Merseyside Army Cadet Force, Preparations for Camp

TWENTY thousand people are expected to walk through the Queensway Tunnel, linking Liverpool and Wirral, to celebrate its 75th anniversary – and raise money for charity.

“Under and Over the Mersey” 2009, taking place on Sunday, 19 July 2009, is expected to raise thousands of pounds for Claire House children’s hospice in Wirral, Merseytravel’s corporate charity for 2009.

The historic event will be the last chance to walk through the tunnel for years.

The event, which will be accessible to everyone, will be hosted by Keith Chegwin and include a full programme of entertainment for all the family as well as a trip back over the river on a Mersey Ferry.

Celebrities will count down the five planned walkthrough processions and crowds will be entertained with vintage cars, carnival rides, musical entertainment and dramatic circus performances.

All proceeds raised through ticket sales will be donated to Claire House and Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, visited the hospice to meet children and families who will benefit from the windfall.

Councillor Dowd said:- “Meeting the children of Claire House puts so much into perspective. They are such incredible children, with incredible families and great people looking after them.  Knowing that they will directly benefit from the proceeds of this event, particularly from donations made by all of those people taking part, is fantastic and we are delighted support them in any way we can.”

Everyone taking part is being encouraged to support their own worthwhile charities if they would like to, whether in fancy dress or through their own sponsorship.

Councillor Dowd added:- “We want people to really enjoy the day and make it one to remember. The event will be something to tell your children and grandchildren about because it will not happen again for years.”

Under and Over the Mersey will give walkers an intriguing trip back through time.

It will capture the 75 year history of the Mersey Tunnel – opened by King George V on 18 July 1934 – by transporting people back in time to a 1930’s carnival atmosphere.

After the walk through the tunnel, everyone taking part can then sail back to Liverpool on a Mersey Ferry – with all three boats on the River for the day.

Everyone taking part will also receive a medal to commemorate the day and celebrate their effort.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, said:- “This is the legacy of a special event held last year to celebrate European Capital of Culture. We’re making it even better this year and we hope that thousands of people will come along, take part, enjoy themselves and help raise some money for some truly fantastic causes that are close to their hearts.  This year we are planning something special to celebrate a milestone in the history of the tunnel; at its time, the largest underwater road tunnel in the world. Seventy-five years on it is still an amazing feat of engineering and we’ll be bringing some of that history back to life.”

Single tickets are £5 and family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) are £15.

Walks are timed at 10.30am, 11.15am, 12 noon, 12.45pm or 1.30pm and everyone taking part can choose the time that suits them best.

Anyone can book online at:- www.merseytravel.gov.uk or at any Merseytravel Centre. Alternatively, people can fill in an application form and send it through the post (details on application).

For more information about the event, call the information line on 0151 330 1702.

Everyone taking part in Under and Over the Mersey will receive a wristband that will give them two-for-one entry to Spaceport (home of the new One Small Step exhibition), The U-boat Story and Mersey Tunnel Tours until 16 August 2009.

The offer will apply to individual attractions or joint Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruise/attraction tickets (one free admission per wristband).

OUR EASTER COMPETITION/TICKET GIVE-AWAY:- "IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666"

WEEK two of our three week competition/ticket Give-A-Way... Well done to the winner of last week's draw. Last week the question was "What is the number of The Beast?" No, sorry the three who said "999" are wrong! It is of course "666"...  Thanks to Vue Cinema Southport we are able to offer yet another chance for you to get your hands on a few tickets... This week's question to vie for is... "How many members of the Iron Maiden band are shown in the poster Flight 666 poster below?"

The rules are simple... Enter your full name, address, phone number to our email address news24@southportreporter.com, then the answer to this week's easy question. You must be 15 or over and have ID, should you win, which shows your age. You cannot sell the tickets on or pass them on, so only enter if you can go! Closing date and time for this week's answer is 1pm GMT, 13 April 2009.

If you do not manage to win one of our tickets, do not worry... you still have a bit of time to get a ticket. Tickets for Iron Maiden: Flight 666 are currently on sale and can be purchased at:- www.myvue.com/ironmaiden, by calling 08712 240 240 or directly from participating cinemas. But they are selling fast!

To see our competition in last week's issue click here.

Please note that no employees or family of PBT Media Relations Ltd. PCBT Photography, Vue Entertainment, Arts Alliance Media, Phantom Music Management, Freud Communications and EMI Records can enter.  The cinema has the right to reject entry.

Rating:-   Running time:- 112 minutes
Cast:- Iron Maiden   Released on:- 21/04/2009

For direct information about Southport's screening use this link.

MISSING - VALERIE ANN FERGUSON

MERSEYSIDE Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of 69 year old, Valerie Ann Ferguson who has been missing from her home in Woolton since Saturday, 4 April 2009.

She was last seen at her home on Cobden Place at around midday. Valerie's disappearance is out of character for her.

Valerie is described as white, 5ft 2 in tall and of a plump build with strawberry blonde coloured hair. She was last seen wearing a white zip up jacket, red trousers, black shoes and walks with the aid of a walking stick. She is also believed to have been carrying a black handbag.

Valerie has not been in touch with any family or friends since leaving her property.

She is known to frequent the Liverpool, New Brighton and Southport areas.

Police would urge Valerie or anyone who may have seen her since Saturday to contact them on 0151 709 6010 or Missing People on 0500 700700.