Liverpool sets sail soon….. for Britain's biggest free maritime festival.

 

THE 24th annual Mersey River Festival running over 18 and 19 June is one of the premier events in Britain's sailing calendar and played a crucial role in Liverpool's triumphant bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008.

The festival offers a maritime feast of such proportions that visitors will be savouring the memories long after the final Tall Ship bids Liverpool farewell.

Organised by Liverpool City Council, the big summer sail begins on 18 June with tall ships, racing yachts and colourful fishing boats filling every spare inch of the city's world famous Albert, Canning and Salthouse Docks. This year, for the first time ever, the festival organisers will be using berths in Birkenhead to accommodate the growing number of visiting vessels, totalling over 150 to date.

Among the visiting tall ships will be festival favourite Grand Turk, newcomers Iris from the Netherlands, Prince William, a magnificent 60 meter square rigged sailing training vessel, Mir, a Russian cadet training ship and Glaciere of Liverpool, an 1899 Baltic trader which until October last year had been languishing on the bottom of a Liverpool dock.

For 4 days Liverpool will become a magnet to seasoned sailors and people who just like to be around boats.

The event aims to offer something for everyone, from giant Liver Birds to long legged lobsters and from shanty singers to steel bands are just a few of the colourful performers being lined up to entertain the crowds in Albert Dock and at the World Heritage nominated Pier Head.

Among the key attractions will be the steam tug Challenge. Famous on two counts, Challenge was not only the last steam tug to serve on the Thames, she is also remembered for her role in the rescue of more than 300,000 servicemen at Dunkirk in 1940.

More than 100 events are planned, including international canoe polo, a spectacular parade of sail on the river, free lessons in sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, quayside crafts, an international shanty festival, aerial displays, walks and tours to local places and buildings of interest, rope-making, breath-taking displays by the Royal Marines and, of course, the biggest attraction of all, the visiting tall ships.

Last year more than 300,000 people flocked to the sun drenched docks to enjoy the 2008 European Capital of Culture's world-class hospitality. Liverpool looks forward to welcoming even more visitors in a few weeks' time.

PICTURE THE FUTURE OF LIVERPOOL THROUGH THE EYES OF LIVERPOOL SCHOOL CHILDREN

WHAT will Liverpool look like in 2079? This is one of the questions posed to Liverpool school children by Age Concern Liverpool in a competition, as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations. Pictures by Year 5 pupils from schools across Liverpool are being exhibited at W H Smith on Church Street in the city for two weeks from 29 May.

Age Concern Liverpool has marked its 75th anniversary of working with older people in the city with a series of events. The competition for schools asked children to find out what Liverpool was like 75 years ago and to draw their idea of the city in 75 years time.

Phil Hughes, Business Development Manager at Age Concern Liverpool says:- "The children have really used their imagination to draw a future that is vibrant and exciting. In 75 years time air travel will be our favoured mode of transport in Liverpool and a variety of inventions will make life altogether more fun!"

Every primary school in Liverpool was invited to participate. The competition also featured questions about Liverpool 75 years ago, when Age Concern began its work in the city. To answer these, children were encouraged to ask an older person.

The three winning pictures will earn three prizes each:- a digital camera for the child, art supplies for the school, and a family photography session for an older person that the child nominates. A VHS Camcorder will go to the school with the most entries.

The winners will be announced at a prize presentation evening on Wednesday 9 June, featuring Sir Bob Scott, leader of Liverpool's successful Capital of Culture bid. 

2004 Southport Reporter and Mersey Reporter Business Awards

THE amount of people's suggestions has meant that this years awards have taken far longer to work out than over last year. From your suggestions we sent out our mystery customers to test the businesses in question. The marking to win this year was set on friendliness of staff, ability to help and product/service knowledge. Winners of all 12 categories will be announced next week. We do have to add thank you to all you readers for your suggestions as to who we should look at for the awards.

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