Liverpool | Postcards From Here and There

Baltic Triangle Street Art

The Baltic Triangle is to be found about a 20 minute walk from Liverpool city centre. It is not blessed with great public transport but a taxi from the city centre should cost less than £5. In the heyday of Liverpool as a shipping port this area was awash with warehouses, some of which remain today. Clearance and redevelopment has now resulted in the variety of architectural styles. It is very much an area of contrasts from the modern to Victorian to derelict. Its what makes it such an interesting area and a perfect backdrop for street art.

Much of the art that can be viewed today can be found on the streets around Jamaica Street including; Greenland, Newhall, Cramp, New Brick and Jordan Streets.

The old skateboard park on Jamaica Street is perhaps the most obvious example but is a large number of works in a small area. Further along Jamaica Street is Paul Curtis’s work of Liver Bird wings

The Liver Bird is the symbol of the city and can be found atop of the Liver Building at the Pier Head. The Liver Birds. The Liver Birds was a TV comedy in the 1970s set in the city and featuring the life of two local women sharing a flat together, hence the dedication!

Its interactive art as you can become the none to wear the wings. There is even a crown to rest on your head as you stand between the wings.

There area number of other pieces on the same stretch of wall.

Street Art is an opportunity to make a point and here the piece makes reference to Banksy pieces which are taken down and sold for large sums. Nearby is a piece by Irony.

The piece by Dime can be found on New. Bird Street. An octopus holding a yellow submarine!

Greenland Street and the side streets from it are awash with street art. Many of the pieces were created as part of the Liverpool Mural Festival that was held in April 2018 and featured local and International artists.

Perhaps the most striking is the large work by StineHvid

On the walls next to Constellations café/bar are pieces by Aches and Burnon.

Newhall Street has a huge mural.

At the far end of Greenland Street is Crump Street. It is easily missed as there is nothing much around here and it leads only to the busy Parliament Street. It is however a treasure trove of street art from the Mural Festival.

Turning right from the end of Crump Street onto Parliament Street will bring you to the Stephen Hawking piece by Manchester artist Akse.

As with all street art it is a developing scene and by its very nature evolving. A return visit in twelve months or so will be something to look forward to.

Liverpool and The Beatles

It’s International Beatles Week from 22nd – 28th August with numerous events planned in their hometown of Liverpool. In light of this I thought I’d share a post highlighting some of the Beatles related locations that can be found in and around the city.

Liverpool and The Beatles are still inexorably entangled despite their last performance in the city being in December 1965, over 50 years ago. The Beatles came from Liverpool and it hasn’t been forgotten in the intervening years, they are as much a part of the city today as they were in their heyday in the sixties. The result is that there is much to see and do and a Beatles tour is time well spent.

In the city centre.

Pier Head Statue

Andy Edwards statue of the Fab Four was donated to the city by the Cavern Club in 2015 to commemorate 50 years since their last appearance in the city, which was at The Empire Theatre on Lime Street in 1965.

The Beatles Story – Albert Dock

This is a museum devoted to all things Beatles set in the historic Albert Dock. An experience that is really well done with recreations of some of the iconic locations associated with the Fab Four. You can visit the website here

John Lennon -Mathew Street

Made by Liverpool artist Arthur Dooley the statue of John Lennon is one of the oldest ‘musical’ statues in the city.

Four Lads Who Shook The World – Mathew Street

Also by Arthur Dooley this was moved from its original position opposite The Grapes to be next to the Lennon statue.

The Cavern – Mathew Street

The club itself first opened its doors as a jazz club in 1957 but will always be remembered for the nearly 300 appearances The Beatles made in the early sixties.

The original club closed in 1973 following the sale of the building and its proposed demolition to make way for a ventilation shaft for the new Merseyrail underground railway. The shaft was never built and the site became a car park for a short while.

The Cavern was rebuilt in 1984. Plans to redevelop the original site were shelved when it was discovered that the demolition of the building had caused damage to the underground cellars in which The Cavern were housed. As a result fifteen hundred bricks from the original Cavern were used to recreate the new Cavern. It is today one of Liverpools top tourist attractions.

Eleanor Rigby Statue – Stanley Street

Eleanor Rigby was a song on The Beatles album Revolver as well as a number one single in 1966. The sculpture was made by Tommy Steele in 1982 in recognition of the work of The Beatles and their place in the city.

The Jacaranda – Slater Street

The Jacaranda was opened as a coffee bar in 1958 by Allan Williams who was later to become The Beatles first manager. The band made several appearances here in their early days.

The Blue Angel – Seel Street

Once owned by Allan Williams and a venue played by The Beatles in their early days. The Blue Angel is steeped in rock history as many other important rock acts played here in the 1960s including Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. it is also known locally as The Raz.

Number 4 Rodney Street

The birth place of Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles from 1962 until his untimely death in 1967.The importance of Epstein in the career of The Beatles can not be underestimated. A small plaque on the wall commemorates his birth here.

Outside the city centre

Penny Lane

It is the junction of Penny Lane where it meets Smithdown Road and Allerton Road that is of the most interest to Beatles fans. In the 60’s it was the location of a bus terminus, the bus shelter is now a bistro. The barbers shop is still there but the fire station is actually a little further along Allerton Road. Nevertheless it is so closely associated with The Beatles song that it is still such a great location to visit.

Mendips – 251 Menlove Avenue

Mendips was the childhood home of John Lennon. He lived here with his aunt Mimi from 1946 until 1963. The house was bought by Yoko Ono in 2002 and donated to The National Trust who now manage visits here and Paul McCartneys former home in Forthlin Road. The house has been restored to how it would have been in the 1950s. Visits need to be pre booked through the National Trust website

20 Forthlin Road

Paul McCartney’s family home from 1955 until the mid 1960s. Owned and managed by The National Trust visits are part to the same ticket to visit Mendips. Unlike Mendips there is no blue plaque here as Paul is still very much alive.

