We're all very excited about the forthcoming visit by Her Majesty the Queen andThe Duke of Edinburgh to the Merseyside Maritime Museum. To mark this momentousoccasion, one of the museum’s fantastic paintings will be displayed as a centrepiecefor the visit, alongside some objects from the Ismay silver collection which is currentlyon display in theTitanicand Liverpool exhibition.

‘Campaniaat the Spithead Review, 1897’ by Parker Greenwood depicts one ofthe greatest naval occasions, ‘The Review of the Fleet’ for Queen Victoria’s DiamondJubilee on 26 May 1897. Famous merchant vessels attended and accommodated guests celebratingthis exciting occasion.

Campaniawas the most impressive of the Cunard fleet at the time and wasordered in 1891 along with sister shipLucaniaas a response to the competitionin the ever competitive transatlantic service business. The artist has paintedCampaniainthe centre foreground, flying a blue ensign flag which indicates the Captain and creware members of the Royal Naval Reserve.

When looking close up at the painting it is clear to see it’s a celebratory occasionand the artist has captured this perfectly. Patriotic blue, white and red buntingflies happily in the breeze, Union Jack flags adorn the other vessels in the background.The event is well attended with crowds of people cheering and you can almost hearthe clinking of glasses. As Curator of Maritime Collections (ship models and paintings)I shouldn’t really admit to favourite objects but this painting is especially enjoyable.

Liverpool has an impressive maritime painting history which is represented in themuseum’s collection, more of which can be viewed in theArtand Sea gallery.

Manyflowers were left at the Lusitania's propeller at the service to mark the 97th anniversaryof the sinking

On Bank Holiday Monday, Merseyside Maritime Museum held its annual commemoration forthe sinking of Cunard liner 'RMS Lusitania'. Ellie Moffat, Curator of Maritime Collections,explains why this is an important event for the museum:

'Lusitania' had strong ties to Liverpool. She was registered in Liverpool, her homeport, and was owned by Cunard, still based in the city at that time. The ship, referredto affectionately as “Lusie” by local people, was a familiar sight at the landingstage. In 1907 she sailed from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for New York.Over 200,000 people came down to the Mersey to watch her depart. For the next eightyears she provided a regular service across the Atlantic, breaking speed records alongthe way.

The sinking caused outrage and led to rioting in Liverpool and Birkenhead, and othercities across the world. It struck a tragic blow to the dockland communities in northLiverpool, where most of “Lusie’s” crew lived. 404 crewmen perished.

One of the most iconic objects in our collection is theportside four-bladed propellerthat was salvaged from the wreck of RMS Lusitania byOceaneering International Services Ltd, later acquired by the museum. It was one offour that drove Lusitania across the Atlantic. When she was launched in 1906, shewas originally fitted with three-bladed propellers, but they were replaced with thefour-bladed propellers in 1909 to improve her speed.

Each year on the anniversary, we hold an annual commemoration to remember those men,women and children who lost their lives. It was particularly poignant this year aswere we are able to hold the commemoration around the propeller for the first timein several years.

During the event Ian Murphy, Deputy Director of Merseyside Maritime museum, gave anintroduction. David Roberts, maritime historian and author, then gave a historicaloverview of “Lusie”. A short religious service was led by Father John Williams anda minute’s silence was held. To mark the end of the commemoration Ian Murphy laida wreath at the base of the propeller on behalf of the museum. Many people attendingalso left flowers.

With the centenary only three years away, curatorial staff at Merseyside MaritimeMuseum are carrying out new research in to the 'Lusitania' and her connections toMerseyside. As part of this work, we would be very pleased to hear from local peoplewith family connections to the famous ship and would encourage anyone to email usat:

Lusitania@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Find out more about 'RMS Lusitania' in our galleryTitanic,Lusitania and the Forgotten Empress."

From 'The Pickwick Papers' to 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' which is your favouriteCharles Dickens story? Ciarán and Holly, Management students fromLIPA,have devised a day of performance and interactions that bring some of the wonderfulDickens stories to life.

Here they tell us more:

Excitement is mounting as we put the final pieces in place for our event based onDickens' world atSudley House.

On Sunday 13th May from 11am until 4pm,characters from Dickens’classics will roam the house with the accompaniment of live music and interactiveactivities for all to enjoy.

'Istole her heart away and put ice in its place' Miss Havisham, 'Great Expectations'

This dramatised event will showcase some of the most infamous characters from Dickens’novels. Keep an eye out for:

• Ebenezer Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol'
• The Artful Dodger& Nancy from 'Oliver Twist'
• Miss Havisham from 'Great Expectations'.

You can look forward to meeting Ebenezer Scrooge behind his desk within the studyand if the sun is shining, Nancy may appear in the rose garden at the front of thehouse – we will stop there however before we give too much away!

At LIPA we are fortunate enough to have plenty of creative students studying the dramaticcraft and are therefore always willing to perform and explore characters. A numberof our Community Drama students will be playing some of the most well known roleswithin Charles Dickens’ repertoire. We look forward to seeing you there; feel freeto question the actors about their lives, costume and language.