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GO ECO FOR THE ROYAL WEDDING
WIN SUPER DAYS OUT P5&ag7es WITH IT’S OUR WORLD Page 3
In association with
2 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
It’s spring at last .. yippee! IT’S OUR WORLD SUPPLEMENT WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY JADE WRIGHT WELCOME to the It’s Our World spring supplement – part of our green section dedicated to making Merseyside a more environmentally-friendly place to live. In this supplement we’re looking at ways to make this the best – and greenest – spring yet with tips on everything from saving money to saving precious global resources. With tax rises and wage freezes ahead for many we’re looking at ways to make your money go further – and help the environment at the same time. On Page 3 we check out environmentallyfriendly ways to mark the Royal Wedding this month with plenty of fun ideas. One thing that always provokes letters is allotments and growing your own fruit and veg. So on Page 4 there are details of initiatives to provide new plots, plus tips on how to get growing in even the smallest spaces while you’re on the waiting list. Wirral Council is working on some great green initiatives, and on Page 5 it shares some top tips. There’s also a chance to win some fantastic prizes from Merseytravel. As the weather gets better we roadtest the best environmentallyfriendly days out in the region . Elsewhere we have some great advice on saving money and helping the planet by cutting down on the food we throw away, plus great news from Merseyside firm Eco Environments on Pages 8&9. And on Pages 10&11 you’ll find our definitive guide to the best outdoor events for all the family. Over the past few years we’ve seen governments and local authorities change – but the environment has stayed top of the political agenda. There has been big talk and big promises but eventually, as always, it’ll be people like you and me making changes to our daily lives which make the really big things happen. And already we’re seeing this is possible. Bit by bit we’re all playing a part. Over the past two years in this job I’ve been overwhelmed by your fantastic green ideas, your ingenious tips and the many inspirational things you’ve been doing to make the world a better place. Please do keep your news coming – email me at jade.wright@liverpool.com or log on to the green blog http://blogs.liverpool echo.co.uk/ ecowarrior/ and share your green news with the world. I’ll feature as much as I can in my weekly pages and in the upcoming It’s Our World supplements which will appear every six months in your paper. Together we’re making Merseyside a brighter place. Let’s keep it that way.
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The latest buzzword is ... save the bees! IN the past few years the ● decline of honeybees has been a real problem – so much
so that more people have been urged to become beekeepers – even if we live in the city. Urban householders are being urged to consider keeping bees in their gardens, rooftops – or even balconies – to help protect declining honeybee populations. Now a new course at Claremont Farm, in Clatterbridge, aims to give you the chance to assess if beekeeping is for you – and if you will be able to keep bees in your garden. Andy Pimbley from Claremont Farm said: “Bees are so important for pollination and food production. This is a great opportunity for people to help the bees and do their bit for the environment. Bees are having a really hard time of it at the moment and they need our help to survive. This great course will let you know if you have the skills to keep your own hive in your garden and produce your own honey.”
A mixture of theory and hands-on skills it gives you the opportunity to get suited up and close to the bees in their hives – and become familiar with various aspects of beekeeping. Andy added: “We are delighted to have Paul Peacock from City Cottage running these fantastic courses, helping us all to become more self sufficient. “We have always produced a small amount of Claremont Farm honey. But the demand has been phenomenal and we have never had enough. “Hopefully now with double the amount of hives and a good summer we'll have a better chance of meeting that demand. “We get so many people being recommended by their GP to source local honey to help with hay fever we can never keep up with demand.” The sessions start on May 15. For more details and to book your place go to www.clarem ontfarm.co.uk or call 0151 334 1906.
MAJOR climate change research is ● being carried out at a quarry in Runcorn using the same technology used
to date the heads of the stones at Easter Island. Scientists are studying the rock outcrop at Frogsmouth Quarry, Runcorn, in order to improve the understanding of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). They will, with Halton Council, find out how the rocks would behave having Carbon Dioxide gas pumped into them – effectively removing this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. “Large outcrops of the particular sandstone exposed at Runcorn are surprisingly rare which is why the Emma Adams, second right, and the OWLs IN just one year a group of women from the Wirral has raised £2,500 to enable children in Mali to go to school. And three generations from the same family have been working hard to make this happen. Emma Adams, one of the members of the group, is a 32-year-old mum-to-be from Irby, on the Wirral. Both her mum, Tina Lindley, from Heswall, and her grandma, have also been involved in raising money for Oxfam. “It's all my mum's fault,” says Emma. “She was so enthusiastic about helping Oxfam, and especially the work with women that they do around the world, that I could not say no to her. I had to help. And my grandma was roped into it too. So now we have three generations of women in my family working with Oxfam to change the world – and who knows, maybe the little one on the way will be keen too, when it's her turn.” The group, calling themselves the Oxfam Wirral Ladies (OWLs), recently held a champagne and cakes party to celebrate women's achievements in the Wro Bar in West Kirby. It was attended by 80 women from across Merseyside and Cheshire and raised almost £700. ● For more information about the OWLs group, including how you can get involved, please email oxfamwirralladies@hotmail.co.uk.
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excellent outcrop at Frogsmouth was chosen as part of the study,” said Ed Hough, a geologist with the British Geological Survey. “The red sandstone at the quarry also occurs under the East Irish and North Seas which makes the site so valuable to researchers as these are areas we could look to pump CO2 into in the future.” Quarry faces have been scanned with a laser which creates a 3D “point cloud” of the quarry as a series of millions of data points. The same laser was used to date the heads on Easter Island. Information about how the rock allows gas to flow through it will be obtained from laboratory testing of rock samples from the quarry.
