Gr8 Life Magazine - Issue 18 - Autumn 2011

ISSUE 18 ¡ £3 ¡ AUTUMN 2011

DISCOVER

Formby A bedroom with a view

in Scarisbrick

Sophie-sticated

Fashion

Love for sail

in Crosby

Anton du Beke EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

“Why I choose the Southport’s Prince� *U /LIHBFRYHUDXWXPQ LQGG

Meet the Beautiful Beginnings Day Nursery

Scarisbrick Hall First School

New Born to Reception

Reception to Year 4

Begin Beautifully. Set in the expansive grounds of Scarisbrick Hall, our nursery enjoys a privileged environment. From just a few months old in our self contained baby unit onwards, your child can enjoy the perfect start in life, wherever they go from here.

From the earliest days of their education, our children benefit from an individual learning plan We don’t believe in a one fits all system, so each child is assessed and a personalised plan is built around them.

Play and learning are balanced and as children grow, we ensure the curriculum is tailored to each child’s needs as part of our Early Years Foundation Stage.

01704 842222

We also want children to understand the benefits of new technology from an early age, so we encourage supervised laptop and ipad use on our hi-speed wifi network, together with plenty of fun-to-learn education.

01704 880200

www.beautifulbeginningsdaynursery.co.uk

www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

Set in the grounds of Scarisbrick Hall. Open 7am - 6pm.

enquiries@scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

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w

e family: Scarisbrick Hall Middle School

Scarisbrick Hall College

Year 5 to Year 8

Year 9 to Year 13

With careers advice from Year 7 and new courses such as catering & hospitality, sports studies and performing arts, we are investing heavily in our children’s future. We have already seen pupils pass their GCSE exams as much as three years early.

The third tier of education is our new college. When it comes to GCSEs, it allows pupils in the College to start their exam courses a whole year early. Our E3 programme is excellent and more courses are coming on stream as part of our schedule of ongoing improvements.

Top quality education is backed by pastoral care and welfare, which have been acknowledged as “outstanding�.

Each student has their own personal mentor - we are dedicated to the best academic results as well as an holistic approach to producing a well rounded adult.

01704 880200

www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

enquiries@scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

enquiries@scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk

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01704 880200

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ISSUE 18 ¡ £3 ¡ AUTUMN 2011

DISCOVER

Formby A bedroom with a view

in Scarisbrick

Sophie-sticated

Fashion

Love for sail

in Crosby

Anton du Beke EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

“Why I choose the Southport’s Prince� *U /LIHBFRYHUDXWXPQ LQGG

PUBLISHER

Betty Drummond MANAGING EDITOR

Laurent Saletto ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Louisa Austin 01704 392 332 editor@gr8lifemagazine.com EDITORIAL TEAM

Henry James Natasha Young David Simister CONTRIBUTORS

Diane Thompson Cornelia Kaufmann PHOTOGRAPHY

Martyn Snape John Swift ADVERTISING SALES

sales@gr8lifemagazine.com

Chris Chew 01704 392 338 Jo Gillinder 01704 392 336 PRODUCTION TEAM

01704 392 320 production@champnews.com

Amy Houghton Emma Lyon Mike Rose

DISTRIBUTION TEAM

01704 392 345 distribution@champnews.com PUBLISHED BY

Champion Media Group Clare House 166 Lord Street Southport PR9 0QA T: 01704 392 392 F: 0871 900 5678 Š 2011 Champion Media Group. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Whilst every care is taken, details, prices etc. are subject to change without notice and the publisher can take no responsibility for any errors or omissions whatsoever.

Gr8 Life magazine

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Hello Would you believe Autumn is already on our door step?

With nights drawing in, sunshine getting paler in the skies (was it ever there?) and everyone checking their heating systems in readiness for the sure-to-come-soon cold snap, Gr8life is here to help you while away a few hours. And wow, do we have a choice of subjects for you this time!

From foods and cars to fashions and properties you will find it all in these pages. We even take you on a ride in a helicopter and a bit of a sailing trip to keep you all fit!

The Discover section remains the heart of Gr8life. As I have already said in this very column, it is really amazing what this region has to offer. So in this issue, if you thought you knew Formby, well think again! Our cover reflects the outstanding natural beauty of its coast and it’s spirit is matched by an incredible array of businesses and shops that some of our readers will have, no doubt, yet to still discover. We know by your comments that each edition of Gr8life unveils little treasures you never knew existed in a street near you and there is no doubt our team has done it again with Formby.

Talent in this part of the world is a given and many fashionistas know that the Northwest region in particular is the place for new trends and high fashions.

You are about to find out why this reputation is so well earned with our exclusive fashion shoot. Young designer Sophie Maddox is making a real mark on the fashion industry right now and it is easy to see why, you will agree. One of my beliefs is to always unveil new talent in our pages and I am glad Sophie agreed to have her fine creations featured with us....Remember you saw her here first!

Birkdale is fast becoming synonymous with fine dining and The Gastro Bar and Grill fits right in. Local entrepreneur Mike Macomb has done a terrific job and the atmosphere of this great restaurant is casual and yet, so elegant. It reminds me of one of those cool Fifties places you see in movies. The food influences are British modern and this restaurant is sure to become a regional favourite.

Finally, as Strictly is about to hit our TV screens again, I was lucky enough to speak to Anton du Beke who is every bit as funny as you would expect him to be.

You will have to find out about his Bupa connection and why the Prince of Wales is a firm favourite with the famed dancer.

So as you can see, there is plenty for you to find out in another fine edition of Gr8life. And with less time to spend in the garden working hard, you can just relax with the magazine.... Autumn does have its good side !

Louisa Austin

Associate Editor editor@gr8lifemagazine.com

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Inside Issue 18

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64 69 73

Southport’s forgotten past

Not many people know that the world land speed record was once set on our very own Southport beach. David Simister looks at that momentous but quickly forgotten occasion

Glamorous gowns

In the Summer edition we looked at mother of the bride gowns available from Southport based dress hire Heaven Sent. In this edition we return and take a peek at the beautiful selection of evening gowns

The flying doctors

The North West Air Ambulance does an amazing job transporting patients all over the area, however they get very little government funding. We look at a days work for everyone involved

Discover Formby

17 pages showing you what the unique coastal town of Formby has to offer. We pop down to the bustling shopping area, the pinewoods and the beautiful beach which stretches for miles along the coast

It’s all in the eyes

We speak to lash technician Suzanne Barclay of Xtreme Lashes who can transform your eyes and give you a set of beautiful eyelashes

A fashion star in the making

Sophie Maddox is only in her early twenties yet she is designing gowns which wouldn’t look out of place at a red carpet event

Southport Flower Show

This annual event couldn’t go without a mention in Gr8life and so here we showcase the winning gardens and give you a glimpse of the delights which were on offer

A little bit of paradise

Tucked away in Scarisbrick is an extremely unique home with a couple of surprises waiting for you to discover

Simple but stylish

Gr8life samples the delicious food served at Birkdale’s newest eatery The Gastro Bar and Grill

Tarleton’s John Denver

Chris Bannister is a singer songwriter who has an uncanny resemblance to the late American star. Louisa Austin met him to find out about his musical influences

VeritĂŠ at home

This edition Birkdale chef Marc Verite shows us how to whip up a Venison dish fit for any dinner party

Crosby Ahoy

Gr8life’s David Simister and Chris Chew spent a few hours at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and got more than they bargained for

Shall we dance

We talk to ballroom dancer and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke about his career, plans for the future and love of Southport

You can have it all

David Simister shows us a car which is perfect if you fancy the thrill of a sporty model but also need the practicality of a family car

Society Pages

A look at who has been out and about in the last three months www.gr8lifemagazine.com

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Beautiful flour arrangements.

Like our plant experts, Dobbies bakers are sticklers for detail. That’s why all our artisan breads, cakes, pies and pastries are freshly baked daily using the finest ingredients and to the highest standards. So, when you choose any fresh bread from Dobbies you know it will always rise to the occasion.

Bakery | Quality Fresh Produce | Cheese Counter | Butcher | Delicatessen | Wines & Ales

1101582

Dobbies Garden World | Bentham’s Way | Birkdale | Southport | PR8 4HX | Tel: 01704 552 920

Shop online at www.dobbies.com

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Southport’s

forgotten past

Sculptures, plaques, statues and artworks.

On March 16 this year, the 85th anniversary

These are just some of the things which

of the world land speed record, being set on

haven’t been commissioned for what

as a whimper, without anything in the way of

surely ranks as the most awe-inspiring

pomp or ceremony to celebrate. In fact, the

spectacle in Southport’s history.

became the fastest place on Earth is The Henry

the town’s beach, passed without so much

only lasting tribute to the day the seaside resort Segrave pub, named in honour of the dashing chap who dared to push the edges of what’s possible at the driving seat of a car.

It seems hard to believe, in 2011, that it’s physically possible to drive along the beach at 152mph, a speed that’s twice what you can legally do on the motorway. The fastest I’ve ever driven was 130mph on a banked racing circuit at the helm of a V8-powered Vauxhall, and even on smooth tarmac in a modern car designed to cope, it was mildly terrifying.

Gr8 Life magazine

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9

would have been like going faster still on sand,

just 33 setting his final water speed record

driving a racing monster with no airbags,

on Lake Windermere. After hitting a log at

traction control or ABS - things which weren’t

98mph and crashing, he was recovered from

invented until decades later - and surviving to

the lake while still unconscious, and awoke

tell the tale.

in hospital to ask of the state of “his men�

In 1926, when most people’s experience of

who’d helped him in the attempt.

motoring was a bumble down the backroads

He stayed conscious just long enough to

in an Austin Seven, seeing Henry Segrave

be informed he’d broken the record, dying

screaming down the sands in his Sunbeam

of lung haemorrhages less than half an hour

Tiger must have been an epic sight. Record-

later. You couldn’t make it up.

breakingly epic, in fact.

Yet it’s always his first record, the one he

Sir Henry O’Neil de Hane Segrave was, to

set on March 16, 1926 that sticks out in the

borrow the clichĂŠ, a chap cast of the right

mind. It wasn’t an easy record to break - on

stuff. Eton-educated, a First World War

his third run, Segrave hit a gulley, sending

fighter pilot and a Grand Prix winner, he was

his Sunbeam into the air for 49 feet - but

exactly the sort of stiff-upper-lip yet heroic

he managed to eake 152.33mph out of the

character you’d likely encounter in a Biggles

V12-engined, twin-supercharged Tiger, which

adventure story, and as such ideally qualified

he’d christened Ladybird on account of its red

for the risky business of breaking land speed

paint. Despite it being the fastest anybody had

records. To this day he’s the only person who’s

ever driven, it was an event which attracted

ever held the land and water speed records

few spectators.

forgotten past

simultaneously, and was actually killed at

Southport’s

I can’t even begin to imagine what it

GR8Life would like to thank Edwina Gibney, John BakerCourtenay’s daughter, for her help with information on the Sunbeam Tiger and the Southport land speed record.

