You may remember a previous blog when I spoke about the music that the BBC has banned over the years. Pieces that included advertising or religious or over sexual references or a political message.
Now the BBC have effectively banned "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Rule Britannia." These pieces will be played on the annual Last Night of the Proms but without the words because it is thought they have colonial connotations. What total baloney. Now it seems we aren't allowed to be patriotic because it might upset somebody somewhere. This kind of censorship is now pushing into the realms of farce.
But back to Liverpool. There was no surprise when the storms hit and much of the day brought driving rain and heavy winds. We managed to dodge quite a bit of it. Had breakfast in a very popular restaurant in Bold Street and the amount of food in the English breakfast could only be described as megatastic.
Was very disappointed to find that all the museums are currently closed on Monday and Tuesdays but we were able to book a slot at the Anglican Cathedral which apparently is the largest in the UK and the fourth largest in the world. It is in fact the largest Anglican cathedral in the world.
The only cathedrals of any denomination larger than Liverpool are in New York (third), Seville (second) and Milan (number one). Liverpool Cathedral is a very complex building and also very modern - not completed until 1978. We spent an hour there and I bought a book outlining the Liverpool places connected with the Beatles.
Our other visit of the day was to Liverpool Library and in particular the Picton Room. It was modelled on the British Museum Reading Room and was the first electronically lit library in the UK. It was completed in 1879.
Going back to the Beatles book, it was interesting to learn that John, George, Paul and Ringo were all offered the freedom of Liverpool - the highest honour the city can bestow on an individual. Yoko Ono accepted on behalf of John Lennon after his death and held her own celebration in New York, Paul McCartney turned up for a civic ceremony in Liverpool but George Harrison and Ringo Starr never took up their honour - which seems rather strange to say the least. Hope you enjoy some of the photos of Liverpool Cathedral above.