Stop the Rot Chicken Pox
The Echo has run few more successful campaigns than Stop the Rot. Stop the Rot was the brainchild of my predecessor Mark Dickinson and aims to protect, renovate and resurrect Liverpool's wonderful buildings that have fallen into neglect and dereliction.
There have been notable successes, but with 2008 (the deadline) looming there are still 18 properties on the 'hit list'.
The Stop the Rot Forum brings together property owners, preferred developers, the local authority and interested organisations and agencies. Round a table we debate the current state and status of each building in turn.
The meetings are chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones. Bishop James carries enormous authority and commands widespread respect. He is the perfect chair and much of what Stoprot has achieved is down to his management style and quiet persistence and insistence that progress must be made.
Yesterday, the Bishop fell ill and I was thrust into the breach as Forum chair. It was an excellent meeting, with genuine compromise on all sides and an urgency and willingness to forge ahead that was both refreshing and necessary.
The meeting ended with a suggestion that Stoprot be continued beyond 2008. It is something we will consider. This is a campaign that has touched a nerve with the readers of the Echo and appears to be making a genuine difference to the city.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/campaigns/stoptherot/
Well done to all concerned - and a special well done to Echo Stoprot retporter Catherine Jones. Her drive and determination allied to her natural organisational skills have made Stoprot the success it is. The Echo - and Liverpool - owes her a great deal. As journalists we enter our profession believing we can make a difference. Some succeed many fail - though they can still enjoy worthwhile and pleasant careers. Catherine has succeeded.
Are there buildings you think need our attention?
Morgan has chicken pox. everyone says it's better to get it at four years old than 14 years old, but the little mite is covered in sports and feeling a little bit sorry for herself.
She's off school of course, and Lynne goes into hospital this week for steroid treatment for her MS.
Massive work-home juggling act to perform.