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The car, which is now part of a private

faster, when the late John Baker-Courtenay took

collection of classic cars owned by an American

it to 157.44mph on the runway at RAF Elvington

enthusiast, was also the last land speed record

in Yorkshire. It’s his run, which attracted the

contender to also be a competitive machine on

attention of the world’s press back in 1990,

the nation’s racing circuits, and owed its speed

which is likely to remain the ultimate tribute to

not only to the driver but also the immense

Segrave and his incredible antics in Southport.

punch offered up by its 350bhp V12 engine.

Journalist Wille Green, one of the few lucky enough to drive the machine, said:

reminder you’re likely to find of Sir Segrave’s speed record is in the name of The Henry

powerful engines I’ve ever sat behind and even

Segrave, a pub on Lord Street. With no museum

when you throw in the Alfa P3 and the Napier

exhibits, statues or plaques to commemorate

Railton for comparison, with big superchargers,

the resort’s brief claim to being the fastest place

you can sometimes get surge in a corner but the

on Earth, it is a record that’s almost slipped

Tiger’s throttle response is impeccable in this

from memory entirely.

on tap.�

As records go it’s one that deserves more recognition than it has right now, and it’s high

Even though the Southport record was

time that we in the northwest did something

smashed a month later, when John Parry-

to remember this brief but brave, bold and

Thomas pounded along Pendine Sands in Wales

ultimately successful attempt to nab the world

at 171mph, it took more than 60 years before

land speed record on Southport beach.

someone was able to make the Sunbeam go any

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be done in the northwest, yet in 2011 the only

“This is one of the gutsiest, most torquey and

respect. There is just instant, solid, vast power

Gr8 Life magazine

It is one of the most daring things ever to

Statue, anyone?

11

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Glamour exclusive

Annette Gortz

Isabel De Pedro

Annette Gortz

Any lady who has been to the races in recent years has probably heard of Virginia Lee. Stocked full of glamorous and elegant designer wear it has the perfect outfits for such an occasion. Lee has an eye for fashion and her customers trust her knowledge and ability to guide them to the perfect purchase.

Lee, who trained in fashion design in Chester says, “I worked in fashion for years and managed a shop for someone else. I then worked with my husband for ten years but I decided a few years ago

Why Gr8life works ...

I wanted to get back in fashion. It is what I love and enjoy so I set up my own shop.�

Lee also only buys very few of each garment which gives her customers the all important exclusivity factor that many are looking for. “I always look for designers with the ‘wow’ factor, I love unusual styles while keeping the glamour,� Lee adds. “I also tend to buy natural fabrics such as wool, silk and cashmere but will also Caroline

Barbara Schwarzer

La Bottega Di Brunella

try newly created ones such as steel, woven very finely into other fabrics.�

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Gr8 Life magazine

23

Gr8life is not just a lifestyle magazine, it is YOUR quarterly regional treasure trove of fantastic addresses, shops, businesses and events sourced

It is not just clothes Lee stocks, many ladies go to see her to have hats and fascinators made especially to match their outfit. She also has leather and man-made handbags, hats, scarves and jewellery.

Lee’s jewellery is as spectacular as her clothes and often incorporate Swarovoski crystals which

for our readers to enjoy and truly discover.

give that extra special feel to them. Lee says, “I sometimes stock the occasional ‘take your breath away’ items which are normally made by an up and coming designer. Prices start at around ÂŁ29 and there is something to suit most tastes.â€?

Once or twice a yyear Lee p puts on a charityy fashion show and has even been known to arrange smaller shows for her clients and friends in their own homes, all part of the service. Lee says, “I love fashion and I love what I do.�

One of Gr8life’s strengths is our attention to detail and the fact that most,

Mac by Gabi Lauton Trousers by Rodika Zanlan

if not, all the photos are exclusive to us. Unlike many free magazines, Gr8life is NOT a collection of pretty adverts but has real independent contents making Isabel De Petro

Isabel De Petro

Gabi Lauton

24

La Bottega Di Brunella

Ozlem Suer www.gr8lifemagazine.com

Virginia Lee • 8-9 Garrick Parade Lord Street • 01 01704 1704 546584 Clothes modelled by Mandy Garrity and Roz TTranfield.

Hair by “Changes� in Wallasey.

Tranfield of the Beauty Centre iin Wallasey.

Make-up by Roz Tranfield Winner of Crown Salon 2011.

Gr8 Life magazine

25

Pages from Gr8life’s Spring 2011 edition; you can view back issues of the magazine online at www.gr8lifemagazine.com

it an interesting and worthwhile read. People who read Gr8life will come to the businesses featured in the magazine.

Take our fashion shoots... Gr8life affords a local business a unique window showcasing THEIR collection in its pages rather than have national groups and names difficult to find.

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If you see something you like in Gr8life, it will be close to your home. That is our guarantee.

Recently we featured the fabulous spring collection of Virginia Lee. Take a look at what Lee Samuels, owner of the trendy store, said in her letter to our editor.

Being seen in Gr8life works.

If you think you would like our team to visit you and give your business a real window to over 20,000 homes then give us a call on 01704 392332 today for an informal chat.

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Gowns

Glamourous

In the Summer edition of Gr8life we featured a local dress hire business called Heaven Sent and the beautiful mother of the bride and wedding outfits it has to offer.

For this edition we have returned to Heaven Sent with our

photographers, reporters and part-time local model Caroline Meehan to help Gr8life showcase a few samples of the vast collection of evening, party and prom dresses available to hire or buy.

For those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about this hidden gem in Southport town centre, Heaven Sent is owned by local resident Joann who provides a discrete, professional and personal service to ladies in the area.

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Designers include Mori Lee, Ronald Joyce, Sherri Hill and many more and with Joann always there to ensure your dress fits you perfectly you cannot go wrong!

Jane Morris, a customer of Joann told Gr8life, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so pleased I have found her. I used to traipse round the shops trying to find that dream dress for a special occasion I attend each year and I was always disappointed. I have even had dresses made to measure yet have never been as happy as when I went to see Joann.

She saves me a fortune and makes me look a million pounds!â&#x20AC;?

Joann works on an appointment basis so you have total one to one service!

Jane added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has a fantastic eye for what suits people of every shape and size and has persuaded me to try on lots of dresses I would never normally dream of going near, which turn out to be perfect! Now, I would never go anywhere else. She is a real find.â&#x20AC;?

Joann says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I make sure no-one ever leaves with a dress which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suit them perfectly or fit them properly. It is so important that these beautiful dresses do my clients justice and make them look and feel amazing.â&#x20AC;?

When you have to dress for a special occasion treat yourself to a visit to Heaven Sent. Please call 01704 547646 or visit www. heavensentsouthport.com.

Gr8 Life magazine

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Virginia Lee

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22 Union Street, Southport (just off Lord Street, opposite the Bold Hotel)

Tel 01704 537 555

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Brands include:

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something for every woman

Clothes with personality 1101922

Stockists of

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We sell a wide range of exclusive labels including â&#x20AC;Ś

1101231

Stockists of

92-96 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1JR 01704 536959 ¡ next door to The Vincent Hotel

THE FLYING DOCTORS We automatically assume that if we or a loved one ever had an accident we would be carted off to hospital in an ambulance. There is however, another, far efficient way of receiving treatment and getting to a hospital. However, with very little funding it relies solely on donations from the public and without those it may not be able to continue. David Simister investigates...

THE next flight to leave Blackpool

treatment, chances are itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be these guys,

International could be the one that saves

operating from a windswept corner of the

your life. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not talking about the planes

airport away from all the tourists, who give

packed with holidaymakers setting off for a

you the all important ride to hospital. The

bit of sunburn in the south of Spain, even

Blackpool operation is one of two bases used

though theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taking off all around me on

by the charity to come to the aid of stricken

the breezy day Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve arrived at the airport. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

residents of Sefton and West Lancashire,

come to see a much smaller machine which

and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to fly 365 days a year.

does a far more important job, something

Paul West, head of clinical operations

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite literally a matter of life and

at North West Air Ambulance, says the

death. The North West Air Ambulance.

helicopter performs a vital role in the

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unlucky enough to end up in a car crash and need urgent hospital Gr8 Life magazine

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emergencies it attends to right across the region.

17

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can get people to hospital much

experience. It might be dwarfed by the

quicker than a road ambulance, so we play a

airliners taxiing up the run way behind it,

crucial role. It costs us about ÂŁ700 an hour

but it does a far more valuable job than any

to operate the air ambulance, but you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

of them.

put a price on saving someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the size of the air ambulance that

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you consider that we fly at 140mph

allows it to pack the punch it does when

in a straight line, we can get people whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responding to emergencies; hanging

suffered serious injuries to hospital a lot

on the wall of the portacabin used to keep

faster than a road ambulance can. For

the crews entertained between missions,

example, if you wanted to transfer a patient

thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stunning photograph of it poised

from the hospital in Barrow-in-Furness to

neatly on the narrowest of footpaths beside

the trauma centre in Preston, it would take

a tarn in the Lake District. By being both

an hour and a half if you did the journey by

big enough to carry a fully-trained team of

road. We can do that in the air ambulance

medical professionals and small enough to

in 15 minutes.â&#x20AC;?

land in the trickiest of spots, the North West

Then it emerges, a fuzzy dot in the skies looking towards Preston, with a gentle

Air Ambulanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s machines can get to an emergency unbelievably quickly.

hum which grows to a mighty throb as it

Neil Airey, the helicopterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pilot, tells me:

approaches the airport. This bright yellow

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a state-of-the art air ambulance

Eurocopter is something Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen countless

that allows us to cover the area from Carlisle

times before from its appearances on the

to Crewe, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very modern, reliable

Internet and TV - it is, after all, the icon of

machine. Doing tricky landings is a daily

the entire charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations - but seeing it

part of the job, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very easy machine

in the flesh for the first time is a humbling

to fly. The important thing is getting

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patients to hospital in what we call

best; saving lives. There are also charity

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the golden hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and once we arrive,

shops dotted across the region, including

we can get fairly close to the patient,

one on Tulketh Street in Southport, and

although urban areas can be more of a

a region-wide lottery which you can

problem because you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always land

access from the charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website (North

on the main street.

West Air Ambulance get a portion of the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

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important

thing

is

speed,

prize fund, so everybody wins).

because once we load up a patient

Weirdly, North West Air Ambulance

into the ambulance, we can get them

isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a service Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever want to use,

to a hospital in ten minutes. When the

because it would almost certainly involve

bell rings here in Blackpool, we can be

being horribly injured and in need of

airborne in the space of four minutes,

urgent medical treatment. But if I ever

and be over in Southport three minutes

did end up in a nightmare scenario like

after that. It makes a big difference.â&#x20AC;?

that, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d want those magnifcent men

But the big difference which really

(and women) in their flying machines

keeps the air ambulance flying is the

to be whizzing my way, and I reckon so

one you can make, because it relies on

would you.

donations from the public to help pay the

Your life could depend on it.

