If there is anyone here from Liverpool (or North-West England), this may be for you...
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Liverpool has had it's bad times, but has seen somewhat of a resurgance in the past decade. Many people do not know the historical importance of Liverpool and the economy which flourished in the city. Liverpool once held the title 'Second City Of The Empire' (bear in mind the extend of British rule at that time, and the famous statement 'The sun never set on the Empire) and it shows. During the early 19th Century, 40% of the worlds trade passed through Liverpool .... That's 40% of all trade on the globe going through one relatively small place.
Everywhere you look, there are old buildings which tell the diverse story of the city, although many are passed by by locals and tourists alike who have no idea what went on before.
A great example is a building next to where I work. It's tucked away (although is huge) behind the town hall in the business district. It's an impressive building, but few people realise that from a basement room within the building was co-ordinated The Battle Of The Atlantic, and you can still go down and view the preserved War Room.
One of my colleagues great grand-dad's rushed home from work to tell his family and friends that he had just seen Winston Churchill walking with his head down near the Town Hall. Everyone mocked him and accused him of being a fantasist... of course... why would he be in Liverpool? It wasn't until a good time later that it was publicised that Churchill held his War Room in this tiny basement within the building, and the importance of that operation saved Britain from Nazi starvation.
I know I sound like I'm trying to sell the city, but it really does have a wealth of heritage. If anyone is local, why not combine your interest in photography with getting to know the city a little more?
Al
p.s. if for any reason any dpc'ers do ever decide to visit Liverpool... steer clear from The Beatle's tack and devote time to the history of the city which dwarfs the achievement of any musician(s). |