#Adelphi Hotel Liverpool

[petermorwood]

I think this may have been one of the Eastercons in the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. I'm guessing Sou'WesterCon in 1994, and if there was a drawing or autograph from Barbara Hambly, that would confirm it.

*****

As for signings, yup, @dduane's list is mine too:

There's advertising but no promo material and no extra books to sign, so the shop stock runs out and there's nothing for anyone else. (Cardiff - though the aftermath involved a far busier return engagement where I got my first writer's cramp since Final exams.)

The shop gets the date wrong so there's no advertising and nobody knows you're there ("But the signing's next weekend! Isn't it?") despite the air-ticket - which the publisher sent you - being for this weekend. (Birmingham - though the aftermath involved being taken out for some of the best Indian food I've ever eaten in my life.)

The extra stock and promo stuff is there, the advertising posters are up, and even then nobody but regular customers come into the shop. (London - though the aftermath involved being given a stack of rare and original SF3D model kits which I still have.)

And so on and so forth.

*****

On the flip-side,we had one memorable session at Worldcon 1995 in Glasgow, the only convention my Mum ever attended.

That was where she saw with her own eyes - though its significance had to be explained later, I think by @su-whisterfield - that for four minutes by my watch - Four Whole Minutes! - DD's and my signing line was bigger than Terry Pratchett's at the very next table...

Balance was soon restored, of course, but I still remember the Voice From Under The Hat saying, in tones of mock outrage: "'Ere, have you two been passin' out bribes?"

Ah, good times, good times. :-D

[walkswithmycamera]

Inside the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool UK

Source: Unsplash by walkswithmycamera

[monkeyssalad-blog]

The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool by totallymystified Via Flickr: From Pall Mall magazine, 1894.

[liverpoollomo]

Adelphi Hotel. Lomo LC-A. Fujichrome 100, expired 1989, shot at 50, developed at 100.

A hotel has existed on the site of the Adelphi since 1826. The current building was constructed between 1911 and 1914. In it's hayday it was considered "the most luxurious hotel outside London." However many in the city will tell you it is a shadow of it's former self.

A recent article by The Post by David Lloyd highlighted how decidedly non-luxurious the Adelphi is now. The exterior of the building remains impressive. Under competent management and with significant investment the Adelphi could be an asset to the city. Let's hope someone takes it on.

[obaewankenope]

American to English translation for fic

So I read and write fanfic, as do lots of others, and I've noticed that when it comes to British shows or movies, Americanisms or American terms crop up often. It's mostly because most don't know we have specific terms for things in the UK, and I've seen references here and there before, but I've decided to write one of my own. Feel free to add to it tho! I'm gonna put it up on Ao3 too and any additions, I'll reference the tumblr and link them on Ao3 too.

AO3 link is here!!

Anyway, here we go I guess.

Some Americanisms to English-isms

Gas = fuel/petrol/diesel (we tend to specify the type of fuel the vehicle uses, diesel vehicle or petrol vehicle for example)

Gas station = petrol/fuel station

Gas court = petrol/fuel court, or sometimes forecourt (not often with this one tho)

License plate = registration plate/reg

Diner = cafe

Fast-food = takeaway (this is sort of interchangeable. McDonald's is called fast food, a meal from a pizza place that delivers is takeaway)

Motel = hotel

Side-note: We tend to use specific named hotel chains like Premier Inn (or Prem-Inn for short) or Holiday Inn or Travelodge. We also have Britannia Hotels and several others. If the fic is based in a specific place, local hotels or famous ones may be better options. For example, in Liverpool, we have The Shankly or Adelphi.

Cab = taxi or black hac for a specific type of taxi.

Side-note: These are what you see in BBC Sherlock, for example, and are a UK staple. They're less popular or common-place nowadays but there are dedicated taxi companies that use them. There's on in my town that operates until 4pm each day. They are also usually more expensive than a car taxi but they have oodles of space and you can have a pram/buggy kept upright rather than folded-down in them which is brilliant.

Cop = police officer

Side note: more informal, colloquial terms include "copper", "the fuzz", "tit-head" (because of the nipple hat okay, just look up the hat, it's hilarious), "bobby", "rozzer" (pronounced r-o-z-er not Row-zer), and "the bill" (there's an actual show called this btw. It can be a good reference for anyone writing crime fic in UK). There's more but those are the most common. Older terms do include "peelers" and "old bill".

