Covenant of the Ark

Jun 10 2008 by Mr Brocklebank, Liverpool Daily Post

CARING Royal Navy commanders halted visitors boarding HMS Ark Royal at Liverpool when the queuing time reached two hours on Saturday, thus dashing northern Navy chief Commodore Madgwick’s goal of beating Newcastle’s 6,000 visitor total by a 500 shortfall.

On Sunday, vexed Liverpolitans couldn’t visit as the Ark’s crew were all in Leeds at a civic reception, leaving the RN flagship shut. If Leeds wants Ark Royal, it should build its own landing stage – and widen the Canal while they’re at it. Clearly, the Commodore must demand Naval top brass open the Ark for two open days next year.

Tomorrow, mega-liner Grand Princess calls, showcasing the Pier Head’s state as Britain’s biggest building site to thousands more visitors.

***

HAPLESS drivers lured to the Pier Head to view HMS Ark Royal on Friday night were unaware it was a “clampers moon”. While they gazed, wheel-clampers pounced on cars parked on Princes Parade and drivers had to pay around £50 in cash or have their cars towed away. All legal, but given there was no office or bus traffic, is it not somewhat despicable to punish otherwise innocent spectators? Welcome to Liverpool – European Capital of Clamping.

***

THE Daily Post’s Mike Chapple appeared on Brian Reade’s City Talk radio show to contrast Ringo’s dirge Liverpool I Left You, dedicated to 2008, and the anthem Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina, currently trilled by Louise Dearman in Evita, at Liverpool Empire. She pleaded: “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina, the truth is I never left you, all through my wild days my mad existence, I kept my promise, don’t keep your distance.” Whereas Rongo droned: “I was a sailor first, I sailed the sea, then I got a job in a factory. Liverpool I left you, said goodbye to Madryn Street, I always followed my heart and I never missed a beat, Destiny was calling I just couldn’t stick around, Liverpool I left you but I never let you down.”

Eat your heart out, Lloyd Webber.

***

SOME say the Merseyside MP Eagle twins are too feisty for their own good. Yet when Maria Eagle (Garston MP) met the Queen, at a new court house’s opening, she was introduced as Angela (Wallasey MP), but awed by HM, Maria decided instead “to be Angela for the day”. Touching, eh?

***

CHRIMBO watch: just 11 days ago (in May), Liverpool’s SAS Radisson Hotel issued a flyer asking if we’d “started thinking about Christmas 2008 yet?” No excuses now.