MERSEYSIDE campaigners have ● completed an epic walk to protest against mothers’ deaths
around the world. Oxfam campaigners from the region walked with prams to Parliament for more than 300 miles to shout out about the fact that every day around the world 1,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth. Dozens of people in the country joined them – even if for only a few yards – to walk together and send out a strong message in support of mothers’ health. The Oxfam Pramble wound its way down the country from Manchester, through Chester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry and Oxford, before finally arriving at the Houses of Parliament to meet Stephen O’Brien MP. Minister for International Development Mr O’Brien said: “Our vision is a world where no woman dies giving birth and where all newborns survive and thrive. We want to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for mothers and their babies. That is why women and girls are at the heart of our development plans and British aid will help save the lives of at least
50,000 women during pregnancy and childbirth and 250,000 newborn babies. We will train more midwives to ensure women give birth safely, provide access to quality healthcare and make family planning more readily available to help unintended pregnancies. And volunteers such as Oxfam’s Pramblers do a really important job as part of the British public being rightly proud of what their aid is achieving.” David Bridson, 18, from Childwall, is a member of the Oxfam National Youth Board and also runs an Oxfam youth action group in his school, Gateacre Community Comprehensive. He joined the Pramblers after getting his school involved in creating messages of support for the campaign. He says: “We must not keep quiet about this. If the government sees that there is a huge demand in the UK for action on women’s global health there will definitely be positive change. “It is important that this issue is not brushed under the carpet but that we keep putting on pressure. Great things can happen through campaigning.”
Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
NEWS 3
Love is in the air S
Prince William and Kate Middleton will get married on April 29 ... although her much-anticipated dress is unlikely to come from Oxfam Unwrapped, below ● TOAST the happy couple the Fairtrade way with delicious sparkling wines from the Du Toitskloof wine co-operative. Pale lemon in colour the Fairtrade Cape Sparkling Brut is made from 100% Chardonnay in the traditional Champagne method with the small, delicate bubbles being produced in bottle by a second fermentation. It is deliciously crisp with floral and citrus aromas. The rosé is dry and lively with notes of strawberry and cherry. Made from 80% Shiraz and 20% Cinsault it is delicious served chilled with strawberries and fresh cream or with a fruit tart. It is also perfect as an apéritif. Plus, at £8.49 a bottle for each, you don’t need a royal bank account...
● IF Kate and William need a few last-minute bits and bobs Oxfam has launched its first online wedding shop offering couples an ethical choice for their big day with the added comfort of shopping from your own home (or palace, in the Royal couple’s case). In just a few clicks the new Oxfam Unwrapped range of wedding lists and favours will guarantee a personal and ethical touch. Couples can set up a personalised Oxfam Unwrapped wedding list online and receive special cards to send out with their invitations. From bags of seeds to providing communities with safe water, every gift goes where it’s needed most. In the same way the Oxfam Unwrapped wedding favours sets buy 50 life-changing gifts that will make every guest feel important. The new wedding shop also stocks a selection of fabulous wedding items. Brides-to-be will be able to get their hands on
unique pieces, from unworn designer dresses donated by bridal shops, to second-hand and vintage dresses, all for a fraction of the high street price. Also on offer visitors will find a wide selection of wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ and ushers’ outfits. A special ethical 100% silver jewellery line has been added for the occasion including elegant bracelets, necklaces and earrings that will be the perfect complement to a bride’s outfit or a thoughtful present for the bridesmaids. Rick Lay, Oxfam Unwrapped Manager, said: “A couple of goats, health check-ups and classroom kits are guaranteed to get people smiling both at the wedding and in the communities where these gifts will be used.” ● Visit the new Oxfam wedding shop at www.oxfam.org.uk/wed dings
AVE the Children has launched a tailor-made pack containing everything you need to plan your eco friendly party –with top tips from Sir Paul McCartney and Birkenhead TV star Paul O’Grady. The funds raised for Save the Children Royal Wedding week will support the charity's No Child Born to Die campaign which is aimed at dramatically reducing the number of children dying from preventable diseases around the world. The campaign was launched in January with support from Sir Paul. He says: “Please join me in supporting Save the Children’s No Child Born to Die campaign. Eight million children die every year from illnesses that could be prevented and treated easily and cheaply. This is a shocking statistic in the 21st century but I really believe that if we all pull together we can start a movement for change and save millions of children’s lives.” Save the Children estimates an average party, with a tiny bit of effort, could raise between £50 and £300. And £300 would be enough to treat almost a thousand children suffering from pneumonia. Or, closer to home, it could buy two beds for children in the UK who are at this moment going to sleep every night on a concrete floor. Paul O’Grady says: “Every one of us is born to do something – and what better reason to do that than in Royal Wedding Week – to help children get a good chance in life. So whether you love baking a batch of your favourite muffins or enjoy getting dressed up in your favourite party clothes please join me in putting on your glad rags and dancing up a storm. Whilst you’re celebrating the Royal wedding you can raise cash for kids in your own country and around the world who desperately need our support.” For those of you who don’t have time to plan a party but are still keen to raise funds to help save children’s lives Paul O’Grady has produced a Royal Wedding Sweepstake game for Save the Children which can be downloaded from savethechildren.org.uk /borntoparty.
With the Royal Wedding just weeks away, it seems there are plenty of ways to host your own celebration with an eco friendly theme. Here’s our guide...
Paul O’Grady and Sir Paul McCartney
● THERE’S nothing worse than a cold cuppa. But boiling the kettle every five minutes wastes valuable energy. Keep your pot insulated with this Street Party Tea Cosy (above). Flying the flag for a Great British brew this bobble-topped, hat-style tea cosy with patriotic stripes will help keep tea hotter for longer. £11.99 Cat Ref: SKU 14908 from Lakeland.co.uk and the Lakeland shop in Liverpool One.
● NOTHING says street party like classic bunting fluttering in the background.
There’s a great range of recycled bunting around and we love this reclaimed sailcloth set (above) from www.notonthehighstreet.com. It’s made from off-cuts of recycled sails and wings that are too small to be used for any of other sailcloth products. Their new range of patriotic Royal Wedding bunting (£25) alternates red white and blue pennants or vintage style white with taupe tape. It comes in a recycled sailcloth storage bag.
