FASHION
PLACES
FACES
FOOD
BEAUTY
HOMES
TRAVEL
Supplement
OF LIVERPOOL JUNE ISSUE 2010
FOOTIE FEVER Top watering holes for catching the World Cup action
ANYONE FOR TENNIS? How to look the part at Calderstones
CAMPING COOL Brave the great outdoors with style
R A D N E L CA GIRL
Make a date with Liverpool lovely Jennif er Ellison
PERFECT PICNICS Eating al fresco
WIN
TICKE CHITT TS FOR YC BANG HITTY BANG
FEMALE FASHION // MEN’S HEALTH // WHAT’S ON// FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS // HEADING TO THE ALBERT DOCK
02
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Contents
BEST
JUNE 10 08
26
16
OF LIVERPOOL
JUNE 2010
28
NEWS 04 TALK OF TOWN We couldn’t help overhearing...
FASHION 06 SHOPPING FOR HER
30
Kirsty Doyle’s summer must-haves
SHOPPING FOR HIM 08 YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! Tennis-inspired trends
HEALTH & BEAUTY 10 SALON SPOTLIGHT Massage and men’s health
FATHER’S DAY 12 DADDY DEAREST Show him he’s top of the pops
FITNESS 13 CYCLING SPECIAL Pedal your way to fitness
CHILDREN 15 COOL KIDS Summer fashion for the little ones
ENTERTAINMENT 16 THE BIG INTERVIEW Jennifer Ellison and Craig Anthony-Kelly
19 BY DAY, BY NIGHT The line-up for June
HOMES & GARDENS 20 GARDENING Small but perfectly formed
Editor’s Letter WELCOME to our June edition of Best of Liverpool. This issue we have decided to lavish our attention on the males of the species – as we girlies do tend to take over. So seeing as it’s Father’s Day – we found some fabulous prezzies for your daddy dearest. We also focus on men’s health and treated our long suffering male writer Paul to a relaxing massage. After listening to us twittering on about the new Sex and The City movie, shoes and handbags, he was in desperate need of escape. It was just the tonic he needed and he positively skipped back into the office looking all chilled and revitalised – attacking his football research with great gusto! Read Paul’s ideas of where to catch the World Cup action in the city on page 26. We also have some tennis-inspired trends for our menfolk – perfect for watching the Tradition-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park. Part of the fun of watching the tennis is eating al fresco – so we bring you some tasty ideas of what to pack in your picnic.
And if you’re starting to suffer from testosterone overload, fear not as we have plenty to please the ladies including our interview with delectable designer, Kirsty Doyle and a chat with our cover girl, Jennifer Ellison as well as other up and coming new faces in the city. Plus, the mums and dads amongst you will love the kids’ fashion on page 15 – don’t miss the chance to win £250 at the funky designer childrenswear store, Blu Kangaroo. Not missing the chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine (while it lasts!), we bring you some inspirational ideas on how to make the most of your outdoor space and explore the amazing Albert Dock. Our resident glamourpuss, Sue, swaps her gladiators for wellies during a camping trip down on the farm. And we bring you a great line-up of entertainment to ensure you enjoy the month of June. Don’t forget to slap on the SPF – we don’t want any wrinkles!
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Michelle
FOOD AND DRINK 24 PERFECT PICNICS How to fill your hamper
26 WORLD CUP WONDERS
LIVERPOOL ECHO EDITOR Alastair Machray
FRONT COVER SHOT Colin Lane
MAGAZINE EDITOR Michelle Rushton
DESIGNERS Zoe Bevan and Colin Harrison
SALES MANAGER Frank Notton
COMMERCIAL FEATURES EDITOR Sally Jones
WRITERS Paul Baker, Peter Grant, Katie McLoughlin, Emma Thompson, Sarah Hooley, Sue Kelbrick
COPYRIGHT Best of Liverpool is published monthly by Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales/Liverpool Echo. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.
Top watering holes in the city
OUT AND ABOUT 28 HEADING OVER TO... The Albert Dock
30 CAMP IT UP Sue sleeps under the stars
PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror photographers
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 03
Talk of town IN THE FRAME
It’s hip and happening Michelle Rushton gives us a glimpse of the goings on in the city
ALBERT DOCK WELCOMES PICASSO Peace and Freedom exhibition has now arrived at Tate, Liverpool. As the Albert Dock geared up to say 'Hola' to Pablo Piccasso, the air was tingling with excitement and throughout the summer the dock will have an abundance of Picasso-themed fun on offer. Performance artists from Shiverpool are bringing a bit of Spanish ‘Ole!’ to their performance on the Quayside during Dock Sessions and you could be made into a work of art yourself. Over at PanAm and Blue Bar you can sample from the Picasso Andalucían inspired menu and cocktail. Prepare to be amazed by the psychic and fortune teller, as PanAm showcase their regular Friday night event, Psychic speed dating. Alternatively, Blue Bar will be offering a teaser of their Comedy Central event, with a live stand-up performance between 6pm -8pm. There will be free wine tasting at Vinea, a talk by local photographer Ron Davies, fun and food at What’s Cooking and lots of 241 offers on the Echo Arena Big Wheel, BugWorld and much more. The Albert Dock has teamed up with Tate Liverpool and Estrella Damm, the most stylish and popular beer in Spain, to provide a summer long fiesta of competition prizes. Enter a draw to win an exclusive weekend in Barcelona simply by entering your details on the post cards situated inside all of the Dock’s bars, restaurants and café’s. Each month, five lucky visitors will win a pair of tickets to see the Picasso exhibition, with the summer long celebrations culminating in the main prize draw, a Luxury weekend in Barcelona courtesy of Estrella Damm. For more details visit www.albertdock.com
SAKURA LAUNCH KNIFE wielding chefs, cocktail mixers to rival Tom Cruise and delicious cuisine - yes it was the eagerly anticipated launch of the Japanese restaurant, Sakura. Traditional Japanese drummers, entertainment, not to mention a red carpet and champagne, it was a launch no one was going to forget in a hurry. Located behind the town hall within Exchange Flags, this fabulous restaurant has spared no expense, with stylish booths, a central DJ booth, the impressive teppanyaki (central hot plate) style cooking where you can watch the chef work his magic on your food. Celebs couldn't resist a peek at the new restaurant either with Pete Price, Philip Olivier, and Hollyoaks starsall making an appearance.
CELEBRITY MASKS COLEEN Rooney and Steven Gerrard revealed their artistic skills by designing masks in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice. The wife of England star Wayne Rooney and the Liverpool footballer showed off their creative flair on behalf of the charity who then submitted their creations to Children’s Hospice Week organised by Children’s Hospices UK. Liverpool midfielder Steven’s mask was football-themed while Coleen designed an eye-catching sparkly creation. The masks were auctioned on eBay with money raised going towards children’s hospices throughout the UK. See www.thisismyhero.org.uk for more details.
COOL CLOGS
CELEBS, fashion and Laurent Perrier champagne were the name of the game as the who’s who of Liverpool ‘s glitterati flocked to a packed event at the re-launch of MODO in Concert Square. Award-winning recording artist Sophie Ellis-Bexter took centre stage with a live DJ set, whilst Cavern Walks retailer, Boudoir Boutique treated crowds to an evening of fun and fabulousness with a fashion show showcasing the latest collections at the fashion and lifestyle boutique. Featuring an array of vintage inspired pieces by designers such as Pinko and Manoush, hats by Hayley, and diamonds supplied by Boodles, the models strutted their stuff on the catwalk sporting a range of lavish hairstyles provided by celebrity hair salon, Herbert of Liverpool.
Karl Lagerfeld showed them on the catwalk for Chanel, fashion icons Alexa Chung and Ashley Olsen have been spotted in them, and now super-high clogs are the only shoe to be seen in this summer. And you can pick up a pair from Storm at the St Johns Centre Liverpool for just £25.
MASTER chefs from one of the city’s secondary schools recently catered for over 120 esteemed guests at a gala dinner at the Bluecoat. Pupils from Parklands High School in Speke were winners of Can Cook’s Schools Competition which brought together 16 schools from across Merseyside to battle it out and become the city’s aspiring chefs. The kids worked together to create an exquisite three course menu of Smoked Haddock and Black Pudding Fish Cakes, Chicken, Mushroom and Leek Pie, and Bakewell Tart with crème angalise all of which they cooked to perfection, putting a smile on everyone’s face.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s Cavern Walks new addition, fashion and lifestyle concept store, Boudette. The younger, edgier sister store to its flagship retailer, Boudoir Boutique, Boudette is fitted out with a funky interior of neon, tulips and ponies and vintage Vogue magazine covers. The store sells quirky gifts, home wares and accessories, along with an eclectic mix of independent designer threads.
MODO RE-LAUNCH
CAN COOK
04
BOUDETTE
REFORM Fine dining and cocktails at the new Reform Bar and restaurant on Victoria Street. Based on Victoria Street at the site of the old Casa Bella Italian restaurant, this discerning venue lends itself to a range of drinking and culinary delights and has cool leather seated booths so you can gossip away in style.
LUSH’S ALL INCLUSIVE The bargain of the summer, Lush is offering a limited edition All Inclusive Package at just £10 for six handmade products. Get yourself beach ready with this perfect package of everything you could need to scrub, buff and moisturise yourself into a beach goddess!
JUNE 10 MARCO PIERRE WHITE ARRIVES IN LIVERPOOL
CATWALK COLLECTION Philip Armstrong and Tony Burke (Philip Armstrong Couture) wowed Liverpool’s glitterati last week at a stunning catwalk event to showcase their amazing Spring/Summer 2010 collection. The event held at the Hilton attracted over 250 of Liverpool’s most stylish ladies and gentlemen. Celebrity guests included Coleen Rooney, Jenny Metcalfe, Emile Heskey, Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati and more. The collection featured their signature structured looks, softened for spring in printed silks and chiffons. Models included actress Lauren Blake and Man United star Nani's fiance Daniella Martins. Many pieces have been snapped up already by members of the A list front row line up.
ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL
MARCO Pierre White, the godfather of modern cookery, has announced plans to open a new restaurant in Liverpool city centre. The Kitchen Burnout star, famed for his fiery, no-nonsense approach, has confirmed that his latest eaterie will become the focal point of Hotel Indigo, the brand new £15m boutique hotel currently under construction on Chapel Street, in the city’s commercial district. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, set to open in Spring 2011, will be the 48-year-old chef’s third north west venue following the successful launch of two other venues, The Swan Inn in Aughton and Doubletree by Hilton Chester, earlier this year. Marco Pierre White said: “There’s a clear appetite for affordable glamour and quality food in the region and now we’re bringing that into the heart of Liverpool. It will be somewhere for friends and family to gather in relaxed surroundings and enjoy simple food, cooked perfectly.”
CAMPAIGN AGAINST UGLY FURNITURE BO CONCEPT recently launched its Campaign against Ugly Furniture, Peace at Home. Guests were invited to jump in bed with John and Yoko in their Bed for Peace at the store and have their pictures taken to raise funds for the Alder Hey’s Imagine Appeal. The store was also celebrating its new alliance partnership Bang & Olufsen, who attended on the night to showcase its stunning home audio visual designs and kindly donated an amazing prize to be raffled in aid of the Imagine Appeal.
