Best of Liverpool Magazine - September 2012 by Liverpool Post & Echo

SUPPLEMENT

WINNERS

COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

STUDENT STYLE Start the new term on trend

WEDDING BELLES

OF LIVERPOOL SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2012

Inspiration for your big day

PEDAL POWER Get back in the saddle

SWEET TREATS Heavenly puds for autumn

DECADE OF DANCE DJ Yousef celebrates the 10th anniversary of Circus DESIGNER OUTLET FASHION MONTH//REAL ALE CITY TOUR//WHAT’S ON //AUTUMN HOME STYLE//SALON SPOTLIGHT//RESTAURANT REVIEW//

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Contents

BEST

SEPTEMBER 12

SEPTEMBER 12 18

O F L IVERP O O L WINNERS: COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

06 SHOPPING FOR HER Designer Outlet Shopping Month 08-09 STUDENT FASHION Cool clobber for college 10-11 SHOPPING FOR HIM Touchy feely fall fashion

HEALTH & BEAUTY

GET IN TOUCH

12 SALON SPOTLIGHT Hot stone massage hits the spot

FITNESS

Welcome...

LIVERPOOL ECHO EDITOR Alastair Machray MAGAZINE EDITOR Michelle Rushton DEPUTY EDITOR Katie McLoughlin WRITERS Paul Baker, Sarah Hooley, Sue Kelbrick, Richard Lackey, and Katie McLoughlin PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror photographers DESIGN Vicky Andrews and Colin Harrison COMMERCIAL FEATURES EDITOR Sally Jones SALES MANAGER Ros McGuire

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.

04-05 TALK OF THE TOWN City news and gossip

FASHION

THE 2012 NEWSPAPER AWARD

STORIES 0151 330 5035 EMAIL magazine@liverpool.com ADVERTISING 0151 330 5039 WEBSITE www.bestofliverpool.com FOLLOW US twitter@BestofLpool

NEWS

WELL summer is almost over and what a summer it has been! But now the distinct nip in the air tells us autumn is on its way. I have to say this is one of my favourite times of year, when the leaves start to turn to rust and you feel like drawing the curtains and curling up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a good book (Fifty Shades anyone?!). Around this time, our thoughts turn to feathering the nest. Rich has some great ideas on how to cosy up your home embracing the new seasonal shades on page 24. It’s also time to put the summery frocks away and dig out your winter wardrobe. Katie highlights the autumn trends for men on pages 10-11, while we ladies love a good designer bargain – find out where you can buy labels for less on page 6. Plus, we asked fashion students from Liverpool John Moores University what they will be sporting in the lecture theatres this term. See our student fashion shoot on pages 8-9. Sarah finds the perfect way to unwind after a hard day in the office on page 12 and brings us the latest make-up must-haves. The success of our British cyclists in the Olympics and Tour de France has inspired us to get back in the saddle. See our cycling feature on page 14, plus we get physical with female bodybuilder Nikki Jenkins on page 15. Like the big kids we are, Best of

Liverpool is already getting excited about the panto season! We speak to producer Lee Kelly on page 16 about his star-studded show, Cinderella. We also meet highly successful producer/director Jen Heyes on page 17, who is bringing the Titanic to Liverpool Cathedral... And for all you clubbers, we have interviews with Yousef and Jemmy on pages 18 and 19, a look at Freeze’s latest gig at St George’s Hall on page 20 and a round up of must-see events on page 21. September is a great month to start planning a wedding – we have compiled a few ideas to help you get hitched in style on pages 22-23. Autumn is great time to indulge in a little comfort food, puddings in particular! Sarah brings you some irresistible recipes to indulge your sweet tooth on pages 26 and 27. Meanwhile, our man about town, Paul, lives it up at the Living Room on page 28 and tours the city’s historical taverns with a mustachioed maestro on page 29, while new mum Sue gets some well-deserved TLC on page 30. Enjoy!

14 PEDAL POWER Get on yer bike 15 BIKINI BODY Nikki Jenkins strikes a pose

ENTERTAINMENT

16 PANTO TIME Producer Lee Kelly works his magic 17 TITANIC SPECTACLE Jen Heyes is at the helm 18 A REAL JEM DJ Jemmy gets the party started 19 BIRTHDAY BEATS Yousef celebrates 10 years of Circus 20 THE BIG FREEZE Renaissance at St George’s Hall 21 THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE September’s must-see events

WEDDINGS

22-23 MERSEY MARRIAGES Ideas for your big day

HOMES & GARDENS

24 AUTUMN ACCESSORIES Cosy up your home 25 IN THE FRAME Make the most of your memories

FOOD & DRINK

26-27 JUST DESSERTS Puddings to die for 28 RESTAURANT REVIEW Living it up at the Living Room 29 HISTORICAL TAVERNS Rolling out the barrel

TRAVEL Michelle Rushton, Best of Liverpool Editor

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 03

Talk of the town Photo: David Richards

OutANDabout

Katie McLoughlin brings you the latest city gossip...

Photo: David Venni Photography Ltd

A REAL GENT ROBBIE Fowler, Miss Liverpool and Pete Price were among the guests at the official opening of Genting Club on August 2, following a multi-million pound refurbishment of the Queens Square casino. LFC legend Robbie Fowler officially opened the newly revamped, two-storey venue, which now boasts new restaurant and bar facilities, together with significantly extended gaming and poker areas. To mark the casino’s opening in a suitably swish fashion, guests at the event enjoyed Champagne, canapes and entertainment by fire-eaters and singer Nicky Belle. The event, which raised £3,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, also saw over 20 prizes given away – including a Mini! Carole Poulson, general manager of Genting Club Queens Square, says: “The venue has been completely transformed into an all encompassing leisure and entertainment destination. The 1880 Bar will provide visitors with a new modern and contemporary location to enjoy drinks and live entertainment with friends, while Fahrenheit Bar and Grill will provide a first class city centre dining destination, serving creative new dishes throughout the day and into the evening. “The investment has also enabled us to extend our gaming and poker facilities for our visitors. Not only will this help to attract new customers but it will also help to cement our position as one of the UK’s most popular poker and gaming destinations.”

LIFE’S A BEACH FOR BEN ENVIRONMENTALIST and adventurer Ben Fogle paid a visit to Ainsdale beach last month as part of a campaign to clean up Britain’s beaches. Ben and a number of volunteers helped to clean up Ainsdale beach on August 5 as part of Barefoot Wine’s campaign to keep the nation’s beaches ‘barefoot friendly’, for which he is an ambassador. Volunteers received a branded T-shirt and any necessary kit, then after spending the afternoon collecting litter along the beach, they enjoyed a well-earned glass of Barefoot Wine.

We’re loving... THE MOTHER OF ALL SHOWS WITH three new mums on the Best of Liverpool team we’re loving that The UK Baby & Toddler Show has announced that it’s coming to Liverpool. A large scale show for expecting parents and those with children of pre-school age, the show will take place in ACC Liverpool on February 2-3, 2013. Over 200 national and international exhibitors will provide money saving offers, expert advice, fun entertainment and invaluable shopping at the event. Tickets available from ECHO Arena box office on 0844 8000 400 or www.echoarena.com, and from TicketQuarter box office in Queen Square on 0844 8000 410 or www.ticketquarter.co.uk

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

FALL FRAGRANCES

SO COCO ROUGE

A CHANGE of season is the time to update your scent and we’re loving Jo Malone’s new autumn scent – Blackberry and Bay. A permanent addition to Jo Malone’s fragrance range, the scent evokes childhood memories of blackberry picking with a burst of deep, tart blackberry juice and sparkling grapefruit, blended with the freshness of just-gathered bay. The scent, which is available as a unisex cologne, candle, hand wash and body creme, also has floral notes and a brambly base of vetiver and cedarwood. In keeping with Jo Malone’s fragrance layering concept, Blackberry and Bay works really well worn both alone or with a spritz of the brand’s Lime Basil & Mandarin scent, to enhance its fresh, citrus notes. Blackberry & Bay will hit the counter in Jo Malone’s Metquarter store this month.

IF clothes maketh the man, make-up maketh the woman and we’re loving So Coco Rouge a new hair, make-up and beauty salon, which has opened on Old Haymarket in the city centre. Hair and make-up artists, Sian-Louise Auld and Robyn Turnbull, launched So Coco Rouge early last year, after working freelance in the fashion and TV/Film industry for many years. After a successful first year, they expanded into hairdressing and beauty and launched their city centre salon as a one-stop-shop pamper parlour. Perfect for a spot of pre-party pampering, the salon has a range of packages to help you go from flustered to fabulous in a flash. Group make-up lessons are also available so that you can learn the tricks of the trade from a professional make-up artist. Check out www.sococorouge.com or call 0151 708 7245 to find out more.

SEPTEMBER 12 PRIDE OF THE CITY

PIZZA THIS...

RAIN didn’t stop play when the third annual Liverpool Pride took place on August 4, as some 52,000 people attended the event. Attendance figures rose for the third consecutive year at the event, which is the UK’s biggest, free Pride event outside of London. Festival-goers were treated to a feast of fabulous entertainment at both the Pier Head and in the Stanley Street Quarter, including performances from X-Factor star Marcus Collins, former Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon and 2 Shoes to name but a few. There were also a number of celebs in attendance including Alex Gerrard, the cast of Desperate Scousewives, the Mayor of Liverpool and Lee Latchford Evans from Steps, who came along to support his girl band ConcreteRose who performed on the Main Stage. Despite the rain, the Liverpool Pride March also increased in size from previous years, with some 5,000 people taking part and 10,000 spectators lining the city’s streets to watch the nautical-themed procession, which included, for the first time ever, a Premier League football club, as Liverpool FC was represented at the march.

JOEY doesn’t share food and, having sampled the menu at Tribbiani’s – a new pizza parlour which bears the TV character’s surname on Hatton Garden – we can see why. Next door to Central Perk, a Friends’ inspired coffee house which opened earlier this year, Tribbiani’s officially opened on Thursday, August 16. The launch event was well attended with around 60 guests cramming into the cosy New York-style pizzeria to get a slice of the action. Photos: Adam Johns

PARALYMPIC FLAME COMES TO THE REGION

IN THE FRAME FOR TOP PRIZE WOULD-BE models gathered at Specsavers’ Liverpool store on Thursday, August 9 for the North West final of the firm’s ‘Spectacle Wearer of the Year’ competition. Over 4,000 entrants were whittled down to eight regional finalists, who went to Specsavers’ Lord Street store on August 9 to compete to go through to the national final, which will be held in London later this year. Specsavers’ competition, which raises funds for anti-bullying charity, Kidscape,

Photo: Andy Teebay

PEOPLE in Knowsley were among those who got a chance to see the Paralympic Flame before the Games began last month. The Flame was brought to the borough, from a ceremony in London, by former Paralympian and Halewood councillor, Terry Powell, on August 24. Support flames were carried by fellow Paralympians, Gerry Kinsella, head of Liverpool charity the Greenbank Centre, and Lizzie Simpkin, from Crosby Watersports Centre. To celebrate the Flame’s arrival, an official welcoming ceremony was held in Kirkby Sports College on Bracknell Avenue, with dignitaries from across Merseyside in attendance. Following the official welcoming ceremony, the college held a free event on August 25 which saw hundreds of people come to see the Flame, get into the spirit of the Games and try out some of the sports that will feature in the Paralympics. After visiting Knowsley, the Flame was carried by teams of five during a 24-hour overnight relay to the Olympic Stadium in London for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on August 29.

