Issue 67 • June 2011
Royal knees-up Getting ready for a spectacular summer
Inside your
The picture ‘Johnny Walker Memorial’ by Martin Blumenow Martin sent us this lovely picture showing the memorial of Battle of the Atlantic hero, Captain Johnny Walker on the Pier Head. Every issue of city features a photo taken by a reader. Why not submit your favourite Liverpool photograph to city.magazine@liverpool.gov.uk It could feature here! This month’s cover photo: Mark Sumner
Inside your 4
COVER STORY
Around the city
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Wedding fever grips Liverpool; Liverpool landmarks honoured; Park Road set to shine
8 11 12
... 4-PAGE PULL-OUT
Summer in the city Our handy four page guide to the events taking place over the summer months.
Business city City welcomes Enterprise Zones; Apprentices hired; Embassy showcases Liverpool
aches, As summer appro ng up Liverpool is geari ng for months of exciti g events and smoulderin h and lengt the covering city. the of th bread
Budget city
u don’t miss a beat, To make sure yo age d a handy four p City has produce over nts taking place guide to the eve ths. the coming mon 18 where there’s Check out page he up win tickets for t a competition to nnis International Te ing ICAP and-com . alderstones Park Tournament at C can find out Don’t forget you e events listings e-minut up-to-th v.uk/culture on Liverpool.go ol.com. and visitliverpo
fantastic month as JULY is set to be a the old and the new. the city celebratescity history museums, the stunning
great to the public on One of the world’s ool, opens its doors new Museum of Liverp which have never Tuesday 19 July. 6,000 objects, many to will allow visitors Housing more than before, the museum day. been on public display Ice Age to the present of of stories from the it will be taster unearth an array bone, everyone’s culture Guaranteed to tickle all under one roof. Liverpool’s rich history, day that its iconic 100 years to very This date also marks its doors. opened Building, neighbour, the Liver feast for the senses centenary, a FREE To mark this special aterfront weekend part of the On The W will take place as Spectacular. a 3D Son et Lumiere from 22-24 July –
Update on budget savings and how your council services will be affected
night will see City Council, each Organised by Liverpool on the Pier Head: treat take to a stage a different musical
Friday:
Connie Lush Saturday: The Royal Liverpoolstra Philharmonic Orche
Green city
Sunday:
6ix Toys Liverpool band,extravaga nza, Liverpool will
music Following the live 3D projection at with a unique digital experience a first Building to life, will bring the Liver ary right the Pier Head which ordinary to the extraordin transforming the of the in front of your eyes! there. On the weekend And it doesn’t stop theatre display be an amazing aerial 30-31 July there will suspended wires a with dramatic visuals which combines Councillor performance. for Culture and Tourism, Cabinet Member a month to “July is going to be said: Simon, Wendy the special going to be marking remember! We’re d buildings the city’s most-love birthday of one of era with the ushering in a new ” and at the same time museum. ss world-cla opening of our new
Communities dig growing; Pupils act green; Liverpool’s Green Infrastructure Strategy
for more information ewaterfront.co.uk 15 Visit liverpoolonth Issue 67 City magazine Tel: 0151 233 3000
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Cultural city Businesses asked to invest in flagship festival; Cornering the creative market; HUB Festival – it’s Sound!
Tel: 0151 233 3000
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Civic city Incoming Lord Mayor, Frank Prendergast looks forward to his year in office
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Safer city
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Education city
Crime figures dispel myths; Cop Shop open for business; New car safety campaign
Pupils go back to the future; 21st Century teaching; School standards success
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people, places, music, sport, history...
• Sporting Treble for Liverpool • Poster power • Remembering the Blitz • The marathon needs you • A day in the life... PLUS... Don’t
miss our great Legally Blonde competition, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs!
Issue 67 City magazine
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Around the
Paperback writer’s stamp of approval
Wedding fever grips
PLANS to dedicate areas of the new-look Central Library to Liverpool greats has been given the thumbs up by Sir Paul McCartney.
In January, the city council announced plans to dedicate different areas of the £52 million redevelopment to writing, cinematic and musical greats. A shortlist was drawn up and members of the public were encouraged to have their say on who and what should become a permanent fixture at the library. Final lists have now been drawn up by the libraries and archives team with the help of literary loving local residents who voted for who they would like to see set in stone.
R
OYAL revellers came out in force to celebrate the marriage of the nation’s newest sweethearts the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate.
Street parties across the city brought communities together in the glorious bank holiday sunshine. Liverpool City Council received 18 official applications for street closures but it was expected that many more parties took place across the city.
Sir Paul McCartney was a popular choice to be added to the Literary Liverpool panel which will cover the back of the building and celebrates writers who were born, lived, worked, visited or were influenced by the city. The music legend said: “I would be very happy for my name to be used on the external cladding of the redeveloped Liverpool Central Library and Archive. Thank you for doing me the honour.” TV writer Carla Lane, poet Roger McGough and author Anne Baker have also made the final list and have expressed their happiness, while relatives of poet Adrian Henri were “delighted”. 4
City magazine Issue 67
One of the largest get-togethers in Liverpool was planned in Orford Street, Wavertree, where around two hundred people turned out to celebrate the marriage, meet new neighbours and raise money for a local children’s charity. Local pub worker and party organiser, Sue Hanson, said: “The idea for the party started out as a conversation in the local pub but was made possible by the efforts of everyone in the community who all lent a hand where they could.” Meanwhile, in Prince William Street,
Around the
Liverpool
Mohammed Ali’s knock-out Mural
Toxteth around forty families from the small terraced street pulled together to put on one of the city’s loudest celebratory bashes. Party-goers took to their front gardens and toasted the health of the newly married couple, before sitting down to a bowl of home-made curry made by mother and daughter organisers Lisa and Suzanne Robinson. Lisa said: “When I realised we were the only Prince William Street I just thought that we couldn’t do nothing. “So I went around with the collection
Photos: Mark Sumner
INTERNATIONAL street artist Mohammed Ali – also known as Aerosol Arabic – joined young people from the city in April to create a mural aimed at bringing communities together.
and everyone was well up for it. We haven’t looked back from there, everyone has pitched in and the party is wonderful.” Councillor Steve Munby, Liverpool’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “It was fantastic to see so many communities coming out to celebrate such a special day. Street parties help bring communities together and no one can party quite like the people of Liverpool.”
Liverpool landmarks honoured THE £28 MILLION Pier Head Canal Link scheme has won its 17th major award in just two years. The scheme was honoured by the Civic Trust for excellence in design, planning and architecture - and for making a real difference to peoples’ lives. A new canal link, delivered by British Waterways, was created to transformed the public realm at the Pier Head. It received one of 24 commendation awards at the event. The works were ‘applauded for their extent and quality which further enhance Tel: 0151 233 3000
the setting including the grade I listed Liver Building, and grade II* Cunard and Port of Liverpool Buildings.’ The latest national accolade for the Pier Head and Canal Link takes it total since 2009 to 17, including prestigious RIBA and British Construction Industry Awards. And there was great news for historic Liverpool landmark, Bascule Bridge, Stanley Dock, as it scooped a prestigious ‘Historic Bridges & Infrastructure’ award, six months after it was reopened following its renovation by the city council and Peel.
The concept of the mural, at Tunnage Square in Ropewalks, was based on Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and a key Citysafe community cohesion project. It involved pupils from Calderstones School and the Liverpool Supplementary School run by the Muslim Enterprise Development Service. Mohammed Ali said: “Decorating our urban grey spaces with a bit of colour, but also bringing something meaningful is important to me. Using art as a means to bring about social change is crucial in the times we live in.”
THANK YOU to all Liverpool residents who have completed their 2011 Census form. The results for Liverpool will affect the funding Liverpool’s public and voluntary sector organisations will receive from national government for the next 10 years, so your efforts are appreciated. Councillor Paul Brant, deputy leader of the council said: “We’ve put a lot of effort into making the 2011 Census a success in Liverpool. I’d like to extend my thanks to all partner organisations and individuals across the city who have assisted with promoting the Census.” Issue 67 City magazine
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Around the
Norris Green Estate reborn THE REBIRTH of Norris Green is becoming a reality thanks to three major transformational housing projects.
