Two in the end dry days on the run? Sky maybe not broken then? I set off with my camera for another wander around. No random bus to North Liverpool this time, in fact Sarah gives me a lift into town, where Dig Vinyl in Bold Street is seriously investigated.
Not one of Bold Street’s more celebrated independents, perhaps, but much liked by me anyway.
When I used to make films this late afternoon light where the descending sun shines brightly behind you was always perfect for filming outdoor scenes and places. You’d only get an hour or so of it before dusk would set. So every moment would be valuable.
When the gardens here were St James’ Cemetery this was its chapel. So it much pre-dates the Cathedral. Which in this perfect light is as great a piece of art as Liverpool possesses. Look.
A word about the title of this piece. A pedant might point out that we’re not technically in Liverpool 8 yet, and that’s true. But as I’ve pointed out on here before, my particular Liverpool 8 has always begun as soon as you start climbing the hill out of town, the Mount Pleasant, so there.
Apparently the long empty terrace on the left there is about to be restored at long last. Not sure who by though?
One of the first jobs I was involved in when I started working at Liverpool Housing Trust in the mid 1970s.
That’s, left to right, Joe Farrag, Tom Calderbank, Tracey Gore and Sandi Hughes.
I can’t guarantee that Joe and Bob will be there to greet you, but it’s a beautiful exhibition of the many peoples of Liverpool 8, so do call in and have a look.
A friend from Granby, Michael, is walking towards me here. And he will tell me another friend, Xanthe, has had her baby girl. Sooner than expected but both are doing well. Good news.
You didn’t suppose for a minute I’d walk on by did you? Joe Farrag lives along here on Beaconsfield Street and is part of the group of us who’ve worked together as Granby 4 Streets these last few years.
Just external decorating to do. Oh and United Utilities to connect the water supply? Any chance?
Where you can just see the blue and red pigeons there above the door. These are ‘Art’ from a couple of Biennials ago. And Joe Farrag, who you met earlier in this post, puts them in parts of Liverpool 8 where they will bring luck and good fortune. Or that’s his story, though it’s working very well in Granby!
This is where Tracey Gore, who you also met earlier works. Tracey and the team here are the managing agents for Granby 4 Streets. Handling all our lettings, repairs and housing management. We couldn’t do what we’re doing without them. ‘Homes and Communities without Racism’.
So two walks in two days, wandering round my beloved place. Maybe another one tomorrow?
Some nice photos there,Ronnie. I’ve seen that guy with the little yellow lambanana around town quite a few times in the past – it always seemed a bit odd/eccentric yet fun at the same time. Now I know who it is. I guess it’s like having a pet with no mess.
Having been brought up in L8 shallot st & now living in Canada this just wonderful,im back in the pool every sept &always take a walk around the old district,so nice to see the good work taking place
Wonderful to see the places of my childhood, from birth in Sefton General I lived in Shallot St. until 1961 when we left and moved to Runcorn, preceding many more who were moved there many years later. I wonder in which house James Roughly lived, and what years, I don’t immediately recognise the name. Happy years spent at St. Silas Infant School as well, with teachers who spring to mind like Miss McNutt, Mr Roberts, Headmistress Mrs. Collins.
Steve Peel
Hi Steve,
Only just seen your 2017 post, I’ve been researching my family who lived in Shallot Street L8 and wondered if you knew them, as an 8 year old I visited the Street & Princess Park.
The Cooks lived at No 26, Ambrose Cook was my granddad, two of his children were my dad, Jack and his younger sister Dolly, who I think lived on the Street corner with North Hill Street…
Would be grateful for any information about my family.
John Cook
Comment on the L8 sculpture received from Joe Farrag:
Hi Ronnie
Hope all is Ok mate, just a comment about the mention you give about the 8 Stature we commissioned on the Avenue. I was reading it recently and noticed that you mentioned that it was dedicated to those who died in WW1/WW2. Although they are obviously included could I just post my comment regarding it’s purpose etc. ‘The artwork symbolises the spirt and journeys of the people of the area. This is a special piece of work that everyone will relate to, many of our ancestors arrived in Liverpool by sea and the links of the 8 reflect this’