FASHION
PLACES
FACES
FOOD
BEAUTY
HOMES
TRAVEL
Supplement
OF LIVERPOOL MARCH ISSUE 2011
GRAND DESIGNS Set hearts a flutter at the races with our fashion favourites
MUM’S THE WORD Make your mother’s day
A GOOD CRAIC
CRISSY ROCKS
Half term fun for kids Liverpool celebrates St Patrick’s Day
PUPPY LOVE Ways to pamper your pooch
All the way from Benidorm to New Brighton MOTHER AND BABY//PERFECT PANCAKES//SPRING HOMES//WHAT’S ON //LADIES’ DAY TIPS//SUITS YOUR SIR//THE FARM//WONDERFUL WIRRAL
WIN
A FAB CHILDULOUS ’S BED
B D R A W E M O H
D N OU
SUPPORT AND ADVICE FOR YOUR CONVEYANCING NEEDS
0151 227 4545 www.maxwellhodge.co.uk 02
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Contents
MARCH 11 06
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
MARCH 2011
24
NEWS
22
04 TALK OF TOWN City talk
FASHION 06 SHOPPING FOR HER Fashion front runners
08 SHOPPING FOR HIM Suit’s you, Sir
HEALTH & BEAUTY 09 SALON SPOTLIGHT Hot tips for Ladies’ Day
CHILDREN 10 BEDROOMS Brilliant ideas
MOTHER AND BABY 14 BUMP TO BIRTH Mum and baby essentials
ENTERTAINMENT 16 HOMEGROWN TALENT The Farm and Crissy Rock
18 WHAT’S ON A merry line-up for March
HOT DOGS 19 PAMPERED POOCHES Treat your furry friend
HOME & GARDENS 20 SPRING SHADES Inspired by nature
MOTHER’S DAY 22 MUM’S THE WORD Show her you care
FOOD & DRINK 23 SHROVE TUESDAY
26
16
Editor’s Letter IT’S been a long time coming but spring is officially on its way. So cast off the winter drudgery and embrace all that is fresh and new! As well as the first green shoots peeping through the ground, the first signs of spring can be seen everywhere from our homes to the catwalk. Interiors are taking inspiration from Mother Nature herself this season – check out our guide to the hottest spring home trends on page 20. Fashion is also full of the joys of spring with some cool creations - just perfect for what has to be the greatest excuse to get dressed up to the nines – the Grand National Festival. There’s certainly plenty of pretty outfits and accessories suitable for Ladies’ Day which will ensure you are strongly fancied. See our pick of the trends on page 6. And the style stakes are high for the menfolk too with our choice of all things dapper for him on page 8. Liverpool ladies go all out to turn heads at Aintree but although they look effortlessly glamorous, there’s a lot of painstaking preparation involved. Luckily, there’s a fabulous choice of beauty salons in the city offering top to toe treatments to help us look our beautiful best. Katie McLoughlin brings us some inside tips on page 9 after sampling a race-day pamper package. A time of new arrivals, we bring you some adorable baby gift ideas, as well as ideas of how to treat mums-to-
be, and of course, with Mother’s Day just around the corner, we have come up with some wonderful ways to show your ma how much you care on page 22. But if your furry friend is your baby, we have rounded up some doggy treats for you to pamper your pooch. As usual, we have compiled an itinerary of exciting things to do this month and there’s certainly plenty going on from craft fairs to concerts, and of course, the main event – the races. One of the highlights this year will be Liverpool Day. We caught up with Mersey band The Farm who will be the headline act on the day – what a blast from our hazy past! And we found time to talk to lovely Liverpool comedy actress Crissy Rock who’s back from filming in Benidorm to star in Liverbirds.com at New Brighton. For foodies, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday with some sizzling pancakes and as Liverpool always gets into the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, we serve you a traditional recipe from the Emerald Isle. If you’re looking for some great days out, we venture over to Wirral and Chester which are full of fabulous things to do without having to stray to far from our beloved city. Enjoy!
Michelle
How to make perfect pancakes
24 ST PATRICK’S DAY City celebrations
LIVERPOOL ECHO EDITOR Alastair Machray
26 RACES RECIPES
MAGAZINE EDITOR Michelle Rushton
Winning cocktails
TRAVEL 28 HEADING OVER TO
SALES MANAGER Frank Notton WRITERS Paul Baker, Sarah Hooley, Sue Kelbrick, Katie McLoughlin, Emma Thompson
Wonderful Wirral
30 WEEKEND BREAKS Discovering Chester
PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror photographers FRONT COVER Trinity Mirror copyright
DESIGNERS Zoe Bevan, Colin Harrison, Lisa Marie Critchley and Alison Gilliland COMMERCIAL FEATURES EDITOR Sally Jones 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.
GET IN TOUCH STORIES 0151 330 5035 FAX 0151 330 4924 EMAIL magazine@liverpool.com ADVERTISING 0151 330 5039 WEBSITE www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
/liverpool-entertainment /best-of-liverpool/
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 03
Talk of town
MARCH 11
ISLA GLADSTONE HOSTS ZUMBATHON
2011 RUNLIVERPOOL MARATHON LAUNCH
THE Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Liverpool’s Stanley Park hosted Liverpool’s largest Zumba class in aid of the Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton. The Zumbathon was organised by Juice FM presenters Leanne Campbell and Adam Weighell who, along with 150 members of the public and the entire Breakfast team, took part in the high energy, Latin-inspired dance fitness craze. The class, which took place in the main conservatory, is a regular fitness favourite with celebrities such as Desperate Housewives actresses Eva Longoria and Vanessa Williams. Leanne said: “The event was a great way to stay in shape, keep fit and raise money for a fantastic cause. We raised around £1,000 for the Marie Curie Hospice.”
LOST CINEMAS OF LIVERPOOL BOOK your ticket for a trip down movie memory lane, to a time when Liverpool was a Tinsel Town in its own right and there was a cinema on every corner. This Daily Post & ECHO tribute magazine is a nostalgic look at Liverpool’s great cinemas of yesteryear and the legendary names that lit up their lights. Featuring The Futurist, Trocadero, Paramount, Scala, Tatler, Gaumont, The Majestic . . . the list goes on. £3.99 in newsagents and bookshops, 0845 143 0001 or www.merseyshop.com
THE Royal Liver Building recently hosted the launch of the RunLiverpool Marathon which takes place in October. Organisers unveiled the 26-mile route and explained how it will take in some of the best sights each side of the Mersey from Birkenhead Park to the Three Graces. Supporting the event are Liverpool boxing champion Paul Smith Jnr and Wirral actress Suzanne Collins.
GIRL ABOUT
TOWN
SUPER NOVA A SELECTION of VIP guests were among the first to sample a taste of the gastro cuisine at Wirral’s newest restaurant. Nova, in Pensby Road, Heswall, held its official opening with guest of honour John Barnes and hosted an auction which raised more than £1,500 for Claire House. Opening a restaurant is a dream come true for chef Patron Moyo and his wife, Jana. Nova is Slovakian for ‘new’ and the name has been inspired by Jana and her Slovakian roots. Moyo, who is originally from Nigeria, began his culinary training at Telford College, in Edinburgh, and had cooking posts at two of the city’s five star hotels, including the Balmoral and Caledonian Hilton Hotel. His career highlights include working for Michelin-starred establishments in Jersey and London, in addition to working for such famous names as Pierre Koffman.
Michelle Rushton looks at what’s been going on in the city
AUGHTON RESTAURANT SWANS INTO FOODIE GUIDE
BIG WIN FOR UTILITY UTILITY recently celebrated a fantastic win at the Telegraph Magazine's Best Small Shops in Britain Awards. The Utility store located on Liverpool's Bold Street beat off stiff competition in the Best for Interiors category and was crowned the "friendly face of modern design." Inspired and supported by retail guru, Mary Portas, the awards
celebrate the country's thriving independent shops across 10 areas of retail, from food, fashion, interiors and more. Utility director, Dick Mawdsley says: "To have won this incredible award is simply amazing. It's a great testament to all our super keen enthusiastic team who are really the drivers behind our nomination coupled with our changing product line up of beautiful design-led contemporary homewares."
CALVIN KLEIN COMES TO TOWN LIVERPOOL ONE recently welcomed the opening of the first Calvin Klein Underwear retail store in the city. A full range of Calvin Klein Underwear will be available in the new Liverpool store which will feature men's, women's and kid’s products. The store’s design is sophisticated and sexy with lots of white gloss and stainless steel combined with black-glass-walls. (Image credit: © 2010 Mikael Jansson)
04
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
ROUGE ET NOIR SPA HOSTS CHARITY EVENING IT was a night of pampering and relaxation for lucky local ladies who enjoyed a night with Strictly Come Dancing star Ricky Whittle and X Factor winner Shayne Ward as they hosted a pre Valentine’s pamper evening in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Guests gathered at celebrity spa, Rouge et Noir, and were spoiled to complimentary treatments, champagne and cupcakes on arrival. The Frodsham spa is owned by Jude Cisse, local entrepreneur and wife of footballer Djibril Cisse. The event was attended by a host of celebrities including ex-Hollyoaks favourites Nathalie Emmanuel and Chantelle Tagoe who enjoyed complimentary therapies and played Black Jack in a Las Vegas style casino booth. Bespoke jewellery designer, Jems Jems also showcased an array of their gemstone and crystal products.
STAFF at Marco Pierre White’s Swan Inn restaurant are celebrating after the West Lancashire venue was named in this year’s Michelin Guide. The Aughton restaurant which opened less than 12 months ago has been rewarded for a highly successful debut year with a slot in the 2011 edition of the book, widely regarded as the world’s leading restaurant guide. The venue’s French-English menu boasts favourites such as Sardines on Toast, Beef Bourgignon and Lancashire Hot Pot and is sourced largely from local producers. Francis Carroll, brand manager for Marco Pierre White, said: “To be recognised in the Michelin Guide after such a short time is a tremendous achievement for the entire team at The Swan Inn, led by our general manager David Thorneycroft and head chef Matthew Castelli.”
MARCH 11
cash
www.cashconverters.co.uk
Need Cash Now? Pawnbroking
Buy Backs
We lend you Cash Instantly*
If you need some cash to‘tide you over’ for a short time, why not try our ‘buy back’ scheme. This straightforward service can provide you with ready cash for unexpected bills and lets you keep ownership of your goods*
Short term loans against items of value *Proof of ID required. Minimum age 18. Subject to status. Please ask in-store for details.
222-224 Breck Road, Anfield L5 6PX Tel: 0151 261 1222
BEST PRICES GIVEN For Unwanted & broken Gold, Sovereigns & silver
FA WELCH (HG) LTD EST 1908
Email: fawelch@btconnect.com
Jewellery & watch repairs rethreading, valuations cleaning & polishing rerhodium of all jewellery undertaken on the premises
e se SILV lection GO LD ER & jew elle ry of
74A bold st | liverpool | L1 4HR
Hundreds of satisfied customers thousands of pounds already paid out WHY NOT TOP UP YOUR HOLIDAY FUND!!
75 BOLD STREET LIVERPOOL 0151 708 7363
Hug
Bodyjewel
NEW STOCK NOW IN
SELL your GOLD & SILVER to us NOW!
at the best prices on record!
0151 709 8582
• We specialise on same day repairs
• Specialists in hand made jewellery
• We buy gold at top prices or make your old gold into something new this Christmas for the perfect gift
• Diamond rings made to order
• Watch your wedding ring being made, using your own gold if required
• Deposit secures any item • Name pendants made to order
WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON PRICE
24 North John Street Liverpool L2 9RP
0151 236 0177 BEST OF LIVERPOOL 05
Shopping for her Purple jumpsuit, £70 from Warehouse
Purple harem blouse and trousers, £29.99 each from River Island
Black bow fascinator, £25 from M&S
Purple feather fascinator, £28 from Accessorize
Fashion fillies Aintree Ladies’ Day is the highlight of the fashion calendar and this year looks like being no exception. Sue Kelbrick raises the fashion stakes for race-goers FASHION-WISE it seems that anything goes this year. Whether you are going for cutting edge fashion or you’re looking for something more classical, there is something to suit everyone. As well as a beautiful selection of white and nude style dresses, there are also a fabulous range of brightly coloured outfits in striking primary colours which are very much in style. Floral designs also seem popular for 2011 and you can bare as little or as much as you like with short, shoulderless dresses as ubiquitous as the enduringly-popular maxi-dress. Jumpsuits are also enjoying something of a comeback this season. Whatever look you are going for this year, you are sure to back a winner with our pick of the best.
