QE2 stars in liner terminal opening

Sep 18 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

The mighty QE2 arriving in the Mersey, in May, 2004 - Picture: COLIN LANE (200)

THE world’s greatest liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, will enjoy a 16-hour party when she arrives in Liverpool on Friday as part of her 40th anniversary cruise.

The Cunarder will tie up alongside the city’s new cruise liner terminal at 7am and leave 16 hours later during a spectacular fireworks show over the Mersey. The visit is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the riverfront on Friday when she will play a part in the official opening of the new £19m terminal.

The Duke of Kent will unveil a plaque to formally open the terminal, during a ceremony attended by Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Culture and Tourism, Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line, and representatives of the organisations involved in developing the terminal.

Ms Marlow said last night: "Cunard was founded in Liverpool in 1839 and the city was home to our head office for nearly 130 years, so it's always nice to come back home.”

The terminal will allow the world’s great cruise ships to return to the Mersey on a regular basis.

A total of 23 vessels with more than 25,000 cruise passengers are already confirmed over the next 18 months.

The new terminal involved creating an extension connected to the existing landing stage at Princes Dock, allowing cruise ships of 1,000 ft in length to berth.

Following the official opening of the terminal, there will be a reception for guests aboard the QE2, following which invited guests and passengers will attend a concert at Liverpool Cathedral to celebrate the visit.

The concert will feature soprano Lesley Garrett, tenor Nicky Spence, conductor Anthony Inglis, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Band of the Royal Scots Guards.

Full timetable of the day’s events

7am: QE2 arrives at Cruise Liner Terminal

11.30am: HRH the Duke of Kent opens the Cruise Terminal, following speeches by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Paul Clark, Culture and Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge, City Council Leader Cllr Warren Bradley, Steve Broomhead, Chief Executive of NWDA, and Carol Marlow, President and Managing Director, Cunard Line

Noon: Private reception aboard QE2

4pm: Gala concert at Liverpool Cathedral (invited guests only)

10.45pm: Firework display as QE2 prepares to leave the Mersey.

* A SPECIAL Liverpool Daily Post and Echo souvenir to commemorate the QE2’s visit is on sale now at newsagents across the region, priced £3.99. For more information or to buy on-line visit www.merseyshop.com

larryneild@dailypost.co.uk