Watch for everything taking shape in style

Newly-appointed Tall Ships Sunderland site manager Mike Richmond has revealed the timescale for the city event to REALLY start taking shape.

It’s now all hands on deck to ensure next year’s four-day festival comes together.

For a lot of the time from now to next July, it will be intensive behind-the-scenes work. But come next June, all that will change, he said.

“A lot of the work at this point is still planning and design, but once we are about a month away from the event, people will start to notice things are happening on the ground.

“There is a lot to organise but we know we can make this event a big success. We are all fired up, ready to roll and looking forward to it.”

We told earlier this month how Mike had been appointed site manager.

Having worked at similar events up and down the country since 2000, Mike is no stranger to The Tall Ships Races. He’s had “some sort of role in every Tall Ships Race for almost 20 years,” he said, but he added: “But each one is different and will always bring new challenges with it.

“It’s always a fantastic event, and it’s my job to make sure it runs smoothly on the land.”

A multi award-winning event organiser, Mike began his career in sporting events before working with local authorities and the International Festival of the Sea, ahead of founding his own successful events company.

His role will involve ensuring everything on the land runs smoothly, and with four sites across the city hosting events, he is more than aware of the challenges it may bring.

For further information about Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 visit www. tallshipssunderland.com