Liverpool Life 6:7 February 21 2018

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NEWS FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY

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ISSUE SEVEN FEB 21 -MARCH 6

Liverpool Life

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Helping women scale the heights

Liverpool Life

contents Vol 6 Issue 7 FEBRUARY 21 - MARCH 6 2018 New hospital for Claire House

Is Liverpool the capital of the North?

What will you give up for Lent?

Knitting Nan

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Year of the Dog

Breakfast & Boardgames

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Index on Censorship’s Rachael Jolley

Scouse-ina-Bowl aids Whitechapel Centre

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Local fighters in Cage Wars action

Beautiful brides

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Chinese New Year decorations

© Michael Stokes

LL Production: Alex Amadeo, Ed Baldwin, Jack Butler, Jade Culver, Jo Cunliffe, Meg Dodds, Marcello Dotolo, James Farrington, Oli Fell, Olivia Friett, Evan Fyfe, Amy Harding, Ross Hilton-Inkpin, Jessica Hughes, Gem Jones, Stephanie Kettle, Emily Kinsella, Abby Nicholson, Jordan Reais, Sam O’Hara, Suzy Sankey, Daisy Scott, Michael Stokes, Tom Swift, Danielle Thomas, Hannah Wilkinson.

Cover Photograph: Women’s climbing © Katie Ramsden

LL03 Lime Street station hit with further disruption

NEWS

Radio presenters take action in bid to halt station closure move

By SHANIECE THOMPSON and JO CUNLIFFE A £40,000 fund-raising appeal set up by Wirral Radio resulted in a lock-in at the studio as the presenters tried to draw attention to their plea to revive the station.

At 5pm on Monday February 19th, presenter Ian Kenyon locked himself in the main studio at the Wirral Media Centre. He was joined by fellow Breakfast Show co-presenter Beverley Macca shortly after.

The station closed suddenly this month but continued to provide football commentary and other content. Financial pressures were blamed for the decision, which saw broadcasting end at 10am on February 9th.

Mr Kenyon took to Twitter saying: “Time is running out to save our amazing charity, Wirral Radio. I’ve locked myself in and have been broadcasting since tea time yesterday and we are staying put until there is a solution.”

The community station has been going for 15 years, originally as 7Waves, before a relaunch in 2014 on the digital DAB network.

It had three studios at its Leasowe home, which included a live room, recording studio and broadcast training suites. With little media serving the local community, it believed it had found a niche.

They were supported by dozens of regular volunteers, through its

academy system.

In July last year Trinity announced that it would be closing its Wirral News operations, saying there was no longer a “viable, scalable or long-term future” for free print products on the Wirral.

The public social media response to the news was as expected.

Dave Darlington said: “Where was the support from Wirral Borough Council? I listen to wirral radio consistently over these years.

Nice to see that the authorities are supporting such a worthwhile project - Not!” An official statement from the radio station said: “It is with regret we announce the news that due to financial pressures Wirral Radio will close and cease broadcasting from 10am on Friday 9th February 2018.

“Wirral Radio has served Wirral for 15 years and played a part in many people’s lives. This has been through volunteer opportunities in broadcasting and other areas of Wirral Radio. Also through employment and placements, we also supported many younger generations via The Academy. We have witnessed many success stories involving Academy members finding employment in the field of their choice. Another major achievement is Wirral Radio has contributed to over £5m

Ian Kenyon and Beverley Macca

worth of social return during our time operating.

“Wirral is a wonderful place and somewhere to be incredibly proud of. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, especially our volunteers, clients and listeners.

“Wirral WRAP is unaffected by the closure and will continue to operate at the Wirral Media Centre.”

Abby Nicholson, a former volunteer at the radio station, told Liverpool Life: “I volunteered there for over six years and it was where my passion for journalism began.

“Over the years the station gave me so many opportunities such as preparing and presenting my own radio show each week and covering events.”

• Community licence: P7

Fresh vision for historic Square

By JAMES FARRINGTON

A public consultation is to be launched looking into the future of the historic Williamson Square.

Liverpool City Council is working alongside Liverpool BID Company and the Everyman and Playhouse to discuss plans on how to revitalise the public square.

The consultation aims to provide the public and businesses with an opportunity to suggest new ideas to invest a new lease of life into the large open space. The consultation will run until Monday April 30th. Feedback forms will be available at the Playhouse Theatre, Marks & Spencer café and Sayers.

CONSULT: Liverpool’s historic Williamson Square Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, representing 1,500 BID levy payers in Liverpool city centre, told Liverpool Life: “Williamson Square has for too long been a place to hurtle through. With careful planning, it has great potential to become one of the city’s best public spaces.”

The idea of the consultation is to

revitalise the city centre through a 15- year blueprint, which aims to regenerate the Williamson Square through major investment.

The historic square, which opened in 1745, is also in the zone of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site. It is hoped the major investment will reconnect the square to its surrounding areas.

By AMY HARDING Liverpool Lime Street is set to close for a further eight weeks due to more development work.

Network Rail have promised that the station will be still open for business during the rebuilding work but the station might have to close in full.

The full or partial closure is not happening until June but commuters are being warned well in advance.

Sally Yates, 42, from Crosby, said: “I commute to the city centre everyday through Lime Street to get to work.

“The closures in June and July are going to affect my travel and it’ll take me so much longer to get to work now, if the station fully closes it will really disrupt my work.”

The upgrades to Lime Street, which is part of a £340m scheme that began in autumn 2017 where 2km of track was replaced, platforms were redesigned and made longer, and two extra platforms were added.

Frank Rogers, chief executive at Merseytravel, said: “Completing the upgrade at Lime Street is an important step in modernising rail transport for our City Region.

“Once completed, the works will enable Lime Street to handle an additional three services per hour and this increase in capacity will generate very significant economic benefit for many years to come.”

Ruling on Evans case The High Court has ruled that sick baby Alfie Evans will be allowed to die, despite his parents’ wishes.

Alfie was admitted to Alder Hey children’s hospital in December 2016 with a degenerative neurological condition.

His parents Tom Evans and Kate James, from Liverpool, had hoped to prolong Alfie’s life with treatment at a hospital in Italy. But Mr Justice Hayden said he accepted medical evidence which showed further treatment was futile.

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LL NEWS

Going green for cancer charity

By CHLOE GEORGE Clatterbridge cancer charity has gone green to raise funds towards building Liverpool’s first cancer specialist hospital.

The Go Green Campaign 2018 has seen people across Merseyside and Cheshire holding greenthemed events to raise money and awareness for the charity.

Fundraising across the region has been taking place to mark occasion, including at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral, where staff and patients enjoyed activities including a tombola, raffles and a visit from Jolly Jockeys.

Katrina Bury, head of The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support for Let’s Go Green week 2018. We are delighted to see so many schools, businesses and local authorities showing their support.

“One in two of us will develop cancer over our lifetime so this new hospital is vitally important for the people of Merseyside, Cheshire, and the surrounding areas. Thank you to each and every person who volunteered organised an activity or donated money.”

Businesses in the region have been getting involved, especially

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Paul Curtis with Clatterbridge Cancer Charity mural by selling green-themed products.

They include Thornton Hall Hotel who served up green cocktails, Claremont Farm who sold green cakes, and The Red Fox pub in Thornton Hough, who donate £1 from every meal they sold.

Buildings and landmarks in Liverpool and beyond lit up green to support the campaign, with Liverpool Town Hall, the Cunard Building, Chester’s Eastgate

Clock, Wallasey and Birkenhead Town Halls and The Greystone Bridge all glowing green.

The charity also unveiled a piece of artwork in Liverpool city centre, designed by artist Paul curtis, which depicts cancer cells being fought off in the style of video game Pac-Man. The charity aims to raise £15m towards the construction of the new Liverpool hospital and im-

provements to the Wirral centre.

Clatterbridge is one of the leading cancer centres in the UK. They treat more than 27,000 patients each year and are hoping to be able to help even more with the new specialist hospital.

Donations for the charity are welcome by texting CURE to 70111 to donate £4. Visit the website www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk for how to donate or fundraise.

Volunteer group helps maintain Formby beach

By SHANIECE THOMPSON Volunteers have made it their mission to clean up the UK’s beaches, one bin bag at a time.

The volunteers use a Facebook group, made up of 222 members, to organise monthly beach cleanups at Hightown Beach to “help marine wildlife and make it safer and nice beach for us to use”.

The group have recently had a very successful beach clean up, despite the harsh February weather.

Tommy Norbury, the event organiser, told Liverpool Life, “With thoughts of cancelling the clean-up due to the weather, I decided to go ahead with it and to my surprise 40 volunteers out of 45 turned up.

“With a cold gale blowing, our volunteers got down to business and luckily the rain, snow and hail stayed off until the last person left the beach.”

The group of volunteers was

made up of women, men and children.

Mr Norbury added: “Mother Nature must have approved as she left a large heart-shaped cloud for us during the clean up!

“This month 32 bags of rubbish along with drums, plastic buckets, milk crates, sheets of wood have been removed from our beach a lot of it remnants from our last storm.”

Environmentalists claim a crisis is currently taking place across the UK, urging us to be more cautious with the plastic we use and the rubbish we dispose of.

“More often that not, local beaches seem to become what of a ‘dumping ground’ and this organised group have decided enough is enough.”

While the group acknowledge that some of the rubbish that is on the beach has been blown in and brought in from the tide, they urge all users of the beach to ensure they respect the area and do

© Hightown Beach Clean Up Facebook group not dump their rubbish there.

They also urge more members of the community to get involved in their future events and hope to eventually have an established group that are consistently helping to clean up the beach.

“Our next clean is a joint one on March 3rd with Sea Shepherd UK from 1.30pm until 4pm.

“Hopefully, if conditions allow, I hope to have another treasure

hunt for the young ones attending and maybe something for the adults too.

“Join us if you can and join our group to help keep our coast clean and safe for us and our marine wildlife.”

For more information on how you can get involved with any future beach clean ups or organise a beach clean up of your own, visit: https://goo.gl/gHsz2p

NEWS

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Plans for Hospice to help more 300 new families with new site homes in Formby

By OLIVIA FRIETT

By JORDAN REAIS

An application for a residential development just off Formby bypass has been submitted to Sefton Council.

The application is yet to be considered but proposes the building of 286 new homes on land at Brackenway, Formby.

