Wedding Venue Knockaloe Bar & Restaurant

A recent wedding venue was at the OC Knockaloe Bar & Restaurant, formerly The Octel Sports & Social Club. Bridle Road, Bromborough. Not just a carvery and restaurant but function rooms have been refurbished to cater for wedding functions with attention to detail. Whether for all day or just evening receptions, Charlie the friendly daughter of Dave Anderson, owner & proprietor of the OC, is also a wedding co-ordinator and her experience and expertise in such events makes the day go smoothly not only for the bride and groom but also for others such as ourselves as photographers.

A decking area leads down to a grassy lawn - ideal for group and aerial shots. The function room easily held the wedding party of 50, capacity can be much more than this. It was beautifully decked out with table settings and covered chairs and in the evening coloured dimmer lights added to the ambience. A raised stage at one end is both ideal for DJ's, bands and photographers for overall room shots. Each time the room was checked personally by the Bride and Groom and we could also come in and record the scene.

Not only were we kept informed of timing of events we were need to photograph but we were also looked after with a delicious meal from the carvery as the bridal party were being served their desert. Staff were most friendly and helpful, thank you all so much! We hope they will be pleased with the pictures we have taken of the venue for them - they asked if they could purchase some - they will be placed on our web gallery for perusal shortly at photoboxgallery.com/pixsmiths

We are delighted to recommend wedding functions at the Knockaloe Bar and Restaurant.

Port Sunlight Weddings

Two weddings coming up - one this weekend and another early October, both in the delightful setting of the model workers village of Port Sunlight, the creation of William Hesketh Lever.
Differing styles, but both we are looking forward to very much.

This weekend its Kev and Elaine's special day with marriage ceremony at the popular Christ Church in Port Sunlight (3 weddings that day as usual during the summer Saturdays) followed by a reception with a Liverpool theme as they are keen Liverpool FC supporters - guess the colour scheme! The beautiful church is a Grade 2 listed building of red sandstone. The square tower houses a peal of 8 bells - the only United Reformed church in the country to do so.
The length of the church is 151 feet - and the photographer has to stand at the back (tripod and long fast lens will be the order of the day) but makes for some lovely photos with its leading floor tiles and beautiful stained glass windows.

The second is a hotel, civil ceremony, wedding for Michael and his Swedish bride Anneli at the art deco Leverhulme hotel. Evening do complete with Elvis impersonator so that should be fun.

The village of Port Sunlight is beautiful with its different styles of architecture and scenic locations of the Dell and fountain in front of the art gallery. Its a pity that mindless idiots vandalised the Hillsborough memorial as that was a favoured photo spot for our Liverpool fans.
Still plenty of photo opportunities and we look foward to the events.

Softly Softly Scenic Scladming

Just recently come back from an 11 day break hiking around the Dachstein in the Styria region of Austria. It was a fantastic break, some hard walks up and down hills but the views and apple strudels at the alpine huts were ample reward - actually, probably too much and undid all the good the walking had done!

We based ourselves in Schladming a former silver mining town but know well known in the sporting calendar for ski-ing, mountain biking and downhill golf. It has a pedestrianised centre with good selection of shops and cafes. They even have their own local brewery - Scladminger beer.

Since 2007 the area has a free summer card for guests staying more than 3 days in participating hotels. An incentive to draw in summer visitors , the card gives free access to hiking buses, gondolas, chairlifts, museums, swimming pools and bathing lakes....the list goes on. A whole host of activities for families too, from baking bread on a farm to guided glacier hikes, even childcare facilities. Can save a load of spending money.

Walking is mainly at intermediate to hard level with panorama loops for easier walks. The summer card enabled us to enjoy some wonderful walks up one valley, hiking over the top and dropping down to another valley where a hiking bus could be caught back to base. A great system. Best of all Schladming is still unspoilt , their approach to tourism is softly, softly. people come to enjoy the nature and sports, not to indulge is tacky touristic shops and long may it continue...so perhaps I'd better not shout too loud about its virtues....