MANKEY MONKEYS THE cheeky Mankey Monkey tribe sent Liverpool bananas at a charity auction event, which raised over £7,000 for the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Over 150 people came to support the event at Sefton Park Palm House and money is still pouring in with collectors snapping up Monkeys that weren't in the live auction on the night, and the Monkey team are close to hitting their target of raising £10,000 for the local charity.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 WAYS THE Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Mike Storey CBE has officially launched Clatterbridge Cancer Research’s Around the World in 80 Ways campaign. The initiative seeks to raise £50,000 by sending the charity’s chick mascot the 25,000 miles that circumnavigate the world. The Lord Mayor signified the launch of the chick’s first mile at Liverpool ONE with a balloon release over the city. Gully from Gulliver’s World joined Toxteth the Tiger to achieve a mascot mile, and Liverpudlians bounced around on space hoppers all afternoon and looked on in amazement when Chevasse park was invaded by Smurfs. For more details visit www.clatterbridge.org
WILD ABOUT WILDFLOWERS CITY centre gastropub, The James Monro is helping to create an urban haven for wildflower habitats in Liverpool after signing up to support conservation charity, The National Wildflower Centre. The pub and dining room, which is situated at the heart of Liverpool’s commercial district in Tithebarn Street, will be supporting the charity and visitor attraction with the introduction of wildflower hanging baskets and window
BITS AND BOBS
boxes at the venue to help encourage new wildlife habitats in the city centre. The James Monro’s sister venue, The Monro in Duke Street will also be supporting the charity’s ‘Get Growing’ project with a new ‘Grow your Own” facility in the venue’s beer garden, where The Monro’s team of chefs will grow wildflowers, along with herbs and vegetables to use in dishes at both venues.
THE Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) launched it Architecture Festival this week. RIBA has lined up some fantastic events, from a travelling exhibition called ‘Architruck,’ guided walking tours around Liverpool’s Waterfront showcasing some of the best architecture in the region, to guest lectures from some of the country’s greatest structural designers. The festival is a celebration of the outstanding architecture to be found in the North West and will be highlighting the release of the RIBA’s ‘350 Awards’ shortlist, an award given to projects under £350,000, which will include a ‘People’s Choice Award.’ The festival is on until June 26. For more details visit www.af2010.org.uk
FLAMENCO AND TAPAS GET your castanets out as Catalonian restaurant Lunya has started running Flamenco dancing lessons, followed by some light tapas and a glass of wine/soft drink. Diners can enjoy a one hour lesson, followed by the food and drink. It is a great way to stay trim as well as learn some steps and moves from this evocative traditional Spanish dance. Lessons are every Monday at 7pm. The cost is £15 a session and includes your dancing lesson, two tapas and a drink. Lunya is also offering a language and tapas course. For more information call the restaurant on 0151 706 9770, or email reservations@lunya.co.uk
PHYSICAL FEST LIVERPOOLBASED Tmesis Theatre return this June with their sixth annual ‘Physical Fest’ festival of physical workshops and performances, the only festival of its kind in Europe. The pinnacle of this year’s festival is the first ever ‘Fest Live’ event to be held at the Black-E, on Saturday, June 12 from 7pm. Fest Live promises to be an exciting open platform performance night, giving the opportunity for new and established artists to try out ideas as well as hosting extracts of professional work. For more info, click www.tmesistheatre.com
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 05
Shopping for her Lolly cream peeptoe platform, £75, from Dune, Liverpool ONE
Designer Kirsty Doyle: Picture by Andrew Teebay
Embossed floral city shorts, £165, and metallic, military shirt, £135, both from Kirsty Doyle, Liverpool ONE
Occasion wear
Work wear Grace eyelet shopper, £210, from Reiss, Liverpool ONE
Wardrobe mistress Katie McLoughlin meets Liverpool designer Kirsty Doyle, as she hand-picks your summer must-haves... KIRSTY Doyle has come a long forward accessories, and the Liverpool One way from selling her designs at store has some great colourful accessories in – Great Homer Street Market. Since like bright bangles, raffia bags and teal winning Project Catwalk in 2006, moccasins.” the Anfield-born designer has Scarves are another easy way for proven she has a knack for creating trulycolour-shy fashionistas to add a splash covetable collections. We could of summer style to their look. Kirsty think of no-one better to says: “You might think we’re out of pick out our scarf wearing season now, but we’re summer mustreally only just coming into it. haves. Scarves will be huge this summer.” During a To make a neutral outfit really pop, breakfast the bubbly local designer event in recommends Jane Carr scarves, Jane Carr the city’s which are stocked in Kirsty’s scarves, sleek Hilton Liverpool One flagship store. Try £140, from Hotel, Kirsty put wearing a vibrant Jane Carr scarf Kirsty Doyle together a capsule twisted and loose around your summer wardrobe using pieces from shoulders, or tie around your bag her own boutique plus items she’s handle for a bit of colour. hand-selected from Liverpool ONE City shorts are a classic summer style stores that’ll see you through summer that are ideal for work. To find a good Summer floral dress, £35.00, festivals, occasions, work and more. pair of city shorts, Kirsty says look at from Miss Selfridge, A real champion of local style, Kirsty the cut: “They should be slightly flaired, Denim-look parka, Liverpool ONE believes that Liverpudlian girls have not too tight and slightly longer than the £150, from Whistles, an eye for trends, and are always quick to pick up on key celebrity hot-pant style denim shorts you’d usually Liverpool ONE styles. Kirsty says: “Liverpool girls are really good at looking at throw on for the beach.” celebrity trends and giving them their own twist, like the For a softer take on this season’s military trend, Kirsty Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan-style headbands which suggests wearing a pair of embossed floral city shorts with we’re seeing everywhere now.” a metallic shirt, both from her own collection. To finish Ideal for finishing off a festival chic look, headbands this work-wear outfit, add cream platforms from Dune to are one of summer’s key accessories. To add a lengthen your legs. touch of glam to your festival style, Kirsty When it comes to colour, pinks, peach, nude, blush recommends a diamante headband by Americanand pastels are the hues of high summer. However, designer, Jennifer Behr, whose headwear range is the local designer notes that grey has become a key exclusively available in Kirsty’s store. Or to cover up shade for summer occasion wear. messy festival hair, Kirsty suggests adorning your Kirsty explains: “Grey has gone from the sort of Straw Belize Panama hat, casual grey-marl that was everywhere a few years ago to barnet with a Panama hat. £15, from Accessorize, When it comes to your festival the really chic, soft grey, like Gwyneth Paltrow Liverpool ONE outfit, the she recommends was spotted wearing recently.” pairing a pastel floral print dress with a parka Testimony to grey transformation has gone from – a key trend for high summer – and vibrant grim to glam, Kirsty’s most popular dress for accessories or bright shoes. this year’s races was the grey Anoushka bow She says: “If you’re afraid of colour like me, dress. To find out more about adding bright accessories to a simple cream Kirsty Doyle and black outfit is a great way to experiment and other Liverpool One stores, and really brighten up your look for summer. visit www.liverpool-one.com H&M is perfect for cheap, bright, fashionJennifer Behr diamante headband, £389, from Kirsty Doyle (Benna.co.uk)
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Hitch pewter flat sandals, £60, from Dune, Liverpool ONE
Kirsty Doyle Anoushka bow dress in grey, £432, from Kirsty Doyle, Liverpool ONE
Kirsty Doyle Verushka peach pleat dress, £325, from Kirsty Doyle, Liverpool ONE
Serena pewter peeptoe platform, £110, from Dune, Liverpool ONE
JUNE 10 Ondine biker, £130, Charlotte chiffon dress, £49.99, and Starlet biker boots, £74.99, from River Island
90s revival Katie McLoughlin takes a trip down memory lane for this summer’s 90s grunge trend IT MIGHT not seem like two minutes ago since you were swooning over Jared Leto in all his grunge finery in cult TV show, ‘My So-Called Life’, but 90s grunge is back. Embraced by rock royalty Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof, edgy Brit model, Agyness Deyn, and Jaime Winston, who has described her current style as ‘modern grunge with a hardcore heel’ in The Times, grunge has emerged as one of the summer’s key looks. This time around though, the trend is less unwashed-teenage Nirvana fan,
more a stylish mix of dishevelled grunge with a touch of glamour. Think slouchy jersey maxi dresses paired with chunky military-style boots; girly floral prints toughened up with a leather jacket; graphic print leggings and crop tops layered with that 90s classic — the bodytop. Whatever your take on this retro style, one thing’s for sure, with its fusion of comfort, edgy styling and glamorous touches, 90s grunge is sure to be the look of choice for fashion-savvy festival goers.
Shakuhachi mesh dress, £199, from Urban Outfitters
Pixie Geldof wearing H! by Henry Holland, available at Debenhams
Love Label aztec printed leggings £15, from very.co.uk
Flat leather brogue detail lace-up boots, £70, from Topshop
Grey patterned maxi dress £30, from New Look
Taylor Momsen wearing her range for New Look Mesh panel back crop top in camou khaki, £14, from Topshop
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 07
Shopping for him or copyright Picture by Colin Lane TrinityMirr
da ure by David Rawcliffe/Propagan Mats Wilander (Sweden) :Pict
Younes El Aynaoui in action at the Tradition-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis tournament. Picture by Jason Roberts TrinityMirror copyright
TALKING of tennis, Dunlop’s Green Flash pumps, as worn by Fred Perry in 1935 when he won Wimbledon, are enjoying something of a revival this season and have inspired a whole range of retrostyle trainers...
Anyone for tennis? It’s game, set and match for Sue Kelbrick as she checks out the latest tennis-inspired fashion for men
White canvas trainers, £10 from Sainsburys White Converse All-Star trainers, £45 from Jacamo. Available from www.jacamo.co.uk
WITH Wimbledon just around the corner and the city going tennis-crazy for the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament this month, now’s the time to get those shorts out and pick up your racquet. It’s too good just to wear on the tennis court...
