The Athenaeum Liverpool

Athenaeum Christmas Lunch
2018-12-03 12:30 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | The Athenaeum Liverpool, Church Alley, Liverpool, L1 3DD, United Kingdom
We begin the festive period early in December with our Annual Christmas Lunch, always a popular addition to the calendar. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Christmas Saturday Openings
2018-12-01 10:00 - 17:00
The first two Saturday’s in December the Club will be open for Members to enjoy. The Newsroom will be opening and fully serviced with last orders for food taken at 5:00pm.
No dress code will be in enforced during these two special openings, ideal for having lunch in between Christmas shopping!

Arts Group
2018-11-28 14:00 - 15:30
Jutta Hesketh NDD ceramics, Oxford School of Arts, will be talking about Diego de Velasquez, Court Painter to Philip IV of Spain in the C17th.
The presentation will concentrate on Velasquez’s clear and undistorted depiction of court life in his painting ‘Las Meninas’ and its influence on C20th artist Pablo Picasso.

Library And Archive Group
2018-11-23 11:30 - 14:30
“Maps, and how to interpret them”. 11:30am in the Library.
The intention is to examine where the many maps in the Athenaeum collection are stored and how to find what is here. Illustrative examples will be available to view.
At 12.30 pm following the talk an informal lunch will be available (£12.50 per person -reservation required)

'Suffrage', Dinner with Janet Dugdale
2018-11-22 18:30 - 22:00
In November we will be taking part in Liverpool City Council’s Vote 100 week, which will celebrate the centenary of votes for women and the first female MPs. During that week there will be a Presidential dinner during that week with Janet Dugdale, Director of National Museums Liverpool, speaking to us about the history of female suffrage in Liverpool. Janet is an expert on this topic, and this talk promises to be an interesting event.

Event Schedule
Arrivals: 6:30 for 7:00pm
Talk in the Newsroom: 7:00 for 7:30pm
Dinner served: 7:45-21:30pm
Newsroom bar open following dinner, last orders between 10:15 and 10:30pm.
Club Closed: 11:00pm

Dress Code: Lounge Suits

Music Group: 'Love Songs: English, French & Russian'
2018-11-21 17:30 - 18:30
Russian Singer Irina Ektova in the Newsroom
21 November 2018 at 5.30 p.m.
I am delighted to announce a short concert in the Newsroom on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 at 5.30 p.m. The event will feature my friend Irina Ektova, who will sing a selection of love songs in English, French and her native Russian, with myself on piano. Between 2005 and 2010 Irina and I were colleagues at the British International School Moscow, where Irina taught French and I taught Music. Songs in English will include classics by Gershwin, Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart; in French ‘Les feuilles mortes’ (better known to English audiences as ‘Autumn leaves’) and ‘Champs Elysees’; and in Russian some celebrated romances, including ‘Yah vass lyubill’ (‘I loved you’) – words by Alexander Pushkin. The concert will be very informal, with the bar open and food and drink available as normal.

Glyn Williams
Co-Music Group Facilitator

The Film Group
2018-11-20 14:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 20th November, 2018: Libel (1959) This British Film was directed by Anthony Asquith and stars Olivia de Havilland, Dirk Bogarde, Paul Massie, Wilfred Hyde-White and Robert Morley. A Canadian World War II pilot (Massie) in London sees Sir Mark Lodden (Bogarde) on TV giving a tour of his ancestral home. The pilot recalls that he was in a POW camp with a Major Lodden and believes that the baronet is actually an actor called Wellney (also played by Bogarde), who shared their POW hut. De Havilland plays the baronet’s wife and the pilot’s belief results in a libel trial.
The film is recognised by the American Film Institute as one of its top 10 court films.
(Running time: 100 mins)

(Originally scheduled for 21 November)

Vincent Roper - Retirement Lunch
2018-11-19 12:30 - 16:00
Join us on Monday 19 November for a special lunch to both celebrate Vincent Roper’s 87th birthday and commemorate his retirement as Librarian of the Athenaeum.
Further details on the event will follow, however as this will likely be a very popular lunch with many Proprietors wishing to thank ‘Vin’ for all the work he has put into the Club over the years, booking early is strongly recommended.
Event Schedule
Reception Drink in the Newsroom: 12:30-1:00pm
Lunch Served: 1:00-2:30pm
The Newsroom will be serving until 4:00pm on this day, with the Club closing at 4:30pm.

