Liverpool Outing Notes for Participants
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Ilkley & District u3a SUMMER PROGRAMME 2021 Some notes for those participating in the visit to LIVERPOOL on 22 July. Postcodes are included so that if you wish you can orientate yourself on your phone using Google maps. The CITY of LIVERPOOL Liverpool stands on the eastern side of the Mersey estuary, where the river flows into the Irish sea. It became a borough in 1207, a city in 1880 and an independent borough apart from Lancashire in 1889. Throughout the Industrial Revolution Liverpool grew as a major port and the city expanded (see Old Dock tour below). In the 19th century Liverpool was a major port of departure for English and Irish emigrants to North America. Modern Liverpool has a population of 500,000 in 30 council wards (yes, Knotty Ash is a real place!). The city is closely associated with the arts, especially music. ALBERT DOCK L3 4AF At the beginning of the 19th century 40% of global trade passed through Liverpool’s docks. Albert Dock was opened by Prince Albert in 1846. Its enclosed design and direct loading and unloading of goods from warehouses meant that the complex was more secure than other docks. It became a popular store for valuable cargoes including brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco, ivory and sugar. Today the former warehouses contain new museums, shops, bars and restaurants. FERRY ‘CROSS THE MERSEY L3 1HN The return trip from the Pierhead takes 50 minutes and costs £3.70. It provides fine views of Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, often with the iconic song by Gerry Marsden & the Pacemakers playing in the background. The THREE GRACES L3 1PW These are three beautiful buildings standing opposite the Pierhead: The Port of Liverpool Building was the first to be built, in 1907. Built in the Edwardian Baroque style, and noted for its large dome and ornate detailing, it is the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. The Royal Liver Building opened in 1911 as the headquarters of the Royal Liverpool Friendly Society. A very recognisable Liverpool landmark, this gothic skyscraper is topped by two clock towers with clock faces 25ft across to allow sailors to tell the time from their ships. Atop each tower is a statue of a liver bird, the symbol of Liverpool. When King John granted the royal charter to become a borough in 1207, a unique seal was needed to differentiate documents and sterling originating from the territory. The bird symbol was chosen as part of his crest. Legend has it that Bella looks out to sea watching for the seamen to return safely home; whilst Bertie looks into the city watching over the seamen’s families. Another legend says that if the birds were to fly away, the Mersey would burst its banks and flood the city: this is why they are chained down. The birds are made from copper and have a wingspan of 24 feet. The Cunard Building was last to open in 1917. It is built in the style of an Italian palace, with Greek Revival details. St JOHN’S BEACON L1 1RL This is the radio tower. You can ascend by lift for £5.50 and enjoy a 360˚ view of the city, the docks and the surrounding countryside. On a clear day you can see North Wales. The ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL L1 7AZ This is the largest religious building in Britain and the 8th largest in the world. In 1901 a competition was announced to find an architect for the project. This was only the third opportunity to build a cathedral since the Reformation of the 16th century (the first being St Paul’s after the Great Fire of London and the second Truro Cathedral in the 19th century) and it attracted 103 entries, some from already distinguished architects. The winner was the 22 year old Giles Gilbert Scott. The METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL of CHRIST the KING L3 5QT Lutyens had produced the original design for this cathedral and had built the crypt when work was halted by the War. Post war austerity prohibited the construction of Lutyen’s design, but in 1960 architects across the world were invited to submit new designs for the cathedral. There were two basic requirements: that the building should relate to the existing crypt, and that a congregation of 2,000 should be able to see the altar. This latter was achieved by building in the round with the altar at the centre, its position marked by the tapering lantern tower, a masterpiece of stained glass surmounted by 16 pinnacles encircled by a lattice-work crown. The winning design was by Sir Frederick Gibberd. Building work took 5 years and the cathedral was consecrated in 1967. The MARITIME MUSEUM L3 4AQ Free admission. The museum’s collections reflect the importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world, including its role in the transatlantic slave trade and emigration, the merchant navy and the RMS Titanic. In the basement you will find the UK Border Agency’s fascinating museum ‘Seized’. The INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM L3 4AQ Free admission. The three main galleries focus on the lives of people in West Africa, their eventual enslavement, and their continued fight for freedom. Slavery in the modern day is also discussed as well as topics on racism and discrimination. The MUSEUM of LIVERPOOL L3 1DG Free admission. Situated in a new purpose-built building at the Pierhead, this tells the story of Liverpool and its people, and reflects the city’s global significance. Ground floor displays look at urban and technological evolution, including the Industrial Revolution and the impact of changes in the British Empire. The upper floor looks at Liverpool’s strong identity from Neolithic settlement to the present day, and the various cultures which contribute to the city’s diversity. The WORLD MUSEUM L3 8EN Free admission. This is a very large museum with extensive collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. There is a large Natural History gallery and a collection of Egyptian antiquities. The Planetarium costs £2. The BEATLES STORY L3 4AD Senior admission £12.50. A museum for the young, a trip down memory lane for us! WALKER GALLERY L3 8EL Free admission. One of the largest art collections in England outside London. It includes Italian and Netherlandish painting 1330 – 1550; European art 1550 – 1900; 18th and 19th century British art; 20th century art; and a major sculpture collection. TATE LIVERPOOL L3 4BB Free admission. British art 1500 to the present day, and international modern art. SUPERLAMBANANAS The original yellow superlambanana was an art installation designed for Liverpool’s year as City of Culture in 2008. It was meant as a reflection on the dangers of genetic engineering. Today brightly painted superlambananas are dotted all around the city. TOUR BUS The hop-on-hop-off open top tour bus connects all the main points of interest in the city. They run at most every 30 minutes and cost £8 for seniors. The round trip takes about 60 minutes. OLD DOCK The Old Dock was the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock. Before it opened in 1715, it could take up to two weeks to unload ships due to the huge tidal range of the Mersey. The innovative design of the dock, which had gates to trap the water inside, meant that unloading could happen at any time irrespective of tidal conditions. The port prospered, to the point that after 85 years, the Old Dock was considered too small to deal with the amount of maritime traffic. More docks were built further out on the river, ending the need for the Old Dock, which was filled in in 1811. A remarkable man called William Hutchinson (1715-1801), who was the Harbourmaster, took it upon himself to note the height of every high water between 1768 and 1793. His work was recently rediscovered, and the old dock was excavated. The tidal range measured by Hutchinson is commemorated in the heights of a row of fountains at the entrance to the stairs down to the dock, which now sits beneath the new shopping centre known as Liverpool One. OLD DOCK TOUR It may be possible to arrange a short tour of the Old Dock, beginning outside the Maritime Museum, which has to be pre-booked and paid on the day. If the tour becomes available, and you are registered for the trip, you will receive an email containing booking instructions should you wish to participate. EATERIES There are cafes and bars at Albert Dock, and a range of restaurants within the Liverpool One development..