Rob Ainsworth, Editor. Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 1

Transcription

1 Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Rob Ainsworth, Editor Website: Let us add you to our address to our mailing list. Click here to join the new LCHF Facebook Group for events, newsletters and heritage news NEWSLETTER No 39 June 2012 All Saints Church Childwall Carbuncle granted Planning permission. Campaigners hoping to stop a controversial plan to revamp one of Liverpool s most historic churches received a major setback. The project at Grade I-listed All Saints church in Childwall involves building a new extension on top of an existing burial site. The church appealed against a decision by Liverpool city council to refuse planning permission for the development. Now the appeal has been upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, meaning the scheme is back on track. Campaigner Jonathon Wild said: I m deeply disappointed with the decision of the extension to Liverpool s only remaining medieval church despite the council s stance and the opinion of many of the grave tenders. A Facebook page, Save Childwall Church, has also been set up to fight the proposals. One posting by Thom Cook said: Well the worst has happened. The planners have overturned the decision of Liverpool city council and allowed the disgusting and disrespectful decision to build on the side of All Saints church. The decision by the Planning Inspectorate means the proposal will now go before a special Church of England court, known as a Faculty, to decide whether it can go ahead. No date has yet been set for the public hearing, which will allow both sides to present their case. International Garden Festival site It's been a long and thorny road, but this month' will see the International Garden Festival site will reopen to the public after lying derelict for years. The good news is admission to the 90-acre area of ornamental gardens and woodlands will be free. Dogs on leads will also be allowed. Star attractions will be the Chinese and Japanese gardens as well as a rocky, cascading waterfall and a hilltop platform with spectacular views across the Mersey and the Welsh mountains. The IGF opened for six months in 1984 as a show-piece to demonstrate to the world Liverpool was still in business after the Toxteth riots. It attracted 3m visitors and the hope was that come the end of the festival, the site would be allocated for housing and other uses, with the bulk of the gardens being taken over by Liverpool City Council. In the event the council said no, and the site struggled after that. For a while, under the name Pleasure Island, it was a playground for young and old alike, with the familiar covered dome at the heart of the attraction. It became overgrown, abandoned and vandalised with the dome being delmolished. The sorry state of the site even generated the anger of high ranking Japanese officials. Their country had gifted a stunning Japanese garden on condition it was cared for ever. St Helens based development company Langtree came to the rescue a few years ago with a plan that would see restoration of 70 acres of the festival gardens, along with the development of over 1,300 homes on 25 acres centred around what was the original dome, towards the promenade. While some were critical of apartment blocks fronting a short stretch of the prom, others took the more pragmatic view it was a trade-off to secure a future for the gardens. Although work has yet to start on Langtree's residential development, the company, true to its word, has ensure the gardens have been restored at a cost of 4.5m.Even with Langtree's commitment to restoration, the work has hit problems. Both the contractor responsible for transforming the site and Groundwork Merseyside who were to manage the Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 1

2 gardens. The weekend preview, the first of several test runs ended with a firework spectacular over the Mersey.The gardens will be managed by the Land Trust. Solna Hotel Sefton Park to be converted into hostel /treatment centre The Solna Hotel, a fine example of Victorian architecture with grade II listed status and situated at 4 Croxteth Drive Liverpool 17 is apparently planning to become a hostel or treatment centre for people with alcohol and drug dependencies. Although a public meeting was held at the hotel on Tuesday 22 nd May it appears not all the local residents or local heritage groups where informed the meeting was taking place. The LCHF would be grateful for any further information into this project from anyone who may have attended the meeting or can provide further information on the proposed hostel that is situated in the Sefton Park conservation area. Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to build Titanic II Clive Palmer told a news conference Titanic II would be ready to set sail in Clive Palmer, one of Australia's richest men, has commissioned a Chinese state-owned company to build a 21st Century version of the Titanic. The mining billionaire told Australian media that construction would start at the end of next year. It would be ready to set sail in The plan was for the vessel to be as similar as possible to the original Titanic in design and specifications, but with modern technology. Mr Palmer had signed a memorandum of understanding with CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct the ship. The announcement comes just weeks after the centenary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic. The vessel, the largest luxury ship in its time, struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It went down on 15 April 1912, leaving more than 1,500 people dead. Titanic A number of events were held to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking The new vessel is scheduled to sail from London to New York in late 2016, if all goes as planned. The cost of the construction is not known. OLD CHRIST CHURCH, WATERLOO One of the advantages LCHF members and members groups benefit from as part of forum s is the facility to advertise their events or news etc in the forum s newsletter and/or on our web site. The distribution list of the forum is in excess of 2,000 and is redistributed through other groups mailing systems and we estimate the readership could be double this figure. It is good to hear when the forum is able to assist a member group, particularly advertising vacancies within their organisations. The latest group to inform me of their successful advertisement through the LCHF is Old Christ Church, Waterloo who wanted help sourcing a HLF grant advisor. Congratulations to Denise, formerly of Toxteth Town Hall and the recently restored Florence Institute in the Dingle who was the successful applicant. Philharmonic Hall 10m refurbishment plans The Liverpool Philharmonic is launching a 10m fundraising campaign to refurbish its art deco concert hall by The organisation has already secured a 634,000 Arts Council England grant to appoint a design team of architects and surveyors that will put together initial plans by the end of this year. The capital development project will include changes to the front-of-house areas, including the foyer, bar and toilets, and improved backstage facilities. It will also aim to make the Grade II*-listed venue more sustainable, both environmentally and financially. The aim was for work to begin on the Philharmonic Hall in 2014 and be completed later that year. It is not yet known whether the orchestra would have to vacate the hall during the refurbishment, but if the building has to be closed it will likely be limited to an extension to the annual summer vacation, he said. Its last major refurbishment, costing 10.3m, took place in Fundraising for the 10m, expected to come from a combination of public, private and charitable sources, will take place next year. The capital development project was announced at the launch of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra s 2012/13 season. Museum of Liverpool one millionth visitor A million visitors have stepped inside the Museum of Liverpool since it opened just nine months ago. The 72m attraction has outstripped its management s expectations, who forecast it would attract 750,000 people in its first year. Its director, Janet Dugdale, was joined by National Museums Liverpool Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 2

3 director David Fleming and pupils from Bishop Martin School, in Woolton, yesterday to celebrate the milestone with a football-themed photograph. The largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, the Museum of Liverpool was opened by six-year-old Finn O Hare on July 19 last year. Its opening week remains its busiest attracting 77,667 people. Nearly 60,000 people visited during the two-week Easter period last month, while the Sea Odyssey giant spectacular led over 22,000 people to the museum throughout the weekend of April Reactions to the attraction have not all been positive, however. Architecture critic Rowan Moore dubbed it a God awful mess and a restless squiggle, while questioning the suitability of constructing such a design on a Unesco World Heritage Site. It was also nominated for the annual Carbuncle Cup, voted by readers of Building Design magazine for the most loathed new building in Britain. The building is also the subject of an ongoing legal dispute between National Museums Liverpool and architects and lead consultants AEW. However, the museum has been shortlisted for four Museum Heritage Awards (Ed). Crosby cinema saved with a 70,000 digital makeover A Crosby cinema threatened with closure has been saved. The Plaza Cinema, in Crosby, which needed to replace its dated platter reel system by the end of the year, has raised enough cash to convert to new digital equipment. The popular venue needed roughly 70,000 to upgrade to the digital equipment or it would close. The cinema will have the new technology installed in time for the new Batman movie in July. The money to purchase the equipment was raised through the help of the community and local schools. Mersey beaches come top in survey Six of the eight cleanest beaches in the North west are in Merseyside, a study