Work has been completed on the first phase of the city’s redevelopment of the former Boot Estate in North Liverpool. The work has brought more than £20 million investment to the area and will deliver almost 200 new homes. Residential development company New City Vision has now officially handed over 50 new homes on the estate, managed by Cobalt Housing. Meanwhile, InLiverpool – a partnership between the council and regeneration investment company, Inpartnership - has entered the final stages of its work to deliver a further 60 homes at the Norris Green Village Development.
“This is an exciting time for Norris Green. These new homes demonstrate our full commitment to the neighbourhood.” Leader of the city council, Councillor Joe Anderson
Care for children gets L
IVERPOOL has been officially ranked as one of the best major cities in the country for caring for and protecting vulnerable children.
OFSTED and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given Liverpool an overall grade of 2 (good) for both its ‘overall effectiveness’ and its ‘capacity for improvement’ in safeguarding looked after children. Of the major ‘core’ cities, only one – Nottingham has scored as highly. Out of the 22 inspection categories, the city has been graded as ‘outstanding’ – the highest possible mark - in five and ‘good’ in another 17. Singled out for praise is the work of the Children in Care Council (CiCC), made up of young people who are in care. They help contribute ideas and shape the way services are delivered, and even assist staff in giving health advice and support to other youngsters. 17 year-old Sammy-Jo Fitzpatrick from the Children in Care Council said: “We are all really passionate about making sure the views of young people in care are heard and we are really pleased that our work has been recognised by the inspectors. It shows we are genuinely making a difference to services.” The inspectors also found that the children and young people they met “stated overwhelmingly that they feel safe and know how to get help and support if necessary”. A survey carried out as part of the inspection found 94 per cent felt ‘very safe’ or ‘fairly safe’. Top marks were also given for ambition and giving safeguarding a high priority, with the Careline referral service described as having a “good impact”. Work to make sure children and care leavers are healthy is also described as outstanding.
Light shines on city for Olympics Between them, the two projects have attracted a total of £5.8 million in government ‘Kickstart’ funding, and are delivering a range of properties, comprising of a mix of affordable rented, intermediate and houses for sale. The city council is also about to begin work on retaining and refurbishing 74 properties at Broad Lane and Winskill Road, Norris Green. The properties had previously been earmarked for demolition, but thanks to a partnership between the city council and Liverpool Mutual Homes, the houses will benefit from a £4 million programme of improvements. The three projects are part of a masterplan for the area, which will see the delivery of almost 1,500 new homes over the next 15 years. 6
City magazine Issue 67
LIVERPOOL has been selected to host a special Olympics Torch Relay as part of the build up to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games. The Olympic Flame is set to arrive in the city on Friday 1 June next year and plans are underway to welcome the iconic symbol to Liverpool. Leader of the city council, Councillor Joe Anderson, said: “To be selected as one of the cities to host the Olympic Flame is a tremendous honour. “In a city which has unparalleled sporting prowess, I’m sure it will stimulate even more interest in the London 2012 Olympic Games.” Liverpool residents are invited to nominate someone who would like to take part in the relay. Visit london2012.com/ olympictorchrelay for more information. liverpool.gov.uk
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glowing report
News in brief A RADICAL change to the city’s Youth Service is on the cards, following a four month cross-party review.
Young people will also be given more of a say over the type of activities available, when and where they take place, and their duration. Youth Activity Zones will be created to focus on the needs and aspirations of young people, resources will be better shared with partners and there could be an increase in the number of outreach and ‘street based’ services.
THE LATEST phase of the £350 million Edge Lane Project – the Edge Lane West scheme – is underway.
The major roadworks - between Hall Lane and Botanic Place - will regenerate the corridor and improve the strategic link between the M62 and the city centre by February 2012. Meanwhile, the ambitious plans for Edge Lane retail park have taken a significant step forward, with the Government approving the £200 million refurbishment and extension, which includes 47 retail units, four restaurants and three leisure units.
Park Road set to shine A MAJOR road in Dingle will be transformed thanks to a deal between Liverpool City Council and supermarket giant, Tesco. The council is receiving £600,000 in funding from Tesco to revamp Park Road, L8, and help protect local jobs and businesses. Tesco has just opened its new Park Road store, and the funding is part of a Section 106 planning agreement, which has seen the city council working closely with Tesco to secure investment in the area. The general look and safety of the area will be improved, including giving all shops new signs, shutters and lights. Tel: 0151 233 3000
The money will also improve local green spaces such as Admiral Park which is used by three local primary schools. Traders will also be given the opportunity to apply for a further grant of up to £2,500 to improve their premises, providing they match the funding. Overall, it is estimated that the funding will be worth up to £15,000 per business on Park Road. The new Tesco is expected to attract 30,000 shoppers to the area. It is hoped the funding will mean local businesses are well placed to benefit from the additional footfall in the area. Issue 67 City magazine
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Business
City region welcomes Enterprise Zone L
IVERPOOL City Region has welcomed news that the government has chosen “Mersey Waters” as an Enterprise Zone.
The government is establishing 21 new Enterprise Zones across the country, with simplified planning rules, super-fast broadband and tax breaks for businesses. The plans will help create new businesses and jobs with wider economic benefits. The Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone will straddle both sides of the River Mersey and covers the area of two major regeneration projects focused on either side - Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters. They are being developed by The Peel Group under the brand name Peel Waters.
Wirral Waters is centred on the left bank of the river at the Birkenhead Docks and Liverpool Waters is focused towards the north of Liverpool city centre into the derelict dock areas adjacent to Princes Dock. Liverpool City Region Cabinet Chair and member of the shadow LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) Board, Councillor Joe Anderson, said: “I am pleased that we have been chosen as one of the first Enterprise Zones. “We are keen to work with government to make sure the benefits are shared across the whole of the city region, and help attract much needed investment and jobs to the entire area.”
Apprentices are hired ALMOST 100 apprentices hired under a new city council-funded scheme have started work.
The 98 were selected from 360 people interviewed last month as part of the Liverpool Apprenticeship Scheme business grant initiative. The jobs, with 17 organisations, are across a wide range of professions from joiners, electricians and computer
technicians through to accounts clerk and hospitality staff. Almost 1500 application forms were received – with more than 10 applicants chasing each of the posts. Firms taking part include Plus Dane Group, North Liverpool Regeneration Company (NLRCO), 60 Hope Street and Liverpool Cathedral.
At 17 million sq ft, Wirral Waters is the largest regeneration project in the UK and over the next 30 – 40 years will transform the derelict docks in Birkenhead and Wallasey into a world class waterfront. The project now has planning permission following a unanimously positive local authority decision in August 2010 and Government Office’s decision not to call it in for public inquiry in November 2010.
The £5.5 billion Liverpool Waters vision involves regenerating a 60 hectare historic dockland site to create a world-class, high-quality, mixed use waterfront. It totals 14 million sq ft and includes mixed use development of residential, visitor attractions and supporting uses, office / commercial and local shops and services. Liverpool Waters planning application was lodged in 2010 and is currently with Liverpool City Council for determination.
A GROUP of young hotel employees from Liverpool and Cologne have recently returned from exchange visits, to learn what makes each others’ tourism sectors tick.
• You’re hired. The 98 apprentices celebrate their success
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City magazine Issue 67
The two cities have closely comparable tourism offers and the organisers, Liverpool City Council and the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry thought the exchange would greatly benefit both cities and the participants. Five people from Liverpool went to Germany for three weeks and eight came over from Cologne to experience what life is like in each others’ cities. The young people took part in language training and cultural awareness training as-well-as shadowing colleagues in their host hotels. The exchange was funded by the British Council’s Training Bridge programme and Invent in Germany, supported by the National Apprenticeship Scheme and Cologne City Council.
liverpool.gov.uk
Business
News in brief LIVERPOOL City Council is has launched a new sponsorship scheme to support Liverpool John Moores University’s successful Enterprise Fellowship Programme, which helps graduates develop their ideas and supports new business startups through advice, support and training.
