Lifestyle magazine April 2016

HAppY 8TH BIRTHDAY TO Us! YOUR AwARD wINNING MAGAzINE!

Lifestyle ISSUE 96 • £PRICELESS

APRIL 2016 • www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk

01 - front cover

SprINg INTO STYLE

www . manchesterfashionweek . com

23 - 25 May 2016

Noel GAllAGheR

MARK ThoMAs

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HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY

Lifestyle THANK YOU

FOR BACKING THE WINNER ALL THE WAY

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3 Image: horseracingphoto.co.uk

COLON HYDROTHERAPY CENTRE: MARCUS CORNELIOUS - WHITE LET’S GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, AND SPRING CLEAN!

We all concern ourselves with how we look on the outside. We do our hair, wash our faces, shower, brush our teeth, clean our clothes, lift weights and go running, all to make ourselves look as good as possible. Yet we never concentrate on the inside which affect how we look and feel on the outside.

When you clean your car, you do it form the inside and out, the body is exactly the same.

Every change of season brings new eating habits, and to aid good health inside as well as the outside we should cleanse the body for the months ahead, a clean body, equals a healthier mind. Colon Hydrotherapy gives you that clean from the inside out.

Stresses that occur through our busy lives often cause tension with our core being. This physical tension can affect how our bodies function, particularly the colon. Colonic hydrotherapy treatments can aid in restoring and maintaining good health by stimulating the immune system and clearing the colon of stubborn waste.

Do you have a big date coming up on the calendar that you want to look your best for?

Some of us will prepare by going for a facial, getting our nails done – even a spray tan, why not put Colon Hydrotherapy on the to-do list too? The health benefits are huge – but what’s also really great is that you can lose up to half a stone, and because it reduces 4

bloating your stomach will be flatter too!

Imagine how good you will look in your little black dress then?

As well as weight loss Colon Hydrotherapy helps the body by restoring and maintaining good health by stimulating the immune system. By clearing the colon of stubborn waste, which the average person holds in excess of 6 pounds of, you are restoring proper pH balance to the body. It also helps by increasing prevention of toxic absorption via healthy mucosa. Providing a favourable environment for good bacteria and microflora for healthy digestion, promoting healthier, regular bowel movement.

By giving your colon a spring clean, you will be doing your body a favour, by being cleaner and healthier on the inside you will appear younger, have more energy and your complexion will be clearer too. What’s not to love about this treatment?

Why not get in touch and find out more about all the benefits Colon Hydrotherapy can do for you. Please check out our website for more information, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have Marcus Cornelius-White Colon Hydrotherapy Centre www.colonhydrotherapycentre.co.uk

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APRIL ISSUE 96 A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR…

HELLO

LOVELY LIFESTYLE READERS! It’s happened. Finally the weather has started to turn and there is spring like smell to the air. The daffs are open and the nights are getting lighter, and as I write this it hasn’t rained in 3 whole days. It feels like a miracle. And I can’t wait to enjoy the spring with my little family.

It was my twin’s birthday last month and we bought them a bike each. As I attempted some of the shoddiest present wrapping I have ever committed, I remembered the feeling of receiving my own first bike. It was orange and white, with white tyres and upon seeing it for the first time I proclaimed that it was the fasted bike on my street. My twins had a similar reaction, their screams and whoops as they jumped upon us saying thank you, more than made up for my epic wrapping fail. Oh how I wish they could be like this forever. Such innocence and a total lack of guile. People keep saying to me that I

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will love it when they go to school, that life will get easier when they are bigger. But I freely admit that I don’t want them to enter into the big bad and often harsh world. But I can’t put it off, and so far I have enjoyed every single stage of their development with them, so I am bound to continue to enjoy every stage as they grow up too.

For now however, I will let my babies be babies, to let them get dirty and jump in muddy puddles.

Every fake tea party will be attended and I will continue to pretend the cupboard under the stairs is a spaceship. Let’s not wish away the childhood of children but instead enjoy their hubris and abandon.

Joy

Joy Lewis, Editor

Twitter @joykinslewis - Email: joy.lewis@honestcat.co.uk www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk

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T H E AWA R D W I N N I N G N U M B E R O N E M A G A Z I N E FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE STYLE IN THEIR LIFE

CONTENTS FEATURES

FASHION & BEAUTY WEDDING GUEST STYLE IDEAS RACE DAY OUTFITS VINTAGE FASHION FABRIC STYLIST - NATALIE MORRIS

28 30 32 34

REGULARS BAY TV’S JAY HYND PETE PRICE BUSINESS NEWS CRAIG PHILLIPS

38 50 62 64

NOEL GALLAGHER MARK THOMAS ASA MURPHY MATCHSTICKMEN LESTER PRESTON JR LIFESTYLE AWARDS

12 18 22 46 52 58

COMPETITIONS JOHN LEWIS OUTFIT ODEON TICKETS

30 48

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For more info contact love@janerapin.com

IS ONLINE DATING REALLY DANGEROUS? We recently saw the conviction of another criminal who used an online dating site to find his victims. Thankfully he was caught and is now serving a prison sentence. Sadly the fact he’s behind bars is little comfort to the already nervous singles looking for love online.

So here are Jane Rapin’s “must follow” tips for safely navigating online dating sites: 1. DON’T TAKE RISKS Get to know someone before getting in their car, inviting them to your home, going to a hotel room with them. It can be easy to feel safe with someone we’ve been talking to online, but in reality they’re a stranger to us.

If you’ve met them and they’re getting pushy or moving too fast and you’re starting to feel uncomfortable, end the relationship and block them so they can’t contact you again.

2. DON’T GIVE AWAY TOO MUCH Keep the conversation on the online dating site as long as possible. Don’t be pressured in to giving your phone number or address until you’re ready. I’d go so far as to say not to give out those details until after you’ve met them at least once. Stick with only sharing first names until after you’ve met. If you do get a full name from the other person, Google them (this is what they’ll do too if they have your name). Don’t feel under pressure to reveal more about yourself than you feel comfortable. Your personal safety is more important than what the other person thinks of you. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand.

3. MEET SOMEWHERE VERY PUBLIC For your first meeting with someone new from a dating site, make sure to meet somewhere very public. Don’t let them walk you to your car, stay behind and call a friend to meet you instead. If you don’t have someone who can meet you, ensure that you take the shortest route back to your car or public transport. Not everyone is dangerous, it’s a balance between staying safe and feeling comfortable.

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4. HAVE A DATE BUDDY Make sure you have a date buddy, someone whom you can give the date/time/location of your date and your date’s name, number, online dating profile name etc. Agree to call or text this date buddy when you are safely home. Better still agree that you will text them during your date at least once to confirm all is ok.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT Many times I’ve had clients say they just ‘felt’ something was wrong, but they were too polite to do something about it. I say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have suspicions, listen to them and block the person immediately. A good way of feeling better about this is to imagine you’re giving advice to someone you love - if they had suspicions about someone, would you tell them to ignore the feelings rather than offend?

6. LOOK AT THEIR ONLINE NAME The man who was convicted used two very unusual names for his online dating profiles.

They weren’t ‘weird’ or odd but they were unusual. They’d have got my attention right away and alarms bells would have been going off.

The names hinted at a potential problem or at least a personality I wouldn’t feel comfortable around. Most people use generic name/number combos for their profiles. Those who choose something specific are telling you A LOT about their personality, so make sure to stop and check the profile name to see if it raises any concerns in your mind.

Online dating is still a good place to meet people, just remember to exercise at least some caution – or better still come to my website janerapin.com and speak to me, I am here to match you to the love of your life.

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’s r e h g a l l a G l e No our T s d ir B g in y l F h ig H

N

oel Gallagher is back on tour with his band High Flying Birds, he’ll be swooping into to Echo Arena on 25 April 2016, with band Super Furry Animals supporting.

But Noel is no longer quite how we knew him.

He’s bid good riddance to the bygone sound of indie rock, for now at least, and embraced the eclectic sound of space jazz. His album, Chasing Yesterday, while it’s not exactly Noel Gallagher’s Jazz Odyssey, it can certainly be described as his galactic ramble. For every Oasis-styled monster there’s a free-flowing groover, for every moment of lyrical profundity there’s a nugget of throwaway absurdity. It’s the sound of Noel Gallagher finding his freedom.

On his new album, “Chasing Yesterday” he said, “I played The Right Stuff to a mate of mine,” says Gallagher, mentioning one of the most out-there tracks on an already out-there album. “And he said: ‘finally’. I didn’t know what he meant at first, but then I realised. The Right Stuff is space jazz. We usedto joke about space jazz in Oasis. When people told us we weren’t adventurous we would say, ‘what do you want, space jazz?’ And now I’ve made a track that is real, actual, spaced-out jazz. And you know what? It’s great.” Has he gone the whole jazz hog and used saxophones? Yes. “We made a

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demo of Riverman and we knew it was amazing,” says Gallagher, on the beautiful opening song of the album.

