March 2009 Archives

HISTORIAN Joseph Sharples is giving a talk on his exhibition of architectural drawings from the Culshaw & Sumners archive tomorrow.

It's at Liverpool's Central Library from 3-4pm.

WITH the recession upon us, it seems people are keen to revert to the make do and mend mentality of the 1940s. John Lewis reports sales of 8% more sewing machines and 40% more buttons than a year ago. Dress pattern sales have shot up by 12%.

In this feature by Emma Pinch, 83-year-old Dorothy Matthews, from Eastham, Wirral, shares her tips for austerity.

If you have memories or tips of your own, please share them in the comments section below, or email me at lauradavis@dailypost.co.uk

New Brighton beach in 1988 after 50,000 tons of sand had been added. Picture code: zz250607lookback.JPG

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THERE are just a couple of weeks left to visit the Williamson's excellent exhibition A Textile Dynasty: Arthur H Lee & Sons.

It tells the story of the Birkenhead-based textile company that made upholstery for many Cunard liners.

You can read more about the exhibition by clicking here.

As interesting as the archives is the story of the Lee family, whose members included a spy and an Italian countess. David Charters has written more about this here.

HRH Princess Margaret was at the height of her youthful glamour when all these happily enthusiastic flag-waving children from Southport schools gathered to give her a warm welcome to the resort in May, 1954. Code: zz030309lookback.jpg

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THERE are just a couple of weeks left to take part in the Settlement exhibition in St George's Hall. As well as asking how you imagine the Liverpool of the future, it invites you to add your memories of places in the city's past to a huge map.

Organised by the Pool Project, it's been curated to coincide with Liverpool's Year of the Environment. Two "picnic workshops" are also being held, on Saturday March 7 and Sunday March 15.

The exhibition, in the third floor Community Gallery at St George's Hall, is open from 10am-5pm every day until March 15.

A SET of rarely-seen drawings for some of Liverpool's most famous Victorian buildings goes on display at the city's Central Library today.

The blueprints, created by architectural practice Culshaw & Sumners, have been stored in the Lancashire Record Office for many decades.

Uncovered by historian Joseph Sharples while updating the renowned Pevsner architecture guide, they include plans for a Confederate agent's mansion house, a landmark city centre pub and a workhouse. As well as appealing to architectural historians they paint a picture of life in Victorian Liverpool.

AN EVENING of talks and readings based upon the life of one of the country's most eminent writers is being held in the very room in which he regularly addressed a Liverpool audience.

Charles Dickens was a habitual visitor to the city, holding his famous Penny Readings in St George's Hall's Small Concert Room, charging a nominal sum for tickets to hear him read.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, is a very personal journey for Liverpool's community historian Steve Binns, who admits to a fascination with the Victorian author.

Liverpool MP Bessie Braddock aims a punch at Mr Moonlight Frankie Vaughan, the pair shared a love of boxing and would often attend matches together. Code: zz181207heritage-12.jpg

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