Vintage dresshat, £28 from Beyond Retro
White drape belted dress, £40 from Next
Orange satin dress, £26.99 from New Look
WATCH THIS SPACE...
06
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
sophisticated and I take my inspiration from art and travelling. My latest collection was based upon Ancient Egypt and its gods and goddesses.” Following her graduation in July 2010, Michelle’s collection was shown on the runways of London Graduate Fashion Week as well as being displayed in Liverpool One. Last October she won the North West Designer of the Year award 2010 at The Triangle in Manchester and recently she took part in the highly successful Liverpool Design Festival to considerable acclaim from both industry-insiders and the public alike. More recently she has been working
with photographer, Karl Axon to produce some fantastic images taken in and around Liverpool, to illustrate her latest collection. And with a number of fashion shows coming up, the future is looking bright for Michelle. To find out more visit www.michellepevie.co.uk Photos by Karl Axon
THE name on everyone’s lips in the fashion industry right now is Liverpool-born Michelle Pevie who, despite only having graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2010, has already proven herself a force to be reckoned with. Michelle has created a collection of beautiful and unique clothes which bring out the best in the female form and have really struck a chord with fashionistas up and down the country. For Michelle it’s all about instilling women with style and confidence and her clothes certainly seem to do that in abundance. She says: “I’d describe my style as sexy, confident and
MARCH 11 Audrey cream knitted dress, £60 from Monsoon
DANCING FEET
Printed double peplum dress, £59 from Very
Babette metallic gold fascinator, £35 from Bedcrumb
Take your inspiration from the film, Black Swan starring Natalie Portman, and don a pair of ballet pumps to put a spring in your step this season
Selection of ballet pumps, by Lanvin available at the Met Quarter
Leather pumps, £19.50 from M&S
Crimson Butia pump, £120 from Pied a Terre Floral dress with heart cut out, £45 from Rare’s spring collection,
Cherie leopard ballet pump, £25 from Schuh
Ballerina shoe, £25 from Accessorize
Nude satin dress, £39.99 from TK Maxx
Los Angeles
Red floral strapless dress, from Apricot
JOJOBoutique
New York
Exclusive designs carefully chosen from around the globe
Race Days | Prom Nights | Wedding Days | Special Occasions
191 Rose Lane, Liverpool L18 5EA | Telephone 0151 724 5444
Paris
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 07
Shopping for him
MARCH 11
Under starter’s orders And they’re off – to the races next month! Paul Baker gets suited and booted with Aintree’s style set
Photo: BBC
ARE you ready for the world’s most famous steeplechase? We can be rightly proud that the home of the Grand National is right here in Liverpool and so, with such a prestigious sporting event on your doorstep, there’s no excuse not to be there. But you need the right threads and Scouse
lads know how to get around the course when it comes to the style stakes. This year, well fitted suits are key. The shoulders should be broad, with the waist and trousers a slim fit. Only the best suits will catch the eye this April, so here’s a selection of odds-on favourites.
Gin & Tonic stripe tie, £15 from Next
The smart/ casual look – Patrick Cox white shirt £65, Kenneth Cole black silk tie £35, Patrick Cox navy Paisley print jacket £299, Diesel denim Thavar slim-fit jeans £180, from House of Fraser
Signature Prince of Wales grey three-piece suit from Austin Reed
Purple daisy print tie, £35 from House of Fraser
Duchamp metallic floral print silk tie £65 from House of Fraser
Black leather Armani belt, £75 from House of Fraser J by Jasper Conran suit £230, shirt £32.50, tie £18, J Jeans belt £22.50, from Debenhams
Gin & Tonic car cufflinks, £15 from Next Gin & Tonic suit jacket £115, trousers £64, shirt and tie set £28, from Next
Saek men’s shoe, £90 from French Connection
Sutton men’s shoe, £80 from French Connection
6 week course, no martial arts or fitness experience required.
BURN FAT, TONE UP, LEARN MMA AND GET FITTER.
08
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Studio by Jeff Banks suit £248, shirt £40, tie £20 from Debenhams
YOU WILL RECEIVE • • • •
a a a 3
pair of MMA Gloves, Boot Camp T Shirt, Health Check and training sessions a week.
Suitable for men and women aged 18 or over. Spaces are strictly limited, to book your space visit
www.mmabootcamp.co.uk
Health & beauty
MARCH 11
Hot to trot Nicola Harris Beauty’s pamper package is a safe bet for Ladies’ Day, says Katie McLoughlin THE Grand National is as synonymous with glamour as it is with horseracing, with racegoers and jockeys alike both keen to be on top form for the three-day event at Aintree Racecourse. So, with a few weeks to go until one of the highlights in Liverpool’s equestrian and fashion calendar, I headed to Nicola Harris Beauty in Allerton to get some inside tips on how to perfect my race-day look. Housed within a converted, Georgian house on Mather Avenue, the beauty spa is an opulent setting for a spot of pampering with gorgeous chandeliers, artwork and Baroque-style mirrors throughout. The pre-races pamper package, which I tested ahead of a girls’ night out, includes a Rodial A-List Express Facial, XEN-TAN spray tan, individual eye-lash extensions, plus a Leighton Denny file and polish. Designed to brighten, revive and plump-up tired-looking skin, the facial is a perfect pick-me-up for an event and, after a consultation to assess my skin type, beauty therapist Ruth worked her magic on my lacklustre complexion. My skin was cleansed, then my face, neck and décolletage were massaged to reinvigorate the skin and a rejuvenating mask was applied. Whilst the mask did its
Drop a dress size NOW Non-invasive body sculpting half hour treatment Totally pain free and very relaxing With a course of treatments you can expect to lose 2 – 6cm 1 Lipo Light treatment and 1 Anti Ageing Led light facial £49.00
business, Ruth filed my nails and massaged my head and neck. After a blissful half an hour, the mask was rubbed off to exfoliate the skin and a lush moisturiser was applied. The results were impressive. My skin was glowing, dewy and plump – and I was so relaxed I could have gone to sleep right there and then! With the facial complete, individual eyelash extensions were next on the agenda. Now I have to confess that after a bad experience with eye-lash extensions in another salon – when my eyes were virtually glued together – I was a little nervous. But I needn’t have worried, as Ruth gently and expertly applied the lashes to give me polished-looking peepers with natural, full lashes. The package also included an XEN-TAN spray tan which transformed my milkbottle skin into a subtle golden shade and, to complete my new look, my nails were treated to a file and polish using luxury Leighton Denny products. The manicure lasted well and with everything from my eyes to my skin, tan and nails treated to some much-needed TLC, Nicola Harris’ pre-races pamper package is certainly a safe-bet for Ladies’ Day.
“My midriff is no longer tubby and I can now fit in to my little red dress.” (CH 6.75 inch loss) “I would come everyday the treatments were so relaxing and I lost inches.” (KM 3.5 inch loss) “Was a bit sceptical at first but this treatment really works.” (KH 4.5 inch loss)
Where is it? Situated within a converted, Georgian town-house in trendy Allerton, the lush beauty spa is the perfect setting for a bit of plush pampering.
What does it do? The sumptuous salon offers an extensive array of day spa packages, non-surgical aesthetic treatments and luxurious beauty treatments from prestigious brands like Rodial, Guinot, Elemis and Leighton Denny.
Contact: Nicola Harris Beauty Spa, 9 Mather Avenue, Allerton, Liverpool, L18 6HE, call 0151 724 4999 or log onto www.nicolaharris.co.uk
Liverpool Lipo Light, 20 Knight Street Off Rodney Street, Liverpool, L1 9DS 0845 474 9938 07743425649 info@liverpoollipolight.co.uk www.liverpoollipolight.co.uk
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 09
Children
MARCH 11 Exclusive collection of handmade letters, £49.75 from Jonny’s Sister
Toy Story flip out sofa, £25 from Woolworths.co.uk
AND SO TO SLEEP... WITH the clocks going forward at the end of the month, not everyone is jumping for joy at the prospect of lighter mornings.
Peppa Pig toddler bed, £110 from Woolworths.co.uk
Zoo bookends, £29 from Peanut and Pip Train cushion, £15 from M&S
ALLOWED Sue Kelbrick looks for inspiration in order to create the perfect children’s bedroom
Pink wooden toy chest, £100 from Kinderroom
CHILDREN love making their bedrooms individual to them and, whilst some of their ideas might not be overly practical, if you work with them and are willing to compromise, then you will end up with a bedroom that you and your kids will be proud of. The key to getting it right is to go for a classic theme and then accessorise with quirky touches. This will give your child the opportunity to indulge their current passion for Toy Story/Peppa Pig/etc but without you having to completely change their bedroom every time a new interest comes along! Scrapbook interiors for girls, from a range at Mamas and Papas
My Jungle collection from Mothercare, fleece blanket £19.99, duvet cover £19.99, pillowcase £6.99 and rug £19.99
The Nail & beauty Bar Wirral Nail & Beauty Salon & training Academy,7a Grange Rd West Birkenhead
0151 649 0911
2 Day Acrylic Nail Courses Beauty courses also available 10% of all treatments and courses with this voucher 10
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
IT means that a nation of weary parents will now be awoken even earlier by their little angels, who seem to have little or no concept of what time it actually is. For example, my three-year-old daughter thinks nothing of waking at 5am and this is only likely to get earlier as the mornings get lighter... So imagine my joy when I heard about a product that is specifically designed to encourage children to get up at an ‘approved’ wake-up time. Kid’Sleep Classic is an alarm clock with a twist. It has a split screen which shows two cute characters, one ‘sleeping’ and one ‘awake’. When the sleeping character is illuminated, the child knows they have to sleep a while longer but, at a time set by the parents, the awake character becomes softly lit, indicating that it is now okay to get up. All very well in theory but how did it work on my insomniac child? Well it didn’t work straight away — my daughter didn’t stay in bed long enough to see the character change from night to day to begin with! But we followed the instructions and set the timer for a more realistic time and then made it gradually later each morning and it did seem to work. It is still a little hit and miss but I think the potential is there for my little girl to grow with the product and really get value for money from it. And this is the beauty of the clock — it starts out as a night light for babies and can also be used for nap times and then it develops into a proper alarm clock for toddlers and older children.
Kid’Sleep Classic is £35.75 and is available from www.bibsandstuff.com or telephone Bibs and Stuff on 01293 774924.
• Acrylic Nails • Gelac Nails • 3D Lashes • Waxing • Spray Tanning • Facials • Caci Non-Surgical face lift • Crystal Clear • Eye Treatments • Actislim Ultra
+ ') ( $ )*' Noah Bedstead
%%" %' ! ( ) %# * ') '
"* !'*$$ '( * & , "" , $ ( ) % ! ( " $ $ ,%') *& )% .
Kids today are connoisseurs of anything cool, with an early eye for style and quality. At Feather & Black we know just how important it is for kids to have a place of their own. A place where exploring, imagining and learning know no limits. A bedroom becomes a magic castle, an underground cave or a spaceship. Our extensive range of kids beds, bedroom furniture, bedlinen and accessories are all designed with one simple message in mind: to offer you exclusive, durable and safe children's products that will stand the test of time. We’re also really excited about the coming launch of our new nightwear range for kids aged from 2 to 12. Available in store from mid-March, the cool designs feature motifs and funky patterns in colours we know kids will love. Discover Feather & Black at the newly opened Home Quarter in Liverpool ONE. The new and exciting concept store is packed full of inspirational ideas for kids aged from tots to teens. With prices offering such superb value, there’s never been a better time to treat your little one to a new bed, mattress or furniture.