ÂŁ4m it costs to operate the service every

Head online to our website to see David

year. Fundraising activities take place

Simisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video report on the North West

right across the north west, including

Air Ambulance. For more information

Sefton and West Lancashire, which help

on the North West Air Ambulance

create the cash to let the North West Air

visit the charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website online at

Ambulances get on with what they do

www.northwestairambulance.com.

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DISCOVER

FORMBY When many people think of Formby they conjure up images of the beautiful pinewoods and National Trust nature reserve. These age-old woods are home to the protected red squirrel species and lead the way to the beautiful Formby coastline and sand dunes which we are very lucky to have on our doorstep.

Behind these popular attractions however, is a bustling village full of independent shops, restaurants and businesses all with something different to offer.

Gr8life took a trip to this little coastal town to meet the people who make Formby the inviting and friendly place that it is.

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1101886

AC RN The Restaur ant at

Formbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest established kitchen company - Established 1987

KITCHENS & BEDROOMS Ltd

Formby Hall

Homemade Duck Cake, Plum Sauce

ÂŁ6.50

Chicken Liver Parfait, Onion Marmalade & Brioche

ÂŁ5.95

1101587

Presenting a mouthwatering sample of our new menu...

F R O M T H E G R I L L Formby Grill Gourmet Burger, Crisp Bacon

ÂŁ12.95

& Melted Cheddar, Homemade Slaw, Hand Cut Chips 8oz Hand Cut Sirloin, Vine Roasted Tomatoes,

ÂŁ17.95

Garlic Infused Flat Cap Mushroom, Hand Cut Chips 8oz Hand Cut Fillet, Vine Roasted Tomatoes

ÂŁ20.95

Garlic Infused Flat Cap Mushroom, Hand Cut Chips Formby Mixed Grill, Rump & Gammon Steak,

35 Three Tuns Lane, Formby Tel 01704 877220 www.acornkitchensformby.co.uk

ÂŁ21.50

Black & White Pudding, Sausage, Fried Egg & Chips

PASTA & RISOTTO Smoked Haddock, Leek Risotto & Duck Egg

ÂŁ11.95

King Prawn Linguini, Tomato, Chilli & Coriander

ÂŁ12.95

Flowers that dare to be different

MAIN COURSE MEAT Tarragon Chicken, Pancetta Mash & Dijon Sauce

ÂŁ13.95

Pan Roasted Pork Cutlet, Apple Dauphinoise

ÂŁ14.50

FROM THE SEA Baked Whole Plaice, Rosemary Roasted Jackets

ÂŁ16.95

Moules Marinieres, Mussels in White Wine

ÂŁ12.50

DESSERTS Sticky Toffee Pudding, Honeycomb Ice Cream

Why choose Flowerstyle

By Laurie?

ÂŁ6.50

â&#x20AC;˘ Award winning florist â&#x20AC;˘ Same day delivery â&#x20AC;˘ Quality flowers guaranteed â&#x20AC;˘ Contemporary floral designer

...perfection on a plate Booking essential Visit www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk or call 01704 875 699 to book.

Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Southport Old Road, Formby, Merseyside L37 0AB

â&#x20AC;˘ Weddings â&#x20AC;˘ Funeral and sympathy flowers â&#x20AC;˘ Special occasions â&#x20AC;˘ Event & Corporate Floristry â&#x20AC;˘ Anniversaries â&#x20AC;˘ Christmas Decoration Service

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Hot Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Pod Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce

I provide flowers for every occasion including:

Contact me or call into my studio to see some of my beautiful arrangements. With an attractive mixture of fresh, exotic and unusual flower designs your choice is endless... whatever the occasion

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE 6 Ryeground Lane â&#x20AC;˘ Formby â&#x20AC;˘ L37 7EQ 01704 872000 www.flowerstylebylaurie.co.uk 1101313

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Acorn Kitchens donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t employ hard sale sales people and will be involved with a project from start to finish.

Owners Ben Howes and Steve Penter have been employed in the kitchen industry all their lives, from the manufacturing aspect to the fitting of kitchens for most of the top kitchen companies, and for more than 20 years, supplying and fitting kitchens and bedrooms from their own Formby showroom.. They have worked together all their working lives starting at the age of 17, when they served their apprenticeship together, to the present day.

Unlike many kitchen companies, Ben and Steve carry out all the work themselves. They will be 100% involved with your project from start to finish, they plan it, they design it and they fit it. You will be invited to the showroom to view your kitchen or bedroom on the latest computer technology available, and you can see your dream kitchen or bedroom in fantastic photorealism graphics before your eyes. Ben says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very proud of the reputation we have built over the last twenty years and have many satisfied customers.â&#x20AC;?

Acorn Kitchens Tel: 01704 877220 â&#x20AC;˘ 33 Three Tuns Lane, Formby www.acornkitchensformby.co.uk

Owner Ben Howes

Flowerstyle by Laurie Tel: 01704 872000 â&#x20AC;˘ 6 Ryeground Lane, Formby www.flowerstylebylaurie.com

Laurie Spencer has been making wedding days perfect and arranging beautiful floral displays for twenty-four years. Now, former Crosby florist Sarah Cooke has joined Laurie, Karen and Nic and together they offer a second - to - none bespoke service for weddings, funerals, corporate events and arrangements for all occasions.

Laurie says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The philosophy has always been to think outside the box and to design displays which have the wow factor. Now, Sarah has joined me and we make a great team ensuring we can produce the best service for our clientele. Collectively we have over 70 years of floristry experience and Sarah has a wide range of expertise within the industry to compliment Laurieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills and vision. Laurie adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The business is expanding and developing, something which I am very proud about in this economic situation and together the team and I can keep moving the business forward.â&#x20AC;?

Owner Laurie Spencer and Sarah Cooke

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Dermal Spa Tel: 01704 834555 â&#x20AC;˘ 130 Church Road, Formby www.130dermalspa.com

Dermal Spaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethos is simply that you should be able to pamper yourself in a warm and friendly environment and in the most luxurious of surroundings.

They offer a wide range of beauty treatments at the highest of standards to woman and men.

Owners Paul, Sam & Caroline say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do everything from head to toe, and our aim is to make Dermal Spa a one stop shop. People can come in and get a spray tan followed by a blow-dry while having their nails manicured - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about convenience.

The salon has a big personality and a team of professionals ready to assist you in anyway they can.

Paul says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why not try our brand new state of the art sunbeds. ÂŁ2 for 6mins, ÂŁ3 for 9mins, ÂŁ4 for 12mins for a golden sun kissed glow. See you soon!â&#x20AC;?

The friendly staff of Dermal Spa

Atkinsons Jewellers Tel: 01704 832056 â&#x20AC;˘ Unit 3, The Gallery, Furness Avenue, Formby This family run jewellers has been established for 35 years and pride themselves on a first rate one to one service. The business was first set up in Leyland in 1977 and then later in Formby and offer all manner of jewellery services. From remodelling, repairs, cleaning and valuations to a full range of watches and gold and silver jewellery Atkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s can cater for everyone. They can also source rhinestones and crystals for costume jewellery and precious stones to be added to a special setting. Owner Barry Atkinson says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My friend mentioned setting up in Formby to me years ago and so I thought I would give it a try as it was handy for our family. We are a very friendly team and our staff have worked for us for years.

They never leave!â&#x20AC;?

Owner Barry and Lynda

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Azure Dental believe in confident smiles.

Worn, discoloured, broken or missing teeth can lead to discomfort, eating difficulties and cosmetic issues. Azure offer a full range of general, restorative and cosmetic treatments to regenerate your mouth back to complete health and function so that your teeth can last a lifetime.

Azure Dental can help with the following treatments: â&#x20AC;˘ Comprehensive Healthy Mouth Assessments â&#x20AC;˘ Fresh Breath treatments â&#x20AC;˘ White Teeth to bring the sparkle out in your smile â&#x20AC;˘ Straight Teeth utilising invisible braces to realign your smile â&#x20AC;˘ Fixed Replacement Teeth using the latest dental implant technology to restore your smile.

This friendly and professional practice is perfect if you would like a new dentist, a problem resolved or your smile enhanced and also expect clinical and technical excellence from people who are reassuringly experienced.

Azure Dental Tel: 01704 330210 â&#x20AC;˘ 6 The Beacons, 1 School Lane, Formby â&#x20AC;˘ www.azuredental.co

Azure Dental staff with Principal Dentist Dr Dan Hines

The Bridge Inn Saddlery Tel: 01704 833222 â&#x20AC;˘ Moss Side, Formby Heaven for any horse lover, The Bridge Inn Saddlery is stocked full of everything any keen hobbiest or horse owner could need. From nurturing the interest of a young learner to supplying the needs of an experienced rider the saddlery stocks horse feed, blankets, rider clothing, boots and whips. Owner Ruth Moon says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I went to university and studied Animal Science. Then I started to work in a tack shop and loved it so much I decided to open my own shop. As well as everything horse related we also stock a range of outdoor clothing, wellies, feed for chickens, dogs and guinea pigs and worm and flea treatment for cats and dogs.â&#x20AC;?

Emma Wilkinson and owner Ruth Moon

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Are your teeth looking discoloured, worn out and nearly extinct?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let them go the way of the dinosaurs... let azuredental bring your smile back to life!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hi Dan, just writing to say how pleased I am with my recent dental treatment. The five discoloured fillings in my front teeth look great (in fact you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see them now!). Thanks to you and your very pleasant staff I now have a big smile again. The whitening looks nice and natural for someone of my age.

I should like to continue with all my future routine dental care with you.â&#x20AC;?

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Contact us NOW for a FREE no obligation consultation to discuss how we can help you achieve dental health and confidence

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many thanks for the treatment I have just finished at your practice.

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M.C.

Practice Membership Plans available for preventative dental care from ÂŁ13.50 pcm 0% FINANCE AVAILABLE

Tel: 01704 330210 â&#x20AC;˘ 6 The Beacons, 1 School Lane, Formby L37 3LN Email: info@azuredental.co â&#x20AC;˘ Visit our website: www.azuredental.co 1101335

Dermal Spa

Hair ¡ Beauty ¡ Nails ¡ Sunbeds ¡ Colonic ¡ Spray Tanning

Dermal Spa is a friendly top-to-toe salon in Formby offering everything under one roof!

Salon opening hours Monday . . . . 9am - 8pm Tuesday . . . 9am - 8pm Wednesday 9am - 8pm Thursday. . . 9am - 8pm Friday . . . . . 9am - 8pm Saturday . 9am - 5.30pm

With realistic prices, a great service and a welcoming smile, your visit will be one to remember. We have a state-of-the-art tanning centre, all beauty treatments, nails and hairdressing treatments plus the Dermal Spa clinic offering colonic hydrotherapy, semipermanent make-up, Botox and restylane. We also run a diet clinic which offers an appetite suppressants weight loss program run by Dr Youll.

