City wishes itself a happy 800th birthday

Aug 27 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

BUNTING will festoon the streets of Liverpool today, as hundreds of parties are staged to celebrate the city’s 800th birthday.

A total of 300 community parties have been organised to mark the occasion – the day before the city sees a huge pageant and its biggest-ever fireworks display.

The parties are in streets, community centres, scout huts and youth clubs all over the city and will see thousands of people toast the 800 tumultuous years of Liverpool’s history since King John created the city’s Royal Charter in 1207.

The Culture Company provided groups with party packs including gold bunting, balloons and recipes, and 10 parties also won free street entertainment.

The performances includes comic accident prone first-aiders, a Beatles choir and puppets, an artist who paints giant portraits in minutes, and a jazz band.

Three new commissioned acts have also been created for the event – a down-on-his-luck boxer preparing for a big fight, the new street craze of urban golf, and an interstellar love story.

At 1pm today, the Liverpool Giant, which will lead the 800th birthday pageant tomorrow, will be named in St Johns Gardens.

And the first private party to celebrate the birthday got celebrations off to a flying start on Saturday, in the original hunting lodge used by King John.

The party, organised by Paula Ashley and her husband, Victor, was held in the grounds of Park Lodge, off Sefton Park Road, and more than 250 guests celebrated at the lavish birthday party, which was a black tie and gown ball with all guests wearing masks.Š

The event raised £8,000 for hospice charities on Merseyside.

Mrs Ashley said: “This was about ordinary people – ordinary Scousers – doing extraordinary things.

“We didn’t want politicians here or the people from outside the city who are supposedly organising our celebrations for both the 800th birthday and the Capital of Culture year.

“This demonstrated that we can do it ourselves, and proudly.”

ŠCllr Mike Storey delivered an 08 flag on the Saturday morning, just in time for the celebration.

Cllr Storey said: “The desire by people of all ages and walks of life to celebrate our 800th birthday has been amazing. It underlines the sense of community and pride people have in Liverpool. There’s going to be a real party atmosphere.”

Tomorrow’s celebrations start at 10am with a civil service at Liverpool parish church for invited guests.

This will be followed by a procession through the city’s streets by the Lord and Lady Mayor and a huge colourful pageant, featuring the Liverpool Giant and two Big Heads, created especially for the event.

More than 800 performers will be involved and in the afternoon entertainment will be seen at four areas within the city – Derby Square, Williamson Square, Exchange Flags and Old Hall Street.

At 8pm, 800 drummers attempt to break a world record, followed by a huge fireworks display.

lizawilliams