PRESS RELEASE - Embargoed until 15 March 2006

Brunel’s birthday party

Thousands of people are expected to join Brunel’s open-air party on Saturday 8 April as the city celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s most famous engineers.

Specially commissioned music and dance performances are planned to take place near the Cumberland Basin on the evening of 8 April followed by the switching on of the new Clifton Suspension Bridge lighting scheme and spectacular fireworks.

One of the highlights of the evening will be a performance of a new piece of music written by Bristol-based international jazz musician Andy Sheppard which Andy will perform with 200 saxophonists. They will be joined by the Bristol Brass Band, Bristol Choral Society and other performers. Acta theatre company will also present an extract from a new community play celebrating the life and achievements of Brunel which will be performed later in April at the Bristol Industrial Museum.

This will be followed by the switching on of the new Clifton Suspension Bridge lighting scheme designed by international architectural lighting specialists Pinniger and Partners, that will wash the bridge with light so that details of the latticework and towers will be visible. Spectacular fireworks fired from the bridge will complete the evening’s entertainment.

Simon Cook, Executive member for Culture and Leisure said:

‘This special free event to mark Brunel’s birthday will be a real celebration for local people. This is only the second time that fireworks have been set off from the Clifton Suspension Bridge and coupled with the switching on of the stunning new lighting on Bristol’s much loved bridge it promises to be a real night to remember.’

Andrew Kelly, director of Brunel 200 said:

‘The Saturday evening celebrations will launch the Brunel 200 programme – an exciting programme running from April to October that will include new exhibitions at the ss Great Britain, At-Bristol and City Museum and Art Gallery as well as arts projects, special tours and guided walks around the city.’

For further information on the 8 April event visit

Contact: Ruth Wilmshurst 0117 946 2216 07795 445 934

Or

Andrew Kelly 07778 932 778

Notes to Editors

Brunel 200 is a partnership initiative led by the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership and supported by Bristol City Council, Business West, Arts Council England South West and the Heritage Lottery fund.

Brunel 200 is sponsored by Discovery Channel, Bond Pearce and First GreatWestern.

Event timings

The evening entertainment near to Cumberland Basin will begin at 7.45pm. The Suspension Bridge lights will go on at 9pm followed by the firework display. The event will finish by 9.30pm.

Viewing areas

The best places to view the entertainment and fireworks will be from Brunel Way (Plymsoll Bridge) The Portway (A4) and Brunel Way Picnic Park. Fireworks can also be viewed from Sion Hill in Clifton

Road Closures

The following road closures will be in operation:

The Portway (from Cumberland Basin to Sylvan Way) and Bridge Valley Road:

From 16.30hrs on Saturday 8 April until 23:59hrs Saturday 8 April 2006

Brunel Way: From 19:00hrs until 22:30hrs on Saturday 8 April 2006

Suspension Bridge Road

From 12:00hrs until 23:59hrs on Saturday 8 April 2006

Sion Hill: From 19.30hrs until 22:30hrs on Saturday 8 April 2006