OFFERS FOR ALL GR8 LIFE READERS

Luxury Spa pedicure inc. polish .

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ÂŁ20 ÂŁ20 ÂŁ15 ÂŁ50 ÂŁ25 ÂŁ45

We look forward to seeing you soon.

IRUPE\ LQGG

We accept cash, Visa, Master Card and Amex

130 Church Road (nr The Grapes pub)

Formby L37 3NH 1101336

Subject to availability valid until 30th November 2011.

26

Gift vouchers available

Telephone .01704 834555 Mobile . . . .07950 471380

www.130dermalspa.com www.gr8lifemagazine.com

INTERIOR

INSPIRATION Everyone wants a beautiful house but sometimes it is very difficult to know where to begin. Interior design can be a tricky thing which can throw up all kinds of questions.

What colour scheme would be best, where should the furniture go? Wood flooring or carpets, blinds or curtains? Sometimes it is best to leave it to the experts and watch your dream house unfold.

Anybody wanting design advice with no idea where to start can contact Tessuto Design owner Kate Hilliker who has a wealth of knowledge in her field and can project manage a redesign of your house from start to finish. Or, if you want the tiniest of details changing but arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure how, she can also help with that.

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Kate has worked with interior designers since leaving art college and was part of the original Laura Ashley Design Team. Kate, who has also worked as an interior designer in Hewitts in Southport, opened Tessuto last Christmas.

She tells GR8 Life: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The mainstay of the business is interior design and I will go into peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes and put schemes together and project manage them. It has taken nine years to get my team together, which includes builders, plumbers, painters and decorators. I have clients who come and see me and say they have bought a new house and want it redesigned from top to bottom. But other people may just want a window frame interior designed. The choice is up to the client. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we opened the shop I wanted to make interiors accessible. Often people are frightened to go into interior design shops, but here they are free to browse. I think design should be accessible to everyone.â&#x20AC;?

The retail showroom has furniture, lighting and accessories and they offer the best of British, Scandinavian and European design.

Furniture and accessories on sale have been chosen to fit in well with contemporary modern and traditional homes. Brands they offer include Established & Sons, Rapture & Wright and Block.

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The Formby shop has a strong London influence as Kate says she has taken a lot of inspiration from what she has seen in the city when visiting, in particular the Brick Lane boutique stores.

This influence comes through in some of the furniture on offer at the Formby showroom where you can buy Vincent Sheppard furniture which is especially popular in London restaurants and in particular those of Gordon Ramsey.

In fact at Tessuto, on Harington Road, you can also buy wallpapers and fabrics from some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best design houses, including J and GP Baker and Busby and Busby.

The shop also sells lots of paints from the best quality paint manufacturers, including Paint & Paper Library, National Trust Paints and Cole & Son. They can make up colours to your specifications too and this year, Kate, who has done work for several celebrity clients, believes the colours becoming increasingly popular are soft greys and oranges and feels there is a movement away from hi-gloss and leather.

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And for those who want to extend their design plans out into the garden, Kate has developed the outside space at the back of the shop, which was previously full of overgrown brambles and ivy, into a fabulous showroom full of inspiration.

Kate and her team can really do anything, as little or as big as you wish and their expertise extends to building outdoor rooms, from sourcing beautiful plants and furniture to full landscape gardening.

Kate says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your home and garden is probably the most important thing you own and it needs to be perfect.

Tessuto Design, which has free parking in front of the shop and at the side is open Monday to Friday and on a Saturday morning.

Tessuto Design, 70 Harington Road, Formby, L37 1NU Telephone: 01704 832526 Website: www.tessutodesign.co.uk

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WOODVALE

We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visit Formby without a mention of this historic RAF station which opened on the 7th December 1941.

Constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, RAF squadrons were brought up from the south of England to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;restâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for short periods, during which time they defended Merseyside.

Since 1971, RAF Woodvale has remained a training station and hosts the annual Woodvale International Rally. This is a charitable event that originally began as a model aircraft show which has grown over the years to include car clubs with both classic cars, vintage cars and other vehicle displays.

Now in its 38th year Woodvale rally is a large two day event held on the first weekend in August and is hugely popular with tanks, spitfires and huge crowds desending for the weekend. 1036293

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FORMBYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

COASTAL Formby is best known for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful pinewoods, coastline and red squirrels.

If you choose to take a walk around the woods you are in with a good chance of spotting one of our red furry friends or even a Natterjack Toad if you are lucky.

Formby is only one of a few sites in England where they will breed and later in the evening the maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive song can be heard, known locally as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bootle Organâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. In spring the males gather at the edge of shallow pools in the dune slacks and sing to attract a mate. The Sefton Coast and Countryside Service are working hard to keep these pools from growing over so that that they are ready each spring for this annual event. The pine trees, which seem to touch the sky, are so tall they tower over any other vegetation and are particularly beautiful when the sun filters though or they are covered in snow.

There are many marked trails to follow taking you around all the woodlands and dog walkers can spend a few hours tiring out the family pets before heading home. The children also fare well with many organised activites taking place in the holidays to keep them busy including orienteering, trails and treasure hunts.

Formbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastline draws visitors from far and wide with a beautiful beach, clear sea and sand dunes perfect for picnics and sunbathing in good weather.

The historic beach is the location of the first lifeboat station in the UK which may have been established perhaps as early as 1776. The foundations of the last of the lifeboat station buildings remain on the beach.

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L DELIGHTS

Gr8 Life magazine

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33

Atkinson Jewellers Ltd Craftsman Jewellers since 1977

Suppliers of Ladies & Gents Jewellery and Watches

LADIES FASHIONS AND ACCESSORIES

in Silver and 18ct & 9ct Gold

A wide selection of Clocks including Mantle and Grandfather

1101314

Our services include: â&#x20AC;¢ Jewellery Repairs and Cleaning â&#x20AC;¢ Valuations on the premises â&#x20AC;¢ Precious Stones supplied and set â&#x20AC;¢ Gem setting â&#x20AC;¢ Rhodium Plating on site â&#x20AC;¢ Imitation stones

3 The Gallery Furness Avenue Formby L37 4NN 01704 832056

EFFORTLESS WARDROBE ESSENTIALS 1101589

5 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby L37 3PX â&#x20AC;¢ T: 01704 879595

Aughton

FRESHFIELD Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd

Wines

MODERN â&#x20AC;¢ TRADITIONAL â&#x20AC;¢ CONTEMPORARY â&#x20AC;¢ QUALITY UNITS

Established 1989

OVER 300 WINES STOCKED Friendly Service and Advice always on offer

EXAMPLE

14 rigid built made to measure units, 18mm with solid backs and 2mm pvc edging.

Choice of 40mm worktops. All doors and drawers, soft closing.

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£4499

ONLY INC VAT

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PROJECT MANAGED INSTALLATION SERVICE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL GAS & BUILDING WORK OVER 25 YEARS OF HIGH QUALITY KITCHEN DESIGN & INSTALLATION MANY BEDROOM STYLES ON OFFER INCLUDING SLIDING DOORS

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TELEPHONE:

01704 875155

1101955

Freshfield Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd Showroom 31b Stephenson Way, Formby Trading Estate (second left after Tesco), Merseyside, L37 8EG

FORMBY

33 QUEENS ROAD FORMBY

! 01704 871104 ! 01704 872062 Email: aughtonwines@aol.com

1101437

CALL INTO OUR SHOWROOM FOR FREE DESIGN ADVICE, IDEAS AND SERVICE AND A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

www.gr8lifemagazine.com

Infinity Clothing Tel: 01704 879595 â&#x20AC;˘ 5 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby

Shopping for clothes isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always easy, but at Infinity Cathy has made finding your wardrobe essentials a pleasant experience. With collections from Emreco, Evalinka, Gelco, Lebek, Peruzzi, Pomodoro, Poppy, Robell, Steilmann, Signature and Tia there is something to suit every body.

The labels stocked combine the latest fashion with timeless pieces at an affordable price. Start your Christmas shopping early and choose from a wide range of handbags, purses, leather gloves, scarves, slippers and jewellery.

Owner Cathy Milner

Aughton Wines Tel: 01704 871104 â&#x20AC;˘ 46 Church Road, Formby The business was established in Southport in 1989

by Martin and Judith Horn and has had a store in Formby for the last 20 years.

Stocking a wide variety of wines from 3 for ÂŁ10 Pinot Grigio to award winning Australian Shiraz and Grand Cru champagnes. Martin and Judith say, `Trying to keep all budgets happy and stocking wines that are a bit different from the usual supermarket offerings has been the key to our success. We also stock a wide range of imported beers and real ales which are very popular.â&#x20AC;?

The couple are seen here holding top recommendations, Araldici Gavi and Novas Carmenere/Cab sauv.

Both have won Wine Challenge gold medals this year and both have ÂŁ3 off.

Martin and Judith Horn

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Blu Kangaroo Tel: 01704 832 043 â&#x20AC;˘ Unit 1, The Galleries, Halsall Road, Formby www.blukangaroo.co.uk Blu Kangaroo is a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designer clothing boutique offering something for girls boys and babies. Owner Christine Campbell opened the boutique three and half years ago and says, â&#x20AC;&#x153; I worked on the airlines for years but we were always being threatened with redundancies and it was such an insecure job to have. I had always wanted to open up my own childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boutique for years and so thought why not now?â&#x20AC;? The shop stocks many prestige brands including Kate Mack, DKNY, Lilly and Sid and Moschino and even has a handy reservation club to ensure that all important item doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappear!

Owner Christine Campbell

Did you know that the Internet has scores of websites providing you with perfectly legal and most of them FREE music downloads, video and music editors, converters, social networks and much, much moreâ&#x20AC;Ś.

Mysitefinder.co.uk is a brand new website which offers its visitors the chance to download a digital guide of the 150 best keptt secret websites you did not know existed.

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There are five categories within the guide (Leisure, music and photos, multimedia, games, social networks and the unusual) and you will soon be able to use amazing sites giving you access to unknown resources, making life on the Web a renewed pleasure.

And all at the low, low price of ÂŁ1.49 ONLY!

For more information visit

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www.mysitefinder.co.uk For a virtual sample of the download, go to http://content.yudu.com/A1t6nv/mysitefinder1/ 36

IRUPE\ LQGG

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FORMBYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAMOUS

ASPARAGUS Before the 1840â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Formbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal area was considered good for nothing other than than the occasional rabbit warren. However, that all changed when large amounts of fertilizer became available with the construction of the Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway in 1848.

Local farmers were then able to cultivate the land to grow Asparagus and it developed into the business it is today, once being so popular that it was served to passengers on the luxury liners leaving from Liverpool.

