Post by Kev on Oct 23, 2003 6:53:02 GMT -5
CELEBRITIES and MPs toasted Liverpool's Capital of Culture triumph last night with a party in the glittering home of the House of Commons Speaker.
Famous Liverpudlian names from the worlds of show business and politics mingled in the gilded Victorian rooms next to Big Ben, swapping memories of their birth-place and their hopes for 2008.
The reception was hosted by Michael Martin, the Speaker, whose home city of Glasgow was the last British city to boast the title of European Capital of Culture, back in 1990.
Among the well-known faces were the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Booth, legendary trade union leader Jack Jones, author Beryl Bainbridge, comedian Craig Charles and broad-caster Peter Sissons.
Mr Sissons said: "This is long overdue. Liverpool is just the obvious choice.
"There is no city in the country that is better qualified.
"There's something in the water of people from there.
"In 2008, the eyes of the world will be on Liverpool and, for once, not just because of the Beatles, but because of the other magnificent achievements of people who come from there."
Ms Bainbridge said: "It's lovely for Liverpool that this is going to happen. I just hope that, by culture, the organisers mean more than just football.
"Being the Capital of Culture should also mean a celebration of the Philharmonic orchestra, theatres, libraries and museums and other things as well."
And Craig Charles, star of the hit show Red Dwarf, remembered one week when no fewer than 14 of the artists in the Top 20 of the pop chart were Liverpudlians.
He said: "The award is fully deserved because, when you think about the regional cities that have given us entertainment and artists, Liverpool is right up there.
"What has Newcastle ever given us?"
The guests roared with laughter at a story told by Sir Bob Scott, the leader of Liverpool's bid, about a phone call he received just minutes after its triumph was announced.
Sir Bob said he was contacted by a man who had been hired by Newcastle's bid to fly a plane over the city bearing the message "2008: We Did It!"
He remembered: "The man said 'They don't seem to want it any more and I wondered if you would like it?'
"I said I didn't have a budget, even for a small aeroplane, but the man said 'That's all right. It's all paid for already'.
"So we had a terrific party that night and I got enormous praise for my courage and foresight in having taken the decision to hire this small aeroplane!"
Offering his congratulations, the Speaker noted how Glasgow and Liverpool shared a West Coast location, their Irish influence and, most of all, a sense of humour.
Famous Liverpudlian names from the worlds of show business and politics mingled in the gilded Victorian rooms next to Big Ben, swapping memories of their birth-place and their hopes for 2008.
The reception was hosted by Michael Martin, the Speaker, whose home city of Glasgow was the last British city to boast the title of European Capital of Culture, back in 1990.
Among the well-known faces were the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Booth, legendary trade union leader Jack Jones, author Beryl Bainbridge, comedian Craig Charles and broad-caster Peter Sissons.
Mr Sissons said: "This is long overdue. Liverpool is just the obvious choice.
"There is no city in the country that is better qualified.
"There's something in the water of people from there.
"In 2008, the eyes of the world will be on Liverpool and, for once, not just because of the Beatles, but because of the other magnificent achievements of people who come from there."
Ms Bainbridge said: "It's lovely for Liverpool that this is going to happen. I just hope that, by culture, the organisers mean more than just football.
"Being the Capital of Culture should also mean a celebration of the Philharmonic orchestra, theatres, libraries and museums and other things as well."
And Craig Charles, star of the hit show Red Dwarf, remembered one week when no fewer than 14 of the artists in the Top 20 of the pop chart were Liverpudlians.
He said: "The award is fully deserved because, when you think about the regional cities that have given us entertainment and artists, Liverpool is right up there.
"What has Newcastle ever given us?"
The guests roared with laughter at a story told by Sir Bob Scott, the leader of Liverpool's bid, about a phone call he received just minutes after its triumph was announced.
Sir Bob said he was contacted by a man who had been hired by Newcastle's bid to fly a plane over the city bearing the message "2008: We Did It!"
He remembered: "The man said 'They don't seem to want it any more and I wondered if you would like it?'
"I said I didn't have a budget, even for a small aeroplane, but the man said 'That's all right. It's all paid for already'.
"So we had a terrific party that night and I got enormous praise for my courage and foresight in having taken the decision to hire this small aeroplane!"
Offering his congratulations, the Speaker noted how Glasgow and Liverpool shared a West Coast location, their Irish influence and, most of all, a sense of humour.
