July 2023.
A serious GBG completist with an hour to spare on the Wirral would have headed straight back from the James Atherton to New Brighton station, changed trains in Birkenhead, and headed down to New Ferry for another tick.
But when you’ve actually completed the Guide you’re free to do things you enjoy, like strolling along New Brighton prom in the sun and admiring the Art Deco legacy.
With craft bars and controversial art in Victoria Road, it feels a bit like Crosby with amusement arcades and kiddie rides, with the bonus of ACTUAL pop stars playing at the Pavilion.
That’s the ACTUAL Paul Young and John Lyndon, not some tribute act, though whether they’re singing or giving gardening tips is hard to say.
The highlight is the trendy sea shanty mob.
The lowlight of New Brighton is the loss of their Spoons since my last visit, but there’s a Hungry Horse, and chips, and a lot of families have made the 22 minute trip from James Street to soak up the sun and admire Bootle from across the Mersey.
Seriously. It’s lovely. And clean and jolly.
With a gorgeous sandy beach where children play on the ruins of pirate ships and say “look dad, a jellyfish!”.
Further along the path, you get a first view to the Three Graces and, more importantly, up a little cobbled lane lies some of the best Bass in the country.
Let’s go there now
retiredmartin 
Kind of amazing how many beautiful beach areas there are in fairly urban areas in England. Really pretty photos.
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Dave,
Yes, and I’ve often walked along the shoreline of the Thames at low tide, tranquillity for a while just yards away from the hustle and bustle of central London.
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That poster looks like a pub quiz “Dead or Alive?” round 😉
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😄
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It’s seventy years now since Joan Collins played Stella Jarvis in Turn the Key Softly.
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A bit embarrassing the poster has Elkie Brooks name spelt wrongly.
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You’ve reminded me of the lovely smell from Elkse’s biscuit factory in Uttoxeter on Monday.
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Obviously a tribute !
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Yes, the Dove Valley biscuit factory opened in 1928, a year before Buntings Brewery was taken over by Parkers of Burslem. It introduced Malted Milk biscuits, the ones with the cow on, and now bakes 30,000 tons of biscuits a year ( 82 tons a day ) yet many people only know Uttoxeter for JCB excavators.
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If I can get the next post out there’ll be another JCB reference, Paul…
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Can you still buy those malted milk biscuits?
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I feel ever more humbled.
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Yes, but gone are the Choc-O-Doodle biscuits, 3d each at playtime sixty years ago, and the big London Assorted tins.
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