I was talking to someone in work today, and he said the tower was originally a chimney for St John's.
Is this right?

There is a tour with work in Jan..

I was talking to someone in work today, and he said the tower was originally a chimney for St John's.
Is this right?

There is a tour with work in Jan..

Yes, it was indeed a chimney for St John's Centre which was opened in April 1970.
When the Queen opened the second Mersey Tunnel in June 1971, she had tea in the Revolving Restaurant.
I've got a set of postcard views from it which were issued as a "Lettercard". Remember them?
(I'll get a scanner today. I'll settle for a cheap one if I don't see what I want).

It was open to the public a few years ago, but the windows were so dirty, and my old Zenith camera was sick that day, that the results were very disappointing.

Is there any chance that I could tag along on the visit?
I'll even use a tripod! :)

hi philip
it's £3.00 per person. But I shall have to ask as there is 20 places per tour, and i think there are 2 tours.
It's not til Jan 2007, so I will find out tmw for you:)

ta for info :)

I was talking to someone in work today, and he said the tower was originally a chimney for St John's.
Is this right?

There is a tour with work in Jan..

I worked on the tower as a kid in 1968. When I was there is was just two concrete saucers and a crane out of the top. A temporary builders lift was inside and permanent operator. It was about 3 foot square and about 20 fellas seemed to get into the lift. There was no protection on the sides of at the top and it was easy to fall off. I recall laying on my stomach to look over the edge on the bottom section (the floor). I remember a hole in the top section (the roof) with a bit of wood thrown over it. It would have been easy to fall through to the lower. Safety was not as it is today.

The chimney part was only small inside. Most is the lifts and the services. Whether it was to hide the flue for the boilers or the flue for the boilers was taken up it for convenience I'm not sure. It think the chimney was using the tower rather than the other way around.

The services were at the top of the tower (kitchen) and the restaurant revolved around them. It was nice up there having a steak as it went around. At dusk on a high tide as the ships were coming in was spectacular.

wow waterways...that sounds scary!!

Would be great to see some pics if anyone has any...

wow waterways...that sounds scary!!

Would be great to see some pics if anyone has any...

Watch this space!
I've just got home with a new scanner.
Not the one I wanted, but it'll do for now.

I'll even use a tripod! :)
Do you think it's safe to take such a risk?:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Using a tripod at night, when alone in a dark street doesn't seem a wise move to me.
Even taking photos in daylight leaves oneself open to muggers.

Do you think it's safe to take such a risk?:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Dave, that's the second time you've brought up that old quote, and used it out of context.
Don't you realise that it speaks volumes about you.
I wonder if anybody else on this forum would be a*sed?

Dave, that's the second time you've brought up that old quote, and used it out of context.
Don't you realise that it speaks volumes about you.
I wonder if anybody else on this forum would be a*sed?
I was jokingly replying to your reference(s) about tripods. Get a grip Phil.

I remember the day when it opened.. and me mam would'nt go up it, so we all sat in the Wimpy burger bar an looked up instead :D

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/beaconyo/image003.jpg

When the tower was rising there was a covered section where the fellas worked - no crane. The covered bit looked like the bit on the top right now. The concrete was fed from the inside. It reached full height and the covers came off and a small crane was fitted at the top. This lifted the concrete sections that made the two saucers - floor and roof. As much as possible was taken up via the crane, rather than inside.

This came out (presumably) when the tower was new.
There is no publisher's name, so I'll post the lot.

many thanks philip!
i take it you got yourself a super scanner then?:)

how do you actually get into the tower?

This came out (presumably) when the tower was new.
There is no publisher's name, so I'll post the lot.
Thanks Phil.
Do you have any of your own that you could post?

Thanks Phil.
Do you have any of your own that you could post?

No.
Sorry.

No.
Sorry.
It's a shame that. Never mind.

hey you can see our ald house from there :D ...
FKoE, where was that?

many thanks philip!
i take it you got yourself a super scanner then?:)

how do you actually get into the tower?
Philip's never been there. Give them a call and ask for Mick who runs the security.

Watch this space!

What a let down. I was quite looking forward to Phil's pics, not realising they were scanned from a third party. Oh well, here's a few more of mine.

