In 1974 The Blackie relocated to The Garage in Roscoe Street whilst the first phase of rebuilding started in the Blackie Building. Summer in Blue was the first summer playscheme run in the Garage. Above blue painting
The staff faced both a summer playscheme and making the Garage inhabitable. In addition this was the year that the United Nations Association - who had provided a workcamp of volunteers for the Blackie's summer playschemes - changed their policy. As a result the play scheme would be short staffed.
Summer in Blue started as most playschemes started at the Blackie with
research and an invitation to people to join in.
Right preparing the wall for the frames
Research included all the meanings of the word 'blue'; the use of blue by artists from Picasso's Blue Period to the multitude of blues singers and and songs.
Below is the invite that was sent out prior to the summer.
"Great Georges Project is entering a Blue Period this summer.
In preparation for the Playscheme in Blue which will run during August, we're spending the final weeks of July and the beginning of August creating a blue environment for ourselves and the kids to play/work in.
We set about raising paint - any colour as long s it was Blue. We got donations from 20 paint companies.
From July 23rd we'll be creating a pattern of blue frames throughout our building (ceiling as well as rules). Once this pattern is estab;lished, we'll be inviting artists, kids, friends, passerby to choose a frame and create within it a picture in blue. The invitation provides a primitive (but, we hope, interesting) artistic challenge:- we offer the freedom to create, on a variety of surfaces, images of 
almost any size - within the spatial limits of the chosen frame, and within the restrictions of the colour blue. In the event we had at least one very upset artist who found this limitation unreasonable. We simply said Picasso.
Left artist working inside a frame
We'd be pleased for you to join us for a day, a week, or longer, to paint a frame, or a picture of your own choice (an abstract, a cartoon, a still life, an advertisement..) or simply to watch, or to join with less experienced painters in completing a frame.
We'll be open every day, from 10am to 120pm, in The Garage, at the corner of Roscoe Street and Oldham Street (behind the Leece Street Post Office) Liverpool 1. Telephone number remains as above - for any further information contact Sally or Mo at the Garage."
People turned up and we created frames for people to fill - adults and kids, a Blue radio station and Blue Based Workshops. The latter included making up and telling 'blue (sad stories) a quiz broadcast by the Radio Station, and exploring 'Once In A Blue Moon events.
The Scheme was staffed by Bil Harpe, Martin Brems, Dave Rickus, Sally Lawson, Sally Morris, Judy Bates, Mo Bates, and Les. Three young people worked on the scheme, there was a small work camp of Anne Pickard, Brendon Flynn, Ben Mercer, Stephen Ball and Ken Young. Visiting artist's Roy Cabeo (13/8-20/8); Ed George Collinson (20/8 to 22/8) Hambi & Friends 1/8 to 21?8) and Mr Jack Harpe (20/8 to 30/8. with help from - Paul Savage, David Osssu), Ian Jackson, Victor kelly, Wayne Spence, Tommy Branch, Joey Joeal, John Hassan, Vic VChristian, John Sungg, Bill Berrington, Nicky Sculpher, Jane Sheuer, Dave Calder, and Paul Broen