More than 200 residents attended a public event in September, where Taylor Wimpey Ltd put forward the preliminary proposals, to which a third of residents gave feedback.

Local resident Madeleine Percival, 66, told Liverpool Life: “I think it’s great for Formby adding a new residential area really helps local business by increasing the population.

“Also, with the government’s first time buyer scheme on new builds, it will help people get on the property ladder in a beautiful area.

“At first I was sceptical about the fact they are building on a nature reserve but their plans to move it seem suitable. The plans look great.”

The proposed area is situated inside a Local Wildlife Site and has two rivers running through it, Wham Dyke and Eight Acre Brook, and is a floodplain.

This has caused speculation surrounding the area and neighbouring houses as it is often used by the public.

The application states: “There will be no net loss of trees within the site and mitigation planting will be undertaken to retain and enhance existing habitats.”

Taylor Wimpey claims to have created the design plan with extreme care to reduce the ecological effects.

It aims to extend the nature reserve and will have an ongoing wildlife-friendly management plan.

The first phase of Claire House’s new hospice in West Derby, Liverpool, has officially opened.

The building was originally a monastery until it was offered to the children’s charity.

Their original hospice in Bebington is at full capacity and so Claire House were in desperate need of an additional building. The charity wanted a hospice ‘on the other side of the water’ and preferably close to a hospital, so being around the corner from Alder Hey Hospital was a ideal.

Hannah Shannon, a nurse for Claire House, told Liverpool Life: “Over the last five years there has been a 61% increase in the number of children coming to Claire House, so basically we just needed more facilities. One of the things we realised was that over half of the children who visited the hospice were from Liverpool.

“Being so close to Alder Hey is a bonus for us, because children who go to Alder Hey can also

Potential: Garden of the new Claire House hospice come here.”

Only the downstairs is currently transformed, with a huge chapel and multiple bedrooms still upstairs that are unavailable to the public. The staff and volunteers are hoping to have it fully transformed within five years.

Hannah said: “The reason we are not rushing into an appeal right now is we’re developing our plans for what we need on the site.

It’s interesting that the needs of the children we look after have

changed a lot over the years.”

Although there is not yet a full hospice, they offer day care services, counselling and complementary therapies.

The gardens are huge and full of potential, including a play area for the children, designed and built

by CBeebies.

The children’s DIY show came to the new hospice and within five days had built an amazing village, with a zipwire that can hold wheelchairs.

Pop-up maternity unit protest

By MATT SKELLY Save Liverpool Women’s hospital campaigners are protesting against the opening of a new “popup” maternity unit in Seacombe.

The pop-up unit is a self-standing service run by the NHS for local mothers-to-be, which provides on-site and community midwifery services.

Although there are midwiferyled services, there is no back-up obstetric team on location. In the case of an emergency or complication, it is feared that ambulance delays and travel times to Arrowe Park hospital could pose a risk to the lives of babies and mothers.

The topic was raised in a meeting among the campaigners, who also work closely with the ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ campaign.

Former midwife and campaigner Stephanie Miller said: “An obstetric emergency can occur at any time, before, during or after delivery.

“Without the immediate atten-

tion of a fully-trained back-up emergency obstetric team, this could cause irreparable damage to the mother and her baby. Tragically, it may even lead to the death of both mother and her baby.

“There is a ten-minute window in hospital for emergency treatment relating to childbirth and haemorrhages can kill within two minutes.

“Recently, in Shropshire, a mother who was delivered in a midwifery-led unit haemorrhaged to death on her way to hospital. Is this what we want for the mothers on the Wirral?”

However, Roy McLachlan, of NHS Northern England Clinical Networks, believes that travel times of up to four hours are acceptable for a woman in labour – a statement met with anger among campaigners.

Seacombe’s pop-up unit was introduced as part of cost reductions to the NHS in the area, as well as being a response to NHS England’s Better Births Report in 2016, which reported that

although 87% of women nationally give birth in a hospital only 25% of women have that as their preference.

A target of saving £1bn in costs before 2020 in the local areas ‘footprint’ (which spreads across the whole of Merseyside and Cheshire) means health chiefs are investigating alternative methods in certain fields of healthcare.

The Save Liverpool Women’s Hospital campaign launched three years ago when Felicity Dowling created a petition following news that the hospital was potentially closing. It has since gained more than 27,000 followers on Facebook and are consistently organising protests and events.

On March 10th, the campaign will be celebrating International Women’s Day aiming to ‘shine a light on women’s rights’.

The day’s celebrations will start at the Women’s Hospital before a special event at Blackburne House with all people welcome to support women’s right to maternity and health.

06 LL NEWS

Work on canal signals new creative district

Fruit and veg market gets a new home

For the first time since the 1800s, work is underway on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in what marks the beginning of the Ten Streets Project.

The building of the Stanley Flight, the connection between the canal and Liverpool’s dock system, was carried out in 1848 and marked an important moment in the burgeoning industrial revolution.

The series of four locks, which vastly increased the speed at which goods could be transported from Lancashire mill towns to the rest of Britain, was built by the famed Victorian engineer Jesse Hartley who also built the Albert Dock, Bramley Moore Dock and Stanley Dock warehouses.

A £20m highways improvement scheme, which incorporates plans to reduce the size of a wall on

A brand new fruit, veg and flower market has been opened in Gillmoss.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor opened the 80,000 square foot marketplace, which is set to replace the existing rundown building off Edge Land in Old Swan.

The market’s previous home will be developed into Merseyside Police patrol hub.

Some of the land is also being used to rebuild St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, while the remaining nine acres fronting Prescot Road is set to become new housing.

The regeneration is the latest in Liverpool’s marketplace scheme, which has also seen significant improvements to St John’s Market in the City Centre.

By MATTY DAVIES

Great Howard Street means that the piece of Victorian innovation will now be easily viewable to the public.

The feature itself is within Liverpool’s World Heritage Site and experts hope that the wall reduction will enable the structure to become a key tourism feature in the emerging Ten Streets creativity district; a new cultural enterprise industry hub with the potential to create up to 2,500 jobs.

The space is intended to generate additional business and to deliver an environment and workspace for artistic, creative and cultural enterprises.

As part of the Ten Streets Project, several other important heritage buildings are set to be conserved and refurbished including Liverpool’s largest listed building; the Tobacco Warehouse situated near Stanley Dock.

The Ten Streets area sits within Liverpool’s Mercantile World Heritage Site boundary and contains some of the city’s most notable maritime buildings, with the Stanley Flight being one of them.

Canal wall off Great Howard Street © Matty Davies

By BECKY JONES

Repairs to rescue historic gem

By SHAUN KEENAN Liverpool’s historic Wellington Rooms is set to be restored after years of rotting and damp threatened to destroy the Grade ll listed landmark.

The building, on Mount Pleasant, has been suffering from rot and a leaking roof but, thanks to funding from Liverpool City Council and Historic England, the six-week restoration is now under way. Contractor Quadriga has been hired to start a £100,000 six-week repair programme.

The Wellington Rooms opened in 1816 as a dancehall. However, the building is best known for its role as Liverpool Irish Centre, which it served as from 1975 until 1997, when it closed.

Bill Maynard, chairman of the Wellington Rooms Steering Group and Merseyside Building Preservation Trust, told Liverpool Life: “The options appraisal has been completed and these repair works represent a major step forward and will protect the fabric of this important and much-loved historic building.”

In 2002 plans were approved for the Wellington Rooms to become a function suite, but were never

implemented. In 2007, Liverpool City Council rejected an application to turn the derelict building into a three-storey hotel.

Charles Smith, North West assistant planning director and Heritage at Risk principal adviser at Historic England, said: “Historic England is delighted to be co-funding these urgent repairs to the Wellington Rooms, which is in the top 8% of the most important historic buildings in the country.

The former Irish Centre, which

was originally used for high society balls, lies within the buffer zone of Liverpool’s World Heritage site and is recognised

by Liverpool City Council as the City’s top priority heritage ‘building at-risk’ The news of the renovation work also received a good reception on Twitter, after a two-decade long wait ended.

A tweet from a former music student Eileen Douglas (@ Eileen78619446) read: “Very

Wellington Rooms, home to Liverpool Irish Centre © WikiCommons

pleased to read this – saw it last year in a very run down state - we had music lessons in the Wellington Rooms when I was at Mount Pleasant college in the 60’s.”

Frank Keegan (@KeeganBig) tweeted: “What’s happened to the Wellington Rooms is an absolute disgrace. Hope they save it.”

Local politicians also described their delight at the news, especially Cllr Nick Small, who has long campaigned for the restoration of the neo-classical building.

The Labour Councillor (@CllrNickSmall) tweeted: “This is great news – have long campaigned for the Wellington Rooms, Liverpool’s former Irish Centre, to be brought back into use.”

Stage Inside Wellington Rooms © Paul Frost

NEWS

Phoneboxes are used as ‘trojan horses’ for ads

By SHAUN KEENAN Telecom companies have been accused of using ‘trojan’ telephone boxes as a way of getting advertising on to the high street, after a surge in applications.

Recent research shows there has been a 900 per cent increase in Liverpool over the last two years.

Ofcom, who provide a licence to the companies, can block proposals based on design and appearance, but if the applicant appeals, the final decision lies with the Planning Inspectorate, which has overruled the regulator a number of times.

The Local Government Association (LGA), who compiled the research, looked at 12 councils and found a total rise of 927 per cent.

The LGA want the Government to change the “Out-of-date” legislation so that local authorities can take a stand against phone boxes, which need no planning permission.

Martin Tett, the LGA’s Planning representative, told Liverpool

Life: “The rise of the smartphone and digital age has seen the telephone box become a largely obsolete relic of a bygone era,” he said.

“While there is still a limited need for some telephone boxes in our town centres and cities, for example for emergencies, the number of applications councils have seen is simply staggering.

“Companies are exploiting a loophole in the law to allow what is tantamount to Trojan telephone boxes being used as advertising spaces rather than the original purpose of providing a place for people to use a phone.

“As a result, pedestrians are being bombarded with a series of eyesores that blight the public highway,” he said.

“Councils are currently powerless to act, so we want the Government to overturn the existing out-of-date legislation and give local authorities the ability to take action where this is an issue.”

Since 2015, when only 10 applications were made, 87 new telephone boxes applications were

LL07

Five-year licence for radio station

By JASPER HUNT

submitted in 2017.

