John Hatfield
1 The Bridges at Runcorn
Between Widnes and Runcorn, the River Mersey narrows to less than 1,000 feet. Since medieval times a ferry had operated across this “gap” and when the railways wanted a connection between Liverpool and Chester, a bridge was built and paved the way for three more, all concerned with road transport.
2 Alternative Energy
Solar, Wind, Hydro, Tidal, Bio and Geo methods are explained and their limitations considered. Different types of storage methods are considered and finally, Small, Modular Nuclear Power Stations are shown and explained
3 The Liverpool Overhead Railway
The LOR opened in 1893 with electric traction. The structure was made of wrought iron girders 16 ft. above the roadway. On the platform so erected a standard gauge railway line was built.
Peak usage occurred just after WW I, but in the Fifties, passenger numbers declined and it was closed in 1956. A sad farewell to the “Dockers Umbrella”.
4 Liverpool at War, 1939 -1945. Part 1
The first impact of the War was the evacuation of over 130,000 children and nursing mothers from the City mainly to Wales and Cheshire. The next was the erection and staffing of three large factories, Roote’s Aircraft at Speke and the ROF’s at Kirkby and Fazakerley. Then came the Blitz in May 1941 and finally the street parties after VE Day, 9th May 1945.
5 “Fracking” or Hydraulic Fracturing
This a method of mining in which cracks are created in subterranean rocks to obtain gas, oil or other liquids. Hydraulic Fracturing using high pressure liquids is used to create the cracks. The technical issues involved, the impact on the environment and how the UK Energy Supply will be affected are all considered in some detail.
6 The Rainhill Trials 1829
The merchants of Liverpool and Manchester wanted a faster means of transport between their two cities other than the thirty year old canal. Therefore, money was raised, parliamentary approval obtained and a railway was built. As it was being completed the question of which type of locomotion would be best was raised. A competition was arranged and six manufacturers agreed to participate in “The Trials” to be held at Rainhill in October, 1829.
7 Some of the Pre-Raphaelite Paintings in the Liverpool Art Galleries
The Walker and Lady Lever Art Galleries hold a unique collection of paintings by the Pre-Raphaelite artists from the 19th Century. Each one selected, will, in this presentation, be displayed in full colour and an accompanying commentary gives further details of the individual painting.
8 The Four Cathedrals Built in the 20th Century
All four were built at different times and all are completely different. They range from the conservative style of the Liverpool Anglican to the ultra modern Liverpool’s Catholic Cathedral. The presentation includes pictures of the interior and exterior of all four, and the reasons why they are so different are explained in the commentary.
9 Tunnels under the Mersey
The first was the Railway Tunnel. Construction commenced in 1879 and it was completed in 1885. Then came the Queensway Tunnel. This was built in nine years and was opened in July 1934 by King George V. The Kingsway Tunnel was constructed in five years and opened in June 1971. The Toll on opening was 15p per journey.
10 Life on the Canal over Two Centuries
This presentation looks at how people lived on the canal boats and what it was like to be one of them. As diesel engines took over from horses, the work changed, but locks still have to be opened and closed. The later rise of the “butty boat” is considered and how many women manned the boats in WW II. In recent times, the rise of the pleasure boat and the resurgence of “Canal Art” are considered.
11 Some Cartoons of World War One, 1914 -1918
The cartoons of Bruce Bairnsfather provided a wry commentary on what it was like in the trenches in Flanders. The character of “Old Bill” epitomised the stubbornness of the British Tommy and how they tried to rise above the local difficulties, of rain, poor food and constant shelling. Other artists used the cartoon to give a different slant on the War as it was seen in different countries.
12 The “Terracotta Army”
The history of the Army, including where and how the figures were found are explained. The details of each soldier, and how they differ and the method of making them are included. Then the exhibition in Liverpool is explained, including the transport of the “warriors” and how they are displayed.
13 Liverpool and the Slave Trade
How the Trade began and grew so that Liverpool had 80% of the ships sailing from Britain on the “Triangular Passage”. The appalling conditions of the slaves on the transport ships are illustrated by various paintings and drawings, as well as some commentaries.
Finally, the onset of the move to Abolition, culminating in slavery being abolished in the British Empire in 1809.
14 Liverpool in the Civil War, 1642-1649
Why did the war start? What were the arms and tactics of both Armies ? Both these questions are answered. The various battles over the town of Liverpool are explained, especially the brutal sack of the town by Prince Rupert. Finally, the mystery of the gold taken from the town’s treasury and what happened to it, is dealt with.
15 Five Notable Women Born in Liverpool
-- Kitty Wilkinson, The “Saint of the Slums”.
-- Eleanor Rathbone was an Independent M P from 1929-1946
-- Bessie Braddock, Labour MP for Liverpool Exchange 1945-1970.
-- Sidonia Goossons, Harpist. Joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1921 and continued playing with them until 1991.
-- Edwina Currie, Conservative MP 1982-1997. Became notorious in 2002 on the publication of her Diaries, when she referred to the affair she had had with John Major, from 1984-88.
16 Hitlers Revenge Weapons, V1, V2 and V3
The Vi was basically a flying bomb with limited guidance properties. It was cheap to produce and was intended to be made in large numbers to saturate the defences. The V2 was a guided rocket, expensive to produce but impossible to defend against. The V3 was a super gun, with a range of over 70 miles. Cheap to produce and easy to launch, but never saw action.
17 Liverpool at War, 1939 -1945. Part 2
The famous company of Littlewoods (Football Pools) had many large office blocks which were soon changed into factories producing war materials. Other similar buildings were also re-configured and played their part in the war. But Liverpool was responsible for organising the ships bringing war material from across the Atlantic and also made a significant contribution in defeating the German U-boat campaign.
18 “Operation Sealion” The Proposed Invasion of England in 1940
The Fuhrer Directive No 17 (16/07/1940) commanded the German Forces to prepare for the invasion of England. But there were four conditions that had to be achieved before Operation Sealion could commence. These are considered in detail and shows why Sealion was cancelled.
Further Information
Fees: Standard charge is £35.00, but for smaller groups, reductions can be considered.
Travel: Return journeys of over 50 miles will be charged for at 15 p per mile.
Tunnels and Bridges: If it is necessary to use either, a charge of £4.00 per return journey will be made.
John Hatfield, 11 Boxmoor Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool L18 4QH.