The £37,000 package will mean 50 additional graduates can be offered places on the programme, as part of the council’s plans to boost enterprise in the city, support small businesses and encourage graduates to stay in the city.
NICK KAVANAGH has been appointed as Liverpool City Council’s new Director for Regeneration and Employment.
“Liverpool is a great city and the experiences I gained during my internship will help a lot for my apprenticeship back home in Cologne and my further professional path.”
Sandra Olbrich, apprentice from Mercure Hotel Köln Junkersdorf and intern in Crowne Plaza, Liverpool
• Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Williams with Liverpool interns, Claire Kendrick, Sarah Newling, Kerry Morgan and Gemma Kenny
Tel: 0151 233 3000
New schemes to get city working A MAJOR drive to encourage new businesses and get thousands of unemployed people into work over the next two years is being launched.
‘Liverpool In Work’ is a new approach which will see advisors working with residents in community buildings across the city and help get them into a job. Around £4.4 million has been secured for the project over the next two years, with half coming from the European Social Fund and the remainder from the city council and Registered Social Landlords. It is estimated that around 4,000 people will be helped into employment by this
The 41-year-old, who joined the city council last August as interim Director for Regeneration, will be tasked with driving forward Liverpool’s regeneration - including the delivery of the £5.5 billion Liverpool Waters scheme and the redevelopment of the city’s two Premier League football stadiums - as-well-as boosting job creation and employment opportunities in the city.
project between now and 2013. It will focus on the most deprived communities and those people who need the most support. In addition, £600,000 is to be pumped into a ‘neighbourhood business start-up’ scheme over the next year, to encourage people to start their own companies. It aims to develop 650 new firms over the next year, creating 800 new jobs and secure a further 650 posts. This initiative will be led by business experts with strong links with schools, colleges and other education establishments. They will focus on under 25s, over 50s, women and black and minority ethnic groups. Issue 67 City magazine
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Business
Embassy showcases best of city L
IVERPOOL’S ‘business embassy’ in London is gearing up for its busiest period yet.
In June and July the embassy will host seven key events including an Investment event at the iconic ‘Gherkin’ building, a Liverpool Chamber of Commerce event and an investment bankers’ lunch. The embassy was established following the success of Liverpool’s presence at the World Expo in Shanghai last year. It showcases the vision to continue to develop Liverpool as a business-friendly and innovative city to invest in. So far the embassy, which opened in the heart of the capital’s financial district on January 21, has welcomed more than 350 visitors, dealt with more than 200 enquiries and held more than 90 business meetings. Eight events have been held showcasing the best of Liverpool in a range of sectors, including financial and professional services and creative and digital excellence and an international meeting with representatives from other London-based international embassies. Chris Heyes of Liverpool Vision, who heads up the Liverpool embassy, said: “Liverpool has a compelling story to tell and there is a real desire to build on the momentum
of regeneration and economic development of recent years. “The phenomenal range of assets and business excellence in Liverpool provides competitive opportunities for businesses to locate in and relocate to a city that is ambitious, dynamic and connected and which has a talented and skilled pool of labour.” The embassy is being funded by the private sector through a range of sponsorship packages and anyone wishing to find out how they can use
the embassy should contact embassy@ liverpoolvision.co.uk or 020 7065 7065. Chris Heyes added: “I would encourage any Liverpool company looking to do business in London or wishing to meet potential clients to explore the facilities available at the embassy.” Read more about the embassy on its website: liverpoolinlondon.com and follow the Embassy on Twitter @LiverpoolLondon. • Read about a day in the life of an Embassy employee on page 30
New waterfront events complex for Kings Dock
A NEW exhibition and events complex is to be built on the Liverpool waterfront, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting the city’s economy. The facility, which will be adjacent to the ECHO Arena and BT Convention Centre, will cost in the region of £40 million and be open for business in September 2014. In its first year of operation, it is expected to host about 50 events and attract some 250,000 visitors. 10
City magazine Issue 67
It is estimated that the exhibition and event programme will support 1,300 jobs in the wider economy and contribute an estimated £40 million per year to the city region. Plans include a sky bridge to connect it to the existing facility, making ACC Liverpool the only purpose built interconnected arena, convention centre and exhibition facility in the UK. Funding for the development is set to be raised through borrowing, supported
directly from the revenue generated by the centre, so that the development will be at zero cost to tax-payers. A 200-bed four or five-star hotel is included in the development plans but will be funded separately through the private sector. The centre will be used to stage both trade and consumer exhibitions, as-wellas large scale national and international conferences with attached exhibitions, large scale banquets and concerts for up to 10,000 people standing.
liverpool.gov.uk
Budget
Budget update L
IVERPOOL City Council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge and is having to find £141 million of budget savings over the next two years. Here, Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Brant outlines the council’s priorities. DUE TO CUTS in funding from government, we are having to implement the first stage of the council’s savings programme. This means we have £91 million less to spend this financial year. As a council we believe this budget combines fairness and economic growth, but has meant some tough and difficult choices have been made. We have managed to find a third of the money needed through cutting senior management costs, reducing back office functions and increasing efficiency. We have protected, as far as possible, services to children and vulnerable adults. Children’s care services have been protected and will experience a reduction of just onepercent, while we have reduced our core funded adult social care expenditure by only three percent. We have reduced our reserves by £25 million over the last 12 months to help offset the cuts, but to take any more would be financially reckless. They are there for a specific purpose, or held on behalf of schools, and will have to be rebuilt over the following years, and the effect is that we have more savings to find in coming years. We have another £50 million of savings to find next year, and work is already starting on the budget setting process for 2012/13. We are committed to making sure we protect the most vulnerable and handle service reductions in a fair and sensitive way. Where possible we are also focusing spending on priority areas, such as employment, skills and economic growth. The city’s flagship Liverpool Apprentice programme has already delivered 133 apprenticeships and will be expanded with a £2 million programme to deliver at least another 200 in the next three months, and a further 500 apprenticeships in the coming year.
Tel: 0151 233 3000
DID YOU KNOW? You can take part in public consultations by visiting liverpool.gov.uk/council/consultation
HOW COUNCIL SERVICES WILL BE AFFECTED:
ADULT SOCIAL CARE
The city council will continue to fund critical and substantial care, but moderate care will no longer be provided. Instead, there will be investment in services which prevent people fallin g ill and keeps them fit and healthy in their own homes without the need for local authority-funded support. Where people do need help, the emphasis will be on reablement services – short-term assistance to get them back to a level where they don ’t need ongoing support. Each person’s situation will be fully reviewed by a social worker before any decision is made over what happen s to their current support package. In some cases, people will move up into the substantial category, while others will be judged not to require support any more because they have regained their independence.
REGENERATION Spending on road maintenance, stree t cleansing, parks and open spaces will be reduced by £5.8 million but the weekly refuse collection service will be maintained.
LIFESTYLES FITNESS CENTRES Leisure centre funding is being reduced by £1.6 million in 2011/12 , rising to £2.7 million in 2012/13. A public consultation will get underway shortly with the intention of minimising the effect. For example, partnerships with community grou ps and the private sector will be explored as a way of keeping centres open.
CHILDREN’S CENTRES AND NURSERIES The Government grant which fund s Sure Start Children’s Centres has bee n cut by £6 million, however we have found funding to keep 22 of the 26 open. We have extended consultation over the proposed closure of four centres in the least deprived areas of the city – Allerton, Childwall, Hunts Cross and West Derby – in order to allow the local community time to come up with alternative proposals. Day care and nursery provision is no longer being supported where there are surplus places which requ ire substantial subsidy, and where ther e is alternative local provision.
ARTS AND CULTURE There will be a reduction in the number of arts and cultural events funded by the Council, however the Mathew Street Music Festival, Hub , the Mersey River Festival, Slavery Remembrance Day and Chinese New Year are secure for the next year.
EDUCATION Transport passes for children in furth er education can no longer be afforded , and there will be a restriction of transport pass eligibility for children attending faith schools. This will take effect in September 2011.
LIBRARIES The budget of £14 million will be cut by £458,000 in 2011/12, rising to £1.9 million in 2012/13. This amounts to a 28 per cent reduction in spending and a full public consultation is underway to ask people their prioritie s.
