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Anticipation Builds for QE2's 40th Birthday lap of honour around the UK

This story appeared in the Greenock Telegraph Wednesday, 12th September, 2007

Sending out the welcoming party

by Russell Steele

Pride of the Clyde: The magnificent ship will be
joined by a flotilla of boats as she sails home next week.
Photo Credit: George Munro

The QE2 is set for a 40th birthday surprise when a flotilla of boats sails out to welcome her home next week.

A number of sailing enthusiasts will be up at the crack of dawn to leave from Inverkip’s Kip Marina to ensure the legendary liner is given a warm reception on her return to the River Clyde.

Local man Peter Harte, right, and other sailing enthusiasts are arranging the welcoming party.

Peter told the Telegraph: “At the moment there are about 18 or so boats who will be going out around 6am when she comes up the Clyde.

“They’re all being done up with Happy Birthday bunting and we are also arranging for a piper to be on board one of them.”

The mini guard of honour will accompany the QE2 on her way into the Greenock’s Ocean Terminal — but Peter is undaunted by the prospect of getting up close and personal with over 70,000 tonnes of the world’s most famous ship.

He said: “We’ve done this before when she’s been back in the past and I love to ride the waves. We haven’t got together to do something this for a few years but it’s a major event and everyone we have spoken to is really looking forward to getting involved.”

Peter is also looking forward to taking a personal walk down memory lane when the QE2 returns.

He said: “Me, my wife, Fay, and our family sailed on her when she was back here in 1992.

“My wife took nine cases on with her and the staff asked if she was emigrating or something. There were a load of folk from Greenock on board and everyone had a great time.

“My daughter Lynsey actually got up on stage one night and the compere got her to sing without the orchestra. Neil Sedaka was on board but I don’t think anyone was asking for an encore of Lynsey’s version of the Wind Beneath My Wings.

“We have a video of it, but it causes a riot if we ever play it.”

Meanwhile preparations for the big day continue and it has been confirmed the QE2 is to send out a blast of her horn during her stop-off which will mark the exact time of her launch.

At just before 2.30pm, the horn will sound for 40 seconds.

The world-famous Red Arrows will also take to the Inverclyde skies at 12.15 for a spectacular 23-minute display.

Royal visitor will attract thousands

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Royal-visitor-will-attract-thousands.3202964.jp

By David MacLean

THOUSANDS of people will flock to the banks of the Tyne on Sunday to mark the QE2's first ever visit to the Tyne.
The legendary liner is touring the UK to mark its 40th birthday, and arrives in North East England this weekend.

Hordes of local people and tourists are expected to line both sides of the river, and tourism chiefs have issued a map giving the best vantage points.

There are four featured viewing areas in South Shields; the ferry landing, the Lawe Top, Littlehaven Beach and Harbour Drive.

The map was issued by tourism bosses from the NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

And for those who may miss out on this weekend's historic trip, liner bosses have promised she will return next year. The ship is set to retire and become a floating hotel at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, but before she sails off, the QE2 will make one final tour – which will include Tyneside on October 8 and 9.

The Cunard Line ocean liner is named after the earlier Cunard liner, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and was the firm's flagship from 1969 until succeeded by RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004.

The 963ft ship was built in Clydebank, Scotland, and was considered the last of the great transatlantic ocean liners prior to the construction of the QM2.

During her 40 years of service, the QE2 has travelled the world and now operates as a cruise ship.

Last Updated: 14 September 2007 11:50 AM

Liner's visit will buoy spirits

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Liners-visit-will-buoy-spirits.3204792.jp

By Andy Hughes

COMMUNITY leaders today welcomed the imminent arrival of the QE2 as great news for the borough.

An estimated 20,000 people are expected to flock to both sides of the Tyne as the majestic liner makes her way up the river on her first visit to North East England as part of her 40th anniversary voyage around the UK.

Visitors will be able to view the famous vessel from the four featured viewing areas in South Shields; the ferry landing, the Lawe Top, Littlehaven Beach and Harbour Drive.

Mayor Tracey Dixon said the arrival of the legendary liner was a massive boost for our region.

She said: "It's a huge event for South Tyneside and it's wonderful that the QE2 wanted to dock in our port.

"The amount of visitors it will attract will be phenomenal and we're very proud to welcome such a world famous vessel. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

"Also, I'm sure it will be good for local businesses because of all the people in the area. It can only be a good thing for the economy of the borough."

