The Earl of Derby, DL visits former Lord Derby War Hospital

THE current Earl or Derby recently paid a visit to North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's Hollins Park Hospital, the site of which was named after his great grandfather, the 17th Earl of Derby during World War 1. The 17th Earl of Derby served as British Minister of War during World War 1, it was then that Hollins Park, was changed to the Lord Derby War Hospital treating more than 56,000 injured and shell shocked war casualties between 1915 and 1920. The Earl of Derby spent the afternoon at Hollins Park in Warrington, on Friday, 30 November 2018, to find out more about the site and the history of the Lord Derby War Hospital. During his visit the Earl of Derby viewed a fantastic display of poetry and artwork as part of a World War 1 creative project, young service users from the Trust's Fairhaven Unit, in Warrington, had made to mark Armistice Day.

The Earl of Derby also visited the plaques that are on display at Hollins Park which list staff who lost their lives during World War 1, 1914 to 1918 and during World War 2, 1939 to 1945.  The Earl of Derby's afternoon concluded with a visit to the Trust's memorial garden, at Hollins Park, where wreaths made by service users from the Hospital's inpatient units were laid at a short remembrance service that was held in November 2018.

The Earl of Derby said:- "It's been fascinating to visit the Trust today, it's extraordinary to think of how many soldiers spent their time at the Lord Derby War Hospital and it's great to see how homage is paid to them at the Trust 100 years on."

John Heritage, Chief Operating Officer at the Trust, said:- "I was delighted when Lord Derby accepted my invitation to visit Hollins Park as part of our celebrations to mark the end of World War One. It was a real pleasure to welcome Lord Derby, along with our Chairman Helen Bellairs to the Trust and to show him around the site that was named for his Great Grandfather when it was the Lord Derby War Hospital."

Mandela family to visit Liverpool in February 2019

THE family of revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela have announced they will be heading to Liverpool in 2019, when work is set to start on a tribute to the Freeman of the City. The former President's eldest daughter Dr Makaziwe 'Maki' Mandela and his granddaughter Tukwini Mandela, will visit Princes Park, on Monday, 11 February 2019; giving their seal of approval and allowing work to officially start on the permanent memorial to the revered freedom fighter. The installation will reflect Mandela's life, his love of gardens and horticulture, his teaching and passion for equality and humanity.  The announcement was made on the 5 December 2018, marking 5 years since the death of Nelson Mandela.  The 3 day visit, which has been organised by the Mandela8 group in partnership with the City Council, will also see the family members visit a number of community projects as well as taking part in a special civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Christine Banks, and a fundraising event hosted by the TUC, which will see proceeds go towards the development of the memorial.

Dr. Makaziwe Mandela said:- "I am delighted to be invited to the City of Liverpool, a City which honoured my Father with the Freedom of the City in 1994, a City whose links with South Africa are longstanding and whose communities have stood alongside South Africa, fighting injustice and Anti Apartheid. Most importantly the visit will mark the 29 year anniversary of my father's release from prison. It is significant to the family that we are marking that occasion in Liverpool, alongside the start of works on site for the Mandela8 memorial. We look forward to meeting those involved in supporting South Africa's struggle against Apartheid, and continuing our dialogue about educational opportunity."

Lynn Collins, Mandela8 Chair, said:- "Our City has such a strong connection and history with the campaign to free Mandela, a campaign which brought community activists and trades unionists together with one voice. This visit is a chance for us to show Madiba's family the solidarity and support of our City, to ensure the legacy, values and ideals of their loved one are formally marked here, and to begin the work to build our ongoing educational programme with their support and guidance. At a time when our City has been regularly called on to show its opposition to racism, fascism and xenophobia in all its forms, the visit and chance to celebrate the life of Mandela couldn't be more appropriate in uniting us all."

Sonia Bassey, Director and 1 of the founding members of Mandela8 said:- "This visit represents so much to our community, Mandela8 and me personally as one of the founding members along with Stephen Nze. Our political education and passion for equality was founded on the struggles of Liverpool 8 and South Africa, in particular the suffering Nelson Mandela endured in his fight for equality, and the tenaCity and deep rooted passion he showed for people and his country. It is a special honour for us that Dr Maki and Tukwini will be visiting our community and hearing about our struggles from activists in our community who supported Anti Apartheid."

Liverpool's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We're delighted Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela will be coming to the City in 2018 and we look forward to giving them a warm Liverpool welcome. The City Council and Mandela8 have been working closely with Dr Maki for some time on the memorial project, and we know how touched they are that this tribute will be taking centre stage in one of our beautiful green spaces. To have them here in person to kick-start the beginning of the work on the installation means a huge amount, and will be an opportunity for us to once again reflect on Mandela's unforgettable humanitarian achievements."

The Mandela8 group also aims to reinstate a bridge link in the Grade II* park which would link the mainland to the lake island. The area around the memorial will also provide space for learning, events and reflection. Plans are in place to integrate some of Nelson Mandela's iconic words into the artwork, in a way which communicates his messages and relevance to Toxteth, Liverpool and wider community today.

The visit in February is sponsored by MSB Solicitors.