Mainly pictures in this post, to encourage you to go to the second day of the Walton Festival, today, Sunday 17th July. The first time this has run since the early 1990s and pulled together by local people and independent local businesses.
I get off the 68 in County Road.
Close to Everton’s ground.
Passing some of the local businesses who are supporting the Festival.
And the closed library that’s supposed to be open on a Saturday.
Perhaps someone from Liverpool Libraries could tell me why?
Through the lovely church yard.
And across to Walton Hall Park.
As I arrive the rain is only just holding off. In fact it doesn’t rain all the rest of the day.
One of the other organisations who’ve helped.
Here’s Terry May, Coming Home board member and one of the main organisers of today.
Think I’ll find some more friends in here.
Nicola Higham of Beautiful Ideas and on Radio Control for today. Well done Nic!
Danny and Rachel.
Another Beautiful Idea.
Also Rachel!
Trading steadily all day. Well done all.
I’m from round here and when I was young there was always a ‘Pet’s Corner’ in Walton Hall Park.
And for these two days it’s back.
Together with birds of prey.
And donkey rides.
The whole field is packed with activities.
I’ve never seen fencing up close before.
There’s a tractor train for getting around.
The Lord Mayor Roz Gladden is here, together with Councillor Roy Gladden and the Junior Mayor.
We’re even getting some sunshine now.
Bringing with it an enormous sense of well being.
And some very happy organisers, I can tell you. There are thousands of people here now, so the Walton Festival is back and its working.
Well worth drumming and singing about!
Nearly time for something special.
Explanations of what will happen are made.
“The parachutists can only jump from a minimum of 2,500 feet, and from there they have to see the ground before they can jump. So today it looks as though the plane will need to circle around for a while before we get enough of a gap in the clouds.”
All eyes are on any passing patch of blue.
Preparations are made in the landing area.
Meanwhile Nicola talks with Radio Merseyside.
Then it happens, the lowest possible parachute jump, that I now know is called a ‘pop and pull’ – just watch.
I didn’t know you could do this.
And they’re down.
Perfectly done.
Now as afternoon turns to early evening there is perfect summer peace all over the lovely park.
The Walton Festival 2016.
On my way out, though, one more treat:
The choir sing?
‘Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious’
Well done!
Now the Walton Festival is going to sleep for the night.
But it returns today, Sunday 17th July 2016 from 12:00. Then, no doubt next year. The Walton Festival is back now!
After this it’s the bus into town for Brazilica. But that’s a whole other blog post.
Re your comment about the library, can I ask what time you went past. I work in the library and the opening hours are 10-4 on Saturday. Unfortunately that particular day they had to close for lunch 1-2, this isn’t a regular occurance.
It was about 1:00. Very disappointing to see.
just one of those things unfortunately, we only find out on the day if we have to close, due to staff sickness. But at least you know now!
A notice explaining that would have been polite. Also, having the roller shutters pulled down made it look awfully like you weren’t going to be open the rest of the day. Very poor public service.