% + '-) $ %' %$ , ! %$"To celebrate the Liverpool Performing Arts Festival enjoy an extra 20% off everything for one week only from 7th to 13th March 2011, in our Feather & Black (Kids) store at The Home Quarter, Liverpool ONE. Offer excludes Tempur products and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
$) ' %*' %#& ) ) %$ )% % () ,%') . Feather & Black’s Noah collection grows with your child and features all the essentials from nursery graduation through to school - our best-selling painted poplar Noah Bedstead is a funky and sturdy design with nice rounded corners and edges for safety. It has a wooden slatted base and is loved by boys and girls alike. For the opportunity to WIN the fabulous Noah Bedstead or a set of kids’ bedlinen, simply answer this question:
Feather & Black (Kids) 2nd Floor The Home Quarter Hanover Street Liverpool ONE L1 3DN T: 0151 709 4251 w. www.thehomequarter.co.uk
$ , "%%' % %# * ') ' ( ) ) ' " ! ()%' "% ) Simply email your name and address and answer to liverpool@featherandblack.com, fill in an entry form in store or mail us at the address opposite.
The winning entry and runners up will be drawn at random on 31 March 2011. Winners will be notified by post within 3 weeks of the draw. No purchase necessary, competition is not open to Feather & Black or The Home Quarter employees and their families. No cash alternative is available. Mattress not included. Full Terms & Conditions available upon request. Feather & Black and The Home Quarter will use your information from time to time to keep you updated on news and events.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
11
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
TO RECEIVE 10% OFF ANY HOME QUARTER PURCHASE SIMPLY PRESENT THIS PAGE AT ANY HOME QUARTER STORE.*
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Located in the heart of Liverpool ONE, THE HOME QUARTER is a newly opened shopping complex dedicated to homes and interiors. This amazing new concept store features five floors of furniture, accessories, cookware, gifts and art.
T
he Home Quarter is a unique interior and lifestyle shopping experience, located in one very impressive complex on Hanover Street. It is the latest department store to open in Liverpool ONE and the third largest after John Lewis and Debenhams. Introducing the leading names in furniture, design, art, accessories, cookware and gifts. The Home Quarter is so much more than just a place to buy new furniture, featuring over 20 individual stores all within this one exciting complex each with their very own style, brands and individuality. This is a must-visit destination for those who are passionate about interior styling, their home and the furnishings they invest in.
12
rugs, soft furnishings, children’s gifts, funky products and quirky accessories. Alastair Bailey, Managing Director of The Home Quarter says “Liverpool is a very fashionable city; everybody puts a lot of effort into how they dress and the brands they choose to wear. At The Home Quarter we believe that interiors work in the very same way that fashion does. Style, design and appearance are of the utmost importance to us, and so Liverpool seems the natural choice for The Home Quarter and its exciting collection of brands. We are delighted to have brought a design-focused retail experience to a city that has design and style at its very core.”
The Home Quarter has succeeded in bringing together the region’s largest furniture and accessories collection. From cutting-edge international names such as Natuzzi, BoConcept and Roche Bobois to Feather & Black’s fabulous children’s range which features every must-have item for the most imaginative bedroom.
Whether you’re shopping for a sofa, a new dining table, candles, the perfect wine glass or inspirational art, the choice is endless and once you have discovered the five amazing floors of interiors heaven, then take time out to relax in Café Coco, HQ’s very individual café/deli operated by one of Liverpool’s acclaimed chefs offering a great menu of freshly prepared dishes and amazing value.
The extensive range of interior brands on offer is unlike that found anywhere else in the North West, with iconic brands such as Alessi, Kartell, Calligaris and Conran sitting alongside every conceivable item of cookware, tableware,
If you are looking for an entirely different shopping experience, one that is a million miles away from the drudgery of the faceless retail park, The Home Quarter is most definitely for you.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Stores within The Home Quarter include: Natuzzi Roche Bobois BoConcept Content by Conran Calligaris Feather & Black (Kids) Gautier Alessi Spirit Bacchanalia Cookshop Sia Home Fashion Nuovo Living Kartell Parlane Ice Interiors Brink & Campman Rugs Wall to Wall Gallery Geneva Labs Camerich Hothouse Interiors Jasper & Co Sarah Dickson Interiors Cafe Coco For more information about The Home Quarter visit: www.thehomequarter.co.uk or tel. 0151 2322 322. *One discount per customer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
- Jamie Oliver
NOLW Y ON
0 5 . 7 £AS £14.99 W
GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT
Call: 0845 143 0001 or visit www.merseyshop.com BEST OF LIVERPOOL
13
Mums & babies
Mum-to-be time Michelle Rushton enjoys some well deserved pregnancy pampering WITH two months to go before the stork brings baby number two, I am waddling around like Jemima Puddle-Duck and starting to feel a little weary. I would normally head to my nearest beauty salon for an indulgent massage to lift my spirits, but as some spa treatments are not suitable for pregnant women, I decided against it, until a friend recommended Formby Hall Spa. One of the leading luxury spa hotels in the North West, the luxury spa offers a range of ESPA treatments specially designed with pregnancy and nursing in mind. The holistic approach and selected ingredients are not only suitable but have been designed to enhance the body, mind and spirit of mums-to-be. I opted for the Maternity Indulgence treatment which promises to nurture and relax the body and tone the skin, as well as claiming to treat muscular aches, fluid retention, stress and fatigue. My friendly therapist, Rachel, has been specially trained in ESPA pregnancy treatments. I wondered how she would perform the treatment, as it can be dangerous to lie on your back during pregnancy but I needn’t have worried. After disrobing, I was invited to sit on the edge of the bed. I sat upright holding onto a pregnancy
pillow while she gently massaged my back and neck, exfoliating my skin with extracts of chamomile, rose, geranium and rosehip seeds which smelled divine. Rachel then asked me to lie on my back before propping me up with pillows so I wasn’t lying flat. She exfoliated and massaged my whole body using warm oils and healing clays to improve skin tone and elasticity and help to prevent those dreaded stretch marks. I was then enveloped in warm linens which felt utterly soothing whilst she gave me a relaxing head massage using ESPA's pink hair and scalp mud and calendula infused oil. With all my tension soothed away and tired muscles unknotted, I felt much calmer and energised whilst my newly nourished skin glowed. The Maternity Indulgence treatment costs £75 for 80 minutes and is definitely worth every penny. Maternity Indulgence Spa Days are also available for £120 which include the Maternity Indulgence Treatment, custom pedicure and indulgent facial, lunch and full use of spa facilities. For more details visit www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk or call 01704 875 699. Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Southport Old Rd, Formby, L37 OAB
Baby love BABIES may only be tiny but they do come with a lot of baggage. Here are a few essentials for your new arrival...
Cybex Aton car seat, £125, from Mamas & Papas
Two piece dress and tights set, £28, from Mamas & Papas
Sola Buggy, £260, from Mamas & Papas Horse, £151, from Marks & Spencer Baby Dior pre-walkers with chiffon bow, £56 available at Kid’s Cavern in Cavern Walks
ONE FOR THE DADS LOVABLE, cheeky, infuriating and challenging — toddlers are all of these and more. If only they came with an instruction book… Well, now they do with the Haynes Toddler Manual, out now in paperback. This is a practical, down to earth guide designed specifically for dads. How do you recognise if your child is ill? How do you potty train? What should you feed your little one? These issues and more are tackled in the guide by Dr Ian Banks, who uses his own experience as a father of four and practising doctor as well as asking the opinion of other dads of toddlers. Priced £9.99, visit www.haynes.co.uk
14
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Sleep suit, £17, from French Connection
MARCH 11
MOTHERS OF STYLE WITH all the celebrity mums-tobe parading their bumps in style, such as Victoria Beckham and Holly Willoughby, there's no excuse for feeling frumpy. You don’t need to spend a fortune, after all, hopefully you will spring back to your pre-baby shape soon after the birth! In the meantime, there are a few key pieces every expectant mother should invest in to look glamorous and feel comfortable in at the same time. There are lots of suitable nursing styles in the
spring collections which flatter your bump and will later on be suitable for breast feeding. Wrap around tops and nursing vest tops are ideal and can be layered underneath long cardigans which are really flattering or with skinny jeans with a stretchy top to cover your bump. When it gets warmer, maxi dresses are perfect for skimming over your growing tummy or opt for a shorter tea dress with a pair of super comfy leggings underneath.
Denim dress, £42, and embellished scarf, £16, from Mamas & Papas
Bow tee, £26, and slim jean, £36, from Mamas & Papas
SHOWER WITH LOVE OUR American cousins have long celebrated the forthcoming birth of a child by throwing a special party. And it seems the trend is really taking off in Britain with gatherings taking place throughout the land. Usually, it’s a great excuse for the girls to get together and shower the mum-to-be with gifts for her and the baby. Many hotels in the region are getting in on the action by hosting baby showers. For example, the four-star, Beatles-inspired Hard Days Night Hotel has created a selection of special packages from lavish to low-key to make sure the arrival of a little one is celebrated in style. Mothers-to-be can expect to be treated to a relaxing gathering in either the hotel lounge or the elegantly designed Lennon suite with mouth-watering afternoon teas, pink sparkling champagne and nonalcoholic cocktails, cupcakes, canapés and a body shop pamper party from just £15 per person. Call 0151 236 1964 or visit www.harddaysnighthotel.com Meanwhile, The Mere Golf Resort and Spa is now hosting more baby showers than ever and has put an English spin on this predominantly American tradition. Business development manager at the five star golf resort and spa, Angela Perkins, comments: “We’ve had a huge amount of ladies requesting baby showers and we realised that it is not just something that is embedded in American culture, but it’s hugely important for English mums-to-be too. “It can often be a great opportunity for women to talk about pregnancy and the life-changing experience of having a baby. Our first few showers were a huge success and word of mouth alone is showing how popular this is.” Call Mere Golf and Country Club on 01565 830155 or visit www.mere.co.uk However, if your budget doesn’t stretch to hiring a venue, why not throw your own at home? You can serve non-alcoholic cocktails (see our recipe below) or an old fashioned tea party with cucumber sandwiches, tea and cakes and baby-themed party games to taste baby foods or to guess the baby's birth date or gender. If your crockery has seen better days, you can always hire some. Kate Lynch at Very Vintage China has a charming range of authentic vintage china which is perfect for serving afternoon tea with everything you need including tea cups, saucers, milk jugs, sugar bowls and cake stands. For more details call Kate on 07919 493546 or visit
Baby It’s You!