“And then I was listening to [sax-laden one-hit wonder from 1974] Pinball by Brian Protheroe and thought: Shall I? Shall I actually get a saxophone player? And what if I get him to play not one but two solos? I know I’m going to be accused of sax crimes. I’m guilty of saxual harassment. But so what, this is not Oasis. There’s nobody to tell me not to do it.

And when you listen to that saxophone, please, don’t think about the guy from Spandau Ballet.

Think about a dude from New Orleans in 1963, smacked out of his head and incredibly cool, because it’s time to reclaim the saxophone.”

Gallagher thinks Riverman might be the best song he has ever written. He’s pretty sure it’s the best-sounding song he’s ever made. And he knows it’s the best-produced song he has ever been involved with. Which by the way he also produced Was becoming a producer for the first time a rewarding experience? “No, it was a major pain in the arse. It’s not that I’ve ever had people telling me what to write or what direction to go in, but managing sessions from one end of the week to the other proved extremely difficult. I’m not one for taking notes, whereas producers have systems to know how to book session musicians and so on. I had all

these people looking at me and saying: ‘right, what are we doing today?’ I was making the whole thing up as I went along.”

With no producer to bend and shape him into any one direction, Noel Gallagher let the High Flying Birds take flight. There’s In The Heat Of The Moment, an hypnotic track about nothing in particular, but inspired by a documentary in which an astronaut said that going into space for the first time feels like touching the face of God. “If that’s not an opening line for a song I don’t know what is, but you can’t write a song about an astronaut,” says Gallagher of In The Heat Of The Moment. “That’s ludicrous.

Especially after Jeremy gave it a disco beat.”

On his inspiration for the album he said, “It’s always like that: songs fall out of the sky in a moment of inspiration and you have to be ready for it, and if that moment arrives when you’re coming out of Tesco Metro on a Sunday after City have just drawn one-all with Everton, that’s how it goes. I found the missing melody there and then.”

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Is Johnny Marr, still Gallagher’s great guitar hero? “I tried to get him to play on the last album but it never happened. So when I put this track together and knew he would be perfect for it I called him and asked if I could send him the rough mix. He said: ‘No, I don’t want to hear it. I’m just going to react to it on the day.’ He didn’t even want any pointers.

Well, that was brave of him. He just arrived with two guitars and a bag of effects pedals.

And I have to say, he’s unbelievable. He’s way up there, on another level to the rest of us. The result is a burst of energy that helped make Ballad Of The Mighty I one of the best songs I’ve ever written.”

We made a demo of Riverman and we knew it was amazing,

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Tour High Flying Birds r Noel Gallagher ’s fo w -on/ ts no le ha sa /w m on e co Tickets ar echoarena. w. w w it vis , ril Ap 25th at the Echo Arena noel-gallagher y, for tickets erpool’s O2 Academ Liv at is rty pa ow demyliverpool/ The official after sh roup.com/o2aca icg us ym em ad ac gh-flying-birdsvisit https://www. %E2%80%99s-hi er gh la al -g el no events/815071/ -party-tickets official-aftershow

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A NIGHT IN N E V E R L A N D

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Regal Entertainments are getting very ‘eggcited’ about their pantomime Peter Pan, which flies into St Helens Theatre Royal for Easter 2016.

Dancing on Ice and X Factor star Ray Quinn joins an all-star cast featuring Laura Gregory as Wendy, Radio City’s Claire Simmo Radio City 2 – 105.9FM as Tinkerbell, Philip McGuinness as Captain Hook, Charlotte Gallagher as Tigerlilly, Liam Mellor as Smee and Simon Foster as Mrs Smee who will take the audience on a magical panto adventure to Neverland.

Let your imagination fly away with you as Regal Entertainments Ltd whisk you off to the magical world of Neverland in this wonderful family pantomime.

Based on JM Barrie’s timeless classic about the Boy Who Never Grew Up, audiences are invited to join Peter, Wendy and the rest of the crew on their adventures through Neverland. But watch out, as Captain Hook is lurking in the wings and is out for revenge!

Peter Pan is the latest Regal Entertainments’ long line of critically acclaimed smash hit seasonal productions, which are always chockfull of glitz, glamour, songs, dance, family filled fun, silly antics and slapstick comedy; the magical ingredients which have made them the must see shows of the year.

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager said: “We are over the moon to welcome Ray to the cast of Peter Pan as he is such an amazing performer – he is a great singer, dancer and actor – he’s got the whole package!”

“He is perfect for the role of Peter Pan as he has plenty of charm and he will join our stellar crew of panto favourites who always provide a fabulous family show and are guaranteed to add egg-citement to your Easter half term holidays!”

Meanwhile, Claire Simmo can’t wait to play the role of Ti n k e r b e l l . T h e r a d i o presenter from Southport says she is perfect for the role because: “I love anything sparkly and fairylike!”

Peter Pan runs from 25th March - 17th April with shows at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets are now on sale from £11. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com David Munn Photography WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR PETER PAN! In the meantime, Lifestyle magazine has teamed up with Regal Entertainments to offer one lucky reader a family ticket to the pantomime.

To Enter – Email: editor@lifestylemonthly.co.uk with the words “Peter Pan” in the subject box & your full name, address and contact numbers in the email. The winner will be notified by email, the editors decision is final.

Regal Entertainments by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD present

St Helens Swashbuckling Easter Pantomime THE BEAUTIFUL

LAURA GREGORY

AS WENDY DARLING THE HILARIOUS

RADIO CITY 96.7’S

DANCING ON ICE’S

RAYAS PETER QUINN CLAIRE SIMMO AS TINKER BELL PAN

ST HELEN’S RESIDENT DAME

SIMON FOSTER

MERSEYSIDE SONGSTRESS

THE BRILLIANT

AS TIGER LILLY

AS CAPTAIN HOOK

AS MRS SMEE

LIAM MELLOR CHARLOTTE GALLAGHER PHILIP MCGUINNESS AS SMEE

Written by J.M Barrie by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital

FRI 25 MAR – SUN 17 APR ‘16

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@theatreroyalsth

BOX OFFICE: 01744 756 000 STHELENSTHEATREROYAL.COM

In person: St. Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens WA10 1LQ

Credit/Debit: £1 charge phone/personal bookings plus an optional £1 restoration levy per booking. Website bookings: £1.50 charge per ticket plus an optional £1 restoration levy per booking. In person at the box office, paying cash/cheque no fees apply.

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LIVERPOOL CELEBRATES THE BARDS 4 0 0TH ANNIVERSARY! Liverpool venues ‘on bard’ for Shakespeare anniversary LIVERPOOL is getting ready to host a very special tribute to one of the world’s most famous playwrights.

Announced last month by Shakespeare’s Globe, Liverpool is the only UK city, so far, outside of London to host The Complete Walk.

The Complete Walk is a free project showing a series of 37 short films played on screens at city centre venues on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April – marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

The Florrie, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Kazimier Garden, the Town Hall, Aloft hotel, Liverpool Cathedral, Granby 4 Streets and Tate Liverpool are just some of the venues who will be hosting the rolling ten minute films.

Liverpool Everyman’s and Playhouse Associate Director, Nick Bagnall has directed three of the films – Henry VI parts two and three, which will both be shown at the Everyman, and Titus Andronicus which stars Peter Capaldi will be shown at the Playhouse due to Peter’s starring role in The Ladykillers at the venue in 2011.

Nick said: “It has been an absolute delight to make these short films for Shakespeare’s Globe for their Complete Walk.

“I have a very close relationship to all three of the plays I directed for the project and to realise them on film with the most astonishing group of actors has been invigorating. I am thrilled that the films will be shown in Liverpool and it is a great coup for the city. I hope visitors 16

enjoy watching them as much as I have enjoyed making them.”

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “When it was announced last month that Liverpool was to play host to this special event we had a fantastic response from organisations in the city centre.

“Many of the venues believed they would be the perfect hosts for particular films – because of the Bluecoat’s balcony they opted for Romeo and Juliet, the courts at St George’s Hall’s fit in well with The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It was the first Shakespeare play to be performed on the Unity Theatre’s stage in 1945.

“There is a real variety of organisations taking part, from the cathedral to bars, hotels to tourist information centres which is an added element for the people taking part in this special Shakespeare trail.”

33 venues are involved in the project. The films they are showing and the times (which are subject to change) are as follows: Liverpool’s Complete Walk is being sponsored by Edge Hill University.

Director of Corporate Communications, Roy Bayfield, said: “Edge Hill University is delighted to support The Globe Theatre and Liverpool in this exciting celebration of Shakespeare. Our students from literature, drama and media courses will be experiencing a truly innovative international event, right on their doorstep.”

For more information about The Complete Walk like @culturelpool on Twitter of follow Culture Liverpool on Facebook or visit www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/thecompletewalk

CHALLENGE YOURSELF FOR A HEALTHY 2016 AND HELP HEARTS NEAR YOU Ever fancied swimming the distance of the Channel in your local pool or hiking across some of Northern England’s most beautiful landscapes?

