Reflecting on a spectacular success

REFLECTION On the Waterfront has been hailed an outstanding success after 60,000 people enjoyed the free event.  Crowds flocked to the Pier Head on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings over 22 July to 24 July 2011, which marked the centenary of the Liver Building and the opening of Liverpool’s newest attraction, the Museum of Liverpool.

The hordes enjoyed the beautiful and quirky lantern displays and the rousing musical performances from Connie Lush, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and 6ix Toys.  But the highlight for many was the 2, 3D light projections which transformed the Liver Building and the new Museum of Liverpool, wowing the thousands of people who gathered to watch them. It was a UK first as the Czech team behind the phenomenal display, The Macula, have never worked in the UK before.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Joe Anderson, said:- “This event has surpassed all our expectations and I’m delighted that people came out in force to celebrate the centenary of the Liver Buildings and the opening of the new Museum of Liverpool in style.  We estimated around 30,000 people would come down to the Pier Head, so to double that figure is incredible. And, over the forthcoming months we’ll find out what the economic benefit of these 3 evenings to the city has been – we were originally estimating around £1million so it looks like the final total will be even more impressive.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Liverpool, and those from outside the city who travelled to the event, for making it so successful. The Culture Liverpool team have been working on this event for over a year so it’s fantastic all the hard work paid off – well done to everyone.”

Following Friday night’s opening event, word of mouth, amazing local and national press coverage as well as fantastic comments on social networking sites made sure the remaining 2 nights were hugely popular.

Online comments included:-  “Absolutely incredible! Our city should be massively proud.”;  “Sheer genius.”;  “I loved it so much on Friday I went again on Saturday and Sunday as well!”; “The Macula’s marriage of sound and vision was top drawer – and what an enchanting way for the new museum to be ‘birthed’ by the city. Magical!”; “Liverpool is truly a world class city again.”

Martin Posta, who is part of The Macula, said:- “Wow! We’ve been completely blown away by the warmth of the Liverpool crowds and the response we had each evening was something we’ll never forget. We hoped that people would enjoy our creative approach to celebrating these two iconic buildings, and the feedback has been overwhelming.  Working in partnership with Liverpool City Council has been fantastic and has made our first experience of working in the UK an enjoyable adventure.”

Anyone who missed The Macula’s spectacular 3D projections can watch the show by visiting themacula.com.  And this isn’t the end of free events taking place. As the World Tipped takes place on 30 July to 31 July 2011 and is a dramatic combination of film visuals with a breathtaking aerial performance. Taking place in the grounds of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, this event highlights the issue of climate change and is set to be an unforgettable event set 20 metres above the audience.

The final free On the Waterfront event is also still to come, which will see a new-look Mersey River Festival return for the first time since 2005. Running from 8 September to 15 September 2011, Cunard Cruise Liners, including the new Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary 2, tall ships and a power boat race will all be part of the much-anticipated activities.   Last year’s On the Waterfront, 2010, series of events brought in more than £1.2 million to the city’s economy and this year’s events are funded by Liverpool City Council in partnership with European Regional Development Funding.

Kids Eat Free at The Phoenix

A Southport pub is offering parents a rest from cooking in the school holidays with a ‘Kids eat free’ offer.   Manager of the  The Phoenix, Julia Bentley said:- “The long summer holiday can be difficult at the best of times but we’re here to help out at The Phoenix! We’ve got a lovely family-friendly place to treat your little monsters while giving Mum and Dad a rest from cooking at a price that would be difficult to beat at home. What’s more, every one of our dishes has been given the thumbs up by our fiercest critics – the kids!”  If you used the pub, please let us know what you think of it, by emailing our newsroom via news24@southportreporter.com.

Ramada Plaza sponsors intrepid sailors in £50,000 challenge

A pair of sailors embarking on the nautical challenge of a lifetime has received welcome support from the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Southport.  The hotel is sponsoring former Southport man David Summerville and fellow sailor Steve Cockerill as they attempt to cross the Irish Sea in two single handed Laser class dinghies – which are only 4m in length each.  Ramada Plaza General Manager Enda Rylands explained that the pair will be covering 115 nautical miles during the challenge. They will set off from Enda’s own home town of Dublin and finish in Southport, aiming to raise £50,000 for mental health charity Mind and the John Merricks Sailing Trust.  Enda said:- “It is an epic challenge in terms of physical fitness and David and Steve have to ensure that conditions are just right on the day. David actually learned to sail on the Marine Lake which the hotel overlooks - so it is very fitting that the Ramada Plaza should sponsor him in this impressive endeavour.”

David, who grew up in Rawlinson Road and attended Christ the King Catholic High School in Stamford Road, is a championship sailor, winning regional and national titles in the UK and the Middle East.  The 52 year old grandfather of one explained how the Irish Sea Challenge was conceived. “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 15 years ago.  I was keen to raise money for Mind, which has helped me control the condition. A fellow sailor friend from Dublin has also lost two friends to mental illness, so together we formulated the idea to sail from Ireland to England in aid of Mind.”  He added that money raised will also go towards the John Merricks Sailing Trust. “I have long been a supporter of the Trust, which helps many young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals and fulfil their dreams.”

David, who now runs a boat repair business in Hertfordshire, said the date of the challenge would depend on the weather and tidal conditions. "The Irish Sea is notorious for unpredictable winds and strong tidal currents.  There are also at least 30 species of shark in these waters, plus the deadly Lion’s Mane jellyfish which is prevalent in August and September. This is all an added incentive not to capsize the Laser and fall into the water!  My training has been going really well and I’m feeling confident; it’s a massive challenge but as long as my body holds together my only fear is running out of breeze during the 15 hour crossing."  Enda added:- It will be wonderful to welcome David and Steve here at the hotel after their voyage. We hope as many people as possible will donate to the cause and raise thousands for Mind and the John Merricks Sailing Trust.”   The Ramada Plaza is set in the heart of the waterfront development on Southport’s promenade close to the Victorian pier. The hotel boasts 133 stylish rooms including eight with floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the coastline.