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Three minute tribute to tsunami victims
MERSEYSIDE
joined countries across the European Union in a three-minute silence
on Wednesday 5 January.
Millions of people across the UK observed the silence called
for by the government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
In Liverpool, as part of a national tribute to the victims of
the tsunami disaster the Liverpool Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank
Roderick, lead the silence at midday, joined by Town Hall staff at
the rear of the Town Hall on Exchange Flags.
In Lime Street Station passengers and staff also stood still
to remember the victims, as did many more throughout the region.
Flags
on St George's Hall, Liverpool Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings
will be flown at half-mast all day.
Councillor
Roderick said:- "It's very important that our city
remembers those who have suffered because of this terrible disaster.
The three minute silence gives us the opportunity to offer
our prayers and support to the victims, their families and their
friends."
CLASSICAL LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Report by Julia Brough, Alexander Corporate Communications
THE first classical lunchtime concert of the New Year takes place at Bootle Town Hall on Thursday, 20 January. The Valrhona Quartet is the latest in a SERIES. of monthly concerts by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and organised by Sefton Council's Tourism Department. The Valrhona Quartet programme will include 'Death and the Maiden', Schubert's intensely emotional Quartet in D minor and a personal favourite of Quartet violinist Lesley Gwyther. The new series of lunchtime concerts are again proving extremely popular attracting hundreds of classical music lovers every month.
Lord Fearn, Sefton's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said:- "The latest SERIES. of concerts were introduced late last year and are appealing to classical music novices and orchestral connoisseurs alike. I'm sure that they will be delighted that the concerts have returned with a programme that promises to be even better."
Seating will be available for 450 and tickets cost just £2. The doors open at 12noon and the concert takes place from 12.30pm. until 1.30pm. Refreshments will also be available including sandwiches and a full bar. The other scheduled lunchtime concerts this year take place on Thursdays on February 24, March 17, April 14, May 26 and June 23.
Tickets are available from Southport Arts Centre on 01704 540011 or at the door. For further information on the concerts telephone 01704 533333.
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HSBC EMPLOYEE HEADS TO KENYA TO INVEST IN NATURE
HSBC employee Mark Crosby, from Prescott, is setting off for two weeks of wildlife conservation in Kenya. His expedition is part of Investing in Nature, an £11 million, five-year eco-partnership between HSBC and environmental NGO, Earthwatch Institute (Europe).
Mark, an HSBC Programmer, will be leaving his desk in the Sheffield office and joining Earthwatch scientists who are working to reduce conflict between wildlife habitat needs and human land-use practices in Kenya.
Working as part of an integrated conservation and research team, Mark will spend time in both the unprotected Wamba Division and in the protected Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to a population of 400 endangered Grevy's zebras, to evaluate and compare conflicts both within and outside protected areas. With his team, he will conduct field surveys of wildlife and vegetation, locate and record data on vital local water resources, and determine the population status and habitat needs of the threatened Grevy's zebra.
Mark says:- "This project will provide me with a unique opportunity to learn about human / wildlife conflicts and how heavily they impact on both species and local communities. The issues raised on this project will allow me to better understand environmental and conservation problems affecting my own area, and I hope that I will return inspired to make a difference."
Mark was selected from more than 220 thousand HSBC employees around the world and is just one of 500 HSBC Environmental Fellows who will work on Earthwatch conservation projects in 2005, ranging from Spanish dolphins to zebras in Kenya.
Over a period of five years, HSBC is offering 2,000 employees the opportunity to become involved in scientific field research and take part in vital conservation projects worldwide. By 2006 HSBC employees will have contributed the equivalent of a century of environmental research and 200 talented scientists will have received valuable training. The HSBC fellows will also be eligible for a grant of up to £400 to initiate a local environmental project on their return home.
The five-year Investing in Nature partnership also involves Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and WWF, and is the largest ever-single donation to each of the environmental charities. In addition to Earthwatch's contribution, Investing in Nature will clean up three of the world's major rivers, benefiting 50 million people who depend upon them, and help save 20,000 rare plant species from extinction.
Irene Dorner, HSBC General Manager for the Northern Division said:- "Investing in Nature is well on the way to meeting its five year goals. It's HSBC's largest donation ever but it's about more than that, it's about people. Our employees will be investing a massive amount of time and energy in conservation and we expect it to change them, and us. We want HSBC Fellows to become environmental ambassadors within the company, sharing what they learn with colleagues. The benefits shared between environment, community, business and individuals are a sure sign of a sustainable approach."
Dr Roger Mitchell, Director of Research and Education at Earthwatch, said:-
"Investing in Nature is a great example of how businesses and NGOs can work successfully together. We are able to link the network of HSBC employees worldwide with the environmental knowledge available from Earthwatch scientists to raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues on a global and local level.
Our work with HSBC, allows us to fulfill our mission by engaging their employees in scientific research projects and at the same time we are all able to further support the efforts of HSBC in promoting a sustainable environment."
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