The National Trust was accused of 'turning its back' on an important part of Beatles history yesterday after refusing to adopt Ringo Starr's childhood home.
The humble two-up, two-down terraced house in Liverpool attracts thousands of fans every year.
Along with other properties in the street it was being renovated and the hope was it would be turned into a heritage attraction, like the former homes of other Fab Four members.
Sir Ringo Starr (left, with his wife Barbara Bach) lived at 9 Madryn Street in Liverpool (right)
But social housing company PlaceFirst has revealed its offer to lease Ringo's birthplace to the National Trust was turned down.
Now the Victorian property will be kept locked up because of concerns no one would want to live in a house subjected to constant attention from visitors.
Save Madryn Street campaign founder Steve Barnes accused the trust of shunning a 'golden opportunity' to preserve a vital part of Beatles heritage.
'We had expected that the National Trust or some other body would take it over and operate the house as a destination, with carefully controlled access,' he said.
'This is what happens at John and Paul's houses and it works very well.
'It's crazy to mothball it. I can't understand why they wouldn't want to add Ringo's house to the list of destinations, now that it's been saved for posterity.'
He added: 'Seeing the National Trust turn Ringo's house down is appalling. It smacks of class prejudice, based on Ringo being working class and his birthplace is seen as too small and insignificant.'
Paula Coppell, whose late husband Phil set up the Save Madryn Street campaign, added: 'If the National Trust has turned its nose up at the idea then it's up to the city to see the right thing is done.'
(From left) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo and George Harrison as The Beatles in 1963
Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society president John James Chambers, who raised the money for the first Beatles statue in the 1970s, said he 'couldn't understand' the decision.
'In the 70s they laughed and at the thought of Beatles tourism and demolished the Cavern but then they had to rebuild it,' he added.
'Now they are gutting Ringo's house and leaving it sealed up. It's history repeating itself and hard to believe they can be so stupid.'
The National Trust has been engulfed in a string of controversies in recent years.
They include a mutiny by volunteer staff who were ordered to wear gay pride badges and 'airbrushing' faith from an egg hunt by removing the word 'Easter'.
Ringo, 78, who was knighted last year, was known as Richard Starkey when he lived at number nine Madryn Street.
It is being developed along with more than 600 other properties in the Welsh Streets area of Toxteth.
The Save Madryn Street campaign accused the trust of shunning a 'golden opportunity' to preserve a vital part of Beatles heritage
Work began on the project to turn the houses into desirable residences last year. Locals said they would rent for around £700 per month.
It had been hoped that features in Ringo's former house would be retained, although it is understood most are being replaced, in common with the other properties in the scheme.
Improvements include central heating, en suite bathrooms and new doors and windows.
David Smith-Milne, managing director of Manchester-based PlaceFirst, defended his firm.
He said: 'We are a housing company, not a tourist operator. We offered number nine Madryn Street to the National Trust but it was declined.
'The house will be renovated, like all the others in the street, but we recognised that it cannot be tenanted because of the interest from tourists.
'We cannot stop visitors from arriving but the house will not be open.'
The National Trust spokesman said it didn't have the resources to acquire all the properties it would like.
It also argued Ringo live at the property for a 'very brief period, early on in his life' which reduced its significance.
A spokesman added: 'The trust can only take on those properties where funds are in place to pay for the up-front purchase price and where it is confident that the property can generate sufficient funds to cover all the costs of looking after it in future.
'None of these criteria apply in the case of No. 9 Madryn Street.'
Link hienalouca.comhttps://hienalouca.com/2019/03/05/national-trust-snub-for-ringo-starrs-childhood-terraced-home-in-liverpool/
Main photo article The National Trust was accused of ‘turning its back’ on an important part of Beatles history yesterday after refusing to adopt Ringo Starr’s childhood home.
The humble two-up, two-down terraced house in Liverpool attracts thousands of fans every year.
Along with other...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2019/03/04/19/1AD5FEA000000514-0-Sir_Ringo_Starr_with_his_wife_Barbara_Bach-m-9_1551729233319.jpg
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