Latest news with #GerryMarsden
ITV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Skeleton of new Mersey Ferry complete as Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram sees funnel lowered into place
The skeleton of the first new Mersey ferry for 60 years is now complete after the funnel was lowered into place. The last part of the Royal Daffodil's high-tech superstructure was completed at a special ceremony at Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead, with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram watching on. The funnel is 3.6 metres tall and, weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes, will eventually be painted red in line with the world-famous Mersey Ferries' traditional red, white and black colour scheme. Following this vital milestone all the mechanical and electric services will be added to bring the ferry into operation, and the interior of the boat will be fitted out, as well as the internal and external painting. The Royal Daffodil is due to take to the water in 2026 and will be the first new addition to the Mersey Ferries fleet since the 1960s. With state-of-the-art propulsion systems it will aim to be greener than its predecessors, offering improved environmental performance, greater accessibility, and enhanced comfort for passengers. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 'The Mersey Ferries are more than just a way to get from A to B – they're a symbol of our identity, heritage, and pride. "Generations have grown up with them, and I'm determined to ensure they remain part of our future, too. 'Today's milestone isn't just about lowering a funnel – it's about raising expectations for what transport in our region can be: cleaner, greener, and built right here in our city region by local workers. "The new Royal Daffodil will carry the spirit of the Mersey with her, and – as my friend Gerry Marsden once said – I can't wait to see this Ferry 'Cross the Mersey.' The funnel is a crucial component of the ship, allowing exhaust from the three main engines to be safely expelled while supporting ventilation of the engine spaces. Historic Wirral shipbuilder Cammell Laird has played a strategic role in UK shipbuilding for the past 200 years, and is constructing the £26m Royal Daffodil on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group, said: 'Today marks a significant milestone in what is a landmark project, not just for APCL Cammell Laird but for shipbuilding in the wider Merseyside region. "The installation of the funnel signals the completion of the Royal Daffodil's steel structure and brings us one step closer to delivering a vessel that combines innovation, heritage, and sustainability. 'This ferry is being built by our local workforce and apprentices, using local skills that has gone into every stage of its construction.' 'We look forward to completing the construction of the ferry and launching her on the river Mersey.' John Drummond, Project Director at APCL Cammell Laird, said: 'Being entrusted with building the first new Mersey Ferry in over 60 years is a real honour – and a responsibility we take seriously. 'As we continue with the next phase of the build, including mechanical systems and interior fit out, we look forward to seeing this iconic vessel take to the water and serve future generations of passengers across the Mersey.'
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Marsden and Harding make Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Singers Gerry Marsden and Sarah Harding have been included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which remembers the lives of influential people in the and the Pacemakers were one of the biggest bands in the Merseybeat era of the late 1950s and early 60s. Their version of You'll Never Walk Alone became an anthem for Marsden's beloved Liverpool Aloud's Harding, from Stockport, was part of Britain's biggest-selling girl group of the 21st Century after appearing on ITV's Popstars: The Friend tycoon Doreen Lofthouse, of Fleetwood in Lancashire, and Manx businessman Trevor Hemmings, who owned Preston North End, are also in the dictionary's 2021 list. Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded a string of number one Cross The Mersey, written by Marsden in honour of his home city, reached number eight in 1964.A passionate supporter of the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium disaster, Marsden was made an MBE in 2003 for services to 78-year-old died in January 2021. Harding shot to fame in 2002 when she secured her spot in Girls Aloud alongside Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl Cole (then Tweedy).She also starred in Coronation Street and was a runner-up in BBC One's Tumble show, which saw celebrities take a leap into the world of professional who had breast cancer, died in September 2021 aged total, there are 238 new additions to the include Liverpool-born Janice Long, who was the first woman to present a daily music show on BBC Radio who died on Christmas Day in 2021 aged 66, was also the first regular female presenter on Top of the Pops. Also honoured is the late actress, model and "trans trailblazer" activist April Vogue model, from Liverpool, in 1960 became only the second Briton to undergo male-to-female gender reassignment was appointed MBE in 2012 for her campaigning work for the transgender died at the age of 86 in December 2021. 'Community projects' Mrs Lofthouse, known as "the mother of Fleetwood", grew the Fisherman's Friend cough sweets business into a global pioneering businesswoman was awarded an OBE for her charity and her family were credited with transforming Fleetwood after donating millions of pounds to fund community projects in the left the Lofthouse Foundation, which she set up in 1994, £41m when she died aged 91 in March 2021. Hemmings, who was also a leading racehorse owner and won the Grand National three times, bought a controlling interest in Preston North End in 2010 after the struggling club received a winding-up list also includes two footballers who died in Liverpool and England striker Roger Hunt set the Reds' scoring record at 244 goals until it was surpassed by Ian Bell, known as the "King of Manchester City", made 394 appearances for the club between1966 and distance runner Ron Hill, from Accrington, Lancashire, also has his biography in the European and Commonwealth marathon champion died aged 82 in May 2021. Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Previously unheard 'Liverpool anthem' to be played for first time at Cavern Club