Northern-based national charity Heart Research U is making these challenges possible and raising funds to support its work in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

You have up to 12 weeks to complete the 22 mile Swim the Channel Challenge, so whether you want to complete it within a week, or take the full three months, just do it your way, in your own time.

Heart Research UK’s Three Peaks and Day in the Dales event is on 18 June and there are three walks on offer – the 25 mile Three Peaks hike across the Yorkshire Dales peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, a 16-mile Valleys Walk, or a 5K nature trail for all the family.

To sign up for the Heart Research UK Swim the Channel challenge, go to: http://heartresearch.org.uk/ events/swim-channel To do the Three Peaks Challenge go to: http:// heartresearch.org.uk/events/three-peaks-valleyswalk or contact us on 0113 234 7474 to request an information pack.

Follow heartresearchuk

e r i h s k r o Y s y e ll a V d n a s k a e Three P 2016

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MARK THOMAS MARK THOMAS, THE JOURNALIST, COMEDY GORILLA, MAKER OF POLITICAL MAYHEM AND HIGHLIGHTER OF WRONGFUL DEEDS IS ON TOUR ONCE AGAIN WITH TRESPASS AND HE’S BRINGING IT TO THE PLAYHOUSE THIS APRIL 22ND.

Trespass, Mark’s once again total sellout Fringe 2015 show, carries on from where his previous show 100 Acts of Minor Dissent left off. Combining his usual mix of theatre, stand up, activism, a dash of journalism and dollop of mayhem, Mark asks the question: “If the ramblers of the 1930's were here now, what would they do to open up the cities? How do we turn the skyscrapers and corporate squares into our playgrounds?”

Inspired by the mass trespass of Kinder Scout in 1932, Mark turns his eye to how the government have sold off the majority of our communal spaces, from playing fields to public rights of way, setting out to try and carve a small space in the urban world where mischief and random chance can lurk. Our editor Joy Lewis chatted to the rabble rouser about his new tour and his opinion on Donald Trump I describe you as a comedic political activist, how do you describe you?

I describe myself as a warlock of love, the spirit of spring and on first sight of myself in the mirror I believe the words, "Oh man" are uttered in a low drawl.

Other than that a mixture of theatre, stand up, activism and mayhem. I am the righter of wrongs, the wronger of the right wing, wringer of hands and occasional f*$k up.

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Politics and politicians today are a seemingly endless source of very dark comedy, do you find your material writes itself? Or are you more incensed by today’s political shenanigans than ever before?

Often the case. Tho' the material I write tends to be the action or events I organise about their activities which invariably takes longer to organise than you might think. Incensed? I am absolutely fuming that these people have gone further than Thatcher could have dreamed and deserve to be strung up.

What can people expect from your latest tour Trespass – who will you be pointing the finger at this time in order to educate the audience?

The show is about private interests grabbing and taking over public space.

So gentrification, corporations, tories, local councils of various hues and assorted bastards. Generally urging us lot to get up off out backsides and enter the fray.

Do you feel that you are educating your audience from one city, and do you feel that it’s your responsibility to point out life’s hypocrisy and make them laugh at the same time?

On a good day yes. Generally though I do this because I don’t have any training for a proper job and I have a childlike insistence that the world is wrong and I won't have it.

Who annoys you the most – key board warriors with their virtual pitchforks who rant about what’s wrong with the world without actually doing anything about it - or the perpetrators themselves? (in case you are wondering, for me it’s the keyboard warriors - because a crocodile is going to do what a crocodile crocodile is meant to do – bite – it’s up to us to stop them. But that’s me)

Keyboard activism is just one tool in a toolbox, it can come in handy but generally speaking we need to use the full kit to do the job. The idea that we are complicit in wrong doing if we know about but do nothing is a relative concept. Ignoring a murder would be deplorable, ignoring someone dropping a Mackey D carton doesn't carry as much guilt.

If you could change one thing - socially or politically in 2016, what would you do? Other than stopping Trump in his tracks that is? On that note – what do you think about Trump? I used to find him funny, until he started winning votes.

If I could change one thing I would index link herpes- rate to start at

£1,000,000. Trump is going to be the Republican candidate and he is one of the few things that can make Hilary Clinton look good. He is a demagogue and represents a truly fearful prospect of bigotry and hatred. Of course he is funny. Bush was, then he started bombing.

You are bringing your tour to Liverpool – this city, in case you are unaware, is full of politically minded very funny one line comedians. Does this worry you or do you see us as a challenge to be met?

I love cities and Liverpool is one of my favourites. It is rebellious and has a brilliant sense of its own identity. What is there not to like?

For more information and to book tickets visit www.everymanplayhouse.com/ 0151 709 4776 But don’t dawdle, this will be a sell out and a crying shame to miss it.

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TUE 24th to SAT 28th MAY

TUE, WED & THU 7:30pm WED & THU 2:30pm FRI 2:00pm & 5:00pm SAT 2:00pm, 5:00pm & 8:00pm

Tickets £25.50 - £31.50 (Prices include a £1.50 fee per ticket.)

M A RI N E P RO M EN A D E , N EW BRI G HTO N, WI RR A L , CH 4 5 2 JS.

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A

sa Murphy, Liverpool’s King of Swing talks to our editor Joy Lewis about his life time love affair with swing music.

Hi Asa, your work has picked up an incredible pace over the past two years, what do you put this down to - a certain gig or decision?

I have had a very busy two years and this year and next are even busier , I put it down to being true to my style of music and also being willing to learn from the people I have the pleasure of working with.

You have never strayed from the path of pure swing music when you perform, has this helped you gain fame?

Swing music has always and will always be my passion, over the years singers experiment with Swing music but if you don’t really love it and have a knowledge of the history of the singers and musicians involved it won’t last, being true to my style of music has enabled me to build a reputation as a true Swing artiste.

You are doing bigger and bigger gigs now, what have you got lined up for 2016?

2016 will be a very exciting year for me, I have the Wack Pack shows which is four Liverpool singers paying tribute to the great music of the Rat Pack era with full 12 Piece band, dancers, and a bar on stage. I also have a country wide tour starting in April in the Isle of Wight with my Swing Band, in the summer I will start work on a brand new Swing Album , plus 4 shows planned at the Greenroom Liverpool with my band, so I’m a busy boy!

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All big venues, do you still like to perform in the smaller more intimate venues?

I love performing in smaller intimate venues like L,Olivetto, The Greenroom, The Tute in Aughton, and other 150-250 seater venues. No matter what the size of the venue I treat them all the same and give 100% What are your goals for this year?

My main goal for 2016 it to keep promoting LIVE swing shows with my different bands from the Quartet right up to the 18 piece band, and also finding new songs to include in my repertoire , and to never stop learning and writing new original songs for the shows. I also have a radio show every second Saturday on BBC radio Merseyside 95.8 FM 9.30am With Billy Butler called “Spotlight on a Star” We’re I tell the life story and music of a different musical icon.

Watch this space for breaking news about the River City Festival! and I would like to say a massive thanks to my family and all the people who have and continue to support myself and the hard working musicians who I have the pleasure of sharing a stage with, I will do my best to Keep Swing music LIVE , lots of love from The King of Swing x

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The bmd:law

Lifestyle sport

& AWARDS 2016

#itsthelawtobefab

9TH JULY 2016

17-21 Fleet Street, Liverpool, L1 4AR

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Vote now at

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Review by Amanda

Moss

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The Castle grounds, the red sandstone walls, the marble floors, the vaulted dining rooms and the open fires all make for vibrant photo opportunities. We also host civil ceremonies, with our five licensed rooms catering for any number of guests from 10 to 170.

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We only ever book one wedding each day, so you can be confident that the elegant, romantic atmosphere you want is created for all your guests in the rooms you are using. For some of our guests, they want the whole of our beautiful location just for themselves. We are able to arrange exclusive use of all our grounds and facilities so that everyone can enjoy the celebrations.

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Nunsmere Hall Country House Hotel, Tarporley Road, Oakmere, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2ES weddings@nunsmere.co.uk 01606 889 100Peckforton Castle, Stone House Lane, Peckforton, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 9TN weddings@peckfortoncastle.co.uk 01892 260 930

Brings the romance and warmth of times gone by, positioned on an island setting in the heart of the historic Delamere Forest.

Whether you’re celebrating a civil m a r r i a g e , wedding reception or civil partnership our extensive, private grounds lend themselves perfectly for those couples looking for romantic sophistication.

‘Think how fabulous your photos will look, taken in a charming Italian sunken garden or on the shore of a beautiful lake.

Private exclusivity can also be arranged where you have exclusive access of the 36 bedrooms, function rooms and grounds.

We also have a bespoke heated marquee available on the grounds from 1st April until 30th September.