4 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
Dig for victory
r own, next you ONCE you’ve grown you with it ... 200 do to at need to know wh duce from your pro the ng usi s ipe rec simple plot. ok Through the The Allotment Cookborecipe book for those the Year (RRP £16.99) is rn how to cook delicious gardeners keen to lea make the most of their seasonal dishes to help Featuring more than home-grown produce. crops such as apples, 200 recipes for popularis packed with berries and herbs, thising ideas to turn your imaginative and inspirfresh meals. produce into healthy, and expert advice to Including techniques ve and prepare your help you harvest, preser is the perfect crops successfully, this panion. com n che veg-grower’s kit
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THIS Vegetable Planter Trio (right) can ● be reused year after year – and folded away for easy storage over winter.
It’s a collection of durable polyethylene sacks and allows you to have your own vegetable plot on a patio, in a yard or right next to the back door. Easy to manage and maintain they're a great way of introducing kids to growing vegetables too. With drainage holes at the bottom to avoid waterlogging they have carry handles too. Lakeland, Ref: SKU 50948, £15.99 Similarly the Bean Planter is an easy way to support your beans, other climbing vegetables or sweet peas. Position the wire spiral in the bottom of the grow bag included, fill with compost and hook the spiral to the top of a bamboo cane ready for your climbers to snake their way to the top. Ref. 51280, £8.99, Or, for a homely kitchen garden look, try the Willow Vegetable Planters. It’s a mini allotment on your doorstep. If you like to grow your own veg but don't have much space or your soil is unsuitable then these attractive planters could be just what you're looking for. Sitting neatly on your patio or straight on your soil simply fill the strong liner with soil and plant up with onions, carrots, salad or herbs for fresh, home-grown produce at your fingertips. Ref: SKU 42260 £22-29.99 With a lot of hard work your allotment could end up looking like this ....
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OLD chaps in flat caps – the ● traditional allotment kings – are being elbowed
aside by inner-city eco-warriors – just part of a who le generation who want to “grow thei r own”. But the new breed of allotment enthusiast is likely to be a younger and who brings the children alon female g to help out too. A survey by Transition Town Wes Kirby and the National Society of t Allotment and Leisure Gardeners the waiting list for allotments rose found by a whopping 20% in 2010. With the price of food set to incr further there has never been a bett ease time to start growing your own fruiter and vegetables. There are new allotments plan And across Merseyside waste landned. currently being converted into newis Plus, in the meantime, you can plots. try growing your own fruit and vegalways at home.
HOMEBASE has recently launched the exclusive ● Jamie Oliver range of grow-your-own fruit, vegetables, herbs and compost.
Budding gardeners who want to grow their own produce but don’t have access to an open space can start their own mini allotment from the comfort of their own home with the new Appotment range. Appotments are steel-framed planters dressed in hand-woven poly rattan material and include an internal water-proof lining, perfect for growing your own produce on a balcony or small outdoor space. Window box planters start from £9.99.
A RUNDOWN block of flats has been demolished and a new way ●Knowsley of life is about to take root in Huyton. Housing Trust – together with social enterprise Arena
Future – has built community allotments where residents and schoolchildren will be trained how to grow the best veg. Cookery courses are also planned so that everyone can make the most of their homegrown produce. “We already have a waiting list for the allotments which shows people are hungry to improve their diet,” said Dave Webster, of Knowsley Housing Trust. “We are committed to helping people improve their health and wellbeing and growing your own food is a fantastic way of doing that while also helping to reduce your shopping bill. “We have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the local community in this project.” Organisers are now inviting local residents to plant their own tree and find out more about how the allotments have grown. When the flats which previously stood on the site were demolished Knowsley Housing Trust, which owns the land, wanted to use the space to benefit the local community. The allotments have taken seven months to complete and include 24 raised plots, two large beds that have been taken on by local schools, a shared poly tunnel, relaxation area and learning area. All of the plots have already been allocated and several more residents are on the waiting list. It is designed to be a gardening training ground giving people the skills and knowledge to grow their own food at home. Andy Naylor, Sustainable Communities Officer for Arena Future, is overseeing the allotment project and will be providing support, advice and training. He said: “The allotment project will support people to grow their own food while at the same time encouraging them to take an interest in open spaces within their local area. We are trying to bring the community together. We want people to be out here using the allotments all the time. We want schoolchildren to be growing their own food and cooking it in their school canteens.”
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Monday, April 11, 2011
NEWS 5
It’s your green ticket to ride
Going green has never bin so easy . . .
T
HIS spring Wirral residents are becoming greener in the garden and helping their gardens to thrive by home composting. If you haven’t already started spring is an ideal time to begin. It’s not just garden waste that can be home composted. Did you know that bedding from vegetarian pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs can be composted? If your children have pets why not use this as an excuse to encourage them to spring clean the cage. If you’re spring cleaning your home take advantage of the opportunity to fill your compost bin with some of your household waste. When the cleaning is complete you can empty the dust from your vacuum cleaner into your compost bin. Shredded office paper and confidential documents can also be
put in the compost bin. Early spring is a good time to prepare your garden for the summer ahead. Remove dead grass and moss from your lawns and add this to your compost bin. Make sure to mix it with some dry, coarse material – dried stalks and stems from around the garden are ideal. Any winter bedding plants that have passed their prime can also be composted as can the withered foliage from early flowering bulbs. Home Composting not only enables you to feed your garden for free but also cuts down on the amount of waste going to landfill. Low cost compost bins of all shapes and sizes are available for Wirral residents to purchase. ● For more information on this offer visit Wirral council’s website www.wirral.gov.uk or residents can order their home compost bins by calling 0844 571 4444.
