THERE is a clever, early example of advertising spin in an Edwardian poster, perpetrated by the Great Western Railway, no less.
Beneath the slogan “See your own country first”, a comely Cornish maid blushes by a map of Cornwall turned on its end, to extol its beauties against those of Italy. The Cornish and Italian peninsulas are shown as the same size.
Certainly, since 1981, few British tourists followed the GWR’s admittedly self-serving advice. The British are more likely to have seen the Eiffel Tower than the Blackpool Tower. The promotional body, Visit Britain, says only 2% of British travellers have sampled our own attractions.
The intense competition between budget airlines means most UK holidaymakers head for Spain, France and Italy, very rarely taking breaks in Britain. If they do, then it is to the all-too familiar established destinations of London, Cornwall and the Lake District.
But in these ever-crunchier times, will these habits change? With the falling pound, will the terror of straying into the euro-zone keep us at home?
For my part, I’ve organised a set of summer steam train excursions from Liverpool Lime Street, keeping you safely within the sterling area. They even include no-passport trips abroad – actually to North Wales – with trains each Sunday in August to Holyhead. There are also two trips over the Settle and Carlisle Railway, on August 1 and 22. The S&C is dubbed “the Jane Russell of railways”, as its dramatic curves and high peaks echo those of the Hollywood golden age star. Well, sort of.
We launch The Live Steam from Lime Street season with The Coast to Coast Express, on Saturday July 4, with a first-ever trip to Scarborough. It was hoped the famous 79-year-old steam locomotive Royal Scot’s huge rebuilding at Crewe would be finished in time (having not operated on the mainline since 1962). However, we must wait for this long-awaited return as pop music mogul and major rail nut Pete Waterman, chairman of LNWR Heritage works, tells me: “Its bottom end still needs sorting out.”
And you can’t argue with that. Royal Scot should be with us by August and Pete, who has a home in Daresbury, tells me he’ll be on board acting as fireman.
Instead, the motive power will be 1933-built Princess Elizabeth, one of last summer’s stalwarts, former Edge Hill shed resident and unbeaten London – Glasgow steam speed record-holder. This is the train service in which we guarantee no engine is under 70-years-old.
Further details and booking are from Railway Touring Company on tel: 01553 661500. Daily Post readers can claim £5 discount per passenger.
LAST week’s column about the 94-year-old leading ballet dancer, Frederic Franklin, from Wavertree, prompted a warm response from June Meldon, of Northwich. Like him, she attended Sheila Elliott Clarke School of Dance and Drama, Colquitt Street, Liverpool, and took part in a masterclass he gave to pupils.
June writes: “I got a terrible crush on this handsome and charming young man, and avidly followed his career.
“He also courageously fought a serious illness and it is absolutely amazing that he is still performing with the American Ballet. He should have been knighted years ago. I heartily endorse every recognition possible for this fabulous artist.”
No under-achiever herself, June, now 85, self-deprecatingly describes herself as “knocked about a bit”. She grew too tall to be a dancer and became a very glamorous 1950s Vogue model, based in London and Paris, travelling the world, and later was a journalist.
Other readers asked again for the details of where to write to nominate Freddie for Freedom of the City. It is: Danny Clare, Committee Section, Liverpool City Council, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DA.
peterelson