SPICE IS RIGHT AT NEW RESTAURANT A HOST of sizzling celebrities attended the launch of Liverpool’s newest Indian restaurant, Holdi recently. A star-studded crowd helped owner Rukon Kamaly to celebrate the opening of his stylish bar, restaurant and lounge in the leafy South Liverpool suburb of Woolton village. Guests at the event included Hollyoaks stars, Atomic Kitten, Coronation Street cast, Everton FC footballers’ wives, Brookside stars and Desperate Scousewives. The star-studded bash saw guests enjoy complimentary Champagne and delectable Indian food all night, with entertainment provided by traditional bangra dancers, drummers and daring fire-performers.

was launched earlier this year by former Coronation Street actress, Helen Flanagan, who played Rosie Webster in the longrunning soap. At the North West final, the eight regional finalists had to persuade judges – including a scout from top London modelling agency, MOT Models, Best of Liverpool and Amanda Moss, from Liverpool Fashion Week – why they should be crowned Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2012. After much deliberation, 22-year-old Nick Fuller, from Longsight in Manchester, was chosen as the winner of the regional heat. As a regional finalist, the Nottingham

University graduate won a bottle of Champagne and a Spectacle Wearer of the Year trophy. He’ll now go on to compete in the national final in October. As well as being named Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2012, the overall winner will scoop a two-week premium all-inclusive holiday to Barbados courtesy of Almond Resorts and Virgin Holidays; £250 spending money; a 12-month modelling contract with MOT Models; a hair makeover from Andrew Barton; a goody bag with products from Simple, Andrew Barton Salons, Specsavers and more, plus the Spectacle Wearer of the Year trophy.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 05

Fashion for her

SEPTEMBER 12

Labels for less

McArthurGlen Designer Fashion Outlets Cheshire Oaks

Michelle Rushton finds out why label lovers are getting hot under the collar about Designer Outlet Fashion Month... FOR fashionistas who can’t resist the allure of designer labels but equally want to stretch their shopping budget to the max, McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month is the diary date for them. Celebrating the thrill of seeking out designer labels for less, September 2012 will see the launch of the UK’s first ever Designer Outlet Fashion Month at McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks near Chester, as part of a national initiative hosted by one of Europe’s leading Designer Outlet Groups. McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month will be championed by model and cultural ambassador for the British Fashion Council, Laura Bailey. Her fellow ambassadors include acclaimed singer songwriter, Delilah, who is currently on tour with Prince, and top style blogger Sandra Hagelstam, from 5inchandup. Each with their own unique style, the trio are self-confessed shopping thrill seekers who share a passion for finding designer gems for less. All three have been styled and snapped in their favourite finds from McArthurGlen’s AW collections and will share their ‘how to shop outlet’ tips, ultimate style guidelines and sartorial advice for the new season. Continuing its ongoing support of young British design talent, McArthurGlen has also teamed up with Holly Fulton – one of Britain’s bright young things – who has designed an exclusive tote bag to help celebrate McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month. Shoppers will have the chance to pick up one of the limited edition bags at the centre throughout the month. During the month-long campaign, the centre will host exclusive style evenings with two of the UK’s top fashion editors – Grazia magazine’s editor Angela Buttolph (September 20) and Sunday Times’ Style junior fashion editor Harriet Stewart (September 27). Both events will have unbeatable savings on over 145 premium high-street and luxury designer brands, including Ted Baker, Kurt Geiger and Nicole Fahri, in addition to the usual reductions of up to 60%. Helen Williams, marketing executive for McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks, says: “Designer Outlet Fashion Month is a brilliant opportunity for us Carvella shoe to show label lovers that boot, RRP £180, outlet price £67 they can find on-trend and seasonal pieces at McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks for up to 60% less than the high street. With top brands like Reiss, Gant, Hobbs, Wolford and Osprey London, shoppers can discover the secret of outlet shopping and find stylish fashion and accessories for AW12.” The not-to-be-missed month-long event will see McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks host more exclusive shopper events and offer enviable discounts on the 80 plus premium high street and designer brands, in addition to the usual reductions of up to 60% less than the recommended retail price. To find out more, visit the website www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com, www.facebook.com/cheshireoaks or Twitter: @cheshire_oaks

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Osprey London animal briefcase, RRP £345, outlet price £225, Kurt Geiger Burgundy suede boots, RRP £75, outlet price £59

Laura Bailey

Armani double breasted tan coat, RRP £549, outlet price £301

SANDRA’S STYLE TIPS Nicole Farhi jacket, RRP £770, outlet price £385

Osprey London tan croc bag, RRP £195, outlet price, £115

FINNISH native Sandra Hagelstam graduated as a bachelor of fashion design and marketing from London college of Fashion in 2012. She is now making waves in the fashion world with her style blog 5inchandup (www.5inchandupblogspot.com), her personal view on fashion, featuring daily outfits and inspiring fashion finds professionally photographed, illustrating Sandra’s passion for design. Only two-years-old, the blog has grown rapidly, today experiencing over 25,000 daily readers. Now hailed as one of the UK’s top bloggers, Sandra is regularly featured in British Vogue, Grazia, Cosmopolitan and Elle Russia. Here’s her fashion forecast for this season: “After a pastel heavy summer, update your look for autumn/winter by opting for stronger, brighter colours paired with classic deep autumn shades. Layering is a huge trend for autumn/winter and this season it’s all about taking it to the max. Wear a thick masculine coat over a classic blazer for a really fashion forward look. Try layering cashmere crew necks over a crisp buttoned up white shirt, not forgetting to pile on chunky jewelled necklaces. “Texture is a great way to add interest to a simpler outfit. Mix a leather skirt with a knitted jumper or a faux-fur collar over a jersey tee – laid back luxury in an instant! “Channel Burberry’s key autumn/winter look and wear a thin skinny belt over your favourite winter coat. It clinches in the waist and creates an instant peplum – another key trend this season. “I’m inspired by the effortless way Parisian women dress. Their way of mixing

contrasting pieces like a pair of neat cigarette pants worn with a slub T-shirt, or skinny ripped jeans with high heels and a tailored blazer, creates an easy cool vibe. “Invest in a statement winter coat or cape that will see you through the season. Dress it up with glitzy broaches for an eclectic look. “Spring/summer’s love affair with prints will continue into autumn/winter and the key to making prints contemporary is layering them. Try this season’s Natty print with plaid or paisley for an update on last season’s florals.”

Sandra Hagelstam

2012

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 07

Fashion

Student style makes the grade

Models Ryan, Ben, Laura and Natalie, show off their student style

Heading to uni this month? Stuck for sartorial inspiration? Then take your style cues from these city students, says Katie McLoughlin... GONE are the days when being a student meant you could rock up at a lecture sporting a crumpled ensemble topped off with bed-head hair courtesy of a night spent propping up the union bar. Student style has undergone something of a metamorphosis of late. Indeed, far from gracing lecture halls in the traditionally scruffy attire epitomised by The Young Ones, today’s undergrads look to their contemporaries for inspiration, with what they see people wearing in the street and fashion blogs the main sources of sartorial inspiration for many city students. “Everybody in Liverpool has their own style and just walking down Bold Street and looking at what people are wearing, I get a lot of ideas,” says Natalie Oldershaw, who is about to start her third year on the Fashion Communication degree course (BA Hons) at Liverpool John Moores University. Natalie, 20, from Cheshire, adds: “Street style and fashion blogs are

where I get my inspiration from – there are so many young people who’ve got their own blog about their style now and, in comparison to celebrities, they are new, young and on-trend. They’re individual – they have their own look.” Individuality is key to staying one step ahead of the fashion pack, so with the new university term about to start and an abundance of new season styles hitting stores this month, we asked Natalie and three other city fashion students to show us which pieces they’ll be spending their student loan on this autumn. The students, Ryan Martin, Benjamin Sherwood, Laura Page and Natalie Oldershaw, and photographer, Olivia Kenrick, are all starting the third year of LJMU’s Fashion Communication degree course this month. We asked them to give us their take on autumn’s trends. All of the Liverpool ONE stores featured, where our students chose their outfits from, offer a 10% NUS discount. So, if you choose your clobber wisely, it’ll see you through to next term...

THE LOWDOWN MODELS: Ryan Martin, Benjamin Sherwood, Laura Page and Natalie Oldershaw PHOTOGRAPHER: Olivia Kenrick LOCATIONS: John Foster Building, Aldham Robart’s Library and outside on the campus grounds CLOTHING: All of the clothing is from Liverpool ONE. All of the stores featured offer 10% discount with NUS (prices shown don’t include discount)

NATALIE 08

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

NATALIE chose to contrast a feminine, vintage-style blouse, £34, from Topshop, with a tough, khaki jacket, £48, from Topshop, in this look, which she finished off with studded bracelets, £15, from Topshop, an ornate clutch bag, £56, from Warehouse, and pearl bracelet, £12, from Warehouse.

SEPTEMBER 12

LAURA

BEN

LAURA, 20, originally from Ellesmere Port, says her style is best described as ‘posh grunge’. “I tend to wear whatever I like with no specific rules – I like it rough and ready, but also have a glamorous streak.” For this outfit, she went for a ‘back to school vibe’, with a classic white shirt, £36, from Topshop, worn with a waistcinching maxi skirt, £42, from Warehouse. To give this sophisticated ensemble an edgier feel, she added a studded leather bag, £70, from Warehouse; a gold chain belt, £20, from Warehouse; and stacked black shoes, £22.99, from New Look. Laura adds: “It’s a perfect outfit for the first day back of university.” BENJAMIN, 21, describes his style as minimalist, with monochrome, geometric designs, symmetry, mixing contrasting fabrics and statement accessories how he makes an outfit his own. “A statement watch is a must,” adds Ben. “I also love unusual shoes – they make things interesting.”

For this look, he chose trousers, £50; top, £32; and shoes, £50, all from Topman, which he accessorised with his own watch. Explaining his look, Benjamin, from Nantwich, says: “I went with what I know for this outfit, which is smart but casual, simple but with an interesting shoe. "I chose to use a colour that will be very big this autumn/winter – dark berry reds and maroons. Cropped leg trousers started with Tom Ford and have now become quite the trend – they’re still on the runways and look best with no socks. "The baggy loose cotton jersey splits the outfit up a bit and adds a casual, comfy everyday look that’s very European.” RYAN, 22, from Huyton, chose a chic, smart casual ensemble in the style of one of his favourite designers here. The jacket, £65, shirt, £24, jeans, £30, and shoes, £42, are all from Topman. Ryan says: “I quite like the whole smart casual tailored look, that’s why I chose the blazer with handkerchief and shirt, I like to look at Tom Ford for inspiration.”

RYAN BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Shopping for him Wool jumper in ‘kingfisher’, £69; and chunky wool scarf in burgundy, £40; from John Lewis

Grey tweed blazer with cord collar, £70, from Burton

Jumper, £29.99, from H&M

Leather bag, from H&M

The feel of fall Fashion gets tactile this season, as texture is a key trend for style-savvy blokes in autumn, says Katie McLoughlin... IF you want to be on-trend this season, you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth as texture is the key trend for men this autumn. The dominant look to emerge from the catwalks of Paris and Milan for fall 2012 is a rather eclectic mix of British heritage and edgy, industrial detailing – think tweed jackets with contrasting velvet or cord detail on the collar, chunky Argyle knits, soft chinos, fleecy shearling lined coats and dark brooding shades of blueblack, rust and brick red, finished with lashings of leather panelling and metal detailing.

And, while it may sound a bit like Prince Charles meets geography teacher meets the Matrix, this juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous textures and fabrics works well together. Leather is huge this autumn, with male models strutting their stuff down the Paris and Milan catwalks wearing headto-toe leather suits.

However, while it may be en-vogue, favouring such attire may attract more than a few curious glances if you opt to wear an entirely leather ensemble to nip to the shops. Likewise the dark, brooding, entirely black outfits sported by models in Galliano, Givenchy and YSL’s fall 2012 shows are not for the faint hearted, with leather worn from head to toe in some

form or another – from leather coats, trousers and waistcoats to leather panels on sleek tailored suits and classic leather brogues given a vampish twist with the addition of metal detailing to toes and heels. For a less gothic, more wearable way to work the cow-skin trend, go for a beautifully cut, black leather blazer which will see you through many a season, or a suit jacket or touchably soft cashmere jumper with leather patches – who knew that geography teacher chic could be so on-trend?

Jeans, £14.99, from H&M Natural cable crew neck jumper, £32, from Burton Navy tapered cord, £25, from Burton

Lambs’ wool shawl collar jumper in navy, £79, from John Lewis Stvdio by Jeff Banks coat, £145, from Debenhams

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

SEPTEMBER 12 IT'S A WRAP!

M&S Man Heritage coat, £199, from Marks & Spencer

J by Jasper Conran boots, £99, from Debenhams

WRAP up warm with these transitional jackets and coats that’ll help you stay stylish – whatever the weather – this September...

Chelsea boots, £65, from Next

Wool lined hand-sewn leather gloves, £28, from John Lewis

Duffle coat, £85, from ASOS.com

Grey textured duffle coat, £85, from Burton

Peacoat, £75, from ASOS.com

Burgundy fisherman’s jacket, £50, from Burton

Rocha.John Rocha jacket, £99, from Debenhams

J Jeans by Jasper Conran coat, £95; jumper, £35; and trousers, £40, from Debenhams

Fisherman jacket, £60, from Next

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Health & beauty

SEPTEMBER 12 Photos: Jason Roberts

Sweet as Hunni

BARE NECESSITIES JUST like the catwalks, the beauty world is full of new trends this autumn. From deep merlot lipsticks, peacock blue eye-shadows and lashings of dark mascara to winged eye-liner and pale pink blusher for a natural flush, here are a few essentials....