A single Gerry Marsden recorded shortly before his death is to be played for the very first time. A private event will be held at the Cavern Club before being opened up to the public for everyone to enjoy. Gerry, who was born in Toxteth, was best known for the hit song You'll Never Walk Alone, the world famous anthem of Liverpool FC. He shot to fame as the leader of Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose legendary hits also included Ferry Cross the Mersey. The single, 'On Merseyside, The Pool of Life', was written and produced by Gary Murphy. This included Mike Pender (The Searchers), Ray Ennis (The Swinging Blue Jeans), Tony Crane & Billy Kinsley (The Merseybeats), Brian Jones (The Undertakers), Dave Berry (The Cruisers), Mike McCartney (The Scaffold), and Gerry Marsden (Gerry and The Pacemakers). READ MORE: Full list of 108 Post Office branches to be offloaded as Liverpool sites to be affected READ MORE: His victim had no clue he'd been committing wicked crimes for nearly 20 years The album was produced by guitarist Gary Murphy and engineered by Alan Lewis. Fans will be able to hear it and the single in full as the backdrop of a new documentary from LA Productions, which is due to be released in spring 2025. Gerry's friend Arthur Johnson told the ECHO: "I met with Gerry a few times before he died to talk about new projects. "There will also be a video of the last time he performed, plus the album and the new single at the event. This is an anthem about Liverpool, about the city, which he loved." A pre-order is available now and the official release lands Thursday, April 10. The track will be heard for the first time in a private event in the Cavern Club's live lounge followed by a public opening after 6pm. The single will be available to order at the Cavern Club event along with albums of the Philharmonic night and an album of original Merseybeat hits. Entry is £5 on the door. The studio album, live concert, and Gerry Marsden's EP recording will all be released in April 2025 from Last Night From Glasgow.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legends gather to hear Gerry Marsden's last 'emotional tribute' to city
Merseyside music and entertainment legends gathered at the Cavern Club today (Thursday April 10) to listen to Gerry Marsden's last single, which was recorded shortly before his death in 2021. Gerry, who was born in Toxteth, was best known internationally for his version of You'll Never Walk Alone, the world famous anthem of Liverpool FC written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. He shot to fame as the leader of Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose renowned hits also included Ferry Cross the Mersey. The new single, 'On Merseyside, The Pool of Life', was written and produced by Gary Murphy. Congregating in the basement of the world-famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street to experience the previously unheard song were people of all ages, showing the timeless value of Gerry Marsden's music. Among them were comedian Ricky Tomlinson, radio great Billy Butler and China Crisis' Eddie Lundon. READ MORE: Previously unheard 'Liverpool anthem' to be played for first time at Cavern Club READ MORE: The Farm returns with surprise free gig in legendary venue Gerry's wife and daughter, Pauline and Yvette, were also present along with former Liverpool ECHO features editor and close friend of Gerry, Arthur Johnson, who organised the event. Describing the new anthem, he told the ECHO: "It's a very emotional tribute to Liverpool and Merseyside. "Gerry was so passionate about the city he was born in, and he never lived anywhere else. He wouldn't live anywhere else, it had to be Liverpool. "I got to be a great mate of his - we even went to Australia together and founded 'Scousers Down Under'. We had a lot of fun, so it's brilliant to see a tribute like this paid to him, particularly here in the Cavern, which is where he lived." He added: "I'm at a certain age where I was lucky enough to see The Beatles and people like that playing here. I wasn't directly involved in the 60s, but I'm so lucky to have met so many of them, had such a laugh with them, and see the great influence they had on this city, even now. "It's 60 years now after the 60s - that's a lot to take in, that is." 'On Merseyside: The Pool of Life' is available to stream online, along with the film of Gerry Marsden's final live concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, a performance which Arthur described as 'really emotional.' 'Pool of Life' refers to a phrase used by Swiss to psychiatrist Carl Jung to describe Liverpool in a 1927 dream essay. He described the city as a "pool of life, it makes to live," and this phrase has since become associated with the city's vibrancy and cultural significance, particularly in the Cavern Quarter. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here