It is estimated that some 200 acres was devoted to asparagus growing around Formby Point in the early part of this century, notable amongst the growers were the Aindow family who farmed the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Willow Slacksâ&#x20AC;? around Lifeboat Road and later at Victoria Road.

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Asparagus has no fat or cholesterol, is high in folic acid and a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C and even better, contains less than four calories per spear.

So what makes Formby asparagus so special?

It has won many awards in the past and is accredited with being one of the tastiest varieties available. It is also considered the freshest you can get your hands on if buying locally as most is now imported and so, as you can imagine, has been through quite a bit before it gets to your plate!

The traditional form of asparagus growing ceased at Formby Point four years ago when Joan Winterbourne (nee Aindow) died, however, The National Trust is considering a range of options to breathe new life into the former asparagus fields using a variety methods.

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ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL IN THE EYES Every day there are wonderful developments in the beauty world and one of the latest is lash extensions. Here at Gr8life we decided to put them to the test.

Beautiful long eyelashes are something most

a consultation beforehand which was really

ladies long for and we spend hours titivating

thorough. Suzanne asked about my lifestyle and

our short stubby God givens with mascara

my beauty regime, basically so she could ascertain

and eyelash serums to make the most of what

whether I would be a suitable candidate or not.

we have.

I then chose the look I wanted. There are three

But now lash extensions are not just for the

levels and I went for medium, as I thought the

rich and famous they have become an integral

thicker longer lashes may have been a bit too

part of the beauty regime for everyone. In just

much for the daytime office wear.â&#x20AC;?

a couple of relaxing hours they solve all our

The transformation begins with Steph laying

eyelash dilemmas and are the perfect treat for

down and listened to soothing music as Suzanne

any lady in need of a pamper and a stunning

skilfully applied the lashes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was so relaxing,â&#x20AC;?

beauty make over.

Steph says. It was lovely having my eyes lashes

Lash extensions are semi permanent lashes

tickled, well thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what it felt like. I was at ease

painstakingly placed on your individual lashes to

and enjoyed the whole procedure. From start

add length and thickness. And, the good news is

to finish it took two and a half hours but as I

with infills to replace natural lash regrowth they

was quite relaxed and happy and the time just

can last for many months and there is no need

flew by.â&#x20AC;?

for mascara. What more could a girl ask for?

After

The final result was luscious, long, thick lashes

Naturally, on behalf of our readers, we at

and Steph was certainly very pleased. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are

Gr8Life simply had to try them out. Cue staff

fabulous! They feel really soft and light so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

volunteer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; beauty obsessive, Stephanie, from

notice them being there at all, but when I look

our editorial team was the lucky lady. Suzanne

in the mirror I think, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wow.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Steph added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am

Barclay of Xtreme Lashesâ&#x201E;˘ is fully trained and

definitely going to get mine in-filled as the results

qualified in the application and is recognised as

are amazing and not having to apply and take off

one of the leading technicians in the area. She

mascara every day is just so liberating!â&#x20AC;?

provides the Xtreme Lashesâ&#x201E;˘ service from her

To take yourself off the mascara treadmill

beauty studio in Maghull or will even do home

this summer and enjoy months of luscious,

visits by appointment. For our test Suzanne

long lashes contact Suzanne for more details

brought her equipment to the Gr8Life office in

on

Lord Street.

www.xtremebeauty.co.uk

Our volunteer Steph takes over, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had

38

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www.gr8lifemagazine.com

On entering Sophie Maddoxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southport boutique you are not quite sure where to look first. There are rows of beautiful dresses, intricately made and all examples of the beautiful work of Sophie herself.

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39

The twenty four year old from Formby is making a name for herself in the North West for hand making and designing beautiful bespoke occasion wear. She says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always wanted to be a fashion designer for as long as I can remember.â&#x20AC;? Nervous about starting out on her own? â&#x20AC;&#x153;No Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working towards it for a couple of years and had this goal in my head so have been eager to do it.â&#x20AC;?

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After finishing school Sophie went to Southport College to study a national diploma in Art and Design and then went to UCLAN University to study a BAHons in Fashion Design.

She adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I then did a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s placement with a company in Manchester designing knitwear for high street shops such as Marks & Spencer, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and supermarkets such as TU Sainsburys, Tesco and George @ Asda. After completing my degree they asked me to go back and work full time as a design assistant.

So with an already successful beginning to her career what made Sophie start out on her own? She answers matter-of-factly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I have always wanted to do and there is no better time than the present so I put my mind to it and got results.â&#x20AC;?

Gr8 Life magazine

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41

Sophie specialises in occasion wear such as prom dresses, party dresses, bridesmaids and wedding dresses. She adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153; I like a lot of texture in the dresses I make and love the fabric to be exquisite and stand out for people to say its amazing.â&#x20AC;? As her business is completely independent there are no rules when it comes to what the customer can have and Sophie can design anything that is asked of her, something which, in a world of mass produced fashion, is a welcome change.

Sophie obviously revels in the freedom her own business gives her and says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyday is different and I love what I do, I get great job satisfaction and love to put a smile on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face and make them feel great!â&#x20AC;?

Along with all the things she has achieved so far associated with someone so young starting up their own business, Sophie is also the winner of an extremley prestigious award.

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While in the final year at university she entered a competition to design a print for a dress for New look and The BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clothes Show Live. Sophie was shortlisted to the final three and then won, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Textile Designer of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Her winning print design then went on sale throughout New Look stores in the UK. With so many achievements already, are there any ambitions left for Sophie to fufil? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To open a wedding boutique with my sister, so brides can design there own dresses. To make amazing dresses that will grace Paris couture fashion week.â&#x20AC;?

Well, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get much bigger than that.

Gr8 Life magazine

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43

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5QWVJRQTV (NQYGT 5JQY Liz McClarnon presents the Brockhouse Trophy for Best in Show to Paul Richards Garden Design

The Southport Flower Show was, yet again, a resounding success with over 70,000 flocking to see what was on offer.

Gr8life photographer Martyn Snape was there to capture the beautiful scenes at Dawn Jordan and Hazel McGregor of Midstream West Lancs relax in their 1930s vintage garden

the event.

The theme this year was Vintage which was embraced by gardeners, landscapers and exhibiters in many different shapes and forms.

With a dog show, duck show, medieval jousting and a food presentation it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just about flowers and displays, although the eighteen show gardens drew huge crowds.

There was also celebrities galore with David Bellemy, Coronation Street actors and ex Atomic Kitten Liz MaClarnon all there to greet guests, sign autographs and pose for photographs.

Barton near Downholland based Rob Showering and daughter Lucy in their winning Glam Rock garden Gr8 Life magazine

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The beautiful home grown vegetables on display 45

Ian Collins right and son Joshua Hardisty in their winning 1970s themed Suburban Garden

Ladies Day lunch

Show patron, David Bellamy, had a sweet pea flower named after him and said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very unexpected. During the war, the sweet pea was the last thing my mum let go. I used to try and grow them but I never found them easy.â&#x20AC;?

There were also many winners to come out of the show, Paul Richards won the Brockhouse Trophy for the best exhibit as well as best show garden.

Paul, of Halsall, near Southport, impressed the judges with his classic design,which tied in with the vintage theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show. The water was dyed black to give a reflection of the rest of the garden.

Greg Mook with his winning garden which was awarded a Silver medal.

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Jeff Rawsthorne and John Baldwin celebrate a hat trick for Crosby Landscapes.

Claire Skidmore of Muddy Boots and the ornamental garden On Moolight Bay - designed in support of the North West Air Ambulance charity.

Paul said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels great to have won and it was wonderful to have recognition for all the hard work we have done. The trophy is a tribute to the skill and quality of the landscapers. It was a surprise to come first because you never expect to win something like this.â&#x20AC;?

Chief Executive, David Jackson, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our feedback suggests that visitors, overwhelmingly, had a highly enjoyable experience, which is our main goal. People who have been coming for years enjoyed the quality and the variety of the experience. And first time visitors were surprised that it was so big and that there was so much going on.â&#x20AC;?

Halsall based Peter Tinsley celebrates his success at last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southport Flower Show.

Gr8 Life magazine

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47

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On first glance, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe that this beautiful sprawling building, which curves

Gr8 Life magazine

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On arrival the small, secluded

around the edge of the private courtyard

gateway to Scarisbrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shaw

when owners Glenys and Rob Owens first got

Gate Farm gives nothing

their hands on it.

away, with its high wooden

tells Gr8Life, as he explains the extensions

fencing and creeping shrubs.

were built to blend in with the original building

But as the gates open, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

than coming up with a new style they simply

clear that a true hidden gem

â&#x20AC;&#x153;let the building talkâ&#x20AC;? to them.

has been uncovered.

the couple have transformed the property

Natasha Young is lucky

into a fi ve-bedroom family home with

enough to get a guided tour.

luxury additions.

garden, started out as a tiny two up, two down

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We tried to keep it all traditional,â&#x20AC;? Rob

which has been there since the 1840s. Rather

Having lived there for more than 20 years,

countless bathrooms and some stunning

49

One attention-grabbing feature in particular is the breathtaking swimming pool room. With its calming lighting and decorative statues it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be out of place in a health spa, but imagine it being a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw from your bed.

Vertical blinds in the roomy master bedroom, which is accompanied by an en suite bathroom with a sunken bath as well as a walk-in wardrobe, draw back to unveil glass sliding doors that lead into the pool room.

Described by Glenys as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;nice relaxing retreatâ&#x20AC;?, the heated pool is surrounded by absorbent flooring to prevent slippery splashes, as well as a whirlpool and sauna.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also bags of poolside room to make the most of the space with loungers and home gym equipment, and the adjoining conservatory lets in plenty of light.

Heat from the pool room spills out into the conservatory, which is equipped with a dark roof to help keep it warm, allowing it to be a usable lounge area or an extra space to entertain all year round.

Elsewhere in the property Rob also has his own â&#x20AC;&#x153;retreatâ&#x20AC;?, as a snooker room thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfectly in keeping with the traditional vibe sits upstairs.

Wall mounted lamps and dark wooden beams across the ceiling give off a cosy feel, and the matching dark wooden shelving makes enough storage space for a mini library.

The large size of the room is typical throughout the property, with clutter free bedrooms and living areas and plenty of storage rooms and cupboards to keep everything hidden and out of the way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very peaceful with everything hidden away,â&#x20AC;? says Glenys, who opts for the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main living room to relax in her spare time.

50

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With a bay window overlooking the beautiful garden surroundings, she adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ever yone says that the living room is so relaxing, and it is especially in the evenings, but we also feel like that about most of the house.â&#x20AC;?

The quaint property, which also has a separate â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;granny flatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect for guests with its own lounge, kitchen and dining room, is also littered with modern touches throughout.

From the laminate flooring in one guest bedroom and heated towel rails and double headed shower in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accompanying bathroom, to the gas hobs and double assisted fan oven that sit alongside the wooden beams in the kitchen, the up to date twists never detract from the classic style of the house.