A successful celebration is about making sure that all the little things come together to create a day that is as unique as your love for each other. This is where our wedding co-ordinators come in who are on hand to make sure you don’t settle for the ordinary. If you would like to arrange a viewing please use the details below.

BHG

BOUTIQUE HOTEL GROUP

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Nunsmere Hall A C O U N T RY H O U S E H O T E L I N T H E H E A RT O F C H E S H I R E

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

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Please visit our brand new website www.nunsmere.co.uk NUNSMERE HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL Tarporley Road, Oakmere, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2ES Tel: 01606 889100 nunsmere.co.uk enquiries@nunsmere.co.uk

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27

r e t f A r e v E y l i p p a h

THE GUEST EDIT

Who doesn't like a good wedding? But choosing the right outfit so you can find your own Mr Darcy can be a tricky one. Discover the latest styles and prints from classic vintage to country chic.

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Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe and boyfriend Greg Lake demonstrate how to dress for the races in this exclusive Liverpool ONE photo shoot.

Shot in The Club House, Liverpool’s newest Hamptons style restaurant and at Aintree Racecourse, home of the Crabbie’s Grand National, the couple can be seen modelling the latest occasion wear ahead of the races on 7th – 9th April. And all of these outfits are available at Liverpool ONE. The actress and former Geordie Shore star Greg’s race ready looks showcase everything from feminine silhouettes to sharp tailoring.

Jen said: “It was so much fun doing the shoot with Liverpool ONE. We had a great day prepping for the races – we will both be going this year and are really looking forward to it. I loved the lady like approach to styling – it gave me some great ideas for the races.”

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T h e couple had their h a i r styled at Prado, getting a taste of what the Ladies Day Style Award winner will experience as part of the £8,000 prize package courtesy of Liverpool ONE – the Official Style Partner of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival. Jen also received a Charlotte Tilbury makeover, available exclusively at John Lewis Liverpool ONE. WIN A COMPLIMENTARY 1 HOUR STYLE PROFILE EXPERIENCE AT JOHN LEWIS LIVERPOOL WORTH £125 Which includes colour analysis, body contouring and tips on dressing for the races. To enter email, editor@lifestylemonthly.co.uk with the words "John Lewis Comp" in the subject box, with your name and address in the email. The editor's decision is final.

Grand Brunch

JOIN US FOR A SHABBY CHIC BRUNCH AT CITY WINE BAR & KITCHEN IN OLD HALL STREET, JUST A STONE A WA Y F R O M M O O R F I E L D TRAIN STATION. WE ARE SERVING OUR DELICIOUS CITY BRUNCH FROM 10:00AM FOR BOTH LIVERPOOL’S & CHESTER RACES. CHAMPAGNE PACKAGES ALSO AVAILABLE

*RESERVATION REQUIRED

Designer hats and fascinators to hire or purchase for that special day...

• Fascinators made to order • A selection of stylish accessories • No appointment necessary • Out of hours appointments available NEW DESIGNER COLLECTIONS FROM REBECCA COUTURE AND DONNA HARTLEY

MENS HATS IN STOCK

Tel. 0151 280 1373

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PARKING PERMITS AVAILABLE 755c Queens Drive, Rocket Junction, Liverpool, L13 4BS

29

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

These are images that haunt you by being both familiar, and strange. They raise more questions than answers, and the longer you study them, more mysteries some to light. You wonder what happened to the old dance hall. You wonder why the model’s dress matches the wallpaper? You wonder why the model sometimes looks so dismayed?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but Thomas’ photos amplify that, as his silent images send our minds racing. As we search for answers, perhaps the reality is as simple as the quote at the top of his photography page.

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Team credits: Models: Gabija Guzauskaite http://www.officialgabija.com Make-Up and Hair: Melissa Ann Stylist: Rose Mae Turner Photographer: Thomas H P Jerusalem, AMOMENT-IN-TIME.COM Photography, http:// www.a-moment-in-time.com, IG: @amomentintimephotography Location: Arcedium Coffeehouse and Bat Cave Studios, St Charles, IL USA

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Perfect Pastels

us

io colours and rumbust le bt su s on as se is Th ris ruffles by Natalie Mor

The Ruffle is the game changing flourish; decorating collars, hemlines, sleeves and even sedating trousers as it adds softness to tailoring. Regardless of the size, colour, texture or the quantity of layering, Ruffles convey a sense of romance with added drama for the perfect evening look.

Ruffles are created by rows of low tension stitching and then "Leading on with this season’s pastel colour palette, I re-created my own sample version of the latest textile trend taking inspiration from current fashion weeks. Ruffles and frills have been spotted at Paris Fashion Week and designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Michael Kors and Marques Almeida incorporated Ruffles as a key detail trend on the catwalk for Spring Summer 2016 (as seen in the image). Other designers created new elements and twists to the ruffle trend with chiffon cascades at Giambattista Valli and leather ruffles at Alexander McQueen.

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gathered loosely or as tight as you desire. Tight gathers and many layers create volume which is usually seen on under skirts, they can also be used as a statement accessory on a garment so there isn’t always a need for added jewellery.

Ruffles are this summer’s playful element to an outfit, experimenting by manipulating the ruffles anywhere on the body and breaking the boundaries for individuality. "

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BEHIND THE BRUSH WITH ABBIE-MAY HOPKINS  

FRESH NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL SKIN FOR SPRING/SUMMER. SKINCARE IS KEY! PREPPING YOUR SKIN BEFORE THE MAKE-UP APPLICATION IS WHAT MAKES THE MAKE-UP SIT WELL AND LOOK GREAT ALL DAY! I used Nude skincare to prep the skin including these products; advanced renewal serum, advanced renewal eye complex, radiant day moisturiser and to finish off with I used Clarins smooth perfecting primer in the t-zone area to help the make-up last and act as a barrier in between the skincare and foundation.

I then used Urban Decay naked skin foundation, I used a lighter colour in the t zone area and under the eyes to brighten up the complexion and blended with a large duo fibre brush. I then added a pressed powder to set the foundation and mattify the skin.

To bring out the cheek bones a used a bronzer and highlighter both from MAC Cosmetics, matte bronzer and mineralise skinfinish powder in "soft and gentle" I then went on to penciling in the 34

eyebrows using a Clarins brow pencil and Eyeko brow gel to hold the hairs in place.

I used MAC Cosmetics in extreme dimension black lash mascara and MAC Cosmetics lipstick in "fleshpot" to finish off the look.

Credits Photographer - Nathalie Gordon MUA - Abbie May Model - Viktorija @ BMA Models Hair - Karen Windle

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WITH JAY HYND

FESTIVAL SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!

I

t is finally happening, after months of waiting, we have got through hundreds of cold dark early mornings and it looks like the sun is at last coming out to play again!

The Grand National Festival marks the official start of summer in Liverpool and from this point things can only get better, and with a festival calendar more jam packed than a handbag on Ladies Day it really is time to get excited for what our city has to offer in terms of events & gatherings over the next few (hopefully insanely sunny) months. I’ve picked out a few festivals on the way that we all need to make room for this Summer.

First up is a completely free festival taking place on one of the city’s most famous stretches.

The Smithdown Road Festival is back even bigger for 2016. The line-up for this is already huge with more names to be added soon. Wirral favourites the Sundowners are amongst the headliners with Natalie McCool, Beans on Toast, False Advertising and many more local music talents taking to stages at various venues from Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May. A real community focus and helping those in need to with Foodbank Holiday Monday.

Next up is end of May – two festivals, two completely different vibes and lineups. Sound City returns to Bramley Moore Docks with

36

headline sets from The Coral, Catfish & the Bottlemen and a new focus on dance with the festival teaming up with Freeze, bringing Leftfield 2 Many DJ’s and more to certainly one of the most unique festival locations on the planet.

If it is more of a family feel you are after on the same weekend head to Aintree Race Couse as newbie on the fezzy block We Luv Festival bring you all your pop favourite’s from Example, Rebecca Ferguson, Scouting for Girls and for the older fold UB40, Alexander O Neil and Sugar Hill Gang. Plus if the rumours are true, some almighty announcements to be made soon including headliner that you will not want to miss! Check out theguideliverpool.com for more.

Then of course it is all about the biggest free music festival in Europe – LIMF returns to Sefton Park, earlier this year and at the end of July.

Already announced we have the likes of Sigma, The Wombats, Yousef and Jon Power of Cast.

Fringe events surrounding the Summer Jam in Sefton Park are once again looking good.

For more LIMF get to our website theguideliverpool.com.

So there you have it we have a bill of live entertainment coming Michael Eavis would be jealous of. Go enjoy and follow all of the goings on and coverage online theguideliverpool.com.

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MILLIONS OF BRITS CAUGHT OUT BY ‘CALORIES BLIND SPOT’ Do you suffer from snack amnesia? How often when popping to the fridge to grab the milk do you grab a quick bite? You know, something that you just pop in your mouth while the door is still open, a chocolate, biscuit or crisp? Don’t worry you are not alone, millions of us do it and immediately discount these tasty little morsels as calories consumed, it even has a name, “calorie blind spot.”

