5th Birthday

"And now we are … five"

Our 5th birthday celebrations on 19th March 2006

The LHS Chairman, John Tiernan, welcomed about seventy members to the very different sort of meeting that marked the Society's 5th birthday by reviewing the "ups & downs" of the past five years. These included using (or being compelled to use) different venues before settling in our present comfortable "home"; building up the membership and steady attendance each month; achieving charitable status and a National Lottery "Awards for All" grant which bought our technical equipment; hosting the Lancashire Local History Federation Conference in Sept 2004 and publishing four annual journals and a booklet of World War Two Memories. On balance, he felt that this amounted to more highs than lows, a view with which all present agreed.

He then introduced Professor John Belchem, former Head of History at Liverpool University (above), who amused us with a brief but witty account of the 1907 and 1957 celebrations of Liverpool's first charter, which, he reminded us, should correctly be called, "Letters Patent". In 1907 Liverpool, the proud and bustling second port of the Commonwealth, marked the occasion with a pageant of our history, somewhat marred by unintentional anachronisms in the costume department. In 1957, after two world wars, a severe battering in the second, and a devastating down-turn in the port's economy, the emphasis was on the unbowed spirit of the inhabitants. Music and comedy from some of our world famous performers invited interest and investment in our renewal.

John Belchem continued with a slightly downbeat look ahead to 2007, which he felt was being adversely affected by the 2008 Capital of Culture programme, and some of the emphasis on the special character of Liverpudlians is being lost. He told us a little about the new book. Liverpool 800, due out later this year, and joked with Mike Kelly and Jon Murden about the contents of Jon's chapter in it, including reference to Lita Rosa's No. 1 hit, of 1951, "How Much is that Doggie in the Window".

Advised by the Chairman that wine and cake were to follow, Prof. Belcham thought that this was an appropriate point at which to conclude. All present joined John Tiernan in expressing their appreciation to Prof Belcham and then dispersed to collect wine, tea or coffee, and admire the cake, which had been made and decorated by Mary Harrison's sister-in law.

Having been cut, distributed, and pronounced to taste as good as it looked, [a sentiment with which all agreed.Ed.], all drank to the toast of the birthday cake:

We were then able to circulate and enjoy the table-top exhibitions of members' interests and research, which included:

Liverpool 800 Project Jon Murden

Women's History Group Ann Roberts

Society Equipment demonstrated by Neville King

Society Library Cynthia Stonall

The Paintings of James William Carling Michael Kelly

A First World War Diary Jo McCann

Family History Joyce Culling

The Blundell Families of Ince Blundell and Crosby Brenda Murray

Mike's Mini Museum Michael Brian

Civilian Awards 1939-1945, and City Walks Sheila Binks

A Letter from W E Gladstone Mary Harrison

We all enjoyed talking to the exhibitors and to each other until it was time to go home, after a very

different but thoroughly enjoyable meeting.