C O N T E X T 1 0 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 21 that was a recently invented term. In fact he thought there were four great buildings – if you included the Mersey tunnel ventilation tower, which stood behind the Port of Liverpool Building. Liverpool had the largest, most complete, dock system in the world, with cast-iron warehouses. This all contributed to the spirit of the place, John said.The docks had underpinned the economy. This had led to the building of St George’s Hall - the venue for the Friday day school - the cathedrals and the Georgian houses. Liverpool was not a provincial city, it was an imperial city. Disraeli had described Liverpool as ‘the second city of the Empire’. In the latter years of the 20th century Liverpool had lost half its population. It was as if the city was being closed down, John said, as part of some managed programme of decline. Now Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture for 2008. It was home to the £920 million Paradise Street regeneration scheme. The Kings Dock Arena was under construction on the waterfront. The construction of a new cruise liner terminal would begin soon and so would the construction a new Museum of Liverpool. This new museum would complement the existing museums in the group, like the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum. It would complement other Liverpool landmarks like the Albert Dock and the Canning Street area. John suggestedwe should forget Berlin and regenerate Liverpool – but carefully. He told the delegates that 2008 would be a catalyst, but much more. He implored us to ‘be invigorated by the value of heritage’. In fact we should all ‘go forth and conserve!’ The rabble were suitably roused and continued with the serious business of canapé eating, wine tasting and socialising. John had done a great job in welcoming everyone, setting the scene and whetting people’s appetites for what was to come. Keith Parsons Opening address Thursday evening reception IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007 The annual school began on the Thursday afternoon, as many of the delegates arrived and registered. A visit to the Conservation Centre had been organised for the early arrivals. The Conservation Centre, housed in a converted railway goods warehouse, is part of the National Museums Liverpool group. The centre organises tours of their conservation studios and educational facilities. The annual school proceedings began in earnest in the evening, with a welcome reception held in the Port of Liverpool Building, one of the three great Edwardian waterfront commercial buildings at the Pier Head. The Port of Liverpool Building is certainly impressive from the outside: a Portland stone building capped by a dome. Inside an octagonal atrium rises to the dome, with galleries running around it. Delegates could be seen staring upwards, craning their necks to admire the ornamentation and decoration. It is just as impressive inside, all ‘Edwardian baroque pomp and circumstance’, as John Yates says in his article. The building, built in 1907, was designed by Arnold Thornley. Listed Grade II*, it proved to be a fitting beginning to the school. Canapés and wine were served and the delegates were entertained by a folk duo called Salty Old Sea Dogs. The ice was soon broken and people were mingling freely. At about 7pm a football whistle blew. John Hinchliffe, world heritage site officer for Liverpool City Council, was grinning down from first floor balcony. As a member of the organising committee, he gave the welcome speech. John thanked the sponsors and welcomed the delegates. He explained how the theme of Capturing the Public Value of Heritage meant that the school would lead on from the previous year’s school in Plymouth. Liverpool was celebrating its 800th birthday: King John’s Charter was granted in 1307. In fact Birkenhead Priory was established over the river in around 1105, and it soon had a ferry crossing the river. But to where, John asked? What was here? In 1715 the world’s first commercial dock was constructed at Liverpool. The city was on a path to become a great world port. The ‘mighty Mersey’ has a 10-metre tidal range: hence the need for enclosed docks. George Dock had been infilled to create the Pier Head. The buildings here were called ‘the Pier Head Buildings’, not ‘theThree Graces’, John insisted: CouncillorWarren Bradley, leader, Liverpool City Council The Friday morning session, chaired by John Yates, opened with an opening address from Councillor Warren Bradley, the leader of Liverpool City Council. He warmly welcomed the delegates and gave us a brief overview of the city’s history and heritage. Little, if
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=