A 14ft image of John Lennon is the first of a series of murals to be completed to celebrate Liverpool being named this year's Capital of Culture.

The mural, along with publicity posters for the group's concerts, have been daubed on to the gable end of a house in Litherland as part of the Liverpool Mural Project. Images of the other Beatles have also been painted onto a nearby wall.

The project was launched to bring the skills and experience of mural artists from all communities of Belfast working together and with community groups in Liverpool.

The idea was backed by the Riverside Group, a housing regeneration organisation which is itself celebrating its 80th birthday this year.

The group commissioned the artwork by Belfast Loyalist Mark Ervine and Republican Danny Devenny who worked with Liverpool artists on the Riverside-owned house at the end of Croxteth Avenue.

The project, which has been in the planning for two years, is the brainchild of Liverpudlians Gregory Brennan and Peter Morrison of the Liverpool Mural Project.

Film director Ken Loach and writer Jimmy McGovern have also backed the project.

Peter Morrison, of the Liverpool Mural Project, said: "This is the first real collaboration between the leading mural artists from both communities of Belfast and Liverpool artists. Our plan was always to produce amazing and inspiring public art that can be enjoyed by everyone - not just in the city centre."

Hugh Owen, director of policy and communication at The Riverside Group, said: "The ethos behind the project is to encourage communities to work together - which is directly in line with The Riverside Group's mission to regenerate our communities on Merseyside and beyond.

"It's amazing the way that Mark and Danny are working together in a way that demonstrates that once divided communities can move on and embrace the future.

"The gable is located at a key gateway to the city, and this iconic image will be visible to thousands coming from Liverpool to the North."

The second mural is now in the planning stages, backed by the Liverpool Culture Company. 

BEATLEMANIA erupted at London's Chelsea Flower Show as Ringo Starr joined George Harrison's widow for the opening of a garden inspired by the "quiet Beatle".

Photographers swarmed around as Starr drove up in a Mini brightly painted with symbols of the Hindu faith that Harrison embraced for years.

Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001, was a keen gardener, which is reflected in the exhibit.

"He always told me his first garden was his father's vegetable patch," said his widow, Olivia. She said that as a teenager, Harrison was unhappy at being kicked out of a local park at closing time and had always said: "One day I will have my own garden."

Designer Yvonne Innes said the flower show exhibit was designed to depict Harrison's journey from the material to the spiritual world.

 

 

 Wow! I'm here at the mothership.  I'm staying at the home of Beatlesradio.com,  The Abbey road of Life. I'm getting to see the one and only Dr Robert doing what he does best, bringing all you the best beatles music on the planet, with all the love in the world.  All you need is love, after all.  If you're wondering where I've been?  I'm just back from a 6 month stay in the Wales.  Back for Pauls divorce settlement with the Goddess of Charity work?  Heather  "If you had to go through what I have to go through!"  Mills.  Poor thing!  NOT!  Though more importantly, back for the opening of  the HARD DAYS NIGHT hotel, in Liverpool.  A showpiece of iconic design and a veritable labor of love artpiece by SHANNON, New York city's artist to the stars.  Another shrine for all die hard Beatle fans when on a pilgrimage to the Fab Fours birthplace.  I'm now looking forward to many upcoming events on both sides of the pond, like the Beatles festival at the Mirage hotel, Las Vegas, June 29th to July 2nd, where we'll be in attendance promoting beatlesradio.com along with selling our Beatlewares, which really helps us maintain the station.  So dont be afraid to spend a little when your listening to all the wonderfull Beatles music. "Money cant buy you love, but it can buy us the support we need to keep bringing the best music in the world to your ears.               TTFN.  Paul.