from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has revealed. All 11 beaches passed the annual clean water tests, with Thurstaston, which failed last year, receiving a basic pass this time around. Southport and West Kirby both improved from last year to join Formby, Wallasey, Moreton and Meols in being declared among the cleanest in the country, in the Good Beach Guide. But, while Merseyside fared well, the outlook was not so good for the North west as a whole, with only eight out of 37 beaches 22% recommended by MCS for excellent water quality making it the worst-performing region in the UK. And the MCS warned that, without taking action, many may not meet stricter bathing water standards from Archaeological Service Closes The Merseyside Archaeological Service (MAS) has been shut down, and now there is no longer access to the Merseyside Historic Environment Record. According to the notice on the Liverpool Museums website this was due to the removal of funding by all partners. The MAS was set up in 1991, and received funding from the five Merseyside local authorities (Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens). Historic Environment Records (HERs) grew out of the Sites and Monuments Records which began with Oxfordshire in the 1960s to cover the whole country by the 1980s. The change in name came in the last decade to reflect the increase in coverage and scope. One of the most important roles for SMRs and, later, HERs is to provide information to archaeologists (whether working for commercial companies, as consultants or as part of local councils) to investigate the archaeological potential of an area ahead of development. With the introduction of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) notes 15 and 16 at the start of the 1990s archaeology finally became an integral part of the planning process. If you wanted to redevelop a site you had to know how much history you were likely to destroy. Some of the most famous examples of sites to come to light through this process are the Southend Saxon King discovered in 2003 and the Viking burial ground in Weymouth. With a legal obligation to consider heritage as part of the planning process (and with the new Planning Policy Statement 5 which replaced PPG15 amd 16 in March 2010) there would seem to be a critical issue here: how will developers find the information they need to carry out sufficient research? I would have thought that there s a statutory duty to give access to the HER, but it seems that if it s not there then you re off the hook. Ignorance may be bliss for developers. For archaeologists, other sources will have to suffice. What next? The Museums announcement advises you to contact the five councils, whose relevant webpages (when these pages mention it ) still point back to the MAS page Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 3

4 announcement. It seems you re left to send an or phone them for advice, but it looks like, at least for now, there is no access to Merseyside s Historic Environment Record. WAVERTREE SCOCIETY A NEW DATE FOR OUR TITANIC TALK Unfortunately our advertised speaker failed to appear on 21 st March, having lost his appointments diary a short while earlier. We are very grateful to the two members of our audience who stepped into the breach and kept us entertained: Ken Johnson with his of-the-cuff (but very authoritative) talk about the Musicians of the Titanic, and Ron Martin who showed us Alfred Jacob s ciné film of Liverpool Tramways We are pleased to announce that we have now re-booked Steve Binns for Wednesday 6th June, 7.30pm at the Olive Mount Community Centre, Edgewell Drive, L15 8GG THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC. ALL WELCOME. Admission Free (Donations invited) DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING VENUE: The Olive Mount Community Centre is situated on the ground floor of Monkswell Place, Edgewell Drive, Liverpool L15 8GG. Car access is from Thingwall Road via the miniroundabout; and there is direct pedestrian access from Childwall Road. (Enter the building through the wooden gate at the south-east corner). Edge Lane road scheme officially reopened Transport Minister Norman Baker has officially reopened Liverpool's busiest road into the city centre. The 65m Edge Lane scheme meant a year of busy roadworks for commuters travelling on the M62. Norman Baker MP went on a tour of the area, visiting the new central reservation and junction. It is hoped that, with the route now widened into a dual carriageway, journey times and congestion will be reduced. Other improvements include the removal of the concrete footbridge and pedestrian crossing improvements. Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said residents and the business community had spent decades asking for the area to be improved. "The enhancements to the carriageway, alongside the new retail, residential and commercial schemes will provide a fitting gateway into the city," he said. Liverpool City Council approves new Anfield vision Liverpool City Council has given the green light to plans to deliver more than 200 new homes in North Liverpool which include bringing the council-owned cleared land of the former Granton Road Primary School in Anfield into use for housing development. The council has also given the go-ahead to developer Keepmoat to begin housing development on land bounded by Adam Street, Herschell Street, Adkins Street, Hartnup Street, St Glashier Street and St Domingo Vale, also in L4, which covers the Anfield, Kirkdale, Walton districts. All 320 properties in the four-hectare site will be demolished by July, and the decision will allow Keepmoat to begin work this summer on 167 new two, three and four bedroom bungalows and houses. The cabinet has also approved plans to sell land at Vauxhall Road/Burlington Street L3, to BTW Trading Limited, and to grant them a licence to enter the land for the delivery of 38 new two and three bedroom houses. Between them, the schemes, which are part of the council s Housing Capital Programme for , will see a total of 205 new homes delivered in North Liverpool. Mersey firemen killed during Blitz remembered Firemen killed in Merseyside during the Blitz have been recognised with a roll of honour in their memory. Relatives of crews who lost their lives joined Blitz survivor Ted Jermyn from Formby for the unveiling of a plaque at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service s Heritage and Education Centre in Bootle. The list of names of all of the firefighters who were killed as a result of enemy action are inscribed on the plaque showing their rank, month and year they died. A total of 68 firefighters were killed when German bombers dropped explosives on Merseyside from 1940 to Among the list are the names of six firefighters from Wallasey Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and six from Bootle AFS, one from Crosby AFS and 45 from Liverpool Auxiliary Fire Service, Liverpool Fire Brigade and Liverpool Salvage Corps. At the unveiling relatives and guests were given a talk with photos on the challenges that firemen at the time faced including getting trailer engines to the scene of multiple fires, sometimes by hand. After the ceremony 96-year-old Mr Jermyn, who retired in 1969 after 31 years as a fireman, said: It s wonderful to see the roll of honour. The Heritage and Education Centre is a great place. Epstein Theatre opens Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 4

5 The great and the good of the city`s theatrical talent gathered together in May to toast the re-opening of the Neptune Theatre now renamed The Epstein Theatre and having recently undergone a 1.2m refurbishment of the foyer, bar and 380 seater auditorium. The theatre, whose programme highlights include a gong show of wannabe comics, was officially opened by Mayor Joe Anderson. Liverpool City Council opened out tenders for the management contract, which was won in 2011 by the organisers of Liverpool Sound City. Its CEO Dave Pichilingi, last night revealed his plans for the theatre. A full programme of theatre, music, comedy and dance will be announced for the main auditorium soon, say organisers, but highlights of the year are already in place for the autumn season, with the world premiere of a play based on the life of Brian Epstein titled EPSTEIN, which runs from 15 Nov 1 Dec, penned by local writer Andrew Sherlock. The theatre will also see a Christmas panto with LHK Productions promising a lavish production of Cinderella, from 6 Dec 6 Jan. The bar will open throughout the day, there are plans for open mic comedy and poetry nights and a a showcase for new bands. Food wise, the aim is to specialise in cheeses, pates and cooked meats. The bar will host art and photography exhibitions and opens with a show by photographer Mark McNulty and his work over the past 25 years.joe Flannery, 81, a lifelong friend of Brian Epstein has donated a large photograph of Brian which hangs in the theatre bar. Hoylake Lifeboat Museum building agreement made 'in principle' Progress appears to have been made in the fight to save Hoylake's lifeboat museum after an agreement was made 'in principle' between its trustees and the building s owner. A closure crisis was triggered in March when Hylgar Properties, the company which owns the building on Hoylake promenade, informed the museum's charity trust it must vacate the premises by the end of April. But in a joint statement on the museum s website they said: "The trustees of Hoylake Lifeboat museum and the directors of Hylgar Properties wish to announce that they have reached an agreement in principle over the matter of the buildings, subject to a few loose ends being tied up." A well-attended public meeting in March heard the town's MP Esther McVey offer to mediate between Hoylake Lifeboat Museum and its landlords to try to find a solution to prevent the centre's imminent closure. Since May of last year his landlords had increased the rental cost from an initial 300 to more than 950 per month. The hope was that the trust may be able to buy the building from its owners.the landlords had paid 85,000 to development company Peel Holdings - the firm behind the muchvaunted multi-billion pound "Wirral Waters" project - to take ownership of Hoylake's original lifeboat station. Mersey cruise with a difference raises funds for UK s oldest Tug-Tender The campaign to save Britain s oldest steam tug tender was boosted by a sell-out, fund-raising cruise to a rare destination. The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS) is 5,500 better off after scheduling the first passenger ship to visit the Port of Garston, south Liverpool, in more than a century, on Saturday, May 5, Coincidentally, that previous visit was by the famous White Star Line tug tender SS Magnetic on February 24, 1909, to open Garston s Stalbridge Dock. SS Daniel Adamson is the sole survivor of the renowned Mersey tug tender fleet, which included the now scrapped SS Magnetic. Another coincidence was that Stalbridge Dock was named after Lord Stalbridge, a director of the London & North Western Railway (which built Port of Garston s three docks), who was on-board Magnetic for the opening. His Lordship also bestowed his name on one of SS Daniel Adamson s two long-lost sister ships. Mersey Ferries m/v Snowdrop, picked up nearly 400 passengers from Liverpool Pier Head, Birkenhead Woodside and Seacombe for the Garston cruise. Voyage commentary was given by Stuart Wood, DAPS vice chairman and ex-chief Liverpool Pilot, Andy Ball, of BBC Radio Merseyside, and Mike Fell, OBE, of the LNWR Society. The Lazy River Jazz Band provided live music Snowdrop sailed up the Garston channel alongside Otterspool Promenade and into all three Garston docks, expertly manoeuvred by Capt. Peter Murray and his crew. Mike Fell contrasted the port's past history of exporting millions of tons of coal and importing bananas with what happens today; the former banana berth is now used for exporting scrap metal! Running back with the tide to the river mouth, Snowdrop turned for home off Crosby to end the four-hour cruise. Stuart Wood said: This was a highly successful and enjoyable second annual fund-raising cruise aboard a Mersey ferry. Last year we toured Liverpool s main dock system and we were the last passenger ship to use Wellington Dock before it was filled in. This year we also created another off- Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 5

6 beat event for our supporters by being the first passenger ship to sail through the Port of Garston in 103 years. Dan Cross, DAPS chairman, said: This is another pleasing example of a cross-over between the interest in a small but significant steam ship and our railways. DAPS would also like to thank United Utilities and Peel Ports Mersey for their on-going support for the project to restore SS Daniel Adamson, which is based in Sandon Dock, Liverpool. For other enquiries please contact the Chairman, Dan Cross on or him at: chairman@danieladamson.co.uk For Membership enquiries please contact John Broomby, Membership Secretary on: or e- mail membership@danieladamson.co.uk Membership enquiries can also be sent to him at: 28 Brookfield Drive, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 6QR. Daniel Adamson is Britain's only steam-powered, coal-fired tug-tender. The ship was built as Ralph Brocklebank, by the Tranmere Bay Development Co, at Birkenhead, Wirral in Once restored, the vessel would be the oldest, Mersey Built steam ship still operating anywhere in the world. Educational and community/ outreach use will be the main priority of the society. Garden competition From Wisteria in Walton to Sun Flowers in Speke! Spring has sprung and that means that all you keen gardeners will already be out there hoeing, sowing and mowing. Why not let the rest of us see beyond your fences and be proud of your garden by entering this year s Garden Competition. This is the first combined Garden Competition held in conjunction with Liverpool City Council and Registered Social Landlords across the city. There is a Flowerbed full of different categories to enter with prizes ranging from 25 to 100. The competition will be the biggest ever with a magnificent awards evening to look forward to in Liverpool s Town Hall on 18 October and hosted by Roger Phillips from BBC Radio Merseyside. So enter today and don t delay! Application forms are available from Liverpool City Council or the following Registered Social Landlords, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Arena Homes, Cobalt Housing, Riverside Housing, LHT, Steve Biko, Cosmopolitan Housing, South Liverpool Homes, Venture Housing or complete one online at FRIENDS OF OLD CHRIST CHURCH Old Christ Church in Waterloo is a very special building (Listed Grade II*) and is being brought back into full community use with the help of the Friends group The building is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and all proceeds from the Friends activities goes towards improvement of facilities and to its long term maintenance and upkeep for the benefit of this and future generations. The building is in need of much needed repairs due to erosion in this harsh maritime climate so they are in the process of applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for funding to carry out repairs