Second side-note: the police have a whole host of terms, colloquial and slang that can be a great thing to include in fic, which I'll link a glossary of here. It's not all UK centric but cross-country policing is a thing so that may just be a boon imho. Also the short-hand acroynmns used are useful so here's a link to the Metropolitan Police glossary of those too!

Patrolman = constable or police constable

Antenna = aerial or TV aerial

Fall (season) = autumn

Bill = banknote or specifically "tenner", "fiver", "twenny" (not "twenty"). We don't have single banknotes like a dollar bill. We have pound coins

Dimes, nickels, etc = pound coin, two-pound coin, fifty-pence, penny, two-pence, five-pence, ten-pence, twenty-pence (link here about the coin currency)

Drug store = chemist or pharmacy

Optometrist = optician

Primary care physician = GP (general practitioner) here's a link about UK medical terms for doctors etc

Side-note: here's a link about medical terminologies etc between American and UK

Social security number = national insurance number

Liquor store = off-license or, specifically, Bargain Booze™

Liquor = spirits (usually)

Store = shop

Target, Walmart, etc = honestly, it's probably gonna be Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, ALDI or Lidl

Superstore = supermarket

Shopping cart = shopping trolley or just "trolley"

Yard-sale = car-boot/car-bootie/car-boot sale

Attorney = barrister or solicitor (solicitors you go to for legal help, barristers tend to be involved in actual court matters, like a the Crown Prosecution Service), here's a link that explains it better

Janitor = caretaker

French-fries = chips (although McDonald's French-fries are just that, French-fries)

Intersection = crossroad

Highway/freeway = motorway

Interstate = usually an A-road or a motorway, we don't really have interstates here)

Overpass = flyover

Turnpike = toll motorway

Windshield = windscreen

Trunk of a car = boot or car boot

Hood of a car = bonnet or car bonnet

Truck = lorry

Sedan = saloon car

Blowout = puncture or flat tyre

Pavement = road

Sidewalk = path

Subway = underground (like the London Underground)

Drapes = curtains (though we do use "drapes" we tend to say "curtains" more)

Pacifier = dummy or "dodo" or "dodi"

Diaper = nappie or a pull-up (if its like underwear for toddlers)

Baby crib = baby cot (though we do use "crib", we tend to say "cot" more)

Baby carriage/pushchair/stroller = pram or buggy (more specific type tho, here's a link about the differences)

Trash/garbage can = bin, dustbin, rubbish bin

Garbage/trash collector = binman/binmen

Mail = post

Mailman = postman

Mailbox = postbox

The movies = cinema or pictures

Movie = film (less common nowadays with influence of Americanisms but I still use "film" and a lot of people my age and older do too (25+)

First floor = ground floor okay, it's the ground floor because it's on ground level

Sneakers = unless they're Converse, it's probably just "trainers"

Baggage = luggage

Purse (as in the bag) = handbag, or "purse" but that tends to be the thing you put your money and cards in then put in your handbag

Vacuum cleaner = hoover or a specific brand like Henry Hoover™, which you'll find we tend to just call Henry (though I have a John Lewis hoover I got from George, ASDA that I've named 'George' and yes, I do say "I need to use George in a bit to hoover" regularly)

Sweater = jumper or, if it buttons up it's a cardigan or cardi

Closet = wardrobe

Elevator = lift

Call collect = reverse charges

Schools = we have primary/infants (11yrs)and secondary/high school (11-16yo) with some high schools have sixth-form college (16-18yo) or actual independent colleges for the same ages

College = university

Semester = term

Vacation = holiday

Kindergarten = nursey/reception

Flashlight = torch

Wrench = spanner

Backyard = garden

Cookie = biscuits

Chips = crisps (like Walkers™ or Lays™ in the States)

Pants = trousers

Cottoncandy = candyfloss

Dude = bloke/fella/mate

John Doe = John Smith

Exhausted (tired) = knackered

Cell phone = mobile

Cell data = mobile data/4G/5G

Bathroom/restroom = loo/toilet (informal term "bog")

Thanks = cheers

Soccer = football

Y'all = "you lot"

Fuck off/hit the road/go away = bugger off

Some slang phrases too

Bits and bobs = stuff, usually random

Take the mick/mickey = making fun of someone or over-exaggerating

Bob's your uncle = there you go, basically

Bog standard = typical, run of the mill kind of deal

Gutted = feel upset, disappointed

Dull as dishwater = basically really, really fuckin boring

Chinwag = basically "shooting the breeze" or just having a talk/chat

.