Paul Waggott, the leader of South Tyneside Council, added: "As we are now building a reputation for being a fine cruise port the visit of such an iconic vessel as the QE2 can only enhance that growing reputation."

Andrew Sudgen, membership and policy director for North East Chamber of Commerce, said the arrival of the QE2 will be a good thing for riverside businesses.

He said: "The QE2 begins her journey to Tyneside in Southampton, and is due to enter the piers at 5pm tomorrow, before heading to Jarrow to turn, then berthing at Tyne Commission Quay, which will be renamed the Northumbrian Quay during a ceremony on Sunday."

There will also be a major celebration staged to mark the QE2's first visit to North East England, with music and a pyrotechnic display.

The performance will include an international collaboration, bringing together French act Mécanique Vivante, playing traditional wind instruments, and acclaimed local Northumbrian piper Andy May.

The event will also see a cast of 600 schoolchildren take part in a dance directed by theatre company Dodgy Clutch.

During her 40 years of service, The 963ft ship has travelled the world and now operates as a cruise ship.

* WILL you be snapping away with your camera as the QE2 sails into the Tyne?

If so, we want to share your images of the special occasion with Gazette readers.

There'll even be £50 up for grabs for the best one judged by our Chief Photographer Tim Richardson, and a two-course Sunday lunch for two at the Little Haven Hotel, off Sea Road, for the runner up.

E-mail your pictures of the famous Cunard liner to us here , or send in your mobile phone pics - text SHIELDSPIX (SPACE) any other details (maximum 160 characters) attach your photo and send it to 07840 669 770. Texts cost 25p plus standard network rates.

Last Updated: 15 September 2007 9:52 AM

Red carpet treatment for QE2

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Red-carpet-treatment-for-QE2.3198982.jp

By Terry Kelly

A SOUTH Shields boat company will help roll out the red carpet for the arrival of the QE2 this weekend.

Canisters of red smoke to greet the world-famous vessel will be launched into the river from a boat owned by Tyne and Wear Marine.

The boat – based at the firm's HQ at East Side, Tyne Dock – will be part of a flotilla of small craft leading the Queen Elizabeth 2 down the river.

Company director Jeff Main said: "One of our boats, the TWM Reclaim, will meet the QE2 at the piers on Sunday afternoon.

"A specialist pyrotechnics team will be on board to launch canisters, which will release red smoke when they hit the water.

"We have also chartered another boat, which will carry specialists organising a special sound demonstration, like a series of air raid sirens going off, to greet the QE2.

"A full complement of between 15 and 20 of our staff will accompany the QE2 before she is turned around in the river by the main tugs."

Mr Main, 54, who launched his boat company 20 years ago, has been preparing for the big arrival for several weeks.

He added: "After the QE2 leaves, our boats will be involved in the clean-up operation, including picking up any ships' waste after the celebrations."

The Cunard liner is due to enter the piers between 4.30pm and 5pm on Sunday, before heading to Jarrow to turn, then berthing at Tyne Commission Quay, which will be renamed the Northumbrian Quay during a ceremony on Sunday.

A major two-day maritime celebration will be staged to mark the QE2's first visit to North East England.

Celebrations at the mouth of the Tyne on Sunday will include music and a pyrotechnic display.

Northumbrian piper Andy May will join forces with French musicians Mecanique Vivante to give the celebrations an international flavour.

The event will also see a cast of 600 schoolchildren from North and South Tyneside taking part in a mass choreographed performance by Dodgy Clutch theatre company along the banks of the Tyne.

Last Updated: 13 September 2007 2:34 PM

Look out for the QE2

http://www.berwickshire-news.co.uk/news/Look-out-for-the-QE2.3194589.jp

Famous liner will be off Berwickshire coastline

By Simon Duke

THE Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) will be visible from the Northumberland and Berwickshire coast on Monday evening as it travels from the Tyne to the Forth.

The famous liner is on a 40th anniversary voyage around the UK before travelling to her new home in Dubai in 2009.

The QE2 will arrive at the Port of Tyne on Sunday before departing for Edinburgh on Monday around 6.45pm. It will be two to three hours after this when she passes the Berwickshire coastline.
Last Updated: 12 September 2007 11:28 AM

QE2 Horn to sound for 40 seconds

http://www.inverclydenow.com/news-detail4.asp?ID=648

CLASSIC cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 will let everyone know exactly when it’s her birthday – by sounding her horn for a full 40 seconds during her visit to Greenock next week.

The signal represents one second for each year since her launch and will take place at 2.28pm on Thursday 20 September.