That figure rose in 2016 when only 17 applications to build telephone boxes in the city centre were requested by companies.

London and Newcastle are cities also particularly blighted along with Lord Street, in Liverpool, where there are eight within a 125m stretch.

Founder of Maximus Networks, Ashley Smatt, a new entrant in the phone box market, said telephone boxes are still very much in demand.

He said: “We’re reinventing the phone box for the 21st century.

There are over 66,000 (installations) still taking place across the country.

“Believe it or not, there is still a need for telephones boxes and that’s what we’re trying to provide.”

Liverpool Community Radio Station have won a five-year FM Radio licence.

After years of lobbying and campaigning, they have great news at last.

The radio group has increased its workforce over the years, while they have always hoped to grow their current listenership into a wider audience.

Based on Holt Road deep in the heart of Kensington, L-C-R have been running projects in the area since 2007.

Steve Faragher, Director of KensingtonVision CIC, said; “We want more people to get involved, we want to give people a real voice to talk about the things which matter to them.”

Steve has Radio Production training courses available for anyone who would wish to take part. If you wish to be trained or volunteer drop by the studio at 53 Holt Road.

Road restriction rage for rush-hour drivers

By SHANIECE THOMPSON The temporary closure of a road in Thornton that was introduced to ensure school children’s safety has led to conflict between local residents and drivers.

People living on Edgemoor Drive complained drivers were using their road, which is often filled with school children during peak hours, as a short cut during rush-hour. As concerns for children’s safety increased Sefton Council closed its junction with Moor Lane for a trial period early this month to see if this was a potential solution.

A barrier appeared at the entrance and instantly caused fierce debates on a Facebook community group.

Following recent high winds, the heavy barrier was pushed over, further outraging the community with many complaining the attempt was a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Some Crosby residents think the road closure is part of a broader issue relating to increased traffic

in the area following the opening of Brooms Cross Road and that an alternative solution should be sought in order to protect child safety in the area.

Commenting on Facebook, Meghan O’Hare said: “Why didn’t the residents ask for speed bumps if it’s safety that is a concern, the closure doesn’t work.

The road is dangerous so that is the answer? Road closure certainly is not one.”

Peter Evans had a different response, saying: “The aggressive minority have bullied the ward councillors in a meeting to support putting the closure in place.

They declared that they would do everything in their power to stop it. Which they did.”

Chris Le Goff said: “We are all open to other opinions and we obviously need to try them before we can declare them a failure. We all agreed that the closure of the road was ‘inconvenient’ for all of us but it was for a trial period. Ultimately, the safety of the children walking to school was the major concern.”

He added: “There will be a public meeting, this is a decision made for the many, and not for the few that want to cut a few minutes off their journey.

“Is it going to take a child fatality for us to change this problem?

We need positive suggestions, and not insulting remarks.”

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “A consultation was launched in 2017 which gave residents of Edgemoor Drive, Ronaldsway and Thornfield Road a number of traffic management options to ease congestion. The majority of those who responded opted for the closure of Edgemoor Drive.

“While we have concerns that the closure of Edgemoor Drive could create substantial disrup-

tion in the local area, we accepted the majority view and implemented a trial closure, initially running for a three-month period.

“We are currently undertaking queue-length surveys at the junctions and traffic cameras will be monitored throughout the trial period. A report will be compiled once the trial has ended.”

After an additional council meeting earlier this month Jane Burdon, said: “After an effective debate with our ward councillors this morning, an agreement was reached that the road closure at Edgemoor Drive would be reinstated and would remain in place for three months to enable effective analysis of the impact upon all residents affected.

“We would urge all residents on the Edgemoor estate to get involved with the debate, as whatever your views we need to hear them to reach a meaningful and effective outcome.”

To have your say on the closure consultation email transport. planning@sefton.gov.uk.

08 LL FOCUS

What are you ready to give up?

A Anisah Arif asked Scousers what they aim to give up for the next 40 days of Lent

fter Pancake Day, a day where nearly everyone gets involved in making or eating (mostly eating!) that delicious, lemon-smothered stack of goodness, comes the hard part - Lent.

Once they have finished celebrating Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, many people have begun to take part in Lent – the religious period of 40 days that comes before Easter.

It usually is a time for reflection, fasting and giving up treats or habits they enjoy such as chocolate, alcohol, smoking, or even swearing.

The idea is to imitate the struggles Jesus faced when he was in the wilderness for 40 days and had to fast.

But non-Christians also take part to discover what it feels like to give up something for six weeks.

But these days, what do people choose to abandon?

Alcohol

The biggest struggle of them all. Because who doesn’t like a night out with the lads or when you want to treat yourself with a glass of wine after a tiring day running around with the kids?

However, if you have just taken part in Dry January, this might be a walk in the park for you.

Law student Sophia Wright says: “People always say it’s a tough challenge, giving up alcohol for 40 days while being in university, but I don’t think it’s that bad. There’s more to university life than just being hungover.”

Smoking Everyone is aware of the damage smoking does to your body, such as heart disease, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. But apart from the risks, the NHS claims you’ll have more energy, whiter teeth, better smell and taste … and you’ll feel less stressed, too. What better encouragement and support can you get than hundreds of other people also giving up at the same time?

Sam Morgan tells us: “I have nearly eight fags a day. It is hard but I’m going to at least try. If I can do it for 40 days, then I can cut down in the future.”

Social Media Taking a break from social media is a growing phenomenon amongst users, but in the era of memes and hashtags, it’s almost impossible. Whether you’re posting a Facebook update or Instagramming a picture of an evening meal, our social life revolves around these apps. However, this Lent, instead of looking down, look around.

Retail worker James Hughes explained how he’s actually looking forward to it: “My life revolves around working full time, and then when I’m free I’m chatting to my friends on Snapchat or scrolling through Instagram. It’s the same boring routine. I think it’s time I go back to the ‘90s and actually try having a conversation with someone that actually involves talking.”

Chocolate If it’s not the pleasurable feeling of it melting in your mouth, then it’s a perfect snack for a midnight craving. But the benefits of giving up chocolate are much bigger than that feeling.

Your body would be a sugar-free temple.

For 25-year-old Anna Williams, chocolate is a big part in her life. “I have chocolate almost everyday. With my tea or as a snack. So giving it up isn’t easy, but as the days go by it gets much easier”.

Television/Netflix You might feel like you don’t watch a lot of it, but when the latest episodes of Game of Thrones or Peaky Blinders are out, you turn into a couch potato. As well as saving a bit of money on your electric bill, you get more sleep, which is very important, especially if you have early starts.

Medical student Amy Smith says: “I recently started watching Orange is the New Black because my friends told me to watch it and I became obsessed.

“It kept me distracted from my work so I’m going to try not to watch anymore until Lent is over, but it’s so hard!”

CULTURE LL9

TOP DOG! T

housands flocked to Liverpool’s historic Chinatown in celebration of the Chinese New Year Liverpool’s Chinatown is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe and as such the city is renowned for the incredible and vibrant displays which is put on to celebrate the Chinese New Year on an annual basis.

This year, the city welcomed the Year of the Dog, making use of Great George Square, St Luke’s Cathedral and surrounding streets to put on a variety of displays and performances for all ages.

Liverpool Life reporter, JADE CULVER went down to witness the eventful day.

W

alking through Chinatown on Sunday morning, it felt like I was battling my way through a London tube station in rush hour.

People had travelled from far and wide to watch Liverpool’s renowned displays, making movement through the town quite a laborious affair.

Wishes and luck

At 11:30am sharp, the parade began to the cacophonous sound of drumbeats with dancing lions and magnificent red and gold dragon. The colours red and gold being significant of luck and wishes for the year to come.

The crowds looked on in excitement as the first firecrackers were set alight and the lions followed the traditional aspect of the parade by visiting each Chinese shop and restaurant taking the lettuce and ‘eating’ it.

Alongside the parade, I engaged in a range of other activities, with a particular favourite being the drumming lessons within St Luke’s Cathedral.

On the Great George Square stage, the public were treated to several performances including a dance show from Movema Dance, demonstrations from the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association and a glimpse of the Terracotta Warriors’ Love show.

A stunning light show and fireworks at the city’s Black.E and Chinese Arch wrapped up the weekend’s celebrations, with a magical illuminated dragon wowing the audience.

Dragons parade through the streets

Club flags brighten the day

The passing of red envelopes and lucky money

The city painted red with lantens

10 LL CHARITY

Bowled over

Shelby Hamilton reports on two businesses who are working together to make a difference to local charities

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t a time when homelessness and rough sleeping is on the rise and harmful cultural practices still take place, it’s often easier for people to turn a blind eye and avoid these issues, even when they’re on their own doorstep.

But that’s not the case for independent Liverpool businesses Baltic Clay and Fodder Canteen.

Together, with the support and contributions of others, they will be putting on their second charity ‘Scouse in a bowl’ event and expect it to be even busier than last year.

Unique hand-crafted bowls have been created by Baltic Clay and some of its fellow potters around the north west.

At the event, the public will be able to choose one of these bowls, have it filled with Scouse and, after eating their meal, the bowl will be washed so that it can be taken home.

This will be in return for a donation of ten pounds towards The Whitechapel Centre, Liverpool’s homeless and rough sleeper charity, and for Savera UK, a charity dedicated to tackling domestic abuse within black and minority ethnic communities, and raising awareness of harmful practices.

Baltic Clay came up with the idea for this event last year after a few potters and groups at the Baltic Clay studio had mentioned seeing more homeless people on Liverpool’s streets.

Louise Waller, 36, Studio member of Baltic Clay and part-time potter, told Liverpool Life: “It was one of the studio members, Andrew, who suggested it. I think he had seen something similar happening in America with mugs of soup. And we thought that our equivalent would be Scouse and that it would make it more personal to Liverpool.”

This year Savera UK will also

benefit from the event. Another change is that that there will now be two sittings instead of just the one. The canteen got very busy last year and by having two sittings the team will have time to refill the slow cookers and restock the bowls.

Chris Turrell-Watts, 47, The Director of Baltic Clay is proud that it is a local business that’s in touch with its community.

He said: “If you’re part of it, I think it’s very important to put something back. I’m not surprised at all that one of our members came up with this idea and that we’re all so keen to support it. We are part of the community and want to give something back. It makes sense for us to do what we can to help.”

Since last year, ‘Scouse in a bowl’ has grown. Others have jumped at the chance to get involved and help. Illustrator Becka Griffin has provided hand-drawn promotional art depicting the unique bowls in the style of Baltic Clay.

Classical guitarist Chris Callandar heard about the event and will be providing live music throughout the evening and a Liverpool hand screen printing company, on Instagram as @The_scouse-life, has donated T-shirts for event staff to wear and to sell on the night.

But one thing that will be the same will be the Scouse provided

by Fodder Canteen.

Anthony Zausmer, 64, Caterer, explained to LL what makes Fodder Canteen’s scouse special.

He said: “It’s made with slowcooked mutton, which makes a huge difference. In the old days, people wouldn’t have been able to afford beef. All the beef-based ones, I believe, are more recent inventions. We do a totally vegan blind Scouse and we also do another one, which I invented about ten years ago in capital of culture year, it’s called Liver Bird Scouse. The sales pitch for that is

‘if we can’t catch Liver birds, we use chicken’.”

The owner of Fodder Canteen is no stranger to helping her local community, and so it’s not surprising that she would be on board Hannah Cave, 45, Owner & Manager of Fodder Canteen, has worked with the homeless in her spare time for 15 years. She believes that Fodder’s scouse is also made special by the way it is presented.

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he told Liverpool Life: “We try to serve it on a normal day-to-day basis in a relaxed way as if you were just going around to your grandparents.

“So put it out as self-service on the buffet. We try to make it relaxed and homely so that it’s not just a meal, it’s a whole experience.”

Originally based in Southport, Baltic Clay has been fully embraced since it’s move to The Baltic Triangle just over two years ago.

Chris Turrell-Watts said: “It’s been absolutely amazing. I’ve been really overwhelmed with the amount of response that I get from people wanting to do classes.

Even before we officially opened people were talking about how there is a pottery studio opening

Unique hand crafted bowls. © Baltic Clay & Fodder Canteen in The Baltic Triangle.”

‘Scouse in a bowl’ will take place on Friday February 23rd at Fodder Canteen, Unit G5, Queens Dock Business Centre, 67-83 Norfolk Street. Sittings will be at 5pm till 6.30pm and 7pm till 8.30pm.

© Fodder Canteen

“Since last year, ‘Scouse in a bowl’ has grown. Others have jumped at the chance to get involved and help”

STYLE

LL11

Beautiful Brides

Sara O’ Hagan reports on the entrepreneur making it her mission to ensure women of all sizes have the perfect dress for their special day

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very girl deserves to feel beautiful on their wedding day, no matter what shape or size they are. The newly-opened Beautiful Brides aims to do just this and it is the first bridal shop of its kind in Liverpool.

Owner Marisa Rooney is the brains behind this new venture and wants every bride to know that her shop caters for everyone and they will be spoiled for choice.

She told Liverpool Life: “They’re going to be able to come to me and they’re going to be able to have choice which is a really key word. I’m not giving them the darkest corner of a boutique to go to and have a little look at a couple of gowns. I’m giving them an exclusive, bespoke boutique where they have got access to everything.”

Having always had an interest in fashion, at university, Marisa started something called the ‘curvy campaign.’ After doing some background research, she realised the standard size of a woman was size 16 and couldn’t understand why they were labelled as ‘plus.’ Because

of this, she has coined the term #LifeSizeNotPlusSize.

She said: “The media come up with all these labels and tags and it gives really bad body image to some girls who really get sucked in and feed to this news.”

The inspiration behind the store mainly came from Marisa’s own personal experiences and she knew she wasn’t the only one out there going through these things. It is important for those girls who are size 16+ that they feel comfortable in their wedding dress and they enjoy the experience.

She told Liverpool Life: “I wanted to be able to have this voice and to represent them and also to be able to give them the most phenomenal experience when they were looking for the most important dress that they will ever wear, which is their wedding gown.”

The shop has only been opened since the week before Christmas and already is a huge success.

Every bride that has come to see Marisa have bought a dress and has walked out with a huge smile on their face.

Before their wedding day, many

Dresses on display © Sara O’Hagan

women tend to crash diet and lose weight to ensure they fit into their wedding dress. However, for Marisa’s brides, this is not the case. With the designers she works with, she will ensure that they make the dress work for her and not making her work for the dress.

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he said: “It’s about accepting what you’ve got and working with what you’ve got. At the end of the day, their future husbands have fallen in love with these girls for who they are, not what size they are wearing in the dress and I am constantly having to remind the girls of that.”

Expanding the brand to other cities would be a wonderful opportunity for the shop but because Marisa gives her all at her bridal appointments and tells the girls of her personal experiences she thinks it would be hard to instil that in someone else.

She told Liverpool Life: “It’s like this is my baby so letting go of that control, giving that to somebody else I don’t really know whether that would work.”

A pivotal and memorable moment in her career was meeting fashion expert Caryn Franklin at university. Marisa believes that she changed her life because she believed in what she wanted to do.

“When you’re a student in university and someone of her stature says that they believe in you, you have to listen to it,” she said.

Marisa has been working in the wedding dress industry for over ten years now and not many things have changed where curvy girls are concerned. This is her passion and with her shop she wants to promote body positivity and give her customers exactly what she has promised to deliver.

She told Liverpool Life: “I know that I’ve done the right thing and this shop is hopefully here to stay and I hope that when I’m the same age as Vivienne Westwood I am still working in bridal.

“I just think that I am in the right place and this is definitely my calling. I’m definitely at home in this industry.”

12LL TOURISM

Is Liverpool the new capital of the north?

By Suzy Sankey

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iverpool is a city used to breaking records - being home to world-class football teams, the birthplace of one of the most successful groups of all time and celebrating links to some of the most famous ocean liners and ships in history.

2017 was yet another record-breaking year

for Liverpool’s tourism, as over two million hotel beds were sold in the city centre throughout the year - more than double the number in 2008, Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture.

According to Regenerating Liverpool, the city has welcomed 31 new hotels in the last

ten years, with a further four planned for construction and opening in 2018.

But why is it that the city has seen such a huge influx in visitors?

Why is it now that people have decided that Liverpool is the place to be? Liverpool Life investigates our city's strengths ...

Fashion LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...

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iverpool Film office announced the city’s busiest ever year in 2017 with 289 film and TV projects, leading to 1,359 filming days in total.

BAFTA-nominated Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool was filmed in and around the city, using Rundle Road in Aigburth, and Princes Street to imitate the city that never sleeps, New York.

Two nationally popular TV shows also used the city for filming.

Peaky Blinders used Crosby Beach amongst several other locations across Merseyside, and One Born Every Minute, Channel 4’s popular documentary, returned to Liverpool Women’s

hospital for its 10th series.

Many other shows used the city as a filming set, including, Songs of Praise, Strictly Come Dancing and The One Show.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for the Film Office, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “It’s an exciting time for the city and I look forward to seeing what other TV and film gems head to Liverpool in 2018.”

The filming generated an £11.1 million boost to local economy, and probably attracted a lot of visitors to the see some of the city’s impressive scenery for themselves, after falling in love with it on the silver screen.

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iverpool One was opened during the Capital of Culture year, and has since caused a huge increase in shoppers in the city. With 169 stores on its premises, the complex is the largest open air shopping centre in the UK. The introduction of higher end stores such as Harvey Nichols, Michael Kors and Tesutti have attracted a new client to shop in the city centre too.

In addition to hundreds of new store openings, Liverpool also became home to The British Style Collective in 2017.

Previously known as The Clothes Show, the fashion extravaganza was originally based in Birmingham.

LJMU fashion graduate Alix Quinn said: “The move was an

Independent businesses

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he city's independent business market is thriving.

Independently - run bars, restaurants and shops are opening on a weekly basis across the city, many of which are supported by ‘Independent Liverpool’- a company run by two friends in the city, which promotes and champions these diverse businesses.

Oliver Press and David Williams, co-founders of Independent Liverpool said: “Every single day we get inspiration and we can’t wait to reach more people and show them a side to Liverpool they may have never seen before.”

As well as independent retailers in individual units across

the city, the Baltic Triangle area has been transformed into a flourishing area, attracting students and adults from across the whole city. With places to eat and things to do, the regeneration of this entire area of the city centre has created a whole new area for visitors to add to their list of reasons to visit the city.

© Baltic Market

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ach summer seems to welcome another new festival to the city.

With a stunning UNESCO waterfront, boasting incredible views and some luscious green spaces, the city is home to a perfect setting to host summer concerts, festivals and events.

Liverpool Sound City and LIMF (Liverpool International Music Festival) welcome some of the country’s most popular music acts to their stages. The events attract acts such as The Kooks, The Wombats and Fleur East, as well as thousands of

incredible opportunity for the North to show that we’re just as successful and creative in the industry as London, the fashion capital.”

The show features stalls, catwalks and emerging designers, and is due to return to the city again in October 2018 for its second time in the city.

Young designers' work at The British Style Collective © Alix Quinn

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visitors from across the country.

It isn’t just music festivals that entertain the city, however.

2017 saw the Irish Festival, the Festival of Light and Liverpool’s annual Food and Drink festival welcomed into the city.

What also attracts people to attend these events is that so many are free of charge, with days of free entertainment.

With some summer festivals setting back attendees more than £200 to attend, it’s no wonder that people don’t want to miss out on those Liverpool has to offer.

TOURISM

LL13

Fresh perspective

Above: Suzy on the Anfield tour, below: photo of the docks

Liver Building from a rooftop bar

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ith so many beautiful towns and cities full of colourful history and people, it’s easy to take some of what Britain has to offer for granted- especially when you live there.

I moved to Liverpool over five years ago, and it was only when a friend visited recently, and asked me to show her the ‘real Liverpool’ (things other than bars, restaurants and shops), that I realised, there’s a lot of this city that I’m yet to see myself – despite calling it my home.

I decided to experience the city I call my home, and the best city in the world, from the eyes of a tourist. I wanted to see those gems that make a visitor fall in love with Liverpool as much as scousers do.

The first stop, or number of stops, was obvious. As with any city, the most obvious way to see all the sights of a new city is an open top bus. For £8, it seemed quite the bargain, too. Thirteen stops give passengers the opportunity to ‘hop on and off ’ as they wish, to see and visit any of the attractions along the way.