Short sleeve feeder top, £18, and Boyfit Jean, £40, from Mamas & Papas
Khaki Apocolypto combats, £34, two layer jersey top, £32, and lime scarf £15 from Mamas & Papas
• Dermal roller skin rejuvination • Photo rejuvenation skin rejuvenation • Anti ageing treatments for Men & Women • Muscle relaxing injections botox • Dermal fillers • Glycolic facial peels • Medium depth acid skin peels • Semi permanent make up Free Consulations • Special offers available
Amanda: 07752 532749 • Lisa: 07957 204887 540 STANLEY ROAD • BOOTLE • LIVERPOOL • 0151 287 7774 • www.mandalise.co.uk
THIS non-alcoholic cocktail is perfect for mumsto-be and comes courtesy of Bar Four at the Hard Days Night Hotel. Jamie Morris, food and beverage manager says: “This unsweetened non-alcoholic cocktail recipe has been specially designed for expectant mothers as it has so many essential vitamins and anti-oxidants in it. “Not many people realise that just a small handful of blueberries have as much Vitamin C in them as a whole orange. Cranberry juice is also high in antioxidants, which neutralise particles in the body known as free radicals.” Ingredients: Handful fresh blueberries Handful fresh raspberries 1/2 Pomegranate 200ml cranberry juice Method: Muddle the blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate and shake together in a cocktail mixer with some fresh cranberry juice and ice. Strain and serve in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 15
The BIG interview Pic by Jason Roberts
Peter Hooton
All together now Katie McLoughlin meets The Farm’s Peter Hooton as the band reform and prepare for the gig of a lifetime at Aintree AS the first day of the John Smith’s Grand National, Liverpool Day celebrates the best music, comedy, culture, fashion and more that the city has to offer. So as headliners go, Mersey band The Farm are a safe bet to top this year’s line-up. The group’s 1991 smash hit, All Together Now, became the soundtrack of a generation and, as well as eight top 40 hit singles, The Farm enjoyed international success with their album Spartacus, which reached number one in the UK album charts in 1991. Now 20 years after their debut album sold over a million copies, the cult Liverpool band have reformed and will headline this year’s Liverpool Day on Thursday, April 7. So how do the band feel about their upcoming performance? “We’re really excited, it’s fantastic,” says lead singer, Peter Hooton. “Being asked to play at Aintree 20 years after Spartacus reached number one is another highlight of the band’s career. I grew up by the racecourse and to think that many years later I would be invited to perform there is amazing.” The Farm will be performing in the Equestrian Centre for 45 minutes after the day’s racing, so can we expect to see them having a bet on Liverpool Day? “I might have a flutter but I’ll have to ask one of the jockeys for advice because I don’t know a lot about horses,” jokes Peter. “For a few years I went to the Friday race-meeting and never saw a horse because I stayed in the tent the whole time! But that’s what Aintree’s about – it’s a social occasion. Thursday is going to get more and more popular now because of Liverpool Day, it’s really a great day out.” In the 90s, The Farm’s raucous live shows became the stuff of legend and at Liverpool Day they’ll be
16
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
performing all of their hits. Peter says: “We are working on some new material but if we do any new songs it will only be the odd one. Generally we’ll be performing songs from the Spartacus album. It was around April 1991 when it was at number one, so the Liverpool Day gig is good timing really. We’re really looking forward to it – we’ve got a captive audience who’ve had a good afternoon at the races.” The Liverpool Day gig follows a hugely successful performance last December, when the band reformed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of All Together Now
“I grew up by the racecourse and to think that many years later I would be invited to perform there is amazing.” being released with a performance at Liverpool’s O2 Academy and a Magical Mystery Rave to relive the heady heydays. Peter adds: “The whole idea was to get back to the warehouse rave idea and it was fantastic. We had a secret venue and we had organised for the soccer buses to pick everyone up after the O2 gig to take them to the afterparty. There were so many things that could have gone wrong, but it went brilliantly. “It was a great success and we really enjoyed it, so we decided to do a few festivals this year because we’re all too busy with our own things to do a tour.” Indeed since the band went their separate ways in 1995, they’ve certainly been busy. Drummer, Roy Boulter runs film company Hurricane Films and picked up a Bafta for his work on the documentary, Of Time & The City. Bassist Carl Hunter is also involved in filmmaking and made cult film, Grow Your Own, with
Frank Cotterell Boyce. Meanwhile, lead guitarist Keith Mullin works at LIPA and keyboard player Ben Leach regularly tours the world – with different musicians. “Our keyboard player Ben’s doing a lot of work with Take That,” adds Peter. “Steve [Grimes] and I are both songwriters. I’ve also written a book about Liverpool Football Club and I do a lot for LFC TV.” A big Liverpool fan, Peter’s also a committee member of supporters’ group, Spirit of Shankley. So how does he feel about the club’s prospects with Kenny Dalglish at the helm? “It’s a really exciting time,” says Peter. “Bringing Kenny back has changed the whole atmosphere at the club – it’s positive now – people are looking forward to going to football matches again.” The Farm have clearly achieved a lot in their illustrious career and with excitement already building for their Liverpool Day gig, there’s more than a sporting chance that this will be a performance to remember. To book tickets for Liverpool Day at the John Smith’s Grand National Meeting on Thursday, April 7, visit www.aintree.co.uk or call 0844 579 3001. The Farm on stage at the Echo Arena in 2008
MARCH 11 THEY say a rolling stone gathers no moss and that’s certainly true for Crissy Rock Parliament Street and as a youngster trained at the Vera Collins School of Dance. “I who’s in demand right now. was more in debt than Odette!” She laughs. “And I was one of Ken Dodd’s The Scouse comedienne has been busy filming a new series of Benidorm, putting Diddymen!” the finishing touches to her autobiography and rehearsing for the forthcoming play She fell into stand up in the 80s when she entered a radio comedy competition for Liverbirds.com a £1 bet and won the first heat. “I never come first at anything, I was even my But she admits, she hasn’t quite learnt her lines yet. She confides: “I’m still on the husband’s second wife!” she says. book. It’s my comfort blanket – the producer’s going mad!” Realising she had a talent, she earned her comedy stripes at gigs all over the By the time Best of Liverpool goes to press, Crissy, the consummate professional, country before deciding to go professional. But it wasn’t always easy. “I did a will no doubt be word perfect and ready to have the audience at the Floral Pavilion comedy gig once and no one laughed, not even a titter. But I believe you’ve never in New Brighton in stitches as her character Liz Loveit. lived ’til you’ve died on stage!” Set against the backdrop of the Grand National weekend, the black comedy Her comic timing was spotted by Bob Monkhouse who marked her out as one to follows the antics and escapades of the Liverbirds.com escort agency. watch and in 1994, Crissy tried her hand at acting when she landed a part in film “It’s a very funny play,” she chuckles. “We’ve had a ball rehearsing in the Adelphi Ladybird Ladybird. – we’ve been laughing so much.” She will be talking about her role in the award-winning film at Clapperboard She has been looking forward to working with her co-star Louis Emerick of Presents, a youth project, at FACT on April 11. Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine fame. “He’s a fabulous actor,” she raves. Crissy has also been telling her inspirational life story in her new autobiography, “He’s just been in The Ciggy Run at St Helens' Theatre Royal.” This Heart Within Me, which will hit the book shelves this month. “It’s taken me Crissy reveals she is glad to be back in England after filming the fourth series of eight years to write and three years to do the spellcheck...” ITV comedy Benidorm in Spain which hit our screens last week. And she is often invited to talk about her life as an after dinner speaker. “I talk “I’ve had loads of fun filming about anything from how I got in Spain and have made lots of into comedy to being a battered new friends with new members wife.” Indeed, life hasn’t always of the cast, but I miss home. I been one big laugh for Crissy lived in Benidorm for six years who suffered an abusive but I get too homesick. There’s relationship for seven years but a tunnel in Spain which eventually found the courage to reminded me of the out on her violent partner Michelle Rushton catches up with Liverpool’s first lady of comedy walk Birkenhead tunnel. When I and has inspired women to do came through it I used to think the same. ‘I wish I could come out and see St George’s Hall!” Another subject close to her heart is cancer. She says: “Margi and I are going to Playing outspoken holiday rep Janey in the award-winning comedy, Crissy reveals run the Race for Life in June to raise money for the Linda McCartney Centre as my that we will be seeing a lot more of her in the new series, although she can’t give too sister-in-law had cancer and Margi’s mum died of it too. I can’t eat a Marathon much away. never mind run one but I’m going to have a good go!” She was thrilled to join the cast in accepting the best comedy award at Crissy herself survived cancer of the vulva, an illness which she says is the National TV Awards in January but admits she did get a little often taboo. “I was lucky it was only partial and am very happy to be starstruck. alive,” she confided. “It’s quite unheard of but more common than you “I was in awe when I met Simon Cowell but my favourite was realise so I am planning to raise awareness of vulva cancer by David Jason – he is lovely!” organising a sponsored walk with women wearing knickers over their Despite her fame as a stand up comedienne and appearing in jeans.” many TV series and movies from Nice Guy Eddie and Brookside In the meantime, Crissy has lots more comedy shows in the pipeline to Dockers and Clocking Off, Crissy is still as down to earth as and has even been invited to take part in a couple of reality TV shows. ever and full of witty one-liners. As we speak, she’s in Liverpool “I was invited to go on I’m a Celebrity but I couldn’t do it because I visiting her friend Margi and looking forward to “a night at the was filming Benidorm,” she revealed. “At least I didn’t subject them bingo.” to my cooking!” She now lives in the North East but is always itching to get back So what about Dancing on Ice instead? “I’d need stabilisers!” she to her home city. “All my friends and grandkids are here,” she scoffs! Catch Crissy in Liverbirds.com at the Floral Pavilion from March 10-12. says. “You can take the girl out of Liverpool.....” Visit www.floralpavilion.com Crissy grew up in Windsor Gardens,
CRISSY ROCKS
ONES TO WATCH MICHELLE PEVIE
MARC GEE
JOHN EVANS
DESPITE only being in her 20s, local designer, Michelle Pevie, is already making a name for herself in the fashion world. Fresh from showcasing her women’s wear collection at London Graduate Fashion Week in June, Michelle, who graduated from LJMU with a fashion degree last summer, beat off stiff competition to win the North West Young Designer of the Year Award 2010 at a prestigious industry show held in Manchester in October. Originally from West Derby, Michelle’s hoping to build on her early success and in recent months she’s taken part in the Liverpool Design Festival, launched the website, www.michellepevie.co.uk; and worked on phototshoots with photographer called Karl Axon.
AFTER years of hard work, local author and screenplay writer Marc Gee finally got his big break in 2001 when his screenplay for Al’s Lads was made into a film starring Ricky Tomlinson. The film helped showcase Marc’s writing talents and the Wallasey-based writer published his first novel, Autumn Kill, last year. A fast-paced thriller, Autumn Kill’s currently being considered for a TV series by ITV and, with a clear talent for penning crime novels, Marc’s second novel, Declaration of Guilt, hits bookshops later this year. Marc will be reading from Declaration of Guilt as part of the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo’s online literary festival, LiveRead 2011, which runs until today (March 3). Visit www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liveread.
A COMIC tale of a hapless trio trying to maximise their income in hardened financial times, The Ciggie Run, which premiered at St Helens’ Theatre Royal last month, is the latest play by local playwright, John Evans. An ex-seaman-turnedcabbie-turned-playwright, John, has always had a passion for writing and after attending night school he discovered the beauty of writing plays. The Ciggie Run is his latest success following Payback, a short play which was performed at Unity Theatre in 2009. The Ciggie Run started life as one of a series of short plays that John created to be showcased at the Casa. Comedy’s clearly John’s forté and he’s been so inspired by The Ciggie Run that he’s already started work on a sequel – Bar Baccy!
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
17
Things to do, places to see Katie McLoughlin fills your diary with the pick of this month’s events...
BY NIGHT
Confetti Wedding Show WHETHER you’ve just got engaged or you’re in the midst of planning your big day, don’t miss the Confetti Wedding Show in The Capital Building, Old Hall Street, March 19-20. A chance to pick up ideas and be inspired by professionally choreographed catwalk shows, the show has everything you need to make your wedding day special.
There are over 75 exhibitors plus a Lambrini Bar and Cinnamon Café, where you can relax. Tickets are £5 in advance/£7 on the door. One complimentary ticket per bride per booking. For tickets call 0151 472 2570 or visit www.confettiweddingshow.co.uk
Dead Heavy Fantastic LIVERPOOL playwright Robert Farquhar’s new comedy, Dead Heavy Fantastic, promises to deliver a wild night out at the Everyman Theatre. Running from March 11 until April 2, this fast-paced play features an ensemble of local acting talent, video sequences from vibrant city nightspots and a revolving set, which transports the characters around different locations in Liverpool. For tickets call the Everyman box office on 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com Photo Feld Entertainment
BY DAY
Dig Deeper presents: Phase One album launch Feelgood Fair DUST off those winter cobwebs and jump right into spring with Liverpool’s first-ever Feelgood Fair on Sunday, March 27. Explore the fair’s arts and crafts market and meet local artists and designers. Re-energise yourself with an alternative therapy demonstration and be inspired to get active by the free workshops. The Feelgood Fair takes place in the Adelphi Hotel’s banqueting hall from 10.30am until 5.30pm on Sunday, March 27. Entry costs £2.