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/stjohnsbeacon/image005.jpg

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/stjohnsbeacon/image006.jpg

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/beaconyo/image003.jpg

When the tower was rising there was a covered section where the fellas worked - no crane. The covered bit looked like the bit on the top right now. The concrete was fed from the inside. It reached full height and the covers came off and a small crane was fitted at the top. This lifted the concrete sections that made the two saucers - floor and roof. As much as possible was taken up via the crane, rather than inside.

the reflection of the top of the photographers head and the camera makes this picture even more quirky

the reflection of the top of the photographers head and the camera makes this picture even more quirky
Are you calling my head "quirky" pal!?:unibrow:

Dave, I'm sorry you can't understand English when it's written, but I never said I had any of my pics from the tower.
What I did say was I had a lettercard, which I've posted.
You can dredge up parts of my quotes to suit yourself.
I could perhaps do the same about yours.
I think your'e about the only person who has ever used the unforgivable "C" word on here.
Apologising after doesn't negate it.

Rant over.

Dave, I'm sorry you can't understand English
Que?

What I did say was I had a lettercard, which I've posted.

I missed that post. Where did you post that you had a lettercard. Apologies in advance, I missed it. However, I'd appreciate a link to the post. Thanks:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

I remember the day when it opened.. and me mam would'nt go up it, so we all sat in the Wimpy burger bar an looked up instead :D

Your that old.:shock:

I missed that post. Where did you post that you had a lettercard. Apologies in advance, I missed it. However, I'd appreciate a link to the post. Thanks:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Scroll up.
It's near the beginning of the thread.

I know you've read it, because you quoted from it!
A selective quote, of course.

Are you calling my head "quirky" pal!?:unibrow:

haha!

Your that old.:shock:

:D ... I'm a stunning 6ft Finnish 19 year old blonde.

Of course Im that old Maxie.... In fact I'm twice as old as you, but better looking :D :celb (23):

I remember when it was done up to make it look like a flying-saucer coming in to land.
It had pulsating coloured lights. Mid-1990s. Any pics around?

Here's some pics of the tower & surronding areas through the 60/70/80's

enjoy

Are these all your own photos? They are brilliant! Many thanks:PDT_Piratz_26:

PS Are you John Bythell? I saw the name on one of the pics. If so, I've been a long admirer of your website.
http://www.sjsfiles.btinternet.co.uk/start.htm

^^As Dave said^^ Great pics

Now now Dave and Philip - kiss (well shake hands) and make up. You are both legends to me and only having just joined in this forum in the last few weeks there's so much to catch up on and I hope to contribute with more photos too. You can see where I used to live on those Lettercards of Phils too.

Are these all your own photos? They are brilliant! Many thanks:PDT_Piratz_26:

The first photo is one that I put in the gallery somewhere. My hand writing is on it .. Cases st.
I have the photo here at home. :)

As a kid, back in the seventies, I used to regularly visit the observation tower cafe. Me and my mates would go up in the lift and when we got to the top, we'd run around and around the cafe and then get in the lift back down. Now I don't know whether it was due to the altitude up there, but when we got out at the ground level we'd be wobblin' all over the place like we were drunk.
I'll check to see if I have any photos from them days.

Peej

PS: Scouserdave, I can't view any of your pics!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2393097674_21c7011ba7_o.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2393097674_21c7011ba7_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2393048854_115cc50649_o.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2393048854_115cc50649_o.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2269161254_e2460c8b33_o.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2269161254_e2460c8b33_o.jpg)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/299492321_d1b45fb6db_b.jpg (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/299492321_d1b45fb6db_b.jpg)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/128973370_dfd01156fa_o.jpg (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/128973370_dfd01156fa_o.jpg)

the close up with the wind farm in the back ground is boss! :handclap:

cheers, its taken from the top of the cathedral.

Here's a picture i did a few years back. It now hangs in Radio City's reception.
Well I think it does? I've never actually seen it in situ' . . .

Mikey

http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs8/f/2005/279/2/0/St_Johns_Beacon.jpg

how cool is that?!!!

i was surprised when i scrolled down!

Crackin' Mikeysart. :handclap:

cool pics :handclap:

Forget now why they closed it down(IRA Threat?)never got to go up there
but it would be the dogs ..... to have a meal up there,do they intend to reopen it?edwardo

It was HSE after the fire. You can still go up there by appointment but the only meal will be if you bring a mars bar with you.

I went up there a few times as a "treat" off me mum.
It was amazing when the floor revolved.
:PDT_Piratz_26:

It was broke that day John - had you been on the wacky backy :)

It was broke that day John - had you been on the wacky backy :)

Not at that age I wasn't.Trust you:handclap: