BROADCASTING HISTORY
Giant radios make waves across Liverpool city centre
From 18 – 22 February 2013, Liverpool is to welcome some radio interference to its streets, created by young people broadcasting their passion for local history.
Waves on the Mersey, an idea created by Open the Door Theatre in Education, will bring five giant radios into the city to broadcast documentaries about major historical events that have shaped Liverpool’s history.
In partnership with National Museums Liverpool and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the 6ft x 4ft radios will be located at five locations around the city, broadcasting a different documentary every day. All content has been generated by young people aged 14 -21 who have researched, interviewed, edited and devised radio interviews and plays on each topic.
You are invited to send a reporter, photographer or camera crew to the Museum of Liverpool on Thursday 14 February at 1130 hours to see the first giant radio. Available for interview will be Clare Molyneux, Artistic Director at Open the Door, young people involved in the project, and Hannah Gilbert from National Museums Liverpool.
The radios can be found at The Museum of Liverpool, FACT, Albert Dock Liverpool (outside Merseyside Maritime Museum), the Metquarter and Liverpool Cathedral. They will each broadcast the following documentaries between 1 – 3pm from 18 – 22 February:
Monday 18 February – The Beatles, 1964
Tuesday 19 February – The Toxteth Riots, 1981
Wednesday 20 February – Hillsborough, 1989
Thursday 21 February – The May Blitz, 1941
Friday 22 February – Pope John Paul II’s visit, 1982
Clare Molyneux, Artistic Director at Open the Door said: “This all started when the young people we work with revealed they thought the riots that occurred in Liverpool in July 2011 were the first!
“I discovered there was a long list of historical events that they weren’t aware of, so we embarked on this project to learn about our history while learning new skills and creating something that can be shared with people across the city.”
As well as visiting one of the giant radios, which have been made by WildinArt, people can also tune into 87.7FM to listen to the documentaries which, along with interviews with those involved in the events at the time such as Lord Heseltine and his experience of the Toxteth Riots, will feature plays, archive footage and music of the time.
Julia Bryan, Senior Education Manager at National Museums Liverpool said: “We’re very much in favour of projects like this, that promote the opportunity for young people to learn about the city they live in, and produce something that can show off their own personal talents in an engaging way.
“There’s been involvement from youth groups right across the city, and we’re really pleased that we’ll have one of the radios broadcasting and commemorating these five important events from the Museum of Liverpool.”
Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “What a fantastic way to get young people involved with their local heritage! We at the Heritage Lottery Fund are delighted to be supporting the Waves on the Mersey project that will showcase the young people’s broadcasting talent and their passion for Liverpool. The city has a vibrant and fascinating history and, through this project, more people will be able to hear all about it and how these events have shaped the place they call home.”
The project has been facilitated by Open the Door’s Youth Steering Committee who have worked with young people from the Dane Plus Youth Forum, Anfield Sports and Community Centre, Splice Disability Equality Project, Liverpool Community Spirit and Merseyside Youth Association.
Contact Lucy Cattell - Media Officer
e lucy.cattell@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk t 0151 478 4615 f 0151 478 4777
National Museums Liverpool,127 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2JH
w liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Notes to editors
Open the Door Theatre in Education
Using high quality performance and performing arts tuition, Open the Door Theatre in Education exists to positively affect young people's lives, delivering clear messages and instilling motivation.
Open the Door Theatre in Education perform thought provoking plays and facilitate issue-based performing arts programmes for children and young people in more than 500 schools, youth clubs, children's homes and young offenders' institutions per year - reaching more than 120 thousand young people.
Throughout our nine years of operation the data collected from the participating young people has confirmed that we are making a constructive difference; whether through educating young people about racism, the dangers of crime and drug abuse or by helping them overcome shyness and build confidence with our arts facilitation.
“I am most impressed by all that Open the Door does and the remarkable courses that you offer clearly make the whole difference to the young people with whom you work – His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, demonstrating Liverpool’s unique contribution to the world. As the first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, it showcases popular culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues and is a fantastic, free family day out. It has attracted nearly 1.5million visitors since opening in July 2011. The prestigious Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2013 was awarded to the Museum for its commitment to human rights as well as its work with children and families from all backgrounds.
The Museum has received generous support from several major funders, along with grants from trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donations. Major funders include the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS),Garfield Weston Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and had five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 33,000 projects allocating £5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk