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
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
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
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
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
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
More musings from the Membership, today’s edition has been provided by Proprietor Philip Whitfield. Paradise Lost By Philip Whitfield Something got under Thor’s skin. The god of thunder and awe puffed his hardest, sending a mighty blast down Deeside. Brollies skidded along West Kirkby’s prom; bowling over the lunchtime crowd outside Tanskeys… more devastating than … Read more
Newsroom Table service is in operation – a server will guide you to your table, guests are asked to steer clear of the bar area and remain seated. The furniture has been organised for physical distancing, without losing a social element. Please refrain from moving the furniture within the Newsroom. Tables of up to four … Read more
We are taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme, with a discount of 50% being offered on all food and non-alcoholic beverages every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday throughout August! Why not book a meal in the Dining Room and reap the rewards of this spectacular offer!!! A maximum discount of £10.00 per … Read more
Take a Hike When I was fourteen an Athenaeum proprietor told me to take a hike. Quite literally. Cliff Cook was the leader of Quarry Bank’s scout troop, the 5th Allerton. We feared and respected him. We obeyed his commands unhesitatingly. On a brisk Saturday morning in April our patrol (The Eagles) clambering on to … Read more