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Cathedral goes global for River Festival

Gaia: The earth art installation opens to the public, on Saturday, 25 May 2019

THE UK's largest cathedral, the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, will be home to the Earth this weekend in preparation for Liverpool's popular River Festival. Gaia, a stunning 23ft replica of the Earth featuring accurate and detailed NASA imagery, will hang from the Anglican Cathedral's Well; and for 1 of the 1st times anywhere in the world, the installation will rotate to bring the artwork alive. The rotation is 360 times faster than our real planet, turning once every 4 minutes.

The Very Rev Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said:- "We are hugely looking forward to the arrival of another of Luke's awe-inspiring installations at Liverpool Cathedral. Witnessing so many people encounter Liverpool Cathedral while taking in the beautiful 'Museum of the Moon' last year, reminded me we really are a place for the City to come together and experience something truly outstanding. As a place of encounter, with worship at its heart, the Cathedral is a focal point for people in Liverpool and visitors to the City. The Earth or Gaia coupled with the warm welcome of our staff and volunteers is set to give our visitors another breath-taking experience."

It will open to the public, on Saturday, 25 May 2019, a week before the free maritime festival takes place, on Saturday, 1 June and Sunday, 2 June 2019. It has been created by renowned British Artist Luke Jerram, and will be complemented with a sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning Composer Dan Jones.

Artist and Gaia creator Luke Jerram, said:- "I hope visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. I'm interested in how people will react to this experience and what their interpretation will be. 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 Earth will be in place for 4 weeks, until Sunday, 23 June 2019, and a programme of FREE events and talks will take place under the installation. These include interactive storytelling for youngsters, a piano recital by award winning pianist William Bracken, poetry readings, performances by the Liverpool String Quartet, songwriter and singer Lizzie Nunnery will present new material inspired by Gaia, unique play sessions for children and their parents or carers will take place as well as a relaxing yoga session.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We know how incredible the moon looked in the cathedral last year, and a rotating Earth is going to look equally as captivating. The environment and climate change is high on the news agenda and as well as being stunning to look at, Gaia will be a thought-provoking piece of art which will allow us to appreciate the fragility of the world we live in. As 71% of the Earth is water, it is appropriate this artwork forms part of Liverpool's River Festival. This year is very much a celebration of the heritage of iconic port, and how it has put Liverpool on the map as an arrival and departure base for culture, music, food, drink and art."

There will also be a number of autism friendly 'Quiet Hour' sessions, where visitors can view the Earth in peaceful surroundings.

A ticketed event will see Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman CMG OBE, take part in a special:- 'In Conversation With' event, on Sunday, 2 June 2019. Helen will talk about her experience of space travel and the intense preparation that went in to her launching into the history books, in May 1991. The following day, Helen will take part in a private event for School children. This event also forms part of Liverpool's RISE programme which celebrates extraordinary women.

For full details of the programme and to book tickets, visit:- TheRiverFestival.Co.UK. Viewing times for Gaia differ each day, so refer to the website for the latest information.

The artwork forms part of the 'Changing Tides' creative programme, when in 2018 saw the:- 'Museum of the Moon' installed within 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. Also it's worth adding that in Greek mythology, the name Gaia means the personification of the Earth.

For full details of the programme, including locations of events and times can be found online. Find out more at:- RiseLiverpool.Co.UK. For more information about Gaia, visit:- My-Earth.Org.

"Thank you Mam" – says new Lord Mayor

A new Lord Mayor of Liverpool has been sworn in at the Liverpool Town Hall, on Wednesday, 22 May 2019. The Cllr Peter Brennan, who is new Lord Mayor, has announced that his tenure of 12 months in the Civic Pffice will be dedicated to his mother Margaret, who passed away earlier this year (2019). Cllr Brennan will be supporting 3 charities during his year as Lord Mayor. They are:- 'The Anthony Walker Foundation,' the 'Wah Sing Community Centre' along with 'Transforming Choices.'

Cllr Brennan said:- "I am so proud and humbled to have been chosen by my peers as Liverpool's First Citizen, Lord Mayor. My Mam would have been so proud to see me as Lord Mayor as she loved her City with a passion, but I know she will be with me every step of the way urging me on to my best. She taught me right from wrong, gave me a backbone and instilled the notion of equality from an early age along with 'there's room for all of us', as she abhorred injustice of any kind. She was the most hardworking of women I ever knew, often having three cleaning jobs when we were kids to keep a good home and the family together. She was funny, compassionate and had an innate sense of duty and a strong Christian faith. Thank you Mam"

If you don't know him, Cllr Brennan has served as a Councillor for Old Swan Ward since 2011. He previously also served as an Elected Member for Everton Ward, from 1994 until 2002, when he stepped down to follow a career in Youth Crime Prevention. He was brought up in Everton, attending Friary Infants and Junior School and SFX Bilateral School. After studying Medical Laboratory Sciences ,he started his first job in the NHS Blood Transfusion Service. He then returned to education to follow a course in youth and community studies that allowed him to take up his dream job as a Senior Youth Worker, at Shrewsbury House Youth and Community Centre, in Everton, a Centre that he, himself, attended as a child.

During Cllr Brennan's year of Office, Former Lord Mayor Sharon Sullivan will be his Lady Mayoress. Sharon served the Central and Riverside Wards from 2003 to 2019.

Did you know?

► 'The Anthony Walker Foundation' promotes racial harmony through education, arts and sports, celebrates diversity and personal integrity, and realises the potential of all young people.

► That the 'Wah Sing Community Centre' was formed in 1965, quickly becoming a well respected organisation within Liverpool, with strong links to other major Chinese communities in the UK and Europe.

► 'Transforming Choices' helps people who lead chaotic, alcohol dependent lives to change how they live through detox and rehabilitation programmes.

Police vehicle hits pedestrian on A59 Northway, Maghull

A serious road traffic collision took place on A59 Northway, Maghull on 19 May 2019, involving a Police vehicle and a pedestrian. The collision took place near the Alt Park Hotel Pub, at around 00:20. The pedestrian, a man in his 30's, was taken to Hospital and the Officer sustained no injuries. The incident has been referred to the IOPC for further investigation. Anyone that witnessed the collision or has dash cam footage of the area leading up to the incident is asked to call:- 101 quoting:- 'MP-20190519-0019.'