Back to the Future from Penny Farthings to Power Boats
BBC news star Sally Taylor was guest of honour at an event today to launch the 2010 Portsmouth Festivities.
Arriving by Royal Navy Fast Boat Sally took a spin round the Harbour and then joined other guests on board HMS Warrior for this special event. Enjoying glorious sunshine, guests were treated to entertainment by Royal Marines musicians including a jazz trio, trumpet fanfares and the Royal Marines Corps of Drums and mingled with costumed characters, some riding vintage bikes, all set to give a flavour of what is to come in this year’s Festivities programme.
The 2010 Portsmouth Festivities will run from 17 to 27 June. Inspired by the 150th anniversary of HMS Warrior, this year’s Festivities will celebrate the Victorians - Age of Wonder with an 11 day programme of 70 events in venues across the city. Sheila Hancock, Sandi Toksvig, Seth Lakeman, Julian Lloyd Webber, Julian Fellowes and Andrew Motion are just a few of the many and varied speakers and performers visiting Portsmouth to take part. Family and children’s events, workshops, exhibitions, talks, walks, classical and world music, free outdoor events and more promise to make this a stunning year of celebrations.
The Festivities will end with a finale weekend including a free Victorian family day at the seaside with music, food, bicycles, entertainment and daylight fireworks at Southsea Bandstand, and two spectacular concerts with The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines at HMS Excellent, the ‘South Coast Proms’ which promises to be a fun and informal event for all the family, compered by Sally Taylor, ending with a spectacular firework display.
Chairman James Priory said ‘The Festivities took a great step forward last summer and it is very exciting to be able to offer an even bigger programme of events in 2010. The Victorian Age is perfect for as a theme for a family festival like this because it was such a diverse and fascinating era.’
For further information visit http://www.portsmouthfestivities.co.uk/ or call 023 9282 6722
