Granty's Inferno: Ferry tales really can come true

I am a great believer in the adage “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” I love travelling on them and taking visitors with me for the ride. I even wrote a book about them.

They are part of my growing up. Hearing that “gang-plank clank” getting on and off is still pure poetry to me.

Let’s hope that the new ship makes us proud as it weaves and swirls its way on both sides of the river and midshipman Marsden continues to sing his anthemic anthem Ferry ’Cross the Mersey.

The iconic ferries were inspiring indigenous factors to winning Capital of Culture in 2008 – they symbolise the resilient spirit of Merseyside and its maritime heritage.

I am aware that sometimes nostalgia can stall progress and I know the current 60-year-old ferry fleet work increasingly hard in the leisure industry.

It is vitally important that the Naval architects create a state-of-the art vessel, but please can it look like a traditional ferry.

We don’t need to see a floating carbuncle, as Prince Charles might say.

Metro mayor Steve Rotheram is heading the “steering committee” so to speak and asked procurement processors Merseytravel to hold a supply event on July 11 inviting movers and shakers from across the UK and Europe.

I agree with Cap’n Steve. Such projects have social as well as economic value and are integral to the work of the combined authority of which Wirral is a vociferous member.

Merseytravel will be seeking passengers’ views on the design before it comes into full service.

“Admirable,” as Nelson used to say. I hope that word “consultation” features a lot in the log book.

I look forward to a vessel fit and ready for purpose combining the magic of the old with the sparkling ambition of the new.

Ferry tales can come true.

HOLY listener. Broadcaster Sean Styles is used to dealing with surprises on his Radio Merseyside show.

I once appeared on his variation of Who Wants to be a Millionaire - the top prize, in this case, being a pound.

His latest game is called Young at Heart where callers guess the ages of famous people.

This week it became a “generation game” of sorts.

Debbie from Netherton is the current champ and has a special guest with her. Her mum. Actually - her mum’s ashes are with her when she calls. You see, Debbie’s late mother was an avid fan so now her daughter feels it’s her duty to carry on quizzing.

Sean is touched by this loyalty. He tells me: “I put her success down to divine intervention. It adds a new slant on ‘phone a friend.’ ’’

THE truth is out there. I spent a large slice of my working life in local media and it has by far been the most rewarding time especially dealing with local communities.

So I welcome the survey by YouGuv that says local media is trusted three times more than social media.

Recently I heard an MP refer to some members of the public who are “digitally excluded.”

That is where trusted local news organisations like the Globe come in.

Telling it as it is: the good, the bad and the ugly while entertaining readers and also crucially holding the council to account. That’s good news all round. Three quarters of people - that’s 74% - agree.

WHILE Network Rail stutters like the virtual Brexit Express, I hear that European train travel was disrupted last month for some VIPs.

MEPs on the mandatory monthly trip from Strasbourg to Brussels took a turn for the worse when their chartered train broke down. Pause for laughter from UK commuters.

MPS and assistants spent hours in the baking heart with no air condition and no water. One tweeted it was "Mad - Monty Python’s travelling circus."

At least the politicians did get to experience what the electorate have to put up with.

HOORAY for Hilbre.

Wirral’s environmental gem has just featured in two influential tourist surveys.

It shows that researchers know life does exist outside the London tube map.

For National Bike Week, Halford’s praised the North West Cycle Route which gets many rings of the handlebar bell for Wirral Way and the “terrific views over Hilbre.”

And Saga Magazine’s latest survey on Small British Islands to Visit gave Hibre accolades for its wonderful wildlife. Isle drink to that.

A CHOPE-LESS case. Last week Sir Christopher Chope literally “objected” to and subsequently delayed a private members bill aiming to make hideous “upskirting” photography illegal.

He made our democracy look daft.

Since then protestors have left brief messages, (underwear) outside his Commons rooms and constituency office.

It’s a good job he isn’t the Minister for Agriculture.

AND finally... ten years ago The Book of Regrets interviewed Gareth Southgate then Middlesbrough boss.

He said: "We all have horrible days when you just want to hide under the bed clothes.’’

Gareth, now England manager, went on to say that we all make mistakes and learn from them.

‘‘Have I made mistakes? Yes, plenty. Do I have any regrets? No!’’

So dream on, gaffer Gareth, please don’t go diving under the duvet next week.

Peter Grant