The tour begins at Liverpool’s Albert Dock, with incredible

Suzy Sankey takes on the city from a tourist’s viewpoint views of the Liver buildings, and the city’s world famous UNESCO waterfront heritage sight.

Jane Dawes and her husband Ian, from Scotland were on the tour too. She told me: “We’ve brought the kids for half term.

We’re massive Beatles fans, so it’s a huge draw for us. As for the kids, it seems there’s always something going on: free museums, crazy golf, theatres. It’s a lovely holiday for a family.”

Driving through Liverpool’s Chinatown, seeing the famous Chinese Arch was made even more special, as the streets were lined with red Chinese lanterns, ahead of the weekend’s New Year celebrations. I’d always wondered what linked the city so closely with China, but luckily, the tour guide filled us in on everything – giving me something else new to appreciate about the city’s past.

The ‘Bombed Out Church’ was another stop which I really enjoyed. It’s somewhere I now see as a venue for events, open-air

cinema, raves and parties, but learning how it got here and understanding why it’s so special to the city gave me a new appreciation of the building.

The tour included sights old and new. Of course, we saw the home of the Beatles, hearing about what the city was like before the addition of the Liverpool One complex – something I’m far too young to remember myself!

In the afternoon, it was time for the Anfield Tour. I was sure that this would be more of a treat for my boyfriend than myself; however, it turned out to be my favourite part of the day.

As someone who isn’t a huge football fan myself, I was amazed by just how much the tour won me over. The interactive tablets enabled us to watch videos of past matches and interviews with fans and players. My personal favourite was a seven-minute video on ‘the greatest game of football ever played’: Liverpool vs Istanbul, which made me end up in tears! I

have to say, I’m inclined to agree with that statement now.

It was clear from the very first member of staff that we spoke to, that everyone here had something in common: the passion and support for the Reds. Speaking to a tour guide, Jeremy, in the players’ changing room, he said: “On match days, I look after the players’ families.

Robertson’s family are just so nice. They’re so humble and always polite. You can see how grateful they are to be here.”

Every football club has a history and a huge team of supporters behind them, but the Anfield tour really showed the passion and love for the team that LFC have.

Christian Smith, from Crosby said: “Being a Liverpool fan is not easy. It’s really hard. But in the end, it’s always worth it.”

I finished my day feeling grateful, and much more appreciative of the city I’m lucky enough to call home.

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LL PEOPLE

Knitting nan’s Elizabeth Roberts dedicated her life to Dorlins Haberdashery. Now, her granddaughter Monique Bell is carrying on the family tradition, one stitch at a time

By Shaniece Thompson

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he granddaughter of one of Crosby’s most valued shop owners is hoping to continue her legacy by transforming the traditional family-run shop into a 21st century success story.

Haberdashery was a lifelong passion for Elizabeth Roberts, who died last year at the age of 85. Since then granddaughter Monique Bell has made it her mission to continue her passion.

Dorlins originally started on South Road, Waterloo, back in

1958 as Dorlins Wool and Drapers. Originally run by a mother and daughter duo, it has always been a much-loved local business.

In the late 1960s, Dorlins Wool and Drapers was sold to Elizabeth, and it is from this moment that Dorlins was reinvented. Monique, 30, explained the history of Dorlins and where it all began.

“My grandma used to go in as customer after doing a tailoring course at college when she was younger and she got to know the owners really well.

“After a while they wanted to leave the business, so it was at this point my grandma and her part-

PASSIONATE: Elizabeth immersed herself in her work © Monique Bell

ner bought Dorlins together.”

Throughout the years of their partnership, Dorlins established itself as one of the best-loved family-run businesses in the area.

Customers still to this day go to Dorlins expressing their love for the store and Elizabeth.

“They tell me how Dorlins has been in their lives for many years and that the memories they have of Dorlins from when they were young, it’s really touching,” said Monique.

“The main reason that Dorlins has had the success that it has had is because of the way my grandma was. As a person, she always went the extra mile she would not just serve someone and that would be it, she made a conscious effort to get to know her customers.

“She would often go deliver stuff to people’s houses; she really did have a massive impact on the knitting community of Crosby.

She would just help and teach everyone and we want to keep Dorlins that way.”

Health problems meant that last year Dorlins was no longer a business that Elizabeth could handle on her own.

Her family were faced with the harsh reality that they had to do what was best for their grandmother and take on her project themselves.

It was at this time that Monique made the decision to buy the business and continue her legacy.

The day she officially became owner of Dorlins she met her current business partner, and soon-to-be best friend, Sophie Weymouth.

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ophie, 29, told Liverpool Life how Dorlins had always been part of her life: “I started out volunteering in June 2017,

Elizabeth Roberts, outside Dorlins after the relocation to Waterloo, © Monique Bell basically started to learn about the business and I bought into it as partner on September 1st last year.

“I’ve been coming to Dorlins from when I was tiny, I used to go there because it’s always been a hobby of mine making all sorts.

“I met Monique the day she officially took over the shop, so we hadn’t known each other that long. I was explaining how I’ve always been a customer here and Monique was saying how it was her grandma that owned it and we just became instantly best friends.”

The duo’s partnership soon grew into a strong friendship and Monique says how much she values Sophie and her shared devotion for Dorlins.

She said, “I just couldn’t do this without Sophie, I just couldn’t do it without her. Sophie really

PEOPLE LL 15

legacy lives on This is just one of the projects that Dorlins will embark on this year.

They are also undertaking several other initiatives which they hope will encourage a younger market to explore haberdashery and all things creative.

“In the near future we are going to be holding regular classes for both adults and children and people are more than welcome to just pop in to enquire about anything.

“We are really going to be utilising the space that we have and hopefully have a cute ‘close knit’ class,” said Monique.

Monique and Sophie are planning to continue on this journey and take on the role as the next generation of Dorlins, with the aim of making as much of a community impact as Elizabeth did.

© Shaniece Thompson

has essentially taken on the role of my grandma and I can see my grandma in her every day.

“What I really love is that she would always wear scissors around her neck all of the time.

And Sophie has these scissors tattooed on her finger. It really feels like she has passed the generation of Dorlins on.

“Even down to the fact that Sophie has a sewing room identical to the one that my grandma had that I was brought up with.

“I am so happy; I think she was

Dorlins when it was located at Crown Buildings, Crosby, © Dorlins website

so happy to see the success here.”

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his year marks the 60th anniversary of Dorlins and there are big plans to mark the celebration.

After Elizabeth’s death, the family announced on social media how the ceremony would be a small affair because that was Elizabeth’s request.

However, the community has since suggested that a public memorial should be set up in her memory.

“She would just help and teach everyone and we want to keep Dorlins that way.”

CONTINUING TRADITION: Monique Bell and Sophie Weymouth outside the shop which has updated its look in the past 60 years © Shaniece Thompson

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LL FASHION

Spring into style W

STEP OUT IN THE NEWEST LOOKS

e are finally heading into spring, the hats and scarves are almost forgotten and it’s nearly time for summer. The spring/summer 2018 trends are bold and bright, from side stripes to ruffles, and pastels to checks. Here are the key trends to watch out for...

Pastels

Pretty Little Thing, £25

Miss Selfridge, £39

Checks

Bold Miss Selfridge, £49 Miss Selfridge, £49

Ruffles

FASHION LL 17

Tropical Shirts Burton, £40

New Look, £17.99

New Look, £24.99

Checks Side Stripe Trousers

Vertical Stripes New Look, £17.99

THE GUIDE What’s On D

isney on Ice is returning to the Echo Arena, from 11th April 2018 to 15th April 2018.

Presenting Worlds of Enchantment. The action packed show will showcase characters from Disney-Pixar’s Cars, Toy Story 3, The Little Mermaid and the Academy Award winning Frozen. Before the show, there is even a chance for Disney fans to try out Fit to Dance alongside the Disney on Ice stars, a pre-show activity encouraging the crowd to get fit whilst having fun. Tickets cost between £20.75 and £48 and can be bought at www.echoarena.com/disney.

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ead down to Croxteth Hall and Country Park for an afternoon of live entertainment and a glass of gin (or four).

The ticket price covers entrance, a welcome drink, entertainment and the Absolutely Fabulous Copa gin glass to take home. The company have already made a splash, bringing their festival all across the North West, and are returning to Liverpool for a weekend of partying. Fabulous!

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usion Festival is returning to Otterspool Promenade for the third year on Saturday September 1st and Sunday September 2nd.

This year, the two day festival is said to be bigger and better than ever, with headliners David Guetta and Shawn Mendes and a line-up including James Arthur, Clean Bandit, Zara Larsson and more. Tickets go on sale on Friday February 23rd at 9am, available from www.fushion-festival.frontgatetickets.com.

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unset Boulevard begins its five-night run at Liverpool Empire Theatre.

A timeless classic about love and obsession, the musical has hit the stage from the West-End to Broadway and in between. The show depicts the life of a washed-up silent film star and the out-of-work screenwriter she brings into her world. Seduction, betrayal and tragedy unfold, all accompanied by the soundtrack which launched the show to fame and success.

THE GUIDE What’s On R

aw Bakery Market, March 15th, Love Thy Neighbour.

A raw bakery market hosted by new Liverpool business The Wildflowers Secret Bake house is going to take place on Bold Street. Come on down to sample the best rustic cakes, healthier bakes and raw treats alongside vegan options too.

Visit The Wildflowers Secret Bakehouse Instagram for more details: @wildflowerssecretbakehouse

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elp the homeless & ellipsis present: raise the roof .

A charity gig night featuring some of the best upcoming bands around!

Raising money for MerseyAid and MRANG, 2 charities that aim to aid refugees.

Studio 2 in Liverpool, Wednesday 21st February 2018, 7:00pm til 2:00am (last entry 8:45pm), Minimum Age: 15.

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ig Kid Circus returns with an all new show; in the year we Celebrate 250 years since the creation of the modern circus!

To mark this event, we introduce amazing new ground and arerial artists from England, Ukraine, Cuba and Chile.

Monday 19th. to Sunday 25th. February. Weekdays - 3 pm & 7 pm; Saturday - 2 pm & 5 pm and Sunday - 1 pm & 3.30 pm. Ticket office open onsite from Wednesday 14th. February btween 10 am & 8 pm. First day only all seats £6.99. For full price details see our website www. bigkidcircus.co.uk!

