"The magic of Liverpool is that it isn't England. We are global and we have learned to tolerate and respect each other's traditions. As such, we are a national asset"
- Margaret Simey, quoted on the website of Downtown Liverpool, 'Liverpool's Independent Urban Think Tank'. Found whilst trawling around following leads in preparation for the Iona Community day I'm planning in October on the theme of urban renewal through cultural regeneration, possibly titled Cultural Capital - inclusive or exclusive?. There's an astonishing amount of stuff going on, online and on the ground, from the new offices of RENEW, 'the Northwest's Regeneration Centre of Excellence' to city tours during June's Architecture Week.
In October we'll be starting our day with one or two guided walks - providing plenty of raw material in a rapidly-changing city. Some things remain wonderfully the same, however, as documented by the brilliant Roger McGough:
Lippy loose-limbed liberatingly lyrical Irreverent inspired je ne sais quoi Vibrant Visionary with a capital V Edgy eccentric essentially europhile Racy restless raw rock 'n' roller Pacy passionate positively pop Obsessive optimistic on the go Off the wall outlandish ee aye addio Legendary life-giving life-loving Liverpool
john davies
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