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New Friend Ship launched
LIVERPOOL'S
revamped Friend Ship is set for its maiden voyage across Merseyside
schools. The Liverpool Culture Company's pioneering project will
drop anchor at St Paschal Baylon Primary School on Thursday 29
September, revealing a brand new look.
It follows a spell in dry dock over the summer, which has seen the
Friend Ship undergo an extensive rebuild in readiness for another
whirlwind round of school visits. The refit has been overseen by
Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI), who earlier this year won the
contract to breathe new life into the portable learning ship. MDI
have employed a team of local artists including a designer,
director, choreographer, dancers and a stage manager, to help
realise the transformation, and develop each visit from the Friend
Ship into an exciting interactive experience.
Between April 2004 and February 2005, the Friend Ship visited 80
primary schools across Liverpool, touching the lives of nearly
20,000 children. The revamped ship sets sail once again next month,
and by March 2006 it will have visited a further 40 schools, using
its cargo of cultural artefacts to engage 10,000 pupils. For the
first time, the Friend Ship will also
travel to neighbouring boroughs, with visits to Knowsly schools
already confirmed.
Councillor Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool city council, said:-
"The Friend Ship is an incredibly valuable initiative, using a
wide variety of artistic tools to teach our children about the
importance of tolerance, diversity and community. It is an integral
part of the Liverpool Culture Company's Creative Communities
initiative, which is the largest programme of public and community
art in the UK. The project has already made an impact on the lives
of so many Liverpool children, and I'm sure it will continue to do
so as it sets off on this brand new tour."
Liverpool's Friend Ship has been such a success that the Department
of Culture, Media and Sport has provided funding for a national
ship, allowing children across the country to benefit from a visit.
The National Friend Ship was launched at Liverpool Town Hall by
Culture Minister David Lammy in June this year. The national project
is visiting nine other cities who bid alongside Liverpool to become
European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Friendship organiser Kathy Heywood said:- "A huge amount of
hard work has gone into renovating the Liverpool Friend Ship ahead
of its unveiling, so it's really exciting to see it finally get back
into schools. We're delighted with the improved look and feel of the
project. It will be a real thrill to see how children react to the
ship's new features."
After the special sneak preview on Thursday, the Friend Ship's first
official port of call will be Monksdown Primary School, Liverpool,
on 4 October.
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TOURISM
SOUTH EAST AND VINCI PARK TRAIN TO IMPROVE STANDARDS
THIS year Vinci
Park, who are Europe’s largest car park operators, and Tourism south
East have collaborated to train hospital car park staff. The
professional training team was developed to deliver a standard of
excellence in Liverpool and Birmingham. Tourism South East who work
on behalf of England’s Regional Tourism Organisation, has taken the
role of training the participants of the Welcome Programme.
The Welcome Host Programme helps workers learn how to assist
hospital visitors and local residents in perfecting their customer
care, and communication services. The course also gives relevant
information and requirements on the Disability Discrimination act.
Sue Gill, Head of Skills and Training at Tourism South East said:-
“We’re delighted to be working with Vinci Park again. The
parking situation in hospitals is often difficult, with doctors,
nurses and the public-some of whom may be in a nervous or distressed
state-vying for limited parking facilities. Parking attendants
fulfil a vital role in the community and it is important they have
the very best support and guidance in what can be difficult
circumstances. This is what the Welcome to Excellence training
coursed can give them.”
During 2005 all employees in Vinci’s hospital car parks will have
completed both of the training programmes, so as to give the parking
team the skills they require to understand the needs of the people
who visit the hospital. Vinci’s Park is dedicated to the quality of
training their parking attendants receive, Training and Development
Manager Dariush Mohandes adds
“Parking staff regularly deal with difficult situations where people
may be distressed or confused. Vinci Park strives to develop its
staff to provide the right balance between meeting our client
hospitals’ needs of top class car park management and the needs of
the people-medical staff and public-who use the car park. Training
and attitude make a huge difference and we see the Welcome to
Excellence training courses as a means of providing a high level of
service in tune with the local community.”
Letters to editor:- "Be aware of a new car-jacking scheme."
A READER has sent
us this email warning to drivers. The emailer does not want her
identity to be revealed, but felt readers should be informed...
"Here's what they do: You return to your car left in a car park,
unlock your car and get inside, start the engine and shift into
REVERSE and when you look into the rear view mirror to back out of
your parking space you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle
of the rear window.
So, you either switch off the car or leave the engine running and
jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that
is obstructing your view... When you reach the back of the car that
is when the car-jackers appear out of no where, jump into your car
and take off!
The door was unlocked, your keys were in the ignition, maybe the
engine was running, (ladies would have probably left their handbag,
with their purse, mobile phone etc; in the car) and they practically
mow you down as they speed off in your car.
BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED!!!
Should this happen to you, just drive away and remove the piece of
paper that is stuck to your window later.... and be thankful that
you read this.
If you think appropriate, forward this to all your friends and
family... purse contains all identification, and you certainly do NOT want
anyone getting your home address. They already have your keys!"
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