to the tower and generally to improve facilities for all their visitors of which there were over 26,000 in With hard work and with the active help of friends and supporters they we have managed to accumulate 40,000 as their contribution to the cost of what is required but they still need a further 10,000 towards the total cost of over 500,000. The Friends have produced a brochure giving an overview of Old Christ Church s history, current activities and proposals which can be viewed at this link. You can find out a great deal more about their the church and what the Friends do by visiting their website at The Friends need to demonstrate to the HLF that they have the support of community and heritage groups and would ask all those interested to please fill in the attached one-page survey and return to John Bramham (chairman of the Friends) via his address at johnbramham@uwclub.net. Liverpool has scooped a national tourism award. The city was announced coach friendly town/city of the year at the 2012 Coach Tourism Awards, beating off competition from cities including Cardiff and Edinburgh. Liverpool has become much more coach friendly in the last few years through successful partnership working between Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Cathedral and Albert Dock plus many others. The national awards scheme, organised by trade magazine Coach Monthly, and hosted by television presenter and travel and tourism expert Judith Chalmers, recognises excellence across the coach tourism industry. Key to the win was the Liverpool Coach Welcome Scheme which operates from Liverpool Cathedral and enables group travel operators to provide a warm welcome for visitors and useful information for Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 6

7 drivers, such as coach pick up, drop off and parking facilities. The scheme has now been expanded to take in the Albert Dock, which is the UK s largest group of Grade I listed buildings. Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism at Liverpool City Council, said, This is a fantastic vote of confidence in Liverpool and the welcome that we give to tourists. We work hard with coach operators to make the experience for visitors as good as it can possibly be. It is great to get a ringing endorsement from the industry because they are crucial to helping spread the word about what a great place Liverpool is to come and visit. Prescot Museum moved to its new location: Prescot Museum, The Prescot Centre, Prescot Shopping Centre, Aspinall Street, Prescot, L34 5GA. The Arts & Heritage Service, now Leisure & Culture Development Service, have also moved from the old Prescot Museum. Our new address for all postal correspondence regarding Prescot Museum and for our exhibition spaces at Huyton Gallery and Kirkby Gallery is: Prescot Registry Office, High Street, Prescot Knowsley L34 3LD Tina Ball, Leisure & Culture Development Officer, (0151) Susan MacKell/Vicky Griffiths, Leisure & Culture Development Assistants, ( 0151) For information regarding Prescot Museum, exhibitions and events at Kirkby Gallery and Huyton Gallery please contact a member of the team or go to From the Romans to Regeneration Free 10 week course at the Florrie Every Wednesday starting from 23rd May 25th July Time: 1-3pm Local Historian John Harrison will be hosting the first in a series of weekly workshops at the Florrie. John will be teaching research skills on how to find out about the fascinating history of the area and the remarkable people who came from here. As well as learning about the history of Dingle and Toxteth you will also gain knowledge on how to research documents, photographs, people and visit places in relation to the area and gain oral history from local residents and guest speakers. All students will be awarded a certificate at the end of the course by local historian Frank Carlyle. Places are limited so please let me know a,s,a,p, if you would like to attend my number is or me on steph@theflorrie.org New Brighton public realm plans. Wirral Council displayed its plans for proposed environmental and public realm improvements in New Brighton at the Floral Pavilion for three days in late May. The 1.3m environmental and public realm proposals will focus on the landward stretch of the promenade from Neptune Developments' mixeduse Marine Point development to Victoria Parade and will include footpaths, road surfaces and car parking, landscaping, lighting and street furniture, signage, pedestrian flow, crossing points, junction improvements at Victoria Parade and Fort Perch Rock car park. The council's proposals include the removal of some of the existing brick planters to allow for improved visibility at pedestrian crossing points along with the provision of additional car parking spaces to cope with the increased demand of visitors to the town. At the easterly end of the promenade it is proposed to reopen the junction of Victoria Parade and Marine Promenade by introducing a roundabout around the town square plinth. Cruise liners to start and end voyages in Liverpool Cruise liners are now allowed to start and end their