Strawberry Field – Beaconsfield Road

Strawberry Fields Forever was a double A sided single along with Penny Lane and are probably the best Beatles singles that failed to reach number 1 in the UK charts. Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army children’s home close to John Lennon’s childhood home at Mendips, it had a special significance to him and he visited often in his youth though he was largely uninvited! Not much exists today and building work has recently begun to create a visitors centre and a training centre for your people with learning difficulties.

Eleanor Rigby’s Grave – St Peter’s Parish Church, Woolton

Although the song was recorded in 1966 the grave was not discovered in the churchyard until some twenty years later. John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met at the church fete here in 1957 so it is perhaps likely that McCartney came across the grave some time after this. The name lay dormant until he wrote the song but didn’t, at that time, recall where the name came from.

For those wishing a formal tour complete with commentary there are a number of options available. I list a few here but it is by no means a recommendation as I haven’t tried them

Beatles Magical Mystery Tour – Bus/coach

Liverpool Beatles Tours – minibus

Fab Four Taxi Tours – Black cab

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo is now in its sixth year and is held at the Invisible Wind Factory adjacent to the docks on the northern side of the city centre. It is a gentle 20 minute stroll from the Pier Head. With five sessions held over four days the expo has more to offer than just beer with ciders, gin, street food and live music on the menu.

Wylam. All Formats. DDH Citra Pale 5.2% – Yellow,cloudy, nice persistent head. Aromas of lemon, peach, apricot. Palate has low bitterness and is nicely carbonated. Tropical fruits, bags of lemon citrus. There is a lovely bitter lemon finish.

Wylam. What’s the Sense in Sharing. Braw Collab. Grisette. 4.5% – Pale lemon, hazy, good persistent head. Aromas of lemon citrus and hops. Light on the palate, lemon, piney resin. Very much in the easy drinking style.

Wylam. Kill Phil. DDH IPA 7.0% – Yellow/orange, good white head. Nose is pineapple, lemon and banana. Palate is creamy tropical fruit and lemon citrus which lasts through to the finish. this is very nice and very drinkable.

Top Rope. Papa Mango, Mango Pale 5.1% – Vibrant orange in colour, cloudy with a strong white head. Aromas of mango, pineapple, banana. Palate is intense mango, low bitterness, nice carbonation. Mouthfeel is good with a slight creaminess. Long, lingering finish of mango puree! Have been rather unimpressed with this beer in the past but this example was rather excellent.

Top Rope. Line in the Sand. East Coast IPA 6.9% – Pale amber in appearance, slight haze and a small white head.Aromas of lemon, caramel, malt. Palate has good mouthfeel, nice carbonation and a low-medium bitterness.

Runaway. Session IPA 4.5% – light amber, clear. Aromas of citrus and pine with malt undertones. Palate is clean and crisp, medium bitterness with plenty of citrus. Very drinkable session beer.

Runaway. IPA 5.5% – medium amber, clear with the very slightest of haze, small, white, non persistent head. Aromas of lemon, pine and malt. Palate has nice malty, hoppy bitterness with gentle carbonation. The finish is malty with a final lemony tang.

Much has been said in the Craft Beer world about Beavertowns recent decision to take investment money from Heineken. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this their influence on the craft beer movement can not be denied and their core range of beers are a watchword for quality and reliability. That said their stand was quiet when I visited early on the Thursday evening. Are consumers voting with their glasses on this issue?

Beavertown. Neck Oil. Session IPA 4.3% I have always enjoyed this session ale and it is always very drinkable. Yellow in colour , clear, small, non persistent white head. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, caramel and malt. The palate is clean, low bitterness and refreshing

Beavertown. Lupaloid. IPA 6.7% – Yellow in colour, clear, good white head. Malty, hoppy, lemon. Palate is smooth with gentle carbonation and low bitterness. Nicely made and very drinkable.

Thornbridge Brewery. Green Mountain Session NEIPA 4.3% – Yellow, cloudy, a nice white head that lasts.Aromas of grapefruit, lemon and malty caramel. the palate is tropical fruit, low bitterness, creamy and with nice carbonation. A lovely citrusy finish.

Thornbridge Brewery. Hotki Blood Orange IPA. 5.5% – Yellow/gold, clear, nice white head. Aroma is slightly astringent orange, malt and pine. Palate is oranges, low bitterness, gentle carbonation.

Northern Monk. Faith. Modern Pale Ale 5.4% – Yellow,hazy, strong white head. Aroma is grassy, pine, lemon citrus. Palate is low bitterness, tropical fruit, orange with a nice rounded smoothness. A nice tropical note finish.

Northern Monk. Moobing on up. Triple IPA 10% – Yellow and as cloudy as it gets! Aromas of peach, banana and lemon. Palate is low bitterness, creamy, smooth, tropical fruit, merest hint of liquorice, gentle sweetness. This is a lovely beer, packed with flavour and a long, long finish.

Magic Rock. Cannonball IPA 7.4% – Amber, hazy with a strong white head. Aromas of citrus, pine, orange, earthy, malty. Palate is medium bitterness tropical fruits with orange, creamy with nice gentle carbonation. Finish is bitter orange. Very good.

The range of breweries and beers on offer was excellent and all that I sampled were fresh and in excellent condition, it is easy to see why it is a very popular festival. Well organised and a nice choice of venue. My only grouch would be for a little more seating to be available but I do understand the constraints imposed by the size of the venue.