Cream V-neck jumper, £67.99 from Fred Perry from Aspecto in the Metquarter
Dark grey Fallout canvas lace-up trainers, £40 from French Connection
Adidas Net80 trainers, £49.99 from Aspecto, Met Quarter
Newton black and beige trainers, Bourgeois Boheme. www.bboheme.com Seersucker check blazer £44.99, shirt £24.99, bowtie £9.99, shorts £24.99 and white brogues £44.99, all from River Island
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Fred Perry slim fit polo shirt, £49.99 from Aspecto in the Metquarter
JUNE 10
Red polo shirt, £14.99 from TK Maxx
White polo t-shirt, £42.99 from the Slazenger Heritage collection available from Microzine and www.asos.com
Blue and red tank top, £59.99 from the Slazenger Heritage collection available from Microzine and www.asos.com
Blue jacket from Slazenger Heritage £59.99, available from Microzine and www.asos.com
Green polo shirt £85 from Lacoste, Orange v-neck knit £105 from Ralph Lauren and white shorts £85 from Cold Method, all available from House of Fraser
Goran Ivanisevic (Croatia) aganda) Picture by David Rawcliffe/Prop
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 09
Health & beauty
JUNE 10
MENS HEALTH As it's Father’s Day this month, we have given our health and beauty a more manly focus
GET set for Men’s Health Week 2010 AS the first-ever national campaign to encourage men to become more physically active, Men’s Health Week is an important step in tackling the couch potato culture and improving the wellbeing of men. Running between June 14 and 20, National Men’s Health Week will encourage men and boys to be more physically active. It doesn’t matter whether you choose walking, jogging, gardening, swimming or playing your favourite sport... it’s all about moving more and being more active. Exercise can help your body and your wellbeing in a number of ways, from relieving stress and anxiety to losing weight and reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Dr Ian Banks, president of the Men’s Health Forum, says: “Just doing a small amount of physical activity can greatly improve a man’s quality of life.” Men’s Health Week is organised by Men’s Health Forum. The Forum is a fantastic source of information and guidance when it comes to male health issues. Check out the website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk Sometimes men feel uncomfortable discussing their personal health and may ignore problems. Resources like Men’s Health Forum seek to counter this and provide men with the health information they need.
Summer of CALM As the warm weather seems to be finally arriving on Merseyside, the Campaign Against Living Miserably has decided to declare a ‘Summer of CALM’ continuing to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. The team will be at The Metquarter’s World Cup Weekend, Sefton Park’s Africa Oyé festival, The Brouhaha International Mela and the St Helens Festival this summer. “CALM’s message is as vital today as it was when first launched 10 years ago,” says Merseyside CALMzone co-ordinator Simon Howes. “With so many lads dealing with difficult life situations right now, it’s really important that we keep promoting everything CALM offers across the area.” Over the 10 years of CALM’s existence, official stats have shown a 39% decrease in the suicide rate among young men on Merseyside. Visit www.thecalmzone.net for more info.
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
No girls allowed? Looking at potential gifts for Father’s Day, Paul Baker samples a spa treatment made specifically with men in mind SPAS and men have not always been the best of friends. Seen by many as a zone of scented candles, plinky-plonky new age music and oh-so-fluffy white towels, they have long been a no-go area for the male side of the population. But increasingly, men have begun to invade these pamper sanctuaries, so much so that male specific treatments have been introduced, making it quite usual for men to combine a quick massage with a session in the gym. So it was that I booked in for a ‘deep tissue full body massage’ at Club Spa within Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel. We at Best of Liverpool thought that booking a massage might make for an original and much appreciated gift for dads on Father’s Day, so I stepped up to test it out for all the men of Liverpool not sure if a massage is for them. Firstly, the spa itself is not at all girly and is right next to the gym, so there’s a healthy flow of testosterone to rely on! The massage therapist at the Crowne Plaza is Sue Hamill-Hope from Crosby. She has many male clients and lots of experience working with sportsmen
too. Her friendly and calming personality relaxes you before the massage even starts. Sue explains that the massage helps get both your blood and lymphatic system working, pumping blood and oxygen round your body and also assisting the body’s natural drainage system. I then had to strip to my underwear and lay on the massage table. Don’t worry – my modesty was preserved at all times by towels (not too fluffy!) and whenever Sue was about to begin to massage a certain area she would touch the towel lightly so that I knew exactly what she was doing, to save any discomfort or embarrassment. Of course, relaxation is the key here and it didn’t take long before the subdued lighting and the skilful massage combined to make me shut my eyes and forget my cares for an hour. Afterwards I felt both relaxed and invigorated, and the feel good factor lasts a good few days too. Now you have to admit that’s a pretty good gift to give anyone for Father’s Day.
Where is it? Club Spa is found within the Harbour Health & Fitness Club in Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel, adjacent to the Liver Buildings.
What does it do? A variety of treatments and therapies for men and women, including massages, facials and waxing specifically for men.
Contact: Club Spa at The Harbour Health & Fitness Club, Crowne Plaza Liverpool, St Nicholas Place, Princes Dock, Pier Head, L3 1QW, tel: 0151 243 8243.
Micelle over run
HILST interviewing style guru Sarah Bevan-Fischer recently about her new fashion website, I confided how I seem to be stuck in a post-baby style rut.
W
Since piling on the pounds during pregnancy, and juggling a fulltime job and a very inquisitive toddler, I am guilty of just throwing on my old maternity smocks to disguise my new curvier shape! Sarah suggested I check out her fashion tips on her Real Style website which provides style advice for women of all shapes and sizes before breaking the fabulous news that she wanted to give me a full 'style over!' First, she asked me to log onto her website and fill out a questionnaire to determine my style preference. After years in retail, Sarah has devised a style profiling tool which puts women into different categories from girlie to rock chick and has created different lookbooks for the different styles. Sarah explained: "My aim is to make women feel confident and to influence the retailers to be more inclusive of different shapes and sizes." My style was 'girlie,' so Sarah set about putting together a number of outfits that would suit my shape, colouring and personality. She said: "Girlies like feminine styles, love colours and patterns, florals and matching shoes and handbags." She took me down to Bravissimo on Bold Street for a proper bra
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 09
Father’s Day MAKE HIS DAY TREAT your dad to a great day out this Father’s Day. He could experience the thrills and highs of Awesome Walls in Liverpool, the exhilarating Aerial Extreme in Knowsley Safari Park, quad biking at Knowsley 4x4 or a luxury golf experience at Formby Hall. Here are just a few more things to enjoy with your pater ...
JUNE 10 YOUNG AT HEART DAD: Micro bladez 3D Apache remote-control helicopter, £24.99, from Menkind
Daddy cool Emma Thompson has some ideas of how to show your pa he's top of the pops this Father's Day – JUNE 20
STADIUM TOURS Everton FC offer a glimpse behind the scenes where you can see the dressing room, the club’s history and a walk down the tunnel, priced at just £8.50 (adult) and £20 (family). Or visit Liverpool FC’s stadium and get an insight into the club’s past, sit in the dressing room and touch the This Is Anfield sign. You can take a mini-tour, visit the museum or combine the both which costs £14 (adult) and £38 (family).
DIY DAD: Cordless screwdriver, £16.99, from Clas Ohlson
ACTION DAD: The 'stunt man' 12 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix XP10 camera is shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and dustproof, around £129, from Jessops
OLD DOCK TOUR Venture into the past with a tour of Liverpool’s revolutionary Old Dock – the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock. Carefully preserved under Liverpool ONE, the bed of the Pool – the creek that gave Liverpool its name – can be seen for the first time in centuries. The Old Dock was buried in 1826 and re-discovered during excavations in 2001. Guided tours start at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Call 0151 478 4296.
MUSIC DAD: Sensia Pure internetconnected, digital audio system with a large colour touchscreen, £249, from Marks and Spencer
CAINS BREWERY TOUR View the hops, fermenting and brewing rooms at Cains Brewery, giving you a fascinating insight into Merseyside’s rich brewing heritage. The tour includes two complimentary pints of Cains award winning ales and costs £7.99 per person. Call Cains on 0151 709 8734 or email tours@cains.co.uk
LIKES A BREW DAD: Jamie Oliver Top Dad cheeky mug in a tin, £8.99, from Menkind
RAISE A GLASS DAD: Make 40 pints of delicious pub-style beer in just 21 days with Young's Brew Buddy brewing system (lager), £22.98, from WilkinsonPlus.com
SMOOTH DAD: Travel grooming kit, £12, from Marks and Spencer
CREATIVE DAD: Gorillapod from £16.95 and Gorillatorch with magnetic feet, £29.95, from Joby.com
MOTORSPORT Enjoy the thrills of Championship Motorsport at Aintree Motor Racing Circuit on June 26. See over 120 cars compete to be the quickest around the Sprint Course. Will anyone beat 160mph through the speed trap? Admission is only £5 and includes a free car park, free paddock access and a free programme. (Under 16s free but must be accompanied by an adult). There’s also great value food, drinks available all day. Gates on Melling Road, Aintree open 9am to 5pm.
GARDEN MAD DAD: Four-piece garden tool set in lime green, £3.99, from Clas Ohlson
THE GIFT OF SONG Could your papa be a rolling stone? Peter Grant reports... WHAT a great way to sing someone's praises. Two famous Liverpool lads have come up with a great way of saying “I love you” for the record… well, CD actually. Rob and Alan Fennah, who formed Alternative Radio in 1981, were in teen band Buster and created the hit musical Twopence Across The Mersey, have come up with a novel prezzie idea called Songift UK which they hope will make birthdays, anniversaries,
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Father’s Day, even new baby arrivals – a bit more special. Rob, who runs Wirral-based Pulse Records with his brother, says: “Alan and I have been asked hundreds of times if we could record family and friends singing their favourite songs. “Having managed to acquire thousands of high quality backing tracks – we thought it would be an original gift idea whilst giving us an opportunity to scout for new talent.” Via their website, people can
arrange to send a studio experience 'gift voucher' – two hours or four hours – to a family member or friend. Says Rob: “The recipient then calls us to tell us their song choice and arrange a session date. On the day of recording they take away a nicely presented CD and photo.” But not everyone is a Robbie Williams or a Lady Ga Ga so how can someone reach a certain, shall we say, Britain’s Got Talent standard?
Rob says: “Alan and I take the singer through the whole process of recording their vocal – what equipment we use and all that behind-the-scenes stuff. So it’s a 'hands on' experience about life in the studio, too." The duo have already found two singers who are now both working with Pulse as session singers. And stage and screen actor Mark Moraghan is a big fan. The ex-Holby City star and established crooner says: “I had a fantastic time
recording Swing Out – one of my own favourites.” To hear Mark’s song or arrange a session, visit www.songiftuk.com
Fitness
JUNE 10
Pedal power Sarah Hooley gets back in the saddle for Team Green Britain Bike Week IF we tell you to get on yer bike this June, we're not being rude! But with Team Green Britain Bike Week (June 19-27) just around the corner it's the perfect time to get back in the saddle. The UK's largest nationwide cycling event, Team Green Britain Bike Week is challenging you to rethink your everyday journeys and switch to cycling. Whether it's going to the local shops, commuting to work or taking the kids to the park, hopping on a bike is quick, easy and cheap. Plus, with cycling hailed as the ultimate work-out (and the secret behind Beyoncé's pert derrière) it could give you the body you've always dreamed of. Across the week, the celebration will see towns, villages and cities across the UK hosting free cycling events with the theme of 'everyday cycling, for everyone.’ Events are open to all from total novices to passionate cyclists and are aimed at inspiring non-riders to discover the benefits of swapping four wheels for pedal power. Victoria Pendleton, World and Olympic champion cyclist who is supporting Team Green Britain Bike Week said: “I would encourage everyone to get involved with Team Green Britain Bike Week. By choosing to cycle to the shops, school or for leisure, you’ll find you get to your destination quicker, save money, get fit
Picture: Andrew Teebay
and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time. If everyone were to swap one car journey a day for a bike trip, think of the collective benefit – to our planet, our pockets and our health!” Why not find out if your employer takes part in the national Bike 2 Work Scheme as well? An easy and affordable way to get started, the government scheme allows employees to save up to 50% on the cost of a new bike and is a great way to get fit and cut on travel costs to work. Even better, it's free for zmoney and do your bit to 'go green', give cycling a go. For more information visit www.bikeweek.org.uk and www.bike2workscheme.co.uk
Picture: Paul Heaps
Picture courtesy of Team green Britain Bike week
Five great reasons to get on your bike: ■ In a hurry? With more and more dedicated cycle-paths across the country, during rushhour a bicycle gets you there faster — good if you hate being stuck in traffic jams! ■ More than half of all car trips are five miles or less — swapping them for a 15 minute bike ride could really help you make savings on fuel costs.