Sarah Hooley discovers a beauty spot on Breck Road IT was chucking it down outside, I’d developed a crick in my neck from being hunched over my computer all week, and I was feeling decidedly sorry for myself. So in search of some pampering, I booked a hot stone massage at Hunni Hair Beauty & Sunbed Spa. A stylish new salon on Breck Road, Hunni has been open for 10 weeks and has a bright and funky décor giving it a modern yet welcoming feel. On arrival I was shown through to one of the four treatment rooms by friendly beauty therapist, Melissa. The room’s cosy dimmed lighting and soft music instantly made me feel relaxed and within minutes I was happily ensconsed under a layer of fluffy towels. The treatment started with a traditional back, neck and shoulder massage using an ‘uplifting’ mix of juniper, sage and basil aromatherapy oils which Melissa specifically blended for me. Three hot basalt stones, heated in water of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, were then placed along specific points on my back before I was covered back up with a towel to ensure I stayed toasty warm.

Melissa explained that the stones are believed to improve the flow of energy running through the body and can assist with all manner of issues ranging from love and fertility to anxiety and wellbeing. And, whether you believe that or not, the warmth of the stones was

absolutely heavenly. She then massaged my calves, lower thighs and feet using the smooth, hot stones doused in more aromatherapy oils. Their heat, Melissa explained, is not only relaxing but also warms up tight muscles enabling the therapist to work more deeply on any areas of tension. And she wasn’t wrong – within minutes

I felt the stresses and strains of the week ebb away. Then, as soon as the stones had cooled, she put them to one side, before banishing any remaining traces of tension with soft sweeping motions and firm massage strokes. Next, she moved up to my back and removed the now cool stones from my spine. In their place she began a gentle rhythmic massage using a freshly heated stone across my shoulders, upper arms, back and neck. Her innate ability to apply just the right amount of pressure easily released the knots in my back. And, as someone who finds it hard to ‘switch off’ during massages (I typically find myself compiling shopping lists or thinking about what needs washing) I was delighted to discover that, for once, I felt utterly relaxed. But, alas, all good things must come to an end and as Melissa gently smoothed towels over my back and legs to absorb

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Fitness Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins at the London 2012 Olympics Photo: EMPICS Sport

In the wake of Team GB’s triumph in the London Olympics’ cycling events, Richard Lackey hits the saddle to see if the sport is all it’s cracked up to be...

On yer bike! THE likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Victorian Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins were among the many great stars of this summer’s Olympic Games. Us Brits were glued to the box as these fine cyclists peddled their way to medal glory, with Team GB’s cycling heroes winning an impressive 12 medals, the most of any one sport. With all that success it’s likely that our roads will now be rammed with bikes as more of us feel inspired to don our lycra and helmets. Arthur Winstanley, of the Aintree-based Liverpool Phoenix Cycling Club, certainly wants that to become a reality. “We do hope the fantastic results of our fellow riders has raised the popularity of our sport, and maybe a chance to be given some more respect, space and courtesy to continue to share our busy roads in safety,” says the 56-year-old, obviously

referring to the often stormy relationship between motorists and their two-wheeled compatriots. The Phoenix is one of many cycling clubs in the area which welcomes riders of all ages and abilities to become new members and start peddling. It is also a club which is steeped in history, dating back to 1919, and one with Olympic links. Silver medallist at the 1956 Melbourne games and Tour de France finisher, Stan Brittain, is a veteran of the club and still rides his bike as an active club member in his 80s, while current Olympians Wiggins and Ed Clancy have joined the club on occasional rides in the past. “Cycling in a club group can make the miles go by really fast, is generally safer and makes for one of the most enjoyable cheap days out possible,” says Arthur, on the pros of the sport.

Team GB’s Victoria Pendleton waves to the crowd after winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics Photo: PA

Simon Rushton of Liverpool Phoenix Cycling Club riding on the Rainford bypass

“It allows you to eat more than most while remaining fit and healthy, and the cycling community is one of the most welcoming of all sports. “We have members all over the world, as some have emigrated but remained in touch with the

Phoenix, and we are one of the few clubs to have maintained the tradition of all-day Sunday club runs. These alternate between trips to North Wales, Cheshire or deepest Lancashire, usually 100 miles or so long with a stop for lunch.”

Arthur himself is a bit of a whiz on the old bike. He initially became involved in cycling as a casual hobby. “Like most Liverpool lads I wanted to be a footballer and then a runner,” he says, “but as one gets older and the injuries mount up I started cycling, first to work then in events such as the Liverpool-Chester ride. This gave me the cycling bug and I looked for a local club.” This led Arthur to the Phoenix and a flurry of awards to boot. Arthur has won the Merseyside BAR (best all rounder) this year and in 2010 (BAR means the fastest average time of races in 10, 25, 50, 100 mile and 12 hour time trials), while clubmate, Simon Rushton won in 2011. If you fancy emulating Arthur and his clubmate’s successes, visit Liverpool Phoenix Cycling Club’s website phoenixccaintree.net

RIDE OF THE ROSES AS cycling fever sweeps the country, local cyclists are using their pedal power to help The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Antonee Little of Southport, the youngest son of Peter Little who sadly passed away following a battle with prostate cancer in February 2008, has helped continue his father’s legacy by supporting The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity through his multisport club, The Angry Swans. Members of The Angry Swans range from tenacious beginners through to international athletes with club members from all over Merseyside and have so far raised more than £5,000 for Clatterbridge by taking part in a variety of events such as cycling coast to

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coast across Britain, the Southport Mad Dog 10k and the Liverpool Triathlon, and now they are encouraging people to join them at the charity’s Ride of the Roses bike ride this September. Antonee and the team are looking forward to the challenge of the 100 mile circular route on September 16 which will take them from Southport past Leyland via country lanes, as they head towards Settle to cross the Yorkshire border before returning to Southport via the Trough of Bowland and Preston. Sam Archibald, event manager at The

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said the route has some demanding climbs and is the perfect challenge for experienced cyclists. “We also have an equally scenic 50 mile route which is less demanding but certainly a worthy challenge for cyclists not wanting to tackle 100 miles,” says Sam. “It’s a great opportunity to get fit and help us raise vital funds to enable us to offer the most up to date treatment, support vital research, treat our patients with world class equipment and provide life changing support services that would otherwise be unavailable.” To sponsor The Angry Swans, visit

www.justgiving.com/Antonee-Little or to join Antonee and his team on the Ride of the Roses bike ride, register your interest at www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk or call 0151 482 7948.

Members of The Angry Swans

SEPTEMBER 12

computer screen. With the help of a personal trainer, and the full support of her mum, Jackie, she embarked on a strict training regime and diet and, within months, her body had completely changed. In June 2010 she made the bold move to compete in her first competition, the Fitness Universe contest in Miami, Florida, despite being a complete newcomer to the sport. “The idea behind it was to go and do it as a one off, just to say I’d done it,” says Nikki. “I am naturally a very shy person and getting on stage in front of people, in a bikini especially, was my worst nightmare but I was feeling brave and wanted the challenge to show off my hard work from the past six months, so I went.”

Richard Lackey squares up to Nikki Jenkins, the Liverpool woman who is making huge waves in the bodybuilding world...

Photo: Tanya Brila for Fenita Photography Studio

IT can be a nervy experience meeting a female bodybuilder. The simple words conjure up scary thoughts of muscle-bound women with angry faces, Jodie Marsh and my flimsy physique, which would be no match if she so decides to wrestle me to the floor in a rage. But I need not have worried because Nikki Jenkins from Maghull is a delightful, ordinary Liverpool girl with an extraordinary story. And she hasn’t got an angry face, either! The 31-year-old is currently the two times North West champion in bikini fitness, which is a category of bodybuilding. But as Nikki explains, contrary to popular belief, that doesn’t mean she’s the female equivalent of HeMan. “The general reaction to what I do is 99% positive,” says Nikki. “But I’ll be honest, a lot of people do get confused as it’s not a sport a lot of people know much about and the general presumption is that if you train with weights and drink protein shakes like a bodybuilder you go massive. This is not the case at all. “Genetically as a woman it would be virtually impossible to get massive from the type of training I do for bikini fitness. I am 5ft and weigh 7st. I can lift three times my body weight on a leg machine, but I am nowhere near massive.” In fact, Nikki is rather petite and not what you would expect from a bodybuilder. Bikini fitness, she tells me, is all about achieving a perfectly toned body, and yet maintaining a womanly, hour-glass figure. Her journey began from a young age. Despite never being the ‘sporty’ type, the former Maricourt High School pupil became heavily involved in martial arts in her teens. But fast-forward to January 2010 and Nikki was frustrated because despite loving the sport, she didn’t look how she wanted to look. “I wasn’t overweight,” she explains, “I was tiny at 5ft and under 8st, but I wasn’t the shape I wanted to be and no matter how many martial arts classes I did, it wasn’t changing me, really.” This led the freelance makeup artist to the internet where she discovered bikini fitness, a sport which is hugely popular in America, yet only introduced in the UK in 2011. Impressed with what she had discovered, Nikki set out to achieve a body similar to those women on her

ABS FAB

Photo: Tanya Brila for Fenita Photography Studio

Photo: Eric Guy

Nikki Jenkins in competition (centre)

Despite the odds being stacked against her – there were 35 other competitors and she was the only Brit in the contest – Nikki faced her fears. “When we came to compete I really didn’t want to get up there,” she recalls. “It was on a much bigger scale than I had anticipated, I didn’t have any of the special tan they were all wearing – I’d had a spray tan done and next to everyone else I was as white as a sheet

and shouldn’t have bothered – and they were all practising their stage walk and presentation posing backstage which I hadn’t even considered and I didn’t have a clue what I was supposed to do. “But I thought, well, I’m here now so I may as well do it. I went on stage, copied everyone else, and hoped for the best. I was never expecting to actually place in the top girls because I thought I was terrible and everyone else looked so professional, but I had the surprise of my life when my name was called to say I’d came eighth place – I was ecstatic!” The huge success Stateside planted a seed within Nikki that she couldn’t get rid of. She headed back home with the bodybuilding bug, and with bikini fitness finally being introduced to the UK, has since competed in several competitions. She won the North West Bikini Fitness contest two years running, came fourth at the British championships in October 2011, recently qualified for this year’s championship, and is off to Madrid in October to compete in the prestigious Arnold Classic Europe competition –

hosted by and named after arguably the most famous bodybuilder of them all, Arnold Schwarzenegger. All the glamour and trappings doesn’t come without sacrifice, however. Nikki has to train six days a week, 52 weeks a year, whether she is competing or not, and sticks to a ‘clean’ diet, avoiding processed foods, sugars and alcohol, (although she does allow herself some treats one day a week). “It can be quite unsocial, especially as a competitor,” she explains. “I just can’t go out for meals like I used to with friends, and drinking is out of the question. I’m lucky that my boyfriend and my close friends understand. They will always choose a restaurant with a menu that has something for me. “I love this sport because it offers a new challenge with each competition,” concludes Nikki, as we finish our interview. “I feel healthier and stronger, and I love how it makes me feel to achieve what I have.” The phrase, “you go girl”, immediately springs to mind.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 15

The BIG interview

A real Cinderella story The Epstein Theatre Photo: Andrew Teebay

Lee Kelly is producing The Epstein Theatre’s seasonal panto, Cinderella

Richard Lackey talks to local theatre producer, Lee Kelly, who can’t contain his excitement about his upcoming panto at The Epstein Theatre... ONE of Liverpool’s most successful theatre movers and shakers, Lee Kelly, is going back to his roots this coming Christmas. The 32-year-old is producing The Epstein Theatre’s seasonal panto, Cinderella, starring 80s singing-sensation, Sonia, former Brookside star, Philip Olivier, and Big Brother alumni, Nikki Grahame. For Lee, who owns his own theatre and pantomime production company, LHK Productions, returning to the hallowed grounds of The Epstein – formerly the Neptune – will bring back a lot of memories. “When I was 14 I was a dancer in Cinderella at the Neptune,” says Lee. “Then, when I was 19 I started choreographing at the venue until I was 23. So now to go back and produce my own show there is absolutely amazing. I’m buzzing! “It’s on my home turf. This is where I’m from, where I’ve built my whole career. You can expect a real lavish show, with

a great cast and loads of surprises. It’s going to be spectacular.” Cinderella will run for 54 shows during the festive period, and is the Hanover Street venue’s first panto since it closed seven years ago before undergoing major refurbishment. The production is yet another feather in Lee’s ever-expanding cap. Born and raised in Liverpool, Lee grew up in Huyton and West Derby. From an early age he demonstrated a flair for dance and would often be caught making up his own routines to the sounds of Stock, Aitken and Waterman. “It was around the time of Kylie, Jason, Big Fun and Sinitta,” laughs Lee. “I loved bopping to all that stuff.” His mum then put the youngster in a stage school, with his big break coming when he was just 10, when he danced at the Liverpool Empire in its production of Aladdin, alongside Mr T. Work continued to flood in with Lee dancing with some of country’s top pop

stars of the time including the Spice Girls and Kylie Minogue. He spent twoand-a-half years at the acclaimed Laine Theatre Arts college in London, before choreographing his first show when he was just 18. He even managed to squeeze in some time as a member of late-90s boyband, Young At Heart. But Lee’s heart was firmly in choreographing and producing, and that’s why he returned back to Liverpool.

