Cheshire Memories: Nunsmere Hall's Queen Mary SOS call

By Chester Chronicle on Aug 19, 09 11:54 AM in 2000 onwards

A country hotel has issued a nautical SOS - to help hit the right note for a weekend of maritime nostalgia to mark the 75th anniversary of the launch of the Queen Mary.

Nunsmere Hall Hotel at Oakmere is hosting the event next month (September 11-13) to celebrate the memory of shipping magnate Sir Aubrey Brocklebank who designed the iconic liner during his time there in the 1920s.

Head chef Craig Malone is recreating the original maiden-voyage menus and now, to add that extra touch of authenticity, the hotel is looking for a musical ensemble who can entertain guests with 1920-30s dance band music.

"We're keen to find an ensemble who can perform the music that would have been played in the ship's restaurants during dinner," said hotel general manager Mark Huntley.

"They could be either amateur or professional musicians, even perhaps a group of accomplished sixth formers from a local school or college. We're happy to consider anyone as time's running short."

One melody certain to be on the repertoire is Somewhere at Sea, the Queen Mary's theme tune composed by the late BBC dance band leader Henry Hall who sailed on the maiden voyage. The hotel has acquired a copy of the score.

After breakfast on the Saturday guests will be taken by coach to Liverpool's Maritime Museum for a VIP tour of the Brocklebank Tug - the last vessel to bear the family name - and lunch in the nearby Cunard Building which is being specially opened up for the occasion.

"All in all it promises to be a memorable and nostalgic maritime occasion. There's been a lot of interest from all over the UK," added Mr Huntley.

The picture shows the Queen Mary, once the holder of the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.

To read the previous article on this reunion please click here

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