Edward Chambre Hardman. 59 Rodney Street-The Truth-PART ONE.

Are The National Trust Liar's?

PART ONE

I noticed a poster tagged on the park gates of Reynolds Park in Church Road Woolton. It said that there was a talk taking place courtesy of The Woolton Society at St Marys Parish Hall.

 It was about Edward Chambre Hardman and The Hardman House in 59 Rodney Street. 

By Roy Wainwright of The National Trust.

Interesting I thought. 

There is a subject I know something about.

I wasn't doing anything else. 

It was a sunny summer evening, that I walked into the church hall and took my seat.

The speaker preparing his power point seemed to stop and notice me.

I recognized him.

He was the one that came over and asked if he could shake my hand. Thanking me.

 This was a wet Saturday afternoon.

I had been invited to meet the top brass. Of The Ark Royal. The Royal Navy were docked in Liverpool for the weekend. The Captain was being presented with a print of the famous photograph showing the construction of the famous aircraft carrier. By Edward Chambre Hardman.

The National Trust awarded the framed print but it was organised by Peter Elson of The Liverpool Daily Post.

“I love working here” the bloke said “And I have to thank you for all the work that you did helping save this house and the Chambre Hardman archive”. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, I go out doing talks now. I love it.”

I remember it well because I had been touched at the time.

Little things like that make the hundred hours working on a heritage project seem worth it.

The house had been doomed to be sold off, when I had became involved.

So I sat there one sunny summer evening in Woolton feeling proud.

There are now books about his work. All could see the photographs of Edward Chambre Hardman.

Though many of his photographs had not been cataloged yet.

Listening to the talk about his life and his work. It had been worth it.

It was enjoyable enough.

Questions were taken at the end of his talk. 

I decided to sit on my hands and a few were answered.

Then one lady asked.

“Wasn't there a bit of controversy in the papers about it all, wasn't it going to be closed?”

“Errr no” he said scuffing on quickly to another question.

What!

I nearly fell off my chair. I was about to stand up and put the matter straight.

The little fibber didn't look at me he just stood there in barefaced cheek.

With his pants on fire.

I had taped the whole talk. What a diabolical two faced joker I thought.

I am not having that.

Then I thought.

Did you do it for recognition, Wayne?

No I thought. It was something I just couldn't let go. I did it because I could.

I had made it my life for a while. 

I was successful. I know what I did.

They had written The Friends of Chambre Hardman out of his history despite the

 National Trust thanking us profusely at the time.

Diabolical bad manners, that.

I thought I would have a quiet word with him.

Then I thought. Y'know, I don't even want to acknowledge or talk to the balloon.

I walked away.

So with that. I decided to put the matter straight and post a few of the headlines I created.

So all can see what little ungrateful fibbers the National Trust are.

Part II to follow shortly.