Biketime ride EVER wanted to explore Merseyside's glorious coast at a more leisurely pace? Then join the Biketime Ride which stretches from the Liver Birds on Liverpool's waterfront to Antony Gormley's iron men on Sefton Coast. The easy ride is open to everyone and is suitable for beginners. To take part, head to The Pierhead Terminal where the ride will depart at 12.45pm on June 27. To find out more call 07074684135 or email theroost@tesco.net
■ Cyclists live on average at least two years longer than non-cyclists and their fitness levels are equivalent to being 10 years younger – so forget nip and tuck, think pedal and push! ■ Cycling is a great way to keep fit. So you could be beating the traffic, saving money, and staying in shape too, all by just choosing to cycle.
Phone: 0151 707 6116 www.giant-liverpool.co.uk Open: Mon-Weds: 10.00am till 6.00pm Thurs 10.00am till 7.00pm Fri-Sat: 10.00am till 6.00pm Sun: 10.00am till 5.00pm
■ Cycling is the ultimate family activity; it’s free, healthy, fun and encourages children to be independent.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Children
JUNE 10
Rays of sunshine
WIN £250 off Kids’ clothes
Polo T-shirt, £10 and check trousers, £16, from Mamas and Papas
■ THIS fabulous childrenswear boutique in Formby stocks lots of fab and funky fashions for little ones aged 0-12. With a real European flavour, Blu Kangaroo is housed in The Gallery on Halsall Lane and stocks all the top designer labels from Italy, Spain, France, USA & Amsterdam including Kate Mack, Miss Grant, Room Seven, Sally Dog, DKNY, Scotch & Soda and Tommy Hilfiger. Alex Curran is one of the shop’s biggest fans – having listed them as one of her “can’t live without” items in her column in OK magazine. She likes to buy pieces for her daughters Lilly-Ella and Lexie there. Don’t miss the summer sale which starts soon and features some brilliant bargains. Visit the shop at The Gallery, Halsall Lane, Formby, L37 3NN, Tel: 01704 832 043. *Alternatively visit the website at www.blukangaroo.co.uk where you can enter a competition to win a £250 gift voucher to spend in store (on non-sale items).
Make sure your toddlers are on trend this summer with the new summery collections hitting the stores – and don’t forget slap on plenty of SPF! Rainbow print polo, from £7, from Marks & Spencer
Printed shorts, from £8, from Next
Straw hat, £8, from Marks & Spencer
D&G jelly sandals, £30, from Kids Cavern at Cavern Walks
Multi St Lucia swimsuit, £14, jade sequin scarf, £8, purple fabric beaded necklace, £6, pink wide brim straw hat, £12, from Monsoon
Kids’ sunglasses, from Marks & Spencer
Catimini girls floral shirt £83, from Kids Cavern at Cavern Walks
Yellow butterfly vest by Matthew Williamson, £8-11, from Debenhams
Sun Protection Baby 50 High SPF, from Tesco
Girls striped sunsafe suit 50+ UPF £12, boys striped sunsafe suit 50+ UPF, £12, and turquoise sunglasses 100% UV protection, £5, from Mini Mode at Boots
Clarendon College Montessori Education DO YOU NEED CHILDCARE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS? We have full facilities to accommodate your child Reasonable Rates “Hot House” After School Tuition Garston Old Road, Liverpool L19 9AF for all enquiries please contact: Mrs Donnelly Tel: 0151 494 2094 or 07952 441 886
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 15
The BIG interview
Blonde ambition
Calendar Girls starring Jennifer Ellison and Jean Boht
IT’S hard to believe that Jennifer Ellison numbers from Chicago, revisiting her is only 27. acclaimed role as Roxie Hart. With a successful TV and stage career, “I’m really excited about doing One two Top 10 singles and a part in a Night Only. The audience won’t be Hollywood film under her belt, not to disappointed and can look forward to mention her recent marriage and the being entertained from beginning to end. birth of her beautiful baby son, Bobby, The producer is a mate of mine from three months ago, what is there left for years ago and he’s put together a really Jennifer to do? Plenty it would seem. good show with some great performers “I’ve been in it.” lucky enough to Jennifer wowed be able to take audiences with “I want to be able to give nearly a year out her performance just to make the as Roxie Hart in something back to Liverpool. most of being the hit West End There’s some amazing talent pregnant and show, a part she becoming a first took on in here and it would be great to mum. It’s time 2004. Around this be able to give kids a chance that you never time, Jennifer they wouldn’t have otherwise get back and I won Gordon am cherishing Ramsay’s had to make a career every moment I celebrity cookery out of dancing.” get to spend with programme Hell’s Bobby,” she says. Kitchen, “But I feel now launched a is the time for me to get back into the singing career and made her debut in swing of things and I’m really looking the Hollywood film version of The forward to taking on some exciting Phantom of the Opera starring opposite projects.” big names such as Gerard Butler, Jennifer has certainly got another Miranda Richardson and Minnie Driver. action-packed year lined up, starting And all at the tender age of 21. with a feel good variety show at the But where most young starlets would Liverpool Empire on June 20, One Night be completely overwhelmed by achieving Only. huge success at such an early age, Starring alongside Merseyside stars Jennifer took it all in her stride. Pete Price, Leanne Campbell and Emma “I’ve always performed from an early Dears, Jennifer will perform some of her age. Dancing was always my favourite passion and I was the
Picture by Jason Roberts
Sue Kelbrick catches up with Jennifer Ellison to find out what’s next for the Liverpool lass
World International Ballet champion when I was younger and studied dance from the age of three.” And despite her burgeoning stage and screen career, dancing remains Jennifer’s first love, something she is now looking to get involved with further. She is planning to open her own performing arts school in Liverpool, a project she talks about with great enthusiasm. “I want to be able to give something back to Liverpool. There’s some amazing talent here and it would be great to be able to give kids a chance they wouldn’t have
otherwise had to make a career out of dancing. “I am looking to take on a very handson role. This isn’t just something I’m putting my name to, I’m financing it myself so I’m massively committed to making a go of it.” And audiences in Liverpool can look forward to seeing more (literally!) of Jennifer later in the summer when she performs in the smash hit show, Calendar Girls. Reputedly the fastest selling tour ever and having completed a sell out tour of the West End, the show is coming to the Liverpool Empire for one week from September 27. As if a highly successful career as an actress, singer and dancer, wasn’t enough, in the last six months Jennifer also got married and had her first child. So how is the star finding motherhood? “I love it! I’m very lucky that I’m blessed with a good son. He is sleeping right through already and is an absolute darling. My husband is really good and I‘ve got a really good family support network. Bobby is the first grandchild on my side so he’s really special.” And with that, Jennifer kisses baby Bobby and skips off into rehearsals, clearly relishing the most important role of her life, being a mum.
JUNE 10
Thank you for the music Sue Kelbrick catches up with Craig Anthony-Kelly who is currently touring with the hit musical, Mamma Mia!
Craig, fourth from the left is loving his role in Mamma Mia!
MOST performers spend years going to audition after audition and even some of the most famous stars have been rejected at one time or another. But not so for one young rising star from Speke. Craig Anthony-Kelly is currently having the time of his life performing in the hit show, Mamma Mia! which is on at the Echo Arena until June 20. And despite this being one of the first auditions he ever went to, he remains incredibly grounded, saying that he is just grateful for the experience. He explains how he got his big break: “I always loved dancing and it remained a
hobby of mine throughout my time at university. (He completed three years of a business studies degree at JMU). Through no fault of my own, the company I was working for on my work placement had to let me go. “At the time I was travelling to dance classes in Manchester and it was my dance teacher who suggested I go for some auditions. I hadn’t really thought about it before but with no work on at the time, I thought I might as well have a go - I didn’t have anything to lose.” And the rest, as they say, is history. Craig secured an integral role in the ensemble in
Mamma Mia! taking on a male ‘swing’ part which means that he learnt several roles so that he can cover for other people at a moment’s notice. He has been on the road throughout Europe with the Mamma Mia! tour since December last year and with the tour set to continue until January, it is a gruelling schedule. However Craig remains enthusiastic saying: “It’s amazing to go to all these places I never would have gone to before. I’ve learnt so much since we’ve been on the road and I can’t wait to see where we go next.”
Having said that, Craig admits that he’s looking forward to spending some time in his home town. “I am so excited about being in Liverpool and catching up with all my family and friends. And the audiences are just brilliant here — it’s such a good feel good show. Everyone is encouraged to sing along and I don’t think there’s anywhere quite like Liverpool when it comes to performing!” And what is the first thing Craig is going to do when he arrives in Liverpool? “Give my mum all my dirty washing!” Look out Mrs Kelly - after six months on the road that’s going to be a lot of laundry...
ONES TO WATCH CHANTELLE TAGOE
MISERY GUTS
LOOK out for Chantelle Tagoe, the stunning fiancée of Aston Villa and England striker, Emile Heskey, on Celebrity Come Dine With Me this month. The Liverpool beauty is steadily carving a career for herself in the world of fashion and television. Having already secured a slot as one of the main presenters on Fashion TV — as well as hosting a number of premium charity fashion shows — Chantelle also recently appeared in the BBC series, WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams. Leaving behind her fiancé and two children, Chantelle travelled to this year’s World Cup host country to gain an understanding of the reality of daily life in some of the struggling South African communities. Upon her return, Chantelle organised and hosted a charity event with Harvey Nichols raising nearly £40,000. It will be interesting to see if the notoriously unflappable Chantelle — who was nicknamed ‘the Laid Back Lady’ by the production team in South Africa — will panic under the culinary pressure...
