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City ready for
maritime commemorations
LIVERPOOL is to take centre
stage as host of the national commemorations for the 70th
Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
From Friday, 24 May, until Tuesday, 28 May 2013, activities will take place on
the waterfront and in the City centre in tribute to the men and
women involved in the longest continuous military campaign of Word
War II.
From parades for veterans, Lindy Hop flash mobs, a fly past and
action packed displays, right through to more than 20 warships
arriving in the City; it will be an unmissable bank holiday weekend
for all the family.
On 25 and 26 May 2013, from 9.30pm until midnight, 2 high intensity
lasers projected from the Liver Building, transmitting the phrase
'Thank
You' in Morse Code. This is a nod to British mathematical genius
Alan Turing, who helped crack the Enigma Code which saved many lives
during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Craig Morrison, the artist responsible for the work, said:- "I
am thrilled to be showing my Light work, Thank You, at The Battle of
the Atlantic Commemorations. The lasers will pulse into
the heavens, and I sincerely hope that it will provide a fitting
memorial to all the men and women who gave their lives in the Second
World War."
From Saturday until Monday from 11am to 5pm, there is a packed
programme of events, including a model boat exhibition inside the
Liver Building. Many of the vessels lining the waterfront will be
open to visitors and a dramatic Battle of the Mersey will see Royal
Marine Commandos carry out a fast-roping rescue exercise involving a
Royal Navy helicopter and several warships. Further information on
the names of the ships visiting Liverpool for BOA70 and times when
they are open to visit will be released very shortly.
A Veterans Welcome Centre will also be open all weekend from 12-4pm
at the Port of Liverpool Building. Veterans and a guest can take
some time away from the hustle and bustle of the Pier Head and enjoy
a cup of tea and a biscuit served by the City of Liverpool Sea
Cadets.
Other highlights include:-
Saturday, 25 May 2013
At 11.30am veterans and their families are invited to gather at the
Cunard Building, where a procession led by Chinese lion dancers,
Indian drummers and troops from the Polish community (representing
the nationalities which made up crew on merchant and royal navy
vessels) will head to the Merchant Navy memorial on the Pier Head
for a poignant wreath-laying ceremony.
Just after 1.30pm a Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft will fly over
the waterfront in a Battle of Britain memorial flight. (Please note,
this is weather dependent)
The Band of Her Majesty's Royal
Marines will join local artists in a sold-out concert at the
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
A private commemorative service will take place at the Anglican
Cathedral, followed by a parade at 12.30pm, which includes platoons
from the Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Regulars, Reservists
and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. The route
is along Rodney Street, Mount Pleasant, Hope Street, down Upper Duke
Street finishing at the Anglican Cathedral.
Monday, 27 May 2013
Organised by the 156 Transport Regiment, around 15 teams made up of
ships' companies and guest visitors including the Merseyside Fire
Service will take part in a fun raft race in Salthouse Dock at 1pm.
A sold-out 40s themes veterans
party at St George's Hall.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
From 2pm the fleet of vessels will sail out of the
City in a
spectacular co-ordinated departure.
Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for culture and tourism,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "It is a real honour for
Liverpool to be the national focus of these 70th anniversary
commemorations.
When it comes to maritime events, Liverpool excels. We're expecting
around 250,000 visitors, and whatever the weather, the City will
shine. Working in partnership with the Royal and Merchant
navies, we are proud to have developed a huge programme consisting
of well over 100 events. These will not only be a tribute to those
who took part in the Battle of Atlantic, but will also appeal to
people of all ages, entertaining them but also teaching them about
the sacrifices made for the lives of future generations."
Rear Admiral Chris Hockley, Flag Officer Regional Forces, said:-
"Liverpool is absolutely the right place for the national focus
on commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic on its 70th anniversary.
It was the home of the Western Approaches operations room and the
receiver of over 1000 convoys, together with ship repair and
building activity in support. The events planned over the weekend of
24 May to 28 May the time in 1943 recognised as being the
turning point for this long and drawn out battle; will provide a
fantastic opportunity for the public to engage with, and learn more
about, those who made such a vital contribution, including Merchant
and Royal Navy veterans."
Chairman of the Liverpool Retired Merchant Seafarers Association,
Pat Moran, said:- "Liverpool took the men and women of every
maritime nation to crew her ships, particularly from the
Commonwealth and Empire. It is the achievements of these men
and women and Liverpool's own sons and daughters that the cavalcade
will celebrate. If you love Liverpool and the people who made her
great you must come and take part."
