lost in thought

Contemplation and sandwiches at Crosby beach (home of the Gormley 'Another Place' installation).

Fishing the Float

East Float Dock, Birkenhead. Note the raised bascule bridge (one of three in Birkenhead) to the left of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. The white cloths in the chain fence are hand wipes that the fishermen use to clean up with, after handling the fish and bait.

Obscured by clouds

In the autumn sunshine the Mann Island redevelopment (see earlier posts) reflects, and begins to blend into, the backdrop cloudscape.

21c Gateway

this view of the Edge Lane demolition (taken from inside a phone box) resembles Ground Zero. This isn't terrorism though - it's the Edge Lane Project ('Creating a 21st Century Gateway to the City').

97 Royston Street

No. 97 remains the last house standing in the eastern half of Royston Street. A couple of the demolition crew told me that the properties were in a poor state structurally and that one of the hazards of their job was watching out for the discarded syringes. I was told that one house had a thousand used needles in one room (I assume that was an estimate). Contrast this photo with the entry for 13th June.

Bascule Bridge Renovation

The control room of the bascule bridge at Stanley Dock (Regent Road). Cosmetic renovation is almost completed - Aug 18, 2010.

Dockscape

this view from Collingwood Dock (looking toward Stanley Dock) shows the bascule road bridge under wraps for restoration. It's a cosmetic job - the bridge won't operate again - presumeably there is no requirement to let large craft through these docks. This is the only bascule bridge in Liverpool (but there are a couple in Birkenhead) and was due to be opened again at the end of July.

they all fall down

This looks like a scene from the WWII blitz. These houses survived the German bombing but couldn't escape the city planners' vision for an improved traffic flow into Liverpool centre 65 years later. This is Edge Lane. The church is St Cyprian's (which I'm told will not be knocked down). I believe a flyover is going to be built where the grand houses of Edge Lane once stood - I will continue to photograph the changes.

Somewhere in Liverpool

this was a grab shot - but where was it taken? I might explain in a future entry - meanwhile I'm claiming it as 'art'. Notice the 'halation' effect around the figure - that's arty isn't it?

Don't Pass Me By

This piece of public art is in Litherland, Liverpool. It amazes me how people take art for granted and walk past without even sparing a glance. The Beatles tribute includes original band members Stu Sutcliffe and Pete Best.

Mann Island from Canning Dock

a romantic return?

This is one of the three new buildings that form Liverpool's 'Mann Island development'. From this Canning Dock viewpoint it looks like a giant liner is being built again on Merseyside! Sadly, this is no romantic return to a glorious industrial past - it is modern angular architecture in menacing black glass. Perhaps it has its place, but this isn't it!

waiting for the demolition crew

I knew that the demolition of Royston Street was imminent - and expected it to have started when I visited on 12 June. Although it had not begun, the street was blocked off with the skips in place. I managed to gain access through a blown down barrier - it may be the last time I can photograph the street - although I will try and record its demolition if at all possible.

I feel an affinity to Royston St now - I just wish I'd been able to record some of the occupants leaving! Whatever is replacing this attractive terrace can't be better than a full refurbishment of the existing properties would have been - it could have looked wonderful - such a shame! Town planners have a lot to answer for!

In this view of the eastern half of Royston Street (the Dunning Road end) the tower of the closed St Cyprian's church can be seen to the right. Someone has flung a section of orange barrier onto a street light in the adjoining Peet Street (I don't suppose vandalism matters any more in this condemned and deserted part of Edge Hill).

Map : http://bit.ly/ceheSP

Sixty One - Sixty Three

Royston Street is in two halves (split by the intersection with Dorothy Street). The houses in the western half (the Marmaduke Street end) must have been vacated a lot earlier than those in the eastern half (the Dunning Road end) judging from the shrubbery which has taken hold in bedrooms and roofs.

the Three Graces

I saw these 3 ladies with their hats looking across to the 'Three Graces' (what little can be seen of them now). After taking the shot I explained to the ladies that the 'Three Graces' are the iconic waterfront buildings - the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. They were from Thailand and I told them that I had taken their photo from behind and that I was going to call them the 'Three Graces'. One of them produced a camera and asked me to take the same photo for them which I was happy to do. So, although my three ladies will probably never see this blog, they will have the same photo to remind them of their Liverpool visit.

nothing of value

I thought I'd try overlaying flaking painted stonework with condemned property (both from the Edge Lane area of Liverpool) to see whether something emerged! Well, this is what emerged. (The 'nothing of value' notice is posted on all these houses to deter looters.)

you cannot be serious!

The view of 'The Three Graces' from The Maritime Museum in The Albert Dock used to be majestic. The architecture of the historic waterfront buildings is stunning - so what did they do? They built an outrage in black glass (apartments and offices of course) right next to the Port of Liverpool Building and destroyed the wonderful view. Who are the planners who allowed this to happen? How can elected officials get away with this?

The photo below was taken from the same spot in 2006 - little did we know what they were plotting!

Breakfast in Birkenhead

I love the faded, scarred and rust attacked paintwork on the dock bollards here at West Float (just by the Duke Street bridge). In the background is Duke Street Bridge Cafe (the building used to be the Dockmaster's Offices). Call in for an all day breakfast - but don't be tempted with the medium or large! For £2.99 the small breakfast is amazing value - I had bacon, tomato, black pudding, sausage, beans, mushroom, hash brown and egg. Also included is a thick slice of toast and a mug of tea. Surely there can't be a better value breakfast in the whole of Merseyside!

East Float, Birkenhead

I wonder why someone took the trouble to tie their rubbish onto the chain fence at East Float dock in Birkenhead. Surely those appalling creatures who are happy to leave their garbage behind aren't going to bother securing it to a fence?

The warehouse is East Float Mill - a flour mill that was used as a departure point for emigrants to Australia in the 1850s. It has now been turned into 168 apartments. Approx a kilometre behind the mill is the Mersey. Liverpool's Liver Building and Roman Catholic Cathedral may be picked out by the sharp eyed (just to the right of the mill).

Royston Street - waiting for demolition

This is Royston Street which is being demolished as part of Liverpool's Edge Lane re-development scheme. Notice that all ground floor windows have been bricked up and doors replaced by metal security panels. The top floor windows have all been securely boarded. No one is getting in here before the bulldozers arrive! It seems so sad that these houses (which were among several hundred compulsory purchased properties) have to be replaced by new residential and business facilities. This is how communities die - I wonder if Liverpool will be a better place to live when the planners' vision is realised!

"the buildings look so sad yet so colourful like they have some fight left in them yet" (Ali)

Blogging by email

This is a test. This blog entry has been created in an email and sent to Natural Light to see what happens. I’m attaching a photo – NOT inserting one into the email (an earlier test showed that Blogger didn’t display an image that was inserted into the email – but happily picked up the attachment).

The photo is Antony Gormley's installation 'Another Place' at Crosby Beach, near Liverpool. Click inside the photo to see it full size.

Alan Carr