THIS up and coming Liverpool band received a rapturous reception at the recent launch of their five track EP, More Human than Human at Kazimier in Liverpool. With influences as diverse as Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, John Martin, Nick Drake and Fairport Convention, the four piece acoustic band have been compared to the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds and Fleet Foxes, which highlights their eclectic sound. The band never fail to thrill their live audiences and have already built quite a fan base in the city. With a number of festivals booked for the summer, their appeal looks set to spread further afield and big things are expected of the band. Watch this space.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC HAVING already built up a loyal following in Liverpool, Bernie Connor’s podcast The Sound of Music is set to go global with a DJ set at Glastonbury and various live shows coming up over the summer. Bernie prides himself on operating outside of the Liverpool music scene and his knowledge and love of all forms of music is both well known and widely loved in the city and beyond. Since taking to the digital airwaves last spring with The Sound of Music, the show has gone from what Bernie himself calls ‘a crackpot, mad idea’ to a much respected weekly event pulling in listeners from all seven continents. Commenting on the success of the show, Bernie says: “Pop music is a broad field, it covers pretty much all the music we listen to. The Sound of Music has no boundaries. If I like it, it’s in. It’s that simple.” Visit bernieworld.podomatic.com
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
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Things to do, places to see
JUNE 10
Emma Thompson checks her calendar to highlight what’s on in June
BY DAY
BY NIGHT
Africa Oyé
Train your brain
Sefton Park will come alive on June 19 and 20, from 12.30pm to 9.30pm, as the annual, free celebration of African music gets underway. Enjoy live performances plus over 40 stalls selling food, drink, arts and crafts plus fashion from Africa and beyond. As 2010 is the Year of Health and Well Being in Liverpool Oyé hopes to introduce the Health, Learning, and Participation Zone at this year’s festival, featuring: African and Caribbean workshops by Movema, Capoeira Brazilian martial arts performances and demonstrations, a mobile climbing wall and holistic therapies.
From June 18 you can train your brain in FACT's Exploratory Laboratory as part of the new Persistence of Vision exhibition, which invites audiences to test their memory, visual perception and mental agility. Enter the family-friendly space through a hall of mirrors and discover a series of fun experiments with interactive touch-screen games which give visitors an overall score to see how they measure up against others. Visitors to the city centre Wood Street venue can also see a rare display of Victorian optical toys. The collection, which belongs to acclaimed experimental film-maker Werner Nekes, includes zoetropes, thaumatropes and a camera obscura.
Footie for prizes Guys it's time to put your football skills to the test in the Metquarter's very own World Cup 2010 Table Football on June 11 and 12. Kicking off at 11am, this great event is in association with men's charity c.a.l.m, Juice FM and Creamfields. Prizes to be won are a £500 voucher by Kuoni for the holiday of your choice, Creamfields tickets, and lots of Metquarter goodies. Visit www.metquarter.com for details.
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
The Hobbit
Hale Carnival Hale village will be taken over by Vikings next weekend, June 12 and 13, as the spectacular, annual Hale Carnival gets underway. With over 300 Vikings descending on Hale Park, it promises to be an impressive reenactment of a Viking settlement. The Vikings will be erecting and living in their new village welcoming everyone to take part in their activities and workshops. There will be local music and dance groups, displays, an array of stalls, numerous fairground rides, dog shows and much more! Starting at 12pm, entry is just £2 (under 14 and OAPs - free). The carnival is in association with Zoe’s Place, with 50% of all programme profits donated to the charity. www.halevillageonline.co.uk for details.
WIN TICKETS FOR CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
The most fantasmagorical musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is taking to the Liverpool Empire's stage from June 29. With a cast, orchestra and crew of 100 (including 10 dogs), sensational sets and stunning special effects, this action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, and his two children Jeremy and Jemima, alongside Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, all try and outwit the dastardly Baron and the famously evil Childcatcher. We have two sets of family tickets to give away for June 29, simply answer the following question: Q: Who played inventor Caractacus Potts in the original 1968 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film Email your answer with your name and number to magazine@liverpool.com, with Chitty Bang in the subject box. Closing date for entries: June 11
The Empire stage will be spectacularly transformed from June 8-12 into Middle Earth for JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, a classic adventure of wizards, magic rings and a dragon’s treasure. Bilbo Baggins (played by Peter Howe who studied at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts), is a quiet and contented Hobbit, who has his life turned upside down when he’s chosen for a quest to reclaim the kingdom and treasure. Travel with them through the Misty Mountains, wind, rain, hail and thunderstorms narrowly escaping trolls, vicious goblins, avaricious wolves, and spiteful giant spiders. Tickets: £14.50-£23.50, call 0844 847 2525, visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or call into the Empire box office.
Fest Live As part of Liverpool based Tmesis Theatre’s annual ‘Physical Fest’ they’re hosting a Fest Live event at the Black-E on Great George Street, Saturday, June 12 from 7pm. Fest Live promises to be an exciting open platform performance night, there will be local dance company Taciturn opening the evening, followed by Airbourne Entertainment bringing their exciting blend of extreme martial art tricking, street acrobatics and free— running/parkour to Fest Live. Fest Live will host the highly successful annual, Fest Jam, a 30— minute non-stop live improvisation from the practitioners and participants from the festival. Tickets: £3.50-£5, call 0781 330 1517 or click www.tmesistheatre.com for details.
Directed by Christopher Morahan, who also directed the Caretaker, this enlightening, deeply moving and gloriously funny production is a story that has changed countless lives and remains as vivid and as relevant as when it was written almost a century ago. This new adaptation by Howard Brenton of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a story of a group of working men by Howard Brenton at teh Everyman from June 17 to July 10 are joined by Owen, a journeyman-prophet with a vision of a just society. It’s a masterpiece of wit and political passion, Tickets £10-£14, call 0151 709 4776, visit www.everyman playhouse.com
Haunted Liverpool Dramatic storytelling of Tales from Haunted Liverpool will transform St George’s concert room from June 18-20. Tom Slemen’s famous ‘Haunted Liverpool’ books are brought to life, now, volumes 5 and 6 in an atmospheric re-telling of his chilling tales. Performed by mother and daughter acting team Lynn Francis and Jamie Hampson, plus Brian Dodd and Stephen Fletcher. Performance times: 8pm and Saturday early evening at 4pm, £13-£11.50. Visit the Liverpool Echo Arena Box Office, call 0844 8000 400 or log on to www.echoarena.com. Visit www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk for details.
MUST DO MUST TRY... The Shipping Forecast, which is a new bar and music venue on Slater Street. This 850 capacity music venue and bar opened its doors in May and will bring together an eclectic array of Liverpool's creative best, as well as presenting an impressive roster of some of the UK’s most talked about new bands and edgy DJs. There's also plans for day, time record fairs and vintage clothing swaps, and to pub quizzes and tasty home-cooked food.
MUST HAVE... a relaxing 40minute Yellow Boat Cruise to experience Liverpool’s historic south docks. There’s an informative commentary throughout the cruise, to inspire and educate you whilst taking in the views of Liverpool. It’s £5 per person or £18 for a family. Or you could also enjoy the cruise plus a tasty lunch for £12 or the cruise plus a two-course evening meal for at Gusto for £17.50 . Call 0151 708 7799 or log on to www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk for details.
MUST REMEMBER... to visit Calidad Events' art, craft and design fair on June 5 in Childwall (Childwall School) and June 26 on Lark Lane (old police station) from 11am to 4pm. There will be a wide range of original work for sale including jewellery, textiles, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, papercraft, art (originals and limited editions), fashion accessories and lots more! Admission's free to both monthly fairs and there's parking by Sefton Park and onsite at Childwall. Visit www.calidadevents.co.uk for details.
MUST SEE.... the fun family concert, the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, at the Philharmonic Hall on June 13 at 2.30pm. Enjoy Wonderland with Mad Hatter, Alasdair Malloy, and the RLPO. There's music to conjure up Lewis Carroll’s classic characters including Alice, the Cheshire Cat and all manner of surprises. Dress as your favourite character or wear your maddest hat. Most suitable for children 4 to 10 — fidgeting is allowed! www.liverpoolphil.com for details; tickets £7-£12 or £5 for children.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 19
Homes & gardens
Maximise your outdoor assets Katie McLoughlin shows you how to make the most of out what you’ve got in your garden
All photos courtesy of Plant design
20
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
IN Liverpool, there are thousands of terrace houses – many of which have limited outdoor space. So with Barbecue season rapidly approaching, I was keen to find out what can be done with a back yard. According to John Leonard, director of local landscape design and build firm, Plant Design, there’s a lot you can do with a small garden or yard — the key is to use clever design to maximise the sense of space, transform the feel of the garden and give the space a purpose. John, who has more than 20 years’ experience, says: “We’re based in Wavertree, where there are a lot of terrace houses with small back yards. Rather than moving, people are staying put at the moment, so they want to make the best of what they’ve got and maximise their outdoor space to add value.” To create the perception of more space in small gardens, John uses lighting, mirrors and other reflective surfaces like copper, and a technique known as ‘borrowed landscape,’ which creates the illusion that a landscape beyond, like a nearby forest or park, is part of your garden through the use of portals and clever design. The style and type of paving you choose makes a difference too. John explains: “Laying paving at a 45-degree angle can make small gardens feel bigger. Referencing the inside of the house in the garden also helps. In a house with a tiled floor leading to the garden, for example, I would use Travertine stone from Turkey to give the perception of more space.” He continues: “We match the style of the client’s house and existing plants to the design scheme too. In a house we did in Thingwall recently, they had a lot of bamboo
already in their garden, so we did a Japanese-style garden and installed a dragon pergoda to enhance the feel of the space – the client was really overjoyed with it.” It’s crucial to use every inch of small gardens efficiently, so John recommends fitting timber trellises to add a sense of height and provide space-effective planting for climbers. To create hidden storage and transform how you use the area, try building fixed seating in the corner of your garden that gets the evening sun; and to give your garden a nice energy choose natural products like timber, granite spheres and slate chippings. If noise pollution is an issue, incorporating a water feature can be beneficial. “In a house we did in Sefton Park recently, we used a water feature to help cover up the noise from trains on the nearby railway,” explains John. For more advice contact John on 0151 722 2700, log onto www.plantdesign.info or visit Plant Design, 109 Woolton Road, Liverpool, L15 6TB.
JUNE 10
Gardeners’ goodies
5 fast fixes
IF YOU fancy growing your own herbs and vegetables but still want your garden to enjoy a touch of style, don't worry there's a tasty selection available:
These quick fixes are ideal for cheating your way to a gorgeous garden in a flash: IF YOUR garden is looking decidedly dull, get yourself down to a garden centre and pick up some bedding plants pronto. From petunias to pansies, begonias, dahlias and dizzy lizzies, these little gems are a quick and easy way to add colour to any garden.
1
Raised vegetable and herb bed, £44, from Woolworths.co.uk Haxnicks strawberry and herb patio planter, two pack, lilac £9.98, from B&Q
MOST garden centres now sell ready-prepared hanging baskets — great for those who want instant flowers without having to plant them! Just don’t forget to water them!
2
Tool and tuck box, £24, from All Up and On Celia Birtwell designed garden tool set, £19.95, from Berry Red
Bulbs and seeds tin, £16.99, from The Contemporary Home
Frivolously fun garden ideas
EVEN those with just a balcony or a yard can create a focal point with pretty pots and planters. Set of three rattan planters, £159, from www.livingitup.co.uk
3
Inject a bit of fun into your outside space with these quirky garden products: ■ WHO needs a shed to potter in when you can have an Archipod? This uber-contemporary garden room, which was unveiled at this year’s Grand Designs Live London, has all of the modern comforts of a compact office like electric heating, power sockets, data outlets, spotlights, concealed background lighting and more. Prices start at £12,000, visit www.archipod.co.uk for info.
