news desk

October 2008

Liverpool: World Waterfront City

Focusing on Liverpool's memorable waterfront

AS Liverpool continues to bask in a truly fabulous year as European Capital of Culture Cities500 has published a new photo essay book putting a modern perspective on the city's memorable waterfront whilst also embracing its historical legacy.

The lavish hard-back book - Liverpool: World Waterfront City - incorporates forewords by The Duke of Westminster, Lord Heseltine, who was Minister for Merseyside in the early 1980s, and Francesco Bandarin, Director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in Paris.

Mr Bandarin comments: 'We are proud to count Liverpool among the world's cultural heritage legacy. The city's outstanding universal value is embodied in its panoramic waterfront and other key architectural features, and is reflected in its historical contribution to the major mercantile systems throughout the British Commonwealth.'

The book has a panoramic spread of photographs by Guy Woodland, interspersed with a series of fascinating essays by individuals who work and live in Liverpool, or who have close links, telling of their passion and fascination for the river and the waterfront. (See Editors' Notes below for full list)

The 240 pages capture the evocative and atmospheric moods of the waterfront that is renowned the world over for its elegant trinity of buildings on the Pier Head.

Lord Heseltine comments: 'I have been associated with Liverpool for close on thirty years and am very proud of the title that was bestowed on me in the early 1980s as 'Minister for Merseyside'. Over the years I have come back many, many times and there is actually a part of me that will never leave this city.'

The book - edited by journalist and writer Lew Baxter - takes us on a much longer and fascinating visual journey that traces the river Mersey from downriver at Hale lighthouse and up to the radar station near Crosby beach, now famous for the Gormley statues. Along the way it paints a striking and panoramic kaleidoscope, taking in scenes and sights along the banks of the river from dawn to dusk and throughout the night, and also incorporates views of the Wirral waterfront.

The Mersey waterfront is one of the most memorable in the world, easily compared with Sydney, New York or Shanghai, its sister city in China. And throughout the 19th and 20th centuries it was the lifeblood of the city and defined its visual identity on a global scale. This stunning waterfront, whilst revelling in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is even more impressive in the 21st century as it takes on the mantle of a modern metropolis.

The Duke of Westminster observes: 'Liverpool is now most definitely a world waterfront city in every respect and I am delighted that Grosvenor has played a pivotal role in this revival. Liverpool has regained its international stature and has further enriched its reputation.'

And Phil Redmond says in his foreword: 'Liverpool is a place that is always anticipating the turn of the tide. Looking for the new idea that will sweep away the old and usher in the new. Ignore it and you will be ignored. Embrace it and you will be embraced, regardless of political hue.'

The book was launched by well-known Liverpool actress Eithne Browne aboard the brigantine Zebu in Liverpool's Albert Dock. Eithne starred in the smash hit Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels at the Royal Court Theatre and appeared in Dave Kirby's follow up, Lost Soul. She returned to the Royal Court as assistant director to Bob Eaton's fine revival of Willy Russell's Stags & Hens early in 2008. She was also Madame Pernelle in Roger McGough�s acclaimed adaptation of Moliere�s Tartuffe at the Liverpool Playhouse. She is appearing in Night Collar at the Royal Court in December 2008. She is well known as one of the 'voices' of the Mersey ferries.

PUBLICATION DETAILS:
Published October 2008 � ISBN 978-1-905547-07-4 - retail price �15.00
Available from late October in main bookshops: To purchase direct: There Today Couriers, email: info@theretoday.co.uk (tel: +44 (0) 151 666 1500), and online through Amazon.

EDITORS� NOTES:
Essayists include: Michael Brown, vice chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University; Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel; Frank Robotham, marketing director of the Peel Ports Group; Phil Redmond; Steve Burnett, chief executive of Royal Liver Group, Andrew Morris, director Rathbones; John Belchem, pro-vice chancellor the University of Liverpool and author/editor Liverpool 800; Mike McCartney; Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing and communications for the NWDA; Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce; Louise O�Brien, English Heritage; David Fleming, director National Museums Liverpool; Christoph Grunenberg, director Tate Liverpool; Peter Morton, director Mersey Waterfront; Kerry Brown, executive director Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership; Susan Hanley-Place, honorary chief executive, Mersey Heritage Trust and master of the brigantine Zebu; Steve Maddox, chief executive Wirral Borough Council; Andrew Harrison, associate editor of The Word magazine; Nick Earlam, chairman of Plexus Cotton; Peter Elson, senior feature writer Liverpool Daily Post; Judith Feather, organiser of the Mersey River Festival; Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision; Peter Grant, journalist and author; Cathy Roberts, master of the classic tug France-Hayhurst; Fred O�Brien, director Northern Design Unit; Zeng Zhi Gao, Liverpool restaurateur; Victor Ashley, developer; Stephen Broadbent, sculptor; Martin Clarke, former project director Pierhead canal project; and Tony Storey, writer, journalist and QE2 expert. There is also a special profile of Michael Heseltine.

Partners and supporters include: The Northwest Regional Development Agency, Liverpool John Moores University, Merseytravel, Rathbones, Phil Redmond, Royal Liver Group, the University of Liverpool, Ethel Austin Properties, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Mersey Docks & Harbour Company and Wirral Borough Council.

Photograph caption: Three girls in a boat - Cathy Roberts, master of the classic tug France-Hayhurst, Susan Hanley-Place, master of Zebu, who have both written essays in the book about their passion for the waterfront, and actress Eithne Browne aboard the brigantine in the Albert Dock.