WIN
LIVERPOOL DAY IS A GRAND DAY OUT
RACEGOERS will be treated to the cream of city culture at this year’s John Smith’s Grand National Festival Liverpool Day on Thursday, April 7. As the opening day of the 164th John Smith’s Grand National, Liverpool Day features a packed programme of entertainment to start the renowned racing event in style.
Liverpool Day will be headlined by Mersey band – The Farm, who will perform for 45 minutes after the day’s racing. As well as non-stop performances on stage in the Equestrian Centre, there will be lots of other attractions around the course to keep racegoers entertained throughout the day and evening. To book tickets for the 164th John Smith’s Grand National Meeting at Aintree Racecourse, visit www.aintree.co.uk or call 0844 579 3001.
COMPETITION BEST of Liverpool has two tickets to give away for this year’s Liverpool Day on Thursday, April 7. Plus admission to Winner’s Bar To be in with a chance of winning, answer the question below: Which band is headlining the 2011 Liverpool Day? Email your answer, along with your name and daytime telephone number to magazine@liverpool.com. Closing date for entries: Friday, March 18.
CLUBBERS can worship at the altar of electronic music at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, thanks to an event organised in collaboration by Liverpool club-night Freeze, internationally acclaimed DJs Danny Howells and Hernan Cattaneo and record label Dig Deeper. Being held in the Cathedral’s Well on April 2, the event will be headlined by Argentinean DJ, Hernan Cattaneo. He’s joined by tech-house legend, Danny Howells, who’ll be launching his Dig Deeper mix album on the night. As well as the album launch from 7pm12am and an afterparty from 12-late, a series of community workshops will take place during the day-time. For tickets and details, visit www.clubfreeze.co.uk
The Trestles’ album launch LIVERPOOL band The Trestles release their longawaited debut album ‘What Do You See?’ this month. Named in honour of Ragged Trousered Philanthropists author Robert Tressell, the pop-rock group’s having a party to spread the word about the album and, with recent reviews focusing on their Springsteen-esque work ethic, a night to remember is surely in store. The Trestles with special guests Fickle Fingers, from 8pm at The Casa, Hope Street on Saturday, March 19. £3 entry.
Disney on Ice ALL of your favourite Disney characters will be skating into the Echo Arena for Disney on Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure on March 2-6. Youngsters will love watching Donald and Goofy’s comical mishaps, be on the edge of their seats as evil fairy Maleficent tries to spoil the fun and watch in delight as Mickey Mouse enlists The Incredibles to help save the day! For tickets visit www.echoarena.com or call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400.
Charity concert WORLD famous conductor, Carl Davis, will lead a special concert to celebrate the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s 20th anniversary on Friday, March 18. Taking place at the Philharmonic Hall, the concert will see Carl and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra accompany former Spice Girl, Melanie C, ex-Brookside actor Mark Moraghan and other stars of stage, screen and music as they perform familiar songs from various musical genres. For tickets call the Philharmonic Hall box office on 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com
MUST DO MUST TRY... MAKING your own chocolates in one of the workshops at The Chocolate Cellar on Hanover Street. From creating your own chocolate truffles to piping, tempering and decorating (not to mention tasting) there are chocolate workshops for everyone from children to committed chocoholics. Call 0151 709 5197 or visit www.thechocolatecellar.co.uk
18
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
MUST DO... THE Liverpool Discovery trail before this free public art event finishes on March 20. Liverpool Discovers explores the city’s greats, first and lesserknown facts through a quirky and fun trail of outdoor art installations. To take a journey of discovery through Liverpool, download the free trail map from www.liverpooldiscovers.co.uk
MUST REMEMBER... TO visit Calidad Events’ art, craft and design fair at The Old Police Station, Lark Lane on March 26. Taking place from 10am-3pm, the fair’s a great place to pick up affordable, original work by local creatives – from jewellery to textiles, photography, ceramic, fashion accessories and more. Admission is free, visit the website at www.calidadevents.co.uk for more details.
MUST SEE.... LIVERPOOL’S own Rebecca Ferguson take to the stage alongside 2010 winner Matt Cardle and fellow finalists One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne, Katie Waissel, Wagner, Paije Richardson and Aiden Grimshaw at the Echo Arena on March 8-10 as part of The X Factor Live Tour. Tickets are £32.50 or £110 for a family ticket, call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or visit www.echoarena.com
Pampered pooches
MARCH 11 PAWS FOR THOUGHT
Dog football shirt by Liverpool FC, £14.99, from Pets At Home
Picture courtesy of Pets At Home
Everton dog bowl from Evertondirect.com
K92000 IF YOUR furry friend could do with a spot of training, K92000 in Allerton and Maghull has a range of classes. From puppy socialistion and obedience to agility and gun dog training, fully-qualified and skilled instructors are on hand to help with group sessions, private lessons and home consultations. The family run business trains all sorts of dogs and has two floodlit indoor arenas as well as 100s of acres of land. To find out more visit www.k92000.com
Mayfair Dog Collar, £18.75, from Puchi Petwear
Beer Treat for Dogs by Dog Beer, £2.05, from Pets At Home
"The Dogfather" dog t-shirt, £12.95 , from www.urbanpup.com
CANINE CRAZY IT'S no secret that Liverpool's barking mad about its four legged friends and in celebration of Crufts (March 10 -13) we at Best of Liverpool have gone canine-crazy too! Sarah Hooley has hounded out a woof-tastic selection of poochie-presents...
Doggy Day Care WORRIED about leaving your pooch alone while you're at work? Want to leave them in the best paws possible? Well Doggy Daycare in Whiston can help. The family-run firm provides day care for dogs, as well as boarding, dog walking, pet sitting/cat visits and main carer, Nicola, is a fully qualified veterinary nurse with over 25 years' experience. Visit doggydaycare.vpweb.co.uk or call 0151 431 0545.
Leopard dining bowl with detachable cuddly bone toy, £14.99, from Puchi Petwear Luxury box of chocolates, £8.99, from Puchi Petwear
'Smellkiller’ pet brush, £9.99, from Clas Ohlson
Rainbow dog cardigan, £25, from Puchi Petwear
The Groomer's
Pink sweater, diamante collar and lead set, £39.95, from www.urbanpup.com
NEW HOMES WANTED! IS there an empty space in front of your fire? Do you have room for a little (or large) one on your sofa? If so, check out the hundreds of gorgeous dogs looking for a second chance at happiness in Liverpool's re-homing centres.
Donut pet bed, £13.51, from www.dealtastic.co.uk
IT'S not just us humans that require a touch of TLC and if your mutt is a little on the shaggy side, The Groomer's in Woolton is a one-stop shop for all your needs. Services start from £10 for a wash and shampoo for short haired dogs, ranging to £32.50-£37.50 for large dogs. Plus, The Groomer's also stocks a snazzy selection of doggy accessories and fashion including Pucci Petwear and Liverpool FC, Everton FC and England doggy shirts! Visit www.thegroomers.co.uk or call 0151 428 0101.
1. The Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Whiston Lane, Huyton, L36 6HP. Visit www.dogstrust.org.uk, or tel 0151 480 0660. 2. Animals in Need, Fir Tree Animal Sanctuary, Spurriers Lane, Melling, Liverpool, L31 1BA. Visit www.animals-inneed.co.uk or tel 0151 549 0959. 3. RSPCA Liverpool Branch, Higher Road, Halewood, L26 9TX. Visit www.rspcaliverpoolbranch.co.uk or call 0151 486 1706. 4. Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre, East Lodge Farm, East Lane, Ince Blundell, L29 3EA. Visit www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk or call 0151 931 1604.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 19
Homes & gardens
MARCH 11
Bright and beautful
Madison 2-ball table lamp, £35, from Littlewoods.com
Emma Thompson discovers that home interiors are full of the joys of spring SPRING shades always make a refreshing change after the deep, dark hues of winter, and this year they’re ready to brighten up our homes. This season's colour palettes are a real ray of sunshine with shades of sky blue, primrose yellow, lilac blossom and rose petal pink emerging in furnishings and accessories. We're also being urged to 'go green' – a vibrant shade which is hitting the stores and bringing a
funky edge to our homes. But every shade needs a side-kick and this season it seems hot pink is getting in on the act with the two colours working hand in hand to give our homes the wow factor. Interiors are taking plenty of inspiration from Mother Nature, with lots of fabulous florals and wonderful wildlife making an appearance. Here are a few suggestions to get things hotting up in your house...
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, Ikat duvet £50, from Debenhams
Butterfly clock, £140 and Tula Moon Patchwork Superlambanana Print, £23, from Utility
Panel cushion, £12, from Next
Wooden owl, £27.50, from Utility on Bold Street
Striped sofa from The Home Quarter
Wax-filled butterfly glasses, £2.50 each, from Matalan
A striking pink cushion from Littlewoods.com
Sparrow hooks, £12.50 pack of two, from Utility, 0151 708 4192, utilitydesign.co.uk
Pebble green vase, £20, from Matalan
FIREPLACE SALE FULL SUITE INC GAS FIRE FROM
4 kw GAS FIRE 5 YEAR GUARANTEE
A selection of bright pinks from Next
4.2 kw GAS FIRE 5 YEAR GUARANTEE
£399
OPEN 7 DAYS
• FREE PARKING • COMBI BOILER SWAP & SERVICE • FULL FIREPLACE FITTING SERVICE • GAS FIRE SERVICE
86 LIVERPOOL ROAD, HUYTON L36 3RF
visit us online at:
20
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Tel: 0151 933 0783
HUYTON FIREPLACE STUDIO
*With selected packages - see instore for details
www.fireplacesuk.org.uk
FIREPLACE INTERIOR STUDIO
149-151 LINACRE ROAD, LITHERLAND, LIVERPOOL L21 8JP
NOW ONLY £99*
NOW ONLY £149*
OPEN 7 DAYS
Tel: 0151 345 1128
8S IN 2 EAR
Y TON WAL
PRICEWISE CARPETS HEAVY IC DOMEST N WILTO G FITTIN LAY ER D N U &
INCLUDES
9.95
£
M BEDROOH PLUS
ND CASH A LY N O Y R CAR
£3.94 £4.52
SQ YD
SQ MTR.
OFF 50% N CUSHIOR O FLO
BEAT THE VAT! WE WILL PAY THE INCREASE!! LUXURY SUPER SAXONY 12 COLOURS INC UNDERLAY& FITTING
£
10.99
£13.08
SQ YD
£
SQ MTR
£2.38
£4.95 sq yd £5.90 sq mtr
£8.95 sq yd £10.68 sq mtr
KARNDEAN DESIGN FLOORING £16.99 sq yd £11.99 sq yd QUICK STEP FLOORING FROM £20.32 sq mtr
£14.34 sq mtr
£18.99 sq yd £22.71 sq mtr
10 COLOURWAYS. INC UNDERLAY & FITTING
6.95
£
SQ MTR.
SUPER QUALITY HEAVY WILTON WITH FITTED SUPREME UNDERLAY NORMALLY £22.99 sq yd OUR PRICE JUST £10.95 sq yd
£ MTR. £4.52 SQ
REALWOOD FLOORING FROM
SQ YD
UNBELIEVABLE OFFER!
SQ YD
V-GROOVE 8.3mm LAMINATE
2.99
STAINFREE TWIST
UNDERLAY & FITTING
CASH AND CARRY
RY ONLY
CLIC FLOORINGS (4 COLOURS) FROM
NATURAL WEAVE CARPET INC
CORD CARPET
CASH & CAR
4.90
SPRING SAVINGS
ALL OUR CARPET PRICES INCLUDE FITTING & UNDERLAY (unless otherwise stated)
FULL HOUSE EXTRA DEAL EXTRA 12.5% OFF We offer a full professional service from free advice and estimate to delivery and fittings, so go on treat your home or business to a fresh new look for spring!