■ FEED the birds in style with this bungee-diving bird feeder, £7.50, from www.totallyfunky.com.
BANISH bare patches on your lawn with specialist products, like Miracle-Gro Patch Magic, which promises to transform lacklustre grass and dry, brown patches into a lush lawn in a matter of weeks. Picture courtesy Miracle-Gro
4
■ THIS quirky gnome is perfect for adding a touch of footy-themed fun to your garden this summer. £9.98 from B&Q (www.diy.com) ■ THE ideal size for potted herbs, these cute metal fun pots are £24.98 from B&Q (www.diy.com) ■ Add a touch of retro
ACCESSORIES make a world of difference, so don’t forget to add those all important finishing touches, like striking outdoor cushions and vibrant tealight holders, to instantly brighten up your garden. Bright patterned cushions with pots from £14.99 at www.homesense.com
5
■ AS EVERY avid footy fan will know, luck plays a big part in World Cup success. So if you’re a superstitious type and want to give England’s fortunes a boost, why not grow your own lucky four leaf clover with this kit from Ethicalsuperstore.com? Priced at £4.95, it includes seeds, a compost pellet, a terracotta pot and instructions.
Dining Sets, Leather & Fabric Sofas, Beds, Accessories
SPECIAL OFFERS INSTORE EXTENDED SALE DUE TO DEMAND! Beds from £69! Coffee tables from £49 . . . plus lots, lots more – some ex-displays to clear
www.relax-in-style.co.uk
NEW MODEL! CAMPARIE Group Suite was £1299 NOW £999! Available in 3 colours
2 DRAWER Semi-orthpaedic Divan Set Available in 4ft, 4ft6in or Kingsize Was £299 NOW £199!
TABLE AND SIX CHAIRS was £699 NOW £499! Available in Black or White
213-217 Walton Road (next to Argos, opp McDonalds) Open: Sat 10-5pm • Sun 12-4pm • Mon-Fri 10-5pm
Tel: 0151 207 7288 BEST OF LIVERPOOL
15
Food and drink
WIN
JUNE 10
A MEAL FOR TWO AT 3345
3345 is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a meal for two. To be in with a chance of winning, name the street that 3345 is on? Send your answer along with your name and daytime telephone number to magazine@liverpool.com. Deadline for entries: Friday June 11
GHOULS MEAL DEAL
SHIVERPOOL, Liverpool’s notoriously mischievous ghost walks, are offering 20 free tickets for their new Ghouls and Gourmet Meal Deal. This scrumptious offer is run in association with Il Forno, and Sapporo Teppanyaki. A spooksperson said: “Your tour guide will walk you through our magnificent Hope Street Tour, introducing you to the city’s most famous landmarks, whilst divulging Liverpool’s grisly and sinister history. After this unforgettable appetiser your guide will escort you directly to your chosen restaurant”. The Tour and Meal Deal includes a full Hope Street Shivers Tour plus two course meal with a glass of house wine or soft drink. The full package costs £29.50 per person, with discounts available for group bookings. To book your tickets, visit www.shiverpool.co.uk. This offer must be redeemed within a two month period beginning form date of entry.
WIN
To WIN your place for this dangerously devilish offer, all you have to do is answer the following question: Q) Which male actor too teh lead in the film Ghost? Email your answer to magazine@liverpool.com stating your name and daytime telephone number. Deadline: Thursday, June 10
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Hitting the right note Katie McLoughlin sounds out the menu at 3345 HOUSED within the famous Parr Street Studios, where the likes of Coldplay, Echo & the Bunnymen and Take That have recorded, it’s easy to see why 3345 is a popular haunt with the city’s creative types. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the décor trendy but relaxed and the menu offers generous portions of gourmet meals at great value prices. In short it’s the perfect place for the boyfriend and I to enjoy a tasty mid-week treat after work. As we sink into the deep red comfy chairs and chat to chef, Carl Finning, it’s easy to see where the venue’s laid back vibe comes from. Warm, bubbly and genuinely friendly, it’s hard not to like him. His personable nature has obviously rubbed off on 3345’s ambience and I challenge anyone not to be impressed by the list of famous faces he’s fed over the years. Carl worked for previous owners of the Parr Street building, The Genesis Pension Fund, for 10 years before he and Thomas Lang bought 3345 in June 2001. And in 2007, Thomas along with business partners, Steve Mac and Gary Miller, bought the whole of the Parr Street building from Genesis. Carl, who started his culinary career at The Elephant in Woolton, says: “In the last 18 years I’ve cooked for people like Doves, Sasha, Robbie Williams, the Spice Girls, Skunk Anansie and De La Soul. Because the Masque is only round the corner, they all used to come here for something to eat before they were on at Chibuku. It’s quite interesting cooking for celebs - some of them are quite specific with their dietary requirements.” The menu features a good mix of Mediterranean and Asian influences and
changes regularly, as Carl explains: “If there’s any bands in, we cater for them so the menu changes accordingly.” You’d think that someone who often cooks for some of the biggest names in music would charge a small fortune for their culinary delights, but au contraire, at 3345 you’ll be hard pushed to find a main meal much more than the £10 mark. Soups, sandwiches, sides and desserts meanwhile are equally good value. To start, I had classic French onion soup, which came with an Emmental cheese crouton and fresh thyme garnish (£4). Whilst Craig opted for tomato soup topped with a generous goat’s cheese crouton and fresh thyme garnish (£4). The rich creaminess of the goat’s cheese perfectly complemented the sweet tang of the homemade tomato soup, which was bursting with freshness. Both soups were delicious and, with so much flavour packed into just a bowl of soup, it’s understandable why Carl is a firm believer in the benefits of using local produce. “I source all of my ingredients locally,” he says; “My main source of ingredients used to be the veg market on Bold Street; it’s a real shame that it’s closed. I use another local company for all of my ingredients now and I use Matta’s on Bold Street for all of my spices - I’d be lost without them.” The service was efficient and friendly, and, when the time came for our mains, both the boyfriend and I had dinner envy! I lustfully eyed up his jerk chicken with jallof rice and curry sauce (£7.50), while he kept sneakily sampling my smoked haddock fishcakes with salad (£7).
Served in a hearty but not over-facing portion, the jerk chicken was moist and beautifully flavoured with Caribbean spices. With just the right level of heat, the spices were expertly blended and the overall dish was so moreish, craig conveniently forgot to give me a taste and happily scoffed the lot! The freshly-made smoked haddock fishcakes were equally tasty and the two ample fish-cakes were served with green beans in a deliciously tangy, cider vinegar and mustard sauce and one of the best side salads I’ve ever had. Packed with flavour, it featured grated raw carrot and fresh coriander, baby vine tomatoes, red pepper, chickpeas, sesame seeds and onion. After a lovely meal, Craig and I declined desserts, and left 3345 contently full and with a new favourite place to enjoy mouthwatering meals without breaking the bank. 3345 is open 12noon-7pm, visit 3345 Parr Street, Liverpool, L1 4JN, call 0151 708 6343 or log onto www.3345parrst.com.
Food and drink
JUNE 10
ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET WITH OVER 70 DISHES We do not accept cheques Children under 4.5ft eat for HALF PRICE OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR
TSO’s is ideally located on Queens Square, next to The Marriott Hotel TSO’s Restaurant is The Best Choice For Christmas, Family Parties, Work Do’s, New Year Celebrations Or Even Just A Quick Bite Most Popular Chinese Oriental Buffet Restaurant in Liverpool
TREAT YOUR FAMILY ON A SUNDAY FOR £21 (2 adults & 2 children under 4 yrs)
A free bottle of bubbly for all Hen & Stag parties
OUTSIDE CATERING AVAILABLE from £4.50pp
BOOK NOW FOR FATHERS DAY FREE BOTTLE OF BUBBLY WITH EVERY HEN & STAG PARTY
Children under 4.5ft eat half price 10% OFF for Students & OAPs 4 Queens Square, Liverpool L1 1HF T: 0151 709 2811
Oriental Buffet Restaurant
BEST VALUE IN LIVERPOOL
Oriental Buffet & Korean Fondue Restaurant 7 DAYS A WEEK Eat as much as you like . . . 365 DAYS A YEAR
Now serving Special Hot Pot Fondue Buffet; only £12.99 including all you can eat buffet (children halfprice)
Lunch Buffet 11.30am - 5.30pm £5.95 Grand Buffet 5.30pm - 11.30pm £6.95 Children’s Buffet (Below 4.5 ft tall) £3.99
UNLIMITED SOFT DRINK AVAILABLE During December 50p surcharge on Grand Buffet only
We will be showing all of the World Cup matches on our big screens. You can also hold your own world cup party in your own separate area
NO PRICE INCREASE FOR BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
77 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4EZ (2 mins walk from Chinatown)
0151 707 2929
Open: MON-SAT 5pm-10.30pm SUN 12 noon-9pm
EARLY BIRD MENU 2 Course
£12.95
s only Monday and Tuesda y All Night Wed-Fri 5pm-7pm; Sun 12-6pm
Private Parties & Functions are welcome
www.laparrillarestaurant.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 0310 36 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 5PQ
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 23
Food & Drink
Perfect picnics Sarah Hooley comes over all Darling Buds of May and celebrates the great British picnic
Fabulous frittata
Picture by Andrew Teebay
WITH the International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park just weeks away and my picnic basket ready and waiting, I caught up with Saul O'Reilly from Delifonseca to get his ultimate summer picnic recipe. A talented chef, Saul has been working his creative magic in the award-winning deli since its opening in 2006 and believes that frittatas are the perfect picnic treat. He says: "Not only are they simple to make, but there are so many ingredients to use that anyone can get creative and adapt it to their tastes. Plus it also travels well and looks and tastes like a little bit of Mediterraean Sun!" Chef Saul O'Reilly from Delifonseca
Ingredients (serves 6) ● Olive oil ● 600g new potatoes (Jersey Royals if available) ● 1 small onion (diced) ● 8 free range eggs ● 75ml of milk or cream (depending on your taste) ● 1 round or square baking tin at least 5cm deep and approximately 20cm wide
Ingredients for spinach, squash and Taleggio filling (v) ● 1/2 Pkt baby leaf spinach ● 1/2 butternut squash (diced small) ● 150g Taleggio cheese ● Oregano dried ● Small bunch basil
Method ● Cut the potatoes into quarters, place in a pan of salted water and bring to the boil, then drain. ● Mix the diced onion with the potatoes, coat with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. ● Put the onion/potato mix and butter squash into the baking tin and add a good sprinkle of dried oregano. ● Mix the eggs and cream together and season with salt and pepper. ● Pour over the potatoes then push the spinach leaves into the mixture along with the Taleggio (either cut into small dice or torn roughly). Finally scatter over the basil leaves. ● Place in a medium-high oven for approx 15-20 mins until the potatoes have browned and crisped nicely Frittatas are incredibley versatile and other fillings recommended by Delifonseca, include: smoked salmon, lemon and dill; and cheshire smokehouse sausage and sun blush tomato.
