The Athenaeum Liverpool

'A Christmas Carol'
2017-12-14 18:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | The Athenaeum Liverpool, Church Alley, Liverpool, L1 3DD, United Kingdom
‘A Christmas Carol’, performed by John Bromley-Davenport Q.C.
Thursday, 14th December at 6:30 for 7:00pm. £25.00 per person.
John Bromley-Davenport Q.C. will be at the Athenaeum on Thursday 14th to give us his brilliant one-man performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Dickens.
MENU
Honey and mustard sausages, olives and crisps on arrival in Newsroom
FIRST ACT to take place

following first act, guests to go to Dining room for Beef Bourgignon

SECOND ACT in Newsroom

Tea,c offee and Mince pies to follow

Athenaeum Film Nights - Christmas In Connecticut
2017-12-13 18:15 - 22:00
‘Christmas In Connecticut’ (1947 Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison)
‘A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas’.
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.

The Film Group
2017-12-11 14:00 - 16:00
MEET JOHN DOE (USA 1941).
Dir. by Frank Capra.
Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck
Everyone knows Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, but what about his forgotten earlier film with a very similar theme? The hero is just an ordinary guy whom the press and the politicians take up, and then betray. He faces death on Christmas Eve in a howling blizzard. But Capra’s film is full of his warm humour and philosophy of life.

Athenaeum Debates
2017-12-06 18:00 - 20:00
The next Liverpool University / Athenaeum joint debate will take place next Wednesday (6th December) commencing 6pm in the Newsroom.
This debate takes on a festive theme … the role of Christmas in an increasingly secular society.
As always, it should be a great evening of informative discussion, good humour, great audience participation and some jolly festive socialising in the bar both before and after!
The debate is open to all proprietors and their guests. Please book on the Athenaeum web site events page or contact reception. The debates are proving very popular so please book early.
We look forward to seeing you all on the 6th December.
The Athenaeum Debates Interest Group.

The Literature Group
2017-12-06 14:00 - 15:30
Details to Follow …..

The Athenaeum Christmas Lunch
2017-12-05 12:30 - 16:30
Tuesday, 5th December at 12:30 for 1:00pm. £25.00 per person.
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.
MENU
STARTER
Cream of Butternut Squash soup
Aioli, tomato & Sage Salsa
MAIN
Roast Crown of turkey, chipolata sausage wrapped in bacon, sage and onion stuffing, seasonal vegetables & Potatoes, turkey gravy.
DESSERT
Christmas Pudding with brandy butter sauce
Tea, Coffee & mince pies

Supper with Nisha Katona
2017-11-21 18:30 - 22:00
In November we will be joined for supper by Nisha Katona, the former barrister who went on to set up the well-known ‘Mowgli Street Food’ Indian restaurants, and who also writes books about Indian cookery and recently appeared on Chanel 4. She will be in conversation with our own renowned broadcaster Roger Phillips.
The evening will commence 6:30 for 7:00pm.

Main Course
Slow cooked rump of Lakeland lamb with coconut and kaffir
Braised rice and Thai Slaw

Dessert
Yogurt and Mandarin Pannacotta
Glace Kumquat

Tea, Coffee & Mints

The Film Group
2017-11-15 14:00 - 16:00
STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (USA 1951)
Dir. by Alfred Hitchcock
On a train journey a tennis champion (Farley Granger) meets a homicidal obsessive man (Robert Walker) who suggests that he should murder the champion’s tiresome wife in return for the murder of his own hated father. The champion tries to back out of the deal, but too late; the obsessive man murders the wife, and now insists on the champion keeping his side of the bargain. One of Hitchcock’s most electrifying films.

The History Group
2017-11-14 14:00 - 15:30
“Why not drown Liverpool? Welsh water for an English City”, by Dr Graham Jones.

All meetings commence at 2:00pm in the Library.

Remembrance Sunday Lunch
2017-11-12 12:30 - 16:30
Remembrance Sunday Lunch.
Sunday, 12th November at 12:30 for 1:00pm.£25.00 per person.
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.
Menu
STARTER
Soup of the Day (v)
Warm bread roll
MAIN
Traditional Beef roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings
DESSERT
Appple Pie with custard
Tea, coffee & mints

New Members Informal Dining
2017-11-03 18:30 - 22:00
New Members Informal Dining.
Friday, 3th November.
Service will be between 7:00 & 8:00pm. Predinner drinks will be available in the Newsroom from 6:30pm for anyone who wishes to gather before the meal. £25.00 per person.
Informal Dining evenings are what they say—Informal! There are no speakers—just good food, company and wine. At the dinner those who have joined the Club recently, and also older members who have yet to, have the opportunity to sign the share register. 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

Athenaeum Film Nights - Pygmalion
2017-11-01 18:15 - 22:00
‘Pygmalion’ (1938 film based on the George Bernard Shaw play of the same name)
A Victorian dialect expert makes a bet that he can teach a cockney flower girl to speak proper English and pass as a lady in high society.
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.

