THERE will be a chance to enjoy The Three Queens' recent visit to Merseyside again in a unique collection of films celebrating classic maritime events that will be screened in New Brighton next month.
Wirral Lifeboat and Maritime Extravaganza is being shown at The Light Cinema on February 23, with proceeds going to Wirral's lifeboat stations.
It is an evening of short films produced by award-winning local film maker Graham Mathews that have not been shown on the big screen before.
New Brighton lifeboat with Queens in background. Picture RNLI / Bob Warwick
In addition there will be a chance to learn all about the work and history of Wirral's three very different lifeboat stations in New Brighton, Hoylake and West Kirby.
The event has been organised by RNLI New Brighton lifeboat station and New Brighton's Light Cinema.
An RNLI spokesman said: "If you missed the visit of the Three Queens to the Mersey, the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic or the last visit to the Mersey by HMS Liverpool or would like to see the events again now is the chance.
"A big thanks to The Light Cinema, New Brighton for supporting us in this venture."
More than one million people lined the banks of the River Mersey in May last year for The Three Queens visit.
It was part of the 175th anniversary celebrations for Liverpool-based cruise liner company Cunard.
People flocked to New Brighton and Crosby to catch the first glimpse of the three ships – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria – as they made their way down the river.
The event was hailed by Wirral Council has hailed the Three Queens event as a "spectacular success".
Thousands of Wirral residents flocked across the Mersey to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in May 2013.
Around 300,000 people turned out over the three day event which marked the longest continuous military campaign of World War II.
Among the events taking place were veterans parades, a Lidy Hop flash mob and a fly past, while 20 warships also arrived on the river.
Cammell Laird-built vessel HMS Edinburgh made its final appearance before being decommissioned and was moored at the Birkenhead shipbuilders for public tours.
The RNLI spokesman continued: "There have been lifeboat stations on the banks of the Mersey since the 1770s and we will be showing a unique film by Graham covering the operations and history of our lifeboat stations on Wirral."
70th Anniversary of the Battle of Atlantic – Tug Brocklebank being rescued after being boarded by 'pirates'. Picture: RNLI / Bob Warwick
Ticket for the screening, which starts at 7.30pm, are available from the cinema or by post from: Wirral Lifeboat Extravaganza, c/o 23 Molyneux Drive, New Brighton, CH45 1JS Make cheques payable to: 'RNLI New Brighton'.
The last date for orders by post is February 15. Don't forget to include your own name and address when ordering.
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