“When I was 14, I was a dancer in Cinderella at the Neptune...to go back and produce my own show there is absolutely amazing.”

The cast of Cinderella, starring Sonia, Philip Olivier and Nikki Grahame Photo: Colin Lane

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“I started getting a reputation for myself,” he says. “There was a buzz around me so I kept pushing on that, working and doing my stuff. Then in 2005 I thought, right, I’m gonna set up on my own.” Since then Lee’s company has produced a string of successful shows, including

panto productions in the Middle East, and among the many highlights, choreographing Cilla Black during her stint in the Empire’s production of Cinderella during the Capital of Culture year. “Just to be asked was great,” comments Lee. Looking to the future, this ambitious young man isn’t resting on his laurels. “Every year the aim is, as a company, to have another venue until I’ve got about 10 or 12 running at the same time,” he says. “There’s loads of stuff I still want to achieve. I give myself goals by each age. I said I wanted to choreograph at the Empire by the time I was 30 and I did that when I was 28. I then said I wanted to send shows abroad by the time I was 40, but I’ve just done it. I want to do big casino shows next, like the ones in Vegas.” Something tells us that the bright lights of Nevada are not far away. Cinderella will be at The Epstein Theatre from Friday, December 7 Sunday, January 6, 2013. For ticket information call the box office on 0844 888 4411.

SEPTEMBER 12 Photo: James Maloney

Titanic welcome for Jen

Producer and director Jen Heyes brings her production of Treasured to the Anglican Cathedral

Michelle Rushton meets director Jen Heyes as she captains an ambitious new theatre project... cathedral and she said ‘right, let’s see if we can make this happen.’” Looking for a co-producer, Jen decided to get the Aspire Trust on board. “I had worked with this wonderful organisation before,” she recalls. “It is a charity founded in Wallasey dedicated to transforming peoples’ life stories through creativity. “Its director, Dr Nick Owen was really interested as they were looking to get involved in an engagement project. We have been working with people internationally who were affected by the tragedy. For example, we have been to Serbia as the lives of 29 Serbians were lost on the ship.” Treasured will feature an impressive line-up of acclaimed professional actors such as Nick Bikinshaw, Laura Campbell, Christopher Hollinshead, Brian Dodd and Nicola Bentley. Jen confides: “I have worked with most of them before and know they can do amazing things. On the production side, creating Treasured has provided me with a unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the most accomplished and exciting contemporary artists working in theatre today.” A lover of live music, Jen has enlisted the help of classical composer and published

Photo: Colin Lane

A LOCAL theatre director is planning to bring the Titanic to the city through her groundbreaking new production, Treasured. Producer/director Jen Heyes is at the helm of a unique, large scale, multimedia theatrical event, which will transform Liverpool Anglican Cathedral into the great ship. The production tells the story of Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage, exploring those untold stories of those who were left behind and those who were taken by the seas, whilst inviting audiences to consider who and what we treasure in our lives and why. Jen explains: “I wanted to create an epic piece of theatre based on the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic and finally bring her to Liverpool – no easy undertaking given that the wreck is still lying deep beneath the ocean. “But through the magic of animation and the scale of Liverpool Cathedral’s walls and ceiling, audiences will be able to appreciate what it may have been like to set eyes on her.” “The cathedral is the perfect space because it’s so awesome yet intimate at the same time and is a great mirror of the scale and scope of the ship. “I had the idea and went to see Eryl Parry, the director of the

playwright Ailis Ni Riain and Brendan Ball, the co-principal trumpet and principal cornet with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The production will combine specifically created live music with recorded soundscapes of the sea and icebergs and amazing set design by Olivia du Monceau, lighting by Phil Saunders and sound design by Adam Sloan. The cast will interact with large scale film by Illuminos who work with projection, light and sound to create works that directly stem from the buildings, spaces and places they engage with. Wired Aerial Theatre will also amaze the audience with their mid air moves. Jen enthuses: “As individuals their work is magnificent, by

working collectively in a space as awesome and as challenging as Liverpool Cathedral means we are creating something very, very special indeed. “The show begins at 7.30pm in the Lady Chapel where the audience will walk through a series of installations before moving into the main cathedral where they will be submerged in the centre of the action. “Through the use of technology and large scale projected images we are also going to bring Albion House, which was besieged by the public on the morning of April 15, 1912, inside the cathedral for the reenactment of the announcement of the sinking of the Titanic.” It’s been a very busy and productive year for Jen who is also co-directing Epstein – The Man Who Made the Beatles.

The play will open the newly re-named Epstein Theatre in November and coincides with the 50th anniversary of The Beatles this year. After its premiere in Liverpool, the play will be touring the UK and Jen already has another exciting project in the pipeline but she is keeping schtum. “All I will say is that I am always on the look out for interesting spaces to work in in Liverpool and I’ve got a great one lined up for next year,” she teases. Treasured will take place from Monday, October 1 to Saturday, October 6 at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. For more information visit the website www.ATreasuredEvent.com

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The BIG interview

CITY JEM SHINES ON Having warmed up for some of the biggest names in dance music, Jemmy is a man who knows how to get a party started. Katie McLoughlin catches up with the Liverpool DJ ahead of a very special gig this month...

THE last few months have seen Liverpool DJ Jemmy play in Ibiza, Creamfields and London. And, with his debut EP due to be released on a major label, and a warm-up gig at Renaissance’s night in St George’s Hall this month, it’s fair to say that 2012 is shaping up to be a pretty big year for the 27-year-old DJ. “Things are going really well at the moment,” admits Jemmy, from Aigburth. “I haven’t had a bad gig all year. In fact, I’ve had some of my best. My mission over the next few months is to spend a lot of time in the studio, whenever I get a spare day or two anyway.” With a flair for getting the crowd going without overshadowing the headliners, the Liverpool DJ, real name James Varley, is the go-to-man for warm up gigs. The last few years have seen him warm up for the likes of Sasha and Digweed at Cream in 2009, Sander Kleinenberg, Derrick Carter and Nick Warren to name but a few. So, what’s it like to warm up for some of the biggest names in the business? “It’s amazing, it’s different for every gig though. You really have to take their sound into consideration to make sure that you start off proceedings perfectly for them,” considers Jemmy. “I think the warm up slot is one of the most important of the night.”

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The local lad also delivered a cracker of a warm-up set at Freeze’s last event, in Liverpool Cathedral, before dance legends Danny Howells and Cattaneo took to the decks in the hallowed space. “It was a one off, it felt like we were a part of history,” reflects Jemmy. “I don’t think I’ll ever gig in a more beautiful place.” He clearly impressed the Freeze team, as they’ve chosen Jemmy to warm up the crowd at their next event – a very special night celebrating Renaissance’s 20th anniversary in St George’s Hall on September 15 (read all about it on page 20). “The guys really did nail it [at the cathedral event] – the sound, visuals, organisation, everything was spot on. That’s what makes the event in September even more exciting,” he adds. As well as Jemmy, the line-up includes Howells and Cattaneo, who also played at Freeze’s cathedral event. Plus, Spanish DJ Henry Saiz and Ghosting Season, an exciting new act signed to Sasha’s label. So, how does Jemmy you feel about warming up for Howells and Cattaneo again in such a historic setting as St George’s Hall? “I can’t wait – they’re both legends. I’m looking forward to playing with Henry Saiz and Ghosting Season for the first

time too, they’re churning out amazing music at the moment,” enthuses Jemmy, who juggles his DJ gigs with working in 3B Records – the Slater Street record shop he co-owns with fellow DJs Adam Helliwell and Thomas Tuft, which is a Mecca for DJs and music fans alike. The warm up gig sets the tone for the night, so what has Jemmy have lined up for his set in St George’s Hall this month? “I get to play very deep, which I love – music that I wouldn’t get away with

in most other places – and lots of new music of my own, that nobody has heard yet,” he reveals. “I can’t wait, it’s really exciting for me, finishing a track that I’ve worked really hard on and seeing the reaction that it gets on the floor for the first time. It’s nerve racking, but exciting.” Of course one of the tracks that Jemmy has been busily working away on recently is his eagerly anticipated EP – Quarry Bank Rainbow – which will be released on a major label later this year. “Quarry Bank Rainbow will probably be out in autumn,” says the talented DJ and producer. “It’s really hard to describe my own sound, but I take a lot of inspiration from the likes of Guy Gerber, Four Tet, Joe Goddard, Yousef and Amourphous Androgynous. It has been getting a great response, so I’m really looking forward to the release.” You can catch Jemmy in action in St George’s Hall on September 15, alongside Danny Howells, Hernan Cattaneo, Henry Saiz and Ghosting Season for Renaissance’s 20th anniversary soiree. Tickets are priced from £15, available from 3B Records on Slater Street or online at www.3brecords.co.uk or www.clubfreeze.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 12 Photo: WWW.ROBERTEMMETT.CO.UK

This month Circus celebrates a rather special anniversary. Katie McLoughlin talks to Yousef – DJ, producer and co-founder of the club night, to find out more... DESPITE a global reputation for his DJ talents, bookings from some of the world’s best clubs, releasing music on labels like Cocoon, Cecille, Intec and Saved, and an upcoming album that’s been tipped by those in the know as his finest work to date; DJ, producer and promoter Yousef remains modest and describes the monthly club-night that he runs in the city as a ‘hobby’. Yet Circus, the night he co-founded with city promoter, Rich McGinniss, is no modest feat. It started as a place where Yousef could play in his then home-city and has evolved into one of the biggest house and techno parties on the planet. “From a home for me to play in Liverpool to being part of the UK’s clubbing history means a great deal,” reflects the Kirkbyborn DJ. “When Rich and I set Circus up it was when I’d left Cream, because the music policy wasn’t for me anymore, but we wanted a place in the city where people could be themselves and listen to new, forward-thinking music in a fun, interesting and safe environment. At first it was like an idea and a hobby, but Circus is like a family member now – like a brother you stick with through thick and thin.” Circus has certainly achieved everything that it set out to do – it has regularly brought such doyens of dance as Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox and Sven Vath to the city; showcased emerging talent like Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, Luciano and Jamie Jones before they were household names; hosted two Radio 1 Essential Mix parties and helped to consolidate Liverpool’s reputation as an epicentre for electronic music. The night is revered by city clubbers and this month, it celebrates a monumental event – it’s 10th anniversary. “I’m proud and amazed that we’ve

made it to 10 years. It’s insane to even contemplate that a fully independent club night could last the course of the turbulent UK club scene since we opened, but we have done just that, and we have done it in style,” says Yousef. Befitting such a landmark occasion, Yousef has a very special night planned for the 10th anniversary party on Saturday, September 29. “We’re trying to envisage everything that we’ve done for the past 10 years,” he reveals. “Rather than just be retrospective with everything that we’ve done, we’re going to paint a picture of where we’ve been, where we’re at and where we’re going.” Yousef, who got his own big break after winning a DJ competition in 1998, has always ensured that Circus provides a platform for emerging talent, and the 10th anniversary line-up includes many of the next generation of talent, alongside the living legend that is Sasha. “We’ve booked really fresh names like Maceo Plex, who has never played for us before, and then Seth Troxler and Davide Squillace who play for us a lot but are considered the next generation,” he reveals. “And obviously, we’ve got Sasha, who is a legend, so to speak. His sound is more current now than I’ve heard in a long time, so it’s a really nice kind of mix.” The venue is yet to be announced, but Circus regulars will have their fingers crossed that the club-night can hold its monumental anniversary party in its spiritual home – The Masque. The layout of The Masque’s iconic Theatre room, together with the atmosphere that prevails when Circus is there, makes for something exceptionally special. “A lot of people like Garnier, Luciano and Cox have said that, even Pete Tong has said that there’s no room like it,”