Despite

being

electric,

a

fireplace

surrounded by stone and made to look like an authentic wood burner also adds character to the kitchen while combining old and new.

Outside,

the

garden

area,

which

is

equipped with plenty of storage thanks to sheds, a garage and workshop and an area to park cars, is full of character with something for everyone.

A small childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play house and a carpeted tree house with a zip line, as well as a pond with a fountain compliment the simple lawn and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surrounding trees and plants.

The high fences keep it closed off from the outside streets and Glenys adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really secluded, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lovely. We look at it as a little bit of paradise.â&#x20AC;?

Gr8 Life magazine

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51

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Where Magic Can Happen

For a taste of fresh homemade locally sourced food visit Thowd Boatmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cabin at Fettlers Wharf Marina

SERVING Breakfastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Hot Meals, Daily Specials, Traditional Sunday Roast Lunches, Afternoon Tea, Cakes and Ice cream

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The family run tea room opened in 2004 and has built up a varied menu including one of the familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first offerings; Stewed Steak topped with Puff Pastry, which has been a constant favourite with visitors ever since.

Celebrating the best of local produce the extensive and tasty menu includes a good choice; homemade breakfasts, light snacks, fresh salads, sandwiches, toasties and paninis.

A selection of hot meals from roast chicken to individually baked quiches and daily specials including Lancashire hot pot, braised steak & onions, plate minced beef & onion and cheese & onion pies. Sundays at the tea room see traditional Sunday roast lunches being served with fresh vegetables, mashed and roast potatoes, homemade Yorkshire puddings all topped off with a jug of gravy. Hot and cold drinks are available including speciality teas and apple juice.

A real treat can be had by enjoying Afternoon Tea served on a traditional three tier cake stand offering a choice of sandwiches, sultana scones, strawberry preserve and clotted cream, fairy cakes and a pot of tea to finish, or simply tempt your self to a piece of carrot cake, or sample one of the other cakes or slices that are available on display. There is speciality ice cream from Bonds of Elswick of which vanilla through to the more adventurous Sleigh Ride and Rum & Raisin flavours are available.

Boasting a traditional ambience and charm that sets it apart from other cafĂŠs, visitors can experience the relaxed, friendly and warm welcome they receive whilst browsing over traditional canal ware, jams, marmalades, chutneys and accompaniments that are for sale.

Wayne and the staff pride themselves on excellent customer service: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a very traditional tea room and we look forward to seeing visitors return again and againâ&#x20AC;?.

1101489 109

Perfectly situated along the Rufford branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the little village of Rufford, the delightful tea room provides the ideal destination for visitors, walkers and cyclists to enjoy a well deserved break while tucking into freshly prepared food.

Situated on Birkdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liverpool Road the restaurant has very modern dĂŠcor but I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

I love eating out. I really do.

help but feel as though there was a 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

It is probably my favourite

influence in there somewhere. The most recent

past time and so when a new

and am never disappointed) I had the smoked

restaurant comes on the scene

liver pate to start and my husband Paul opted

I get very excited.

The food is simple, perfect for people not too adventurous and our starters were a good

in early March this year and I

selection of puddings!

sampling the delights on offer.

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for the Gastro Bar Antipasto.

The Gastro Bar and Grill opened was soon through the doors

Gr8 Life magazine

time I have dined here (I have been several times

size to then be followed by fish and chips and a Whatever dish you choose you can be sure it is done well with the highest care and attention and with no unnecessary frills.

53

So

why

did

owner

and

successful

unbelievable change in not only the main

businessman Mike McComb decide to increase

restaurant area but also the whole structure

his portfolio and open another eatery in the

of the building. Mike explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My main

area? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The beautiful village of Birkdale lends

business is property development and so

itself to a high quality restaurant such as the

having the work done was no headache at

Gastro Bar & Grill,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From a business

all. I have owned the building for over 20

point of view I felt it would compliment a

years and had acquired the land at the back

couple of existing top class establishments

so had the vision to extend the building and

already within the locality.â&#x20AC;?

make good use of the space that we had.

The business also benefits from a top class

To create a good ambience and atmosphere

chef in the form of Darren Smith, who, in

we designed

2002 won not just Young Merseyside Chef Of

plan with no obstacles or pillars of any kind

The Year but also Young North West Chef Of

in the way.

The Year.

the restaurant to be open-

He adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted the kitchen to be an

Darren adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I met Mike over a year ago,

exhibition area so diners could see the chefs

and started to plan the gastro from then. I

at work and their food being freshly prepared

think the restaurant has the whole package of

and also those drinking at the bar area to

a great restaurant, good food at great prices,

have a full view of the restaurant.â&#x20AC;?

great front of house service and the mixture of clientele is very varied.â&#x20AC;?

If you do visit the restaurant and have been there pre Gastro you will see an 54

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Mike has strong views on what makes a successful restaurant business and I think it is fair to say he is more than qualified with his wealth of experience. www.gr8lifemagazine.com

The entrepreneur says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The atmosphere has got to be spot-on. I would expect a restaurateur to recruit the best chefs and staff to provide the best service. It is not always easy to create a good atmosphere but I think our restaurant has a tremendous feel to the place. The combination of the dĂŠcor, location, style of music, quality of the food and professionalism of our staff all work together thus making it a success.â&#x20AC;?

Mike and Darrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well thought out strategies seem to be working as Gastro is buzzing with life and has proved very popular with the locals. Darren also loves being able to use his creative abilities and experiment with a varied menu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say the best thing about working at the gastro bar is the freedom to serve my own food,â&#x20AC;? Darren adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can put almost any cuisine on the menu from Indian to Chinese.â&#x20AC;?

Gastro Bar and Grill has certainly succeeded in what it set out to do and compliments Birkdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s selection of bars and restaurants perfectly.

Gr8 Life magazine

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55

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Conducting a regular review of insurance requirements could help to safeguard the stability of your business in the event of a major disaster such as a fire or flood.

Businesses are dynamic: they grow and diversify, develop new revenue streams, purchase new stock and machinery and take on new contracts, all of which can affect the insurance cover required. A regular review of business insurance requirements will help ensure that your insurance cover meets the needs of your business.

As the name suggests, Business Interruption Insurance (BII) covers a business for the loss of profits and increase in costs suffered by the business as a result of a fire or other insured event. Typical increased costs incurred after damage include renting and fitting out temporary premises, overtime payments to staff, payments to other companies to provide services or goods, hiring of plant and equipment, additional advertising and extra transport costs.

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1101136

Annabel Robson and the team at NFU Mutual Office, Unit 7C, The Edge, Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0TE We do right by you

V

Q R W H O 7DU

Q K -R U H Y 'HQ Chris Bannister is a singer songwriter from Lancashire whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new album Back Home has received rave reviews. Louisa Austin talks to him about his background, inspirations and plans for the future.

Gr8 Life magazine

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57

Chris, who lives in Tarleton, is onto his forth

not a tribute show as such, not in the modern

album now and is really making a name for

sense at least, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just me performing music

himself. He has been a professional musician

that inspires me and paying homage to a great

for over 20 years performing many years ago

artist who has to some extent, been neglected

in the band Johnny and the Fox, and locally in

over the years.â&#x20AC;? He adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be honest, my

a duo called Crash.

own music is not dissimilar to Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, it has a

Recently he has put together an album of John Denver classics, the American country

strong country feel although there is a rock element too.â&#x20AC;?

artist who died in 2007. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always liked John

Talking about his early life Chris says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had

Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music when I was young, I loved his

a pretty standard working class childhood, my

voice and, coming from an urban environment I

dad was a scrap metal dealer and my mum was

was very inspired by his songs about the natural

a housewife. When I was ten my dad moved us

world. People have always said my vocal style

all out to a farm in the Lancashire countryside

reminds them of John so in late 2009 I started

so he could pursue his love of horse breeding

performing a show featuring his music. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

and training, it was quite a culture shock.â&#x20AC;?

58

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V

Q R W H O 7DU

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Music however has always been a stable presence in his life with his parents singing in a band in the 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I sang in a choir when I was very young but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until I got into a band myself at the age of about 17 that I started to take singing a bit more seriously,â&#x20AC;? Chris explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be honest it was kind of by default, none of the other guys would sing so it fell to me, when you get thrown in at the deep end like that, you tend to learn pretty fast.â&#x20AC;?

Chris really started reaping the rewards when he heard his songs being played on the radio by his hero Bob Harris. Chris also had â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;record of the weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on Radio Two with a single called We Were Children. He says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was a big thrill, however itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always difficult to name a particular highlight, just playing and singing for a living is a privilege in my opinion.â&#x20AC;?

Details of all Chrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming shows are

available

from

www.chrisbannister-

musicofjohndenver.com.

Gr8 Life magazine

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59

RECIPE

VĂŠritĂŠ at home

GRILLEDVENISON STEAK, CARAMELISED PEARWITH PORT AND JUNIPER This is a great Autumn party dish and far easier to make than it looks!

SERVES 4 4 Venison (haunch) steaks (ask your local butcher) 1 pear sliced lengthways into 4 1 clove of garlic (crushed) 200 ml port wine 1 diced shallot 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon of juniper berries (crushed) 1 teaspoon of redcurrant jelly 25 grams butter olive oil demerara sugar

METHOD

1. Rub the steaks with salt, ground black pepper, crushed garlic and olive oil, leave them out of the fridge for an hour or so at least, to get to room temperature.

2. Sprinkle sliced pears with demerara sugar. Heat a non stick frying pan until very hot and place the pears in. They will soon begin to caramelise so flip them over and immediately take off the heat (leave to one side).

3. Heat another non stick pan that will fit the four steaks in (if not do in two batches).When the pan is smoking hot, add the steaks and get a good colour on both sides to keep all the juices inside.

Turn the heat down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side to achieve a pink middle. Remove onto a warm plate.

4. Place the same pan back onto the heat and add the chopped shallots and quickly sautĂŠ them. Pour in the port, red wine vinegar, redcurrant jelly and the crushed juniper berries. Reduce down to a syrupy consistency then swirl in the butter. Any juices that come off the plate with the steaks may be added to the sauce as well.

5. Serve the steaks with the caramelised pear and pour around the rich sticky sauce. Serve with creamy mash potatoes, red cabbage and maybe some roasted autumn vegetables.

60

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With scrumptious smells wafting across the bistro, down the sparkling corridors and onto the lakeside balcony, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be forgiven for thinking youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d strolled into a swanky hotel.

However, you would be wrong as it is in fact Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre complete indeed with cafĂŠ, bistro, hotel rooms and a large conference area.