Bedding from vegetarian pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs can be composted
RELAX, put your feet up and let someone else do the driving. There is a wealth of fun to be had in Merseyside this spring – all an easy ride away on the train, bus and ferry. Public transport gets cars off the roads, eases congestion and reduces CO2 emissions. Walking to and from bus stops and train stations is a good boost for your health. Public transport users walk 20 minutes per day on average more than drivers. With no parking charges and petrol tanks to fill the only cost is the price you pay for your ticket. This is the perfect time to ditch the car and explore the region with some great days and nights out. It’s Our World has teamed up with Merseytravel to offer readers tickets for some favourite excursions which you can get to on public transport. We have five family tickets for Spaceport and the ferry. Tickets are for two adults and up to three children and normally cost £30 each. It is a great family day out over the many school holidays and bank holidays coming up this month – and you can get there by bus, train or on the ferry. Wallace And Gromit In Space has been designed specifically for Spaceport. It takes the best bits from A Grand Day Out in which Wallace and Gromit journey to the moon in a homemade rocket in search of cheese. There are some cracking interactive contraptions, a visit to Wallace’s space workshop and a selection of sets from the award-winning films. Visitors can see the famous orange rocket from the film as well as Wallace’s Moon Base Exploration Station. Merseytravel is also offering one free child place with every full-paying adult on combined River Explorer Cruise and Spaceport/U-boat Story tickets right up to 8 May. Just mention It’s Our World when booking your tickets. To win tickets to Spaceport send a postcard to Jade Wright, It’s Our World, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB by 9am on Tuesday April 19 with your name, age and a daytime phone number. Usual Trinity Mirror Merseyside rules apply. Spaceport is open every day from 10.30am-6pm. For more details see www.spaceport.org.uk or call 0151-330 1333.
6 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
Our Jade gets up close and personal I
T’S 10am on a glorious Sunday morning and I’m face to face with some of the most endangered mammals on earth. I’m a rhino keeper for the day at Chester Zoo – part of a programme to teach the public more about rare animals and to support its vital conservation work. It’s a great chance to see the zoo from a new perspective. I’ve been going to Chester Zoo since I was a tiny child. It was the first place I saw the lions, giraffes, rhinos and zebra that fuelled my imagination and saw me travel to Africa to learn about conservation first hand. Now the Keeper for a Day scheme gives animal lovers the opportunity to work with the animals of their choice – in my case the rhino collections. It’s a great chance to roll
your sleeves up and get stuck into zoo life. My guide for the day is rhino keeper Helen Massey who shows me what goes on behind the scenes – from food preparation and feeding to cleaning out and health care. Our first stop is with Bashira and her mum Ema Elsa. They are eastern black rhinos –a species which is now listed as critically endangered – only 500 remain in the wild. Chester Zoo is instrumental in their conservation. Bashira is almost two years old and already she’s huge – and very friendly. As Helen leads me to the edge of the enclosure Bashira ambles over to say hello, leaning through the bars. I soon realise why. Helen has a pocket full of carrots, and as she explains to me all about the species, I get to feed Bashira by hand and
Chester Zoo's eastern black rhinoceros calf Asani tucks into a birthday carrot cake made by senior keeper Helen Massey. Main picture: A couple of Chester Zoo’s rhinos take it easy
stroke her lovely soft nose. I’m transfixed by her prehensile top lip – which she uses to gently take the carrots one by one. I’ve visited the rhinos more times than I can remember. But I’d never noticed the little details which make them so fascinating before. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to meet Bashira and Ema Elsa – so much so that I don’t want to say goodbye. But next we pay a visit to Baabuu, the greater one-horned rhinoceros and the largest of all rhino species. Compared to Bashira he’s absolutely enormous
with a thick, silver-brown hide, loose skin and rivet-like knobs which give him an armour-plated appearance. The number of wild greater one-horned rhinos plummeted to fewer than 200 in the early 20th century due to excessive hunting by humans. Thanks to strict protection measures their population has now increased to approximately 2,600 animals. But they remain vulnerable to the ever-present danger of poaching for their horns. Baabuu may look fierce, and weigh more than a tonne, but close up he’s a gentle giant who begs for
half a banana and a stroke of his nose. He’s had an abscess on his foot and after hours of patient training he’ll now roll over on command to let the keepers and vets treat it – in exchange for a banana or two. It’s a huge achievement for Baabuu and his keepers and means that he doesn’t have to be anaesthetised every time he needs treatment.
I’m hugely impressed by him – he’s better behaved than my dogs and just as affectionate.
But I’m impressed too by the team members who care for him and who have clearly built up such a
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Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
NEWS 7
Learn the ropes with Go Ape at Delamere Forest
GO APE WITH US! IF you want some real egg-citement then make a break for the trees, inspire your tribe and grab a Go Ape adventure at Delamere Forest. Egging on your ape mates is this Easter’s ultimate activity… Tree-trekking 40ft above the forest floor at the first flush of spring invigorates your fun-loving monkey in ways you can’t imagine. Take a walk on the wild side and book some high-flying tree time where you can tackle a giant obstacle course up in the trees with ladders, walkways, bridges, tunnels and zip wires. You’ll be kitted out with all the gear; harnesses, pulleys and karabiners. A Go Ape instructor will show you the ropes in a safety briefing and then you’re free to swing, climb, crawl and zip through the trees. The Go Ape experience is proper playground stuff offering around three hours of adrenaline-fuelled fun that can be shared with almost anyone over ten-years-old. Who knew that this much fresh air, freedom and sense of extreme achievement could be better than chocolate eggs? Book at www.goape.co.uk or call 0845 643 2034 ● WE have two family tickets to Go Ape to give away. If you’d like a ticket drop me a postcard saying why to Jade Wright, Go Ape competition, It’s Our World, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Entries to arrive by noon on Tuesday, April 26. Normal Trinity Mirror Merseyside competition rules apply.