voyages in Liverpool, the government has confirmed. Liners have previously only been allowed "stop-offs" at the terminal at the Pier Head. But the Department for Transport has now been given the go-ahead for the city to be granted "turnaround status". The status depends on Liverpool City Council repaying 8.8 million of grant aid which it was given for the current stop-off terminal. Liverpool was allowed to build a cruise terminal in 2007 with public funding on the proviso that it was only used for stop-offs, not turnarounds. Rival port Southampton had argued it would be unfair to change that status. But councillors in Liverpool have mounted a long-running campaign, arguing it was a restraint on trade that could cost the Merseyside region 100 million a year. Work began in March on a temporary baggage and customs building at the Pier Head, and Transport Secretary Mike Penning has now given his approval to the status change. George Osborne, Chancellor said in a statement: "I have now received this advice and have decided to accept the recommended figure of 8.8 million as a lump sum repayment or a total of 12.6 million if phased over 15 years. "In my view this represents a fair outcome that addresses competition concerns while enhancing the benefits to secure which the grants were initially paid." He is now urging the European Commission to also clear the agreement. The council is leasing the temporary building on Princes Parade during the cruise season from 2012 to 2015 while it determines whether to build a Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 7

8 permanent site. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "The most important thing today is to celebrate that we've now got the green light, the thumbs up. "We were going ahead and doing that anyway - I promised that - but the fact that we've now got the recognition that we deserve and government recognise that means that we can now get on with it and start bringing these fantastic vessels back into our city centre." Sea Odyssey brings in 32m for Liverpool April's Sea Odyssey was the most successful event in Liverpool's history, bringing in 32 million according to an independent report. The report from Vector Research concluded the three-day event generated 32m for local economy three times more than expected. An estimated 800,000 people attended Sea Oddyssey, which saw giant puppets from French marionette company Royal de Luxe roam the city, acting out a story inspired by the centenary of the Titanic s sinking. The average visitor spend was per person, with those staying overnight spending an average of each on accommodation. Of the 32 million spent in the city, nearly 10.5m was on accommodation and 20m was on other expenditure such as in restaurants, shops and at other tourist attractions. Out of hundreds interviewed at the event, 43 per cent of people were from Liverpool, around 50 per cent were from the rest of the UK and more than six per cent were from overseas. Toxteth residents in clean up operation Residents of the Welsh Streets area of Toxteth are to take part in a big clean-up of their neighbourhood. The community action day takes place on Tuesday, May 29, between 10am-2.30pm and will see volunteers remove litter, fly-tipping and dog mess as well as put up hanging baskets and pick up goodie bags. Meanwhile, the small park on the junction of Admiral Street and Pengwern Street will be receiving a makeover by volunteers from the Princes Trust with support from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The redevelopment of the Welsh Streets has been a long-running issue in the area but while debates over the future of the streets go on, partners are continuing to invest in community improvements. Recently residents received more than 10,000 worth of new security lighting on their properties and a range of other enhancements. There has also been action centred around issues such as dogs and traffic. Cllr Steve Munby, Liverpool City Council s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: Local people are pretty fed up with all the obstacles put in the way of improving the area. The Council and Plus Dane are doing everything in our power to push ahead and overcome these obstacles. Liverpool Beatles club plans Sir Paul McCartney's 70th birthday celebrations A Liverpool Beatles club are inviting fans to join them in a celebration of Sir Paul McCartney s 70th Birthday. The Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society want fellow fanatics to lay flowers and cards at the Beatles Statue in the Cavan Walks shopping centre on Sir Paul s birthday- 18 June. Society Chairman Mr J John-Chambers said: "We want to offer and open invitation to Beatles fans and the general public to come to this joyful event. The Society, which was established in 1977, are asking Liverpool City Council to posthumously bestow the Freedom of the City on Beatles Manager Brian Epstein and to name a road after him on his 45th anniversary this year. The club are also asking for recognition of their efforts and their loyalty to the band from ex Beatles Sir Paul and Ringo Rob Ainsworth Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 8