SQ YD
6.65
£
SQ YD
£7.92 SQ MTR
SPREAD THE COST WITH 0% INTEREST FREE CREDIT SUBJECT TO STATUS
FREE
MEASURING SERVICE BY EXPERTS
FREE UNDERLAY ON ALL WOODS AND LAMINATES
100’s OF ROLL ENDS AT GIVEAWAY PRICES!
“WE COME TO YOU” THE ORIGINAL FREE HOME CHOOSE SERVICE
VISIT OUR NEW LAMINATE & HARDWOOD SHOWROOM THE LARGEST SELECTION AND CHEAPEST PRICES ON MERSEYSIDE
Stockists of: Axminster Carpets of Devon • Ryalux • Brintons • Ulster Carpets • Goodacres • Cormar • Abingdon • William Lomas
CAN YOU AFFORD TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE?
pricewise CARPETS 260/266 WALTON ROAD, WALTON, LIVERPOOL
0151 207 3650
OPEN MON-SAT 9.15am-5.30pm
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
21
Mother’s Day Original Limited Edition Art Prints, £55, from Pearl and Earl
Mother’s Day Chocolate Cake, £9.99, from Marks & Spencer
MUMS' MEAL DEALS THE city is packed with great dining deals this Mother’s Day . . .
Charbonnel et Walker Strawberry Truffles 140g, £9.50, from John Lewis
MARVELLOUS MUMS Sarah Hooley discovers how to make your Mother's Day one to remember... AREN'T mums brilliant? From wiping your runny nose when you were little to putting up with years of teenage tantrums, mothers and their super-human ability to multi-task go unthanked for years! So make sure she feels like a mum in a million with the perfect prezzie this Mother's Day, April 3. Best Mum Mug', £17.95, from www.emmabridgewater.co.uk
Personalised Happy Mother’s Day Wooden Photo Frame, £16.99, from www.forherfrom you.co.uk
Marc Jacobs Daisy 50ml, £42.50, from The Perfume Shop
WIN
Kirsty Allsop sewing basket, £19.50, from Marks & Spencer
A MOTHER'S DAY MAKE-OVER
DO you think you have the best mum in the world? Then why not nominate her for the Matt Cox Marvellous Mums competition? The stylish salon in Childwall is offering to totally transform your mother with a top to toe pampering session on Saturday, April 2, so she can look her beautiful best in time for Mothering Sunday. Matt Cox Hairdressing on Woolton Road recently moved premises and now boasts a new nail and beauty department where your mum can relax and enjoy beauty treatments, as well as having her make-up professionally applied by the salon’s resident make-up artist, Claudia. She will also have her hair expertly cut, coloured and styled by Matt Cox, who, before opening his first salon eight years ago, was the international Creative diredtor for Andrew Collinge Group, where he was awarded North West Hair Dresser of the Year. The salon will launch the competition with a fabulous party this Sunday. You can nominate your mum by emailing Matt Cox at cox.matt@blueyonder.co.uk to tell him why your mother deserves to win. Closing date: Friday, March 25 when the winner will be picked by Salon regular, Yolanda Reina, wife of Liverpool goal keeper, Pepe.
22
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
Heart digital photo keyring £15 from Marks & Spencer
A FAMILY TICKET FOR JUDY & LIZA
WIN
JL Touring Productions is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a family ticket for four people to see Judy & Liza at Southport Theatre on Mother's Day, Sunday. April 3! A glittering new show, Judy & Liza tells the story of the utlimate showbiz mother and daughter – Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli – and is a performance that everyone from daughters to great- grandmothers won't want to miss. Created by and starring Formby's Emma Dears, Judy & Liza received rapturous acclaim from audiences and press during its preview season in Liverpool last year and this one-off performance is an extra-special treat ahead of its premier UK tour in autumn. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question: Who created and is starring in Judy & Liza? Paul Coltas
Send your answer, name, daytime telephone number and address on a postcard to Best of Liverpool, Commercial Editorial Unit, PO BOX 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Deadline for entries: March 18, 2011.
Isla Gladstone Conservatory WHAT better way to pamper your dear ol' ma than with a three-course-lunch at the beautiful Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Farm? Surrounded by landscaped parks, rose gardens and historic stone pavilions, the 19th centuryvenue is serving a special three course Mother's Day lunch for £29.95 per person on Sunday, April 3. Call 0151 263 0363 to book. Alma de Cuba IT might be an oldie, but it's definitely a goodie and if you've never sampled Alma de Cuba's Sunday service gospel brunch – Mother's Day is the perfect excuse. Treat your mum to a delicious range of dishes – and relax with the amazing live gospel choir, Soulful Voices. Brunch is served from 12-6pm every Sunday and Soulful Voices performs from 1.30pm to 5pm. Call 0151 702 7394.
Leaf, Bold Street CAKE loving Mums won't be able to resist the scrumptuous Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at Leaf on Bold Street, Sunday, April 3. The quirky venue will be serving an exquisite selection of scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, a fine array of mini cakes and a selection of finger sandwiches washed down with an unlimited supply of tea for £10.95. To top it off, Leaf's wonderful pianist will also be on hand to tickle the ivories – guaranteed to get you in her good books. To book your table call 0151 707 7747.
Blundell Street TREAT your mum to a delicious three course lunch and the soulful sound of Scott Johns at Blundell Street cabaret bar and restaurant this Mother's Day. A great event for the whole family, mums will no doubt feel extra special with Blundell Street's mouth-watering menu and from Motown, swing and soul to hits of the 60s and 70s, Scott will be on hand to entertain diners throughout the afternoon. The three course meal and live entertainment costs £19.95 per person. Call 0151 709 5779 to book.
Food & Drink
MARCH 11
Flippin’ fabulous Are you ready for Pancake Day? Paul Baker grabs the lemon juice and gets you into the Shrove Tuesday mood SOME people know it as Shrove Tuesday, others Pancake Day or Mardi Gras but, whatever you call it, make sure you celebrate it with some delicious pancakes! Shrove Tuesday is on March 8 for 2011, but it changes each year, relative to when Easter falls. It marks the day before Ash Wednesday which is the start of Lent – a time when Christians traditionally repent and go without treats, in preparation for Easter. So Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to enjoy the sort of feast a stack of pancakes can bring, especially as pancakes are made of sugar, butter and eggs – the sorts of ingredients you’re supposed to avoid before Easter. Shrove Tuesday is a time for celebration in many cities around the world. New Orleans in America, for example, is famed for its Mardi Gras carnivals
as is Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Marseille in France. Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' and is a last chance for generally enjoying food, drink, revelry and excess before Lent begins. Now, in our fair city we don’t tend to go in for New Orleans’ style Mardi Gras festivals, but many of the city’s eateries will be offering delicious pancakes on the day itself. However, such is our love of pancakes that they are proving more popular all year round – especially the big, fluffy American-style ones, covered with yummy maple syrup. One recent addition to Liverpool’s food fayre is Moose Coffee on Dale Street in the city centre and also on College Road in Crosby. If you’ve enjoyed an American or Canadian-style pancake brunch, you’ll know what Moose is all about. Don’t miss their stack of freshly made pancakes, served with maple syrup and a choice of toppings such as ice cream and blueberries. You can even go the whole hog (so to speak) and have it with bacon. Oink! Plus, there will be extra variety to the pancake menu on Pancake Day itself. Other recommended pancake places include the delicious Gallic delights of La Crêpe Rit at The Albert Dock (pictured left) where you can sample award-winning pancakes from Brittany in France, and the Philli Steak and Pancake House, offering scrumptious pancakes south of the city on Aigburth Road. Whatever Shrove Tuesday means to you, it's the perfect excuse to forget the diet and enjoy the Mardi Gras spirit for one day. Enjoy it, but whatever you do, don't miss out on your very own stack of heavenly pancakes.
AMERICAN-STYLE PANCAKES OF course, you could always just make your own pancakes! It’s pretty easy. Prepare the batter, heat it up in a pan, give it a quick toss and then fill it with all sorts of goodies! But if you fancy making those lovely fluffy American-style maple pancakes, we’ve got the recipe for you, courtesy of Andy Scott at Blakes’ restaurant at the Hard Days Night Hotel. Andy says: “This recipe is a little different from the usual crêpestyle pancakes people are familiar with on Shrove Tuesday. The recipe is far easier to get right, and is delicious for either breakfast or a tasty dessert.” Recipe for 10 servings 300g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 4 tbsp caster sugar 1 tsp salt 275 ml milk 2 eggs (lightly beaten) 4 tbsp melted butter Method Sieve together the plain flour, salt and caster sugar. Mix together the milk, eggs and butter. Mix together until a smooth batter. In a hot non-stick saucepan put a little butter. In equal amounts pour batter into pan, (two at a time). When small air bubbles appear carefully turn over and cook for a few more minutes (mix should rise by about half to 1 cm). Cover with maple syrup and ice cream. Enjoy. BOL'S ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTION: Why not make yourself a true USA-style breakfast this Shrove Tuesday? Follow the recipe but then serve the pancakes with some crispy bacon and then cover it all with oozing drizzles of maple syrup. You might not believe it works – but it really does taste great!
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 23
Food & drink
HAVE A CRAIC -ING ST PATRICK’S DAY Paul Baker follows the shamrocks and Guinness hats to see why Irish eyes are smiling every March 17. Photos by Gavin Trafford. SUCH are the strong historic links between Liverpool and Ireland that many Scousers can claim some sort of Irish heritage. So it’s not surprising that, come St Patrick’s Day, we view it as a great excuse for a bit of a party! St Patrick is famous for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is said to have used the native threeleaved shamrock plant to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity to the people. This in turn helped bring strong traditional connections between the shamrock and the colour green with the Irish people and the St Patrick’s Day festivities each year. It’s certainly one of the most widely celebrated religious feast days as the Irish community and the Irish-at-heart all over the world join to celebrate with a suitable tipple, a song of home, and a tear in the eye. Some cities have closer links to Ireland than others, with generations of Irish families having made their homes there. Chicago, for example dyes its river green in honour of St Patrick’s Day. Come March 17, you know the city’s good for the craic. Pogue Mahone on Seel Street offers a great pint of the black stuff and a very warm welcome.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
IF you’re not planning to hit the town this St Patrick’s Day, you can still get traditional by doing some a little baking. Baking is pretty trendy right now, thanks to new BBC cookery programme ‘Baking Made Easy’ with the delicious Lorraine Pascale raking in the viewers. This one is a traditional Irish recipe for sensational soda bread from the mum of Best of Liverpool’s Katie McLoughlin. Many Irish families have their own version of soda bread, but this recipe from Shirley McLoughlin, has been passed down for three generations and originally came from Donegal. Everyone makes it slightly differently and you can vary the proportions of white flour and wholemeal flour depending on your own tastes.
IRISH SODA BREAD INGREDIENTS: 5 tbsp brown wholemeal flour 11 tbsp self-raising flour 1 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp cream of tartar 1oz (28g) margarine 1 egg 1 pint buttermilk or milk with a few drops vinegar added
Close by you’ll find The Liffey, named after Dublin’s famous river and painted green inside, just in case you didn’t get onto the Irish connection! You’ll find cracking atmosphere inside and top Irish music too. Then there’s Shenanigans on Tithebarn Street and the famous Flanagan’s Apple, a must-visit venue on Mathew Street whenever St Patrick’s Day comes round for the music, the food and the Guinness! Others worth a sampling include The Slaughter House, Fenwick Street; Paddy’s Bar, London Road; Mchale’s Irish American & Shamrock Bar, Lime Street; O’Neill’s, Hanover Street and McGinty’s Irish Bar, Mill Lane, Old Swan.
