Betreff: Clipper Race - Schools _blanks
Absender: Loretta Spridgeon
Empfänger: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
Datum: 22. Oct 2002 20:11
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Monday, October 21 2002

SCHOOL CHILDREN TO SING FAREWELL TO CLIPPER FLEET

Hundreds of children from Merseyside are to perform a specially recorded
farewell song to the Clipper 2002 Round the World fleet.

Five choirs from across Merseyside will take part in a mass performance of
the _blank song "Liverpool Bids Farewell" before the start of the world's
longest yacht race on Sunday, October 27.

The performance, at 11am on the steps of Merseyside Maritime Museum, will
kick off a day long maritime celebration in the city including air displays
and a huge race flotilla led by HMS Sheffield.

And tomorrow two of the original four singers who recorded the song earlier
this month will be performing a dress rehearsal at the Albert Dock.

The song, which has been produced with the help of the Liverpool Culture
Company, was composed by Chester songwriter Matt Baker.

Those performing on the day will be members of the Jigsaw Choir Ellesmere
Port, Monksdown Primary School, Windsor Community Primary School, ST Austin’
s Catholic Primary, Broadgreen Primary School, Rice Lane Juniors and St
Joseph's Catholic Primary, Birkenhead.

They will burst into song at 11am as the eight Clipper racing yachts, led by
Liverpool slip into Canning Dock before entering the Mersey.

Already more than 100 schools across the region have been given personal
tours of the Clippers and more than a thousand schoolchildren have produced
a mural adorning the dock as part of the city's Clipper Education programme.

As part of the programme pupils will be learning about the cultures of each
county and city the yachts visit on the 11-month race. The programme has
been designed to fit into Geography modules in the National curriculum.

Race organiser, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston commented, "I can’t think of a finer
send-off for the Clipper crews. Children learn best when they are stimulated
and inspired by the experiences of others - particularly if they are
tangible, real-life experiences. We are encouraging schoolchildren to
follow the adventures of the Clipper skippers and crews, whilst learning
about different subjects that directly relate to the their experiences at
sea through fun learning activities."

Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member fore Leisure and Culture added:
"We have tried to engage as many people as possible in the Clipper Race in
as many creative ways as possible. We sought to host this race not just for
people to see the starts of a yachting race but to use the race for our
children to learn about the world. I think the song will be a huge hit with
the crowds on Sunday. The education programme has been a great success and
the great thing is the race hasn't even started."

The gruelling 35,000-mile race will start at 2pm, but the city council
organised festivities will begin the day before as thousands are expected to
join in the celebrations.

Crowds will be wowed by acts such as scurvy pirates, ancient mariners and
street theatre as well as larger than life entertainment from Giant Seagulls
and the Giant Beatles, a tribute band to the fab four on stilts!

With a 10-minute countdown leading up to the big event, the race will be
started by a VIP contingent, including a city council competition winner.
ENDS


MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:

EVENT: Dress rehearsal of Liverpool Bids Farewell

LOCATION: Tate Gallery, Albert Dock

DATE: Wednesday, October 23

TIME: 11am

NOTE TO EDITORS:
A free official programme of events will be available from Tuesday, October
22 from: Merseyside Tourist Information centres; LCC Events Management Unit,
Millennium House and Unit 18, the Collonades at the Albert Dock (open
10am-4pm every day).

Saturday, October 26: Entertainment from 12.30pm to 4.15pm - Yakevolv Air
Display at 2.30pm.
Sunday, October 27: Entertainment starts at 11am and will end at 4pm.

KEY RACE EVENTS:
10.55am - Liverpool Clipper laps Albert Basin before slipping in to Canning
Half Tide Dock
12.30 - 12.40pm - Bristol Clipper slips and passes into River Mersey
1.01pm - Liverpool Clipper sails on to Mersey.
1.15pm - Formation sail past from Liverpool Marina to Princes Dock.
1.40 - 1.55pm - River Display by Royal Marines
1.50pm - 10 minute gun
2pm - Official Race Start

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Loretta Spridgeon
Clipper 2002 Media & PR Manager
Tel: 023 8023 7088
Fax: 023 8023 7081
Mob: 07773 818586
Email: lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
Website: www.clipper-ventures.com

Mike Doran
Liverpool City Council
Tel: 0151 225 5582
Mobile: 0780 145 3918


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