The Literature Group
2017-11-01 14:00 - 15:30
Details to Follow…

Athenaeum Debates: 26/10/17
2017-10-26 18:00 - 20:00
We are entering an new epoch, a time where technology, automation and machine intelligence has the potential to supplant human labour in all its forms. Not just physical labour and manufacturing, but also white collar industries such as banking and insurance, medicine, teaching, legal and professional services and even the creative arts. What is to become of all this “left behind” human capital? Does capitalism have the power to realign society or should the state intervene via a form of ‘Universal Basic Income’ for all citizens, freeing mankind to focus on life’s higher pursuits?

This is the subject of our next Athenaeum debate taking place on the 26th October 2017 at 6pm in the Newsroom.

If you would like to attend, please reserve your place via the Athenaeum booking system or contact Jack or Katie on reception. Please feel free to bring guests, just let us know how many will be attending.

We look forward to seeing you on the 26th October.

Athenaeum Debates Interest Group

The Film Group
2017-10-18 14:00 - 16:00
I’M ALL RIGHT JACK (GB 1959)
Dir. by John Boulting.
After being demobbed the hero (Ian Carmichael) decides to go into Industry, little knowing that most of the workforce are strike-happy layabouts, and that the management are as bent as hair-pins. This wickedly cynical film marks Peter Sellers’ first great role as a bone-headed shop steward.

'Little Boy Blue'
2017-10-13 18:30 - 22:00
‘Little Boy Blue’, Dinner with His Honour Judge Neil Flewitt Q.C. & Dr Paul Johnson.
Friday, 13th October at 6:30-7:00pm. £25.00 per person.

Many of you will have seen the recent highly-rated ITV series ‘Little Boy Blue’ about the terrible murder of the Croxteth youngster Rhys Jones. The leading prosecution barrister in the case was Neil Flewitt Q.C., now a Circuit Judge, and the consultant pathologist who gave significant evidence in the case was Dr. Paul Johnson. Neil and Paul will be joining us for dinner on Friday, 13th October and will be giving a joint presentation about the case.

Starter
Terrine de Hiver
Pressed game terrine with Duck, Pidgeon and Chicken livers
Served with Pistachio sponge and orange gel

Main Course
Roast Sirloin of Casterbridge beef, horseradish mash Yorkshire pudding
Served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables, red wine gravy

Dessert
Lemon Posset with Shortbread

Tea, Coffee & Mints

Athenaeum Film Nights - The Lady Killers
2017-10-05 18:15 - 22:00
‘The Lady Killers’
A customary Ealing comedy to start the season
‘Five diverse oddball criminal types planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians’.
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.

The Literature Group
2017-10-04 14:00 - 15:30
‘‘Evelyn Waugh: Put Out More Flags’ by John Morgan’

‘Artists’ Talks—Jessica Briggs’
2017-09-26 13:30 - 17:00
Joint Afternoon Tea with the Bluecoat Display Centre.
Tuesday, 26th September, at 1:00 for 1:30pm. £12.50 per person.
Jessica creates a stunning range of wearable jewellery including cuffs, rings, earrings, men’s jewellery, neckpieces & brooches. She works primarily in silver, while also using gold leaf to bring colour, contrast and life to her collection. All designs, whatever the inspiration are translated into pieces with subtle textures or more complex and layered finishes. There is always an inherent simplicity of both form and function.

Dinner with Times Journalist Carol Midgley
2017-09-22 18:30 - 22:30
Dinner with Times Journalist Carol Midgley.
Friday, 22nd September at 6:30 for 7:00pm.

On Friday, 22nd September, the Times journalist, feature-writer and sometimes TV critic Carol Midgley will be joining us for dinner and instead of giving a formal talk afterwards she will be ‘in conversation’ with the President, Sir David Maddison.

She is a witty, forthright writer. One of her recent Times features had as its headlines ‘I love the heat, so stop moaning and let me perspire’, ‘Curse of the killer handbag’ and ‘Treat your car like Mariah’. The evening should be great fun.

This is a full vegetarian menu, at Sir David’s request (guest speaker is vegetarian)

Starter
Gateaux of Provençale vegetables, goats cheese mousse, tapenade

Main Course
Roasted stuffed pepper with Moroccan couscous
Medjool date and tomato sauce, pickled lemons and toasted almonds

Dessert
Chocolate fudge Brownie, Kirsch soaked cherries, whipped Chantilly cream

Tea, Coffee & Mints

The Film Group
2017-09-18 14:00 - 17:00
Film List to Follow…

The History Group
2017-09-14 14:00 - 20:00
The History Group, Thursday 14th September 2017, at 2.0 p.m.
JUDGE JEFFREYS’ JAUNT
Everyone knows that in 1685, following the failed Monmouth Rebellion, Judge Jeffries, at the so-called Bloody Assizes, sentenced a number of persons connected with it in the most savage manner. Cruelty is the picture that people have of him. But there was a great deal more to him – hard drinking, for a start. Dick Hamilton describes his visit to the Northern Circuit in 1684 – York, Newcastle and Carlisle – when he was welcomed with a 16-gun salute. It shows a fuller picture of his character.
All welcome.