Issue 67 City magazine
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Green
Communities dig growing A
NUMBER of forward-thinking allotments in Liverpool have started working with communities to make growing fruit and vegetables a reality.
Schools, charities and community schemes across Liverpool have started growing on set aside land on a number of plots, including Sefton Park allotments on Greenbank Drive. Lawrence Community Primary School, Wavertree has recently taken over
a community plot at the site. “Children come over in a mini bus a few times a week to tend to seedlings and prepare that ground for planting,” said Giulia Harding, chair of Sefton Park Allotments Society. “This is a great scheme for the children to get involved in. They get to grips with a trowel and learn about and appreciate plants and the wildlife which thrive around our lovely site.” Lawrence Community Primary Headteacher Mark Rigby said: “This is
a wonderful opportunity for our children to work closer with the whole community.” Another group which has a plot at the site is Family Refugee Support Project, a charity which helps settle refugee families from war-torn countries into the community. There are plots for families, women and children across a number of sites helping 18 families. The women’s plot is used for therapy, meeting other refugees and getting used to growing.
Liverpool’s future is green ‘CAREFUL planning of a city’s green assets can deliver enormous social, economic and health benefits’ a groundbreaking report for Liverpool City Council has revealed.
Mersey Forest was recently commissioned by Liverpool’s Planning Service and the city’s Primary Care Trust to carry out a comprehensive audit of the city’s green infrastructure. It covered everything from individual trees and private gardens to the city’s parks and open water. And the results, contained in Liverpool’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, reveal a city brimming with green assets. Nearly two thirds of land has been identified as green infrastructure, an asset worth £8 billion to the local economy.
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The strategy will assist in supporting the sustainable development of the city. It considers that green infrastructure is a key asset for the city which can contribute significantly to Liverpool’s continuing economic, social and physical regeneration. Councillor Tim Moore, Liverpool’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “This is an innovative and important report which has the potential to influence the way we think about the green assets of all our cities. “The Strategy provides comprehensive data on Liverpool’s green infrastructure, where it is, the function it performs and how it is being managed and it sets out a detailed action plan which will help us make the best use of green infrastructure in the future.”
lliverpool.gov.uk
Green
Pupils act green PUPILS from Merseyside primary schools took to the stage in a new scheme using drama to drive home messages about recycling and resource management.
The Waste Not Want Not project, run by Black Box CIC, helped pupils create their own fifteen minute performance pieces to promote green messages. Rice Lane Infants, Walton was one of the schools involved in the project, funded by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority’s Community Resource Action Fund. Ian Moore, Artistic Director of Black Box, said: “It’s been a fantastic adventure for all the children taking part and really helped change their attitudes – not just about recycling but about using resources in the first place.” “Many of the families we work with don’t have any outside space and have had a pretty horrific experience in their home countries,” said Jennie Geddes, Director / Senior Counsellor for Family Refugee Support Project. “We provide a place for people to come to terms with the past, meet others who can help them settle in to new surroundings and get on with their lives,” added Jennie. One female asylum seeker who regularly
uses the service said: “Life is stressful and I feel safe at the allotment. We feel we can talk, we can work and when we plant something and it grows, we feel happy.” Councillor Tim Moore, Liverpool’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Our city’s green spaces are ideal places to bring people who wouldn’t ordinarily grow their own food. Proactive schools, charities and allotment groups are leading the way in making the most of our land.”
Examples of actions recommended in the strategy are: • Detailed plans to be prepared for all major developments which show how the development will contribute to the city’s green infrastructure • Ensure planning applications for new developments always prioritise the need for people to be physically active as a routine part of their daily life • Promote green roofs, particularly in areas of the city centre that are undergoing redevelopment. Green roofs mitigate the effects of projected climate change, by providing cooling functions as well as contributing to surface water management • Support for the temporary use of vacant/derelict land for food and fuel growing • Use street trees and planting schemes at strategic gateways, and along key routes in the city to help promote a positive image and address pollution issues. Liverpool’s Green Infrastructure Strategy can be downloaded at ginw.co.uk/liverpool.
Tel: 0151 233 3000
Woodland woos judges CONGRATULATIONS to Princess and Old Cantril Tenants and Residents Association, The Mersey Forest, Forestry Commission and Riverside for scooping the Merseyside Environmental Awards for ‘Neighbourhood Improvement Project of the Year’ for the Mab Lane Community Woodland. Mab Lane’s formerly floodprone fields are now a beautiful woodland area in West Derby. According to judges, it’s now ‘a positive asset for the local community’. mablane.com
• Pupils from Rice Lane Primary taking part in the finale of the project at Liverpool’s CUC.
Green Fingers go online A WEBSITE which brings like-minded environmentalists together in cyberspace is growing in popularity thanks to people becoming more interested in green issues.
Projectdirtliverpool.com, a community portal developed by Mersey Forest with initial funding from Liverpool City Council, aims to bring together communities of gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts and people with interests in sustainability. Discussion topics range from the Bumble Bee Haven Project in Woolton Woods to the Liverpool Loop Line Volunteers Group. Once users sign up to the site, they can start a discussion forum around a project they are involved in, post status updates and even write a blog about their interests. To sign up visit projectdirtliverpool.com. Issue 67 City magazine
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Cultural
Businesses asked to invest in flagship festival B
USINESSES in Liverpool are being asked to support one of the city’s flagship cultural events.
Due to budget pressures, the city council is looking for support from local businesses which benefit from the hundreds of thousands of visitors who pour into the city over the August bank holiday weekend. A range of opportunities for businesses are being developed, ranging from stage sponsorship to smaller contributions from pubs and bars. Letters have been sent out to over 300 organisations in the city centre including bars, restaurants and hotels, with suggested contribution ranging from £250 to £400. Benefits for sponsors include branding on all promotional and marketing materials. Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool’s cabinet member for culture and tourism said: “With the pressure on our budgets, it’s more vital than ever that we bring in income to offset the cost. Sponsors help make events
a success, so we are asking local businesses to consider becoming part of Mathew Street to make this year’s festival the best ever.” Among the first businesses to sign up are the Flanagan Group (which owns establishments such as the Newz Bar) and Cavern City Tours. The Flanagan Group has donated an impressive £10,000 to sponsor a stage on Water Street, near the Newz Bar premises. Cavern Club and Pub have generously given £2,000 to sponsor the event, and The Vernon, Garcias and La Cubanita are also contributing up to £400 each. Councillor Paula Keaveney, leader of the opposition said: “Mathew Street is a key event in the city’s culture calendar. The tourism it brings will boost the city’s economy massively over the weekend so I urge companies who will benefit from it to get involved.” Local businesses who would like to find out more about the sponsorship scheme can email events@liverpool.gov.uk or call 0151 233 6833 / 0151 233 4552.
Cornering the creative market LIVERPOOL’S biggest ’08 community arts legacy project returned for 2011 – and for the first time young people played a starring role. In a new twist for Four Corners – the city’s groundbreaking arts project - hundreds of youngsters showcased their creative talents and told the city’s stories through art, film, photography, fashion and sculpture. The innovative programme, has worked with neighbourhoods across the city for six years, inspiring people to think about subjects such as health, the environment and their own communities and express their thoughts and feelings through art. This year, it was the turn of young people. And they 14
City magazine Issue 67
came up with stunning, original creations. They have worked closely with six arts organisations, exploring what it means to be a young person in Liverpool today, the stereotypes they face and the hopes they have for their future. For the past six months groups have worked closely with six arts organisations and used different creative means to highlight the perceptions and misconceptions of youth culture.
“It really does fall on the private sector to play their part in making sure the Mathew Street Festival continues.” Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Flanagan Group
HUB Festival – it’s Sound! HUB Festival returned bigger, better and louder than ever in May thanks to a brand new partnership.