Younger Members' Quarterly Dinner
2018-11-17 19:00 - 2018-11-18 01:00

'Climbing Kili', Supper with Jack Birley
2018-11-16 18:30 - 22:00
Our Club Secretary successfully ascended Mt Kilimanjaro in early this year in August, raising over £4,600.00 in the process. Join us in November and hear about Jack’s adventure to the roof of Africa, as he presents an illustrated talk of “the most difficult challenge he has ever face”.

Athenaeum Debates
2018-11-15 18:45 - 21:00
‘Is Free Speech Alive in Universities?’
With the Cambridge Society of Liverpool

The Athenaeum debating society and Cambridge Society of Liverpool are holding a debate on the evening of Thursday 15th November in the Athenaeum Library. We are searching for two lively and well informed speakers from the Athenaeum membership to speak against the motion and argue that free speech is no longer alive in Universities. Speakers generally put their argument to the audience in no longer than ten minutes.
The usual format for Athenaeum debates is:
” Speakers both for and against 7 minutes each.
” 25 minutes open to the floor.
” Summary from Proposer and Opposer 5 minutes each.
” Summary from Judges and declaration of winner.

Tickets cost £10.00 and include canapes and a welcome drink.
Booking for this event is now open to Athenaeum members and Cambridge alumni, please contact the Club directly on 0151 709 7770 to book a place. Non-Members are asked to pay their ticket fee in advance to confirm their booking.
If you would like to volunteer on behalf of the Athenaeum debating society to argue that free speech in universities is no longer alive, please contact Paul McCarthy: pauldmccarthy@outlook.com

If you are an alumnus of the University of Cambridge and would like to volunteer to speak for the motion, please contact Georgina Ritson: camsocliverpool@gmail.com
With our thanks and best wishes
Paul and Georgina

Event Schedule;
6:45-7:45pm reception in the Newsroom
7:45-8:45 Debates in the Library

The Athenaeum Film Nights - The Dam Busters
2018-11-14 18:15 - 22:00
The Dam Buster (1955)
The story of how the British attacked German dams in WWII by using an ingenious technique to drop bombs where they would be most effective.
We begin about 6.45pm with a one course supper and go into the ‘cinema’ by about quarter to eight. All our films have a suitable intermission and we empty out no later than ten o’clock.
1 Course Supper Menu TBC
Tea, coffee & mints
Sweeties During Film

The History Group
2018-11-14 14:00 - 15:30
‘A Burden upon the Public or Fighters for Liberty: the reception of Hungarian and Polish Refugees in Liverpool in 1851’. by John Pinfold.
2:00pm in the Wine Servery

Remembrance Sunday Lunch
2018-11-11 11:30 - 16:00
Remembrance Sunday Lunch
Sunday 11 November, 12:30 for 1:00pm
Traditional Sunday lunch following the Civic Remembrance Service at St George’s Plateau. The Club will be open from 11:30am for anyone who wishes to use the facilities before lunch.

Restaurant Dining Evening
2018-11-09 18:30 - 23:30
Restaurant Dining Evening
Friday 9 November, service between 7:00 & 8:30pm, please specify your desired time to sit down for dinner, time slots will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
Our next ‘Restaurant’ evening of fine dining will be held on Friday 9 November. There will be options at every course, priced individually in a la carte style. As well as our standard wine list, there will be specially selected fine wines on offer, at least one white and one red, priced in line with the Club’s competitive rate. Why not bring a guest or two to sample the delights of the Athenaeum?
The dress code for the evening will be smart casual.

Architectur Group: Liverpool As You've Never Seen Before
2018-11-07 16:30 - 18:00
Liverpool As You’ve Never Seen It Before

To all architecture enthusiasts, building buffs, development devotees and those with virtuosity in vistas, you are cordially invited to a visual extravaganza.
Come along on Wednesday, 7 November at 16.30 hours for a virtual tour of your city region – Liverpool and its environs as you’ve never seen it before. Travel documents are not required, no visas or vaccinations either, and you don’t even need to bring sandwiches, Christine will be on standby!
Our city region is in transition; new buildings are springing up; old ones are changing shape; architectural gems are emerging in surprising places, and familiar sights you’ve taken for granted, are being reborn for a new age. Schemes and concepts are shaking up old districts you’d forgotten about and places you’ve never heard of are becoming hotspots for a new generation.
From the comfort of our newly refurbished library, Jim Bellew will provide a panoply of city sights and sounds (he talks a lot) via the astounding miracle of a modern version of an epidiascope. Also, in attendance will be Al Disley, a creator of pictures. (No, it’s not a spelling mistake, that’s a different one). Al is one of those people that not only sees the shapes, shades and colours that astound us, but can capture them in a moment in time to enrich our perception.
So, come along and expose yourself to the risk of a good time. And, maybe one or two of those “I didn’t know that!” moments.