The Film Group
2017-09-13 14:00 - 17:00
LA RONDE (France 1950, directed by Max Ophuls)
A. is in love with B., who is in love with C., who is in love with D., etc etc., in love with A. This roundabout, presided over by the knowing and cynical Anton Walbrook, makes for the wittiest and most romantic film in the French cinema, starring Gerard Philipe and Jean-Louis Barrault, to name but a few.
All welcome.

Heritage Open Day - 9th September 2017
2017-09-09 10:30 - 15:30
‘Step inside Church Alley’s discrete doorway and enter part of Liverpool’s History’.

Founded in 1797 by prominent Liverpool figures, the Athenaeum is one of the oldest private members clubs in the UK. Entry into the enigmatic doorway located on Church Alley is restricted only to its Members -or Proprietors as they are known as they each own one equal share- or attendees of functions help at the premises, however…

On Saturday September 9th 2017 the Athenaeum opens its doors to the public as part of Heritage Open Day. In addition to viewing the magnificent rooms within, including the Newsroom and the spectacular Library, these special tours will offer an insight into the history of the Club, its past members, and the treasures kept within.

Tours of the Club will be commencing at 10:30am, and will run every 30 minutes until 3:00pm. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, and booking is essential.

To book your place, please email Katie Hodson ( katie@theathenaeum.org.uk ) stipulating your name, the amount of tickets required, and your preferred timeslot, alternatively you can call our reception on 0151 709 7770. Don’t delay your booking as we predict demand will outweigh our maximum allocations.

Roscoe Fine Dining Evening
2017-09-08 19:00 - 22:30
Roscoe Fine Dining Evening.
Friday, 8th September, time slots to be allocated per table.

On Friday, 8th September we will be presenting a Roscoe Fine Dining Restaurant Night, with individually priced dishes. This will be limited to 40 people, with a maximum of 6 at each table, so book early to avoid disappointment. The not dissimilar gourmet dining evening to be held on July 8th sold out quickly, and the Roscoe event is likely to do the same.

Please be aware that time slots will be allocated to each table.

The Literature Group
2017-09-06 14:00 - 15:30
Members Tom & Linda Iley will be giving a talk to the Literature Group about ‘Carmina Burana’.
All members and their guests are welcome for what is sure to be a fascinating event.

The History Group
2017-07-25 15:00 - 17:00
A tour of the Egyptian collection at the Liverpool Museum, William Brown St, led by the collector of Antiquities, Dr Ashley Cooke. Dr Cooke will act as guide to the tour which is open to all Proprietors. There is a fee of £10 per person which goes to the Museum. You can book your place on the tour via our website or through reception.
To meet at 3pm at the entrance to the Ancient Egypt gallery on the 3rd Floor.

Mostly Madrigals
2017-07-21 18:30 - 22:30
‘Mostly Madrigals’ are a choral group based in South Liverpool, and sing, er, …. They also sing a variety of traditional and folk songs. They are coming to the Athenaeum to entertain us after supper on 21st July. We are lucky to have them. Formed some 25 years ago, they have performed at such venues as St. George’s Hall in support of the Roy Castle Charity, the Palm House in Sefton Park, Speke Hall and St. Faith’s Church in Crosby. They are multiple winners of the Stanley Kennet Shield at the annual Liverpool Music Festival. Their members include Maggie Willett, Mark Bishop, Andy Collier, Sue Grainger, Diana Crew and Sandy Harley, some or all of whom will be known to many of you.
The evening will begin with welcome drinks (Prosecco, or Pimms if you prefer), followed by a delicious two-course supper with a summery menu, namely roast loin of cod with all the trimmings, and lemon posset with shortbread.
All this for a mere £14.00. Yes, really.
For those coming straight from work, please note that the Newsroom bar is open all day on Fridays and that sandwiches and light snacks can be ordered if anyone wishes to bridge the gap before supper.
Don’t miss what promises to be a happy and enjoyable evening. I hope to see you there.

The Arts' Group
2017-07-18 14:00 - 17:00
Stephen Hitchin – Sculptor.
Stephen has worded with a ranger of materials including metal, stained glass, ceramics and bronze.
Stone with its reductive process affords him the opportunity to have a close sensitive relationship with the material.
Stephen, who is also a Proprietor, will give a presentation of his work.
All Proprietors and guests are welcome.

Gourmet Dinner
2017-07-07 19:00 - 22:30
Last July’s Gala Gourmet Dinner was a showcase of the culinary expertise we are so lucky to be offered at the Athenaeum, as fifty guests were treated to a magnificent eight course menu. Book early for this year’s Gourmet Dinner. By the time the menu is released, tickets may have been snapped up.