Liverpool City Council joined forces with Liverpool Sound City and attracted some of the UK’s hottest up and coming bands including Funeral for a Friend, The Blackout and Mayday Parade who wowed the festival-goers. And the music was the perfect soundtrack to a weekend packed full of awe inspiring BMXing, skating and boarding. BMX legend Jerry Galley, skateboard gurus Pete King, Chris Oliver and Rodney Clarke and pro BMX rider Bas Keep all showcased their skills and kept the crowds of thousands entertained. Dave Pichilingi, founder and Director of Liverpool Sound City, said: “Liverpool Sound City and HUB are two of the greatest events of their kind in the UK. And, the success of this amazing weekend proves that it makes absolute sense for us to work together in this innovative way.” liverpool.gov.uk
As summer approaches, Liverpool is gearing up for months of exciting and smouldering events covering the length and breadth of the city.
JULY is set to be a fantastic month as the city celebrates the old and the new.
One of the world’s great city history museums, the stunning new Museum of Liverpool, opens its doors to the public on Tuesday 19 July. Housing more than 6,000 objects, many which have never been on public display before, the museum will allow visitors to unearth an array of stories from the Ice Age to the present day. Guaranteed to tickle everyone’s culture bone, it will be taster of Liverpool’s rich history, all under one roof. This date also marks 100 years to very day that its iconic neighbour, the Liver Building, opened its doors. To mark this special centenary, a FREE feast for the senses will take place as part of the On The Waterfront weekend from 22-24 July – a 3D Son et Lumiere Spectacular.
To make sure you don’t miss a beat, City has produced a handy four page guide to the events taking place over the coming months. Check out page 18 where there’s a competition to win tickets for the upand-coming ICAP International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park. Don’t forget you can find out up-to-the-minute events listings on Liverpool.gov.uk/culture and visitliverpool.com.
Friday:
Connie Lush Saturday:
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo: Mills Media
Photo: Ant Clausen
Organised by Liverpool City Council, each night will see a different musical treat take to a stage on the Pier Head:
Sunday:
Liverpool band, 6ix Toys Following the live music extravaganza, Liverpool will experience a first with a unique digital 3D projection at the Pier Head which will bring the Liver Building to life, transforming the ordinary to the extraordinary right in front of your eyes! And it doesn’t stop there. On the weekend of the 30-31 July there will be an amazing aerial theatre display which combines dramatic visuals with a suspended wires performance. Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “July is going to be a month to remember! We’re going to be marking the special birthday of one of the city’s most-loved buildings and at the same time ushering in a new era with the opening of our new world-class museum.”
Visit liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk for more information Tel: 0151 233 3000
Issue 67 City magazine
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National Family Fun Week Liverpool City Centre and Liverpool ONE 4 – 5 June
Shops Upfront: Collateral
Lazy Town’s Sportacus, finalists of Got to Dance 2011, Dance Dynamix, Liverpool FC’s football skills and a family assault course are just a few of the attractions being put on for Liverpool families, as part of National Family Fun Week. Events are being held across the city centre, culminating in a free weekend-long event at Liverpool ONE. Nick Henry, Founder of National Family Week commented: “We are extremely excited about hosting a headline event in Liverpool this year. It will definitely be a weekend that the whole family will remember.” Check out nationalfamilyweek. co.uk to find out where events are happening.
Africa Oyé 2011 – Listen to Africa Sefton Park, Liverpool Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 12:30 – 9pm • Free admission The popular African festival returns to Liverpool, bigger and better than ever. Oyé is the UK’s largest African cultural festival with music, entertainment, food and over 60 stalls selling an array of African goods throughout the Oyé village. The musical line up for the weekend includes; Fatoumata Diawara from Mali, Kakeyce Fotso from Cameroon, Mokoomba from Zimbabwe and Mlimani Hotel Orchestra from Tanzania with more to be included later. Visit africaoye.com to check out the line up or become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/africaoye.
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City magazine Issue 67
Watson Building, Renshaw Street Until 11 June Collateral is a new exhibition by photographer Tom Fairclough. It’s a thought-provoking exhibition which shows the impact the Liverpool Blitz had on the city. Collateral is part of Shops Upfront, a Culture Liverpool project which allows artists to use empty retail units for short term exhibitions, workshops and art events, providing a platform for artists’ work and improving the look of the area. You can follow Shops Upfront on Facebook or visit liverpool.gov.uk/ shopsupfront for more information.
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Summer Pops
Liverpool City of Radicals
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 4 June – 14 July An exciting season of classical summer pops kicks off with Night at the Ballet at the Phil. Conductor Timothy Henty leads the orchestra on recitals of ballet classics, including Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’ and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ being performed on 26 June promises to be an action-packed concert for all the family, based on the popular children’s book. Bring along your favourite *small* musical instrument and join in the fun. Carl Davis will leave a rousing Beatlesthemed ‘Last night of the summer pops’ on 8-9 July which celebrates the launch of the Phil’s own Beatles CD. The night will include many of the adored last night classics including Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance. Visit liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789 for further information on the season.
Liverpool Pride 2011 City Centre 6 August Following last year’s first ever official Liverpool Pride event, which attracted over 21,000 people into the city, this year’s Pride looks like it’ll be even bigger and brighter. Liverpool City Council is investing £10,000 and giving advice, support and staff time in the run up to, and during the festival. The Chair of Liverpool Pride, Tommy McIlravey, said: “Last year we had a fantastic event and so many people from every walk of life, young and old, gay and straight, came together to celebrate the thriving LGBT culture in Merseyside, and I know even more people are itching to join in this year.”
The Bluecoat, School Lane and various venues across the city Throughout the summer A programme of exhibitions, debates and events looking at radical Liverpool in the past, present and future. Liverpool City of Radicals 2011 marks 100 years since 2011, a year which saw the Liverpool Transport Strike, opening of the Liver Building (see previous page) and a groundbreaking exhibition at the Bluecoat by top European avant garde artists of the time, including Picasso and Cezanne. The event will encourage individuals, community groups and residents to explore Liverpool’s current position and consider its radical future. For more information visit cityofradicals.co.uk.
Expect floats, live music, plenty of dressing up and fringe events at Pride. More details can be found at liverpoolpride.co.uk where a full events listing and blog will be regularly added to.
Issue 67 City magazine
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competition
Liverpool Tennis Tournament 2011 Calderstones Park, Liverpool 16 - 19 June THIS YEAR a host of tennis greats will return to Calderstones for the tenth anniversary of the ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament. Legend Martina Navratilova and former British number one, Greg Rusedski will be joined by fellow Wimbledon Champions, Martina Hingis and Richard Krajicek, as well as the popular crowd pleaser Mansour Bahrami. Top-flight ATP and WTA players who all aspire to one day become Wimbledon Champions, will join the line-up of legends. All of whom will all compete in a purpose-built centre court stadium situated in one of the country’s most beautiful parks, Calderstones, providing a truly unique setting for Europe’s largest tennis exhibition event. City has teamed up with Northern Vision to offer three lucky readers a pair of tickets for the Finals on Sunday 19 June, all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer the following question:
The Tradition-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is this year celebrating which anniversary:
a) Five years b) Ten years c) Fifteen years Send your answers on a postcard to: City Magazine ICAP Competition,Room 34, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DH; or email city.magazine@liverpool.gov.uk.
Now Open
canoe safari
One entry per person. Closing date Friday 10 June. Please include your name, address and daytime contact number.