A decade of dance enthuses Yousef. “Nothing touches Circus when it’s in The Masque.” Circus’ 10th anniversary is a major achievement for Yousef and the last decade has seen a lot of change for him on both the professional and personal fronts. “I got married recently, I’m globally and relentlessly touring as a DJ and I’m working really hard with my radio show, Circus, the Circus Recordings label, remixing, producing and my album – I do work a lot of hours, but I enjoy it all,” he says. “I’m lucky enough to do something that I really enjoy doing and I think through hard work I’m nearly the person that I want to be. I had such a rocky time growing up, it was very, very difficult, so getting to a place where I’m personally happy is quite an achievement.” Recognising that it’s the journey in life that shapes us, Yousef’s latest recording project is influenced by his personal history, global travelling exploits and experiences in clubs around the world. Released on Circus Recordings on October 22, the album, which is Yousef’s second complete artist album, is aptly named ‘A Product of Your Environment’. “The name comes from a realisation I

had, about five years ago, that people are always a product of their environment and what they choose to be in them,” explains Yousef. “And that’s what the album set out to be – it’s a product of everything that I’ve become, where I’ve been and where I would like to go.” With full songs, complete instrumentation and a focus on melody, the album features lyrics penned by Yousef himself. And, in a move away from his usual beat-laden style, the project gave the DJ the chance to collaborate with some extremely talented musicians. “My last album was a series of club tracks, but with this one, I wanted to create an album that told a story about where I’ve been, what I’ve done and my influences. It’s definitely the type of project that you can listen to from start to finish – musically it’s certainly a journey that always has one eye on the dance floor.” You can see Yousef at Circus – The 10th Anniversary on Saturday, September 29, 10pm-late, venue TBA. For more details and to buy tivkets visit www.circusclub.co.uk

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 19

What’s on

SEPTEMBER 12 Photo: James Chapman

Culture club

This month, another Liverpool landmark gets the Freeze treatment as the city promoters turn their attention to St George’s Hall. Katie McLoughlin reports...

Freeze made history when they bought electronic music to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. Below, Danny Howells (left) and Hernan Cattaneo join the line-up for the next Renaissance party

WIN

WIN RENAISSANCE TICKETS

Photo: Sebastian Dehesdin

Freeze has always tried to push the boundaries of Liverpool’s dance scene, and following the success of last year’s cathedral event and its legendary ‘rave in a cave’ parties in the Williamson Tunnels, it’s no surprise that the venue for their upcoming night is one of Liverpool’s architectural gems – St George’s Hall. One of the world’s finest neo-classical buildings, St George’s Hall was originally built as a venue for music festivals in the 1850s – so it’s a rather apt choice for a venue to host Renaissance’s 20-year celebrations. Taking place on Saturday, September 15, the event will see the Grade I listed building reverberate to the sounds of some of Renaissance’s biggest names – Hernan Cattaneo, Henry Saiz, Danny Howells, Ghosting Season and Jemmy, plus a very special guest DJ still to be announced.

BEST of Liverpool has two guest list places to give away to Renaissance’s 20th anniversary party in St George’s Hall on September 15. To be in with a chance of winning, tell us:

Whose label are Ghosting Season signed to? Email your anwer, along with your name and daytime telephone number, to: magazine@ liverpool.com. Closing date for entries: Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Winner must be aged 18 or over.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Photo: James Chapman

LAST April, Liverpool club promoters Freeze made history when they brought electronic music to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. A collaboration with record label Dig Deeper and Freeze, the unprecedented night, which was attended by over 650 clubbers, saw Argentinean DJ, Hernan Cattaneo and the legendary Danny Howells deliver awe-inspiring sets in the cathedral’s intimate and atmospheric Well. Over a year later, the night is still being talked about by city clubbers, so it’s no surprise that Freeze’s latest project is garnering much attention as the September 15 event draws nearer. A collaboration with Renaissance, the event will see the pioneering dance label bring part of its 20-year celebrations to Liverpool, having began in Birmingham and Leeds with the mighty Sasha at the helm.

The September gig marks a return to Liverpool for Cattaneo and Howells, who both delivered mesmerising sets at Freeze’s last event in Liverpool Cathedral. Of course, Howells and Cattaneo aren’t the only DJs who will be on the decks in the latest Liverpool landmark to get the Freeze treatment. Rising star on the melodic house and techno scene, Henry Saiz will also be making his return to Liverpool. Henry’s Balance 19 Compilation won him Best Compilation at the prestigious Spanish DJ Mag awards earlier this year, in which he also picked up awards for Best Label for his Natura Sonoris imprint and Best Live Act. Ghosting Season, an exciting new band signed to Sasha’s Last Night on Earth label, and described by Mixmag as the ones to watch for 2012, will also be performing a live set on the night. Completing the line-up is home-grown star Jemmy (check out our interview with Jemmy on page 18). Plus, a very special guest is still to be

announced. With such a colossal line-up and a venue as grand as St George’s Hall, the September 15 event is sure to go down in Liverpool clubbing history as a night of monumental proportions. Following the St George’s Hall event, an exclusive after-party is being held in a secret venue, for which just 500 tickets are available. Best of Liverpool has had a sneak peak at the after-party line-up and let’s just say, those who can last the distance are in for a treat. Continuing Freeze’s emotional commitment to Breast Cancer awareness, a percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to the cause. Tickets are priced from £15, available from 3B Records on Slater Street, Liverpool (www.3brecords.co.uk). Tickets also available online from www.clubfreeze.co.uk, skiddle.com and residentadvisor.net

Things to do, places to see

SEPTEMBER 12

Michelle Rushton has plenty of ideas of how to keep you amused this September...

BY NIGHT

BY DAY

RELIGIONS & CULTURES

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

AFTER the massive success of his ‘New Liverpool’ themed spring/summer art show for the unofficial launch of Liverpool Art Month in May, acclaimed city artist Matt Ford returns this month with his third knock-out art exhibition in the past 12-months. The Toxteth-based artist has been commissioned to curate a contemporary art exhibition based on the ideals, philosophy and science of Buddhism.

FEAST OF FUN

FOOD and fun lovers rejoice – the seventh annual Hope Street Feast is confirmed to take place on September 16. The whole family can enjoy this vibrant day, as Hope Street and the surrounding streets come alive with open air and indoor spaces, including cookery demonstrations and special tasters from local restaurants, delicious delicatessen samples, real ale, live music, dance and theatre. This day offers not only a cornucopia of gastronomic delights but also two open air music stages featuring the finest of Liverpool’s emerging acoustic talent, street theatre, and The Liverpool Philharmonic Open Day and Blackburne House’s Open Day. The street will witness a dance showcase from the talented students of Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and Hope Street Limited’s very own Athletics Association will bring humorous games of old such as hurdle-hopping into the future.

MUST DO MUST SEE...

MUST DO...

THE National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. This innovative dance company is coming to the UK to mark the 50th Jamaican Independence Day and will perform its premiere at The Black-E on September 28 and 29, as well as hosting workshops and an exhibition. The company blends the lore, music and dance traditions of Africa and Europe with modern and classical ballet forms creating an explosive dance fusion that is diverse, athletic and truly Jamaican. More information can be found on www.theblack-e.co.uk

SUPPORT the legendary Pandemonium band in my home village of Garston. The band has raised money for many charities over the years and will stage a reunion night on Friday, September 14. The event has been organised to raise funds for the Matt Smith Electric Wheelchair appeal. It will be held at 7.30pm at the VMH Club in Garston and features The Pandemonium Band, as well as It Takes Two and Tony Wells. Tickets are just £5, available from the club by calling 0151 427 4463.

MUST TRY...

MUST REMEMBER...

TO forget the stresses and worries of the week by taking advantage of the Leverhulme Hotel’s ‘Fabulous Friday’ treat. The historical four star Wirral hotel is offering a decadent three-course dinner prepared by award-winning chef Richard Fox, an overnight stay in a luxurious baby or boudoir grand room and a full English breakfast for only £162 per night. What a way to start the weekend! Visit www.leverhulmehotel.co.uk for details.

Photo: Mark McNulty

OUR stunning atrium here at Best of Liverpool Towers will host an exhibition of amazing images by local photographer David Lydiate this month. The talented lensman has put together a collection of his images entitled Merseyside’s Religions and Cultures which will be on display here at the Liverpool Post and Echo building on Old Hall Street from September 12-25. The exhibition, which will be officially opened by Miss Liverpool, Faye Ayers, at 2pm on September 12, has been organised to raise money and awareness of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. A promotional slide show with soundtrack will be available to view on www.youtube.com too. For more details visit www.lydiatesliverpoollens.com

The exhibition will follow up the Liverpool stop of the sacred Buddhist relics world tour at The World Museum. Matt, whose modern, stylish work is often striking and thought provoking, has created 10 pieces for the exhibition, which take a fresh look at what Buddhism means while exploring the themes of death, love, sex and self. UNIVERSAL – Death, Love, Sex & Self, is at The Photographer Studio, 1 Victoria Street, Liverpool from September 28-October 1, 11am6pm. Free event – for more information, visit www.facebook.com/theartshowpresents

TO talk to the wall after watching Shirley Valentine. Liverpool comedian Pauline Daniels will be reprising her role and bringing Shirley to the stage during a one-woman-show at St Helens Theatre Royal. This will be Pauline’s 21st anniversary performing the role of Mrs Valentine created by Willy Russell. The show is one from September 13-16. To book call 01744 756 000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

JAWS BITES BACK

DA dum, da dum, da dum… Jameson Cult Film Club will be swimming into the Albert Dock for a spectacular screening of Spielberg’s summer shark thriller, Jaws. The iconic blockbuster will be shown at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on Thursday, September 13 and Jameson will bring the film to life with a 70s-inspired beach party and BBQ on the Albert Dock ahead of the screening. The event starts at 7pm. After wandering along the dock, guests will see the beach party in full swing and fishermen out in boats patrolling the docks. After being welcomed to Amity by the Mayor, guests will be able to grab a burger and pick up one of the delicious Jameson cocktails, but it’s not long before rumours start to circulate in the crowd with people saying they’ve just seen a Great White... For the screening itself at 8.30pm, guests will be ushered into the historic Merseyside Maritime Museum where Jameson will be screening the film from the digitally remastered and fully restored Blu-ray. Free tickets are available from facebook.com/jamesoncultfilmclub

GLAMOUR ON THE GO

SEPTEMBER sees the Garlands rollercoaster of elaborate escapism swing through another destination as the madness encamps to a secret stately home location. Garlands will whisk away 400 exclusive, eccentric and highly excitable dressed up clubbers on five vintage double decker buses to the unknown destination on September 15.

WIN

The route will be wandering over hill, moor and dale, to a fantastic ‘never land’ just hidden from mortal view. The guests will discover an idyllic top secret location where the Garlands reputation for outrageous tomfoolery will continue. Fancy dress is advised – channel some flower power vibes and the hippy spirit. Each bus will be hosted, manned and staffed by tranny tour operators, drag queen drivers and stilt walker bus conductors, ensuring the journey is equally as magical as the experience itself. The soundtrack will remains as enigmatically Garlands as the decor, with pumping vocal house, lascivious grooves and dirty beats all provided by the club’s ensemble of talented residents. Tickets cost £25 including travel. For details visit www.garlandsonline.com

SOUND OF DOWN UNDER

AWARD-WINNING vocal ensemble The Australian Voices will be coming to Liverpool as part of their National UK Tour. The Australian Voices are an ensemble-inresidence at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and are recognised as one of the most innovative vocal ensembles in the world. This vibrant choral group will be showcasing their new production - Moon - at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They will then embark on their tour of the UK performing at St Anthony’s Church in Liverpool on Saturday, September 15 at 7pm. For ticket information visit www.theaustralianvoices.com

JOHN BISHOP LIVE COMPETITION COMEDIAN John Bishop is back in Liverpool with a brand new show! The multi award-winning funnyman returns to the ECHO Arena for a mammoth six nights with a new show John Bishop: Rollercoaster – full of hilarious new material from October 1-6. Talking about his new show, John says: “The ECHO Arena is my favourite arena in the country, and it is always exciting to be back in Liverpool. This is a completely new show, and as I am currently putting it all together I think it might be the best I have done yet.” For tickets call 0844 8000 400 or book online at www.echoarena.com. In the meantime, Best of Liverpool has a pair of tickets to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: What is the name of John Bishop’s new show? Answers on a postcard to Best of Liverpool, PO Box Liverpool, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB (including your name and telephone number). Closing date: Friday, September 21. Suitable for over 16s only.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Weddings Photo: Zoe Photography

Merseyside marriages Looking for inspiration for your big day? Michelle Rushton and Sarah Hooley have some great ideas on how to say ‘I do’ in style... GORGEOUS GOWNS Photo: Justin Alexander

BRIDES-to-be have Kate Middleton and the last Twilight film to thank for designers’ love of lace this season. From demure 1950s-inspired gowns with nipped in waists to sheer backs with a sexy twist, this versatile look will dominate stores this season. Other key styles include art deco beading, deep V-necks, feathers, cap sleeves, rolled cowl necklines and ‘bombshell brides’ a la Marilyn Monro. Think-leg flaunting slits and figure-hugging dresses with a dash of Hollywood glamour to show off your curves!

AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO IF you’re after something a little different, vintage crockery can add a touch of glamour to your wedding breakfast. Wirral-based Gorge’Us Tearooms hires out its extensive range of beautiful bone China crockery to complement your retro chic theme. It also provides vintage decor to complement the table settings. Plus, the firm is an awardwinning bakery which can help you fill those vintage cake stands with delicious treats. Visit www.gorge-us.co.uk

YOU SET THE DATE WE SET THE DIAMONDS

Beautifully handcrafted Engagement rings

SNAP HAPPY

DESSERT TABLE

HOW do you know that your wedding photographer will do a good job on your big day? Zoë Richards, from Zoë Photography, has some words of advice when it comes to choosing a photographer: “Expect to pay from £1,500 upwards for a good professional photographer – you can pay less, but you may end up paying for someone who photographs weddings as a hobby. “You put a lot of time, effort and money into creating the perfect day – it’s your photographer who will capture all of that for you! “Trawl through websites – established professional photographers have a website, a blog with regular entries over a number of years, and a Facebook business page with lots of entries too. Check them out to see if you like their style of photography. “Ask friends who their photographer was, and what problems they had – some photographers are rude to guests, dress scruffily, or take over your day. You want someone who’ll blend in well. The best way to find out about this is by asking for recommendations. “Meet with two or three photographers, and check that you can connect with them, trust them, you like their photographs and they’re within your budget. Beware of anyone who pushes you to book there and then, such as offering you big discounts for an immediate booking.” For details visit www.zoephotography.co.uk

FOR something deliciously different, why not incorporate a dessert table into your wedding plans? A trend which is huge in Amercia, Natalie Adlington has brought them to Liverpool. She runs Half Dozen Design and specialises in creating bespoke dessert tables which are perfect for weddings. Natalie is based at The Wedding House in Liverpool. Visit www.halfdozendesign.com

KISS AND MAKE UP

CHICAGO BUILDING • WHITECHAPEL • LIVERPOOL L1 6DS (Opposite the Metquar ter) www.wongsjewellers.co.uk • 0151 236 1552 OPEN: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm • Sunday 11am to 5pm

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

EVERY bride wants to look beautiful on their big day. Make-up artist Alexandra Burke at Capello specialises in wedding make-up. She advises: “For brides who likes to keep it simple, I usually go for a neutral shimmer on the eye with a nice clean liner along the lash line, while for a more dramatic look, golds and browns work well together. Different eyelashes can change the style, a long fanned out lash, for example, gives a very romantic feel. “Although every bride is different, most say they want flawless skin. We achieve this by using a primer, then choosing the right foundation, covered by a long lasting powder/ bronzer and blusher. Your make-up should be individual to your personal style and I always say try a few different looks before deciding.” www.capelloliverpool.co.uk

SOMETHING BORROWED... WOULD you like to walk down the aisle wearing a dazzling 4.5 carat diamond tiara on your wedding day? Who wouldn’t?! To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee year, Wongs Jewellers, in partnership with Mastercut, is offering brides the chance to borrow a tiara worth over £30,000 on their wedding day for free when they buy a Mastercut diamond engagement ring worth over £2,300 in the city centre showroom during 2012. The elegant headpiece can be booked for weddings up to two years in advance. Visit www.wongsjewellers.co.uk

CROWNING GLORY WHEN it comes to wedding hair, the team at Williams and Coburn Hair Company in Aigburth are experts in creating the perfect look for your big day having worked with the leading hairdressers in the UK. Kelly Williams and Cheryl Parry have been privileged enough to be part of L’Oreal and Clynol’s technical team teaching long hair and bridal hair to other hairdressers around the country. Whether you desire a classically elegant, a loose and relaxed, or a contemporary style, Kelly and Cheryl can make it happen. The salon offers tailor-made bridal packages to suit any requirement. For more details call 0151 427 6333 or visit www.williamsandcoburnhaircompany.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 12

Where to wed Michelle Rushton locates some Merseyside wedding venues with the ‘wow’ factor...

Croxteth Hall THE historic home of the Earls of Sefton makes a regal backdrop to your special day. Croxteth Hall stands majestically in the beautiful gardens of the biggest park in Liverpool. It is fully licensed to hold wedding ceremonies and receptions too, making it an ideal place for you and all your guests to enjoy their day. Croxteth Hall’s friendly staff are professional and experienced in helping to arrange weddings and will be happy to show you round or discuss your needs. A wide variety of options (ceremonies,

evening receptions and wedding breakfasts, etc) are available. For such a fine setting, the charges are surprisingly reasonable and very competitive with other venues. There’s a choice of several rooms available inside the hall, from the splendid oak panelled Earl’s Dining Room to the more intimate Study. These allow groups of all sizes, up to a maximum of 200 guests for an evening function to be comfortably accommodated. For more details call 0151 233 6010 or visit www.croxteth.co.uk/functions/ weddings

Hard Day’s Night Hotel IDEALLY located on North John Street, the Hard Days Night Hotel, offers couples a chic and stylish setting for weddings or civil partnerships. Inside the hotel has an intimate suite, the ‘Two of Us’, which has been specifically designed for civil ceremonies. The suite is able to accommodate up to 75 guests and has been beautifully decorated with subtle tones to provide a glamorous back-drop for any big day. Wedding breakfasts can then be taken in one of the hotel’s adjacent function rooms that can seat up to 110 guests, or 180 evening guests. The deals start from £69pp for the ‘From Me To You’ package, which includes a three course wedding breakfast, tea/coffee and mints, one glass of house wine per adult, and a luxury bedroom for the happy couple. Evening wedding reception packages are priced from £32pp. All packages include advice from the wedding coordinator, room hire (excluding the The Of Us suite), linen hire, candelabras, use of cake stand and knife, name cards and menus, and special accommodation rates for guests. Visit www.harddaysnighthotel.com or call 0151 236 1964

VINTAGE WEDDING THE North West’s biggest vintage wedding event takes place at top Liverpool venue Camp and Furnace, on Sunday, October 14 . Held in association with leading vintage festival organisers Pillbox Vintage, the day has everything couples need for their vintage/retro inspired wedding day. Exhibitors include vintage wedding transport, stationery, floral designers, cake designers, vintage/retro bridalwear, vintage/retro outfits for guests, accessories, wedding outfit designers, hair, make-up and manicures, vintage crockery hire, outfit alteration service, hen and stag night ideas and honeymoon ideas. The festival also boasts a superb programme of live entertainment including DJ sessions and live music performances including Sense of Sound, the nationally recognised finalists in the recent BBC television show, ‘Last Choir Standing.’ Camp and Furnace is also a unique space for couples looking for something that bit different including The Furnace, a giant picnic arena and Camp, an indoor campsite, complete with a collection of European vintage caravans. Newly licensed for wedding and civil partnerships, Camp and Furnace will be offering a 10% discount on all wedding packages booked during the festival along with free tasters of their wedding breakfast menus. Tickets to The Vintage Wedding Festival are £4 in advance, and £5 on the door, available from www.fatsoma.com/tickets/the-vintagewedding-festival/camp-and-furnace/liverpool/e64125

Hillbark Hotel & Spa FRANKBY’S five-star rated Hillbark Hotel & Spa is set in 250 acres of beautifully landscaped Wirral parkland providing a luxurious destination for weddings. From the estate’s Great Hall to the newly refurbished Garden Pavilion or the extensive grounds, the venue has a huge range of options for everything from your ceremony to your reception. There are 18 individually designed rooms, including a luxurious four-poster boudoir where numerous superstars have stayed, which will ensure that the happy couple can enjoy their wedding night in plush surroundings and there’s plenty of room for guests too. A fleet of chauffeured luxury cars, including a Bentley Arnage and pink Rolls Royce Phantom are available to whisk you away to the destination of your choice. With a stunning range of packages and a bespoke planning service, the team at Hillbark promise to help you get hitched, without a hitch. Visit www.contessahotels.co.uk

Goodison Park BRIDES with something old, something new and something borrowed can now add something blue to their wedding by tying the knot in one of Goodison Park’s newly refurbished function rooms. A popular venue for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions, the new-look function suites are already proving a big hit with couples preparing to say ‘I do’. The 1878 Brasserie now has a wooden floor surrounded by a contemporary grey and black carpet along with a new enclosed glass room, and both banquet-style and curved booth seating. In addition, the 85 Lounge’s facilities have been upgraded and the room’s layout has been altered to maximise space and offer increased seating versatility. The venue offers a range of wedding packages, including the popular £1,878 deal which includes a civil wedding or partnership ceremony, traditional afternoon for 30 guests, an evening reception for 60 people and decoration of the venue including items such as table mirrors, table confetti, tea lights, and swags for tables and chairs. Call the events team on 0151 530 5251 or email weddings@evertonfc.com

Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa THORNTON Hall Hotel & Spa is a perfect venue for your big day or to celebrate your hen party in style. The award-winning hotel is set in the stunning location of Thornton Hough in Wirral. It features a pretty garden pagoda in the grounds where brides and grooms can enjoy an intimate al fresco ceremony. The venue has ensured wedding guests won’t miss any of the proceedings by providing a discreet outdoor sound system. Inside the building, civil ceremonies can take place in any of the suites, from The Lawns Restaurant – which is perfect for small gatherings – to the Torintone Suite, which can accommodate up to 500 guests. The bedrooms include the traditional penthouse suite and beautiful character rooms, and couples and their guests can also take advantage of the health and spa facilities during their stay. Hen Parties are also welcome at the hotel which offers celebration spa days where you can have a choice of treatments, lunch and use of the exclusive leisure facilities. For more information visit the hotel website at www.thorntonhallhotel.com or call 0151 336 3938.

Marry at The Mal WHETHER you’re planning an intimate wedding breakfast or a lively evening reception, the Liverpool Mal may have what you’ve been looking for. Everything you need is under one luxurious roof. On booking your big day at The Mal, you have full use of the sumptuous Brasserie and Mal Room along with your own private Champagne Bar, Veuve Clicquot no less, for maximum guest numbers of 65/80 and 120 respectively. Weddings and civil ceremonies are from £3,000 in 2012 and 2013 – call Kerri Lytton on 0151 229 5021 for a show round and complementary glass of bubbly each. Quote ‘ECHO’ when you call. *Minimum numbers and spend may apply. Strictly subject to availability. The offer is based on weddings booked on any Monday in November/December 2012 or any day of the week in January and February 2013/2014. Please contact the hotel for full details.

DoubleTree by Hilton AN exciting new wedding venue will be unveiled in the city next year. DoubleTree by Hilton will be opening its first hotel in Liverpool in summer 2013. The 87-bedroom, upscale and full-service hotel is located in the city’s former Municipal Annexe on the corner of Sir Thomas and Dale Street. The Grade II-listed building will retain its grandeur from when it was first constructed in 1865 and offer architecturally significant bedrooms, a restaurant, residents’ lounge, opulent spa and swimming pool, as well as conference and events facilities. For more information visit www.doubletree.com

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 23

Home & Gardens

Fall into autumn

Wicker log carrier, £40, from www.ludlowstoves.co.uk

Richard Lackey looks at items to transform your home into a cosy autumnal sanctuary... QUITE unbelievably, September is here and autumn is already on our doorstep. If you’re like me then the next few months will be your favourite time of year. The sight of leaf-strewn pavements and that first unexpected crisp, cool breeze always puts a smile on my face. I also love nothing more than snuggling up indoors on a cold, autumn night. To make that evening at home

all the more special, there are a wonderful array of accessories available for the home that reflect the new season and will turn your interior space into a warm and magical place. Fuse burnt oranges with reds and golden yellows, mix and match thick woollen throws with extra plush cushions, introduce rustic wooden furniture features, and fill your rooms with candle scents inspired by the coming months.

