September 2008 Archives

Yesterday it was Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (whom I reminded I used to quote when she was just a lowly councillor on Redditch Borough Council!).
Now on Friday, former deputy PM John Prescott also pays a visit to Liverpool Cathedral, to take part in the QE2 farewell concert.
Prezza of course is a former Cunard steward.
He will accept the liner's 39ft 'paying off' pennant and formally present it to the Lord Mayor at the event.
But as one wag suggested the other day: "It's a shame there aren't two pennants. Then he could be "two flags" Prescott."
Try saying it to his face on Friday!!

It was back to church day this weekend - so I went, not once but twice.
Alas for the Church, both occasions - one at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday night and one at the Anglican yesterday - were work and not worship.
On Saturday I was among a capacity audience who enjoyed a stirring Verdi Requiem performed by almost 400 singers and the RLPO under the Petrenko baton.
And yesterday it was the National Police Memorial Day complete with Prince Charles and a ceremonial guard of 41 police horses.

Being just slightly too young (and growing up 100 miles away into the bargain) I never experienced the phenomenon that was Eric's.
But watching Mark Davies Markham's new musical about the club last night gave me a faux nostalgia for the feel of the place - and a damned good evening out into the bargain.
While the subject matter, battling leukaemia, may not sound a barrel of laughs, the fact the plotline was based on Mark's own fight which was ultimately successful made it an uplifting evening.
And then there were the hilarious and affectionately-drawn larger than life characters we around here know so well.

Pete Postlethwaite - are you feeling the love?
Not only is the Oscar-nominated actor's King Lear a sell out (and who knows how many people may be on a ticket waiting list) before it even opens.
But 'the Poss' can't set foot in Liverpool without people lavishing their attention and affection on him.
It's not unusual for people to shout their welcome and encouragement at him in the street.
But apparently one admirer came up to the 63-year-old and asked if she could hug him.
When he asked why, she replied: "Just because you're you."

Sculptors, wellwishers, friends and - rather strangely - a bagpiper were in attendance for the launch of the Arthur Dooley exhibition at the Academy of Arts last night.
I popped by before heading off to the Empire for a spot of Cabaret (which, incidently, was pretty damned good).
June Lornie and the Arthur Dooley archive have drawn together some terrific examples of his work. Tantalisingly (for me as I don't have the kind of deep pockets you need for this kind of thing) a couple of the sculptures are even for sale.
And there was a new sculpture there too - Tom Murphy's own tribute to Dooley in the form of an instantly-recognisable bust of the late sculptor.

How gorgeous is this weather?
I spent this afternoon buzzing around at the Hope Street Feast which was thronged with families and others all out having a good time in the warm sunshine.
It's all slightly vexing though as I've just packed away most of my summer clothes and now I'm having to spring them out again.
Still, after the summer we've had it would be churlish to grumble.
Added to which, put out the flags - it's Biennial time.

Heads were twitching last night as there were rumours of a very special guest making an appearance at the Empire Theatre.
But when I arrived it was a massive disappointment - no paps, no screaming fans, and no red carpet waiting for me!
Alas, I wasn't the very special guest at the centre of the rumour mill.
That was Mr Barry Manilow whose songs form the centre of this latest Mamma Mia-style musical from the stable of Bill Kenwright esq.
Apparently Bazza was in the country but had decided, inexplicably, to remain in London.

I'm still reeling from the Superlambanana auction on Tuesday night.
Even after having a day off to recover for that and the weekend of spider-related mayhem!
Credit crunch? Not in St George's Hall that's for sure, and thank goodness for that.
Andrew the Sutton Kersh auctioneer was confident they'd have "100% sale" but I wondered how even the deep pockets of the high rollers could sustain the spending over 68 lots.
Actually 69 if you include the late entry donated by Kenny Dalglish.

Poor old Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram.
He was like an excited small boy watching La Princess the giant spider at the weekend.
But I hear his enthusiasm got him into a spot of bother with the health and safety brigade and he got a smacked hand for sitting on the parapet on the town hall balcony.
He was obviously overcome by the laissez faire spirit of the spider's french creators whose approach to H&S issues was refreshingly relaxed.
Crowd control? Pourquoi? Hard hats? Pah!
It was just like the old days.
Just for the record and before I get a telling off myself...I don't actually condone Liverpool's first citizen dangling one foot over the edge.
But he's a grown man and sometimes we all have to take responsibility for our own actions, non?

Never mind a spider, I felt like a Beatle yesterday.
As the thousands thronged Castle Street to wait for the giant arachnid, I had a coveted vantage point on the balcony at Liverpool Town Hall.
And the scenes from the balcony were simply incredible - something I will remember for a very, very long time.