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UHC is hosting an exciting Charity Bingo Night in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity!

What’s the cause?

We are raising money for a unique charity in Liverpool that provides extraordinary care for over 270,000 children/ young people in need every year. Find out more at: www.alderheycharity.org Where and When?

7pm @ Bierkeller Liverpool on 21st February 2018

LL20 LIFESTYLE

Breakfast and a boardgame Steph Kettle reports on Tiny Rick’s, Liverpool’s newest fun cafe

Tiny Rick’s: beautiful breakfast dishes.

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iny Rick’s is the new retro-inspired cafe that offers diners the chance to enjoy a big bowl of cereal whilst playing a boardgame, the cafe opened early February and is located in the basement of Grand Central Hall/ Quiggins on Renshaw Street.

The masterminds behind the idea were owners Cliff Jenkinson and Poppy Pembleton who visited a London cafe named “Cereal Killer” which offered unusual sweet treat toppings with American cereals.

Inspired by this they merged the idea with playing board games,

Nobody puts “bananas in the corner ”

such as Cluedo, Snakes and Ladders and Jenga and it really serves a throwback to the past.

The cafe orders in a wide range of cereals from America such as Lucky Charms, Ricicles and Froot Loops which are not available in the UK, as well as serving a range of different milks and diary alternatives.

Cliff said: “The cafe is perfect for families and people of all ages, however we’d say this is aimed at students heavily too, we are in a perfect area for that and also the prices are really low, especially for

our coffee”.

As if the cereal offered isn’t unique enough there is also an option for cereal cocktails which are non-alcoholic and inspired through films from the past to fit in with the retro theme.

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favourite is the “Nobody Puts Bananas In The Corner” a mix of Weetabix minis, banana slices, foam bananas and Nutella.

When asked how Tiny Rick’s is different to other cafes, Cliff told Liverpool Life: “We are the only

boardgame and cereal cafe in the entire world, we are completely unique in the market” The aim is to let people enjoy some interesting and tasty mixtures of cereal while simply having fun and relaxing in a fun environment.

Cliff and Poppy are hoping to capture the student market by putting on events in the up-coming months and hope to open longer to encourage an evening presence.

Tiny may be in the name, but there are big things to come for this quirky cafe.

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L LIFESTYLE

Time to spread a little kindness

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fter finishing a day at work on the company’s busiest ever day, I returned to my car to find I had lost my car park ticket. A lost ticket means a £24 charge, more than was in my bank account just before my long-awaited payday. I reluctantly phoned the car park attendant, using the ticket machine, clearly very flustered and tired.

After being on hold for what felt like eternity (I’m not dramatic, honest), the attendant came back to say “As you’re such a nice person, I’ll let you off ”, and on the screen was a charge of just £10 – less than my ticket would have originally cost anyway.

He didn’t have to do that.

Likelihood is, he could probably have got into trouble for that with his boss, too. But he did – and it made me smile a lot more than he probably knew. Just one little act of kindness really did impact my day, and I told everyone I spoke to the next day about it, because it

“

By SUZY SANKEY

took me by so much surprise.

It was this completely random act of kindness that alerted me to what Saturday February 17th was otherwise known as “Random Acts of Kindness day”.

It seems like there’s a national day for pretty much everything now, from ‘National Toast Day’ on February 22nd, to ‘National Wear Red Day’ on February 26th (an exciting month coming up, it seems), so it’s easy to forget some of the more notable occasions throughout the year.

Random Acts of Kindness day is one of the national days I’m much more willing to get involved in, especially now, after my experience.

But just what random acts of kindness have you received, that really impacted your day? It’s a shame that we just celebrate it on one day of the year – imagine if everyone did it every day.

Jonathan Rathmill, from Warrington, could have had a much worse day if it wasn’t for a stranger who stopped for him on the motorway.

A guy was driving behind me and I had a blow-out. He stopped for me and gave me his spare type, as the AA said they would be two hours. I said I’d transfer him money for it, but he wouldn’t let me. He asked me to just make sure I do the same for someone else one day.

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Helena Jenkins, from Ashton-inMakerfield and her son made a furry friend one day through their kind act.

We saved a lovely dog. We took him to the vets, but he wasn’t registered yet as he was still new to the owner.

Harrison wanted to bring him home to give him some food. Luckily, a few hours and a phone call later, Benji was reunited with his brothers and sisters back home.

Kate Leyland, from Wigan was worried her three-year-old son would be very disappointed – right before a stranger stepped in to help.

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We went to the take away for a pizza in Spain, but it had just closed. A man getting in his car had just had a buy-one-get-one-free offer and heard me telling Oliver he couldn’t have pizza. He gave his second pizza to him. It saved me a lot of stress!

” ” ”

Julia Ruddick, from Liverpool, was on the opposite end of the kindness recently, when she paid for someone’s shop.

I paid for a young guy’s groceries in Aldi when his card was declined. It was at closing time and I felt sorry for him. I remember it was a really sensible, healthy shop, too.

James Taylor, from Heswall, was travelling to Australia just before Christmas, when he dropped his passport and 1000 Australian Dollars in Manchester Airport.

“Someone handed it in- all of the cash was there, as well as my passport. It was an uber nice thing to do, and saved me a lot of stress at what could have been an even more expensive Christmas than usual!”

Easy ways you can share a random act of kindness today Smile at a stranger Buy a piece of food or drink fora homeless person Phone a relative who you probably don’t speak to enough Write a nice note in your loved one’s diary for the day Let an extra car in front of you when driving (they’re probably in a rush too!)

If you spill milk or sugar in Costa in the morning, wipe it up

ARTS

LL23

Contempory Chinese art comes to St George’s Hall

Chinese art on display © Anisah Arif

By ANISAH ARIF

A

new exhibition, which displays some of the very finest of Chinese contemporary art, has opened to the public in Liverpool.

The free presence exhibition, which is located in St George’s Hall, showcases work from 19 of the most exciting and established artists who hail from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the diaspora.

It coincides with the China’s

First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition at World Museum which opened earlier this month and features more than 180 artefacts from Shaanxi Province in North West China, most of which have never been displayed in the UK before.

Work includes paintings, installations, sculptures, photographs and videos by some of the best Chinese artists working today like, Yan Zing, Sun Xun and Luke Ching.

The artworks in the Grade I listed Hall belong to the New

Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art, part of the University of Salford Art Collection.

Exhibition Manager Olivia Walker told Liverpool Life: “The exhibition is a way of celebrating the future relationship that we hope to continue to have with China. Liverpool has a good history of having a good cultural exchange, a lot of immigration to and from China, a lot of trade.

“There’s the Terracotta warriors, which represents that ancient idea, but this is contemporary China. So all the work is been

made after 2000 and is all 21st Century. It does really reflect the development going on in China at the moment.”

This exhibition is part of the city’s China Dream season, an eight-month long season of exhibitions, performances and events which aim to shine a light on modern Chinese culture and explore the relationship between China and the UK. The exhibition, named A window into Chinese Contemporary Art, runs until June 3rd and will be open from 10am-5pm.

Students take centre stage

By BECKY JONES

LJMU drama students have teamed together to produce three weeks of original theatre performances.

The festival will comprise of six main shows, as well as fringe performances, evening events and individual acts. The idea is that it will allow students to connect with their creative side.

The event is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of third year students. Over the past few

years students have taken over the festival with roles in directing, writing, acting, production management, technical and publicity teams.

Performances include ‘A Murder Has Occurred’, ‘The Elephant Man’ and ‘On Holiday In Heaven’ and will be taking place in the Joe H Makin Drama Centre or LJMU’s John Foster Drama Studio.

Liverpool Screen School Reader Ros Merkin told Liverpool Life: “Organised, directed, written, performed and curated by the students, it is a testament to their hard work and creative abilities.

“This year we have over 50 events in the three weeks so the buildings are bustling. You can pop in for a short 20-minute

piece at lunchtime and have a cup of tea in the Festival’s Blue Bar or settle in for an evening performance - which might be followed by singing in the Blue Bar.” Attendees of the event also have the opportunity to visit the Blue Bar. The bar provides visitors with the perfect place to relax and grab a cup of tea during the day.

By night, Joe H Makin building’s Blue Bar will transform, providing entertainment from stand-up comedy to lip sync battles.

Tickets cost £6 for adults or £3 for students/OAP’s/children. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Makin Theatre website at: https://makintheatrefest20.wixsite.com/makingtheatrefest/tickets.

‘The Elephant Man’ poster © Makin’ Theatre

24 LL PEOPLE

Honest but personal

Pic by © Jack Henry 17-year-old Red won Team USA an Olympic gold medal

Red’s fan club Liverpool fans found an unlikely hero at the Winter Olympic games after American athlete Red Gerard won gold in the snowboarding.

The 17-year old came from last place to stun the field and claim a first gold of the games for Team USA. It is not believed that he was

named in homage to Anfield legend Steven Gerrard, but Reds fans took to social media to express their delight at the teenager’s victory in Pyeongchang. At least half of the city’s football fans have someone to be proud of at the games.

LJMU will be hosting the award-winning comedian and TV and radio regular Kate Smurthwaite for an exclusive one-woman show.

ForniKATEress has received four and five star reviews across the world since its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, with The Spectator calling it a ‘powerhouse of observational wit’ and Australian news outlet Out In Perth saying: “Smurthwaite’s

brilliance lies in her engagement with the crowd and her sarcasm and wit. A must-see experience.”

The feminist comedian said: “On the one hand this is the easiest show I’ve ever written because it’s completely true. On the other hand it’s so personal.”

Tickets for ForniKATEress are £5, with the show taking place on Thursday February 22nd at 7:30pm, at the Joe H Makin Centre.

PEOPLE L One-woman show comes to Liverpool OutThere have received a six-figure investment Cheryl Martin performing her soundtrack Jazz show Who Wants To Live Forever? Will come to Liverpool after success in Manchester last year.

The one-woman show led by Cheryl Martin will come to the Unity Theatre in May with a Billie Holliday-inspired soundtrack.

The show will combine science and psychological observation to explain why some stars, celestial and human, shine brighter than others.

The jazz singer will also include stories about her own life,

including the death of her brother at the age of 39.

