Ormskirk: it’s in Liverpool’s ‘field of gravity’ says comic Culshaw

Jan 16 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A FAMED impressionist says his home town is in Liverpool’s “field of gravity” and should therefore take its place on our final Liverpool Map artwork.

Dead Ringers star, Jon Culshaw, hails from Ormskirk and although he considers himself a Lancastrian not a Scouser, thinks the town’s links with Liverpool cannot be ignored.

He said: “Ormskirk and Liverpool are neighbours and they work with each other. Every-one who lives there regularly hops on the train to spend time in the city and many people have moved out to Ormskirk from there, increasing the influence.

“Ormskirk is in Liverpool’s field of gravity and when a city has such a strong personality its influence spreads to the areas around it.

“When Liverpool became Capital of Culture I was so happy and so was everyone I know in Ormskirk.

“It has definitely had a positive effect on the town – the identities of both Liverpool and Ormskirk overlap.”

We are still taking your nominations for inclusions and exclusions to the project, which is being run as part of Capital of Culture year.

It is up to you to shape the final outcome – an artwork donated to the Museum of Liverpool which encompasses the results of the campaign.

The new map will show where the people of Merseyside think Liverpool’s borders are and it will also highlight Liverpool’s local, national and global influences.

And nominations have been flooding in for historical areas of Liverpool city to have a special place on the map, such as Edge Hill and West Derby.

Stephen Guy, chairman of the West Derby Society, said: “West Derby is older than Liverpool, being included in the Doomsday Book.

“Historic West Derby Village is one of Britain’s most picturesque city villages, having been redesigned and enhanced in the 1850s.

“Among the important historic attractions in West Derby is Liverpool’s own stately home, Croxteth Hall and both Everton and Liverpool soccer clubs have their training grounds in West Derby.

“The Beatles made their name at the Grade II-listed Casbah Club in Haymans Green, where they were the resident band in their early days.”

And via email Alan McDonald said: “If I were to take you on a tour of Edge Hill, you would be simply amazed by the history that lies both above and beneath.

“From the top of the hill next to St Mary's church you have an excellent view of both cathedrals, lurking underground but a mere few hundred yards away you can enter the Williamson Tunnels and a few minutes walk from here is one of the oldest railway stations in the world.

“Being situated at the very top of town we are the gateway to the city centre.”

lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk