Wirral | Archive | 2001 | April | 25
From the Wirral Globe, first published Wednesday 25th Apr 2001.
I'M SITTING on a railway station, got a ticket for my destination .........
These famous words to the hit song 'Homeward Bound' were penned by Paul Simon on the platform of Widnes station.
A new plaque was unveiled this week to commemorate this historic moment in musical history.
Previous plaques have disappeared - souvenir hunters are suspected.
Paul Simon himself even issued a plea for the safe return of the plaque at a recent concert.
Media students at Warrington Collegiate Institute (WCI) have designed a replacement, with new secure fittings, as part of their degree course.
They have formed their own production company and are currently working on a documentary about Paul Simon.
Railtrack North West zone director Mike Cowman said: "It is a shame that previous plaques at the station have been stolen. We are grateful to WCI's media department for offering to replace it. Hopefully, this plaque will remain in its rightful place for the interest of travelling passengers and Paul Simon fans to enjoy."
Some fans are probably aware that their idol may not have written the lyrics at this particular station.
When Paul Simon was homeward bound after a gruelling tour of Britain in September 1964, Widnes had two stations.
WCI lecturer Stephen Wainwright, said: "The new plaque is the culmination of intensive research that our four students conducted in investigating the Paul Simon story. Although it is debatable whether Simon actually wrote 'Homeward Bound' at Widnes station, the plaque has returned to its spiritual home."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008