He had a “top secret dinner” while in the city
Former US President Jimmy Carter shakes the hand of Tom Parry at Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant. December 1997(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Tributes have been paid around the world today to former US president Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100. Born James Earl Carter Jr, the Democrat served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981.
The former peanut farmer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who lived longer than any president in history, was also well-known for his humanitarian service. The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon, December 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, the BBC reports.
In a statement, his son, Chip Carter said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Many will remember Mr Carter famously visited Liverpool back in 1997 with his wife Rosalynn to speak at a World Health Organisation meeting on river blindness hosted by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In tribute, we’ve taken a look back at his time spent in the city 27 years ago.
A great humanitarian and founder of the Carter Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, in December that year Mr Carter was welcomed to the Town Hall by the head of the School, Professor David Molyneux. He later addressed a meeting of international delegates and met students at the School.
Former US president Jimmy Carter and Mrs Carter are greeted by professor David Molyneux at Liverpool Town Hall before the World Health Organization meeting at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, city centre(Image: TRINITY MIRROR COPYRIGHT/REACH CONTENT ARCHIVE)
While in the city, Mr Carter also dined at one of the city’s most popular restaurants at the time. An institution in Liverpool city centre for decades, many will remember heading to Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant, which was situated on the Old Ropery off Fenwick Street.
Carter was photographed meeting staff at the restaurant, including the chef at the time, Tom Parry, and dined with his wife, Debbie. On December 6, 1997, the ECHO reported: “It’s not every day that you get to meet a former US President – and it’s one that will stay etched on the memories of staff at a Liverpool restaurant.
“Jimmy Carter flew into Liverpool this week for an international conference. Staff at Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant in Fenwick Street were delighted to find that they had been picked as the venue for his top secret dinner.
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“Tight security surrounded the arrival of a man who was once the most powerful leader in the world. He arrived flanked by bodyguards but was soon chatting comfortably with proprietor John Burke, his wife Debbie and head chef Tom Parry.
“Mr Burke said: ‘He arrived with his wife Rosalynn but she was suffering from jet lag so she didn’t stay for the meal. We had been told not to use the phones to let anyone know he was coming and not to let the staff know.
“They knew someone important was coming but they didn’t know who’.” While at the restaurant, President Carter ate light, opting for vegetables in a curry sauce followed by feta cheese salad while his bodyguards went for the seafood pancakes.
Former US President Jimmy Carter shakes the hand of Tom Parry at Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant. December 1997(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Mr Burke added: “He was very pleased with his meal and wanted to speak to the head chef. We are really honoured to have had him here – it’s not everyday that you get an ex-President coming to Liverpool.”
A lost underground Liverpool pub also saw the former President of the United States stop by for a drink. Located at the heart of Liverpool’s business district, for years many would head to the Exchange Bar on Old Hall Street in Liverpool city centre for a pint after work or a bite to eat during their lunch break.
Sat opposite Moorfields Station, customers would head down a small flight of stairs to find a large bar and wooden tables along the burgundy carpet. In 2002, an ECHO column included a story of one of the venue’s most famous visitors, which we can assume was from the same 1997 visit.
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It reads: “The ale’s still good, the company’s grand and the relaxed ambience laced with lots of laughs thanks to the licensee Richie Owen and his vivacious bar manager Sandra Cliff from Walton. Garston-born Richie is used to such tales.
“The former Royal Signals man and later property developer – “I moved on to the Exchange nine years ago because I got fed up of standing in the mud during the winter” – claimed the pub’s friendly reputation goes before it and has brought at least one famous guest to its doors.
The former Exchange Bar in Old Hall Street, Liverpool city centre (Image: TRINITY MIRROR/REACH CONTENT ARCHIVE)
“A couple of years ago four burly men in shades barrelled in, asked if it was indeed The Exchange and did they have room for one more. And then in came Jimmy Carter,” said Richie proudly. “The four blokes were his secret service guard and while they sat and waited in the corners of the room he had a few whiskeys and had a great time talking to us and the regulars.
“Jimmy should have tried the Bass while he was at it. Richie claims that he serves the finest pint of Bass in Liverpool.”