River Festival Liverpool Promises the Earth

BRITAIN'S biggest Cathedral, Liverpool Cathedral will be playing host to the artwork entitled:- 'Gaia' (meaning the personification of the Earth), that will be soon hanging majestically within the Grade I listed building. The installation, by renowned British artist Luke Jerram, will be complemented with a sound composition, created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones and  features accurate and detailed NASA imagery of the Earth. Gaia will be open to the public, from Saturday, 25 May 2019, a week before the free festival takes place, on Saturday, 1 June and Sunday, 2 June 2019. 

Artist and Gaia creator Luke Jerram, said:- "I was delighted when the Museum of the Moon was presented at the Cathedral, and overwhelmed that 60,000 people experienced my work. Now I've made an artwork of the Earth, I'm interested in how people will react to this different experience and what their interpretation will be. For our entire human existence we have been gazing up at the moon and projecting all our hopes concerns, dreams and wishes up there. Whereas for the Earth it was only in 1968 that humanity was able to see our planet floating like a blue marble in space. I hope visitors to the Earth in Liverpool get to see our planet as if from space, as a floating fragile ball of life, an incredibly beautiful and precious ecosystem. A place we urgently need to look after, our only home."

The artwork forms part of the:- 'Changing Tides' creative programme, which in 2018 saw the 'Museum of the Moon,' installed in the Cathedral attracting 60,000 visitors to the venue in just 2 weeks. This year's programme celebrates the port of Liverpool as an arrival and departure base for exemplary culture, music, food and wine from all over Earth. Gaia will be in position for 4 weeks until Sunday 23 June, and a programme of events and talks will take place under the Earth during its run - these will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.  For more information about Gaia, visit:- My-Earth.Org,

The Very Rev Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said:- "It's a great joy to be able to host another amazing installation at Liverpool Cathedral by renowned artist Luke Jerram, as part of the City's River Festival. As an inspiring place of encounter, with worship at its heart, the Cathedral is a focal point for people in Liverpool and visitors to the City. In 2018, witnessing so many people enjoy the beautiful Museum of the Moon, reminded me that we really are a place for the City to come together and experience something truly outstanding. The Earth or 'Gaia' installation coupled with the warm welcome of our staff and volunteers is set to give our visitors another breath taking experience. Despite our size; we're the largest Cathedral in the UK and the ⅕largest in the world, there's an incredible sense of intimacy when you enter the space and Luke Jerram's artwork will only enhance that feeling of oneness."

This maritime event will cover Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Salthouse Dock, the paved area of The Strand and Mann Island with a whole raft of free family friendly activities and other highlights, free and paid, taking place across the River Festival weekend include:-

► In a UK premiere, 'The Urchins' will head to the waterfront. The artwork consists of large hand crocheted works of art made of fishing nets and measuring more than 3 metres high and nearly 6 metres wide. Designed by internationally award winning architect Jin Choi, the fabric shell will float above the water and will be illuminated; creating beautiful glowing structures.

► 'Yolart' is a brand new commission where the Pier Head will become a canvas for in demand artist Jola Kudela. Her speciality is working in public spaces and engaging with communities to recreate scenes from classic paintings, giving it a 21st century twist. Jola uses contemporary models to feature in her art, and creates huge collages which are then pasted on to unusual backdrops, often on to derelict abandoned buildings, so the composition itself becomes part of the urban landscape. The work will start on the commission from April.

► Mann Island will be taken over by:- 'Shipwreck - Receivers of the Wreck' which will see a lone, broken ship act as a stage for a highly physical show featuring performances, aerial circus, dance and soundscapes to tell the tales of sailors, survivors, wreckers and rescuers. There will also be performances at Mann Island from world famous acrobatic troupe African Eagles and the Rhajistani heritage brass band.

► 'The Golden Age Of Hollywood' will take over the waterfront thanks to a new:- 'On the Town' - a brand new dance commission by House of Suarez. Expect a New York inspired tap extravaganza to take over when you least expect it on land and on shore!

► The main stage of the Pier Head will celebrate Liverpool's longstanding relationship with New York; with live music performances from Disco Inferno and Motown Gold.

► As well as the 'Changing Tides' programme, River Festival Liverpool will feature the usual popular, family friendly elements.

► Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be home to 3 Ship Stages dedicated to showcasing Indian, African and Irish live music and performances.

► A number of Nobby Boats will also open their doors and allow people to come on board and the International Canoe Polo Tournament will return to the Princes Dock complex.

► The 'Brian Boru' a beautiful wooden hulled, traditionally built and riffed gaff ketch will sail into the City, joining the 60 feet Schooners:- 'Adventure Wales,' 'Pelican of London' and Tall Ships 'Maybe' and 'Blue Clipper.'

► Audiences can also expect the usual exhibitions including:- unarmed combat and weapons displays and the Sea Cadets will be performing their field gun window ladder semaphore and club swinging activities.

