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The Liverpool Tapestry:
People, Places and Passions
“
I’m afraid the blame for my friends and I joining the Tapestry
group must be laid at the feet of Elsie Watkins (project designer)!
Elsie is our dear friend, and we all went to Holly Lodge High
School together and renewed our friendship in 1989 at a reunion
I organised. This is why my themes reflect things to do with our
school days, such as the school hat.”
“
Wavertree Garden Suburb – or the Liverpool Garden Suburb as it
was originally called – celebrated its centenary in 2010. It was built as
a co-partnership housing scheme: the houses being owned neither
individually nor by a profit-seeking private landlord. Its intention was
quoted as “The object is to provide a residential suburb for the people
of Liverpool amid surroundings which are conducive to both health
and pleasure”. Its telegraphic address was ‘Antislum, Liverpool”.
The houses ranged in size from two to six bedrooms so catered for
all sizes of families and they all had front and back gardens of various
sizes. The idea of building a garden suburb here came from Henry
Vivian. He was a carpenter by background and an active trade unionist
who did not see why the ordinary working man should not share in the
profits of house ownership.
I spent my childhood in houses in Fieldway and Wavertree Nook Road,
moved away as an adult and then when I got married we bought this
house in Wavertree Nook Road. The houses are all different and I love
it here.”
Holly Lodge Hat
Designed and stitched by Linda Boden
Our House – Wavertree Nook Road –
Wavertree Garden Suburb
Designed and stitched by Sheilagh Birch