INFORMATION

Jun 29 2008 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

Dates for the tall ships Liverpool

Friday, July 18 - Sunday July 20, 2008

Opening times

10am - 10pm, July 18 - 20

THE final Parade of Sail is on Monday July 21 at 2pm and lasts about one and a quarter hours. The best viewing points for the Parade on the Liverpool side are from the Britannia pub northwards along Riverside Drive; Riverside Walk/Kings Parade, Kings Dock/Albert Dock; Princes Parade north of Pier Head (although Royal Navy ships including RFA Lyme Bay berthed at the new Cruise Liner Terminal landing stage could obscure views); Wirral side viewing from Woodside Ferry, Birkenhead; New Brighton/Wallasey Promenade. The veteran excursion ship m/v Balmoral, of Waverley Excursions, and the Mersey Ferries will offer Parade viewing cruises.

Where will the ships be berthed?

THE Albert Dock complex, alongside the Strand, adjacent to Liverpool city centre, will host the B, C, and D class ships.

Wellington and Sandon Dock, Regent Road, which is 1.4 miles north of the city centre will host the largest vessels, the A and B class ships.

How many ships will be expected?

THERE will be up to 70

How much does entrance to the event cost?

ACCESS to both docks and the ships is free, but some of the ships would welcome a small donation. There will also be a range of concerts taking place across the city and these will be subject to normal ticketing conditions and may have admission charges.

What will be happening at the sites?

THERE will be plenty of entertainment for all ages. Both dock sites will be open to the public on Friday from noon -10pm; and Saturday/Sunday 10am -10pm.

There will be sea-themed street entertainment, a theatre ship hosting the Shanties '08 marching bands and military bands.

The Royal Marines Band will be playing around the sites and on board RFA Lyme Bay, at the Cruise Liner Terminal landing stage.

Which day should I go?

THE performers vary daily, but all vessels and attractions remain throughout the event. The afternoon and evening of Friday, July 18, is aimed primarily at local residents but visitors from outside the area will still be able to visit the event sites.

What disabled facilities are there at the event?

EVENT Mobility Charitable Trust will be providing powered wheelchairs and electric scooters for the use of disabled, elderly and mobility impaired visitors.

The charity requests a donation of £15 for the use of an electric scooter for the day. It operates entirely from donations and any contribution would be greatly appreciated.

For further information please visit Event Mobility's website www.eventmobility.org.uk email eventmobility@hotmail.co.uk. or contact the office on 01386 725391.

Access is possible to the upper deck of training ship Lord Nelson at Wellington Dock and there will be access to all quaysides. Disabled access will be signposted.

Access around the site is reasonable.

Comfortable, flat, non-slip soles are advised.

There are disabled WCs throughout each site.

When are the tall ships arriving?

THE sea passage for the tall ships to Liverpool is, inevitably, governed by wind direction and tides, so definite arrival times cannot be guaranteed. Generally, the ships will arrive by July 17-18 and leave together on July 21 as part of the Parade of Sail.

Are the tall ships open to the public?

VARIOUS tall ships will be open to the public. Please note that if a ship has a corporate hospitality function on board or is changing crew, it may be closed to the public temporarily.