Cast your eyes away from the

development manager, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not

stunning riot of glass, timber and

just the Sefton area, for which we offer

stainless steel behind you - all ÂŁ10

very high quality facilities in the coastal

million of it - and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re met with a

park, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also got national

lake, awash with windsurfers, kayakers

officers for organisations such as the

and groups of excited youngsters in

British Canoe Union and British Rowing,

yachts of all shapes and sizes. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d

and a lot of them use the Lakeside as a

be forgiven for thinking this was some

training facility.

sort of country club for adventurous gogetters, but it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been enormously successful, with July this year being our busiest so far

What it is, in fact, is one of the most

in terms of our activities, the bistro, the

impressive leisure centres youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely to

conference area and our other facilities,

come across, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open to anyone

and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all down to the hard work of our

and everyone. Mike Wardle, the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

staff, who are extremely devoted and 61

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come kitted out in my gym gear but

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a national remit, a regional

describing the site, which opened in the

remit, and a devotion to the Borough of

dunes near Crosby last year, as just a gym is

Sefton.â&#x20AC;?

doing it down, because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an array of

One of the words Mike uses while talking

activities and things to do. My own particular

in warm tones about the centre - community

favourite was the bar and bistro, which offers

- is something that really comes across the

everything from a refreshing pint to the

first time you wander through the automated

full Lakeside Fish â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Chips, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also

doors into the Lakeside. Everyone seems to

facilities to hold conferences, 14 bedrooms -

know one another, families chat and laugh

maybe the hotel analogyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so far fetched

inside the bistro and everyone from scout

after all - and the indoor fitness suites. You

groups to sports professionals seem to be on

can even get married amid the stunning

the shore of the lake which runs alongside the

seaside scenery, but given how popular its

centre, discussing techniques and unloading

wedding facilities are youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better booking

their kit.

sooner rather than later!

One image that comes across particularly

My activity of choice for the morning is

poignantly is of two empty wheelchairs,

a spot of sailing, and even though my only

parked up at the end of the jetties leading

experience of sailing was a dip (literally) into

out onto the lake itself; their owners are out

Southportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marine Lake the year before, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

on the water, having a whale of a time. This

soon filled with confidence by the Lakesideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

is the essence of what Lakeside is all about.

in-house experts. Not only do they take me

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The great thing is you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a GR8Life writer to gain access to this watery world of fun and fitness.â&#x20AC;?

help to make it a community that works.

www.gr8lifemagazine.com

out of their way to get you out there safely.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hours of fun, but more importantly itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hours of fun thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accessible to everyone.

Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already told me that the area needed a leisure centre like this, but what I love about the Lakeside is that its creators havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just hurriedly thrown up any old gym next to the lake in the hope that, in these troubled economic times, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d doâ&#x20AC;?. Like a

Gr8 Life magazine

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through all the techniques in a way thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Victorian railway station, it is a stunning site

intuitive and easy to follow, but the boats

theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really gone to town on, and unlike

theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve brought out are light, friendly and

most adventure centres it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost the

utterly unintimidating. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shame itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not

Earth to enjoy.

really sailing weather - the wind remarkable

I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t agree with the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mantra

by its absence - but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m soon in my stride as I

more; it really does offer something for

leave the centre itself and take to the water.

everyone.

The great thing is you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a

Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Crosby

GR8Life writer to gain access to this watery

Coastal Park, Off Cambridge Road, Waterloo,

world of fun and fitness; even if you have a

L22 1RR

disability which would usually prevent you

Website: www.crosbylakeside.co.uk

from setting sail, the Lakesideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team will go

Telephone: 0151 966 6868

63

Ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke shot to stardom with BBC 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strictly Come Dancing. Throughout the show he has danced with some huge names including Lesley Garrett, Esther Rantzen and of course Ann Widdecombe! Here Louisa Austin talks to him about his latest project with BUPA and what he thinks about Line dancing....

64

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SHALL WE DANCE Can

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you

tell

me

about

your

to be part of this great program every year and

involvement with BUPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shall we

a by-product of this is being asked to do things

danceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign and what it is all about.

like the Bupa project. Someone said the other

Well, it is a campaign to try and encourage

day, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am not sure when the hobby became a

everyone, especially older people, to get up

jobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and I think that is a wonderful way to sum

and have a go at dancing. It is exercise, it is

it up. It is a very lucky position to be in. The

fun and as you get older it is so easy to do

best thing about Strictly is that it has brought

nothing. At the launch the other day we did

dancing back to the public in a very social way.

a bit of a tea dance, I got everyone up and

Your partnership with Ann on the

Ann Widdecombe (who is also involved in

show

was

received

very

positively

the campaign) was there as well. There was

from the public. Ann herself has said

an elderly chap who had come along and he

she did it for laughs. How, as a serious

got up and had a dance with Ann. Apparently

professional dancer did you cope with

he normally just sits in his room and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

that - was it hard?

do anything. However, he was the star of

That was the whole point of the show

the show on the day! This just highlights

really; if I wanted to dance fabulously I

the importance of the campaign because

would dance with Erin (Antonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional

ballroom dancing was a very social thing to do

dance partner). It is not about showing how

in the past. This gentleman will have danced a

wonderfully I can dance, my job is to dance

long time ago and for him to get up summed

with Ann or whoever I am put with and enjoy

up the whole thing. Exercise is what people

the process. I want Ann to look back on her

dread, but dancing is different. You are active,

experience on the show and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I had a

it stimulates the mind, conversation and

great time.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; If she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t then I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have

interaction and so is vitally important.

done my job properly. I would have been

Strictly Come Dancing has become

upset by that because it is such a wonderful

a national institution! What has the

opportunity and I hope they really enjoy it. It

program done for ballroom dance and

is also our job to put on a show, even if we

you in particular?

were never going to be world champions. But

For me it has been great as it has given me

to be honest some contestants get to a level

new opportunities to do new things and go in

that I really canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe they can achieve in

a different direction. I am thrilled to be invited

a few weeks.

65

than

they

are

ever

going to give her! That is something you have to deal with. Ann even did things to upset the judges sometimes which was always lovely. She just made me laugh the whole way through.

Your career as a television

presenter

has sky rocketed. How do

you

feel

about

that, is it a welcomed surprise?

Yes,

this

is

also

another string that came along. One of the things I like more than anything is variety in what I am doing.

The thought of doing the same thing every day would probably frustrate me but I am lucky enough to have that variety. I am happy to give most things How hard is the schedule for the pros and the contestants on Strictly?

We are always in the studio rehearsing.

a go, it is fun and I enjoy it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the key.

What is your finest hour on Strictly?

What makes you most proud?

You finish a show and the next day you are

There are many but the one I always

back in.. However, you get together in the

mention when asked is a duet I performed

bar once it is over and everyone is great, it

with Bruce Forsyth on the show called Me

is such a wonderful atmosphere. It always

and My Shadow. That was probably the

has been on Strictly.

highlight of my Strictly experience.

When the judges do give you a poor rating for a performance how

We are based in Southport. Have you been?

do you keep your partners upbeat

I do know Southport. There is a hotel

and ready to take them on the

called the Prince of Wales and I have done

following week?

a dance weekend there before. There is a

Someone like Ann for example is made

wonderful ballroom. A beautiful atrium

of granite and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think those judges are

ballroom which is absolutely lovely. I have

going to cause her any problems. Twenty

also played golf at Royal Birkdale so I am

odd years of being a Member of Parliament

very familiar with Southport and all it has

means she has had more difficult criticism

to offer.

66

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30

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Click with johnlewis.com Collect with Waitrose Did you know you can now buy products online from johnlewis.com and collect them the very next day from Waitrose Formby completely free of charge?

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Ever wanted to own your very own sports car but never thought you could because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d struggle to get the kids, the shopping and your suitcase in the back?

Well, here David Simister tells you why you can.

Gr8 Life magazine

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69

Anyone familiar with the letters G, T and I will already know you can mix the responsibilities of family life with the indulgence of a fast car because ever since the hot hatch was invented, in the late Seventies, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been showing the family man the sort of full-throttle thrills heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d normally miss out on. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Golf GTi of the Seventies, the Peugeot 205 GTi of the Eighties, or the Renault Clio Williams of the Nineties, chances are thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a go-faster shopping car from your generation that proved you can pack both a big punch and a big boot.

Fast forward to 2011 and Suzukiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swift Sport, yours for a smidgen under ÂŁ13,000, brings the familiar formula bang up to date.

Although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s based on the outgoing model rather than the new range brought in last year, it mixes funky styling with sporty touches like a rear spoiler, alloys all round and bucket seats on the inside, and definitely looks the part if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a keen driver.

With the same practical touches and easyrevving nature as its slower siblings in the Swift range, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a doddle to drive around town. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shame the boot doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer the room of larger rivals like the Fiesta or Corsa, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very easy to get comfortable inside, with plenty of space front and rear. But you can do all that with a normal hatchback, which is why, to see the Sport in its element you have to get off the housing estates and onto the hills, like the Yorkshire Dales.

Take it to somewhere like the Buttertubs Pass, one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toughest driving roads, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see exactly where the Sport shines.

Out here, its handling is as impressive as much more expensive sports cars like Mazdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MX-5, and the 126bhp engine eggs you on into every corner, giving you all the confidence you could ever ask for.

It might only have a frugal little 1.6 petrol engine but it still gives the swiftest of Swifts the temperament of an exciting terrier, and when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allied to the slick six speed manual and the sports suspension it allows you to zip 70

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through corners far more quickly than you might have expected. Nail a tricky hairpin at just the right speed and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll suddenly realise the Swift Sport isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a car thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to fall foul of the Trade Descriptions Act. They could have called it the Suzuki Enormous Grin and still got it spot on.

After tackling the Buttertubs I could have pulled over, but I carried on, heading right through the Dales and across the whole of Cumbria, simply because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a car you never get tired of driving. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never anything less than a giggle from behind the wheel, and when you do decide youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had enough fun for the day the price and practicality prove plenty to smile about.

The 123bhp Sport is a hot hatch from the old school, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a bad thing. Like an original Golf GTi, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been decorated just enough on the outside to imply itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something a little bit special, but still subtle enough to avoid attracting unwanted attention. More

@V\ JHU OH]L P[ HSS

importantly, it masters the trick of being just as much fun to drive as a small sports car while still being able to carry a cupboard in the back.

Try that in your BMW Z4.

In fact, the Swift Sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only real problem is an existential one - the fact that its days are numbered. Suzuki launched a new Swift range last year, meaning that eventually the company is going to drop its junior hot hatch in favour of a slicker, newer supermini to replace it. The good news is that the cooking versions of the new Swift seem to have followed in their predecessorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nimble footsteps, and - if the Swift Concept S project, seen at motorshows earlier this year, is anything to go by - the Japanese firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working fast on another Swift Sport.