FANCY getting up close and ● personal with wild birds from the comfort of your own
neighbouring Serengeti, efforts are now being stepped up to put in place even greater security measures. Rhino poaching has been a major problem in South Africa and Zimbabwe in recent years. And now it seems it is spreading to Tanzania. The trend is blamed on the soaring demand from Asian organised crime syndicates for rhino horn because of a false belief in its medicinal value. Once a rhino’s horn is hacked off the animal is then left to bleed to death. Looking at Bashira and Baabuu I find it hard to comprehend that anyone
could kill such gentle giants – particularly as rhinos are killed for nothing but superstition. Their horns are made of keratin, the same substance that human fingernails and hair are made of. And scientists say it has no medicinal properties. Chester Zoo hopes the new observation posts will ultimately help boost the numbers of the critically endangered Eastern black rhino within Mkomazi national park. And it’s fantastic to know that the money from the Keeper for a Day packages goes to help this vital work. As I finish up for the day
I feel honoured to have spent time, one on one, with such impressive animals – and the enthusiastic and experienced team which cares for them. As a present for an animal-mad friend or relative – or just as a treat for yourself – it’s really hard to beat. I’m already planning my next trip – perhaps I’ll be a monkey keeper for the day... ● To find out more about
the Keeper For a Day package, and other gift experiences, go to www.ch esterzoo.org/ support-us/ gifts-and- experiences/ experience-days. Or call the zoo team on 01244 380280.
canoe? Then join the new canoe safari at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough, Ormskirk. It’s a great way to get a water bird’s eye view of the centre’s new reed bed, wet woodland and wet grassland habitat. Andy Wooldridge, Centre Manager, says: “This is a unique opportunity for our members and visitors to experience wetland wildlife.” The wetland creation project is an enjoyable way of spotting insects and wildflowers as well as some of the UK’s most threatened species by providing nesting habitat for Reed Bunting and Water Vole (both UK and Local BAP list species) and other species of conservation concern such as the Bearded Tit, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. The eagle eyed among you may also spot herons and sparrowhawks flying overhead as well as inquisitive moorhen, coot, shelduck and mallard exploring around the boats. The occasional kingfisher and lapwing have also been
spotted and offer fantastic photography opportunities. The self guided canoe safari sees three people share a Canadian-style canoe for up to an hour as a fun and interactive way of getting close to wildlife and nature. There are no age limits or weight restrictions – as long as you can securely fit into the buoyancy aid you can take part. The safari will be open every day from April 11 to October 31 from 10.30am and there is a charge of £5 per canoe. Groups can pre-book times to go on the experience. For more information on the new attraction go to www.wwt.org.uk/ martinmere or call 01704 895181.
8 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
COULD you do more to cut down on food waste in your home? The Love Food Hate Waste Campaign will be out and about on Merseyside this summer asking people to sign a pledge. It’s really simple. Come to one of the events that is being staged, sign up to cut the amount of food wasted in your home and see just how you can save yourself up to £50 a month. Love Food Hate Waste will give you all the help you need with lots of ideas on how to shop and cook more efficiently. Come along to the Southport Food and Drink Festival from May 12 to 15 and there’ll also be rescue recipe demonstrations in the live cookery theatre. Or why don’t you pop along to the Knowsley Flower Show on Sunday, August 7 – or to other events taking place over the summer. And in the meantime see how you can make difference by: ● Planning your meals. Check what you’ve already got in the house and work out what you need to buy for the week’s meals. Avoid impulse buys by making – and sticking to – a shopping list. ● Measuring out portions. Try to get the portions right to begin with so you don’t get any waste. ● Following advice on the best way of storing food and making the most of your freezer. ● Being creative with your leftovers and trying new recipes and the host of menus based on spare ingredients. ● Trying home composting and creating a wormery if you can’t use leftover in any other way. ◆ For details on food savings see www.lovefood hatewaste.com Waste not, want not, should be the motto for today’s healthy-eating family
Be even greener in the garden...
Order your compost bin on 0844 571 4444 or visit www.getcomposting.com
Have a great day out this Easter with a Saveaway
TAKE THE
We’re winning
Why not visit Spring on the Waterfront 29th April – 8th May 2011. Highlights include Tall ships, Street Theatre, Regattas and Canal Boats.
For further information call Traveline 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk
www.liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk/spring ad424
658NOV10JH
A Saveaway can get you there by bus, train or Mersey ferry. It’s a great value off-peak travel ticket. Pick yours up from any Merseytravel Centre, Merseyrail station, some libraries and over 400 corner shops throughout Merseyside.
Each year Wirral residents recycle over 147 million items using their grey bin. Keep up the good work, Wirral.
CRed PLEDGE & SAVE
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Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
NEWS 9
Don’t throw your grub away ... I
T’S hard to believe but almost a third of everything we stick in our bins is food waste – stuff which could either have been eaten or, in many cases, at least home composted. The stats get worse. The survey of homes across Merseyside and Halton shows that every week we create a veritable mountain of organic waste (2,000 tonnes worth to be exact) – and much of it perfectly good food. It means that, out of the 10.95 kilos of waste we put in our bins every week, more than three kilos is a combination of leftover meat, fruit and veg, other food or peelings, teabags and eggshells – food which could either have been eaten or, with the exception of meat, could be composted.