Autumn leaves cushion, £33, from www.delve.co.uk

Rush owl doormat, £19.99, from www.retreat-home.com

Plaid print cushion, £8, from Matalan Autumn red knitted pouf, £139.95, from www.nordichouse.co.uk

Multicoloured recycled rag rug, £11.95, from www.dotcomgiftshop.com Autumn leaves shabby chic country style shelf blocks, £30, from www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.co.uk Honey and Spice/Blissful Autumn large housewarmer candles, £19.99 each, from www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Brora stripe knit design mugs, £8, from www.msmugs.com Camille woollen blanket, £107, from www.berryred.co.uk

Brown/grey and taupe throw, £45, from www.velvetbrown.co.uk

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

SEPTEMBER 12

Barry Kirby, owner of The Warbreck Gallery

Picture perfect Richard Lackey looks at how you can transform your home with a splash of framed wall art... THE irony of digital photography is that while more of us travel armed with a camera these days, the less photographs we actually possess to show for it. Gone are the days when you would wait excitedly in Max Spielmann for that first flick through your packet of holiday snaps. Nowadays we click away like a mad man only to resign our mini masterpieces to a nameless folder on the computer desktop, never to be looked at again. I speak from experience. Since I went digital a few years ago I have amassed a hard drive full of photographs covering everything from nights out on the lash, to holidays and Christmases gone by. Memories upon memories locked away for ever. That was until last year when I decided to sift through the digital maze and print

Phil Hignett at work in the gallery

off a selection of the best. It was the right move. Some snaps became the subject of many a laugh with my mates ashamed at their once drunken antics, while others became the perfect framed gifts for the family. Now I’ve got the bug and I have promised myself to print off a few every now and then to keep my pictorial legacy alive. Add to these the selection of vintage horror movie posters I’ve harboured over the years under the bed, and I’ve now got a few potential pieces of stunning wall art to cheer up the home. “If you can get it through the door then we will work out how to put it into a frame,” Phil Hignett, the craftsman behind The Warbreck Gallery, tells me during my visit to the quaint picture framing shop in Orrell Park.

Owned by Barry Kirby, The Warbreck Gallery specialises in breathing life into your old photies, dogeared posters and battered watercolours, with its huge selection of frames. And if you think it is a simple case of just sticking your picture into any old frame, think again. Choosing the right one can make or break a room. “People have to live with it for such a long time,” says Barry, on the virtues of getting it right. “A nicely framed object is a piece of furniture in itself.” With my pictures in tow – including a classic ‘Jaws’ poster – I was presented with a labyrinth of choices. “When a person comes in with an item to be framed and they don’t know what

they want, we take them back to the room it is actually going in,” says Barry, explaining the intricate process. “We will talk about the colour scheme of the room and try and get them to visualise the frame in the room. At the end of the day the frame is predominant so will it go with the rest of the decor? That’s what we are trying to establish. They then have a choice of framing mouldings, mountboards and several types of glass. “The truth is, though, I don’t believe there is a rule book. Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder.” When it comes to the actual frame, The Warbreck Gallery has a selection of hundreds, including different colours and a variety of materials, from the ‘Rolls Royce’ wooden frames, to the cheaper composite (plastic) ones. Like everything in interior design, there are also trends which come in and out of vogue. “Black frames are very popular at the moment,” says Barry. And it’s not just pictures that the shop will frame. Barry and Phil have framed all sorts of wacky and weird items, from a leather jacket worn by Noel Gallagher, a boxing robe worn by Roberto Duran, to football shirts, army medals and music memorabilia. “Anything can be framed provided its not breathing,” jokes Barry. The Warbreck Gallery is located on Orrell Lane. Call 0151 329 2120, email info@warbreckgallery.co.uk or visit www.warbreckgallery.co.uk

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 25

Food & drink

Creature comforts Sarah Hooley embraces the start of autumn with these perfect puddings...

‘SBRICIOLATA’ AMARENA CHERRY CRUMBLE CAKE WITH PASTRY CREAM

A crumbly sbriciolata from P&D Deli in Williamson Square

(From Paolo and Donato Cillo, P&D Deli)

The recipe can also be made with juicy blackberry jam for an added seasonal twist. Ingredients: l 300g flour l 150g sugar l 150g butter, cold l 10g yeast l 1 egg l 75g cherry jam l 375g custard Method: l In a bowl place the flour, sugar, egg, yeast and butter (butter should be cold and diced) mix with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. l Place half the mixture in a 10 inch round baking tray. Evenly spread the custard over the base and do the same with the cherry jam. Then, place the second half of the mixture on top to finish. l Place on the middle shelf of the oven at 175 degrees for 35 minutes until golden brown.

HOT CHOCOLATE FONDANT

(From Alyson Rooney, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill) IF ever a pudding was made for cosy nights in, it’s this gooey hot chocolate fondant. The recipe, from Alyson Rooney the pastry chef at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill in Hotel Indigo is mouth-wateringly good and every chocoholic’s dream come true. Ingredients: l 125g butter l 125g dark chocolate l 2 whole eggs l 3 egg yolks l 150g caster sugar l 125g plain flour Method: l Warm the oven to 170 degrees/gas mark 3. l Heat the butter and chocolate together in a microwave at one-minute intervals until fully melted. l Whisk together the eggs and sugar, and add to the chocolate mix. Fold in the flour. l Butter 4 ramekin dishes and lightly dust with cocoa powder. l Add mixture and bake at 170 degrees/gas mark 3 for 10 minutes. l Gently turn out onto a plate.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING AS a life-long fan of puddings (I have in fact been known to visit a restaurant with the sole intention of ordering a dessert), it’s fair to say that I have a sweet-tooth. And it seems I’m not alone, with an exciting number of ‘pudding tasting clubs’ now open in the city...

Leaf LEAF on Bold Street has become one of ‘the’ places to go if you’re looking to satisfy your sugar cravings. Each month the trendy teashop and bar offers pudding fans five mouthwatering courses of desserts all washed down with a selection of loose leaf teas designed to match. Be it a raspberry and milk chocolate cheesecake, black forest trifle or strawberry infused Swiss roll with toasted almonds, the delicious puds are cooked by Leaf’s expert pastry chef and the club costs £11.95pp. Doors open at 6.30pm, with a 7pm start. Tickets, dates and more information are available from www.thisisleaf.co.uk

The James Monro EVER since its first meeting two years ago, The James Monro’s society of pudding tasters has been regarded as one of the city’s best. The society, which is held every six months, offers diners a selection of six gourmet puds for £24.95. Members can even vote for which puddings they get to try on the gastro-pub’s Facebook page, with categories including Monro British Classics, Retro Dessert, Country of the Month, Special Diet Dessert, the Monro Wild Card and Customers’ Choice. The next club will take place on October 3, and future events will be priced at £19.95. Visit www.thejamesmonro.com

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill THE Sweet Moments Club, headed by pastry chef Alyson Rooney, is set to launch at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill in Hotel Indigo on Thursday, September 27. Each month, Alyson, who trained at The Savoy in London, will create six courses of exquisite puds for diners to try for just £18pp (or £36pp paired with wines). Where do we sign up?! The club will be held on the last Thursday of every month. For more information go to www.mpwsteakhouseliverpool.co.uk

Photo: Kate Robson

THIS cherry crumble cake is irresistable on chilly autumn evenings. The recipe, from brothers Paolo and Donato Cillo who own P&D Deli in Williamson Square, is a traditional Italian dessert and easy to make. “Sbriciolata was originally a popular dessert among poorer families in Northern Italy during the 16th century,” explains Paolo. “It was so well loved, however, that even local nobility served it on their tables. According to tradition it would be broken into pieces and eaten with your hands – although we’d recommend a bowl and spoon!”

Ice ice baby

Utterly Scrumptious cake stand, £9.99, from Lakeland

EVER since Carrie Bradshaw bit into a cupcake on Sex and the City, the pretty iced fondants have become one of our nation’s favourite sweet treats.

SEPTEMBER 12 Michelle Rushton digs out her pinny and gets ready to celebrate the humble cupcake...

If you fancy having a go at making them yourself, National Cupcake Week (September 17-23) is the perfect time to get started. Here are a few essentials...

Giant cupcake tin, £14.95, from Prezzybox.com

Keep Calm And Have A Cupcake Tea Towel, £10, from giftwrappedandgorgeous.com Cupcake kit - Tweet Tweet treats, £8.95, from homehomehome.co.uk

Set of two red teacup and saucer baking cases, £6.95, from dotcomgiftshop

Set of five serving plates, £17.75, from The Baking Boutique at QVC

RASPBERRY PAVLOVA CUPCAKE (From The Bobbity Boo Bakery) INDULGENT, girlie and tempting – these raspberry pavlova cupcakes are pure heaven. The delicious recipe, created by our own Sarah Hooley who also runs independent cupcake boutique The Bobbity Boo Bakery, is easy to make at home and perfect for a scrumptious afternoon treat. Yummy! Ingredients: For the cupcakes l 230g unsalted butter

l l l l

230g caster sugar 4 eggs 230g self-raising flour (sifted) A pinch of salt

For the butter icing l 225g unsalted butter, room temperature l 675g icing sugar, sifted l 15ml/3 tsp vanilla extract l 45ml/9 tsp milk To decorate l A punnet of fresh raspberries l Icing sugar (for dusting)

A True Italian Experience

Francos

THE BEST IN ITALIAN FOOD

0151 236 3375 bookings@francosliverpool.com www.francosliverpool.com

9 meringues

Method: l Preheat the oven to 190 degrees or gas mark 4. Mix the butter, sugar and pinch of salt in a large bowl until creamy and fluffy. l Beat in the eggs gradually, then fold in the flour. l Spoon the mixture into nine cupcake/muffin cases, and bake for approx 20-30 minutes (or until light and golden). l As the cakes cool, make the buttercream. Place the butter,

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vanilla extract and milk in a mixing bowl and gradually beat in the icing sugar using a wooden spoon or electric whisk until smooth. l Once the cakes are fully cooled, fill an icing bag and pipe swirls of buttercream in the centre of each cupcake. l Top with a meringue and finish with a few raspberries (spreading a small amount of left over butter icing onto the bottom of each raspberry to ensure they stick to the meringue if necessary). l Dust with icing sugar and enjoy!

Now taking bookings for Christmas!!

Francos Restaurant is situated at 48a Castle Street in the heart of Liverpool. Open daily for lunch and dinner - until 11pm on Saturdays

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 27

Food & Drink

That’s living alright Paul Baker settles down to eat dinner in The Living Room VICTORIA Street’s The Living Room has long been touted as one of the city’s places to be seen. As such, I’ve never before set foot in the place. However, my scenester virginity was taken from me recently when I sampled the delights of this ever popular restaurant and bar on a warm and bustling Friday night. Dining at 6.30pm, myself and my brother were welcomed to a table in the then sparsely populated restaurant area. The long bar area is the centrepiece of the ‘Room’, leading along from the bright windowed restaurant through to a rather darker and cooler area where the after work drinkers cluster. Offered bread and water for the table by our courteous and attentive waiter, I ordered a glass of the Australian Vanda Shiraz. Some of the wines are available by the glass, ideal when one’s dining companion is sticking to refreshing lager. A glass of lager was perhaps ideal for the warmth of the evening, but I’m a sucker for a glass of red and the rich shiraz was delicious with my starter: beer battered tiger prawns with sweet chilli sauce and wasabi mayonnaise. My brother opted for the teriyaki chicken skewers, of which there were three, coated with sesame seeds and allied to satay sauce and spring onion. The chicken was moist and the dish got the necessary thumbs up, though perhaps another skewer would have been ideal. The portions were of the opposite dimensions upon my plate, with eight tiger prawns all as battered as an Olympic boxer. I was more than sated, perhaps a little stuffed, after my starter which got a little samey, the batter rather overpowering the prawns, and the enjoyable dips proving quite a necessary addition. After 7pm, the beautiful people start to arrive. The Living Room is no doubt an excellent place to begin an evening long assault on the city’s night life, and the proprietors do their best to squeeze as many diners into the restaurant area as possible. It did become slightly

