In the days when you could visit the Athenaeum and look at the various memorial tablets on the walls it may have struck you that there is not an Athenaeum war memorial It is a remarkable thing, given the spirit of the times and the enthusiasm with which memorials to the fallen and those who … Read more

In 1914 unlike the Continental powers Britain did not have conscription and relied on voluntary enlistments to recruit is army which was small, 975,000 regulars, many dispersed in garrisons around the Empire, backed by an undervalued volunteer part time Territorial Force created in1908.  Britain’s main strength was seen in the Royal Navy which in 1914 … Read more

Russian troops relieved Auschwitz at 15.30 on January 27th 1944. The United Nations, to commemorate the event, declared the 27th January as international Holocaust Memorial Day. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, for 2021, is asking to commemorate the  event on the theme of … ‘Be a Light in the Darkness‘ … Here is my Light … inspired … Read more

The recent mention of the Burn’s Night Dinner may have made you wonder why we celebrate a Scots poet when many more outstanding literary figures go unremarked.  If this is the case you may not know that Burns and the Athenaeum have a special connection which involved the Institution in a press storm and legal … Read more

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of The Athenaeum. Mad Hatter’s Bawl By Phil Whitfield Rarely do I bother with a dictionary. Yet turning the pages of The War of the Worlds for the umpteenth time I searched for the meaning of erethism, … Read more

We are all very fortunate that the staff employed at the Athenaeum carry out their duties with such industry efficiency, cheerfulness and charm. The laws of the Institution preclude tipping, but for which I am sure that the staff would be generously rewarded in this way. Instead, the Athenaeum maintains a fund for their benefit. … Read more

Every Monday we profile one of our Members. This week in we are joined by Proprietor 474, our newly appointed Honorary Secretary, Carol Madeley! Who are you ? I was born and brought up in and around Ormskirk but as my family were Liverpool people from Bootle , I consider myself a Scouser. After University … Read more

Opera Update In consultation with the Club Secretary Jack Birley, and after taking into consideration the probability of further restrictions being imposed after the Christmas and New Year festivities, I have decided not to set a new date for the Sir David Maddison Opera Prize to be performed during January.    As soon as a … Read more

Upon the Athenaeum’s reopening on Wednesday December 2nd we will be expanding our opening hours during the week and into the weekend with Saturday openings in the run up to Christmas! Club Opening Hours Monday thru Friday      08:00 am – 11:00 pm Saturday                      10:00 am – 11:00 pm Hours of Service         Monday-Friday                      Saturday … Read more