WINE-DERFUL One of our favourite British summer time traditions, no picnic is complete without a refreshing bottle of vino so we caught up with wine buff, Ian Clarke, at The Purple Wine Company to get his top tips on picking the perfect bottle.... What are the perfect picnic wines? Ian advises: "Lively fruity wines are always a great option, such as Cabernet Gris Rosé 2009, Coteaux de l’Ardeche £6.39, which is packed with jammy, strawberry and raspberry flavours and a fresh, crisp and dry finish. "The beauty of this type of rosé is that it is SANDWICHES? Check. Pork pies? Check. Lovely bottle of refreshing wine? Check check check!
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Cabernet Gris Rosé 2009, Coteaux de l’Ardeche £6.39 from The Purple Wine Company
very versatile and will marry well with most picnic foods. "Alternatively if you prefer a white wine, try a delicious and fresh Sauvignon Blanc (Estampilla Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Central Valley, Chile £5.77), with classic citrus fruits and fresh crispness on the finish. "Or red wine lovers may want to opt for a light and fruity Beaujolais Village 2008 by Roland Bouchacourt, £7.82. This wine is tailor-made for outdoor drinking and the rustic red berry fruit flavours immediately have you craving for French bread, pâté and cheese. "On the other hand, a romantic picnic under the stars would have to be accompanied by some fizz. Champagne is the most romantic of wines but obviously expensive. There are however some excellent sparkling wines from around the world and a Prosecco from Italy or Cava from Spain would be equally enjoyable and not break the bank. Why not try Saniger Vintage Brut Cava, Penedes Spain, £8.99?
JUNE 10
Hot spots
Picnic in style IF, like us, you grew up cringing with the shame each time your mum brought out her 'good' carrier bag to transport your family picnic, fear no more! Today's gorgeous picnic sets are so stylish that you'll be using them inside as well as out....
Butter those crusty baps, grab your picnic blanket and bag one of Liverpool's best picnic spots to enjoy al fresco dining at its best....
Four person picnic hamper, £45, from Next
Sefton Park With a beautiful lake and Grade II listed Palm House, it's little surprise that Sefton Park is a honeypot for picnicers in summer months. The rolling grassland, woodland and trees stretch for over 200 acres and with a smattering of picnic tables and leafy nooks and crannies you'll never fail to find the perfect spot. Toilet facilities are also available in the park and there are two cafes to top up your hamper.
Two person wine caddy, £15, from Bhs
Stanley Park
Croxteth Hall & Country Park Whether you fancy a gentle country stroll or action packed day out with the kids, Croxteth Hall & Country Park is perfect for picnics. The elegant Victorian walled garden and manicured lawns are ideal for stretching out a picnic rug, plus there's toilets, a cafe and series of tables dotted around the park. Just in case this wasn't enough, Croxteth Hall also has an adventure playground, farm, Jungle Parc, horse riding and of the course the magnificent hall itself.
Step back in time with a picnic at the beautiful Stanley Park. A charming setting for any summer's day, the Grade II listed park recently underwent a £25m regeneration and has once again become a hot spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Explore the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, lakes and new wildlife habitats or simply watch the world go by on one of its many landscaped lawns.
Blue polka dot two person backpack picnic set, £27.99, The Gifted Penguin
Four person white washed wicker picnic set, £59.99, from www.strawberryfool.com
Otterspool Park & Promenade Less than 15 minutes from the city centre, Otterspool Park and Promenade enjoys a peaceful location on the banks of the Mersey and is already a firm favourite for families. A number of picnic tables are scattered around on either side of the children's Green Flag award-winning park, plus there's ample space on the rolling grass for mums and dads to sit back and relax while the kids run riot.
What are the best ways to store wine on a picnic? Ian says: "When transporting and storing your wine there are a few tips to ensure that you enjoy it at its best. "Cool bags are great and will keep your white and rose wines chilled and relatively safe while carrying. Or if you don't have a cool bag and you want to keep your wine cold, why not chill the wine at home then decant into a thermos flask before you leave for your picnic? "Be careful not to leave your bottle in direct sunlight though as it will swiftly warm the wine. This is just as important with your red wines because if they get too warm they develop a cooked fruit taste which is quite unpleasant. "Most importantly don’t forget your corkscrew and make sure you keep the cork as you will need it to fend off those pesky wasps and flies!"
For more information visit The Purple Wine Company at www.purplewine.co.uk
Quilted Sylvia thermo bag, £46.50, from Berry Red
Blue acrylic carved wine glass, £5.99, from The Contemporary Home
Saniger Vintage Brut Cava, Penedes Spain, £8.99 from The Purple Wine Company
Special Offer!
Melamine striped picnicware, starting from £1.98, at B&Q
The Purple Wine Company is kindly offering Best of Liverpool readers a 12.5% discount off all wines from its website – perfect for those upcoming picnics! Just visit www.purplewine.co.uk and enter the special discount code, PICNIC01, at the checkout. The offer is valid until June 30 2010 and cannot be used in conjunction with any wines on special offer.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 25
FIFA World Cup 2010
JUNE 10
World Cup wonderland Paul Baker checks out some of the hottest venues Liverpool has to offer for your fix of this month’s World Cup action. THE atmosphere is electric, you’ve got a great view, a cool drink to hand and a plate of nibbles before you. Oh yeah, and your team is 4-0 up! When it comes to watching live football with your mates, the next best thing to having a ticket and a prime row seat is finding the perfect venue that’s showing it. As a city of football fanatics, it’s not hard to find a place to watch every kick of the ball. So Best of Liverpool thought it wise to tell you about some of the top local venues that can aid your World Cup watching pleasure.
PANAM AND BLUE
REFORM
To enjoy watching the World Cup in all its glory you need massive screens, great atmosphere, and attractive surroundings. At both Blue and PanAm at the city’s Albert Dock you can kick back in the quayside bars and toast your nation’s success! You can reserve a private viewing area to watch with your mates or colleagues and there will be football themed menus and drink offers available throughout the World Cup. The Albert Dock, L3 4AE, 0151 702 5840
Reform Bar & Restaurant on Victoria Street is offering all football fans the chance to watch the World Cup in style this summer. If you want to unwind with colleagues or friends after work, book a booth at £20 per head. You'll get drinks on arrival, comfortable and opulent surroundings and half-time nibbles from the award winning chefs. Booths are available for four, six and 10 people. Many are already sold out but there are still a few available in this exclusive venue. 25 Victoria Street, L1 6BD, 0151 258 1800
MALMAISON If you want to organise for you and your workmates to watch the World Cup together in a more luxurious location, Malmaison has superslinky private events rooms with large screen televisions, drinks and some great food options too. Order some munchies or a full three-course meal per person, plus buckets of beers and cocktails all round! There are also offers available if you want to watch from the comfort of your own room (or if you want to avoid the World Cup altogether, heaven forbid). 7 William Jessop Way, L3 1QZ, 0151 229 5000
3345 One of the coolest hang outs in town, 3345 is certainly a place to be seen. And, during June, it’s also a place to see the football, with every game showing live in the bar. That’s already pretty cool then, but at 3345 you can turn your World Cup watching into a full blown night out with the prospect of live music four nights a week and a sensational summer menu to get your teeth into! 33-45 Parr Street, L1 4JN, 0151 708 6345
THE VICTORIA
Picture by Yui Mok
Situated at Aigburth Vale in the heart of South Liverpool, The Victoria is well known in the local area as a hotspot for football fans eager to watch live games. Apart from the 11 screens guaranteeing an excellent view of the beautiful game, this spacious pub also boasts a fantastic match-day menu, a great range of beers and wines, a beer garden and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. 1 Victoria Road, Aigburth, L17 0DL, 0151 727 2229
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
CAFE SPORTS ENGLAND With Liverpool’s very own Jamie Carragher set to appear in South Africa as part of the England squad this month, where better to watch the boys in action than in Jamie’s very own bar? There’s great food and drink available and its family friendly too. Don’t worry about missing any of the footie action, either; plasma screen televisions absolutely litter the walls. The main venue is on Stanley Street, but there is now a Cafe Sports Express in Liverpool One too. 42-44 Stanley Street, L1 6AL, 0151 239 5070; 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool One, L1 8LW, 0151 706 7440
Liverpool and England’s Steven Gerrard
THE ABBEY
FOOTBALL FEVER As the World Cup coincides with the start of the summer barbeque season, here are some fun products to help create some football fever in your own back garden this June... Football BBQ, £20 from Tesco
BAA BAR With venues on Fleet Street and now Myrtle Street too, Baa Bar remains as popular and lively a venue as ever. A fun and vibrant place to check out the hottest World Cup fixtures, Baa Bar is even offering a free shooter for every goal scored! Surely a reason to cheer on all the other teams in the tournament! The Fleet Street venue has two floors with an outside courtyard. Myrtle Street has a downstairs bar area with bench and table seating and an upstairs clubroom. There’s a Wokit noodle bar there too in case you get peckish. 43-45 Fleet Street, L1 4AN, 0151 708 8673; 7 Myrtle Street, L7 7DN, 0151 709 7966
3 Lions Cufflinks £16.95 from GettingPersonal.co.uk
Five piece barbeque utensils £24.95 from Prezzybox
Three miniature England themed bath ducks, £9.99 from Totally Funky
England Garden Gazebo, £14.98 from B&Q
NEWZ BRASSERIE Newz on Water Street has been designated Radio City’s official World Cup bar! All the England games will be shown on large projector screens and plasma TVs, and of course the Radio City crew and presenters will be there too. Enjoy drinks in this great atmosphere or book a booth for the night and enjoy World Cup platters to share and buckets of beer. 18 Water Street, L2 8TD, 0151 236 2025
Right in the heart of the city centre, on Hanover Street, The Abbey is a bustling haunt, guaranteeing a great atmosphere in which to watch the football. Perfect for World Cup watching, you can book a table for after work, then sit back and enjoy the sport on the bar’s three big screens and six plasmas, or just relax with family and friends enjoying the fabulous food and drink offers. For a private World Cup party, why not hire out The Season of ‘86 suite? It can seat 40 and has its own big screen and two large plasmas, perfect for the football. Crane Buildings, 85/89 Hanover Street, L1 3DZ, 0151 708 5688
Mini Football Set, £14.96 Drinkstuff Magic Football Boxer Shorts, £7.95 from Prezzybox
Inflatable Beer Bucket, £9.95 from Prezzybox
Football Inflatable Chair, £4.98 from B&Q
Heading over to ... Aintree
JUNE 10
Vertical • Roller • Venetian • Roman • Velux • Rigid PVC • Bespoke • Awnings M A N H A T TA N B L I N D S
3m x 2.5m electric from
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Family Run Business All Styles manufactured & fitted Free measuring Free Estimate Free Fitting Fully Guaranteed
2.5m x 2m manual from
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Quality Fabrics Stylish new designs for summer Blinds to suit all budgets Commercial & Contracts Blinds Bespoke
Looking for inspiration?
