MAKE 2008 A HEALTHY DATE

CHILDREN will be able to make a big splash on 20/08, when the city celebrates its European Capital of Culture, 2008 status. To mark Liverpool's 3rd annual all day culture celebration on the 20 August in all 9 of the city's pools, which are being thrown open for free swimming. Sports chiefs at the city council are also offering a free bonanza of activities from dance and gymnastics, to basketball and football coaching at all 11 of its lifestyle fitness suites.

The offer, which also includes free coaching at Liverpool Athletics and Tennis Centre, means more than 100 hours of free activities will be available for all the family to kick start off 20/08 day in a healthy and fun way. The free-swimming offer on 20/08 also forms part of the city's pledge to involve every child in a maritime activity during the Capital of Culture themed year - Sea Liverpool 2005.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Culture, said:- ''We want every child in the city to be able to swim. It's one of the most important skills you can ever learn and one of the best ways to stay healthy and fit. I can't think of a better offer the city can provide to help celebrate the city's culture on 20/08 than giving our future generations the opportunities to develop a healthy lifestyle. The council is investing millions in improving facilities so families can get fit in the best possible conditions.''

The sporting offer is just one of dozens that have been pouring in to celebrate the important date in Liverpool's cultural calendar.

One of the best offers so far, involves one of the major events of Sea Liverpool 2005, the Honda Power Boat Grand Prix on August 20. To help promote 20/08 and the maritime pledge, the organisers are offering an amazing competition for two people to take a spin in a powerboat and have a VIP day watching the race on the Mersey.

Last year more than 200 venues and organisations signed up to make 2008 a feast of cultural activity as they slashed prices, staged special events and opened their doors for free. 

Professor Drummond Bone, Chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, said:- "I'm absolutely delighted in the way the city council is backing this year's 2008 celebrations. A healthy and active life leads to a healthy and active mind - and the legacy of that approach will be of immense value to the city not jut in 2008 but for decades to come. The preparations for 20/08 have got off to a fantastic start. The huge amount of interest we have received so far from local businesses and organisations shows that 20/08 has become a really significant date in the city's cultural calendar. But there's still time for organisations to get signed-up. There is so much to see and do in Liverpool, and we want as many organisations as possible to come up with creative, original and fun ideas for this special date."

It's not too late to sign-up for the 2008 celebrations. Groups and organisations interested in putting on a special event or offering special discounts on 2008 should visit the website at www.liverpool08.com and complete the 2008 form. 

The deadline for 2008 offers is Friday, July 15 2005.

LOCAL SEA CADET SETTING SAIL FOR ROYAL NAVY'S NELSON CELEBRATIONS

Sea Cadets will be playing a prominent role throughout the Royal Navy's programme of events which includes the International Fleet Review, the Son et Lumière, an International Drumhead Ceremony and the International Festival of the Sea. Some 2,000 Sea Cadets from across the UK will be at sea on board Royal Navy warships, assisting veterans, performing ceremonial duties and entertaining the crowds back on dry land with hornpipe dancing, club and cutlass swinging, field gun competitions, a window ladder display and marching bands.

FATAL RTC- BIRKDALE

Green World First for UK Aviation with Sustainable Aviation launch

A comprehensive programme for long-term reductions in aviation's impact on the environment is published today by Britain's leading airlines, airports (including the Peel Airports Group, Durham, Tees Valley, Liverpool John Lennon, Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield, Sheffield City) aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers.

The pioneering initiative, unique in global aviation, commits UK companies to a joint strategy aimed at delivering radical cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, nitrogen oxide emissions and aircraft noise over the next 15 years.

The 'Sustainable Aviation' strategy sets up mechanisms for monitoring and regular reporting of progress toward a range of specific objectives.

These include:- 

Limiting climate change impact by improving fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions by 50% per seat kilometre by 2020 compared with 2000 levels;

Improving air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% over the same period;

Lowering the perceived external noise of new aircraft by 50% by 2020 compared with their 2000 equivalents;

Establishing a common system for the reporting of total CO2 emissions and fleet fuel efficiency by the end of 2005, and pressing for aviation's inclusion in the EU emissions trading scheme at the earliest possible date;

Airport plans for community-related noise limitations, including landing and take-off restrictions where necessary.

The initiative, the culmination of 12 months' work by a cross-industry project group, has been strongly endorsed by the Government. In a foreword to the 52-page strategy document, the Prime Minister praises the industry's co-operation in searching for environmental solutions.

Tony Blair says:- "I am delighted that such a wide range of organisations have worked together on Sustainable Aviation. By working with Government and society to tackle the environmental issues associated with aviation, the industry can demonstrate that economic success, social progress and respect for the environment can go hand in hand."

Launch signatories to the strategy include the industry national trade associations, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, National Air Traffic Services and the operators of Britain's 24 biggest airports. The companies involved believe the project can act as a catalyst for environmentally friendly change throughout world aviation.

Neil Pakey, Chief Executive of Peel Airports Group who fully endorse the strategy commented:- "As a group we recognise that the clear economic benefits of growing regional airports must be balanced with the impact on the local and wider environment. The Peel Airports Group will be implementing these commitments to help minimise the negative impacts of air travel in line with government thinking." 

Rod Eddington, chief executive of British Airways, says:- "The whole aviation industry must accept global warming as a reality, and galvanise its efforts to limit generation of greenhouse gases. This is what the Sustainable Aviation process is about. The signatory airlines want to join the European emissions trading scheme as soon as we can to create direct incentives for investment in cleaner technology." 

Kevin Smith, president of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), says:- "Achieving these challenging objectives will depend on developing and validating new technologies. We are absolutely determined to find practical solutions to ensure the benefits of a strong aviation industry in the future."

Paul Barron, chief executive of National Air Traffic Services (NATS), says:- "We are already leading the way in Europe with operational procedures to reduce environmental impact, and are committed to playing a full role in this ground-breaking coalition. We pledge to improve operational efficiency to deliver fuel savings of up to 10% for airspace users."

Email Us Your News Now