The Literature Group
2018-11-07 14:00 - 15:30
Poetry of the Great War. To celebrate the centenary of the Armistice, proprietors are asked to bring along a favourite poem from the First World War. It could be by a well-known writer such as Owen, Sassoon, Brooke or Rosenberg or something more obscure. It doesn’t matter if several people bring the same poem or if you don’t want to bring one at all. We will read the poems and have a short discussion of each, led by the person who has brought it. It would be very helpful if those bringing poems could provide some photocopies of the chosen piece.
2:00pm in the Library.

New Members Informal Dining
2018-10-25 18:30 - 23:00
New Members Informal Dining £25.00 New Member’s Informal Dining evenings are what they say—Informal! A perfect opportunity to sign the share register. There are no speakers—just good food, company and wine. You may wish to bring along family and friends with you or join one of our larger club tables; please specify this upon booking. Spaces on these larger tables are subject to availability.

Spanish Wine & Tapas Evening
2018-10-17 18:00 - 22:00
On Wednesday 17 October we’ll be sampling a taste of Spain at a special Wine and Tapas Evening. Jon Atkinson of Scatchards will be on hand to disperse his knowledge as multiple wines are poured to match the various tapas dishes which will be served during the evening. The cost of this event, which is limited to just 40 attendees, is to be finalised imminently, however we strongly recommend you book now to secure your place!

Selection of Tapas
Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelet) Cold
Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) Hot
Croquetas de Jamón (Ham Croquettes) Hot
Calamares a la Romana (Fried Squid Rings) Hot
Patatas Bravas (Bravas Potatoes) Hot
Jamón, Queso y Chorizo con Pan (Ham, Cheese, and Chorizo With Bread) Cold
Ensalada de mariscos (cold marinated seafood salad) Cold
Olives Cold
Albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce) Cold

Sunday Lunch at the Athenaeum, following the Judges' Service
2018-10-13 12:00 - 18:00
Sunday 13th October 2018

Doors Open from 12.00pm, Lunch served at 1.15pm
Complimentary Arrival Tea & Coffee
Fully Serviced Bar Available Before and After Lunch

Starter
Boudain of Confit Salmon, Bloody Mary Aspic
Horseradish Cream, Celery Herb Salad

Main
Tournedos of Highland Venison, Black Pudding & Oatmeal Bon Bon, Whisky Caramel Sauce, Buttered Leeks & Parsnip Shavings
***
Mushroom & Cashew Nut Wellington,
Buttered Leeks & Parsnip Shavings (V)

Main Courses are served with Roast Parsnips & Gratin Potatoes

Dessert
Lemon Tart, Autumn Berry Compote & Clotted cream

Tea, Coffee & Mints

£30.00 per person
Carriages 6pm latest.

To book, please contact The Athenaeum on;

0151 709 7770

events@theathenaeum.org.uk

reception@theathenaeum.org.uk

Athenaeum Proprietors & Members can book online in the membership section of the club website.

Office hours are 9am – 4pm

Spaces are limited, tickets sold will be on a first come, first served basis.

Whilst every endeavour will be made to accommodate specific seating requests, this cannot be guaranteed.

Please state any dietary requirements upon booking.