Special offer for City magazine readers Book your tickets for this year’s ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament and not only will you receive a 10% discount if you book before 10 June and quote reference code LCC11, you will also be in with a chance to win your money back, an upgrade to hospitality, a £100 drinks voucher for the day and an over night stay at the Hilton Liverpool. Terms and conditions apply. Book your tickets today using the code LCC11 to be entered into the competition and to make sure you are sipping a cool glass of Pimms and soaking up the sun at this year’s must see summer sporting event. General admission tickets start from just £9 and are available from echoarena.com (0844 8000 400) or ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 847 2332). 18
City magazine Issue 67
Martin Mere
Wetland Centre
Visit wwt.org.uk/martinmere for further information www.liverpool.gov.uk
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Issue 67 City magazine
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Civic
All chain-ge at Town Hall City magazine’s Clare Maher looks back on an exciting twelve months for outgoing Lord Mayor, Hazel Williams as incoming Lord Mayor, Frank Prendergast looks forward to his year in office
L
IVERPOOL’S outgoing Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams, has had a busy year. She has presided over numerous freedom ceremonies rewarding the Merseyside Air Training Corps, the Pain Relief Foundation and The Merseyside branch of SSAFA - Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association for their continuing hard work and contribution to the city. In February, Councillor Williams hosted a reception for the crew of HMS Liverpool which came back to the city for the first time in three years. She said: “HMS Liverpool coming to the city was a particular highlight of the year. “It was fantastic to be Lord Mayor in the year we welcomed home HMS Liverpool, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as I watched her sail up the Mersey. It was a great occasion for the city.” June saw a record 50,000 people flock to the city for a health conscious pageant as all the vehicles involved, including a rickshaw, were either electric or solar powered. To date the Lord Mayor has raised over £30,000 for her chosen charities, Mencap Liverpool, Help 4 Heroes and the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal (Neurosciences and Surgical Department) and there is still a Grand Charity Ball to be held which is expected to raise a further £10,000. Councillor Williams said: “This has been an amazing year; I have met so many wonderful, talented and dedicated people during my time as Lord Mayor.
“Liverpool people are the most generous, friendly and welcoming people in the country, they are simply the best, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly for their support and good wishes throughout the year.” “It has been an honour for me to serve this great city in such a prestigious role. I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of being Lord Mayor, it has been tiring at times but thoroughly rewarding and I thank the city for giving me this great opportunity. “I would like to wish Councillor Frank Prendergast every success for the year ahead, I hope his year will be as fulfilling as mine has been”. 20
City magazine Issue 67
www.liverpool.gov.uk
Civic
COUNCILLOR FRANK PRENDERGAST will become only the second former council leader to take up duties as Lord Mayor at the end of May.
The post will be bittersweet for Frank, 62, who was nominated after the untimely death of Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rose Bailey earlier this year. Frank also suffered his own loss in January when his wife of 41 years, Margaret passed away. Councillor Prendergast said: “To become Lord Mayor is a great honour for me, obviously I wish it were under happier circumstances but I am positive about the year ahead and looking forward to serving the people of this great city. High on his list of priorities for the year is helping others, in particular our youth. He said: “There is still much to do in giving the young people of our city the opportunities to make the best of their lives. “I want to use my position as Lord Mayor to help and assist any group or individual Tel: 0151 233 3000
that wants me to. That includes projecting a very positive can do attitude to young people from the city but also to anyone wanting to move here or expand their present interest in the city. “I want to show young disadvantaged people that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. All it takes is determination and some effort. I was born and bred in areas of the city not renowned for producing leaders of the council or even a Lord Mayor but I have achieved both. Councillor Prendergast’s political career spans over 20 years and he has been responsible for two major twinnings with the city – Shanghai and Dublin. When not twinning the city and working on constitutional issues, he works tirelessly as the Project Manger of a community centre. Coupled with his council duties he has very little spare time on his hands. Councillor Prendergast said: “I like to spend any spare time I have with my five children and four grandchildren and feel the love and warmth they have wrapped
me in especially since the death of my wife Margaret. This and the satisfaction of helping somebody else is more rewarding than any hobby.” Having served his apprenticeship in Cammell Lairds as a shipwright, one of Frank’s favourite places in the city is by the river, although he is clearly passionate about the entire city and its people. He said: “I get a wonderful feeling just sitting by the river and looking at the old yard where I had so many wonderful years that set me up for what I am now. “I love the people and the rapport that many outsiders take for cheek, sarcasm or just plain abruptness because they aren’t used to it. That’s what makes us different and why I love Liverpool.” Liverpool supporter Frank describes his home city as “The only real place to live, everything you could need or want is available in abundance.” Frank’s consort for the year will be his eldest daughter, Lesley. Issue 67 City magazine
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Safer
Crime figures dispel myths S
OME news headlines in the media may lead you to believe that Liverpool is a crime-ridden and violent city.
Yet the latest figures from Citysafe, Liverpool’s community safety partnership, demonstrate major reductions in crime and disorder. Citysafe’s annual report for 2010/11 shows that overall crime in the city has been cut by 10 per cent with big reductions in priority areas of serious crime. Burglaries and robberies were down by 17 per cent compared with the previous year and serious violence fell by 26 per cent while gun and knife crimes were cut by 21 per cent. There was also a 19 per cent reduction in recorded cases of anti-social behaviour. “These are very encouraging figures and underline the fact that Liverpool is one of the UK’s safest cities,“ said Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Cabinet Member for Community Safety. ”However, we can never be complacent about crime and we will continue to work to make Liverpool even safer.”
As well as work to cut crime, Citysafe has been involved in many initiatives including: • Ten Respect Weeks of Action throughout the city which tackled crime, anti-social behaviour, as-well-as cleaning up environmental grot spots, and providing community activities • 750 victims of domestic violence were supported during the year by services provided by Citysafe • 571 hate crime referrals were made to the Hate Crime Advisory Service between April and November 2010; and action has been taken against perpetrators • More than 220 Merseyside victims of sexual violence have been supported by the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Liverpool. Councillor Paula Keaveney, leader of the opposition, added: “ Thanks to the work by partners and residents, Liverpool is safer than it has been for many years. It’s vital that we get this message out to stop any media stigma of our city.”
“Violent crime has diminished but we want to work with our partners to cut it further.” Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for community safety
Keeping dogs under control DOGS are to be controlled under a new order which has been introduced in North Liverpool. The Order will apply to the Anfield, County and Kirkdale wards and if successful could be extended throughout the city. This move comes after there were 180 incidents recorded incidents last year involving dogs in parks and open spaces in the three wards – a 37 per cent increase on the previous year. The Dog Control Order specifies five offences: failing to remove dog dirt; not keeping a dog on a lead; not keeping a dog on a lead when ordered to so by an authorised officer; allowing a dog to enter land from which they are excluded and taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land. Breaches of the order will result in a fixed penalty or prosecution. It has also been agreed that the fixed penalty for failure to clear up dog mess will 22
City magazine Issue 67
be increased from £50 to £80. This applies across the city. “There has been a lot of concern in recent months about the number of incidents in these areas over attacks involving dogs and owners allowing their dogs to foul in public places“, said Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet
member for community safety. “I am confident this will have the backing of responsible owners who believe their pets should be kept under control and who clean up after their pets. This is not an anti-dog move – it is encouraging responsible dog ownership.” liverpool.gov.uk
Safer
News in brief Car safety campaign launched MERSEYSIDE Police has launched a new campaign in the bid to further reduce car-related crime.
The ‘If it’s on show it’ll go...’ campaign warns motorists about the dangers of leaving personal possessions on show when your car is left unattended. A specially-dressed Ford Focus is making appearances around Liverpool and officers are talking to members of the public about the dangers of leaving cars unattended. To learn more about crime prevention visit itwillgo.co.uk. There’s also a chance to win an iPad by taking part in a short questionnaire.
Community Champ visits city
St Johns Cop Shop opens for business BRITAIN’S first privately paid for city centre ‘cop shop’ has opened its doors to the public.
Situated on the ground floor of St Johns Shopping Centre, the City Centre Access Point is the result of a landmark public-private sector partnership. It is hoped the ‘cop shop’ will make it easier for people to report crimes and provide quick responses to incidents such as lost children and allow officers to be more accessible. Owners of St Johns, Land Securities has fitted out the base and the rent will be paid for by businesses via Liverpool’s City Central Business Improvement District (BID), for the next three years. The opening will save council tax payers approximately £50,000 a year while offering them a direct point of contact with police in the heart of Liverpool city centre for the first time in more than six years. Tel: 0151 233 3000
• Assistant Chief Constable Helen King takes the first call at St Johns police station
THE GOVERNMENT’S Communities Champion visited Liverpool to see how the city is tackling anti social behaviour.
Baroness Newlove dropped in on residents on the Westminster Estate to see how a scheme operated by Liverpool Mutual Homes and the city council is reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, improving housing and the environment. It has included the setting up of a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement, with members of the tenants association acting as the first point of contact for other residents. With support and advice from partner agencies, they are encouraged to resolve issues in their neighbourhood. Issue 67 City magazine
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Education
21st Century teaching TWO Liverpool schools have undergone a 21st century makeover thanks to a £40 million investment programme.
