Anne’s Church Aigburth Willis Organ Restoration Fund proudly presents The Fizz & Ships Spring Adventure Wine Cruise! A maritime-themed wine tasting armchair cruise aboard Liverpool’s famous shipping lines sampling classic wines en route at our ‘ports of call’. Included in your fare is a mid-voyage bowl of homemade scouse and a final toast …

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No ships please – this is a dock

Yet more evidence for the prosecution to the question ‘Do the authorities in Liverpool hate ships?’ The fabulously restored operational steam tug tender Daniel Adamson berthed in Canning Dock on one of her very welcome but occasional visits to the city. So how did Gower Street Estates who run the Royal Albert Dock public realm …

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Take the Fizz & Ships wine tasting world cruise

I AM delighted to announce the return of the Fizz & Ships nautically themed wine tasting after the event was postponed due to the covid outbreak. The relaunch of this imaginary armchair from Liverpool, celebrating famous shipping lines and fine wines, with my former Post & Echo colleague Jane Clare, will be on Sat 23 …

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