If you have any others that you think of or want added, reblog and add em! Tags too if you'd prefer but reblogs would be easier ☺️

[ceramiccity]

Adelphi Hotel Fire Escape Staircase

Adelphi Hotel Liverpool. Metal staircase. by Michael Fahy via Flickr.com - Sepia-toned image of an external fire escape on an urban building facade. Follow Ceramic City on Tumblr Source: https://soudasouda.tumblr.com/post/749573999067070464/adelphi-hotel-liverpool-metal-staircase-by

[saltwaterandstars]

I'm reading The Light in the Dark by Horatio Clare at the moment, and I'm really enjoying it. His descriptions of people and places are so good. Here he's describing the food at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool:

The all-you-can-eat buffet is the heart of the hotel. Eight pounds fifty gets you a free run at a mound of food. The cabbage is good. The gravy is familiar. The roast potatoes are a reassuring mush of yellow fat. Then you must choose between battered fish which looks as though you could club a cat with it, beef like black iron turnings, a chicken leg which is too big to come from a terrestrial chicken, and the liver.

I mean, I really don't want to eat there, but I have such a vivid sense of the place and the food - I can practically smell it.

[soudasouda]

Adelphi Hotel Liverpool. Metal staircase. by Michael Fahy via Flickr.com Follow Souda on Tumblr

[petermorwood]

He encountered horror all right. That place he said smelt bad was a distinctly un-luxury hotel, the Adelphi in Liverpool.

In his full Youtube video he comments about the contrast between its grand public spaces and its grotty rooms.

He also notes (20:58) that "it was amazing how you could just walk around and check out the hotel."

Yes indeed. Other people do that too, but not to shoot video.

*****

Thefts during SF/F conventions held at the Adelphi became so common that they affected Convoy (Eastercon 2007), which was meant to take place there. The con committee asked for guarantees of increased security.

The hotel promised a safe-storage, facility, upgraded CCTV and improved room locks but failed to keep those promises within the time limit requested by the committee.

And so the con was cancelled.

It takes a lot to cancel an Eastercon.

*****

I don't know what security at the Adelphi is like nowadays, but this guy did an update video in March of this year, and it doesn't fill me with confidence. He's still able to wander about without meeting any staff who want to know how he got into places he shouldn't be, and what he's doing there. (This is the one with an extract in the OP compilation.)

There are numerous ways of learning a place is insecure, they're seldom good ways, and a hotel is where people have their guard down.

So that's a bit of subliminal horror to go with the liminal stuff.

Cue soft creepy music, and slow FADE TO BLACK.

*****

And now the lights are off, I've got a question.

Have you locked your room door?

Oh, good.

Are you sure you're the only one who has a key?

Oh, good.

Are you sure you're alone in here?

Oh, good.

Really, absolutely, bet your life sure?

Oh, good.

Sleep well, and pleasant dreams.

...

...

...

I don't have any more questions, so I'll let myself out, okay...?

:->

My guilty pleasure right now is watching luxury hotel reviews and I found this british guy who keeps accidentally clipping into the backrooms.

He's unintentionally making the best liminal horror content on youtube

[zrribbonz]

When an indexer chooses violence…

[first page of index in 1994 ARC for Alan Bennett’s Writing Home. Entries include “Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool: not all that it’s cracked up to be 287,” “Alun Armstrong: sudden change of character of, upon opening a Gideon’s Bible 276,” and “Balliol College, Oxford: ugliness of 16”]

[lokuhapuarachchi]

The Rhythm of Sri Lankan Music Heard in Liverpool City Centre

Liverpool, a vibrant city on England's northwest coast, has a rich and influential musical history that has left an indelible mark on the world. Renowned for its maritime heritage and dynamic cultural scene, Liverpool's music landscape boasts a diverse range of genres and groundbreaking talent.