She said: “Like my other show Alaska, Who Wants to Live Forever? ended up being about my own life because I didn’t know how to digest what happened any other way. Most people in society don’t talk about these things either, and people don’t know how to talk to you. The show is also very funny though. The truth of life is that nobody cries all the time.”

Tickets will cost £10.50 for the show on May 24th at 8:00pm.

Six-figure success Chester-based software company Out There has secured a six-figure investment to help their expansion.

The business, founded by Chief Executive David Palmer and Director Karen Melvin, got the investment from Liverpoolbased Equity and loan company MSIF, and new Chairman Andrew Windsor.

Palmers Software as a Service (SaaS) company aims to connect users with local businesses to find the best places to eat, drink

and buy gifts.

The Chief Executive said: “We believe that many small local businesses can benefit from our services enabling them to profitably boost their takings and for consumers it will give them access to a wide range of great offers, or hidden gems, all over the UK.” With this new investment, Palmer and Windsor can look to expand Out There to a national scale and look into hiring more staff.

PEOPLE

LL25

Why Rachael enjoys telling tales

‘

Tim Spencer Tanfield talks to the editor of Index on Censorship Rachael Jolley to find out when her fight for freedom of speech began

I

remember we landed at the dead of night at the airport, and there were lots of military guards lining the route, it all felt very alien and I just remember thinking ‘Wow, this is some place!’

For Rachael Jolley, life at Index on Censorship has given her a unique chance to travel the world, while making a difference on a global scale.

“I was out of my comfort zone” said the editor, “but we got to do amazing things, even just going out to the countryside where you get the impression that not many foreigners have been here before.

Even the driver was having to stop and ask for directions!”

Travelling has always been a key part of Rachael’s life, after recalling her time in Kazakstan cautiously, although with fondness, the Northampton-born journalist said: “I got to travel around quite a bit when I used to do travel writing, which was a fantastic opportunity.

“I’ve been quite a lot to Southern Africa, and all these quirky places, and have been given the chance to meet amazing people and do amazing things.”

After graduating with a degree in American History.

Rachael began working as a local news reporter in Norfolk: “I started out in my first few years working for the Eastern Daily Press, working in a couple of different newsrooms on a range of stories varying from court reporting to golden weddings.”

Acknowledging the solid grounding this experience gave her in journalism, Rachel then went to work for the Bath Evening Chronicle before moving elsewhere: “I then went to London and worked for different magazines including a lot of travel magazines, then I spent about five or six years freelancing. I’ve worked in lots of different types of journalism, online, magazines, newspapers mostly.”

This period of time saw Rachael gather lots of different experiences, working for different media organisations such as The

Guardian and ITV, before becoming an editor at Index on Censorship, a role she has never regretted taking.

“The biggest perk of the job is being able to work with all these incredible journalists, writers, and cartoonists because it’s really unusual to be able to work globally, with people around the world who are doing an amazing job.

“There’s a whole range of interviews that can be about fascinating things to do with people’s lives, challenging, situations of incredible human bravery. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to work with some of these people.”

Not just confined to the world of journalism, Rachael has previously co-written a play which was staged at Greenwich Theatre.

Laughing, Rachael remembers writing the play fondly: “That was a pretty amazing experience, that play is a comedy which is set in a British newsroom.

“It was really fun to write and also really fun to see it set up on stage. My problem is I don’t really feel like I have any spare time to do that right now, because this job takes up a lot of time.

“I haven’t got a great idea for a play right now, because maybe is just not the right time. If I did, maybe I would be writing it!”

Despite having other interests outside the newsroom, growing up, journalism was always a massive part of Rachael’s life: “I worked on my school newspaper as well as my university paper, I did journalism courses also.

So yeah, it has always been part of whatever I’ve been doing.

“I think Journalism is mostly about being interested in people’s stories and whatever it is they have got to say. The reason why I love it is because I’m just nosey and like to take an interest in what’s happening around the world!”

© Olivia Friett

“The reason why I love it is because I’m just nosey...”

Journalist speaks to students on the importance of freedom of expression

T

he fight for freedom of expression was highlighted when the editor of Index on Censorship magazine talked to LJMU students last week.

Rachael Jolley, along with LJMU graduate Danyaal Yasin, talked about the work of the

magazine and website in protecting global press freedom.

Index on Censorship was created in 1972 and covers issues of freedom of expression, with four issues of around 100 pages published a year. Students were given an insight into what

the magazine does and what it stands for before hearing about Danyaal’s role as editorial assisatnt.

Danyaal, who graduated in 2016, is the recipient of the LJMU Tim Hetherington Fellowship, set up in honour of

Liverpool-born photojournalist and documentary maker Tim Hetherington.

Students heard from Rachael about the work the organisation does to highlight and protect press freedom around the world.

By SARA O’HAGAN

26 LL GRAD WATCH

Georgie’s triple success

“

Tile & Stone: A magazine edited by Georgie © Opus Media

By TOM SUTTON

I still use most of the basic skills I learned on the course every day.

B

eing editor at one magazine is enough for most people - but 2015 graduate Georgie Whitworth has three publications to look after.

After leaving LJMU with an open mind about the first step of her journalism career, she looked at many different options before she found herself as acting editor of a publication owned by Opus Business Media, one of the UK’s biggest digital trade publishers.

Georgie told Liverpool Life: “B2B (business-to-business) journalism is very different in some ways, but I have been able to apply and adapt most of the basic reporting and subbing skills I learnt on my course.”

Although the role was initially just to fill in for another editor on maternity leave, Georgie ended up staying and being given a huge opportunity.

“I was fortunate that Opus kept me on permanently as an editor and I was given the opportunity to look after other magazines, and even launch a brand new publication.”

Georgie has taken it all in her stride and does not seem to be letting up.

At 23 she is currently in charge of Tomorrow’s Retail Floors, Tomorrow’s Tile & Stone and Tomorrow’s Care.

As the editor of these publications, she is still

“

Left: Georgie on graduation day.

Right: One of the magazines edited by Georgie © Opus Media

using the skills she learned in LJMU, but she now has a lot more tasks she must tackle, including liaising commercially with representatives of other companies.

She added: “The freedom of my role means that I still get the opportunity to conduct interviews and write features myself, too.”

Even as an editor, the core skills are still very important to Georgie.

“I still use most of the basic skills I learned on the course every day,” she said Georgie believes that the opportunities and chances she got at university were second to none and have opened many different doors in her short but already successful career, specifically the chance to be a community reporter.

“I loved being a Liverpool Echo Community Reporter as this really helped to boost my confidence, improve my news reporting skills and it did open a lot of doors for me to get further experience at other organisations.”

Georgie is clear about the most important things she took from her time studying journalism at LJMU. “Being able to contribute to the JMU Journalism website and the Liverpool Life newspaper were not only great ways to build a portfolio, but also allowed us to experience editorial meetings, learn from constructive criticism, get an understanding of search engine optimisation and much more. This is the stuff you should really learn from.”

SPORT

LL 27

THE LINE UP Cage Warriors returns to Liverpool’s Echo Arena, featuring Paddy The Baddy and Molly McCann P28

Liverpool’s Climbing Hangar has launched an initiative to celebrate women in climbing P29

Chester FC fundraiser raises much-needed funds to help them stay in business: P 31

© Katie Ramsden

SPORT

LL 28

Why North West is the place for winter sports

By DANIEL MOXON

W

ith the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang concluding on February 25th, the games in South Korea may have inspired many to emulate some of the achievements of the athletes and take up a new sport.

Whether it is to become competitive or just to take part, there are plenty of opportunities for people in Liverpool and the surrounding areas to get involved in a winter sport.

Skiing and Snowboarding Two of the more popular winter sports, skiing or snowboarding would be most people’s go-to if asked to name one, and there are plenty of places around where you can take up these exhilarating, fast-paced activities.

There is a dry ski slope at the Oval Sports Centre in Bebington, Wirral, who offer skiing tuition

for all ages, while Runcorn Snowsports Centre provide public and private ski and snowboard lessons starting from £14.

A little further afield, Manchester is home to the popular Chill Factore, who promise that they can teach you in just six hours.

Jack Anderson, President of LJMU Ski Society, told Liverpool Life: ““The success of Dave riding in slalom has definitely increased interest in the sport and some big names especially in freestyle, Katie Ormerod in snowboarding and James woods in freestyle skiing winning in the X games and showing promise for the olympics has definitely caused an increase in the number of kids seen at the dry slopes in the 3 years I’ve been skiing with uni”.

a bronze medal in Sochi 2014, and will be hoping to continue their success in the sport in South Korea.

Curling in the UK is predominantly based in Scotland, but residents on Merseyside can still give it a try – Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry hosts ‘TryCurling’ sessions on Monday evenings.

Deeside also provides ice-skating, with a public skate in the morning and early afternoon (except Mondays), and skating lessons for those wanting to compete.

The centre boasts an Olympic-sized ice pad, ideal for practising with a view to becoming elite.

Ice Hockey

Curling Not one of the most well-known sports, but one of the more popular whenever the Olympics come around – Curling has something of a ‘reputation as a cult sport’.

Great Britain took a silver and

Ice- Skating

Photo by Richard C. Drew

Ice Hockey is not as popular in the UK as it is across the Atlantic, but its presence as a sport in Pyeongchang is likely to raise the profile of the sport once again.

Currently, there are no Merseyside-based teams playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League, but Deeside Dragons and Widnes Wild represent the area in the national leagues.

Both teams offer initiatives for people interested in trying the sport to go along and play.

Cage Warriors return for action-packed weekend

By ED BALDWIN Cage Warriors Academy Liverpool returns to The Echo Arena t with another packed card of fights featuring some of the most promising up-and-coming talent in the country.

Liverpool’s own Molly McCann, one of Europe’s fastest rising female prospects, will face European champion Bryony Tyrell for the vacant Cage Warriors World Flyweight Title on Feb 24th whilst Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, will fight for redemption against battle-tested Greek submission specialist Alexis Savvidis.

Many more local heroes from Liverpool and the North West will

look to secure wins for a massive home crowd, with athletes from across Europe travelling to the Echo Arena to challenge them.

Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan confirmed last week that all lower tier tickets have now sold out, with more upper tier sections having been opened up to meet demand.

Mr Boylan said: “The Liverpool shows never disappoint, the fans are known for creating a ridiculous atmosphere inside the Echo and you’ll be able to hear the noise in there for miles when Pimblett kicks off the card, when McCann fights for the title and when any of our North West guys walk out.”