Getting us all to change our habits is, in more ways than one, an uphill struggle – even with the simple message that people are literally throwing money away (research shows we bin a third of all the food we buy – costing the average household £600 a year) or the environmental issue about having to bury all that waste in landfill (at a cost of around £80 a tonne to the tax payer). Undaunted the team in charge of transforming Merseyside’s environmental track record is determined to turn the region’s food waste mountain into a molehill – and they’ve got a cunning plan. Launched on Merseyside two years ago the national Love Food, Hate Waste campaign has used just about all the weapons in the
campaigner’s armoury to get the food waste message to the region’s householders – and it’s been working. The Love Food, Hate Waste people reckon they’ve so far persuaded Merseysiders to reduce the food waste mountain by 32,000 tonnes a year. But they’ve still got another trick up their sleeves. This spring waste chiefs in Merseyside and Halton will be counting on people power to get the campaign messages across and Liverpool-based Faiths4Change has been helping out by delivering training workshops to council recycling officers and community groups within all six districts across Merseyside and Halton. The idea is that these champions then spread the message to residents and communities across Merseyside and Halton – and hopefully encourage a greater number of people to take practical steps to reduce the amount of food waste they generate at home. Director of Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority Carl Beer said: “Over the past 20 or so months we’ve made good progress with the campaign. By training up local enthusiasts we’re hoping that the message will continue to be told and heard.” Cllr Kevin Cluskey, who chairs the Waste
It’s solar, so good for go-ahead eco-friendly firm LIVERPOOL-based Eco Environments has notched up a full set of industry-leading accreditations. One of the UK’s fastest growing renewable energy companies it has successfully secured Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditations for all four of its specialist areas – Solar PV, Wind Turbines, Solar Thermal and Heat Pumps. The three-year-old company, which has other offices in Darlington, Manchester, Tamworth and Penrith, is one of only a handful of firms in the UK to hold the full set of MCS accreditations. It is the latest good news for Eco Environments which was also recently awarded supplier status by leading solar power manufacturer Sharp and granted the prestigious Value Added Reseller (VAR) status by Scottish wind energy firm Proven Energy. David Hunt, a director with Eco Environments, said: “Eco Environments is now one of only
Mike Clarke, left, Mark Buchanan and David Hunt from Eco Environments
a handful of companies in the UK which will have all four MCS accreditations. Being fully accredited in this way is vitally important because it demonstrates to our customers and partners that we meet the
rigorous requirements of our industry. “It also further demonstrates that we can offer the complete range of renewable energy solutions allowing us to ensure that the solution we recommend
to our clients is genuinely the right one for them. “Our business has been built around the ability to provide a total service including design, installation and commission.” David, who is responsible for the company’s sales and marketing, added: “We are winning some terrific new business across the UK which we believe proves that our strategy of providing a local, knowledgeable, hands-on service in every region in which we operate is matching the demands of our customers.” Eco Environments currently employs 20 people across its offices and will open further regional offices during the next 12 months. ● For details see www.eco-environments.co.uk
Authority, said: “From a standing start the Love Food Hate Waste campaign has helped make people aware of how much usable food is being thrown away. This training helps local people to continue to get the message out, so the work that has already taken place won’t be forgotten.” Whether it’s putting the recycling out or re-using plastic bags most of us like to think we’re already doing “our bit” for the environment. But, say campaigners, if we’re ever going to nail the region’s waste problems we’ve got to do just a little bit more.
Spiraling energy costs at your business or home? Eco Environments Ltd are MCS accredited installers of commercial and domestic renewable energy systems. We can help you reduce your energy use, or generate your own energy and income from renewable sources. Our services include: • Solar PV (Grid connected) • Wind Power (Grid connected) • Solar Thermal (Hot water) • Heat Pumps (Climate control) • Feed-in Tariff Specialists For free and impartial advice, call Eco Environments on 0151 922 5936 or email: info@eco-environments.co.uk www.eco-environments.co.uk
10 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday 17 April; Sefton Park; 1pm; Daffodil Delights: An opportunity to discover the vast variety of Britain’s favourite flower that can be found in our parks and woodland area. For this two-hour tour visit the vast “Field of Hope” which contains more than a million daffodils, then experience other varieties including double headed daffs, white daffs Little Dorrit and an amazing variety of golden daffodils. This amazing spectacle does not last long so take this opportunity. For further enquiries 07850 239 411 richietheranger@gmail.com Sunday 17 April; Croxteth Country Park; 11am to 5pm; Sharland's Children's Funfair: Just for younger children, come and enjoy the fun of the fair – Sharland's Funfair is bringing just a few of their rides for smaller children to enjoy. Look out for them near the Home Farm entrance. Why not take advantage of 'Lambing time' reduced price farm ticket and see our baby animals 'Down on the Farm', there are lots of lambs, cute piglets and young fluffy chicks which the youngsters (and the not so young too) are bound to enjoy. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910 www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 17 April. Birkenhead Park, Park Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4HY; 2pm to 3:30pm; The Lakes of Birkenhead Park: Look for the signs of birds nesting in the park on this ranger-led guided walk. Suitable for the whole family. Dogs not allowed. Free event, booking essential. Meet at the Visitor Centre. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 652 5197. Sunday 17 April; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Easy Street Big Band: The band will be performing a set of big band numbers. The Easystreet Singers will also be performing a variety of Swing standards. Free admission, refreshments available. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415 www.palmhouse.org.uk Monday 18 April to Sunday 24 April; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Sandown Art Group: Painting exhibition with all mediums. The Sandown art group based in Wavertree is a group of 27 to 30 mature amateur artists who paint for pleasure in oils, water colour, pastel and acrylic. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Wednesday 20 April; Otterspool Park and Prom; 1pm; Otterspool, History & Features: Discover the amazing history of this beautiful area, from its medieval origins, its fishing links, its Victorian heritage through to its modern day improvements. Learn how Otterspool got its name and view the Otterspool Dam. The walk also looks at the trees and fauna at Otterspool Woodland area. Meet at the Otters Pool Public House at the bottom of Jericho Lane. For further enquiries 07850 239 411. richietheranger@gmail.com