On Saturday, May 18th, Liverpool's Britannia Adelphi Hotel hosted the city's most successful concert of the year, "The Invitation." Organized to raise funds for the Liverpool Buddhist Temple, the event provided an engaging evening for Liverpool's Sri Lankan community. The concert featured stunning performances by Falan Andrea, Annesley Malewana, and Gayan Gunawardana, with music by Britain's most popular Sri Lankan band, Exceed.

Despite some attempts to disrupt the show, the strong bond between the organizing committee, the three artists, and the band ensured that the event went ahead as planned. Their efforts brought the concert to life, creating unforgettable memories and marking it as a successful event in Liverpool's vibrant cultural calendar.

Liverpool's musical revival is not limited to its past with The Beatles and the Merseybeat movement. The life of the city is intertwined with a bustling live music scene. Venues such as the Echo Arena, O2 Academy, and Philharmonic Hall host a wide range of concerts, from contemporary pop and rock to classical and orchestral. Grassroots venues such as Zanzibar Club and The Jacaranda provide platforms for emerging artists, ensuring the continued evolution of Liverpool's musical identity.

The Beatles, formed in 1960, are perhaps the most notable contribution to music from Liverpool. The legendary quartet—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—rose to global fame with their innovative sound and timeless hits. Places like The Cavern Club, where the Beatles honed their craft, remain pilgrimage sites for fans around the world. The band's success not only put Liverpool on the map but also inspired countless musicians and bands around the world.

The early 1960s saw the rise of the Merseybeat movement, named after the River Mersey. The genre, characterized by its upbeat sound and catchy melodies, was pioneered by Liverpool bands such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Searchers, and The Merseybeats. Merseybeat helped define the British Invasion in the United States, a period in which British music dominated the American charts.

Liverpool's commitment to celebrating music is also evident in its various festivals, including the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) and Africa Oye.

"Aardhana" added a uniquely Sri Lankan note to Liverpool's rich musical background, showcasing the city's embrace of global musical influences and its thriving multicultural community. Taking these personal photographs was unofficial, but I aimed to capture the essence of a night where music strengthened cultural bonds as a gesture of support to the dear organizers.

Photographs and Notes - Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi

[research-lighting]

Adelphi Hotel Liverpool. Metal staircase. by Michael Fahy via Flickr.com Follow Research.Lighting on Tumblr Source: https://soudasouda.tumblr.com/post/749573999067070464/adelphi-hotel-liverpool-metal-staircase-by

[walkswithmycamera]

Paella in your face!

You can't get more traditional than a very large Paella in the process of being created.

Fiesta day in Torremolinos (Feria San Miguel). We visited on 30 September 2023.

This photo and more - from our 10 night stay on the Costa del Sol can be found in my flickr album: TRAVEL: Spain > LPL to Benalmadena, Frigiliana, Fuengirola - Autumn 2023.

The trip started out initially with an overnight in Liverpool at the Adelphi Hotel (our "go to" place for a one night only stay).

It's in a perfect location to take the bus from the stop just a short walk to the left after exiting the front of the hotel, and dropping you right outside Liverpool John Lennon Airport terminal building.

We love flying out of Liverpool, it's a great small airport.

[newstattoos]

The Liverpool Tattoo Convention returns to the city this Friday for three days of world-class tattooing, music, and entertainment! Widely perceived as the most prestigious and innovative tattoo event in the UK, the show will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel – smack bang in the heart of the city centre and...

[mostly-history]

Aerial view of Liverpool from the waterfront eastwards to Derby Square (c. 1940).  The photo shows extensive bomb damage to the commercial centre, with the shell of the burnt-out customs house centre left.

The county of Merseyside was bombed on three consecutive nights, from December 20th – 23rd, 1940.  The docks were hit on the first night, leading to the loss of about £4 million worth of timber.  The headquarters of the Cunard Shipping Line were damaged, as was the Adelphi Hotel.

[weeglasasian]

[Liverpool] Looking majestic from exterior to interior, this building is the definition of Liverpool's glorious days in the past. Unfortunately it is not in its greatest shape; this building deserves much respect with contemporary touch.