In two potential fight-of-thenight contenders, Shawn Kenny, a teammate of Pimblett and McCann and one of the hardest-hitters in the heavyweight division, will take on Austria’s Ruben ‘The Viking’ Wolf, and Liverpool native Lawrence Fitzpatrick clashes with Norwegian knockout artist Alexander Jacobsen.

Ryan Cruden, 23, from Formby, is attending the event on Saturday

said: “I’m really excited for the return of Cage Warriors; I didn’t get to go to the last one so I can’t wait to see ‘Paddy the Baddy’ this time round. I’ve heard the atmosphere is electric inside the Echo on fight night so hopefully it’ll be an unbelievable experience.”

As well as the fight action, CW90’s meet and greet is free for all ticket holders and gives fans the chance to meet world champions Lee Chadwick and Chris Fishgold, UFC Strawweight Amanda Bobby Cooper, Cage Warriors and ex-UFC Ring Girl Edith Labelle and top worldwide MMA official Marc Goddard.

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29

Lian a regular at the hangar

SPORT

Making the most of the free drink

Abi, Rachel and Tess before the session © Katie Ramsden

Climbing campaign launches to help women scale new heights

By TOM SUTTON

W

omen across the globe are being empowered to take risks and fight adversity, and shake the norm that women should not do certain roles or jobs - and now Liverpool’s local climbing wall is doing its bit.

Liverpool’s Climbing Hangar is running an initiative to celebrate women in climbing and encourage more females into the sport with their ‘Hangar women Rock’ sessions.

Run and set up by Rachel Mackey, duty manager of the centre, and operations manager Viv Underwood, Rachel told Liverpool Life: “A lot of other centres have women nights where they tackle

all sorts of levels of ability and we really wanted to bring something like that to the Hangar.”

The initiative came from several of the staff and management at the hangar who want to emphasize the inclusiveness of the sport and of their centre, as well: “There is such a social element to climbing that we may as well make a good night out of it.”

The environment at climbing walls like the Climbing Hangar really lends itself to allowing everyone to get involved and have a good time regardless of age, gender or ability. Simply from stepping in the door, you can see large groups of varied people trying things and helping each other out on the wall.

These type of initiatives really go a long way to breaking the stigma and stereotypes around woman in adventure sports, and more sessions like this could hopefully reach a lot of women who would love and enjoy climbing but might otherwise not have known about it.

“We are lucky with our centre we have a fairly equal men and women but others aren’t the same, and we want that to change we want a really nice fun place for people to climb.”

For many women, sessions like these will offer a chance for them to break out of the box society puts them in and really find their passion in a sport like climbing.

The warm and friendly atmosphere can allow them to find

friends and excel in a much easier way. Previous competitions and events can be intimidating and bit scary when you are still new to the sport, but this is a big aim of the evening to remove that pressure.

They want to give the best representation of how relaxed and fun climbing is, while being able to connect people.

“Our other nights might be seen as intimating to new climbers, but with these there is no pressure at all.

“It’s very chill. You can book online or you can turn up and join in.”

The session will run every Wednesday 6:30pm-9pm. You can even grab yourself a free hot drink - so why miss out?

30 LL SPORTS

Banff mountain sports festival comes to the city of Liverpool

By TOM SUTTON

Mountain sports might not be what first comes to mind when you think of Liverpool but BANFF Mountain film festival is bringing the two together Running from the 13th of January to 19th may across the whole of the UK, the film festivals mission is to showcase the amazing and wild world of these outdoor sports and the incredible locations these films were made in.

Here’s a little of what you can expect to see; Ice call is one of the first films you can expect to see this short is a must see for freeskiing enthusiasts, for those not familiar with freesking imagine a skateboarding video on glacier Sam Favret is a French freeskier that has spent this past season on the mythical Mer de Glace,

located on the northern slopes of the Mont Blanc massif, in the French Alps.

The video combines magical scenery with intense and fluid skiing within ice tunnels and jaw dropping jumps.

Into Twin Galaxies brings viewers to a barley-known artic river located within the immense and ice covered valleys of Greenland.

National Geographic Adventures of the year Ben Stookesberry, Sarah McNair-Landry, Erik Boomer kite ski and kayak across Greenland’s gigantic ice sheets facing dangers such as crashes on the ice, incidents with multilevel waterfalls and just all round peril make this a edge of your seat jaw on the floor kind of watch.

Stumped the next film introduces us to 28 year old, Colorado based climber Maureen Beck who

wants to prove that she shouldn’t be handicapped as a climber just because she has one arm and that nothing can stop her.

With beautiful shots of climbing in Utah and Wyoming we get to see a glimpse of her 5 month struggle to climb a route in Boulder Canyon called “Days of Future Passed.”

Beck who has won gold medals at the past two Paraclimbing World Championships hope that this tale of perseverance and grit will push many others in adaptive sports.

Where the Wild Things gives the best answer to the question ‘why there aren’t more women in adventure films’ where the wild things play, is a short tribute to the women out there doing it.

Featuring a wide variety of mountain sports like wingsuit

flying, whitewater kayaking, climbing and big mountain skiing, and shows women generally leaving the men behind.

Krystle Wright’s film will really leave you with no doubt that women are turning heads even if you are not necessarily seeing it.

Surf the Line our next film may be the most wild video on this list it follows a group called ‘the Flying Frenchies’ a group of not only mountain sports lovers but a group of clowns, acrobats and musicians.

They are returning with a new video called ‘ surf the line’ where of course they decided to slice through the air on a 600m-high zip line on a surfboard reaching speeds of up to 75Kph then (obviously) base jump the 600m drop into the Vercors Massif mountain range in France.

© Henryhiggens

Activity taster day for the visually impaired

By JORDAN REISS Greenbank Sports Academy are hosting an activity taster day for the visually impaired.

The day is aimed at anyone from the age of eight and over and is for any blind or partially sighted people to get involved in a range of sporting and physical activities.

Activities include Cricket, Cycling, Football, Goalball, Running, Swimming and Tennis.

Alex Pitts, Participation Officer, British Blind Sport told Liverpool Life: “We believe that everyone has the

© Kamimoku International Village right to participate in a sport of their choice.

However, there are barriers to overcome to allow those with a visual impairment to have the same opportunities as sighted

people.

Coaches and volunteers play an important role in developing recreational activities across the country. We want to ensure that they have the knowledge to create

an inclusive and accessible sporting environment for people with sight loss.”

It will take place at Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool Monday May 14th.

SPORT

LL31

Stars turn out to help club’s drive for vital funds Chester FC fans at the legends’ fundraiser game

By JO CUNLIFFE Over 2,000 fans entered the Swansway Chester Stadium as a host of Merseyside footballing legends came together to raise much needed funds for fanowned club Chester FC. BBC presenter Colin Murray, along with footballing legend Michael Owen, came to Chester’s aid by hastily arranging a match between an all-star team and a Chester select XI, in order to support their survival from

administration.

A freezing wind blowing across Chester’s stadium failed to numb the enthusiasm of 2,080 fans that turned out, overall boosting the money raised to a total of £75,000, with £25,000 being produced on the night.

Jeff Banks, a director on the club’s board and also part of the organisation team for the game, told Liverpool Life: “I asked myself what we could do to bring funds in and various ideas went through my head until I decided to call our friend Colin Murray,

to see what we could come up with to try and pull something out of the bag to raise money.

“We didn’t really have a clue how things would go so I hope everyone has enjoyed the night, it’s been a fantastic turnout and big thanks to Colin Murray and Michael Owen for helping put the event on.”

Sports radio presenter Colin Murray said: “Pulling off a match at 18 days’ notice has been an absolute pain in the whatsit. I’ve only done this once before and it took four months! A special

Blues stadium ‘must benefit site’

By ED BALDWIN Everton FC must show its planned Bramley-Moore stadium will benefit Liverpool’s World Heritage site before it gets planning permission.

That’s one of the points raised in a Liverpool council report outlining how the city intends to save its World Heritage Status.

It is part of the council’s plan to save Liverpool’s coveted status, which is under threat as heritage watchdogs at Unesco are worried about Peel’s planned Liverpool Waters development.

The city could be removed from the World Heritage list later this year unless Unesco is satisfied its “Outstanding Universal Value” (OUV) is not at risk.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool’s World Heritage Status is of great importance to the city, not only in showcasing our unique maritime heritage but in how we can use it to shape our future boosting both our tourism economy and our civic pride.”

Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City has been on the World Heritage in Danger list since 2012.

Unesco fear plans for tall towers in the Central Docks area of Liverpool Waters could be at risk

thanks to Michael Owen who has been the driving force behind making this happen.

“When dark clouds gather, yet again, you form an army to disperse them.”

The match ended 4-1 to the Chester Select side, with Owen netting in the final minutes from a Matty McGinn cross, fulfilling his ambition of scoring in a Chester shirt. Man of the Match was awarded to Sam Pemberton, who along with his father Ian both bid £1000 in an auction for the opportunity to play in the game.

Rovers fall off the pace

By ED BALDWIN

Bramley-Moore docks: Proposed home of new EFC stadium and are monitoring all potential developments on the site, including a stadium.

Mayor Joe Anderson said last year he wanted the city to preserve its World Heritage status but said the city also needed the Liverpool Waters development to happen, bringing in money and jobs.

The council has revealed that Peel is now revising its original plans for giant towers on the waterfront.

Everton’s Goodison Park stadium was built in 1892 and has a capacity 40,157. The new proposed stadium will have a capacity of around 55,000 and is scheduled for completion in 2022.

After last night’s heavy 4-1 home defeat to National League leaders Macclesfield, Tranmere Rovers are in a spot of bother, falling from 2nd in the league to 6th.

The National League is unbelievably tight going into the latter stages of the campaign, with only eight points separating 2nd place and 10th.

Micky Mellon’s men are looking for automatic promotion this season, after missing out in the play-offs last season with a defeat to Forest Green Rovers in the final.

However, the loss to Macclesfield has dented their hopes of automatic entry into the football league for the first time in four years.

Rovers’ next game on Saturday February 24th is away to struggling Maidstone United who are without a win in 15 in the league and were thrashed 4-0 by Tranmere last time the two teams met.

LL

Liverpool Life

Picture Š Marcello Dotolo

Produced each fortnight by LJMU Journalism Students