Forget your posey, pricey sports cars get yourself one of these and get into the countryside. This is one of the best hot hatches you can buy today Photographs by Katie Massam

Gr8 Life magazine

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71

Stunning designer collections for all occasions

Luxury shopping over two spacious, fully air conditioned floors Excellent personal service â&#x20AC;˘ Specialist in Mother of the Bride/Groom Cruise wear â&#x20AC;˘ Races â&#x20AC;˘ Prom wear â&#x20AC;˘ Evening Wear Extensive casual collections â&#x20AC;˘ Bespoke Italian Shoe Service Superb range of accessories including shoes, bags, Hats, fascinators and jewellery.

Tel: 01772 744277 | www. flamingo-fashion.co.uk 67 Liverpool Road, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9XD

IODPLQJR LQGG

1101802

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Tony Griffin, John Forrest, Mike Forrest and Ian St John

Charity Golf Event This was the inaugural NSPCC charity golf event held at West Lancashire Golf Club which was hosted by the Captain of West Lancashire John Morris and his wife Paula Morris who is on the Formby branch of NSPCC committee. 68 golfers took part and due to their efforts and the many sponsors involved

Club Captain John Morris and his wife Paula with Rosamond and John Farrell

the initial fundraising target of ÂŁ2,500 was succesfully achieved with a final total of ÂŁ4,000 being raised. The host of the event John Morris said â&#x20AC;&#x153; I would like to thank all those teams who entered and the numerous local businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and golf clubs who offered their support via sponsorship of holes and prizes . We are delighted with the final figure of ÂŁ4,000 and certainly intend to host a

www.gr8lifemagazine.com

FKDULW\ JROI HYHQW LQGG

similar event next year.

Sisters Joanne, Jenny and Sophie Morris who were NSPCC helpers for the Charity Golf Day.

Sean Marshall, Jonathan Berkson, Ian Tyler and Philip Sheard

Phil Moy, Dave Dunne, Graham Lynch and Phil Alcock

Andrew Morris, Phil Lythgoe, Tony Webster and Tim Apel

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Spencer Russell, Austin Bell, Andy Jackson and James Carr

73

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Ladies Day Scarisbrick Hall School, was transformed into the HMS Scarisbrick for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nautical themed Ladies Day spectacular. Ladies were taken to the hall in horse & carriage or open top limousine and were greeted by sailors at a drinks reception on the lawn, sponsored by Christian Audigier Wines and Champagnes.

Sue Aylmer, Lynda Headley & Jade Headley of Scarisbrick Hall

Guests of honour, Kate & Wills (Kate Jordan & William Bell) arrived in style by helicopter to cheers by the ladies who were then treated to helicopter rides. Mr Eric Borowski, head of education at Scarisbrick Hall, said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;once again itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a pleasure to co-ordinate this event for the ladies and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed every minute of it, this year the pupils have been more involved than ever and have managed to keep everything top secret from the ladies, the Sue Abrams & Margo Isherwood

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

children have done themselves proud!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Dorothy Gibson & Jenny McGreal

Betty Cackett, Karen Cackett & Amanda Neale 74

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Julie McDonnell & Zoe Bell

Alison Taylor & Vicki Ferguson www.gr8lifemagazine.com

Jospice held their annual volunteers

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Jospice say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thankyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; evening recently. It was a great success and Director of fundraising Pat Murphy Beryl Ramsey, Madeline Fraser and Barbara Tran

commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is always a pleasure to host our annual volunteer evening, and to be able to thank personally so many good people who donate their time to Jospice.â&#x20AC;?

She continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jospice has over 200 volunteers who assist with a wide variety of support, in the fundraising office, driving, in our shops, gardening - the list is endless.

Thousands of hours are given to Jospice in volunteer time each year, and we really do appreciate the many unpaid hours that are given to us by so many. We really could not

Jim and Joan Bell

Cathy Cusack, Edyna Fox, Ian Fennah, Siobhan Clinton and Linda Byrne

Val Marland, Patricia Gray, Betty Robinson and Diane Donaldson www.gr8lifemagazine.com

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manage without you.â&#x20AC;?

Rita Power, Collette Tunney and Jean Dickinson

Gillian Mercer, Mike Murphy, Beverly Cannon and Anne-Marie Whitaker

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Maureen Crawford, Cathy Cusack and Rose Moran

75

Gr8 Life Society Pages

School Leavers Prom Tarleton High School held their Year 11 leaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prom recently and celebrated in style. The event was held at The Pines Hotel in Chorley and the excited guests arrived in a chauffeur driven limousine!

Year 11 pupil Naomi Naylor said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really enjoyed the night and it was great way of saying goodbye

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

to everyone.â&#x20AC;?

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Joan Molyneux, Margaret Gleave, Christine Rimmer and Rita Farrow.

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Fantastic result The annual North West Cancer Summer Sparkle event was held in July at the home and gardens of Mr & Mrs Naill and Joan Roy with approximately 100 ladies enjoyed a glass of bubbly and canapĂŠs. With matched funding by Barclaycard a fantastic ÂŁ2444 was raised for North West Cancer Research Fund into research into all forms of cancer.

Olive Cutts, Chairman of the Southport Branch said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;With just over 10p in the pound Rose Allison, Pauline Duff, Ann Holland and Frances Hoare.

taken out for administration, we represent true value for money! With just one small room at Liverpool University, which is given to NWCRF and just three staff, it enables us to keep our costs really low.â&#x20AC;?

Both Olive and Joan Pettitt (President) wish to thank all members of the public who come and support the events and keep raising vital monies to help find the causes and in some

Jill Mook and Denise Armstrong. www.gr8lifemagazine.com

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Vivienne Tyrer, Hilde Hall and Joan Hewitt.

cases the cure for some types of cancer.

Kath Clegg and Angela Howard.

Linda Nolte and Linda Edge.

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Olive Cutts

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Gr8 Life Society Pages

Competition celebrations The ninth annual Awards Evening of the Southport primary schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Service Above Self Competitionâ&#x20AC;? took place recently at the Scarisbrick Hotel. Nine schools took part in the prestigious event.

Guest of Honour was His Worship The Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Paul Cummins and the Mayoress, Mrs Carol Cummins.

Another distinguished guest was Mrs Marjorie Carey of the Scarisbrick Hotel.

Mr Barrie Swan, President of the Rotary Club of Southport Links, hosted the event.

The aim of the Service Above Self Competition is to foster the principles of good citizenship and the value of self discipline, to practise teamwork and recognise that there are MC John Tarpey

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

many people in a worse position than themselves.

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Ainsdale St Johns

Bishop David Shephard

Churchtown

Farnborough Road

Kings Meadow

Marshside

Our Lady of Lourdes

St Philipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s www.gr8lifemagazine.com

Kim, Chantelle, Arran, Lisa

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Successful agency launch The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest model agency was launched in July at Verve in Birkdale Village. GModels was founded by Chantelle Latham and Lisa Hames as they discovered there was a gap in the market in the area for models of all shapes and sizes, not only to work in the fashion industry, but also in the commercial sector as well.

The event had an American theme as it was the 4th GModels Models

July and the evening was toasted with glasses of Christian Audigier Champagne. Lisa commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a fantastic evening, I have found the faces for my publicity campaign and am delighted with the professionalism and help I have received from GModelsâ&#x20AC;?

GModels Models

Lisa, Lamin, Chantelle, Nathan, Kim

www.gr8lifemagazine.com

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Director Lisa Hames, Director Chantelle Latham

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Holly Latham & James Fell photographed by Adam Yaffe

Holly Latham

Verve, Birkdale

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Gr8 Life Society Pages

Southport College ball is great success

Travel & Tourism students with Barry Duffin from Friends of Africa, Carmel Hackett and Southport College Principal Brian Mitchell

As part of their course, Southport Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2nd Year National Diploma Travel & Tourism students had to plan, promote and manage an event. On 28 April 2011 the students held a College Staff Summer Ball at Southportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prince of Wales Hotel to raise funds for the charity â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Friends of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Berni Deary, Curriculum Leader for Travel

Jodie Marcucci with husband Marco

Dawn McKenzie and Sara Shotton

& Tourism said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The students worked incredibly hard in planning, promoting and delivering the event and it has given them a great experience of the events management industry. As well as being a fantastic experience for the students, all of the guests really enjoyed their evening and most importantly ÂŁ1690 was raised for Friends of Africa through ticket sales and fundraising

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

activities at the event.â&#x20AC;?

Guests enjoying the black tie event 80

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Berni Deary with her guests

John Fell, Ronnie Fell, Liz Pickering, Jim Pickering, Gill Mitchell and Brian Mitchell

Students Hollie Webster and Charlie- Louise Jones drawing the raffle

Barry Duffin from Friends www.gr8lifemagazine.com

STARS turned out for a charity golf day hosted by leading autobody repair specialists The Karl Vella Group which raised ÂŁ13,000 for their chosen charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

Gr8 Life Society Pages

Charity golf Ex- Everton and Scotland star Graeme Sharpe and ex Welsh rugby International Steve Moore attended the event David Vella & Karl Vella MBE

at Formby Hall Golf Club recently. It was held to celebrate the Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25th year in business as well as to raise funds for the charity.

18 teams from across the UK came to Merseyside for the golf day and battled it out to win the Rob Lee Memorial Trophy in honour of their friend Robin Alexander Brian who lost his battle with bowel cancer in June 2010.

Karl said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to thank everyone who attended on Friday and helped raise money for a very worthy cause. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cancer is a disease which, sadly, touches nearly everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives either directly or indirectly at some point so it is important we support the work of Macmillan who do a

Karl Vella MBE

Stewart Cahill & Gary Palmer

Graeme Sharp

The teams tee off at Formby Hall

Karl Vella MBE with Steve Moore

Joe Hunter

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fantastic job in helping and supporting those in need.â&#x20AC;?

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Karl Jennings & John Cackett

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Gr8 Life Society Pages

Successful Centenary The Ladies of Hillside Golf Club celebrated their Centenary with a Ladies Invitation

Carole Moorcroft, Tricia Houghton and Brenda Hudson

Competition with Ladies from the 25 Clubs in the Liverpool Society in attendance with invitations from other Golf Clubs across the Country. 240 Ladies enjoyed a spectacular day culminating in a Gala Dinner in the Marquee with entertainment provided by Julie A. Scott an International Singing Star. The Lady Captain Mrs Jane Rose welcomed and hosted what was stated to be the best Ladies

Thousands of photos available at www.champnews.com/pixonline

Invitation Golf Day the Club has seen.

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Jennie Robinson, Jackie Bramhall with Veronica Heald-Jones

Shirley Charnock, Sharon Hewer, Elisabeth Mair and Abby Sanderson

Anne Starkey, Janet Perkins, Annie Helme and Sue Billington.

Pam Ferguson, Heather Jackson with Phyll Jackson

Meegan Switzer, Margaret Milne, Jane Rose Lady Captain of Hillside Golf Club and Rita Abberley

Beverley Bond, Olive Cutts and Joan Roy

Sue Morgan, Joan Pettitt and Pauline Rooney www.gr8lifemagazine.com

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Gr8Life A701 GLA September 24/08/2011 09:55 Page 1

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