A study carried out among 2,000 adults found that while calorie counting and ‘five a day’ are a focus of their daily food plan, a large percentage admit they often forget to consider things such as putting sugar or syrup on their cereal or dressing on a salad. It also emerged that many adults are consuming ‘invisible calories’ on top of their usual daily intake, with syrup, sugar and jam on porridge among the biggest culprits for the ‘hidden’ extra calories.

Researchers found 84 per cent of Brits try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables regularly, and two thirds of those polled count the calories, fat and sugar content in most of their meals.

But seven in 10 people admit they rarely take into account the calories in toppings, sauces and condiments which they pour all over their meals, and as such, make a seemingly healthy meal unhealthy.

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In fact, 52 per cent of those polled believe they are consuming just under 2,000 calories a day, when in reality they may be pouring an additional 200 calories

and 20 grams of fat of Caesar dressing over their salad, or consuming around 12 grams of sugar for every tablespoon of maple syrup they put on their porridge or pancakes. Simple salads are livened up with mayonnaise, French vinaigrettes and Caesar dressings, while toast is always served with a decent portion of butter. And porridge is always served with three or four teaspoons of sugar, a good glug or syrup of honey.

And don’t just think these figures apply to those among us who are considered unhealthy, the respondents to this survey described themselves as healthy. And the biggest calorie blind spot of all is alcohol, with a whopping 42 per cent not counting alcohol at all as calories. This is a pretty big blind spot when a single small glass of white wine is nearly 100 calories and a shot of vodka is 93 calories.

Unsurprisingly, a third of Brits admit they have struggled with their weight – putting it on without really knowing why. Food psychologist, Dr Christy Fergusson from Channel 4’s Secret Eaters, said: “More and more people are becoming sugar savvy and want to make healthier food choices. However, this research suggests that many people are falling into the trap of consuming more sugar than they realise. Most people aren’t considering the impact of hidden sugars in storebought sauces, dressings and ready meals. The good news is looking closer at the ingredients in the foods we eat and making a few simple swaps can make a considerable difference.”

Example by www.nhs.co.uk

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39

Sleep. We spend approximately 1/3 of our life doing it, there is nothing better than waking up from a good night's repose and enjoying a good stretch. Plus we need at least 6 hours per night for survival.

SO WHY DOES A GOOD NIGHT’S SLUMBER ELUDE SO MANY OF US?

Of course there are many causes of insomnia, such as stress, work, alcohol and even social media.

HOWEVER, HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED WHETHER THE TEMPERATURE MIGHT BE THE THING STOPPING YOU DRIFTING OFF AT NIGHT?

While keeping energy costs down is an obvious concern, notching the thermostat up just a couple of degrees could set you up for a much better night’s sleep.

HOW DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT SLEEP?

While we know that the body’s sleep cycle is largely determined by the exposure to light, the brain also needs to drop the core body temperature in order to allow sleep.

If your surroundings make it too hot or too cold for the body to drop to this optimum temperature, you’ll probably find it harder to get to sleep.

The tendency is for people to set the thermostat just a little bit warmer than they actually need to, but the body needs to drop by a couple of degrees to signify to the brain that it’s time to sleep.

The average bedroom temperature is around 21 or 22°C, but according to researchers somewhere closer to 18°C could result in a much better night’s sleep.

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The theory was backed up in a study published by the ‘Current Biology’ journal in October last year. The study looked at the sleep patterns of 94 people in preindustrial societies, where temperatures are less controlled by things such as central heating and air conditioning.

While researchers expected the participants to go to sleep at sunset and wake up at sunrise, they found that sleep coincided with the coldest part of the night, and that participants slept an hour longer during winter.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

While keeping the temperature down here in the UK isn’t much of a challenge, sometimes in the summer it can get a bit warm and sticky so if this is the case it is recommend moving to a duvet with a lower tog rating.

4.5 On the other hand, if you’re finding having the heating off is too chilly, throw on some extra blankets or try wearing socks, the hands and feet are areas where the body naturally tries to lose heat.

7.5 10.5 13.5

15.0 Another top tip is to run a warm bath before going to bed, which brings circulating blood to the surface and drops the body’s core temperature.

Not only should this help you get off to sleep better, but should result in a better, deeper level of sleep.

So while it could be down to any number of causes, next time you’re struggling to get to sleep, consider the temperature of your room.

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T H E P E O P L E S C LU B

Blues captain Phil Jagielka met with a group of veterans from Knowsley to officially launch a new

an injury sustained in Afghanistan saw him medically discharged in 2013 having earlier being

Everton in the Community programme which will support approximately 150 ex-service personnel from the local area.

diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Once at home, the feelings of anger and paranoia set in with the need to once again feel part of a

Funded by a ÂŁ39,000 grant from The Royal British Legion, Knowsley Veterans Hub (KVH) is a football

team finally being satisfied by an Everton in the Community coffee morning where he had the chance to mix with like-minded people and in his

and exercise based programme that will work to

own words, turn his life around.

engage former military personnel who are at risk of isolation with sport, training and social activity.

England international Jagielka was in attendance at the official launch of the programme at King George V Playing Fields in Huyton to meet with

making the transition from such a structured, highly disciplined lifestyle to civilian life can lead to a myriad of interlinked problems. There are

local veterans to find out more about their time in the armed forces and the support that the Club’s official charity can offer them.

over 8,500 identified veterans across Knowsley and these figures are continually increasing along with the levels of homelessness, unemployment and substance misuse. The programme will allow participants to re-gain structure and routine into

During his time at the programme, the

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Once ex-service personnel return home they can often struggle to readjust and the stress of

33-year-old centre half was introduced to KVH Project Coordinator and veteran Dave Curtis who provided Jagielka with an insight into his own

their lives as well as providing tailored information and support for the Knowsley area.

background and how he is now using his own experiences to help others. After joining the army at 21, Dave served his country for six years before

For more information on Knowsley Veterans Hub visit www.evertonfc.com/KVH

43

MATCHSTICKMEN For any music lover there is always great satisfaction and a certain kudos to finding a band before they hit the big time. Matchstickmen are about to become that band for our Editor Joy Lewis, as they currently on the precipice to taking their music on to much bigger things. So best be quick and dawdle not in getting down to one of their gigs so you too can say I knew them before.

Joy Lewis speaks to Matchstickmen’s lead singer Lewis Wright.

Hi Lewis, love your latest single, how long have the band been together? And where did you get your band name from?

The idea of the band has been going for quite a few years, we were all in different bands and came to together as we all had the same vision of what we wanted from a band and created 'Matchstickmen'. The name was kind of an accident as we didnt have a name for a first gig and it stuck.

Can you introduce your band, and what you all do within it?

I'm on vocals, but you will also find me playing the piano on some of the tracks including the new single 'Different Paths', Peter Donnelly is on guitar, Iain Forsyth plays the Bass, sings backing vocals, plays the acoustic and ukulele... basically anything anyone else doesn't want to play, and finally we've got 'Dangerous' Dave Horny on drums and percussion.

How did you guys meet?

I've been in bands with Iain over the years and I used to work with Pee. We found Dave on a 'Find a musician' website. Best decision we could have 44

made as Dave is a kick ass drummer and a lovely chap.

Can you describe your style of music?

Balls out rock.

When you perform do you do all your own tracks or a mixture of your music and covers?

We perform mostly our own stuff but throw in covers as it keeps the audience interested if they don't know your songs.

We've released 'Give In To Me' by Michael Jackson and will be releasing a mash-up of Stevie Wonder and Metallica songs called 'Sad But Superstitious' in 2016.

Where can people come and see you play live?

We play everywhere! Our tour dates are available on our website matchstickmen-band.com. We are playing at the Liverpool Tattoo Convention on Saturday 7th May which will be an awesome show and event so you should all get down to that.

You can follow us @Matchstickmen, on Twitter. We post daily updates on all things 'Matchstickmen'

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THE HUNTSMAN - WINTERS WAR The fantastical world of Snow White and the Huntsman expands to reveal how the fates of The Huntsman Eric and Queen Ravenna are deeply and dangerously intertwined. Chris Hemsworth and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron return to their roles in The Huntsman Winter’s War, an epic actionadventure in which they are joined by Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain, as well as director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan. Producer Joe Roth (Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland) once again leads the team in a breathtaking new tale nested in the legendary saga.

WARCRAFT-THE

BEGINNING

From Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures comes Warcraft, an epic adventure of world-colliding conflict based on Blizzard Entertainment’s global phenomenon.

The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: Orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people and their home.

So begins a spectacular saga of power and sacrifice in which war has many faces, and everyone fights for something.

Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and written by Charles Leavitt and Jones, the film starring Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Rob Kazinsky and Daniel Wu is a Legendary Pictures, Blizzard Entertainment and Atlas Entertainment production.

The producers are Charles Roven, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Alex Gartner and Stuart Fenegan. Jillian Share, Brent O’Connor, Michael Morhaime and Paul Sams serve as executive producers. Rob Pardo, Chris Metzen, Nick Carpenter and Rebecca Steel Roven co-produce. Warcraft will be released by Universal Pictures.

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WARCRAFT: THE BEGINNING is released on 03/06/16 at ODEON Liverpool ONE

Long before the evil Queen Ravenna (Theron) was thought vanquished by Snow White’s blade, she watched silently as her sister, Freya (Blunt), suffered a heartbreaking betrayal and fled their kingdom. With Freya’s ability to freeze any enemy, the young ice queen has spent decades in a remote wintry palace raising a legion of deadly huntsmen—including Eric (Hemsworth) and warrior Sara (Chastain)—only to find that her prized two defied her one demand: Forever harden your hearts to love.

When Freya learns of her sister’s demise, she summons her remaining soldiers to bring the Magic Mirror home to the only sorceress left who can harness its power. But once she discovers Ravenna can be resurrected from its golden depths, the wicked sisters threaten this enchanted land with twice the darkest force it’s ever seen. Now, their amassing army shall prove undefeatable…unless the banished huntsmen who broke their queen’s cardinal rule can fight their way back to one another.

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR is released on 04/04/16 at ODEON Liverpool ONE We have 2 tickets to see THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR and a Red Letter Day Experience* up for grabs courtesy of ODEON Liverpool ONE and Universal Pictures.

To enter: Email: editor@lifestylemonthly.co.uk with the words “Huntsman-Winter War” in the subject box, and your full name, address and contact numbers in the email. The winner will be notified by email, the editors decision is final. * T&C's: Red Letter Day experience is to the value of £100.

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD - LIVE

Aha oho marks in the snow, where do they come from and where do they go The Gruffalo’s Child, the book that has delighted millions of children all over the world, has been turned into a stage play.Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo’s sell out tour and his monstrous West End success The Gruffalo’s Child will pop into The Epstein Theatre from Tuesday, May 17th – Thursday, May 19th – with plenty of attitude!

Based on Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson MBE and A x e l S c h e f f l e r ’s award-winning picture book, the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning one wild and windy night and tiptoes out into the snow. After

all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he? Just how brave is she?

Come and find out on Tuesday, 17th May!

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PETEPRICE “LATE NIGHT CITY” SUNDAY – THURSDAY 10PM TO 1AM RADIO CITY 2 & RADIO CITY TALK

Every Thursday at 11pm I go ‘Beyond the dark’ with some of the spookiest strangest guests that see ghosts, speak to them, get abducted by aliens and write the most amazing books! It’s a great feature as it opens so many doors to another world. We are always looking for people who have had an experience or written a book about the supernatural.

1.

4.

LIVERPOOL’S BIGGEST STAR, PETE PRICE...

Inducted into ‘The Radio Academy Hall of Fame’ 2014

6.

5.

3.

2.

1 The Play – Les Dennis and Oliver Farnworth are appearing in ‘Down the Dock Road’ one of Alan Bleasdales great piece of writing. Les is producing it as well as starring in it. And Ollie who is the hearthrob from Coronation Street is taking time out to perform at the Royal Court theatre 11th March – 9th April. Great people – great cast – great pieces of writing 2 Justin Bieber – I think he is starting at last to turn his life around but one thing you cannot take from him is his talent. He keeps winning awards.

If he got rid of his enterage he would probably be more accessable 3 Anthony Brown – He is a remarkable artist his collection of portrays known as the hundred heads – I was incredibly excited and flattered that he created me and my life which surrounds the portrait. Every time I look at it I find something new on it.

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4 Micky Finn, Crissy Rock – this was the last interview I did before Micky died I was so pleased I was allowed to go to the hospice to say goodbye to my old mate – a true Liverpool Legend – proved by the fact there must have been 1500 people at the funeral to say goodbye.

I have so many memories 5 Tony Warren – Another great talent has passed away without him there wouldn’t be Coronation Street and I have watched every single episode from Day One. I am thrilled I know most of the cast and have spent many happy times with them. Tony was always very warm and charming when I was in his company. It was a joy to call him a friend.

6 Piece of art – This is my new pal I met in Madrid on a boozy weekend.

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Le ster Preston Jr Lester Preston Jr appeared on BBC’s The Voice in January this year. Ricky Wilson was the favourite to turn around but his hand hovered over the button didn’t press down. Amanda Moss asks what’s next for the 33 year old singer songwriter from Liverpool, because not getting picked this time is not slowing him down.

Why did you decide to audition on The Voice?

I decided it was the right time and I was at an age where I needed the exposure from the show to further my music career. I didn't know if I was gonna make the television stages or not, I just hoped I would and people would see what I have to offer. I could then put them onto my original songs and hope for bigger things.

What did you learn from the experience?

I learned a lot and loved every minute of it. I taught myself to sing and play, so to work with the amazing vocal coaches and the band was brilliant, I wish I could play with that band every day.

Has it changed your life?

It hasn't changed my life, but a lot more people now know I exist and what I'm about, I received messages from all over the world and gained more follows on social media and my music pages etc. My audition has had over 325k views on YouTube, I was 50

getting like 100 views on my stuff beforehand, also getting noticed by strangers is a bit crazy.

Where are you going with your music this year?

I’m going to write, record and play as much as I can and see where it takes me.

Hopefully as far as I can possibly go.

Tell us about your musical style and who do you take inspiration from?

At the minute when I play live it's just me and my acoustic guitar, I would like to think I'm very melodic with well written songs that people can relate to. I love all genres of music, but my main inspiration growing up was Oasis, they're my all time favourite band. I loved Kelly Jones from Stereophonics too. I was majorly influenced by their song writing.

And of course I love The Beatles!!!

How has growing up in such a creative city influence your music?

It's probably just something you take for granted coming from this great city. But it does mould you, and being creative there's no better place to come from, it's in our DNA. What's your dream?

My dream is to be global superstar, have long career in the music industry, selling out arenas and keep making timeless music that people love listening to that means something to them. I love performing. I've always envisioned standing at the front of a stage like Glastonbury, and a huge crowd just belting the words to one of my songs back at me, that I wrote in my bedroom, and previously played in my local boozer to like 4 people.

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EARL SLICK AND BERNARD

“Station to Station is more than just a classic David Bowie album.

It’s one of the pivotal moments in 1970s rock, forged in a turmoil of spiritual anguish and commemorating the wayward quest which carried its creator from the American funk and soul of his previous incarnation to the European experimentalism of his next. That transition, as philosophical as it was geographical, crystallised into an album of dark power and muscular beauty, brought to life by one of the finest bands Bowie has ever assembled and led from the front by the monumental guitar of Earl Slick.”

WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE NORMAN

Legendary guitarist Earl Slick (David Bowie / John Lennon) and singer Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones) to tour the UK in April and Japan in May 2016 performing David Bowie’s Station to Station album masterpiece in full and a set of other classic Bowie, Lennon and Rolling Stones songs from their careers with those artists.

Nicholas Pegg, author of ‘The Complete David Bowie’

Marking the 40th anniversary of the release of David Bowie’s seminal album Station to Station, this tour will showcase the remarkable talents of renowned and influential guitarist Earl Slick, whose guitar playing made such a profound impact on the Station to Station album.

Earl Slick said: “After all of these years the pieces all fell into place for me to perform my all-time favourite David Bowie record, Station to Station, live and in its entirety! I am proud to announce that the Rolling Stones’ Bernard Fowler will be up front and centre on lead vocals. See you all in April.”

The tour band: • Earl Slick, guitar • Bernard Fowler, vocals • Steve Norman (Musical Director), sax, guitar, percussion (Spandau Ballet, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel) • Chris Constantinou, bass (Adam Ant, The Mutants, Sinéad O’Connor) • Luis Correia, guitar (Dirt Diggers) • Florence Sabeva, piano (Lover) • Lisa Ronson, BVs and percussion (Lisa Ronson, The Secret History) • Lee John, drums (Sayreal) Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman will be the Musical Director on the tour, he said: “If you were to ask me who my top blues rock guitarists of all time were, Slicky would be right up there. I’m so looking forward to this tour.”

“It's a great honour to be bringing new life to one of the world's most iconic records, David Bowie's Station to Station with legendary Earl Slick.”

Bernard Fowler 52

‘Earl Slick and Bernard Fowler perform David Bowie’s Station to Station’ is touring the UK in April and Japan in May 2016 at the following venues: 24 April – Norwich Arts Centre* 26 April – O2 ABC Glasgow 28 April – O2 Academy Liverpool 29 April – O2 Academy Islington SOLD OUT 30 April – Colchester Arts Centre SOLD OUT 1 May – The Lexington, London** 4 May - Billboard Live Tokyo 5 May - Billboard Live Tokyo 7 May – Billboard Live Osaka UK Box Office: ticketweb.co.uk / 0844 477 2000 *Except Norwich Arts Centre: https:// norwichartscentre.co.uk/events/earl-slick-station-to-station/ **And The Lexington: www.wegottickets.com/event/352634

The main support act on the UK tour will be alt rock/ synth pop artist Lisa Ronson, daughter of the guitarist and producer Mick Ronson. "Lisa carries on the Ronsonian spirit of remaining utterly contemporary and winningly melodic", David Buckley, Mojo.

The other support act will be Vita & The Vicious; a six piece London-based pop/rock band – dark and East End with shades of Blondie - fronted by feisty redhead Vita Ross. (Not at Norwich, Colchester or the Lexington) So Called Humans will be the second support act at Colchester Arts Centre.

facebook.com/o2academyliverpool twitter.com/o2academylpool instagram.com/o2academyliverpool youtube.com/o2academytv

Thurs 7th Apr •

Leon Bridges Fri 8th Apr • £12 adv

Patent Pending Sat 9th Apr • £16.50 adv

Jack & Jack Sat 9th Apr • £14 adv

Whole Lotta Led Thurs 14th Apr • £10 adv

Scotty T’s World Tour Tues 19th Apr • £6 adv

Alxndr Wed 20th Apr • £13.50 adv

Neck Deep Thurs 21st Apr • £14 adv

The View Sat 23rd Apr • £12 adv

The Clone Roses

Thurs 28th Apr • £20 adv

Tues 24th May • £15 adv

Sun 27th Nov • £14 adv

Earl Slick and Bernard Fowler perform David Bowie’s Station to Station

Adam Green

Electric Six

Fri 10th Jun • £20 adv

Sat 10th Dec • £15 adv

Thurs 28th Apr • £13 adv

65daysofstatic Tues 3rd May • £15 adv

Sat 17th Dec • £20 adv

Stillmarillion

Cast

Sun 19th Jun • £17.50 adv

Blackberry Smoke Fri 2nd Sep • £10 adv

Sat 7th May • £15 adv

Tribute to The Beautiful South

The Southmartins

ChameleonsVox

and The Housemartins

Thurs 12th May • £7 adv

Sat 3rd Sep • £15 adv

Louis Berry

Animal Collective

Fri 13th May •

Tues 11th Oct • £27.50 adv

Foxes

All Saints

Sun 15th May • £15 adv

Sun 30th Oct • £16.50 adv

Laura Mvula

Y&T

Wed 18th May • £15 adv

Hayseed Dixie

Sun 24th Apr • £16 adv

Sat 21st May • £10 adv

Guns2Roses

• £27.50 adv t c O th 1 1 s e Tu All Saints

The Icicle Works

Fri 17th Jun • £10 adv

Less Than Jake

Heaton Park show

The James Hunter Six

Bad Manners

Sat 30th Apr • From £15 adv 10pm - 4am • 18+

Martin Solveig presents My House Sat 11th Jun • £28.50 adv

Dr. John Cooper Clarke Sat 16th Jul • £18.50 adv • 7.30pm

Father John Misty

Fri 11th Nov • £14 adv

Absolute Bowie

Celebrate the life of David Bowie - in support of Teenage Cancer Trust

Sat 26th Nov • £23 adv

Soul II Soul

Ticketweb.co.uk • 0844 477 2000

liverpoolguild.org

• £23 adv Sat 26th NloIIvSoul Sou

o2academyliverpool.co.uk 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool L3 5UF • Doors 7pm unless stated Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 11.30am - 5.30pm • No booking fee on cash transactions

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Lifestyle’s music columnist Martin Quirk

THANK

YOU

GEORGE

,

from The City Of Liverpool

Nobody straddles Liverpool’s association with The Beatles and The Beautiful Game like Sir George Martin, and, while my columns so far in 2016 are starting to feel like a series of eulogies for the passing of musical deities, his death last month simply cannot go unacknowledged in a magazine about life in a city which owes so much to him.

Sir George Martin made The Beatles. He took them on, signed them to his label and recorded them when nobody else wanted to know. He really was ‘The Fifth Beatle’ in every sense. He not only helped to change the entire course of musical history, his work changed the course of history itself.

The boundaries in a strict social structure which had existed for centuries in Britain (see Downton Abbey) became blurred and diminished, comparatively overnight, by what he and The Beatles did over the course of just seven years in a recording studio on Abbey Road in St John’s Wood. Many wise people say that our current Prime Minister is doing his very best to rearrange it all back again, but that’s for a very different magazine column to this one.

Sir George is therefore largely responsible for thousands of jobs which exist in this city today. Our tourist industry thrives as the world continues its love affair with the four cheeky mop tops that shook it, and long may that continue. The prospect and significance of Cunard liners returning to the Pier Head can’t be over-stated in what it represents to the City of Liverpool and the economic fortunes and historical struggles of its people. What George did during his life has helped to make that possible.

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What many people might not realise is that it was Sir George himself, who also decided that Gerry & The Pacemakers would record his own alternative arrangement of the Rogers & Hammerstein show tune ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. The now universal anthem for Hope and Humanity, which, despite the protests of even the Truest Blues, will forever be associated by everyone beyond its borders with The People’s Republic of Liverpool.

Contact & Bookings martinquirk365@msn.com Thanks George - YNWA. www.weddingjam.co.uk

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Lifestyle Awards The 7th annual Liverpool took place recently at The Liner Hotel. The night was sold out with 270 guests attending the star spangled evening. It was hosted by Amanda Moss PR and presented by Jay Hynd & Ellie Phillips Entertainment was brought by Marc Kenny, Lester Preston and Girl Talk. Over 8500 people voted for your winners. Thank you to sponsors Nucerity, The Social Geeks and Not Just Travel North West.

For more images by Ian Williams and a full list of winners and finalists visit www.liverpoollifestyleawards.co.uk

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59

ZODIAC

MONTHLY PREDICTIONS

Manish Kumar Arora

www.facebook.com/manishastroconsultant

Aries ( 21 March-19 April ):

Cancer ( 21 June- 22 July ):

Positive opportunities will come your way.

You simply need to reach out and take advantage of them. Maintain your equilibrium this month and good things will result. A little diplomacy and aloofness will reap positive rewards. Emphasis should be put on listening more than on making your point. Your ability to communicate and express yourself will be highlighted. This will be a good month for writing but not for speculation or making investments.

Opportunities will come your way without hassles. There will be room for optimism and good cheer. Just go with the flow and don't be too quick to put the brakes on. Enjoy yourself. It is a maturing influence that will help you make decisions about what you have to work towards. It is all about being prepared and making the necessary effort. Short term discomfort for long term gain would be there.

Favorable Dates : April 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24 Favorable Colors : Red & Green.

Favorable Dates : April 1, 7, 10, 16, 19, 25 Favorable Colors : White & Yellow.

Taurus ( 20 April- 20 May ):

Leo ( 23 July-22 August ):

Your popularity will increase. Personal charisma and initiative will win the day.

A little consideration given to others will also improve both your status and your fortunes. This will be a happy month. Just smile and go for it.

Communications will be productive and initiatives will be taken spontaneously. This is a good time to put out energy and get things done. Give energy to those who are supportive and be discriminating and silent around those who are not.

You need to maintain personal composure and avoid trying to control others. The burden of responsibility will continue to weigh heavily. You will have to adjust your goals. Don't let go of important commitments.

You simply need to cut back and direct your time more efficiently. If more time demands arise, you will have to cut back somewhere else. Do not make promises or rely on the promises of others. Strive for self reliance.

Favorable Dates : April 6, 9, 15, 27, 24, 27 Favorable Colors : Red & White.

Favorable Dates : April 1, 7, 10, 16, 19, 25 Favorable Colors : White & Yellow.

Gemini ( 21 May-20 June ):

Virgo ( 23 August-22 September ):

You will be attractive to the opposite sex and there will be little or no resistance to your initiatives. Charisma and charm will be highlighted. You will easily attract what you want.

More will be accomplished by charm than by force.

This will be a time to be beautiful and strut your stuff.

The main challenge will come from personal indulgence and the tendency to overspend.

This month will bring contradictory energies to the surface. Your instincts will be strong but they will not get immediate support. Try to control or limit your indulgences and you will keep your expenses down. Be wary about the impulsive purchase as you will be inclined to pay too much for it. Don't expect to be completely satisfied.

Don't worry as this will pass. Keep on doing what feels right. New romance is in the air.

Favorable Dates : April 6, 8, 15, 18, 24, 26 Favorable Colors : Red & Yellow.

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Favorable Dates : April 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favorable Colors : White & Green.

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BUSINESS NEWS LOURDES Lourdes Investments is a specialist property investment consultant that connects institutional investors and sub agents to property investment opportunities.

