Crowds on New Brighton promenade greet Royals

Dec 7 2011 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

Crowds greet Royals

HUNDREDS of people lined New Brighton’s promenade and gathered outside the Floral Pavilion theatre to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she visited the Wirral.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh had come to see the £60m regeneration scheme where the latest stage sees the opening of the cinema and restaurants at Marine Point.

The rebuilt Floral Pavilion is one of the key projects designed to bring visitors back to the area and the royal couple were given a briefing last Thursday by Steve Parry, of Neptune Developments, before the Queen unveiled a plaque marking the occasion.

Mr Parry said he talked about New Brighton’s history while his colleague Daniel Hynd described the latest phase.

Local councillor Pat Hackett said afterwards he hoped the “symbolism” of the Queen’s visit would silence those who harboured doubts over the project.

The Queen was then introduced to veteran comedian Ken Dodd.

On arrival the Queen was met by VIPs including council leader Steve Foulkes, Wallasey MP Angela Eagle and Mayor of Wirral Moira McLaughlin, while local choir Choral Pavilion sang Siyahamba, a South African welcome song known in English as We Are Walking In The Light. Later a lunch was prepared by a team of cooks led by Wirral’s Masterchef winner Claire Lara.

Chef Claire said it had been “the biggest moment” of her career and said the Duke had described it as “the best lunch he’d had for a long time”. Afterwards theatre manager Paul Holliday called the visit “a great tribute” to all the staff and added: “I just can’t believe it’s all happened.”

As she left the Queen received with a posy from Lucy Burdett, 9, from New Brighton Primary.