Cardinal Heenan in West Derby has been transformed into Britain’s first cyber-school complex. Traditional corridors have been replaced instead by a main street, with shop window glass panels so pupils can see what’s going everywhere in their school. There’s even a science unit which retracts into the ceiling at the touch of a button. The transformation has seen it form an alliance with neighbouring all-girls Broughton Hall. They remain as separate single-sex schools, but share a sixth form, linked by a bridge. Exercise books and pens are out, with each pupil using a laptop for course work. Even the design of the schools is radical – with sliding walls that can be moved to change the layout of teaching areas. The multi-million pound transformation makes the twin faithschools among the most technically advanced in the country.
Croxteth pupils go back to the future N
ORTH Liverpool pupils have celebrated the start of work on their new £4.6 million school.
Croxteth Community Primary School will provide state of the art facilities for more than 300 children, replacing the worn out existing building. To mark the start of work by construction firm Morgan Sindall, pupils performed a specially-written song, helped with the ground breaking and planted a time capsule which will be opened in 50 years, so that future generations are reminded of the significance of the day.
One of the most distinctive features in the school will be a high-tech room featuring a projector which can transmit images and film across an entire wall. Combined with special mood lighting, the “immersive learning space” enables teachers to transport pupils to anywhere in the world. There will also be library, art and music rooms, a synthetic area for sport and games, a large community room and a crèche. Outside, there will also be an allotment for green-fingered pupils to grow vegetables.
• Children planting the time capsule
School standards success
Pupils hit all the right notes
LIVERPOOL is the only major city to have all of its schools given a clean bill of health by government education inspectors.
AN AMBITIOUS Liverpool teacher has achieved fantastic results with her Year Four class – encouraging them all to pick up and learn instruments for a whole year.
For the first time since the Ofsted inspection regime was introduce 20 years ago, Liverpool has none of its 167 schools classed as ‘inadequate’ An incredible 77 per cent of schools in the city – 130 – are now classed as either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. It is an amazing turnaround from a decade ago, when 25 schools were judged to have either serious weaknesses or be in special measures, and the education service was on the brink of being privatised because it was failing children. 24
City magazine Issue 67
Two years ago, teaching assistant at Northcoat Primary, Angela Parkinson embarked on a task to teach the whole class a brass instrument with assistance and guidance from Liverpool Music Support Service (LMSS). The service provided a loan instrument to each child and staff member involved in the project. 12 students worked towards taking their grade one exam and have achieved fantastic results; one distinction, five merits and seven passes. Angela Parkinson said: “We are so thrilled to have achieved such fantastic results. Throughout the whole process, the children have gained a wealth of skills including improved coordination and confidence in a practical lesson, which they always look forward to participating in as a group.” liverpool.gov.uk
people, places, music, sport, history...
Sporting Treble for Liverpool L IVERPOOL has hit the treble by attracting three major sporting events to the city this year.
The 2011 Women’s Artistic British Championships, the biggest event in the British Gymnastics calendar this summer, is being held at the Echo Arena on 9-10 July.
The country’s top female gymnasts will be in action, with star attractions including Liverpool’s superstar three-time world champion Beth Tweddle and club team mate and 2010 British Champion, Hannah Whelan. Visit echoarena.com/whats_on/ gymnastics.asp for more information on tickets prices and opening times.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the city, a lot of my friends and family have always wanted a championship nearby so that they can come and watch me. It’s a great chance for the people of Liverpool to see one of their home grown athletes perform.” Beth Tweddle
Photo: R Finney/Archery GB
The city will also be hosting Archery’s National Series Grand Final on 18 September. The final will take place in the picturesque surroundings of the National Trust’s Speke Hall. This match is particularly fitting since the first ever GNAS meeting took place at the Adelphi Hotel in July 1861. Finally, and rounding off a superb sporting year, the Echo Arena has been chosen as the host venue for the World Netball Series from 25-27 November. This follows a hugely successful event last year and is expected once again to attract hundreds of netball lovers to Liverpool. Tel: 0151 233 3000
Read on for cycling, Legally Blonde giveaway, images from The Blitz and more... Issue 67 City magazine
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Cycling summer A
PROGRAMME of guided bike rides is being offered to residents in Aigburth this summer. Cycle Aigburth aims to encourage those living and working in the Aigburth area of Liverpool to cycle more. The scheme, run by Cycling Alliance and Liverpool City Council, follows a similar project in Speke, which resulted in a 60 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of recorded trips made by bike. Community involvement will be key to the success of Cycle Aigburth and the team will be working closely with local businesses, schools and groups to encourage more people to use pedal power to get around. A map showing suggested cycle routes around Aigburth and into the city centre has
been produced and is available free from liverpool.gov.uk/cycleaigburth. Leisurely guided bike rides started in May and will vary in length. They include both on and off-road cycling, led by volunteer cycle leaders from within the community. Those who live locally and who are keen to become a ride leader can take advantage of free training to get the skills and knowledge
Poster power BUDDING artists can follow in the footsteps of great poster artist, Edward Kauffer McKnight as part of this year’s Art on the Network competition.
T RAV E L B Y F E R R Y
T RAV E L B Y T U N N E L
T R AV E L B Y R A I L
POSTER ARTWORK COMPETITION
ENTRY FORM T R AV E L B Y B U S
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City magazine Issue 67
The competition, run by Merseytravel focuses on the ‘Poster’, arguably one of the most powerful forms of media, dating back over 200 years. Local artists have the chance to showcase their work to thousands of commuters, with the winning entries being displayed on the transport network. This year’s entrants are being asked to design a unique poster which is clear, bold and striking and portrays their chosen theme in a positive manner. The competition will be judged by senior representatives from Merseytravel’s Public Arts Steering Group and leading professionals from the art and design community. Four winning designs will be chosen, each winner will receive a £500 cash prize and their work will be displayed on the transport network. For further competition details and to download your entry form visit artonthenetwork.co.uk. The closing date for the competition is 5pm on Thursday 1 September.
to develop a cycle ride route. For more information on cycle skills and maintenance sessions, bike rides, maps and more, visit liverpool.gov.uk/ cycleaigburth or call Claudia Stuerck on 233 5246. For more on the Cycling Alliance visit LetsTravelWise.org or ring Jane on 0151 330 1290.
Feeling healthy this summer THIS SUMMER sees lots of events and activities around the city as part of Liverpool Primary Care Trust’s Decade of Health and Wellbeing.
Lots of groups and organisations have been getting into the spirit of the decade by running events to promote healthier lifestyles and the five ways to wellbeing: connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give. Whatever you’re into, there’s an event for you. Highlights in the coming months include; ‘Dance amidst the palms’ in The Palmhouse, Sefton Park on 14 June, ‘The big BIG Day’ at Croxteth Country Park on 25 June and the third annual ‘Liverpool to Chester Bike Ride’ taking place on 3 July. For more information on any of these and more events visit the website 2020healthandwellbeing.org.uk. liverpool.gov.uk
Memory Pool
Remembering the Blitz Roger Hull, Research Officer at Liverpool Record Office, looks back on the events of May 1941, which will forever be etched on the city’s memory…
M
AY 1941 was the worst month of the whole of the Second World War for bomb damage and casualties in Liverpool and the surrounding suburbs. According to statistics compiled by the Daily Post and Echo in their booklet Bombers over Merseyside, 1453 people were killed in Liverpool and 1065 seriously injured. 4 May saw the heaviest raids, which led to extensive damage. There was a direct hit on Liverpool Museum and the Brown Library in William Brown Street and the scenes of devastation over the city were recorded by three main photographers: J E Marsh & Sons of Wallasey, Stewart Bale and W H Tomkinson & Co based in Dale Street.