Thursday 21 April to Monday 25 April; Croxteth Country Park; 11am to 5pm; Sharland's Children's Funfair: Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Saturday 23 April; Calderstones Park; 10am to 4pm; Schehererazade's Felt making Workshop: Explore the art of hand made felt and play with colour and texture. Numbers limited to 8 per session, so book early. £15 each. Contact Cathy Turner 0151 724 5197, 07960797684 or Schereherazade@hotmail.co.uk Meet at the Coach House Studio. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Saturday 23 April; Heswall Dales/Dale Farm; Off Oldfield Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 6SN; 0:30am to 12:30pm; Up Hill Down Dale - Heswall Dales: A Ranger led guided walk taking in Heswall Dales, River Dee, Dungeons. Free event. Meet at Heswall Dales/Dale Farm entrance off Oldfield Road, Heswall. Suitable clothing / no dogs. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 677 7594. Saturday 23 April; Sunday 24 April; Childwall Woods and Fields; 1pm; Woodland Wonders: A delightful tour that discover the beautiful and ancient Childwall and Black Woods. Experience the magnificent tree population, the beautiful flora and fauna, the delightful daffodils, the emerging bluebells and the scintillating bird song. Also visit the ancient Norman church of Childwall All Saints where we delve into the history of the greats associated with this area. An informative, relaxing yet invigorating two hour amble. Meet at the corner of Aldbourne Avenue and Woolton Road. For further enquiries 07850 239 411. richietheranger@gmail.com Monday 25 April; Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre, Park Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4HY; 10am to 2pm; Plant Sale Birkenhead Park: A plant sale in aid of the Birkenhead Park Flower and Vegetable Show. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 652 5197. Monday 25 April to Sunday 1 May; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Village Art Group: Amateur art exhibition with paintings for sale. Landscape, seascape and still life painted in oils, watercolour, pastel and acrylic. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks
★★★★
OUR DIARY OF DELIGHTS FOR SPRING Wednesday 27 April; Allerton Tower; 1pm; The Hidden History of Allerton Tower: Fascinating tales of this “hidden gem”, discover the darker secrets of the family that owned the estate and hear the strange case of the Ghost of Allerton Tower. On this tour, visit lost areas of this once grand estate an explore the estate’s magnificent tree collection. Meet at Allerton Tower main gate on Menlove Avenue. For further enquiries 07850 239 411. richietheranger@gmail.com Saturday 30 April; St James’s Cemetery; 1pm; Tales From An Ancient Cemetery: Venture into the depths of this ancient cemetery to hear tales of facts, myths and legends associated with this ancient graveyard. Hear the tragic tale of Little Grace, the macabre story of the old widow woman, experience the wonders of the ancient Chalybeate Stream and witness the strange tales of the sealed Vaults. Besides these fascinating tales, this tour also offers the opportunity to visit Liverpool’s oldest and first “ public open space”. Meet at Cathedral West Door, Upper Duke Street. For further enquiries 07850 239 411. richietheranger@gmail.com Sunday 1 May; Royden Park, Hill Bark Road, Frankby, Wirral, CH48 1N; 4:30am to 6:30am; Dawn Chorus at Royden Park and Thurstaston Common: Up with the Lark and listen to the delights of nature’s own dawn chorus. This is a very early start! No dogs. Booking essential (numbers limited to a maximum of 18). Meet at Royden Park by the Coach House. Free Event. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 648 4371. Sunday 1 May; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Maghull Wind Orchestra: Enjoy all-time classics and favourite songs. Free admission , refreshments available. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Monday 2 May to Sunday 8 May; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Merseyside Woodturners Association: Extensive displays of unique wooden items
including fruit bowls, pens, toys, children’s chairs, fancy boxes, clocks and jewellery all created by local woodturners. Daily woodturning demonstration, information on woodturning tuition and an opportunity to purchase special gifts crafted in wood. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Monday 2 May; Sefton Park Palm House; 12:30pm to 4pm; Scottish Country Day of Dance: Come along and join in with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Some easy dances will be taught with more advanced dances for those with previous experience of Scottish dancing. Free Admission, refreshments on sale. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Friday 6 May; Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre, Park Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4HY; 7:30pm to 10pm; Bat Walk & Talk: Meet at the Visitor Centre for a bat talk and walk. Cost: £2 per person, booking essential. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 652 5197. Friday 6 May; Sefton Park Palm House; 1:15pm to 2pm; Liverpool College Performs: Students from Liverpool College playing music and performing songs they have been working on throughout the year. Free admission. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Saturday 7 May – Sunday 8 May; Royden Park, Hill Bark Road, Frankby, Wirral, CH48 1NP; 10am to 4pm; Tree Wardens at the Coach House: The Wirral Tree Wardens will be on hand with displays and information. Refreshments at the Tea Servery. Meet in the Coach House at Royden Park. Dogs on lead in Court Yard and Coach House. Free event. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 677 7594. Saturday 7 May to Sunday 22 May; Croxteth Country Park; 10:3am to 4:30pm; Upstairs and Downstairs Family Quiz: While looking around the Hall display rooms, enjoy a family quiz. No booking required, simply pick up a quiz sheet when you purchase your
Hall entrance ticket. Adults £3 Child/Concessions £2.15. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 8 May; Royden Park, Hill Bark Road, Frankby, Wirral, CH48 1NP; 1:30pm to 3pm; Tree Walk at Royden Park: Join the Ranger and discover some of the fascinating stories about the trees in Royden Park. Visit the Tree Wardens at the Coach House afterwards. Meet by the Coach House in Royden Park. Suitable for all the family. Free event. For further enquiries: Telephone: 0151 677 7594. Sunday 8 May; Sefton Park: Women's 10k Road Race. Monday 9 May to Sunday 22 May; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Merseyside Artists Association: Recent Paintings by Members from all over Merseyside. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Tuesday 10 May; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Tea Dance amidst the Palms: Warm up your winter with an afternoon of dancing with Neil Allcock at tea dance. Book in advance on 0151 726 9304. £4 admission on the door includes a cup of tea and piece of cake. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Saturday 14 May; Calderstones Park; 10am to 4pm; Schehererazade's felt making Workshop: Explore the art of hand made felt and play with colour and texture. Numbers limited to 8 per session, so book early. £15 each. Contact Cathy Turner 0151 724 5197, 07960797684 or Schereherazade@hotmail.co.uk Meet at the Coach House Studio. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Sunday 15 May; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Get Growing Day: Learn about plants with National Wildflower Centre, plant pots, make butterflies and find out about recycling. Free admission, refreshments available. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk
★★★★
