Riverside residents celebrate Liverpool Capital of Culture with street party

Residents of Riverside Housing in Harding Close, Everton, celebrated the Capital of Culture with their own street party after working hard to ‘Reclaim the Close’.

After improvements to their homes and street, residents felt that a party was well deserved and joined forces with the sheltered scheme in Thirlmere Court, run by ECHG (English Churches Housing Group) to celebrate the Capital of Culture.  

The residents' association successfully campaigned to get the street adopted and Riverside Housing modernised their homes with new windows, fencing, kitchens and bathrooms.

Mr Collins, chair of the residents' association, said: “It’s our Capital of Culture too and so we thought we’d have a party to celebrate how the Close has come back together.”

Originally planned for the 8th August 2008 (08/08/08), which fell on a Friday, two parties were held on Saturday 9th August for everyone in the Close and Thirlmere Court.  A children’s clown, party games and bouncy castle entertained the children from 2-6pm and in the evening the adults enjoyed the sounds of kareoke and The Pirrie Players, a local band.

Shirley Marshall, Scheme Manager, said: “Everyone has contributed to this party.  It’s amazing to see the residents’ commitment and creativity which has turned this Close around and we all hope the party won’t be a one off.

"It just goes to show the good things that happen when people are friendly to their neighbours.”  

Next door neighbours from Thirlmere Court and Harding Close have become good friends as together they organised bingo nights and jumble sales to raise money for the party.

Additional funds were provided from Riverside Housing, ECHG and LCVS (Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Service) alone contributed £1,400 on behalf of LCC.

A colourful set of wooden Superlambananas which were painted by children in the close were displayed for the party, making Harding Close and Thirlmere Court, Everton, truly part of the Capital of Culture.