Sunday 26 May 2013

Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration

Our city is decked out in patriotic bunting as Liverpool hosts the national commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and what a superb event it is. Still time to be part of it all as  it continues all weekend and Monday too as it is Bank Holiday, so get here if you can!
even the shopping centres are in the mood and here is the top terrace of the new "Liverpool One" centre. 
We went down to the river front Pierhead where the parade of veterans was to be held.
It was so emotional to see these old seafarers marching so proudly wearing all their medals as the crowd cheered and clapped them.
There were many captains and commanders from home and abroad with the Lord Mayor

This old sea dog was so funny and had the crowd laughing with his hat saying "Knackered Seaman"!!
Here's the Mersey Ferry alongside some of the many visiting ships on parade.
The Pump House and the Albert Dock host another ship
Alongside the canal basin by the new Museum of Liverpool Life several children's bands played everything from pop to classical, jazz to music from the shows.
Street entertainers were everwhere and here, in front of the famous Liver Buildings, this super robot character interacted with the crowd to spectacular background effects.
The sea cadets scared the wits out of me with their displays on the rigging
This stilt walking tea lady was so amusing and was the star of the show and Flat Susan loved her Irish wit and charm. She had a ride on the top of the trolley....she's there on the top shelf ...
and a dance on a china cup and saucer! Luckily they were all glued together and we used Flat Susan's safety harness (an elastic band) to keep her safe!
Only managed to capture this snip of the Spitfire and Hurricane flying past. 
Another of our new waterfront buildings ... just look on the roof....
where they had the best bird's eye view of the event! The white building is the tip of the beautiful 1930's Art Deco Ventilation for the first Mersey Tunnel (we now have two tunnels)
It was such a good atmosphere and I'm so sorry that I didn't manage to take more pics of Flat Susan in all the excitement.
This is just a taster of all that's happing over the weekend and there's still time to get down to share the atmosphere and pay respects to those who served.... but do remember.... Liverpool is still worth a visit at any time of the year!
Next episode of Flat Susan's first holiday in Italy later today.

11 comments:

Angie said...

Wow ... what an amazing day ...I wonder how old some of those chaps were. Thanks for sharing it with us all. xx

tilly said...

The city looks magnificent in the May sunshine,lovely to see everyone turning out for the important celebrations.
Tilly

Twiglet said...

A great celebration - Liverpool looks stunning basking in all that sunshine! x Jo

Helen said...

Brilliant day, by the looks of things and how fabulous that the sun shone, it would have been a bit different in the wet! Flat Susan is having a fine old time..

SueH said...

It certainly looks like you had a wonderful day Jo …….and just look at the Blue sky!
Those type of events are always full of emotion.
I’ve been up to London for the Remembrance Day celebrations a few time and they really do pull the heartstrings seeing the old soldiers marching along and looking so proud.

Hope you continue to enjoy your weekend.
Sue
x

Hetty said...

How festive this celebration. And with some sunshine everything looks even more happy!

Anne said...

Looks wonderful Jo. Went to Liverpool as a child with my dad. It s on my to do list. Gosh was Flat Susan happy being so high up :-) Anne x

Redanne said...

What a fabulous celebration Jo, flat Susan is really getting around! Hugs, Anne x

Lynne said...

Oh Jo, I feel quite homesick! How proud I am that dear old Liverpool is hosting this event. My dad would have loved to have been there (ex Royal Navy, torpedoed twice in quick succession in the Atlantic) Thank you for these lovely pictures. Lx

Susie Bentz: My Time to Play said...

Love the shot of heads popping out of the top of that building! Glad to hear FS has a safety harness!

Gill said...

Great pictures!
We were in Liverpool this week for my son's graduation! A fabulous city!