Merseyside engineering firm Cammell Laird is the main sponsor of
Battle of the Atlantic 70th Anniversary commemoration weekend.
For full details of all the events taking place, the location and
times visit
itsliverpool.com/culture
and click on 'On the Waterfront'. |
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REDUCED
SHAKESPEARE COMPANY®
In THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
AN irreverent, fast-paced romp
through the Bard's plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
(abridged) was London's longest-running comedy having clocked a very
palpable nine years in London's West End at the Criterion Theatre!
Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way
through all of Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in
one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with
laughter.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company is
a 3 man comedy troupe that takes long, serious subjects and reduces
them to short, sharp comedies.
Since 1981, 'The Bad Boys of Abridgement' have created 8
stage shows, 2 television specials, several failed TV pilots and
numerous radio pieces – all of which have been performed, seen,
heard and translated into Klingon the world over.
The company's first 3 shows, The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (abridged), The Complete History of America (abridged)
and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) enjoyed a 9 year run at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus. Not
only were they London's longest-running comedies, but at one point
the Reduced Shakespeare Company had more shows running in the West
End than Andrew Lloyd Webber. Some of them were funnier too…
The "other RSC" were last seen in the UK with their highly
successful Complete World of Sports (abridged) which toured the
country before completing a season in London's West End during the
2012 Olympics.
Warning! This show is a high-speed
roller-coaster type condensation of all of Shakespeare's plays, and
is not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems,
inner-ear disorders, outer-ear disorders, Shakespearean scholars,
degrees in Elizabethan history and/or people inclined to motion
sickness. The RSC cannot be held responsible for expectant mothers!
Listings Information:-
Venue:- The Atkinson SOUTHPORT
Dates:- Wednesday 12th June 2013
Box Office:- 0151 928 1919
Website:-
seftonarts.co.uk.
Euro MP welcomes
EU action on potential oil price fixing
RESPOMDING to the
raids by the European Commission of several large oil companies'
premises on allegations of price fixing, Arlene McCarthy, Vice
President of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary
Committee and draftswoman on the EU Market Abuse rules said:-
"In July I wrote to EU Competition Commissioner Almunia urging him
to look closely at the IOSCO work on allegations of cartels price
fixing in oil and gas markets. I remain very concerned that
benchmarks in key indices, interest rates and commodity are subject
to manipulation.
These prices have a knock on effect for households and businesses
bills as well as the price of petrol at the pump. People are paying
more while companies are booking high profits on the basis of
manipulated prices.
There is a serious lack of transparency in the price setting system
which means we have no idea if the prices are fair and honest or
whether they are a true reflection of the wholesale price.
The lack of action by UK regulators means it is vital for the
European Commission to investigate potential abusive practices in
these markets.
Should consumers be the victim of overcharging then I want to see
companies redress the situation and consumers that have been ripped
off compensated.
What is clear is that we need urgent reform to introduce stronger,
independent rules on commodity benchmarks."
APPEAL FOR MAN
FOLLOWING ALLEGED RACIST ABUSE IN SOUTHPORT
MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for the
public's help in tracing a 31 year old man from the Southport area
who is wanted for racial abuse and possession of cannabis. Francois
Peens is wanted in connection with an incident where he is alleged
to have racially abused a group of Eastern European men, on Cable
Street, in Southport, on 21 March 2013. He was also being
investigated in connection with possession of Cannabis. He failed to
attend Copy Lane Police Station on 3 May 2013 to comply with the
conditions of his Police Bail. Mr Peens is a white male, medium
build, with hazel eyes and is approximately 5ft 11ins tall with
short dark hair. He speaks with a distinctive South African accent.
Officers looking for Mr Peens are urging him or anyone who knows of
his whereabouts to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 3020 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.
LOST MEDICATION - BOOTLE
MERSEYSIDE Police are urging anyone who finds
prescription drugs lost in Bootle, on Monday, 13 May 2013, to hand
them in. The medication - 90ml of methadone - was lost by someone
who took a train from Bootle to Liverpool City Centre so may have
been left on a train or at a railway station. Anyone who comes
across these drugs or others is urged not to take them and instead
hand them into their nearest police station, pharmacy or medical
centre.
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