TWO of Liverpool’s most famous and longterm popular events – the Mersey River Festival and the Mathew Street Festival – both started without council assistance, but crucially with volunteer labour.
Having taken over the River Festival, built up over decades to attract some 300,000 visitors, Liverpool Culture Company cancelled it (apparently to release funds for other events) and staged a “Not the River Festival” way out at Bramley Moore and Wellington Docks which attracted 20,000 people.
The associated celebrated Sea Shanty Festival was subverted into a Country & Western event. Imagine where we would be if 2007-8 was entirely handled by dynamic, knowledgeable volunteers?
*
LIVERPOOL Culture Co top banana Jason “Completely comfortable with decision to cancel Mathew Street Festival” Harborow, officially reported on July 27 (as safety consultants were already circling overhead): “Anticipation is already building over the birthday weekend and we’re really pleased with the plans in place. From the street parties to the pageants; Mathew Street Music Festival to the fireworks, it’s set to be a really special celebration for the city.” But obviously not as expected.
*
FURTHER to the Mathew Street debacle, which should not have not crept up unnoticed, is that Liverpool’s 800th birthday parade practically takes place simultaneously with the festival. The latter is on Bank Holiday Monday and the parade a day later on Tuesday, requiring temporary stands either side of Castle Street. How could these ever have been erected in time?
*
WHEN consultants Capita Symonds assessed Mathew Street Festival’s health and safety issues, its report throughout misspelt the street’s name as “Matthew”. Would the company notice if a nought was missing on the cheque covering its fee?
*
LOCAL organisations received letters asking for nominations to attend Liverpool’s 800th anniversary celebratory Town Hall dinner, on August 28, highlighting this “wonderful milestone”. It continues: “We have selected your organisation to purchase tickets at cost” – £150 – and how this is an “opportunity to nominate members of your organisation who would not normally attend such a prestigious event”. Apart from a patronising tone suggesting these are common people unused to glamorous events, Liverpool’s citizens are being asked to pay £150 each to celebrate their own birthday.
*
REPORTS of the Earl of March barring chavvy dressers who besmirch his “glorious” Goodwood Races, reminds Mr Brocklebank of flesh-exposing sirens disporting themselves at last year’s Aintree Ladies’ Day. When a startled Channel 4 Grand National racing commentator asked one fragrant female if she was not cold, she replied: “Nah, I’m wearin’ two thongs, love.”
*
LATE news: Liverpool Culture Company to take over next year’s Grand National at Aintree.
*
EVEN later news: Grand National cancelled for 2008.