Maximum of 10 tickets per person (full table)

'Liverpool Beyond the Brink', Dinner with Professor Michael Parkinson CBE
2018-10-12 18:30 - 23:00
LIVERPOOL BEYOND THE BRINK:
THE REMAKING OF A POST IMPERIAL CITY
Professor Michael Parkinson will be discussing the book he is currently writing to update his 1980s classic – ‘Liverpool on the Brink’. His new book describes the extraordinary if incomplete renaissance of Liverpool during the last 30 years. It shows how much has been achieved, who helped and what are its outstanding challenges in future.
This book looks at how economic decline caused the physical, social and political fragmentation of that huge imperial city during the 1970s – and at the efforts since then to revive and reconnect the parts of a disintegrating city. It charts the city’s fall in the 1980s, its gradual normalisation in the 90s, its attempt to become a premier European city in the first part of this century and its efforts to be ambitious in an age of austerity.
It asks: How far has Liverpool come and where does it now stand now in comparison with 30 years ago – and also in comparison to other big cities in the UK? What were the most important forces driving change? Who helped most and least – local politicians, business, community leaders, national politicians, government, Europe? Who gained most and least – which people and which places? Finally it asks – what’s next for Liverpool?
It identifies the key economic, social and political challenges facing the city – increasing productivity, spreading the befits of renaissance to all people in the city and making sure the city’s development is both high quality and authentic. It spells out who needs to do what better to address them – government, the leaders and people of Liverpool.

PROFESSOR MICHAEL PARKINSON CBE
Michael is Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for civic engagement at the University of Liverpool. Michael has acted as adviser on urban affairs to the European Commission, the European Parliament, OECD, EUROCITIES, the Department of Communities and Local Government, the National Audit Office, the House of Commons Select Committees, the Core Cities and a range of cities in the UK and Europe. He served as a Board member of the Prime Minister’s Regeneration Investment Organisation and a Trustee of the Centre for Cities. He is currently a trustee of Alternative Futures Group and of Procure Plus Group. He was a member of the Liverpool Commonwealth Games 2022 Bid Project Board and is a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Board on Liverpool’s World Heritage Status. Michael led CLG’s expert panel on Regeneration and Economic Development Analysis until 2010. He was Director of the ESRC’s Programme on CITIES: Cohesion and Competitiveness, a major five-year research programme involving 25 Universities. He has generated over £8m in research funds to assess the development of cities, urban policy and regeneration in the UK and Europe. He lectures extensively nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to the media. He was made Commander of the British Empire for services to urban regeneration in 2007. He was made Citizen of Honour of Liverpool in 2016.

Michael wrote ‘Liverpool on the Brink’ in 1985. His career has been partly devoted to showing how much the city has changed for the better since then! He recently produced ‘Albert Dock: What Part in Liverpool’s Continuing Renaissance?’ (2017), ‘Liverpool’s Elected Mayor: An Independent Assessment’ (2016) and ‘The State of Liverpool City Region: Making the Most of Devolution.’ (2016). Previously he produced for the ESRC a major report ‘UK City Regions in the Boom and Recession’ (2014) and for the European Commission ‘Second Tier Cities in Europe: In an Age of Austerity Why Invest beyond the Capitals?’ (2012) He completed in 2010 a major study of the impact of the recession ’The Credit Crunch, Recession, Regeneration, and the North’. This updated his original report to government in 2009 ‘The Credit Crunch and Regeneration: Impact and Implications.’ He produced the ‘State of the English Cities’ in 2006 for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – the authoritative analysis of cities in Britain.
Menu

Starter
Salad of Prosciutto and compressed melon with port, apple puree, bread wafer

Main Course
Roast loin of Cod, fricassee of seafood, fluted carrots in orange
Served with croquette potato, tender stem broccoli

Dessert
Vanilla pannacotta, berry compot

Music Group: The Camira Wind Trio
2018-10-10 17:30 - 18:30
A rare opportunity to hear a mixed bag of music written for flute, clarinet and bassoon.
The youthful ensemble developed their alliance at music college and are based in the NW.
The audience will be invited to contribute to a retiring collection to cover costs.
The concert will take place in the Library, the Newsroom bar will be open for refreshments following the performance.

