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Extra Tall Ships cruise due to high demand
DUE to the
high demand, Mersey Ferries are putting on an extra VIP cruise on
Monday, 21 July 2008, to give passengers unparalleled views of the
Tall Ships’ Parade of Sail.
The previously unadvertised extra cruise will mean that all three
ferries will be on the River Mersey for the Parade of Sail, the
highlight of the global maritime spectacular.
Passengers on the six-hour cruise will be given the chance to listen
to live onboard commentary about the rich and varied histories of
the visiting ships.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, which owns and operates
the Mersey Ferries, said:- “Every one of these visiting ships
has a fascinating story to tell, much like our very own Mersey
Ferries. It will be a great day.”
The ferry will sail towards the mouth of the River Mersey and
position itself in one of the designated vessel viewing areas. There
it will remain anchored and provide a viewing platform.
Mersey Ferries flagship vessel, The Royal Daffodil, will host the
cruise and a bar will be available on board. Numbers are limited to
250.
The leisurely six-hour cruise departs from Woodside Ferry Terminal,
Birkenhead only, that will leave at 11.15am.
Tickets are priced at £35 and include a welcome drink, Blue Badge
Guide commentary and jazz band.
Tickets must be booked in advance on 0151 330 1444 or are available
online at
www.merseyferries.co.uk. |
FAMILIES GO HUNGRY AS FOOD PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE
12% of people
have gone hungry or skipped a meal in the last year due to rising
food prices, with the figure rising to 19% for those on the lowest
incomes, research from leading children’s charity, NCH and Barclays
has found.
The findings come from an ICM conducted survey into the true impact
of soaring food costs, with 16% of those on the tightest budgets
saying they have gone without meals so that others in their family
got the food they needed. They have prompted NCH and Barclays
to publish a package of free tips, budgetary advice, and recipes
from families with 1st hand experience of stretching their weekly
shop to make their food go further.
The poll found that
57% of people on low incomes are finding it more of a struggle to
feed their families now than they were this time last year, with 19%
going without heating in a bid to make up the shortfall.
Paul Moore, NCH Director of Children’s Services for the North,
said:- “There’s no doubt that everyone is feeling the pinch at
the moment and that those on the lowest incomes are suffering the
most. But once you get behind the headlines it’s not all doom
and gloom. It is obvious, through our work with families and young
people at Financial Futures workshops, that basic money management
advice can help people cut down on their weekly grocery bills and
make their food and finances go further.”
Financial Futures is a 3 year partnership between NCH and Barclays
aimed at helping families and young people avoid debt and better
manage their money. The package of tips, advice and recipes
has been provided by families who have been supported by Barclays
volunteers at Financial Futures workshops across the country.
The survey also found that while 55% of people feel guilty about the
amount of food they throw away, 37% of those quizzed don’t plan out
their meals in advance, or make a list before they go shopping. It
also found that 51% don’t have a set budget for food.
Rachel Herbinson, Barclays Community Relations Manager for the North
West, said:- “Through the advice given at Financial Futures
workshops we hope that people will embrace the benefits of
budgeting.
The value of setting and sticking to a carefully planned
budget cannot be underestimated – we have instances of families
actually reducing their weekly food budgets.” |
