The Anorak's Journal

SCOUSERS AND SCHISMS The story of the church on Renshaw Street begins when a small group of parishioners at the Ancient Chapel of Toxteth protested the appointment of minister Hugh Anderson. Believing him to be religiously fickle, the dissenting group broke away from the church, and formed their own congregation closer to the city. Construction of the building which would become Newington Chapel began in 1776, and in 1777 it was opened for worship - you could see this date above the door. The first minister was Rev. David Bruce, and he remained at the chapel until his death in 1808. He was even buried under the main entrance of the chapel. View of Newington Chapel from Ackermann's Panoramic View of Liverpool (1847) A MESMERISING MINISTER Perhaps Newington Chapel's biggest claim to fame was its bewitching young minister, Thomas Spencer. Though he only served from 1810-11, Spencer had an enormous impact on the congregation. Described as a man of great talent and remarkable orator...

Hofämterspiel cards Hofämterspiel  is one of the earliest complete preserved decks of playing cards. Handmade in the 15th century, this 48-card set was commissioned by Ladislaus the Posthumous, King of Hungary and Bohemia. The cards were found amongst Archduke Ferdinand II's collection of art treasures, along with a deck named Ambraser Hofjagdspiel (though this is incomplete). Hofämterspiel's four suits carry the coats of arms of France, Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary. This deck  beautifully illuminates  the political and dynastic relationships in late medieval Central Europe in tempera paint and gold leaf. Nerryn and Narr, The Fool cards WHAT'S ON THE CARDS? Titled in archaic German, Hofämterspiel's illustrations depict a variety of court functions during the late Middle Ages. The cards are labelled 1 to 10 in Roman numerals, except for the king and queen which are the only ones whose occupation is not stated. The social statuses of the characters in the deck are dem...

March 8th marks the conjunction of two celebrations - International Women's Day and a lesser known crossing of Niagara Falls.  Whilst these two events may seem worlds apart, connecting them is true pioneering spirit.  These two articles tell the true stories of crossing Niagara Falls. Whether you cross by rail, wire, or barrel, and whether you are motivated by escape from physical shackles or those imposed by your sex, conquering the Falls is part of a broader human accomplishment.  Part 1: A kite-flying competition, an engineer in a basket, and a railroad over a ravine.  Part 2: A lady on a wire, a pensioner in a barrel, and an undercover mission for liberation.  Let's take the plunge... A FEMALE FUNAMBULIST – MARIA SPELTERINI Maria Spelterini crossing the gorge  with peach baskets on her feet. Niagara Gorge has seen numerous death-defying stunts enacted by legendary acrobats and performers such as Charles Blondin and 'The Great Farini'. One such dar...

March 8th marks the conjunction of two celebrations - International Women's Day and a lesser known crossing of Niagara Falls.  Whilst these two events may seem worlds apart, connecting them is true pioneering spirit.  These two articles tell the true stories of crossing Niagara Falls. Whether you cross by rail, wire, or barrel, and whether you are motivated by escape from physical shackles or those imposed by your sex, conquering the Falls is part of a broader human accomplishment.  Part 1: A kite-flying competition, an engineer in a basket, and a railroad over a ravine.  Part 2: A lady on a wire, a pensioner in a barrel, and an undercover mission for liberation.  Let's take the plunge... THE KITE COMPETITION Donna Marie Campbell,'Kite Flying Contest...' (1975) Niagara Falls had always formed a natural barrier between New York State and Ontario. Prior to the construction of the first suspension bridge,  you had to take a ferry across the gorge.  ...