The Bluecoat worked with Conservation Areas Wirral and Wirral Council to launch the blue plaque in honour of Malcolm Lowry on the New Brighton promenade. Tempestuous weather on the day seemed very 'Lowryan', as speakers struggled against the wind and driving rain, a passage from Under the Volcano was read out, and the Mayor and Mayoress heroically unveiled the plaque. Attendees then took shelter at the reception in the nearby Sailing Training Centre, where there were speeches from the Firminists and members of Lowry's family, and a toast to the writer. Goodwill messages from Lowry academics in Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand, the UK and the US were read out.

These images document the promenade speech and reading by Bryan Biggs and Helen Tookey; Wirral mayor, councillor Tony Smith and Mayoress, Mrs Barbara Smith unveiling the plaque; and further speeches at the reception from Malcolm’s niece Jill Colvin and great nephew Jeremy Lowry, and Colin Dilnot, who has made a hugely valuable contribution, through the Lounges, to the study of Lowry’s writing and influence, particularly his relationship to New Brighton and Wirral.