As part of its charitable objectives, The Haileybury Society regularly provides Travel Grants to OHs seeking to enhance elements of their study or to enhance their educational or cultural development. Here, Ellie Owen (LS & H 13) reports on her trip to Liverpool.

Over the (extended) summer holidays, the Haileybury Society gave me the opportunity to go on a trip to Liverpool, via a generous travel grant. I was very excited to travel to the north of England and see first-hand some of the historical phenomena which I had been exposed to through my studies. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there were certain museums and experiences which I couldn’t go to – but what I did, I really enjoyed.

White Star Line and the Titanic

To begin, the hotel I stayed in was the former headquarters of the White Star Line – the shipping company who were responsible for the voyage of the Titanic, which famously sank in April 1912. In the lobby, there was memorabilia from the time as well as a beautiful mosaic of South America on the floor.

I had briefly come across some of Liverpool’s recent history through my study of Ireland in my A-Level history course: the influx of Irish migrants during the Great Famine in the 1840s and competition between Liverpool and Belfast for dominance in shipbuilding in the 19th century. It was a very unique experience to stay somewhere which represented a small part of the city’s history.

A stunning architectural heritage

Ellie Owen at the Liver Building Liverpool

(Above: Liver Birds – Liverpool’s iconic birds still crown the top of the city’s most famous landmark)

Although I was unable to attend any of the numerous museums detailing Liverpool’s history, it was well reflected in the stunning architecture – especially on the river front. The Liver Building stood out to me because of the mystery of the meaning behind the famous Liver birds which stand watch over the city. Those buildings are also a reflection of the wealth gained by the city during the country’s imperial age from slavery and trade.

(Above: the magnificent industrial heritage of the Albert Dock buildings)

No section of Liverpool pays better tribute to this legacy than Albert Dock – whose history speaks to trailblazing innovation (such as operating the first hydraulic crane), a vibrant culture and a complex past. Unfortunately, the Merseyside Maritime and international Slavery museums were not open – although I would definitely love to visit them in the future to gain a greater appreciation of this city.

The Beatles’ Story

Nonetheless, the Beatles Story was open to visitors and I enjoyed walking around and learning more about this iconic band – their story is truly incredible, and their music is timeless. One section which particularly piqued my interest was the Mersey Beat – an independent newspaper detailing the vibrant musical scene which emerged at the outset of the 1960s.

(Above: Paul, George, Ringo and John show Ellie rounds the sights of Liverpool)

The newspaper came into being as a result of the refusal of established local/national newspapers (even ones specialising in music) to write about this phenomenon. Coupled with the attempted “London-isation” of the Beatles during their rise, this highlighted to me the structural North-South divide in England.

Of course, this has been exacerbated by post-industrial Thatcherite policies which have crippled traditional industries, disproportionately affecting the North. However, the legacy of the Beatles and the duo of successful football clubs has rejuvenated the city in the 21st century, leading it to be named the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and resulting in significant redevelopment.

You’ll never walk aloneIn fact, Liverpool FC has made an economic contribution of at least £454 million to the city – there are many indirect knock-on impacts on the local economy. It was recorded in the 2017-18 season that 1.5 million football fans came to Anfield, who contributed £102 million to the visitor economy.

Moreover, those who visited for the football came away with positive views of the city – more than a quarter are likely to return to visit the city itself and 94% would recommend others to visit the city. Taking a tour of Anfield and soaking up the history and passion behind such a huge football club was very special and arriving there just a few weeks after their first league win in 30 years really added to the sense of celebration around the stadium.

Ellie Owen (LS & H 13)