Title
Official Programme - Centenary Celebrations at Liverpool
Reference
YA2007.56
Production date
13-09-1930 - 20-09-1930
Creator
- Liverpool Organization LtdBiographyBiography
The Liverpool Organization Ltd appears to have been established to run a series of events in September 1930 held to commemorate the centenary of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.
The programme of celebrations took place from 13 to 20 September 1930. The main event was the Railway Fair at held at 'The Mystery', otherwise known as 'Wavertree Playground.' There were various locomotives and examples of rolling stock on display, including a replica of Stephenson's Rocket. The re-built locomotive 'Lion' pulled passengers around a circular track in replica LMS carriages built for the occasion.
The Liverpool Organization also scheduled a 'Programme of Amusements', including a Pageant of Transport through the ages featuring 4000 performers in 24 'episodes'. Other events in the Programme were a vaudeville show, nightly fireworks, music and a marathon race that ended in the park. A ‘Pageant of Liverpool’s Industries’ was also presented by employees of the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company.
The Liverpool Organization also staged events in the city centre. An exhibition of miniature railway and models as well as historical material was held in St George's Hall and nearby Lime Street and St George's Plateau were decorated with a large arch and banners on masts in the surrounding streets. A reproduction of the Rocket locomotive decorated with colourful lights toured the city at night, pulled by an illuminated tram.
The Liverpool Organization is not known to have organised any further events after the Centenary celebrations concluded.
Scope and Content
One printed 124 page programme containing details of events to be held during the celebrations of the centenary of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, as well as many advertisements of the period. The volume includes a history of Manchester in 1830, a front cover colour engraving of “Rocket”, and a number of illustrations in photogravure, or line drawings, locomotives, portraits of the organising committee, pageant artists and others involved in the events.
The programme is divided into sections: Short History of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, Liverpool in 1830, Manchester in 1830, Liverpool & its Transport Facilities, Railway Exhibition in St George’s Hall, Street Decorations, Railway Fair at Wavertree Playground, with list of Exhibits, Programme of Amusements and Fireworks, Centenary Celebrations Hour by Hour, Book of the Pageant of Transport, with Programme of Incidental Music and Descriptive Notes.
Physical description
The volumes is in a fair condition.
Language
English
Archival history
Purchased from eBay, provenance unknown.
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Associated people and organisations
- Liverpool & Manchester Railway CoBiographyBiography
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was first proposed by William James and Joseph Sanders in 1821. In 1826 George Stephenson was appointed chief engineer. The company originally intended to use fixed locomotives to pull freight trains between Liverpool and Manchester, but following the Rainhill Trial competition of 6 October 1829, locomotives in the style of Stephenson's Rocket were commissioned. The company opened the line between Liverpool and Manchester on 15 September 1830. The first passengers travelled along the line two days later and goods on 1 December. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was absorbed into the Grand Junction Railway on 8 August 1845.
Subject
Conditions governing access
Open access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.
Related object