Sunday 15 May; Birkenhead Park, Park Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4HY; 2pm to 3:30pm; Trees of Birkenhead Park: A Ranger-led guided walk finding out about the notable and important trees of the park. Dogs allowed on a lead. Suitable for the whole family. Free event, meet at the Visitor Centre. For further enquiries: 0151 652 5197. Saturday 21 May to Sunday 22 May; Otterspool Park and Prom; HUB Festival 2011: The UK’s biggest and best, award winning urban youth festival; HUB Festival 2011. Skaters, boys, girls and bands will take over Otterspool Prom for a bank holiday weekend of rockin’ out, including headliners The Blackout and Funeral For A Friend performing live on the official Liverpool Sound City stage. Supported by Radio City. Tickets from www.hubfestival.co.uk, from £5. For further enquiries www.hubfestival.co.uk Sunday 22 May; Croxteth Country Park; 11am; Pramathon: The Pramathon, now in its 3rd year, as well as being a fun social event, encourages new parents to get active with their children and enjoy the great outdoors. It is also a great way to meet lots of other young Mums and Dads out and about in the park. For more details contact Vauxhall Children's Centre on 0151 298 2918. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 22 May; Croxteth Country Park; 1pm; Croxteth Country Park & Wonderful West Derby: Enjoy an informative historical journey around Croxteth Park and West Derby Village on this four-hour walk. Beginning with Croxteth Hall and ending in West Derby Village to hear about its wonderful history from 1066 to the modern day. £8. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries
0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Monday 23 May to Sunday 12 June; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:3pm; South Liverpool Arts Group: The premier Art Group of the North West presents the annual exhibition of the members quality art work. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June; Croxteth Country Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Donkey Rides: Great fun for younger children. Donkeys will be near the Hall Gift Shop entrance. On some days there’s horse drawn carriage for family rides around the Hall. A charge applies. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June; Croxteth Country Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Croxteth Hall Toy Challenge: The return of this popular annual event for younger children – The Molyneux children have lost their favourite toys, can you help find them and write down the name of the room? A worksheet is provided. All entries are submitted to a prize draw. Adults £3 Child/Concessions £2.15. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Wednesday 1 June; Croxteth Country Park; Cancer Awareness Health Promotion I-Van: Information Van providing Health advice available; lifestyle risk assessment; cancer treatment information and support provided by trained staff. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 5 June; Croxteth Country Park; 11am; Croxteth Park 10k
Race: Croxteth Hall and Country Park will host the first 10km running event in the Legend series. Applications online – check organisers website for details www.legendevents.org.uk or email: info@legendevents.org.uk. £12 non-affiliated; £10 affiliated. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 5 June; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Barbershop Concert: The soft sounds of Liverpool Barbershop Harmony Group serenade you – entertainment with style. Free admission, refreshments on sale. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Sunday 5 June; Sefton Park; Race for Life: Join the girls to help beat cancer at Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2011. Enter your local 5k or 10k Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111. For further enquiries www.raceforlife.org.uk Friday 10 June; Sefton Park Palm House; 1:15pm to 2pm; Liverpool College Performs: Students from Liverpool College playing music and performing songs they have been working on throughout the year. Free admission. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Monday 13 June to Sunday 26 June; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Art From the Square: Original paintings, etchings, lino cuts and calligraphs. Quarterly exhibitions of an informal group of mainly professional artists from the wider Merseyside area which provides an opportunity to buy work direct. An unusual aspect is their offer to re-frame work to
Monday, April 11, 2011
customer’s preference often at no extra cost. Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Tuesday 14 June; Sefton Park Palm House; 2pm to 4pm; Tea Dance amidst the Palms: Warm up your winter with an afternoon of dancing with Neil Allcock at a regular Tea Dance. Book in advance on 0151 726 9304. £4 admission on the door includes a cup of tea and piece of cake. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Wednesday 15 June to Sunday 19 June; Calderstones Park; International Tennis: One of the highlights of the City's sporting calendar, in one of Liverpool's finest parks. This year the tournament will feature appearances by Martina Navratilova, with Martina Hingis, Greg Rusedski, Richard Krajeck and Mansour Bahrami also appearing. More details at www.liverpooltennis.co.uk. Tickets now on sale. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks Friday 17 June; Sefton Park Palm House; 7:30pm; Salsa Night: Dance the night away with the Salsaroja team and special guests. Beginners to experienced dancers – something for everyone Tickets available from www.wegottickets.com. Full bar available. Meet at Sefton Park Palm House. For further enquiries 0151 726 2415. www.palmhouse.org.uk Saturday 18 June to Sunday 19 June; Sefton Park; 12:30pm to 9:30pm; Africa Oye: The UK's largest African music festival. For further enquiries www.africaoye.com
Sunday 19 June; Croxteth Country Park; 1pml; What the Butler Saw: Discover a fascinating Victorian world – Starting with the upstairs, you will gain an insight into the lavishly pampered lifestyle of the Earls of Sefton, before turning to the dull, cold hard-working lifestyle of the servants. £5 available in advance from Croxteth Hall Gift Shop - 0151 233 6930. Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.croxteth.co.uk Sunday 26 June; Croxteth Country Park; 12pm to 4pm; Alt Valley Arts and Culture Showcase: Come along to a popular neighbourhood event (now in its 10th year) which showcases the upcoming talent within the Alt Valley area including musicians, dancers and performers. www.communiversity.co.uk Meet at Croxteth Hall. For further enquiries 0151 233 6910. www.communiversity.co.uk Sunday 26 June; Sefton Park; 12pm to 5pm; Sefton Park Gardens - special opening: Five very different gardens open to the public: Parkmount, Sefton Park Allotments, Sefton Villa, University of Liverpool Vice Chancellor's Garden and 34 York House. Tow large, one small, a tower block garden and 100 allotments to visit. All in aid of charity for the National Gardens Open Scheme (www.ngs.org.uk) £5. Monday 27 June to Sunday 10 July; Calderstones Park; 10:30am to 4:30pm; Merseyside Textile Arts Exhibition: Meet at the Coach House Gallery. For further enquiries 0151 233 3007. www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks
NEWS 11
12 NEWS
Monday, April 11, 2011
★★★★
Nothing’s better than a nice bit of fish. I always keep an eye on the use-by date and if it’s getting close I’ll either freeze it, or make fish pie for me and my flatmate. A winner every time. And any we don’t polish off goes in the fridge for the next day. Perfect. lovefoodhatewaste.com has more tips and recipes to help you waste less food and save up to £50 a month.