New Brighton author Malcolm Lowry to be honoured with blue plaque

Author of the classic modern novel Under the Volcano, Lowry will be honoured by Wirral Council with a heritage plaque positioned on New Brighton's sea wall looking out to the Mersey Estuary - opposite the Marine Point security office.

Set to be unveiled on his birthday - Sunday, July 28 - the plaque will arrive during Wirral's Borough of Culture Year.

Born in 1909, Lowry grew up exploring Deeside when his family moved to Caldy after his birth.

He left Merseyside at an early age but memories of his childhood feature vividly in his work.

Going on to study literature at Cambridge, Lowry left England and travelled across the world before settling in Canada where he lived in a squatter's shack on the Burrard Inlet with his second wife Margerie Bonner.

It was here, during WWII, where he completed his greatest work Under the Volcano - set in Mexico as the world headed towards war, the novel is based around one day, the Day of the Dead in 1938, in the life of an alcoholic British ex-consul.

Published in 1947, the novel was hailed a modern masterpiece and continues to be listed among the 'most significant' books of the 20th century.

Malcolm Lowry reclining (Picture: University of British Colombia)

In 1984 it was adapted by John Hutson for a film starring the late-great Albert Finney.

Lowry only had one other book published - Ultramarine - based on his journey as a young deckhand sailing from Birkenhead Docks to the Far East.

Leaving several unfinished works, many have been published posthumously and although he never returned to Merseyside, Lowry's childhood haunts his writing.

A group of avid readers named the Firminists have been working with Liverpool-based Bluecoat to research and celebrate the writer through an annual programme called Lowry Lounge.

They have also worked with Conservation Areas Wirral (CAW) to secure the Blue Plaque for the famous writer.

Bluecoat’s artistic director, Bryan Biggs said: "We are delighted that Wirral is recognising a talent as unique as Lowry’s in this way.

"His influence is not just literary, but is seen in artists working across the creative spectrum around the world.

"This plaque will help shine a light on his birthplace and its importance to his writing.”

The plaque will be unveiled on July 28 at 2pm by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral Cllr Tony Smith and Barbara Smith on the New Brighton Promenade.

Peter Bolt of CAW told the Globe: “CAW is delighted on behalf of the Wirral Heritage fund to facilitate the supply of this Blue Plaque to commemorate one of Wirral’s most prolific writers.

"We would like to think that, with its location overlooking the Mersey, it will inspire many more people to discover the magic of Lowry’s work.”

In autumn, there is set to be a programme of Lowry events including talks, film screenings and a walking tour as part of the Borough of Culture celebrations.

Assistant director of Culture & Visitor Economy at Wirral Council Lucy Barrow said: “Wirral is the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture for 2019, providing a wonderful opportunity to showcase the fantastic history and heritage of the borough and to honour people from Wirral who have made, and continue to make, internationally significant contributions to arts and culture.

"We are proud to be working with Bluecoat, Conservation Areas Wirral and other partners to mark Malcolm Lowry’s connection to our special peninsula during our Borough of Culture year.”