In Piccadilly Gardens in the summer of 1970

Now this will bring back memories.

And in the way of things there isn’t much more to say.

You either miss it and mourn its passing or have embraced the new Gardens with the concrete slab and expanse of sterile grass which despite all efforts never seems to be that green or that full.

As a public place I have to say the new Piccadilly is not one of our finest open spaces and the Wheel does little to enhance it.

But then I guess there were those back in the 1920s and 30s who muttered at what had been done to the old hospital site.

There is nothing wrong with change but sadly in the case of the Gardens something  more intimate and gentle has been lost in favour of a  brutal and plain expanse.

Location, Manchester

Picture; Piccadilly circa 1970 from the collection of Sally Dervan