WIN

cramped, with chairs pushed up against the patrons behind and waiters having to excuse themselves or move empty chairs around to reach hungry customers. In the background a pianist tinkles away on The Living Room’s own baby grand, crooning contemporary tunes and blending them seamlessly with old standards. Somehow this makes them all sound the same, quite a feat when you’re tackling Bob Marley! But I’m not here to review the music – the main courses have arrived. The 28-day aged ribeye with slow roast tomatoes, rocket, chips and pepper sauce was always going to ensnare my brother and it really could not be faulted. Cooked correctly, tasted delicious, a perfect main. I plumped for the duck breast with Szechuan pepper and plum chutney. This came with chilli fried bok choi and sweet potato fondant. I ordered a mixed side of mange tout and sugar snap peas on the waiter’s suggestion – a nice idea. The duck itself had a great flavour and combined with the wonderfully spicy

Szechuan well. The sweet potato was a superb addition to the plate. The huge chunk of bok choi I enjoyed less. The flavour clashed a little with the rest of the dish and there was too much of it, but the crunchy mangetout sweetened the deal. For dessert, the cool of three scoops of Cornish dairy ice cream was calling me, while my companion ordered the chocolate truffle cake and dairy vanilla ice-cream with crushed hokey pokey. I know, sounds delicious, I should have ordered it too! If you’re interested, the hokey-pokey was apparently that stuff that’s on the inside of a Crunchie bar. Nice. To be fair, my ice cream was perfect for the balmy evening and the addition of a scoop of the honeycomb flavour was very

pleasant indeed. We continued to sup what was left of our drinks before being asked for the table just shy of 8.30pm. I suppose that’s to be expected of a Friday night with the bar booming and hungry eyes longing for a seat. The damage was £78.55, which seems a tad expensive. Then again, if it was any cheaper would it be so popular with the Friday masses? I suspect not. Attend The Living Room and you can expect great service, fine food and a bounteous bar. And if you’re planning to use it as a springboard for a big night out amongst the city’s glitterati, then all the better. To reserve a table, telephone 0151 236 1999 or book online at www.thelivingroom.co.uk

BLUNDELL STREET SUPPER CLUB COMPETITION

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

FANCY a tasty treat for autumn? Liverpool’s cabaret barrestaurant Blundell Street Supper Club is offering one lucky family a special table for four people. The family table – which can be taken on a Sunday lunch by arrangement during October – comes with a three-course meal

and live music. To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question:

Name the spooky day most associated with October... The competition question is open to all readers aged 18 and over. Please mark your entry Blundell Street Competition and

send your answers on a postcard to Best of Liverpool, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Closing date for entries is Friday, September 21. Don’t forget to include your name, address and contact telephone number. For more information on Blundell Street Supper Club visit www.blundellstreetliverpool.com

SEPTEMBER 12

ALE AND HEARTY

HISTORIC TAVERNS The Pig and Whistle ONCE the watering hole of choice for sailors berthed near the Pier Head, so famous did it become that it apparently inspired crew bars on Merchant Navy ships to become known as ‘the Pig’. It also once served as a boarding house for those about to make the long voyage to America or Australia. It still stands, though the buildings around it have been demolished, as a reminder of those seafaring days of the city’s past. l 12 Covent Garden

Thomas Rigby’s ANOTHER historic city pub, Rigby’s is named after the Liverpool politician who owned the pub. Inside you can enjoy up to eight cask beers and a wide choice of bottled beverages from around the world. Outside there are a number of gargoyles set into the architecture to ward off evil spirits. The rumoured presence of poltergeists within suggests they’re not working! l 23-25 Dale Street

Paul Baker spends an evening quaffing beer and singing shanties with the cast of Lovehistory’s new pub crawl with a difference... I WONDER if it was the lure of performance theatre or the free ale that drew me to check out Lovehistory’s latest Roll Out The Barrel Tour? Well, the idea of character theatre at close quarters isn’t everyone’s idea of a great night out, but throw in five glasses of real ale and it all sounds much more enjoyable. History tours – and ghost tours, especially – are nothing new and have popped up in cities across the UK. Liverpool itself already has the popular Shiverpool, along with Tom Slemen’s various tours exploring the darker side of Liverpool’s past. Last year Lovehistory stepped into the ring, boasting a pool of acting talent ready and able to regale punters with both story and song about Liverpool days of yore. The brainchild of Judy McClean, the theatre company seeks to draw upon ‘the fascinating and exploratory history of the city, presenting Liverpool in all of its splendour.’ The Roll Out The Barrel Tour aims to recreate the buzz and energy of maritime Liverpool, when sailors thronged its bustling wharfsides and supped in its myriad alehouses. So, it was on a pleasant summer’s eve that I made my way to the Pig and Whistle pub on the corner of Chapel Street and Covent Garden to experience this romantic and vital period in Liverpool’s development into England’s second city. Apparently ‘pig and whistle’, was a saying in common parlance from the 17th century and meant ‘fragments’ or ‘trivia’. A fitting place then, to start our journey through scenes of Liverpool’s seafaring past. Our motley crew are met at the door by the larger than life character of Captain Hamilton-Perry, a big, booming gentleman with whiskers that would make a town crier jealous. He invites us inside to sample the hospitality and prepare for our voyage. As we all settle down to taste our

Ye Hole in ye Wall

frothing grog, the good captain begins to take us back to those rat-infested docks, those creaking ships and helps us imagine the men and women whose lives depended upon them. Then come the other performers, John Moores drama graduate James Perry and local actress Natalie Preece, who will help bring to life the stories spun by our ship’s captain as we go from pub to pub, telling tales about their harsh lives and singing the sorts of shanties that would have helped relieve the drudgeries of a life on the waves.

It’s all a little awkward at first as we’re encouraged to join in with the players before we’re suitably oiled, but as the ale begins to flow you do start to feel part of the spectacle. Our tour took us through Ye Hole in Ye Wall, Thomas Rigby’s, Ship and Mitre, and wound up in the elegant surroundings of Doctor Duncan’s with,

fittingly, a measure of Liverpool’s very own Cains bitter in hand. Along the way we learnt of the Liverpool Judies waiting at the Pier Head for the sailors to return; about the Spanish sailor, killed by a press gang as they tried to force him onto their ship, who still haunts Ye Hole; we heard quotes from Herman Melville about the grandeur of Liverpool’s great docks; sang songs about Maggie May and we discovered Fiddler’s Green – where all sailors go when they die. The tour was well organised, with the drinks swiftly delivered as we arrived at each new port of call. There was no choice of ale offered, but all were very fine; the Humpty Dumpty at Ship and Mitre proving particularly tasty. Non ale drinkers can be accommodated too. Special mention must go to Mycroft Milverton the moustachioed maestro who led us through the backstreets of Liverpool and never once dropped out of character as the erudite and entertaining Captain HamiltonPerry, even playing a bawdy song on his ukulele (“recently picked up in Hawaii”) at my request. The tours run of a Thursday evening from 6.30pm and last roughly two hours. The cost is currently £15, including a half pint of ale in each pub, which certainly helps to guarantee a great performance all round.

PERHAPS the oldest surviving boozer in the city, Ye Hole is just off Dale Street, a hidden little atmospheric alehouse. It dates back to 1726 and women were only allowed to drink here from 1977! It boasts around seven cask ales at a time, but they’re stored upstairs rather than in a cellar because the pub is built on a Quaker burial site. l 4 Hackins Hey

Ship and Mitre IT may not have the history of some of the other pubs around Dale Street but The Ship and Mitre is certainly one of the best boozers for the Real Ale lover in Liverpool, with 12 different ales at the bar and a changing menu. Also, its interior looks a bit like a ship and it even has a sister store in nearby Whitechapel called The Ship in a Bottle (you see what they did there?) where you can buy great ales for home quaffing. l 133 Dale Street

Doctor Duncan’s WILLIAM Henry Duncan was Liverpool’s first medical officer for health and Doctor Duncan’s was named in his memory. A variety of real ales flow through this bar, but it’s the locally brewed Cains beers that attract the punters, that and the elegant lounge – superb surroundings in which to enjoy a pint! l St Johns Lane, Queens Square

Visit www.lovehistory.co.uk to book.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 29

Travel

SEPTEMBER 12

So near – so spa Sue Kelbrick indulges her inner goddess and wallows in the lap of luxury in the heart of the Shropshire countryside... AS a frazzled mother of two, luxury to me these days tends to come in the shape of a snatched cup of tea on my own or, dare I say it, going to the loo unaccompanied. So when my editor offered me the opportunity to sample a night’s stay in a luxury spa hotel, I was on my way before you could say ‘nappy bag’… An hour or so’s drive away from Liverpool, Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel and Golf, nestles on the fringes of the picturesque market town of Whitchurch in Shropshire.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

St James’ Church grounds

On arriving at the hotel, myself and my other half were given a guided tour of the hotel’s fabulous spa, the aptly named Vital Health and Wellbeing Club, which has recently undergone a £500,000 revamp. The inviting spa boasts eight treatment rooms, a fantastic mud therapy area, an indulgent relaxation suite and a dedicated spa lounge. I left my partner to enjoy the facilities of the gym and heated swimming pool, while I went off for some good old fashioned (and much needed!) pampering. I was greeted by beauty therapist Sophie, who talked me through the ‘Time Precious’ facial, a luxurious 30 minute facial which uses beautiful essential oils to help skin look and feel younger. First of all, Sophie applied a gentle cleansing milk followed by ‘tonifying’ lotion which made my skin instantly feel softer. A serum was rubbed into my skin followed by an intensive moisturiser and eye cream.

An ‘Experience’ face mask was then applied and Sophie left me to relax for a few minutes with soothing music playing in the background. Once the mask had penetrated my skin, Sophie gave me a gentle massage and applied a special exfoliating cream to help remove any dead skin (yuck!), followed by a final application of rich moisturising cream. I can honestly say that my skin was left feeling incredibly soft, smooth and was even glowing! Sophie gave me some great advice about my skincare regime (or rather lack of it!) and suggested specific products designed to help skin look more radiant, whilst allowing for the fact I have very limited time! For those with a bit more time, the spa offers a range of great treatments including the fabulous Rasul mud spa, where detoxifying mud is applied all over the body and, after sitting in a relaxing heated chamber to let the mud work its magic, skin is left feeling exceptionally soft. After my facial, I chilled out in the relaxation suite for a while before meeting back up with my partner for a quick dip in the pool. And the luxury didn’t end there. After a quick freshen up, we enjoyed an aperitif on the terrace whilst browsing the restaurant menu. We were shown to our table and within a few minutes our starters had arrived. I opted for a home-made fishcake which simply melted in the mouth, whilst the boyf chose the chicken liver parfait which he announced to be ‘delicious’ – can’t say fairer than that!

For our main course, we had pan-fried organic salmon with crushed herb potatoes, fine green beans and a white wine sauce, and roasted Highland lamb rump with creamed potato, braised red cabbage and a rosemary sauce, respectively. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and the empty plates at the end of our meal were testament to how much we had enjoyed it. Feeling thoroughly stuffed and contented, I had every intention of skipping dessert, but, in the interests of journalism, I felt duty-bound to sample pudding, and I wasn’t disappointed. The classic lemon tart was just right – not too tart but not too sweet either. For him indoors, there was sticky toffee pudding and, judging by how quickly it disappeared from his plate, I can only assume he enjoyed it too!

To round off the meal, we had a cup of coffee in the bar area before sloping off to bed for a well deserved sleep (all these spa treatments are hard work you know!). The next morning we woke up refreshed and raring to go and even managed a quick swim before breakfast. We enjoyed a hearty, full-English breakfast before we reluctantly packed our bags and returned home after a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing stay. When can I go again please?! For more information on the hotel and its range of spa packages, visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk or telephone 0844 879 9049.

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Celebrate Christmas and New Year 2012

at the Huyton Civic Suite

Vinea is Liverpool’s leading tasting destination offering a range of packages to suit all palates and pockets. Whether its wine, beer or spirits we deliver tastings in a friendly and informal environment. Peruse our wines in the shop, pick a bottle to drink in and watch the world go by from our stunning Albert Dock venue whilst enjoying a platter of cheeses and cured meats, olives and bread. Vinea is free to hire offering a fantastic location for a bespoke tasting or Christmas party. The Liverpool Wine School is based at Vinea providing formal qualiﬁcations in wines and spirits for industry professionals and keen individuals.

Christmas Casino Evening Viva Las Vegas! Saturday 15 December 2012 £37.50 per person. 7.30pm

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New Year’s Eve Cabaret Dinner Monday 31 December 2012 £40 per person. Arrive 7pm. Dinner at 7.30pm

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the Huyton Civic to book tickets contact For further details, or sley.gov.uk. now @k uite tons email huy Suite on 443 3761 or Huyton Civic c Suites on Facebook. Look for Knowsley Civi wsley L36 9GD lar Bank, Huyton, Kno Suite, Civic Way, Pop

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