Make Time For Love is a project by arts organisation Metal, with artists YARA + DAVINA, commissioned by Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Council. Make Time For Love is the finale of a 2-year programme called Picton Play with communities in L15, to celebrate the creativity that exists in the Wavertree and Picton neighbourhoods as part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme.  

Everyone is invited to take part in this week of events from 20 – 28 September. The range of activities and events have been shaped by three commissioned short stories set in Wavertree and Picton. The book, Stories, Mystery and Love, will be shared with all households in the L15 postcode over the course of the week. Copies will also be available in libraries across Liverpool library. Events also take inspiration from James Picton’s Clock Tower (1884), created in loving memory to his wife of 50 years, Sarah Pooley. Make Time for Love celebrates love for families, neighbours, community, and friends.  

The programme on Wavertree High Street launches with a day of celebratory events on Saturday 20 September, and includes a drop-in floral tribute and postcard making workshop at the Rose Garden, readings by commissioned writers Hanan Issa, Sophie Herxheimer and Joelle Taylor at Wavertree Library, a live musical performance by Capeesh, and the unveiling of four very special clocks.

To sign up – follow the free ticket links here to let Metal know you plan on joining us. Walk-ups are welcome all week at all stages.

Activity continues with Liverpool’s Heritage Day on 21 September; part of a UK wide programme of Heritage Open Days throughout September.  

 

What’s On 

Celebration Day Events, 20 September 

There will be a range of activities and events for everyone: 

• Drop-in floral tribute and postcard making workshop with artists YARA + DAVINA in the Rose Garden 

• Live readings from the recently published book Stories, Mystery, and Love by our three commissioned writers, Hanan Issa, Sophie Herxheimer, and Joelle Taylor at Wavertree Library 

• A live musical performance of original songs by Capeesh at Wavertree Library 

• An unveiling of four clocks by YARA + DAVINA in collaboration with Asylum Link, Capeesh, Damien John Kelly House and Love Wavertree 

• A curated playlist of love songs playing in businesses along the High Street, curated by Asylum Link, Capeesh, Damien John Kelly House and Love Wavertree  

• A chance to collect a special edition pin from Love Wavertree 

• A soundwalk available for download via the free ECHOES app, through which you can listen, in specific locations, to music, field recordings and spoken word gathered from around the neighbourhood 

Celebration Week Events, 20 – 28 September 

Art installation, 20 – 28 September
Wavertree Town Hall, 89 High Street, L15 8HF
Four bespoke clock faces will be on display this week in Wavertree Town Hall, making statements on love and the passing of time.  

 “The ghosts of Sarah Pooley and James Picton still keep time – they slow it down at bus stops, run it backwards in junk shops, speed it up at home.”  Sophie Herxheimer, excerpt from WIN WIN from the newly published Stories, Mystery, and Love. 

The clocks have been created by YARA + DAVINA in collaboration with Asylum Link, Capeesh, Damien John Kelly House, and Love Wavertree, featuring four clock faces, through workshops, which began in the summer of 2025.
 

Archival material, 20 – 28 September
Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP
Architect Sir James Picton designed many iconic Liverpool buildings including Liverpool’s Corn Exchange, and was instrumental in the establishment of public libraries, including Wavertree Library. Over the course of his many travels, Picton often sent letters to his wife, Sarah Pooley. Join us at Wavertree Library to see archival material written by the son of James Picton and Sarah Pooley sharing insight into their relationship and love for each other, alongside a curated selection of books on the theme of love.

 

Read-a-long and book discussion, 20 – 28 September
Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP
Join us for a chance to read together and share thoughts on the newly published book Stories, Mystery, and Love which have been shared with all households in the L15 postcode. 

 

Lessons on Love: drop-in lunchtime community story sharing, 20 – 28 September
Invited local people will share stories of how they have fostered love in their lives and for their area.  Speakers are:  

Fozia Choudhry, founder of Fozia’s Kashmiri Kitchen
Fozia’s Kashmiri Kitchen, 155 Picton Road, L15 4LG
Tuesday 23 September, 19:00 – 21:00

Sophie Colligan, a local non-denominational celebrant 
Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP
Thursday 25 September, 10:00 – 11:00

Paul Rivera, a retired Park Ranger, and resident of Wavertree since the age of 6
Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP
Saturday 27 September, 10:00 – 11:00

 

Daily Love Mantra and Art Trail Tour, 20 – 28 September
Wavertree Town Hall, 89 High Street, L15 8HF
An invitation to meet at the Wavertree Town Hall to hear a love mantra of the day shared by a Make Time For Love facilitator. This event will occur at 11:00 every day.

 

Pick up a special edition badge, 20 – 28 September
Love Wavertree Community Shop, 203 Picton Rd, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 4LG
In collaboration with Love Wavertree staff and volunteers, artists YARA + DAVINA have designed 500 special edition Make Time For Love enamel pins to encourage people to chat about the love they have for their community and Wavertree High Street. Grab one in exchange for a donation, or any purchase from the shop.

 

Make Time For Love floral tribute, 20 – 28 September
Occasions Florist, Wavertree High Street,169 Picton Rd, Liverpool L15 4LG
A chance to see the completed floral tribute spelling out Make Time For Love, made during the Rose Garden workshops, in the shop window. 

 

Make Time For Love rug, Wavertree Library, 20 September – ongoing
Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP
YARA + DAVINA have created a rug for the children’s area of Wavertree Library, inspired by workshops with the local community, which celebrates Picton and Wavertree’s history. The rug will be on permanent display from 20 September.

 

Curated playlist, 20 – 28 September
Audiences will also have the chance to listen to the playlist of love songs in businesses along the High Street curated by members of the community.

 

Soundwalk, ECHOES app, 20 September – ongoing
Inspired by the stories we tell each other that tie us to where we live. The Soundwalk can be listened to through ECHOES; a free app where you can listen to music, field recordings and spoken word in specific locations gathered from around the neighbourhood. 

 

Information for visitors: 

Saturday 20 September 2025 – Saturday 28 September 

Venues along Wavertree High Street , Wavertree, Liverpool L15
 

For more detailed information and venue opening days and times, visit: metalculture.com/projects/make-time-for-love 

 

Make Time For Love © by YARA + DAVINA, 2025. A project by Metal. Commissioned by Culture Liverpool and supported by Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, the University of Liverpool and Art Fund.