With offices based in Liverpool and Manchester Lourdes are the go to people for your off market commercial property sale With a team of off plan expert sales agents also under their umbre la they are now working with some of the regions property developer leaders to sell units from individual sales to whole site exclusivity to sell residential, serviced and student sites out. Contact info@loudesinvestments.com for more information or to assist you in your next property project. New sire launches on April 15th at www.lourdesinvestmetns.com

MEES DEMOLITION OF CREAM LIVERPOOL SITE The £40 million redevelopment of Liverpool’s Wolstenholme Square has moved a step closer as work began to demolish Nation nightclub, the iconic venue of Cream.

Liverpool-based Mees Demolition has been appointed to demolish multiple buildings in the square, including the site of the famous Nation nightclub, which will move to a new underground venue.

The development by Elliot Group will deliver five blocks providing 445 studio and one-bedroom apartments and a revamped square with a new landscaped passage through to Seel Street which will be lined with restaurants, cafés and workspaces.

Mees Demolition will use the latest technologies and equipment to ensure that disruption in the busy city centre area is kept to a minimum.

Thomas Mee, managing director of Mees Demolition, says: “We know that all eyes will be on the redevelopment of this iconic Liverpool square. Being so close to Liverpool ONE and 62

The Albert Dock, Wolstenholme Square will be a fantastic place to live once the development is completed.

“Liverpool is booming at the moment, with demand for city living at an all-time high.

We are no strangers to working right in the heart of our home city but every time it is a privilege to be involved in reshaping the face of Liverpool for future generations.”

CAPITAL 107.6FM AND RADIO CITY 96.7FM WELCOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF RADIO PRESENTERS. Last month saw possibly the youngest up and coming radio presenter Daniel Fenlon , aged 7 from Childwall in Liverpool, visit both of the cities big 2 radio stations. With ambitions to be the next Simon Ross , Lee Butler or Anton Powers, Daniel was given a VIP tour of both the tower and the new look strand hq of capital.

Commenting on trying out the studios and listening to advice of commercial production expert Patricia Caliskan he said “ I really like both radio stations and can’t decide on which one I would like to work at when I am older.

Thanks for all the guys at Capital and Radio City for a great day.”

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CRAIG PHILLIPS DIY Re-grouting existing tiles.

Hello Lifestyle Readers, Spring is upon us! It’s a time of year I always look forward to as the weather finally begins to improve and the days begin to get longer – the perfect time to do some DIY outdoors! Recently, I’ve been in the process of building a new set for Ideal World in preparation for the busy DIY season ahead. I’ve got plenty of filming lined up in the near future so no doubt you’ll see plenty of me if you tune in to Ideal World!

Later in the month, I went out to visit the Les Amis charity in Jersey, who you may remember I visited last year to celebrate their 40th anniversary. This incredible organisation does some fantastic work empowering Islanders with learning difficulties so it was a privilege to be invited back to see everyone once again.

The biggest event I attended this month was the Ideal Home Show at Olympia London which is an absolutely huge event now that goes on for two weeks. I was there for 12 days giving talks and demonstrations at the Ideal Super Theatre where other special guests included Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Gregg Wallace and Alan Titchmarsh. Everything was geared towards making your home the best it can possibly be – a topic I’m certainly passionate about!

Last but not least, I had some time to fit in some end-of-season skiing in Andorra. As always, I’ve included a DIY tip for you all to try your hand at.

All the best,

Craig.

Craig Phillips is an ambassador for Checkatrade.com.

If you have a job that’s too big or complicated for you to do yourself, visit the website to find a reviewed, approved and reputable tradesperson.

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• • • • • • • •

Tools and materials 18v grinder Thin masonry grinding disc Hand raking tool Spatula or scraper Sponge Safety specs Dust mask

There’s nothing worse than seeing grout before you see your beautiful tiles. This is usually the case where you have nice light coloured tiles and your grout has got severely dirty and you will always find the areas around your sink and shower area will become worst affected.

Re-grouting existing tiles can bring a complete new look and feel to your bathroom Start off by grinding out very gently between all the tiles on the affected areas both vertically and horizontally. Continue this until you remove all the old affected grout. You may find some tricky areas you can’t get at and you may need to use a hand grout raking tool.

Once you’ve removed all the affected areas, wipe down with a damp sponge making sure you get all the dust off the tiles and the gaps between the tiles. Now you are ready to apply your new grout. You can buy grout pre-made in a tub or you can mix it yourself. If you are mixing it yourself follow the instructions when applying the water. Start to apply the new grout pressing it deep into the perps between the tiles using a scraper or a spatula. Leave this to start to dry for about five to ten minutes and then again using your sponge start to gently wipe the excess grout off the face of the tiles using circular motions with the sponge. Keep rinsing the sponge and repeat this three or four times over the space of an hour and your tiles should look like new.

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d r o W e Last

Th

While I may be outspoken, I usually keep my political views to myself. But I can’t keep quiet about the government’s plans to extend school times an extra hour. Schools are a place of education, not a childminding service to assist working parents. Parents have juggled these demands for decades, there is no reason to force children to stay in school an extra hour every day.

For starters I like to spend time with my kids after school, we usually use the hour they have between 3 and 4pm to chat about their day and catch up before they all disperse to their various activities, be it homework or sports practices. Before we know it the evening is upon us with dinner and baths and bedtime.

What gives the government a right to eat into my precious family time? And what about the safety implications this has on children walking home from school? With this new regime thousands of school children will be forced to walk home in the dark now at certain times of the year.

Children do not need disciplining into preparation for getting a job. Let them enjoy their childhood, let them be carefree and give them time to play. Every hour of their day does not need to be planned against an extended school time table. There is nothing wrong with kids walking home in groups and stopping off via the park to kick a football with friends.

It infuriates me that the British attitude is that children should be locked away until they are adults.

Whilst we’re on the subject of education, exam season is almost upon us. Children up and down the country have their noses stuck in revision notes. Honestly though, how many of you have been required to show your exam certificates to anyone once you hit your mid twenties? Exactly. So much pressure is put on these young people, how are they supposed to know what they want to do at this stage of their life? People are still trying to work out what they want well into their mid forties and beyond! I am telling my children that there is more to life than exams. Of course they will 66

be encouraged to do their best but there is life after exams. I also will not be encouraging them to go to university unless a degree is vital for their career choice, such as a doctor or a dentist.

There is no need for them to spend three years in poverty and possibly debt with expensive tuition fees, when they can be getting a regular job or travelling the world, or both.

Children have the rest of their life ahead of them to bow to conformity, to work silly hours for little reward. Will these education plans stop at extending the working day? What about the weekends? Will they remain safe?

Let children be children, and let teachers be teachers, not babysitters.

Stay stylish Amanda Moss Directer of Lifestyle magazine @amandalifestyle Tel: 07916332469

REST - RECHARGE - REENERGISE - REFOCUS - REAP

DARREN

VISION Two wood cutters had an objective, one

day to clear an area of land to allow new trees to flourish and grow. They both set out with FOCUS and a CLEAR picture of the work they had to undertake. A hefty bonus was going to be paid to the cutter that cleared the most and a lucrative contact would be offered.

Cutter 1 went off like a steam train, chopping and cutting for all his worth.

Cutter 2 was nowhere to be seen for the 1st hour, then appeared and started chopping, he was a good way behind at this stage and the other cutter new he must win. Both men worked hard all day, however the cutter that started later soon caught up and passed the other cutter winning the challenge by some distance.

Both men had worked really hard and pushed themselves for all they were worth, and yet the man who started later won. When asked what he had done with his time early on he said that he had, “spent time to sharpening his axe”.

If you’re chasing success, promotion, money, building your business or just feeling that you have to keep up with others. Then WHEN and HOW do you sharpen your axe? Think for a second, when? Success is a journey not a destination, and we need to plan and create time to do things that make us stronger. That may be relaxing by a pool, spending time with family and friends, traveling, taking on a new challenge or anything that regenerates and refocuses you. Whatever the activity, immerse yourself in it, Love it and be really PRESENT. Action breaks really recharge me and give me strength, snowboarding, bike riding, high energy activates.

Whereas my brother likes to sit and read,

contemplate and be pampered. Both set of activates make us stronger and feel recharged.

A real challenge for people I work with is that when they are work they are thinking about being home. When with their partners they think of their friends, when on holiday they think about work.

This process only drains you and doesn’t recharge you. So if you are planning a break, really focus on what needs to be done before you go. Write a list, challenge yourself to clear the decks. We all know how busy we feel before you go on holiday, so plan it well. When you go on holiday, be on holiday. Do you really need to be available for work, do you really need to take your lap top. Use the time to make you stronger. Be present.

An electric fan that’s been unplugged will spin for a while but without the power source it will come to an absolute stop. What’s your power source? Take time for you and plug into what gives you power, what gives you strength. This will be different for all of us.

Success is a journey; make sure you have the energy to see it through to the end.

For further information contact darren@dasala.co.uk and follow me on twitter @dasalaldarren

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68 - back cover