24
SODA-T’S THE WAY TO BAKE BREAD!
METHOD: Heat oven to 220°C/ 210°C fan oven/ gas mark 7. Combine wholemeal flour and sugar in a bowl. Sieve the self-raising flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar into the bowl and mix with the wholemeal flour. Rub in the margarine. Heat the buttermilk or milk and vinegar gently in a pan until tepid. Whisk the egg into the milk. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add most of the milk bringing the mixture together with a knife. Add sufficient milk to make a wet mixture. Turn out onto a well-floured board and knead by stretching and folding over the dough for a few minutes. Shape into a round and place on a heated baking tray. Mark the top with a cross and sprinkle with flour. Bake for 40 minutes until well risen and browned.
Cook’s tips! Shirley says: "Soda bread is delicious served with real butter and jam. “To make a tea bread, add a scattering of currants and 2 tbsp of black treacle after adding the milk."
MARCH 11
The Old Ropewalk
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
A warm welcome to al allll oour ur customerss ffrom rom the new licensee Anna Freeman & family
Special offers all day Monday – Thursday Carling – £1.80, Guinness – £1.80, Bitter – £1.60, Mild – £1.50, Strongbow – £2.00 FREE BAR SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
Weekend Entertainment Friday & Saturday – Disco Karaoke from 7.30 Sunday – Solo singer
Old Rope Walks
8 Newington (back of Bold Street) Liverpool 1 “Nil satis nisi optimum”
45 SOUTH ROAD, WATERLOO, L22 5PE
TEL: 0151 531 8640
4 LIVERPOOL ROAD, MAGHULL, MERSEYSIDE, L31 2PN
TEL: 0151 293 3229
EARLY EVENING MENU
£12.95 PER PERSON FOR STARTER & MAIN COURSE Early Evening Menu is available ALL NIGHT MON/TUES/WEDS/and 5 till 7pm THURS/FRI/SUN Not available on Saturdays/Bank Holidays
ASK ABOUT OUR GREEK NIGHTS! A true Italian experience
Bar Italia
THE BEST IN ITALIAN FOOD
Bar Italia Restaurant is situated at 48a Castle Street in the heart of Liverpool. Open daily for lunch and dinner - until 11pm on Saturdays Opening Times Bar Italia is open six days of the week: Monday-Friday: 11.30am to 3.00pm Tuesday-Saturday: 5.30pm to 11.00pm Party Bookings Bar Italia also offers the option of booking tables for parties from 10 up to 50 people. If you are interested in booking a party then please contact: bookings@baritalialiverpool.com
Telephone: 0151 236 3375
(selection and payment within seven days prior to date of booking) £5 per person deposit required
Open: MON-SAT 5pm10.30pm SUN 12 noon-9pm
SUMMER BREAK
2-4-1
ALL COCKTAILS
METRO BAR VICTORIA STREET, LIVERPOOL L2 5QA W. METROLIVERPOOL.COM E INFO@METROLIVERPOOL.COM BOOTH BOOKINGS PHONE 0151236 2231
FRIDAY’S 8PM TILL 3.00 AM SATURDAY’S 8PM TILL 3.00AM
EARLY BIRD MENU £12.9 2 Courses only
Monday and Tuesday All Nig ht Wed-Fri 5pm-7pm; Sun 126pm Some dates still available to Christmas and New Year!
5 Private Parties & Functions are welcome
www.laparrillarestaurant.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 0310 36 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 5PQ
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 25
Aintree Races Favourite Tipples OVER at Matou’s cocktail bar, staff are serving three special tipples to mark the Grand National – Red Rum, Captain Becher and Princess Royal. Meanwhile, why not have a go at making them yourself? Here’s how... RED RUM •25ml Havana Club •25ml Cherry Heering •Build in a highball glass with ice and top with ginger ale. Garnish with three cherries on a cocktail stick.
Race-day recipe Have a flutter in style with a little help from Matou WITH the Grand National Festival just a few furlongs away pan-Asian restaurant Matou is certainly getting into the spirit of the biggest sporting event on the city’s calendar with special offers for riders and racegoers. The riverside restaurant, based at the Pier Head, is offering a tasty extra incentive to all winning jockeys of a free two-course meal. And the restaurant has come up with a certain winner for Grand National race goers, with a VIP special package. The package includes a luxury Champagne breakfast, transport to and from the Aintree course and a mouthwatering evening banquet, on offer all three days of the race meeting. Co-owner Billy Riley said: “I love the Grand National, it’s a hugely important event on the Merseyside calendar and it creates a great buzz in the city. “We want to be part of the excitement of the festival
WIN
which is why we’re offering a very special experience to everyone who likes to make a day of it.” The breakfast is either traditional English or pan Asian, with Champagne, tea and coffee. The evening banquet is a platter of hors d’oeuvres – spicy pork loin, king prawn salt and pepper, aromatic crispy lamb and pa far roll, followed by four main courses – chicken Peking style, stir fried lamb Uzukur, pan fried scallops and Korean fillet steak. Dessert is ice cream profiteroles or mixed fresh fruits with Cheshire Farm ice cream. The Grand National package is £75 for the full day; £40 for the Champagne breakfast and transport only, or £38 for the evening banquet only. Bookings by winning jockeys or racegoers can be made by calling 0151 236 2928.
CAPTAIN BECHER •40ml vodka •12.5ml Malibu •12.5ml Amaretto •25ml lime juice •50ml pineapple juice •Shake with ice and pour in a tall glass •Garnish with a lime wheel PRINCESS ROYAL •25ml Myers’s rum •75ml orange juice •12.5ml grenadine •2 teaspoon lemon juice •Shake with ice and pour into a poco glass •Garnish with lemon and orange wrapped on a •cocktail stick
A COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS RESTAURANT Viva Brazil is launching its new cocktail list by offering one lucky foursome the chance to win a complimentary cocktail masterclass with head mixologist Martin Knowles. An interactive session, you and your guests will be guided through the preparation process for each drink, and even have a go at making them yourselves! Complete with full Brazilian-style Rodizio all-you-can-eat service included in the prize, the lucky winners will end their afternoon seated at one of Viva Brazil’s VIP booths to enjoy a complimentary meal. Viva Brazil, which is located on Castle Street, offers guests an authentic Brazilian dining experience. Passadors move from table to table hand carving more than 15 select cuts of meat from large skewers, while mobile cocktail stations skilfully create the perfect mix at your table. To win a cocktail masterclass for four people, including a full meal each at the restaurant, just answer this question: What is Brazil’s national cocktail? a.Mojito b.Caipirinha c.Piña colada For more details about Viva Brazil (and the answer!) visit www.vivabrazilrestaurants.com. To enter the competition, send your answer on a postcard, including your name and daytime telephone number to Best of Liverpool, PO Box 48, Old Hall St, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Deadline: Thursday, March 10.
26
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
FEBRUARY 11
GO THE RACES
IN STYLE WITH
CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST AT THE BLUE ANCHOR FOR ALL OF THE 3 DAYS OF THE
NATIONAL MEETING FOR ONLY
£13.95
Includes orange juice, full English breakfast or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and a glass of champers
Wed 6th April
CHARITY RACE NIGHT From 8pm
Get into the National spirit and have a flutter
Thurs 7th April
KARAOKE NIGHT with John Roberts From 9pm
Fri 8th April
LADIES DAY THE UK’S NO.1 PHIL COLLINS TRIBUTE ACT
as seen on tv’s stars in their eyes from 9pm
Sat 9th April
GRAND NATIONAL DAY Live in the evening HUSH. Back by popular demand!
BOOK EARLY AS THERE IS LIMITED SPACE! The Blue Anchor (Hungry Horse) 32 SCHOOL LANE, AINTREE, LIVERPOOL, L10 8LR TEL. 0151 526 1829
Champagne Helicopter Flights
www.hungryhorse.co.uk
FILL UP ON GOOD TIMES!
from Liverpool Airport to your chosen day at Aintree from £139 inc vat per person
BOOK NOW CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST
*Based on 3 passengers per trip
Aintree Grand National Thurs 7th April LIVERPOOL DAY Fri 8th April LADIES DAY Sat 9th April GRAND NATIONAL DAY Flights depart each day from 08:30 onwards until racing commences
Contact Helicentre Liverpool on 0151 448 0388 to book your once in a lifetime flight
1, Melling Road, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 0LE Tel 0151 - 521 - 2281
7th, 8th & 9th April 10.30am to 12.00pm Just a 2 minute walk to the racecourse front gate
See our website for further details www.onemellingroad.co.uk
www.helicentre.com
Blundell Street Grand National Weekend Event
the supper club
Take That Duo Thursday 7th April 3 Course Dinner, ½ bottle of wine £20pp Friday & Saturday
Live music & DJ 3 Course Dinner, ½ bottle of wine £30pp Blundell Street, Liverpool L1 0AJ (Opp Echo Arena) 0151 709 5779 Website: www.blundellstreetliverpool.com
Liverpool Naval Club Ladies Day Package • Champagne Breakfast • Return Coach to Aintree • Tribute Act from 9pm • Evening Buffet Friday 8th April 2011 • Ticket Price £15
Aintree Ladies Day Package Liverpool Naval Club (Near Rocket Flyover) 38 Bowring Park Rd, Broadgreen, Liverpool L14 3NN. 0151 280 5051 or 07766 190194 www.liverpoolnavalclub.co.uk sales@liverpoolnavalclub.co.uk
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
27
Heading over to… HIDDEN GEMS MOOCH HOME FASHION BOUTIQUE MOOCH in West Kirby is one of those shops that is impossible to walk past without sneaking in and coming out with a shopping bag stuffed full of goodies. Filled with an enchanting treasure trove of home, beauty and fashion accessories, the glamorous lifestyle boutique has become one of Wirral's best kept secrets attracting a drove of loyal customers since opening in 2006. Take a peek inside and you'll discover everything from crystal chandeliers and vintage candlesticks to stylish French dressers piled high with luxurious toiletries. Visit www.moochhome.co.uk or call 0151 625 3049.
SHELDRAKES RESTAURANT WITH views to 'dine' for, it's easy to see why Sheldrakes in Lower Heswall has long been the destination of choice for those in the know. The award-winning restaurant is set on the banks of the River Dee and is renowned for its excellent food, al fresco dining, warm, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular views over the Welsh mountains. Add to that, a delicious selection of freshly prepared meals ranging from a la carte dishes to a Sunday carvery, bistro menu and afternoon tea and it's all but impossible not to be impressed. Visit www.sheldrakesrestaurant.co.uk or call 0151 342 1556.
PORT SUNLIGHT MUSEUM DELVE into the model village's fascinating history at the Port Sunlight Museum. A great day out for the whole family, the museum is the ideal place to start your visit to Port Sunlight. There, visitors can 'meet' the village's creator, experience what it was like to live and work in Port Sunlight during Edwardian and Victorian times and and find out about the architects who designed the village. There's even a well stocked gift shop and if you're feeling peckish, allow time to enjoy a bite to eat at the museum's Edwardian Tea Room (re-open in early spring). Visit www.portsunlightvillage.com.