The ship is expected to arrive at 7am at the west end of Greenock Ocean Terminal, sailing at 6pm bound for Liverpool.

The Red Arrows will perform a full display over the terminal at 12:15pm for 23 minutes.

Entertainment has been lined up all day along the Esplanade. For details, click http://www.inverclydenow.com/news-detail4.asp?ID=626

John Mundell, Inverclyde Council’s Chief Executive, said: “The QE2 stopping off in Greenock 40 years after she was launched on the Clyde is a fantastic event for Inverclyde and for Scotland.

“Inverclyde is on the map as a place that’s moving forward and has a lot to offer local people and visitors alike. So we are looking forward to showing the changing face of Inverclyde to everyone who comes along to our events festival when the QE2 docks in Greenock.

"We are delighted to have our partners at Riverside Inverclyde supporting us in hosting this special event.”

Bill Nicol, Riverside Inverclyde’s Chief Executive added: “This event will be a great way for Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council to showcase the changes already apparent in Inverclyde, and highlight the changes planned for the area.

The visit is one of only five stop-offs during the anniversary cruise and will see 1,700 of the ship’s passengers disembark.

The QE2 will return to the Clyde for the last time next year on Sunday 5 October. Shortly afterwards she will head to Dubai where she is to become a hotel.

QE2 off East Yorkshire coast

http://www.driffieldtoday.co.uk/news/QE2-off-East-Yorkshire-coast.3195322.jp

ONE of the great transatlantic liners will sail up the east coast at the weekend.
The QE2, named after Queen Elizabeth II, will make its way past Flamborough's headland providing spectators with great views of the ship from the lighthouse.

The QE2 was the flagship of the Cunard Line for over 30 years and made its maiden voyage in 1969. The ship weighs 70,327 tons and measures 963 feet long with a top speed of 32.5 knots.

The liner is expected to pass Flamborough at 11.15am on Sunday September 16.

Flamborough Lighthouse has recently added a GPS display and 360-degree camera which will enhance the experience for any QE2 enthusiasts.

Councillor Jane Evison, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's tourism portfolio holder, said: "The QE2 is a spectacular ship and we're expecting lots of people to go to Flamborough to see her.

The lighthouse, with its recent additions of a GPS display and 360-degree camera, will add to the experience for anyone who wants to go along."

Last Updated: 12 September 2007 1:23 PM

Kids prepare for QE2 visit

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Kids-prepare-for-QE2-visit.3194226.jp

Flag day...for the QE2

By Leah Strug

SOUTH Tyneside youngsters will be giving out the red carpet treatment to a special visitor this weekend.

Red silk flag-waving pupils from Hadrian Primary, Laygate Community and Marine Park Primary schools will wave in the QE2 as she makes her first visit to North East England.

They will be among 600 children, who have been working with the Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company, to welcome the luxury liner to the region on Sunday to form a spectacular virtual red carpet.

The event forms part of the programme of events and festivals for 2007, managed by culture10, and brings together schoolchildren from both sides of the river to entertain the crowds expected during the majestic ship's momentous arrival.

Alison Burden, headteacher at Marine Park Primary, said: "It's a once in a lifetime experience for the children involved.

"They've all really enjoyed the rehearsals and it looks spectacular – the people on the QE2 are going to have a fantastic view."

Laygate headteacher Mike Dixon said: "The opportunity to do this has been really welcomed and the children are all looking forward to it.

"I have seen what they are doing and it looks amazing. With hundreds of kids doing it on Sunday, it will be massively impressive."

Scott Brown, headteacher at Hadrian, added: "Our children are very excited about the arrival of the QE2.

"They have worked hard throughout both the summer and autumn terms in preparation for Sunday's celebration.

"It is a great opportunity for our pupils to be part of the QE2's historic visit to the River Tyne."

Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company, well known in the region for its spectacular site specific events, has been working with the local children and other community groups to create the performance.

Both the north and south sides of the river will be dressed in red silk banners, and the children and the performers will give a choreographed performance using red silk flags.

Along the river, there will also be a number of other welcoming surprises.

A seven metre high puppet of Northumbrian piper Jamie Allen will also entertain the crowds on the south side of the river.

Stella Hall, creative director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: "This event is all about celebrating the arrival of the QE2 and creatively depicting how we are welcoming her to the Tyne, and its fitting that we have a cast of local children joining professional performers for the celebrations."
Last Updated: 12 September 2007 12:49 PM

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