Charles Clover visits Madryn Street

Charles Clover (left) in Madryn Street, with Beatles Tour guide Philip Coppell (right) and taxi driver Dave

Yesterday, Madryn Street had a visit from award winning journalist and Environment Editor for the Sunday Times, Charles Clover. Charles is one of the few broadsheet journalists to have followed the Pathfinder story from the start, questioning the aims of the programme and attacking its failures. Here are two of his key articles from 12 Oct 2007 and 21 Feb 2010.

Charles knows Liverpool well. He covered the Toxteth riots in 1981, visiting the city before and after the disturbances. This Sunday (3 July) will mark the 30th anniversary of the riots.

House guardian Leah, with Phil Coppell

On this visit Charles toured the Welsh Streets, visiting the SAVE house and meeting Leah, one of our house guardians. He also met with residents in nearby Granby and discussed the situation there. Until recently Granby was also under threat of demolition, but the council has recently called for tenders to be submitted to refurbish housing stock. Despite this apparent change of heart, the demolition of 6 large houses in the area was approved by the council just last week.

Tinned up houses in Jermyn Street, Granby. Despite the many tinned up houses, the area is still home to a thriving and proud community

Granby is home to a strong and proud community. The residents, who live in streets where many houses are still tinned-up and derelict, have 'greened' the streets with plants and flowers. They have also started a thriving street market which takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

Cairns Street, Granby where residents have 'greened' the street