Jack Birley

Suggestions from the past, part 2

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The next extracts from the historic suggestion book date back to 1945. A selection can be found below for Proprietors interest. ‘I would suggest that steps be ten to help the Institution open later in the evening – until 7:30pm at least. The recent extension of closing time from 6pm to 7pm is most welcome … Read more

Here & There in The Library – ‘Coffee Break’

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Here and There in the Library is a journey through the magical and eclectic collection housed within The Athenaeum. The below extract was originally published in November 1980 by Past President HH Richard Hamilton, and was the first volume of ‘Here&There In The Library’. Volume 1 – ‘COFFEE BREAK’ I was looking for something completely … Read more

Suggestions from the past

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Thank you to Dr Janet Hollinshead who discovered a historic suggestion book dating back to when we moved to Church Alley from our original building on Church Street. We are currently mining the book for nuggets, and here are some entries which we thought may be of interest to our Proprietors. 8 January 1931 – … Read more

‘I Remember The Somme’

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Ahead of Remembrance Day this Wednesday, Proprietor John Gorman has provided a thought provoking piece, ‘I Remember The Somme’. I Remember           … I Remember           … I Remember           The Somme I Remember           that day … that 1st July 1916 I Remember           waking at dawn                                 sleepy and bleary-eyed,                                 My stomach rising in my throat                                 … Read more

Member Monday #024

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Every Monday we profile one of our Members. This week we are joined by Share holder 240, Peter Bounds. Who are you? I am Peter Bounds, married to Geraldine, father of Andrew (Andy as he is better known hereabouts) and Richard, and grandfather of six. I retired on 31 December 1999, after 37 years in … Read more

The History of Libraries

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Friend of the Athenaeum. Dr Mark Towsey, along with colleagues from the University of Liverpool will be taking part in a Seminar on ‘The History Of Libraries’ on Tuesday 3 November. Full details on how to register your attendance via zoom can be found below! UNIVERSITY OF LONDON SEMINAR ON THE HISTORY OF LIBRARIES The … Read more

Member Monday #021

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Every Monday we profile one of our Members. This week we are joined by Proprietor 112, Past President, Michael Shankland. Who are you?  A true Scouser; one of 16 cousins who infested the streets of Anfield like the Golden Horde of Ghengis Khan. We were the first generation of our family to win scholarships to … Read more

Update – The Sir David Maddison Opera Prize

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On Wednesday last September 16th   I chaired a production planning meeting for the 2020 Sir David Maddison Opera Prize, in company with Colonel Martin Amlôt, John Blain, Tanya Robins, and Jack Birley.  The main topic for discussion was to agree a sound and practical audience management plan for the event, to ensure that HM Government … Read more

Member Monday #020

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Every Monday we profile one of our Members. This week we are joined by Proprietor 273, our Immediate Past President, David Roscoe. Who are you?  I was born in Waterloo,Liverpool and educated at Merchant Taylors School and then at a number of Liverpool Colleges – the ones that are now absorbed into LJMU. Pursuing a … Read more

Member Musings: ‘The One That Got Away’

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The One That Got Away By Phil Whitfield The ritual: Mum woke me at 7, I signed in at Allerton Golf Club at 7. 45. Back by 10. 30. Sandwiches in the car on Otterspool Prom with Val. Arrived at the Daily Post at 4 for the swing shift. Abed by 1. Up at 7… If it … Read more