There have been a couple of uncommon sightings down on the promenade this week. Firstly, on Tuesday the view of Irish Sea and the Burbo Wind Farm (site here) was interrupted with the arrival of the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) on it’s way to dock in the River Mersey (photo here). As that’s also my (neglected) site, I thought I’d best to make the effort and go down to Egremont Promenade to take a few snaps of one of the largest cruise liners in the world.
Secondly, and continuing the nautical theme, HMS Illustrious is also docked in Liverpool for a few days. After returning from my bike ride this morning to Seacombe to catch some photos of that ship, I cycled back home to meet a few military helicopters flying over the promenade (pictured above). Another four flew by in the early afternoon too.
Back on dry land, the work continues down at Meols Parade Gardens with yet more painting of railings, exterior walls and repairs to rendering and footpaths.
I’m pleased that I stumbled upon a photo of the old Hoylake Cinema – have you got any others of that building or better still of the old Kingsway Cinema on Market Street (currently Home Bargains)? On the topic of old photos, I’d love to publish anything of the old fire station (now a bar) and the old fire engine house (currently a ceramics studio) – so if you’ve got any to send, please do.
Yesterday and today was the national postal strike, though perhaps not in Hoylake. We received our post yesterday so the posties were obviously working …not sure about today though?
Although the first Hoylake Scare Festival doesn’t officially start until Monday, I’ve spotted that the fish mongers and the 3 Sisters have already spooked-up their respective shop windows.
Rumour is that work on the revamp of the Kings Gap Hotel is due to commence. If you have any more news about this significant development project then please do get in touch.
I’ve also mentioned this in a comment on today’s Friday Photo, but in case you’ve missed it, here is a web page about the old Hoylake Hebrew Congregation. Can you recall the old Hoylake Synagogue on the corner of Market Street and Chapel Road?
Thanks again go to Syd Bird for this image taken in December 1963. I can remember this building from what I guess must have been around 1980. The site is an apartment block now. As always, feel free to comment.
Next week I’ll publish some news about a new Wirral golf tournament for 2010 that will use the Royal Liverpool course for the final round of the competition.
Perhaps the helo flights may have been on recc’e for the RN’s Fleet Air Arm Centenary Fly-Past over HMS Illustrious on Friday afternoon. I took a late lunch to have a look and it was an impressive sight (and sound) on a summer-like October afternoon .
My video of the fly-past here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9D8oeqHKMk , only on a mobile phone ‘fraid.
This is the airborne early warning variant of the Sea King, usually three embarked on a carrier such as Illustrious
Cheers, Richard
I remember the Synagogue very well, the Rabbi lived with his wife at No.1 Manor Road.
is the photo the kingsway cinema,it looks like the wintergardens to me