Titanic menu marks beginning of centenary plans

THE final meal on the Titanic is to be recreated at a special event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool on Monday, 14 July 2008.

Representatives from cities connected with the Titanic’s tragic maiden voyage are gathering to discuss how one of the worst maritime disasters ever should be commemorated in the run up to the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship in 2012.

To mark the first gathering of the ‘Titanic Cities’, which includes Liverpool. Southampton, Belfast and Cherbourg, they will be served the menu offered to first class passengers on 14 April 1912.

The Lord Mayors of Belfast, Southampton and Cobh will be taking part in the event and luncheon. They will be served:- "Consommé Olga (Clear Soup garnished with scallops and cucumber); Filet Mignons Lili (Fillet steak medallions with Madeira sauce); Courgette Farci (Stuffed courgette with wild mushrooms); Boiled potatoes, Parmentier Potatoes, creamed carrots and petit pois; Chocolate and Vanilla Paris Breast; Coffee and Petit Fours"

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor Councillor Steve Rotheram, said:- “It will be wonderful to meet with other cities who were involved in the Titanic story – from those who built the magnificent Liner, to those ports from where it set sail, right through to those cities who lost so many of their citizens.

The sinking of the vessel left a deep scar, especially on all those connected to her and her passengers, for us, the Titanic was registered here and carried the name ‘Liverpool’ on her stern, so the loss was felt deeply in our port city.

In 2012 there will be a focus on the Titanic and those cities connected with it, so Monday’s meeting is extremely important as we can carefully plan a national programme which will inform, educate and commemorate such a momentous anniversary.”

Before the special menu is served, the representatives will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which will show their commitment to planning and organising the programme of events marking the 100th anniversary.

The Titanic Cities who will be involved in the event planning process are Liverpool, Belfast, Southampton, Cobh, New York and Halifax Nova Scotia.

MEP WELCOMES LIFELINE FOR JODRELL BANK

MOVES to secure the immediate future of Jodrell Bank have been welcomed by a local Euro-MP.

The world-famous observatory in Cheshire is home of the e-MERLIN which offers unique high resolution earth-bound space study and is a major contributor to Britain’s prominent reputation in the field of radio astronomy.

Jodrell Bank was faced with closure when the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) classed it as a low priority earlier this year. The threat to withdraw the projects £2.5 million annual grant for the next 10 years led to fears about the future of the site.

Chris Davies MEP wrote to Science Minister Ian Pearson asking what the Government was doing to influence the STFC and ensure the future of Jodrell Bank.

And now the STFC has pledged to find partners to secure the medium-term future of the telescopes.

The announcement has been welcomed by Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, but he still has concerns about the observatory’s long-term future.

He said:- “The funding announcement is welcome and removes the immediate threat from Jodrell Bank. But I would like the Government to make a long-term commitment to the future of the observatory.”

TSINGTAO RAISES A GLASS TO HOME CITY

WHEN all the boats participating in the Round the World Clipper Race 2008 crossed the line in Liverpool, leading Chinese Beer Brand Tsingtao was on hand to greet the crew of the boat from the Chinese city of Qingdao which also happens to be the home of the Tsingtao Brewery.

Representatives from Merseyside based Halewood International, which distributes Tsingtao in the UK greeted the crew of the Qingdao, which finished fourth in the 35,000 mile circumnavigation of the world. The boat dropped into its home city five months ago in February as part of the build up to the Olympics – Qingdao is playing host city to the Olympic Sailing Events and Tsingtao beer is one of the Olympic sponsors in China.

The race was conceived as part of the programme to celebrate Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status and crew on board the Qingdao ship celebrated in style when cases of Tsingtao beer were delivered just after crossing the finishing line.

The crew of the boat come from the city of Qingdao and couldn’t believe their luck having been at sea since September 2007 to return to dry land to be greeted with bottles of beer from the brewery of their home city.

As Nigel Tarn, Senior Brand Manager for Tsingtao points out:- “It seemed like a unique opportunity for the company, the brand and the boat. Halewood International is based on Merseyside, the race started and finished in Liverpool and one of the boats came from the city where Tsingtao beer is brewed so it seemed like a great opportunity to support the boat and crew.

This is just one of many initiatives we are undertaking to support the brand within both the Chinese community and among a wider consumer audience.

We have just launched a nationwide competition to find the UK’s best Chinese restaurant which will also give consumers the chance to visit the Tsingtao brewery as VIP guests and we have a number of other initiatives ongoing to support the brand.”

16 JULY 2008 AFTERNOON LIVERPOOL SERVICE DIVERTED TO HEYSHAM

THE scheduled Liverpool service on Wednesday afternoon, 16 July 2008, is being diverted to Heysham to allow Mersey Dock and Harbours to replace the link bridge at the Liverpool Landing Stage.

After discussions with Heysham Port regarding alternative berthing availability, Snaefell will operate a replacement Douglas to Heysham service, departing Douglas at 14.00 and returning from Heysham at 17.00 on Wednesday.

Courtesy coaches will depart from Heysham to Liverpool upon arrival of Snaefell from Douglas. 

Courtesy coaches will also transfer foot passengers between Liverpool and Heysham, with a coach departing Liverpool at 14.15 to connect with the Heysham to Douglas 17.00 sailing.  For those passengers arriving in Liverpool late in the afternoon for the 19.00 sailing to Douglas, a second courtesy coach will depart Liverpool at 22.00 to connect with the 02.15 sailing on Thursday. 

Affected customers are currently being contacted to be advised of the alteration to services.
Continues:-
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company apologises for any inconvenience caused to its passengers during this period of essential works required by Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

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