The Times newspaper also took a number of significant images. The Record Office has a set of these which can be seen in the search room at its Wellington site. The main archive for this period are the minutes of the Civil Defence Emergency Committee 1939-1947 (352 MIN/DEF) and the Air Raid Precautions reports 1939-1941 (352 BUI/7). These can be seen again at the Wellington site. The images (insert page position of images) show the bombed out Museum and St George’s Crescent and Lord Street shortly after the air raids of May 1941, the latter taken by J E Marsh. This scene shows tea being given to the workers clearing the rubble and debris, with a background of destruction and ruins.
Images and other information on the 1941 blitz can be found at: • The Mersey Gateway website at mersey-gateway.org has a good set of images on the May Blitz and bomb damage • Access liverpool.gov.uk/archives for original archives on the war and secondary material • Remember that Central Library in Liverpool is closed for major refurbishment and there are two temporary sites at (1) Liverpool Museum where the lending services and Record Office microfilms are housed, open daily 10am-5pm, no appointment necessary and (2) Wellington Employment Park, unit 33, Dunes Way, Liverpool L5 9RJ, open Tuesdays to Saturdays 9.30am- 4.30pm, where the main archives are held and where appointments are needed • The Record Office can be contacted by phone on 0151 233 5817 or by email on archives@liverpool.gov.uk
Tel: 0151 233 3000
Issue 67 City magazine
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OMG: Legally Blonde tickets up for grabs! FOR THE first time ever, the West End and Broadway sensation ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ comes to Liverpool Empire on 8 – 16 July.
For your chance to win two tickets to see this totally fabulous show at the Liverpool Empire on Wednesday 13 July simply answer the question below:
Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed new musical is created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School. Legally Blonde The Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard’s Halls of Justice with the brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser). This all singing, all dancing, feel-good musical comedy will be the highlight of your year and the most fashionable ticket in Liverpool.
In the hit movie, Legally Blonde, which actress played the character Elle Woods: a) Christina Applegate b) Kate Hudson c) Reese Witherspoon Answers to: City Magazine, Legally Blonde competition, Room 34, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DH; or email to: city.magazine@liverpool.gov.uk. Closing date: Friday 1 July. One entry per person. Please include your your name, address and daytime contact number.
Winners of the competitions in the last issue of City magazine were: Mark Anthoney from Mossley Hill who was bowled over when told he had won a pair of Lancashire five-match season tickets • Mr Rimmer from the city centre, Mrs P Cottham from Kirkdale, Mrs Talbot from L18, Mrs Bethell from Walton and Mr Harrison from Toxteth who all received a copy of Shostakovich’s Symphonies No’s 1 and 3 performed by Vasily Petrenko • N Thompson from Mossley Hill who won a family ticket to see Disney on Ice at the Echo Arena. • Congratulations to all our winners 28
City magazine Issue 67
liverpool.gov.uk
Tour de football
L
OCAL football fanatics, Graeme McNally and his son Jamie have started an audacious journey around the country, visiting all 92 football league stadiums to raise money for cancer charity, the Marina Dalglish Foundation.
Liverpool FC season ticket holder, Graeme wanted to do something extreme to raise awareness and funds for the charity. “At first we started out visiting local grounds, but decided we needed to do something extraordinary in order to raise as much money as possible,” said Graeme. The cancer charity is close to Graeme’s heart after he lost both his grandparents to the disease. “Cancer affects so many of our lives and charities like the Foundation do a great job providing funds for research and support for families,” said Graeme. Recently Graeme’s family suffered a tragic bereavement when his 18-year-old
nephew, Michael, died in his sleep. “Our journey has extra significance and we take Michael’s Liverpool scarf to every ground,” said Graeme. Graeme and Jamie have visited 22 grounds, from Portsmouth to Carlisle but they have a lot more to do to complete their mission. “The clubs have been fantastic and we’re receiving loads of support from family, friends and colleagues,” said Graeme. The mission will continue into 2011/12 season when Graeme intends to complete the tour at his beloved Anfield. “We will visit Anfield last,” added Graeme, who has a life-long ambition to fulfil. “My idol is Kenny Dalglish so I would love to have my picture taken with him when we visit Anfield.” To donate to Graeme’s campaign, visit justgiving.com/Jamie-McNally and if you want to contact him directly, email macca1971uk@yahoo.co.uk.
Browsing for art EMPTY shop units and being brought to life with unique exhibitions thanks to the city’s Shops Upfront project.
For five weeks The Real Meaning of Life took over a unit in Liverpool ONE and featured 20 stunning pieces of work which tracked the evolution of man throughout the ages. ‘Life Boat’ took the form of a vessel which had a tree of life growing out of its centre. From each branch hung a head which tracked how human skulls have evolved over time.
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‘What Next’ commented on how wasteful today’s society is and featured a screaming man whose body was made up electrical items we throw away such as televisions, mobile phones, computers and printers. Dave Webster, the artist behind the creations who had worked on the project for five years said: “It’s not about mystifying people or being obscure, I want people to be inspired by the pieces and for it to provoke debate about our impact on the planet and each other.”
• Jamie with Carlisle mascot Olga The Fox
Your marathon needs you ORGANISERS of this year’s RunLiverpool Marathon due to take place on 9 October are urging residents and performers to become part of the 26 mile run.
It’s estimated that The RunLiverpool Marathon will attract over 30,000 running fanatics, with some travelling from as far afield as New York, Dubai and Australia. To make it a success and a weekend to remember, organisers are asking city residents to get involved and join in the fun. Alan Rothwell, Race Director said: “It would be fantastic if those people who actually live on the route would decorate their gardens for the day to make it a real spectacle. Maybe children could create home-made banners or why not throw a garden party with friends and family and watch the world run by!” Groups across the region are being invited to join in. If any bands, cheerleaders or dance acts fancy showcasing their talent to a big audience across the route, which takes in Liverpool and Wirral, they are being urged to contact the organisers. For further information on how you can get involved please call the Marathon’s Community Liaison team on 0151 494 1137 or email info@skevents.co.uk. Issue 67 City magazine
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A day in the life... Not all city council employees work in Liverpool. ANDY SNELL, who has worked at Liverpool City Council for nine years, is one of a handful of representatives from Liverpool spending time at Liverpool’s ‘Business Embassy’ in London to spread the message about the city being a great place to invest in. 8am My day starts with a twenty minute walk past iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London and the Gherkin. Each morning I’m inspired to be representing Liverpool in the heart of the nation’s capital. 8.30am We’re greeted with emails from the contacts we made at the World Expo and through our international work. Just received an email from a representative of a Chinese investment company interested in development opportunities in Liverpool. 9am Chris Heyes, head of the Embassy calls my colleague, James Shaw and I together to review priorities for the day ahead. 10am A commercial law firm comes in to discuss holding meetings here when they have clients visiting from overseas. 11am I follow up recent meetings with written proposals for colleagues to consider back in Liverpool. I also give them a call to check on the progress of enquiries they are working on. 1pm I always try and grab a bit of fresh air and there are plenty of interesting places to visit on our doorstep.
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1.30pm We have 12 events at the Embassy in May and June. Much of my afternoon is spent working with each event organiser to ensure adequate preparations are in place for the events to run smoothly. I visit the Gherkin to prepare for an event with Balfour Beatty, meeting potential investors and developers. 4pm We are working through a long list of contacts made through previous events. I make some calls and set up one-to-one discussions about potential opportunities in Liverpool. Events I’ve worked on include Software City, an international software competition. Recently we hosted an event for representatives from 40 London-based international embassies. These events will hopefully open doors for future investment in Liverpool. 8pm-11pm I have been invited to a dinner through a charitable organisation I am involved with in Liverpool. A thoroughly enjoyable evening in good company is rounded off with an added bonus of meeting someone who works for a global private equity firm. We exchange cards - I will be following that up in the morning! Liverpool’s Business Embassy is based off Liverpool Street, in the heart of London’s finance district. For more information visit liverpoolinlondon.co.uk, call 0207 065 7065 or Tweet @LiverpoolLondon.
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0151 233 3011 Published by Liverpool City Council Communications Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH
Editor: Dominic Smith
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ISSUE 67 • June 2011 City Magazine is delivered free to 213,000 homes and businesses in Liverpool
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City magazine Issue 67
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