What an absolute whirlwind of a Friday in Anfield!
With our special exhibition at Homebaked—the legendary community-run bakery—nearing its final curtain call, I spent the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere and hosting a print sale. I want to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to both the Homebaked team and the Everton Library Trust for hosting such a memorable showcase. Huge credit goes to Polly Mosley, Rich, and Ange, who did an outstanding job bringing the whole exhibition to life.
It was also a true pleasure to meet Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, who dropped by to show her support!
Pints & Page-Turners at The Arkles
In between events, we ducked into The Arkles—the ultimate iconic match-day pub on Anfield Road. You couldn’t ask for better company: I was joined by Saul Leslie, author of A Working Title, I Want To Change (a brilliant read that dives into the dizzyingly over-lit world of austerity Britain, pulling back the curtain on consumerism’s rituals with equal parts comedy and menace). We were also joined by journalist Jack Aldane for a pint and a proper catch-up.
Film Magic in the Spin Cycle: Kitty’s Laundrette
As evening rolled around, we headed over to Kitty’s Laundrette, another amazing community-run space, for a screening night hosted by the Anfield People’s Cinema (a massive shoutout to Anthony, Josh, and Tony for organizing!).
Having a film screening in a working laundrette was a complete first for me—the warm scent of soap powder greeting the audience as they walked through the door set the ultimate cozy, immersive vibe!
I shared a selection of short films that mirror and overlap with the narratives in Anfield Road, and it was a total blast unpacking those connections with the crowd.
The Reel Lineup:
Showreel – dir. Chris Shepherd
Our Day Out (Trailer) – dir. Pedr James (1974)
Safari – dir. Chris Shepherd (1989)
Bad Night For The Blues – dir. Chris Shepherd (2010)
The Ringer – dir. Chris Shepherd (2013)
Holly Johnson: In and Out of Love – dir. Chris Shepherd (2014)
Grace Petrie: Rise – dir. Chris Shepherd & Rod Main (2012)
To top off an already unforgettable night, Anthony’s mum, Donna, whipped up some incredible, soul-warming pans of traditional Scouse, while Polly and Rich kept everyone sweet with homemade puddings. The room was buzzing with great energy, packed with old friends and fresh faces alike.
Get Your Copy of Anfield Road
There’s some more copies in Homebaked. Want to dive into the story yourself or pick up a copy of the graphic novel? Check out all the available options here!
