The Cenotaph....

I've yet to hear a bad word about the work done on St. Peter's Square. Of course they haven't opened the glass box blocking Library Walk yet. But the rest people are very positive about. People have been particularly complementary about the re-siting of the Cenotaph. It used to be crammed up against the tram stop. In its new position it has room to breathe and looks more dignified. It's all so brought the rather grand back door of the Town Hall into the consciousness of the city. While nowhere near as dramatic as the Albert Square facade, it's beautiful and can now be appreciated. I also like the view along Lloyd Street with the two elegant footbridges joining the two buildings that make up the Town Hall.

The dazzlingly white, curved wall of the Cenotaph attracted skateboarders and cyclists who used it as a playground. Within hours of opening, the stone was marked. The new benches were vandalised. Someone (whistles and looks in the other direction) alerted the Manchester Evening News about what had happened. They started a campaign to get it sorted out. The marks were moved at great expense, skateboarders were talked to and security has been stepped up. That was a few weeks ago and I was gratified to see it was still dazzlingly white as was intended.