TEWKESBURY Business
Helping to tell the story of the Titanic
3:31pm Wednesday 8th February 2012
AS the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic approaches, a Malvern firm has been playing its part in bringing one of the most dramatic stories in British maritime history back to life.
The ill-fated passenger liner was launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 31, 1911, before going on to sink in the icy waters off Newfoundland on April 15, 1912.
While centenary preparations in Belfast have been going full steam ahead, the nearby town of Comber has its own part to play in the tragic story.
The town was home to the Titanic’s designer, Thomas Andrews, and West Malvern audio production company Monty Funk was invited to find out more and produce a dramatised walking audio trail commemorating the historic link.
Andrews worked his way through the ranks at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard to become one of the firm’s directors and the chief designer.
He was on board the ship during its fateful maiden voyage and lost his life, along with more than 1,500 others, when it sank on April 15, 1912. After being commissioned by Ards Borough Council, staff from Monty Funk spent several months travelling back and forth to Northern Ireland to produce the audio trail.
Managing director Peter Nash said: “It was really exciting to be involved in the commemoration of one of the greatest stories in Britain’s maritime history. “The story of the Titanic obviously has a tragic ending, so I’m also glad we had the chance to reveal some of the greatness surrounding the Titanic’s journey. From all accounts Thomas Andrews was a hero – he died by putting the safety of his passengers first.”
Susanna Byers, the lead researcher on the project, said: “I think that in the grand scheme of things we forget that the people on board each have an individual life story, a background that leads up to their time aboard the Titanic. We were given the opportunity to tell Thomas Andrews’ story and I hope people will appreciate and enjoy what we have done.”
To listen to the audio tour, which was directed by award-winning Peter Leslie Wild, log on to visitstrangfordlough.co.uk or go to montyfunkpodcast.com.
For more information about Monty Funk Productions visit montyfunk.com.