9 Events New Web site Proud of Liverpool Proud of Liverpool inspires Liverpool people to give their time and talents for the benefit of local communities THE EUROPEAN OPERA CENTRE TRUST The Wirral Society Events. No current events for 2012 listed on their web site. The Liverpool Nautical Research Society No current events for 2012 listed on their web site The 20 th Century Society Events The Liverpool Geological Society. Sat 9th Jun - (FM) to Shropshire, Wrekin and Wenlock Edge with Graham Sherwood. Key:- FM - Field Meeting, FW - Field Weekend, Subscribe to SFX News! Sign up to receive updates from Saint Francis Xavier's. Keep up to date with events at St Francis Xavier's, the restoration of the Church building and City wide events that SFX is taking part in or supporting. Dante Alighieri Society in Liverpool Tuesday, 12th June, 2012 Extravaganza Italy. Bring along your Italian treasures and share them with us. Tuesday, 10th July,2012. Mr. Albert Hastings will talk on The Comedy of Plautus (the father of comedy). Tuesday, 11th September, Social and Conversazione. October, 2012 at 10.30am to 4.30pm (details of venue and topic to be advised) Giornata Italiana. Tuesday, 2nd November, 2012 Mrs. Flavia Johnston, Committee Member. will lead a Poetry Reading. Merseyside Industrial Heritage Society Friends of Old Christ Church Waterloo The Waterloo Flea Market Old Christ Church, Waterloo Road, Waterloo, L22 1RF. Saturday - 9th June; 1st September; 6th October; 3rd November; 1st December. 9.30am to 1pm. An all-indoor market with up to 80 stalls selling a variety of products. The Waterloo Farmers Market and Food Fayre Friday -;; 8th June; 13th July; 10th August; 14th September; 12h October; 9th November; 14th December am to 3pm Cost of entry: Free. An all-indoor market with stalls selling a variety of products from farms and other traders located in Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Wales and elsewhere. Ladies Only Boot Camp Most Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am to 10.30am: 6pm to 7pm; 7pm to 8pm Cost of entry: See website Brief description: Fitness, Nutrition and Lifestyle Training Liverpool and the Titanic Exhibition Tuesday 3rd Saturday 7th July Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 10am 4.30pm Thursday, Friday: 10am 2pm, 7pm 10pm Cost of entry: FREE 2012 marks the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, a liner with an enduring relationship to its home port of Liverpool. From the headquarters of its owners, to the homes of its musicians, the memory of the Titanic is part of the memory of the city itself. The Theatre in the Rough Festival presents five days of live theatre, music and art, as well as an historical exhibition with original artefacts, all created and curated locally. The Best of Times! Thirty Years of Musicals with the Waterloo & Crosby Theatre Company Saturday 14th July Doors open 7pm, concert starts at 7.30pm Cost of entry: 8 Come and be part of your local theatre company's 30th birthday celebrations as it showcases, in concert, the musicals it has performed. Waterloo Art Exhibition Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd also Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th July 10.30am to 4.30pm Free An art exhibition with over 400 works of art on display from artists throughout Merseyside, Lancashire and beyond. Toys for Boys Saturday 18th & Sunday19th August 10am to 4pm Adults 2. Under 14 s 50p1. Under 5 s Free. A two day extravaganza with model railways, scalextrics, meccano, model boats & planes, vintage cars, and much more! Farmers Market and Heritage Open Day Friday 14th September 10.30am to 3pm. The usual Farmers Market but with local history displays and archival photos and documents on view.to the public. Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 9

10 Summer Fair and Heritage Open Day Saturday 15thSeptember 10am to 4pm A Summer Fair with Heritage Open Days featuring local history displays with archival photographs and documents on view to the public plus stalls with an array of antiques, crafts & collectables for sale. BIRKENHEAD HISTORY SOCIETY SUMMER EVENTS 2012 Saturday 2nd June Guided walk around Lower Bebington Village with Roy Dennett.Meet at Mayer Park entrance 2pm. Walk last 2 hours. A Jubilee picnic is being held in Mayer Park from 12 noon, the Society will be having a stall at the event. Thursday 21st June At Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Road, Birkenhead 7.30pm talk by Fred Eccleston, Titanic Wirral Connection. Saturday 23rd June Oxton Civic Day at Maitland Hall, Storeton Road (opposite Arno) 1-4pm, local history stalls and events Tuesday 3rd July Summer Trip Tour of Liverpool s Old Dock. Meet at Maritime Museum, Albert Dock at 11am. Please note that places are limited so booking is essential see Pat Eccleson to put your name down. Thursday 19th July At Charing Cross Methodist Church, Claughton Road, Birkenhead 7.30pm talk by Glynn Parry, What Did You Collect (1950 s). Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Newsletter 39 10