► There will be story telling, music workshops, street theatre and dancing showcases taking place across the site during the 2 days.

► The award winning:- 'Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool' makes it return offering world class wine and delicious food on the Pier Head. This will kick off on Friday, 31 May 2019 and will run until Sunday, 2 June 2019. More details about the event will be revealed in the coming weeks, but tickets can be purchased now from:- BWFLiverpool.Com.

'► The Northern Boat Show' will also return for its 5th year. It will give visitors the chance to experience all the various ways to get on the water, from sailing and cruising right through to kayaking,  there's something for the whole family, at Salthouse Dock.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "River Festival Liverpool has become a much loved staple of our events calendar and it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. We are incredibly proud of the creative programme which showcases some of the very best in art and culture from local and global talent through commissions, installations and performances. We are delighted to work with Luke Jerram once again; the Moon was not only hugely popular, but also thought-provoking, and Gaia will be equally as impactful in such an impressive space as the iconic Liverpool Cathedral. It's set to be a busy weekend on our UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront as we celebrate our maritime heritage."

River Festival Liverpool and Changing Tides has been curated by Liverpool City Council. Supporters making the event possible are:- Huyton Asphalt, Arriva, the Mayoral Club, Heart North West and Merseyrail.  For all the latest information, visit:- TheRiverFestival.Co.UK.

Medical Student Awarded With The Sharpest Skills In The UK

RUN by Britain's oldest surgical Royal College, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh with sponsors Medtronic, the National Surgical Skills Competition, now in its 4th year, was won by University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School student James Russell, after a gruelling series of tests designed to push the finalist's skills to the extreme.

Delighted by his win on 16 March 2019, James said:- "I found the stations challenging and enjoyable. It was a great opportunity to practice on the state of the art simulation equipment, and to get feedback on my skills from experienced surgeons. I am very keen to pursue surgery as a career prospect and winning the final has given me greater confidence in my practical skills."

The competition began in September 2018, with 19 regional rounds across the UK, during which medical students were asked to undertake a series of demanding surgical skills tests including an:- 'Origami Skill Test' designed to assess cognitive skills and challenge the ability to follow instructions and demonstrate manual dexterity. The winner of each regional round was announced on the night, awarded with a trophy and the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh to compete in Saturday's Grand Final.

Explaining more about the competition, President of RCSEd, Professor S Michael Griffin said:- "The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has a long established reputation for being at the forefront of surgery, having led and supported the profession since 1505. With a crucial focus now on supporting the next generation of surgeons, it has been hugely rewarding to witness the talents of senior medical students through this competition as they showcased their surgical skills. The competition Grand Final also offered the opportunity for our competitors to network with students out with their own University and with established surgeons, in the midst of the prestigious setting of our Royal College. RCSEd is committed to fostering relationships with the undergraduate medical Schools in the UK and this competition provides an excellent platform. I am delighted to offer my congratulations to James and wish all students who took part every success in the next step of their medical careers."

With only 8% of medical undergraduates qualifying as surgeons in 1 of the 10 specialties, surgery is an incredibly competitive area, so being able to demonstrate the commitment and the skills to become a surgeon at this early stage puts students at a great advantage later in their career.

Convened by College Council Member Mr Roger Currie, a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Ayrshire, the competition aims to discover the most talented aspiring surgeons in the UK. "For the competition to be received so enthusiastically by the senior medical students was wonderful to see. Competing against their peers allowed the students to benchmark their abilities, many of whom surprised themselves by finding they were stronger than expected. The confidence gained in the competitive yet supported setting we hope inspires them to pursue surgery as their chosen profession at this crucial point in their training. The achievement in winning a place at the Grand Final sets these students apart as real surgical stars of the future We are most grateful to Medtronic for their collaboration to make this competition possible."

Jackie Fielding, VP, Medtronic UK & Ireland said:- "The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Surgical Skills competition is a perfect forum to encourage medical students to consider a surgical career path. We're consistently impressed with the students' level of skill and professionalism throughout this competition and we're delighted to provide the winner with a unique opportunity to experience our very latest offering in surgical innovation."

James will be 1 of the very 1st in the UK to experience a ground breaking technology from Medtronic. The new Visionsense™ VS3 Iridium system combines high definition visualisation with infrared fluorescence imaging, allowing surgeons to visualise and assess tissue perfusion with real time qualitative and quantitative measurement of IR intensity, confirming or enhancing surgical judgment to optimise outcomes. Medtronic Ltd, regularly launches new and innovative products which support the companies Mission to contribute to human welfare by application of biomedical engineering in the research. 2nd place in Saturday's Grand Final was awarded to Oxford University medical student Audrey Davies. To see all the action from the Surgical Skills Competition 2019, visit:- RCSed.AC.UK/SurgicalSkillsComp or search on social media via:- '#SurgicalSkillsComp'