Still quietly emerging from the shadows here, this Saturday I get up and the summer’s arrived. Not the ‘kids in wellies’ summer we’ve had to get used to these climate damaged days, but a real ‘hot town, summer in the city’ nostalgic kind of day where the shadows and shade are occasionally welcomed for a bit of cool.
I’m out all of the glorious day, in Granby and then down at the Pier Head.
On Granby Street the market’s just getting going as I arrive.
Pelloton already busy with bike fixing.
Friend and film maker Janet here with her family.
Janet asks me if I’ll publicise a film-making course she’s running? Happily, details below.
Labour Party friends Rachael and Ann O’Byrne arrive.
Ann is introduced to market organiser Joe Farrag’s grandson Carter.
Visiting Liverpool from Montreal.
Ducie Street, quiet in the sunshine, still waiting to go on site.
Theresa and Rebecca sorting stuff out.
A perfect day in Granby.
Next I’m off to the Pier Head.
Stopping on the way to look at this display on Princes Avenue.
Merseybeat wasn’t all white musicians.
Like our Paul here.
A truth quietly told.
Along glorious Percy Street.
Past the lovely cathedral.
Down to the Pier Head.
For ‘Liverpool Loves’ – a festival that celebrates here. Like Granby Street Market it’s very much ‘of the people, by the people, for the people.’
Hot town, summer in the city.
As you’d expect, there are dragons.
King Edward VII watches over things.
Slightly disdainfully?
I’m here with my friends.
Jennifer and Jayne.
Happy together.
We three are of course Coming Home Liverpool. Jayne jokes that our main activity so far has been to come to all the music festivals in Liverpool this summer. And a great pleasure this has been too! This coming week, though, we’re starting serious and joyous work with the City’s Empty Homes team sorting out the possible places where we’ll start work. We can’t wait.
Then it’s time for Katumba.
With the news full of Brazil and the Olympics it’s wonderful to have our own greatest drum band and the Viva Brasil dancers celebrating this hot day in our sunny city.
Well done Juliana.
Well done all of you.
Jayne and Jen stay on for the Tea Street Band. But I’ve been out since 10 this morning, so go happily home after a proper summer’s day.
(Or at least I think they’ve stayed for the Tea Street Band, but in fact they don’t. Because well before then the five toilets on the site – yes five, for probably a couple of thousand people – are well beyond disgusting. Something to sort out for next year Liverpool Loves?)
Janet Brandon, the film-maker who co-created ‘Without These Walls’ with Jayne Lawless is running an 11 week programme on Documentary Film Making from Thursday 29th September through the Workers’ Educational Association. Details and booking here, or phone 0151 243 5340.
Ah, Ronnie, that song! Love, love, love it. Have you heard the Joe Cocker version? Oh, now you’ve got me thinking about music, maybe play Delta Lady later… Seems I too am emerging from the shadows. Thanks, for sharing it.
The Pier Head is always sunny in my mind’s eye though I know it’s far from the truth! The first year we lived up here the Stranglers were on there free – we just walked up – didn’t know they were appearing. And then there was Gerry and the Pacemakers singing Ferry Cross the Mersey in the blazing sun as the ferry came in – plus Don’t let the Sun Catch you crying – which I have as a 45 – and of course, You’ll Never Walk Alone. What a place.
Sad that moving just a few stops further up the line means I come into Liverpool less… must make an effort. But then there is the big wheel a a little way along in the other direction at Funland – and the beaches and the birds… So much world to explore. And the black dogs always seem a bit less present when the sun shines. Fingers crossed.
Glad you’re emerging. And if I’ve helped I’m more than glad.
Haven’t heard Joe Cocker’s Summer in the City. But absolutely love Gerry’s Don’t let the sun catch you crying. When you come here next maybe we could go and sit together in the high wind that’s usually blowing in at the Pier Head!
Jerry’s Don’t let the sun and the smoking Hot Town summer in the city lyrics are more of my absolute favorites. Wish I could have been there to hear all of them in person. Thanks for the melodious memories and for the glimpses of sunshine seen in many well loved, though often melancholy, songs on both sides of the pond. Lovely photos, too, I would add.
Always a pleasure to follow your walks through camera
Lovely Ronnie! Summer sun makes you feel good doesn’t it? Glad the fog is lifting. Those shadow periods seem to hit for no reason at all and they are all enveloping. Lots of Vit D can only help! Don’t like to think of you incapacitated in any way. You’re my constant inspiration! All best wishes to you and the team for the start of ‘Coming Home’!xxx
Thanks for ‘constant inspiration’ Lindsay. Some deep thoughts, for me, can only happen on dark days, so I just have to go with them when they come. And not carry on as if everything’s fine.
And Coming Home is going really well, thanks for the good wishes xx