National Museums Liverpool Podcast

The Liverpool Free Press was founded in 1971 by a small group of disaffected journalists working for the Liverpool Echo and The Daily Post. In this episode, co-founder of the Liverpool Free Press, Brian Whitaker takes us through the paper's history, from its disgruntled precursor Pak-o-Lies, to the largest investigation in its history in Kirkby. We'll discover how the Liverpool Free Press offered a serious alternative to Liverpool’s established papers, took on the police, the landlords and the council, and brought a corruption scandal in Kirkby to light.

We find out how dot-art have been promoting and supporting local artists for 20 years. Founder and Managing Director Lucy Byrne has led the organisation through the highs and lows, she tells us their story.

We find out how a community run football tournament has grown into a highly anticipated event beloved by the city for how it brings together cultures and communities.  Imad Ali and Maleka Egeonu-Roby tell us the story behind the succesful initiative. 

We trace the remarkable life of a pioneering trans woman who forged her own path with courage and determination. From her early years in Liverpool to the world she built beyond it, April became a celebrated fashion model, actress, and a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights.

In the Walker Art Gallery collection, alongside works by the likes of Lucien Freud and Rose Wylie, is a rather unusual portrait of a barefoot man in a grey suit. The surrealist portrait is of and by Wallasey-based artist Albert Richards. The aspiring artist would go on to serve in the Army during WWII as a paratrooper and would end up becoming a war artist before sadly passing away while in service. In this episode, we spoke to Ged Clarke, a producer/director and documentarian, about the fascinating story of Albert Richards.

Discover how Everton's very own Sarah P Corbett turned her activism learnt at a local level into a worldwide crafting movement.

In this episode, we uncover the history of John Middleton, aka the Childe of Hale. Born in 1578, in the village of Hale, John Middleton was a man who allegedly grew to a height of 9ft 3 inches. Known for his great strength, he was employed as bodyguard for the Sheriff of Lancashire, where word of his exploits led him to the court of King James I. We’ll explore John’s extraordinary life, from his humble beginnings in Hale to a royal rumble at the King's court, and how his story has travelled far beyond the village where he was born – even to this very day. 

Built in the early 18th century, the Old Dock was the world’s first purpose-built commercial wet dock. Its creation marked the beginning of Liverpool’s transformation into a major hub of European trade and a central port in the Transatlantic slave trade, fuelling rapid growth in both wealth and population. In this episode, National Museum Liverpool's Tour Guide Stephanie Mitchard explains the story of the Old Dock, from the challenges of its construction to the lives shaped by its development. We'll uncover how this hidden structure played a defining role in Liverpool’s growth before it disappeared from view.

In this episode we journey through nearly thirty years of musical experimentation and innovation with Liverpool's contemporary classical pioneers - Ensemble 10:10.  Formed in 1997, the Ensemble has established itself at the forefront of the contemporary classical sphere, whilst also supporting young musicians and composers through opportunities such as the Rushworth Composition Prize. This is a story of creativity and community. To tell this story we hear from the musicians at the heart of the Ensemble, and from those they collaborate with, as we uncover why Ensemble 10:10 has become such a vital force in the UK’s classical scene.  

In this episode we explore the foundation of Britain's first mosque, and the life and times of its enigmatic founder, Abdullah Quilliam. Quilliam established the mosque in 1887, having embraced Islam and adopting the name Abdullah, after a trip to Morocco. The mosque became an influential hub for the growth of Islam in Britain and, over 100 years later, is still operating from its original premises.