I heard recently that there are currently 104 events in the diary to mark the Titanic centenary over the next few months – concerts, drama, music, light-shows, walks, services…

My diary is starting to pile up with them so fast that I’m already in danger of being double- or triple-boked on some days in April.  And it’s all good stuff – it’s hard to choose!  So I thought that one of the useful functions of The Dock website over the coming months would be to round up all the events and attractions that are imminent and include them in the ‘Calendar’ tab (Events/Calendar) on the main page.  I’ll also try to mention the main events on this blog, so you Dockers can all start filling your diaries too…

So, to get the ball rolling, here’s your first date to mark off: Sunday 1st April is the date of the Yardmen cycle and walk.  The idea is that we all dressed up in scoops and dunchers (that’s the old docker’s cap, in case you were wondering) and re-trace (on foot or on two wheels) the route taken every morning by the 15,000 men who worked in the shipyards in 1912, starting in various points throughout Belfast and converging on the Drawing Office in the heart of the TQ.

Here’s the important bit of info: you have to register now to be part of the walk – places are limited to 1000.  Registering just takes a few moments at the website (link here) and your £5 ticket includes your very own duncher, refreshments, and a donation to Bowel Cancer research – not bad!

And here’s the really exciting bit of info:  The Dock is joining forces with Westbourne Presbyterian, the ‘shipyard church’ on the Newtownards Road, for a joint service at 11am on 1st April.  After the service we’ll be able to enjoy a drop of coffee and then just stroll across the road to begin the walk – it leaves from Pitt Park, just over the road, at 12:45.

Then as we all arrive at the Titanic Quarter, the plan is to recreate the fabulous old photographs which show the men in their scoops and dunchers making their way down the Queens Road with the Titanic towering in the background.  A day out, a chance to live the Shared Medley, a walk, and a bit of living history – what’s not to love?  Register NOW!