28
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
MARCH 11 View across the Mersey from New Brighton Picture by Gareth Jones
St Mary’s Church in Eastham Village
Spring flowers at Thornton Hough
Bidston Windmill
A trip back in time for visitors to the Port Sunlight Summer Festival. Picture by Gareth Jones
GO WEST Just a hop, skip and short ferry ride away, Sarah Hooley, discovers the wonders of Wirral IT'S often said that what we're looking for is right under our nose – and when it comes to Wirral that couldn't be more true. A stunning region jam-packed with seaside resorts, spectacular countryside and picturesque villages, Wirral's pretty much got it all. So why don't more of us make the short journey across the water on a regular basis? Well, for me, Wirral's always seemed a bit like Prince William. Good looking (well, he was when I was younger) and charming, yet a tad too posh for my commoner roots so I wasn't sure there was much point in trying my luck. Yet in reality my perception couldn't be further from the truth. A place of contrasts, Wirral is a large peninsular with thriving towns to the east and quaint country lanes with coastal idylls to the south and west. Walkers and nature lovers are quite rightly drawn in by the area's 11 Green Flag Parks, 25 miles of coastline and abundance of rich wildlife and it’s hard to believe that you’re only a Merseyrail ride from the bright lights of Liverpool. For outdoor enthusiasts, notable
attractions include Wirral Country Park, Thor’s Rock in Thurstaston, Hilbre Islands, Leasowe Lighthouse (said to be the oldest brick built lighthouse in Britain) and the sandy shores of Meols, Moreton, West Kirby and Wallasey. Or why not stretch your legs on the 12-mile Wirral Way? If picturesque villages are more your thing, make sure you check out Brimstage, Eastham, Thornton Hough and of course - Port Sunlight. A beautiful model village, Port Sunlight was built by William Hesketh Lever for his Sunlight soap factory workers in 1888, and with 130 acres of parkland, an art gallery, museum and tea rooms it's much more than your average housing estate. Wirral also has its fair share of sporting action, with football club Tranmere Rovers, countless water sports clubs and ample golf courses (it didn’t earn its nickname as the 'Golf Coast' for nothing). But don't be fooled by the area's laid back charm, as there’s plenty going on if that’s what you want. Be it theatres, award-winning visitor attractions such
as Spaceport, The Blue Planet Aquarium and The U-Boat Story or bustling bars and nightlife, Wirral doesn’t half pack a punch. For shoppers, seaside towns like Hoylake and West Kirby – as well as inland Heswall – are home to an array of quirky boutiques, antiques and chocolatiers, plus, there are a variety of modern retail parks and complexes in the region. Make sure you head east to the towns of Birkenhead, Wallasey and New Brighton as well. Birkenhead in particular has a great market and it's practically a crime not to visit Birkenhead Park – the source of inspiration for New York's Central Park no less. Wirral’s food is another speciality. From charming gastro pubs, tea rooms and stylish restaurants – including Fraiche, Merseyside’s only Michelin starred restaurant – to Claremont Farm, Church Farm and Wirral Farmers’ Market in New Ferry, Wirral is a foodie’s paradise. With so much to see and do, I for one, am glad that they haven't bricked up the Mersey tunnels just yet...
TREAD THE BOARDS The Gladstone Theatre THE Gladstone Theatre is one of the most historic buildings in the beautiful garden village of Port Sunlight. Originally built as the Lever Brothers' staff dining hall, it was
converted to a theatre in the 1950s and now boasts a full programme of high-class amateur and professional shows. This month catch, That's Love; The Bugle Boy and Mill On The Floss. Visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk Floral Pavilion DON'T miss Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, April 4 to 9, at the iconic Floral Pavilion in New Brighton! The multi-award winning show, which spent 15 years in the West End, tells the incredible tale of one of the world's
top recording artists and is two terrific hours of fail-safe family entertainment! To buy tickets visit www.floralpavilion.com
Best of Wirral
MARCH 11
MUSEUM & GARDEN VILLAGE
MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP EDWARDIAN TEA ROOMS ‘SUNLIGHT SPIRIT’ FILM SHOW FULLY ACCESSIBLE PACKAGE DEALS - MUSEUM GUIDED TOURS & INCENTIVES
www.portsunlightvillage.com Telephone 0151 644 6466 Port Sunlight Museum & Garden Village is a registered trademark of the Port Sunlight Village Trust. Registered in Cardiff. Registered company number 3719976. Registered office 23 King George's Drive, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH62 5DX. Registered charity number 1074713.
Some Selected Forthcoming Shows Mon 14th – Sat 19th March, 7.30pm
THE BUGLE BOY
World Premiere Musical of the life & music of Glenn Miller Sat 2nd April, 7.30pm
THE PORT SUNLIGHT LYCEUM BRASS BAND Special Concert to herald the coming of Spring Tues 5th – Sat 16th April, 7.30pm
THE LEVERHULME DRAMA FESTIVAL Up to three plays a night in competition Weds 27th April, 7.30pm
GARY MURPHY & GUESTS LIVE IN CONCERT Tues 24th May, 7.30pm
TONY STOCKWELL’S EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE Fri 27th May, 7.30pm
THERE ARE MANY IMITATIONS BUT ONLY ONE…
BUDDY HOLLY’S WINTER DANCE PARTY Weds 15th – Sat 18th June, 7.30pm
OKLAHOMA – THE MUSICAL Sat 2nd July, 7.30pm
EUROVISION LEGENDS – IN CONCERT Bucks Fizz & Brotherhood of Man
FREE CAR PARKING
AFFORDABLE TICKET PRICES
THEATRE BAR
“PERFECT. Everything a musical should be”
“Fail-safe family entertainment”
BBC
DAILY EXPRESS
FOR TICKET ENQUIRIES & DETAILS OF OUR FULL PROGRAMME OF SHOWS:
Tel: 0151 643 8757
OR VISIT: www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk
Wirral’s Cheapest Sports Supplements Store Now Open The Biggest Brands with the lowest prices We Guarantee to beat any other store prices
10% OFF
THE ORIGINAL AND BEST IS BACK!
£150 SPEND
Mon 4th to Sat 9th April, 7:30pm. Wed & Sat Matinees, 2:30pm.
STOCKING THE FOLLOWING BRANDS:
AND MUCH MORE! Free Gift with this Advert instore
0151 666 0000
www.floralpavilion.com
2 Grove Street, New Ferry, Wirral CH62 5AX (opposite) Iceland on New Chester Road) 0151 345 4372
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
29
Travel
March 11
Simply Dee-lightful Emma Thompson discovers the shoppers paradise and historic charm of Chester IT may only be a short journey down the motorway but Chester seems a world away from our fast-paced home city. So, in need of a well-earned break, I headed off with my other half to soak up all the charm and character Chester has to offer. I love city breaks, I’m not a sunlounger person myself – put it this way I’ve managed to get sun burn from a weekend in Wales – so Chester was the perfect choice as it's not too far.
After opting for an early hotel checkin, our first stop was to unload our overnight bags at the four-star Chester Crowne Plaza Hotel. Hidden away along Trinity Street, it is ideally located inside the city walls. It did take us a while to find the entrance, which is nestled underneath by the parking area, but on entering there’s a wonderful, giant chandelier and stairs leading up to the reception with an impressive wall of mirrors – or you can take the lift. Despite the stunning decor, for me it’s the service of the staff that really makes the Crowne Plaza shine. From the moment we arrived they were friendly and approachable, making us feel perfectly relaxed to enjoy our stay. Our air-conditioned executive room had everything you’d need for a weekend
30
BEST OF LIVERPOOL
break and more, from a flat screen TV, to tea and coffee facilities, in addition to white bath robes and slippers. There was even lovely sea fennel shampoo, soothing body lotion, mouth wash, shoe polish, a nail file and ‘sleep’ spray to help you drift off – I was in my element sampling and smelling all the products. We ventured out to explore the city and in just a minute’s walk we were on the main streets and admiring the marvellous array of independent stores, from stylish salons to specialist clothes boutiques, all set in wonderful historic buildings with the ‘rows’ above.
With the River Dee close by we headed over to take a stroll, but not before taking a ramble through Grosvenor Shopping Centre and a mooch in some lovely bag shops! We then wandered through the Roman Gardens – amused by the small school children dressed in ‘Roman’ armour – before heading to check out the site of the Amphitheatre and St Paul’s Church ruins. Deciding on a walk through Grosvenor Park, the squirrels got a little too close for comfort! As three squirrels raced towards us, my boyfriend amusingly stated "I feel like a rockstar," which was funny until one jumped on the back of my leg! Shouting "argh get it off me" while my other half laughed trying to take a photo wasn’t exactly what I’d planned. Squirrel-free, we made our way down to the river front. Being February, the small rowing and motor boats weren’t operating but trust me, from previous experience, they’re a must during the warmer weather. And if you don’t quite trust yourself to navigate, try the ferry rides. Heading back, it seemed rude not to
stop in one of the cafes with counters full of yummy cakes, so we opted for a delicious warm scone with cream and strawberry jam. With fuel to keep us going, we headed over to the cathedral which has a stunning interior. What is lovely about Chester is the number of little side streets, such as Godstall Lane, which has pretty lights and little gems tucked away. We went back to spruce up a bit before checking out Silks restaurant at the Crowne Plaza for dinner. As ‘executive’ guests, we had access to the hotel’s club lounge, which has internet access, and serves free alcoholic and soft drinks between 6pm to 8pm, so we went along to see what was on offer. Silks restaurant has a formal feel yet with relaxing music and friendly staff it strikes the right balance. And with a mouthwatering menu we were spoilt for choice, from pork fillet wrapped in Parma ham, pan-fried monkfish, to king prawns in garlic butter. I opted for the shredded confit duck leg
pancakes with a plum sauce, which was delicious. Stylishly arranged on a slate plate, there was plenty of hot duck to pack in the soft, warm pancakes and the sticky, sweet plum sauce was ideal for my tastes. My other half – as well as sampling a couple of my duck pancakes – picked the traditional prawn cocktail served in a Martini glass. He loves prawns and he thought it was fab, even the crunchy, fresh lettuce was devoured. I was in shock, this is a man who doesn’t do salad
of any kind! A pleasant surprise was the refreshing sorbet from the chef – smooth with a creamy edge, yum! My partner’s face lit up when he spied his main dish – the huge square plate was filled with the mixed grill – pork sausage, lamb chop, gammon steak and rib eye steak, chunky chips, fried egg and pineapple – and he wasn’t disappointed. The meat was tender and cooked perfectly, while the chunky chips were very moreish with soft fluffy insides and crisp skin. I chose the braised lamb shank which fell off the bone in mouthwatering juicy chunks and was teamed with creamy mash potato and selection of soft stock pot vegetables. The dish was ‘home from home’ cooking at its best. As we were on ‘holiday,’ the dessert menu called. We decided on a white chocolate crème brûlée with homemade shortbread which was stunning and, the triple chocolate torte was smooth and melt in the mouth. In the morning, I made the most of the facilities and popped down to the pool to work off a little of the dessert! But, of course, I also had to fit time in to try out the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. After plenty of relaxing, I got ready to enjoy the complementary breakfast choosing from cereals, fruits and fullEnglish it was the perfect way to start the day. It was definitely a city break to remember so if you fancy a change of scene, I thoroughly recommend heading to Chester.
H I S T OM B A N D H I S T R E A S U R E S “THIS
EXHIBITION COULD REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY WE VIEW HISTORY.”
The Daily Mirror
“RICH
HISTORY.”
Manchester Evening News
LECTURES 10 March | 7.30pm Prof Rosalie David: Ancient Egypt in Manchester FAMILY DAYS Every Wednesday & Sunday save 25% on all Children and Family tickets! FAREWELL NIGHT Saturday 19 March 5pm til midnight!
“A
FABULOUS BIT OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION. IT’S HEARTILY RECOMMENDED.” ManchesterConfidential.co.uk
“AS
GOOD AS THE REAL THING.”
The Guardian
“THIS
IS AN EXHIBITION EVERYBODY SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SEE. IT’S TRULY BRILLIANT.”
Say farewell to the Pharaoh at this special event featuring family entertainment, eye-opening tours and more. Tickets are priced at special Farewell Night prices: Children: £4 Adults: £9 Family Ticket: £24 Under 5s go free! For full events programme, visit tutankhamunmanchester.com
Live Manchester
A major exhibition of the international archaeological sensation. The spectacular reconstruction of the Pharaoh’s tomb and treasures.
MANCHESTER | THE TRAFFORD CENTRE | MUSEUM OF MUSEUMS W W W.TUTA N KH A MU NM A NCH EST ER.COM | 0844 478 0898
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 31