About the

eBook and Website

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Comments and opinions are included within this eBook and website are made by people other than the Author. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Author and the Author cannot be held responsible for any disputes caused by comments included within these eBooks. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided, the Author does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specific people or organizations are unintentional. These eBooks provide links to websites which may possess their own set of policies about what information is appropriate for public access. The Author cannot be held responsible for information or contents located at these sites. Information contained within these eBooks is provided solely for the reader's information and, while thought to be accurate, is provided strictly "as is" and without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The Author will not be liable to the readers for any damages, direct or indirect, arising out of use of information provided within these eBooks, or information provided at any website that can be accessed from these eBooks. Proceeding beyond this page acknowledges acceptance of this disclaimer.

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Introduction

The Diarama Website is still under construction and I will apologise beforehand for any disappointment if a required section is not yet completed. It is an informative site dedicated to some of the subjects that are close to my heart... namely, Wirral's Local History and Photography and other "anorak" stuff. Another subject close to my heart is canal and inland waterway cruising but this is covered in Diarama's sister website "Canalscape" at http://www.canalscape.net. As well as chapters on the Local History of the Wirral Peninsula "Diarama" contains "Wheels and Props" illustrating my favourites from the world of transport, a brief history of Audio & Hi-Fi sound, Diarama Photography, "Flying Bridges"... the history of the Transporter Bridge plus... something completely different in the shape of a children's novel that I have written entitled "Half Term Adventure". The site has hyperlinks to many of the internet locations and manufacturers of products mentioned as well as to the previously mentioned Canalscape website and any others that may be of interest. Please feel free to use these links to obtain more information on places or products as necessary and pass them on to other interested parties. There is also a hyperlink to e-mail me if you wish to make any observations or suggestions. But first... a little about me written by my friend and colleague... Simon Wilson!

About the Author

Cyril J Wood has had an active interest in local history since being at school and photography when introduced to it by his brother James M Wood. He is also interested in various forms of transport (including railways, canals and inland waterways, cars ships and aircraft).

In action with his Fuji Finepix S9600

A screenshot of Cyril J Wood being interviewed by John Craven on the Manchester Ship Canal for BBC TV's "Countryfile" TV programme

(Courtesy - BBC TV)

Cyril is a qualified photographer and lecturer in photography. As well as being a prolific photographer and producing audio/visual presentations, to date he has had two books published… “The Duke’s Cut - The Bridgewater Canal” (first and second editions) and ”The Big Ditch - Manchester's Ship Canal” (first, second and now... third editions) both published by The History Press (formally Tempus Publishing). In addition to these two works... "Mersey Connections - Navigable Waterways Connected to the River Mersey" is currently in preparation. For more information about these publications visit Cyril J Wood's Author's Page at Amazon.co.uk. Cyril has also written "Photography in One" - an eBook covering the Theory, History and Practical aspects of analogue and digital photography, "Wyre Heal - A Local History of the Wirral Peninsula", "From Navy League to Wirral Met" - The History of Wirral Metropolitan College and its Campuses, a heptalogy entitled “Canalscape” documenting fifty years of canal cruising which also includes many additions such as "Don't Call It A Barge" and the History of Lymm Cruising Club, "Flying Bridges" - A Short History of the Transporter Bridge, "Steel Pins to MP3" - A Short History of Sound Recording and Reproduction, "Wonders of the World" - An eBook documenting the Planet's Wonders both natural and man-made, (all in eBook format), plus many articles for magazines on subjects ranging from photography, ciné & video, audio/visual and Wirral’s local history to canals and inland waterways. Many of his photographs have been featured in various forms of media as well.

"The Duke's Cut", "Canalscape", "The Big Ditch" and "Mersey Connections "front covers

Cyril has also had involvement with other forms of media as well as photography and the written word. He is Radio Merseyside’s canals and inland waterways correspondent and has been involved in many programmes for the station. He was also contacted by researchers from BBC’s television series “What The Industrial Revolution Did For Us” regarding locations for the episode that concentrated on canals and “The Duke’s Cut” was extensively used for research during the programme. He was also interviewed by John Craven on the BBC's "Countryfile" programme when they produced a feature on the Manchester Ship Canal. Most of the archive photographs used in the programme were from "The Big Ditch" as well as facts and other information contained within the book. The "Countryfile" feature was also repeated in "Country Tracks". More recently Cyril has been involved with the BBC Learning's "Webwise" series of Internet programmes where he was the subject of a film about photography, computers and the Manchester Ship Canal.

The Author being filmed at Warburton High Level Bridge for BBC Learning's "Webwise" project

(Photograph - Michelle Gilbody)

Simon Wilson

Colleague and Friend

If you would like to know more about my photographic experiences and equipment go to "Diarama Photography" or "Canalscape" for canals and inland waterways.

Now that the introductions are out of the way, I hope that you have as much pleasure looking at this Website as I have had producing it.