A true highlight of Culture Year

Jul 21 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE have been many highlights during Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture so far, but this weekend must represent one of the greatest.

Not only have an estimated 300,000 people visited the waterfront for the Tall Ships festival, but the Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale will have been witnessed by millions more as it is broadcast around the world.

No other city outside the capital can boast such an impressive line-up, and it means that Merseyside is the envy of the rest of the country in the scale and variety of events it has hosted this year alone.

At Royal Birkdale, Irishman Padraig Harrington successfully defended his Open Championship title with a four-shot victory over Ian Poulter, thereby becoming the first European to successfully defend the Open since 1906.

Despite the windy conditions, and the absence of world number one Tiger Woods, Merseyrail estimates that it successfully transported around 75,000 people to Royal Birkdale over the four days of the event.

Meanwhile, the Albert and Wellington docks has witnessed the largest fleet of Tall Ships ever to assemble in the city, while today’s Parade of Sail will see the ships leaving for the start of the first Tall Ships race leg to Norway.

Crowds are expected on Wirral to watch the ships pass, with Birkenhead, Wallasey and New Brighton expected to be popular vantage points.

Ships from more than 18 countries including Brazil, Poland, Oman and Germany, are taking part in the event.

The knock-on effects of hosting these two events should be immense, as they will have attracted visitors from all over the world who will, it is certain, encourage friends and family to visit Liverpool and see it for themselves.

This weekend has shown what being Capital of Culture is all about, and why it was a prize worth campaigning for.

That has been brought home time and time again over the past few months, and will continue to be in the months to come.