IN BRIEF
LIVERPOOL IS GETTING A NEW 7FT STATUE OF MUSIC LEGEND
AINSDALE-ON-SEA CONSULTATION
Bob Marley ’ s image and message of peace , love , and unity will be on full display in Liverpool in the form of a bronze statue .
The Positive Vibration Festival is set to display a 7ft tall statue of the reggae legend on September 9th for their grand return after a 2-year lockdown . The Liverpool festival will include artists such as Hollie Cook , Benjamin Zephaniah , and poet and performer Levi Tafari , who is of Jamaican descent .
A spokesperson for Positive Vibration said , “ Bob Marley is a cultural icon who is recognized and adored all around the world . More importantly , he is a symbol of peace , love , and unity- all of which are needed more than ever right now .”
The piece was commissioned to Andy Edwards known for his powerful work on not only the Beatle ’ s statue on the Liverpool ’ s waterfront , but the Mohammed Ali statue erected , similarly , in Liverpool ’ s Baltic Triangle .
Marley passed away at age 86 after a fateful battle with cancer for 3 years . His image , musical contributions , and anecdotes still send waves across the reggae industry and in the hearts of Jamaicans and all music lovers .
Edwards said , “ Peace is not having a lie down , it ’ s a fight . It ’ s not something static like a word on a T-shirt , it ’ s an action , an ongoing struggle . Every kind of peace throughout the world is under threat right now and we need our champions . We need Bob Marley and the power he summons at the centre of the ring again . We ’ re about to touch gloves with the toughest challenges humanity has ever face and there ’ s only one way to meet that , with love and in unit .”
Bob Marley fans will find his statue on Jamaica street opposite a massive mural of Liverpool FC ’ s Jurgen Klopp . The entire project is being assisted by the young creatives of Staged Kaos . The unveiling of the statue will be the centerpiece of the opening of the Art of Reggae Exhibition at 92 degrees coffee .
This is just the latest of many statues of Bob Marley erected in Jamaica and countries worldwide . In 2005 , a statue of Bob Marley was placed at his renewed burial site in Ethiopia , and even earlier , in 1981 , the Jamaican government commissioned the sculptor Christopher Gonzalez to create a statue in memorial of Marley for Kingston ’ s Celebrity Park , which was later relocated to Ocho Rios ’ Village Island .
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Sefton Council is urging its residents and beach visitors to take the opportunity this summer to put forward their views for how the Ainsdale-on-Sea coastal gateway could be improved for all .
Already more than 300 people have taken part in the public consultation , but further voices are welcomed to ensure that as many people as possible can help to shape future proposals for investment in the area .
During 2020 , an extensive consultation with residents , business owners , visitors and young people took place as part of the now successful Southport Town Deal bid . It was recognised by a large number of respondents that the beachfront area at Ainsdale-on-Sea is in need of investment to improve its facilities for residents and visitors alike .
The current consultation runs until 30th September 2021 and asks for views on the wider development of the coastal gateway including the Sands Lake and Hotel area , Toad Hall and Ainsdale Discovery Centre .
It is also an opportunity for residents and regular beach users to offer ideas for how Ainsdale-on-Sea could be improved for all , from better traffic management to projects that would ensure Ainsdale ’ s rare habitats and species are able to thrive .
Cllr Ian Moncur , Sefton Council ’ s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing , said : “ We recognise the need to create high quality visitor infrastructure at a number of access points along the Sefton coast , to drive growth within the visitor economy and provide a high-quality visitor experience . This will also reduce visitor pressure on our coastal communities as well as areas of high conservation value - protecting our special wildlife and landscape . Ainsdale-on-Sea has been recognised as one of these key access points and we are keen to hear what our residents would like to see prioritised as we draw up our development plans for the area to complement the investment already underway .”
Many visitors to Ainsdale this summer will have already seen some of the initiatives being funded by the Council to improve the experience for beach goers , showcasing the possibilities being explored that could form part of the longer-term rejuvenation of the area .
A posh fish and chip pop-up has proven incredibly popular and will continue to serve up food and drinks at the beach until the autumn . Meanwhile , award-winning street artist Paul Curtis is part way through transforming the exterior of Toad Hall with a vibrant mural – the largest commission he ’ s ever undertaken .