Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Middle-earth comes to Southport: Introduction & Hub


“Eärendil was a mariner 
that tarried in Arvernien; 
he built a boat of timber felled 
in Nimbrethil to journey in; 
her sails he wove of silver fair, 
of silver were her lanterns made, 
her prow he fashioned like a swan, 
and light upon her banners laid.”

-- Bilbo's recital in Rivendell
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings:
Fellowship of the Ring
(Book Two, Chapter 1: Many Meetings)

🧙 Middle-earth comes to Southport: A personal connection

My family moved to Southport (from Thelwall, Warrington) when I was aged about four on the advice of doctors that the sea air there would be better for me (I was poorly as a child supposedly). When my parents were house viewing, I apparently fell into the pond at the house we eventually moved to, close to Hesketh Park. Fortunately there was no Watcher in the Water or the floating (un)dead in there to entrap me!

I've been a Tolkien fan for over forty years now, that journey started from copies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings borrowed from my older brother Paul. At the same time we had Middle-earth Roleplaying game (MERP by Iron Crown Enterprises), the Commodore 64 "The Hobbit" game (Published by Melbourne House in 1982) and Ralph Bakshi's film adaption of The Lord of the Rings. We sadly lost Paul in late 2019, and I've continued to remember him (and honour his memory) in my outreach and support of the Tolkien and gaming communities as well as in my love of J.R.R. Tolkien's works and world, kindled so many years ago by my brother.

It feels we've come full circle now that the travelling exhibition of "The Magic of Middle-earth" has arrived in Southport. My love of Tolkien's works and world began as a young boy living in Southport, now as an adult that world has come to town. Over several blog posts I'll be providing information (and a review) of the exhibition itself and associated events run by the Atkinson and others as well as looking at 

🧙 What is "The Magic of Middle-earth" exhibition?

The exhibition consists of curator Matt Smith's personal collection of Tolkien memorabilia with a wide range of items: from rare books, collectables and toys, to paintings and more. 

The exhibition has been touring for a number of years. Previous locations include:

And now the exhibition travels to Southport!


A smiling Gollum from the Lord of the Rings Post Box topper in Banks (north of Southport)
created by the Southport Hookers. See the link below for more information.

🧙 Middle-earth comes to Southport: The HUB 🐉

This page forms a hub for a series of connected blog posts about the "Magic of Middle-earth" exhibition and also related news, events and other things. This is a living document so will be edited and added to in the upcoming weeks and future. 

✍ Current version: 001 (Published 9 July 2025)

** Blog posts below coming soon **

📜 A wanderer's guide to Southport (and how not to get lost)
📜 "Magic of Middle-earth" at the Atkinson review
📜 The Southport Tolkien Trail
📜 The Lord of the Rings post box topper in Banks, Lancashire
📜 "The Legend of Rooney's Ring" at the Royal Court Liverpool
📜 The Rangers of the North - an introduction to the local Tolkien Society Smial
📜 Tolkien and the North West of England

The exhibition is on from Saturday 21th June to Saturday 27th September 2025. The Atkinson is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. You can find out more here.

📆 Upcoming events

⭕ Friday 18th July to Saturday 23rd August 2025 💬 Performance: "The Legend of Rooney's Ring" at Royal Court Liverpool. Matinee and evening performances. Book here. 

⭕ Monday 28th July 2025 @ 7-8pm 💬 Evening Talk: "Tolkien and the changes of Times" by Professor Giuseppe Pezzini. Booking information here.

⭕ Saturday 20th September 💬 Event: Hobbit Day celebration. To be announced.

More information soon!
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