Andrea Dowling on Liverpool
I love my city, it has so much to offer and so much more than just the Beatles. Its 800 years old this year and its history is fascinating, and not just our dark history like the Slave Trade, which is a blot on our humanity.
It used to have a small pool running right through it and its own beach and lots of sand. Then as things progress it changed dramatically.
Massive Tall Ships came sailing down the blue ribbon of the Mersey, she was as clear as crystal then. The ships where wooden in structure and had huge white sails. Many a Naval Officer set out to sea from Liverpool, including the very famous William McMaster Murdoch First Officer of the Titanic.
Which brings us to that beautiful stripy sandstone building on the Dock Road, facing the magnificent Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building. That is where White Star started its journey in that humble building that now stands waiting for someone to buy it and turn it into flats.
Liverpool was formed, developed and enriched by the Shipping Industry. It lived and breathed and pumped the heart of our City. My Grand father used to go down to the Docks every morning, very early to see if he could get work on a ship. If he couldn't he had to sign on at the dole office so that he could take food home to his wife and her many children.
The one thing I love about Liverpool is that so many historic buildings have been restored to their finer glory. St Georges Hall, our Museums, our Docks have been salvaged like old wrecked ships and brought back to their finer days.
Yet that's not all that Liverpool has to offer, that makes my home so unique, so rich in beauty. Its the people of Liverpool, the native scouser's the people who where either born and bred here or arrived from Ireland and made Liverpool their home. Through every hardship that Liverpool has thrown at these wonderful people, they always manage to smile. To band together in sorrow and tears, to unite as one as a public voice for the people who have been hurt in tragedy.
I saw it in peoples hearts and smiles and the team colours and the songs of Football Fans when we lost so many people in the Hillsborough tragedy. Liverton and Everpool they sang, and tears made the river rise up higher.
When little Jamie lost his life once again the City came together as a family. All supporting Jamies family. This summer they did it again, they united once more in grief. First we tied up yellow ribbons for the safe return of Madeline McCann and then we wore purple ribbons in memory and honour of Rhys Jones.
That's what is unique about my home, that's what makes me proud to say I live in Liverpool. Hearts as Golden as the Setting Sun on the Anglican Cathedral. Heads held high as Paddy's Wigwams Crown which you can see from Prescot Town.
God Bless Liverpool and all who sail to her and live under the protective wings of our Liver Birds, each one of us makes this City what it is a pool of life.
Andrea Dowling writes about Liverpool City.
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