Tel: 0151 525 1166 day Tel: 0151 548 5052 eve
Why not call into our showroom
www.manhattanblindsltd.co.uk
121 Brookfield Drive, Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AJ
Unique picture blinds using your own photograph or digital image
Fireplace Warehouse
CONTACT US ON 0151 524 0322 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.FIREPLACEWAREHOUSEONLINE.CO.UK The largest exclusive range of Broseley, Dru, Kinder, Verine, Wonderfire on display in our 6000 sq ft Showroom Full Gas Safe Installation Service available Large Car Park
Showroom: 34 LONG LANE, AINTREE, LIVERPOOL L9 7DB 0151 524 0322 • FREE PARKING
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY 9-5PM; TUESDAY 9-6PM; WEDNESDAY 9-6PM; THURSDAY 9-6PM; FRIDAY 9-5PM; SATURDAY 10-5PM
Liver Bed Warehouse 100’s of beds on display at our showroom, all top names stocked
TEL: 0151 286 7272 4’6 Luxury Demask Divan
9” Deep quilted matt WAS £249.99
NOW ONLY
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5’ Pocket Sprung Divan
with 2 drawers WAS £599.99
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4’6 Faux Leather Frame with 9” deep luxury Damask matt WAS £349.99
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3’ Silver Frame
with 9” deep matt 3’ quilt & pillow & matt protector WAS £169.99
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4’6 Memory Foam Divan with 4 jumbo drawers WAS £599.99
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Unit L2 & L3, Liver Ind Estate, Long Lane, Aintree (Behind Taskers)
www.liverbeds.co.uk Open 7 days a Week
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
27
Heading over to…
JUNE 10
HIDDEN GEMS FUNKY SHAKE BAR On a hot summer’s day, what better way to chill out than with a cool and refreshing milkshake? Lucky then that the Funky Shake Bar has opened up in The Albert Dock. There are loads of gorgeous frothy flavours to try, like passion fruit, almond and cinnamon, along with all the old favourites. They are made with semi-skimmed milk and vanilla ice cream and there are even dairyfree milkshakes available. Open seven days a week, 10am-6pm, Funky shake also sells a range of sandwiches, paninis, hand-made ice cream and cold drinks. 2a The Colonnades, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AA
THE BUG WORLD EXPERIENCE A new attraction to The Albert Dock, Bug World is the first of its kind in the UK. Taking a look at the world through a bug’s eyes you’ll be guided through simulated environments from a rainforest to the everyday British home and see the bugs that inhabit them. Get the chance to handle the giant hissing cockroach, or sample insect food delicacies from around the world, including chilli locusts, meal worm pancakes and oven baked tarantula! Don’t miss the preying mantis, death stalker scorpion and giant centipede. Grand Hall, The Colonnades, 0151 708 4938
VINEA Meaning vineyard in Latin, Vinea is part wine bar, part shop and part delicatessen. A true gem of the Albert Dock, this is a little paradise for wine lovers to sample and buy fine wines of the world. The wines at Vinea are from small vineyards, and not commercially available. Buy your wine to take home, or pay a corkage charge and enjoy it on the premises. The deli shop offers a choice of speciality cheeses, meats and breads, along with award-winning olives, sauces, oils and chocolates. There are wine tasting events on too. See the website for details: www.vinealiverpool.co.uk. Unit B7, Britannia Pavilion, 0151 707 8962
On the waterfront With more than a splash of history, culture, shopping and socialising around every corner, Paul Baker decides to rediscover the Albert Dock THE Dock has long been known to locals and tourists alike as a picturesque riverside retreat, offering a fine blend of cafe culture, commerce and cultural cache. Its covered dockside walkways are both a welcome retreat from summer showers and a shaded spot to enjoy a long drink on a warm day. But the Albert Dock wasn’t always a hub of bars, shops and galleries. Its huge interlinked brick buildings were once vast warehouses storing the valuable cargo entering the port of Liverpool. If you could have explored these beautiful red brick storehouses in their prime you would have marvelled at all the brandy, tea, sugar, silk, cotton, ivory and tobacco resting there. The Albert Dock was opened in 1846 and was the first structure in Britain to be constructed using cast iron, brick and stone, without any use of wood. This meant that Liverpool had the first warehouse system in the world that would survive a fire. For a long time the future of these magnificent buildings – the largest
collection of Grade I listed buildings in the whole of the UK – was in doubt, until the Merseyside Development Corporation began redeveloping the city dock complex in 1981. In 1988 the Albert Dock, as we know it today, was re-opened to a fanfare providing one of the first major steps of the redevelopment that has brought the great changes to the city. Many businesses opted to move into the prestigious new Albert Dock complex. Tate Liverpool was one such, it being a real coup for the city to host the national collection of modern art for the north of England. Other cultural draws included the Merseyside Maritime Museum and The Beatles Story, all still attracting huge numbers of visitors every year. Granada Television made their home in the former Dock Office for many years, while most high profile of all the Albert Dock’s residents were Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, whose This Morning television programme broadcast each week day from the Dock until 1996, and weather man Fred Talbot would present his report from a floating
map, moored in the dock outside. Today the Albert Dock still thrives and draws huge amounts of visitors every year. Little wonder, thanks to its blend of cultural spots, unique shops and boutiques. And there’s certainly no shortage of options when it comes to fine dining and cool bars, with the likes of Ha Ha Bar & Grill, Circo, Spice Lounge and now a Revolution vodka bar, all set within this attractive waterside area. The Dock is also a great place to live and work with many apartments and offices located within the listed warehouse complex. The addition to the local landscape of the ECHO Arena, the new look Pier Head, the Leeds/Liverpool canal link and the imminent completion of the Mann Island site are all helping to attract more visitors to the Albert Dock, maintaining the popularity of this historic and cultural site for many years to come. Not to mention attractions such as the Yellow Duckmarine tours of the dock, the Shiverpool Ghost walks, the Echo Wheel of Liverpool and the Picasso exhibition at the Tate.
GOING ONBOARD the Mersey Ferry in association with
For travel information call 0871 200 2233 or visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk
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Seacombe
Woodside
Pier Head
Spaceport is a visitor attraction which takes you on an journey through space, via several themed galleries featuring lots of interactive hands-on exhibits and audio visual experiences. Don’t miss the fabulous Wallace & Gromit in Space exhibition, complete with cracking interactive contraptions, Wallace’s workshop and sets from the award-winning films. Then design your own alien and invent the next zero gravity gadget! Spaceport is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am – 6pm (last admission 4.30pm).
The U-Boat Story offers visitors the chance to see what life was like onboard a real German World War II submarine, U-534. See into the cross-sectioned submarine and discover its amazing story. Hear interviews with the crew who served on her and gain an insight into life on board. You can even decode an Enigma message, identify ships and marine animals by sound and control a model submarine. U-boat Story is open every day from 10.30am – 5.30pm (last admission 5pm).
Located in the heart of Liverpool at the historic Albert Dock and with a second site at the Pier Head in the new Mersey Ferries building, the award winning Beatles Story is an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of the Beatles. This magical mystery tour shows how four lads from Liverpool were propelled to dizzy heights of worldwide fame and fortune. It’s open seven days a week, 9am – 7pm (last admission 5pm).
Best of the Albert Dock
JUNE 10
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FOOTIE FEVER
Top watering holes for catching the World Cup action
ANYONE FOR TENNIS? How to look the part at Calderstones
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CAMPING COOL
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Make a date with Liverpool lovely Jennif er Ellison
Brave the great outdoors with style
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Travel TENT PEGS
Two man starter tent, two sleeping bags and two foam mats, £29.98 from B&Q
Camping chair, £9 www.woolworths.co.uk
Carry on camping
Wind-up camping lantern, £19 from www.woolworths.co.uk
Sue Kelbrick goes back to nature with a family camping holiday . S press trips go, it wasn’t exactly the holiday of a lifetime, but when my editor suggested a camping weekend in the country, I was determined to make the best of it. How hard could it be anyway? Being a complete camping novice, I thought I’d best do my homework and get some expert advice. Kelly Merry, B&Q’s buyer of camping, was happy to help and kitted me out with a fabulous four-man tent (what luxury, when there were only three of us!) and all the gear that I would need to go with it including sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, camping chairs and cooking equipment. The DIY store has just launched a brand new range of camping gear which offers great value for money and Kelly reckons that camping is THE thing to do this year especially with the credit crunch and ongoing uncertainty about flying due to the volcanic ash cloud. She says: “Camping is not only great
A
A home from home
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value, it offers a real opportunity for spontaneity and escape. When the sun is out, you can pack up your camping kit and head off to enjoy the weather which makes holidaying under canvas the perfect choice for the great British summer particularly with the festival season just around the corner.” So with some trepidation, me, my boyfriend and our two and a half-year-old daughter, Lauren, packed up the car and set off for Red Bank Farm near Morecambe in Lancashire. We’d heard good reports of the camping facilities at this working farm and Lauren was already incredibly excited about her ‘camp-it’ trip and the prospect of meeting all the animals on the farm. And she wasn’t disappointed. We received a friendly greeting from the farm owner who told us to find a spot we were happy with to pitch our tent. Never having put up a tent before we were pleasantly surprised that within half an hour we had the tent up and the
Six piece anodised aluminium cookset, £16.98 from B&Q.
Camping?. it’s a doddle!
air beds blown up and ready to go. This camping malarkey was surprisingly easy so far! I even managed to get our camping stove lit and within an hour we were sitting in our camping chairs, supping a cup of tea and admiring the incredible views over the fields and to the sea beyond. We didn’t want to attempt too much too soon so thought that we should check out the local pub – in the interests of research of course. It was a bit of a walk into the village of Bolton-le-Sands but we were able to work up a healthy appetite before we stumbled across The Royal Hotel where we enjoyed a hearty meal and a few well-earned drinks. Walking back to the campsite we became aware of the wind gaining momentum and by the time we’d got back to our tent, the rain was lashing down and the tent was taking quite a battering. Being so near to the coast didn’t seem such a good idea now... We both had a fitful night’s sleep kept awake by the howling wind and worrying that the tent was going to blow away at any moment but it proved to be made of sterner stuff and stood its ground admirably. Thankfully, Lauren was completely oblivious to the raging
Slanket, oversized fleecy blanket, £24.99 from www.findmeagift.com
winds and slept soundly through it all. Due in part to the windy conditions, and in part to sheer laziness, we decided to cheat and had breakfast in Archer’s Cafe, which is on the campsite and uses fresh ingredients from the farm. The decor is rustic and the ambience warm and welcoming with a roaring fire in the corner helping to warm us up after our cold night under canvas. The menu was delicious with a wide range of dishes available including breakfasts, homemade soups, organic lamb burgers using the farm’s own salt marsh lamb and the local delicacy, Morecambe Bay potted shrimps. Feeling suitably invigorated by our breakfast, we headed into Morecambe and enjoyed a stroll along the front and we even made sandcastles on the beach, albeit with a Force 10 gale behind us, but being suitably British we carried on regardless. And that set the tone for the weekend - carrying on regardless - so despite the appalling weather we actually all had a lovely time and Lauren can’t wait for her next camping trip. Fingers crossed we get sent to the south of France next time... For more information on Red Bank Farm, visit www.redbankfarm.co.uk or telephone 01524 823 196.
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