The Way We Lived

Were you one of those thousands of people sold the High Rise dream of 'Streets In The Skies' in the 1960s and 1970s - only to find out that 'High Rise Heaven' was actually 'High Rise Hell'? What was it about tenement living that made people feel as if they belonged to an independent republic where it was all for one and one for all? And why is it that thousands of people get all misty eyed and romantic about their old inner city terraced streets where tiny houses had no hot water, no inside toilets and no bathrooms? All of these questions and more are revealed in a fascinating new magazine in the Liverpool Echo Heritage series entitled: The Way We Lived. It would be easy to look at the bad reputations given to Liverpool's housing experiments, and think, 'good riddance.' But that would ignore the success stories and the testimonies of those who actually lived there.

Heartland inner city living was about one thing - COMMUNITY. The Way We Lived will take you back to the days when you could stand outside your home, look around you, and feel a warm glow that you were surrounded by great friends, neighbours, and relatives.

Everyone knew each other. Everyone took a huge pride in their homes, regardless of their condition.

The communities may have been poor, but they were rich in community spirit. The Way We Lived is the story, not just of the homes, but of the people within them and how the environment moulded their lives.

From the court houses at the turn of the century to the new towns like Kirkby, Skelmersdale.

From the vast new housing estates like Cantril Farm and Netherley, to the sprawling 1930s estates like Norris Green. This magazine captures the story of the the clearances of inner city areas like Everton and Scottie Road.

Communities fought to stay together, like the residents of the now world famous Eldonian Village. The houses may be our homes but the people make the city. This 84-page magazine features stunning photographs from the archives of the Liverpool Post and Echo, as well as personal memories from those who recall The Way We Lived.