The Film Group
2018-10-10 14:00 - 16:00
10th October, 2018: Rashomon (1950) Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the film tells the story of the murder of a samurai from different, self-serving viewpoints – the bandit (Toshiro Mifune), the samurai’s wife (Machiko Kyo), the samurai himself (through a medium) (Masayuki Mori) and a woodcutter (Takashi Mimura). One of Kurasawa’s greatest films, he was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1952 for best foreign language film.
(Running time:120 mins)

Dinner with Janet Dugdale
2018-10-03 18:30 - 22:00
Details TBC

Athenaeum Film Nights - The Lavender Hill Mob
2018-10-03 18:15 - 22:00
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
A meek bank clerk who oversees the shipment of bullion joins with an eccentric neighbor to steal gold bars and smuggle them out of the country as miniature Eiffel Towers.
We begin about 6.45pm with a one course supper and go into the ‘cinema’ by about quarter to eight. All our films have a suitable intermission and we empty out no later than ten o’clock.
1 Course Supper Menu TBC
Tea, coffee & mints
Sweeties During Film

The Literature Group
2018-10-03 14:00 - 15:30
‘The Death of Walter Gabriel’. Paul Burns on writing the world’s longest running radio drama serial and his involvement with the unfortunate death of one of its best-loved characters.
2:00pm in the Wine Servery.

Literature Group
2018-10-03 08:00 - 17:00

‘30 Years of Tate Liverpool’, with Andrea Nixon
2018-09-27 18:30 - 23:30
Thursday, 27 September, 6:30 for 7:00pm £25.00 per person.
The first quarter of this year’s Presidential programme ends on Thursday 27 September, as we celebrate 30 years of Tate Liverpool with an illustrated talk by Andrea Nixon, former Chief Executive of the Gallery.
Housed in a converted warehouse within the historic Albert Dock, the Tate Liverpool was opened in 1988 by HRH Prince Charles, an event covered by BBC Two television, and displays work from the Tate Collection which comprises the national collection of British Art from the year 1500 to the present day as well as international modern art. Until 2003, Tate Liverpool was the largest gallery of modern and contemporary art in the UK outside London.
Andrea Nixon is a highly experienced executive director and cultural consultant with a significant track record in change management, strategic development, partnership programming, business development and fundraising. Appointed Executive Director of Tate Liverpool in 2006, Andrea led the management and continued development of the gallery from Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008, up until May 2018. She has national board experience at Arts Council North, the Crafts Council and The Audience Agency, as well as serving on the Visitor Economy Board for the Liverpool City Region LEP from 2011 to 2018. Prior to moving to Liverpool, Andrea was Director of Development for the Tate in London from 1998 to 2006, playing a key role in the creation of both Tate Modern and Tate Britain. She is currently Chair of the V&A Dundee Advisory Council, a Director of the Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership and a member of the Humanities Research Board for Durham University. As an independent consultant she is working with a range of clients on strategic cultural planning, including Liverpool City Council, the Old Vic Theatre in London, Merseyside Dance Initiative, Marketing Cheshire and the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.
Andrea graduated with a first-class Honours Degree in English Language and Literature from Durham University and has a post-graduate diploma in Arts Management from City University London. She is married with a daughter and lives in Liverpool.

Starter
Italian roast tomato & pepper soup with cannellini beans & Parmesan, focaccia bread

Main
Roast breast of chicken with a pork and sage farcie, mushroom & pancetta cream sauce
served with a selection of seasonal vegetables, roast chateau potatoes with garlic & thyme

Dessert
Millionaire caramel mousse, honeycomb & butterscotch

tea, coffee & mints

"Artists Talk's" with the Bluecoat Display Centre
2018-09-25 13:00 - 15:30
Tuesday, 25 September at 1:00 for 1:30pm £12.50 per person
Price includes Afternoon Tea, served in the Newsroom following the talk
The next event in our ongoing series of talks with the Bluecoat Display Center features textile artist Michael Brennand-Wood. Michael Will speak about his artistic career.
Michael works in particular with embroidery, pattern, lace and floral imagery in the form of wall pieces and also brooch accessories. His works are colourful, dramatic, rhythmic and possess intense detail. He explores and develops techniques, inventing many new and imaginative ways of integrating textiles with other media. His recent work, inspired by traditions of floral imagery has incorporated computerized machine embroidery, acrylic paint, wood, glass and collage.

Library And Archive Group
2018-09-19 17:30 - 21:00
At 5:00pm, prior to the Library & Archive Meeting, Members are invited to join the President at a reception to mark official opening of the Library Reading Room, following its close down transformation.
At 5:30pm the L&A Group meeting will start, with Dr Janet Hollinshead giving a talk titled ‘Two Tudor, ‘Mystery’ Manuscripts”.
6.30 pm informal supper (reservation required)

Supper
Selection of artisan sausages, creamed potatoes red onion & grain mustard marmalade,
crispy bacon , red wine gravy
tea, coffee & mints
