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YOUR CHANCE TO HELP US – AND WIN

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AUTUMN 2026

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KEN PYE: Discovering Liverpool p26 RUSSELL GRANT STARS

AUTUMN 2026

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HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THIS LIFELINE ALIVE

Chance to ease carers’ burden

DEDICATED: The OHMI Trust concert in full swing. Edit, above left, and Rebekah

p27

Can YOU help? n All Together NOW! is a registered charity set up to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose life is affected by disability, long-term health condtions or age. The charity – the only one of its kind in the UK – relies on support from its sponsors, advertisers,subscriptions and readers’ donations.

– see back page Editor: Tom Dowling 0151 230 0307 email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk Editorial Support: Gerry Corner IT Support: Ken Almond

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 230 0307 sales@alltogethernow.org.uk www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEXT EDITION DECEMBER 7, 2026 All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387 Company No. 5096931

– BACK PAGE

No stopping the music

HEN a highly talented young flute player was involved in a road accident, her promising musical career looked to have been abruptly cut short. Edit van der Burg was severely brain damaged, paralysed down her right side and robbed of her speech. And despite two operations on her brain, she was left unable to play the music she loved. It would be seven years before she felt able to think about attempting to make music again. She connected with instrument maker Maarten Visser who was challenged to achieve what was considered an impossible feat – to design and build a flute capable of being played with one hand. He duly obliged and it took Hungarian Edit just three days to learn the basics of the instrument – described by one journalist as “a Stradivarius with the looks of a Harley Davidson” – and give her first performance. Edit was among fellow gifted musicians with a disability to perform in the OHMI Trust’s autumn concert, alongside members of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The OHMI Trust charity helps musicians with an upper limb weakness, impairment or absence to play the instruments they want to play. Among the other performers, whose dedication and determination has allowed them to continue playing, were:

l OHMI trustee, Liane Todd whose career as a woodwind teacher was ended after by a serious accident while performing in a theatre pit orchestra. Now living with complex regional pain syndrome, a long-lasting condition affecting her entire left side, she has adapted her music-making by playing the onehanded clarinet. l One-handed flautist Rebekah Goulston whose cerebral palsy affects her conventional playing of the instrument. She settled on the flute after doing her own research into identifying instruments to better represent disabled people at the highest levels of performance. l Teenage pianist, Freya Terris whose long-term injury and surgery left her unable to play with her right hand. She recently made history as the first person to pass the technically demanding ABRSM Grade 8 exam using only one hand. l French Horn player Chris Griffiths who has the condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), nerve damage which affects hands and feet and led him to him having both legs amputated below the knee. To take the weight off his French Horn, Chris uses a stand created by students at the University of Newcastle through a recent Hackcessible challenge. l One-handed recorder player Esther Mannouch who once feared radiotherapy damage to her hand would stop her playing. A specifically designed instrument has allowed her to continue to play, while also hosting concerts, many of which have raised funds for OHMI.

Connecting with 250,000 people . . .

MORE than a million people in the UK have given up their jobs to care for a love one in the last two years alone. That’s equal to 1,500 people every day. Figures for Carers UK reveals a total of 3.33 million people have given up work to care for someone. And one in five are now juggling paid work with unpaid care. The charity’s Tipping Point research also found that almost half of all carers would be more likely to remain in employment if they had paid Carer’s Leave. Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs, said: “Introducing paid Carer’s Leave would provide time away from work without a loss of income.” n Carers UK helpline: 0808 808 7777.

Santa calling CALLING all you wouldbe Santas . . . It’s time to sign up for one of Liverpool’s most spectacular annual events. The 23rd BTR Santa Dash – the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run – takes place on Sunday December 6. You can sign up online or in person at the dedicated Santa Dash pop-up shop in St Johns Shopping Centre, which will be open from November. n www.btrliverpool.com n www.lzp.org.uk

Kidz stuff KIDZ to Adultz North is returning to Liverpool! The exhibition, which showcases products and services for disabled children takes place at the Exhibition Centre, King’s Dock, Liverpool on Thursday December 3 – International Day of Disabled People. Free admission, but you must register in advance, n Tel: 0161 214 4592

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A chance to win and support us

AUTUMN 2026

All Together NOW!

LCVS set up exciting fundraising initiative for city charities

IVERPOOL has got its own online lottery – and it’s been set up exclusively to help good causes.

As well as the chance of winning £25,000, YOU can help raise funds for All Together NOW! or any other local charity. Run by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) and Gatherwell Ltd, the weekly lottery costs just £1 a line of six numbers – with 50p going directly to the charity of your choice. The draws takes place every Saturday at 8pm. You can check results on the Liverpool Community Lottery site, and you will be notified by email when you win.

l Match 6: £25,000 l Match 5: £2,000 l Match 4: £250 l Match 3: £25 l Match 2: 3 free tickets

PLAY NOW: Scan the QR code or go to www.liverpoolcommunitylottery.co.uk – and search for All Together NOW!

BACK IN 2004, John Blades was one of the first to believe in what All Together NOW! was trying to achieve – and helped us secure funding from the now defunct North West Regional Development Agency. Working with Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, he was responsible for giving grants to charities promoting the uptake of Broadband. Fortunately for us, he also saw how a newspaper could be a vital lifeline for vulnerable people and carers who were not online. John’s just been back in touch . . .

£25,000!

l Win up to l Tickets cost just £1 a week l Help give our fundraising a boost

I WAS absolutely delighted to see All Together NOW! available in Arrowe Park Hospital.

Supporting

Thanks again, John

WOW! That brought back some really special memories! I can’t believe how quickly the years have flown. Having seen how the paper is helping so many people makes me feel proud to have been involved in PROUD: John a small way with the initial stages. It certainly has proved to be an extremely worthy cause which shows how the right decisions were made at the time to approve the funding! Everyone at the paper should be so proud of how it has developed over the last 21 years – and quite rightly so! Best wishes to you all – John Blades, Wirral

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AUTUMN 2026

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WHY THIS CHARITY NEWSPAPER IS SO IMPORTANT . . . Millions miss out on help with bills

Rights stripped away as legal aid in crisis DISABLED people are being denied the means to enforce their rights due to a legal aid system at breaking point. Thousands of people with disabilities, older people and families are being left without access to legal advice when councils fail to meet their duties under social care law, say a new report. Research has revealed that England and Wales now face a severe shortage of community care legal aid, with the result that many people cannot challenge unlawful decisions taken about care and support. Community care legal aid covers issues such as Care Act assessments, care packages, direct payments, support for disabled children and care leavers, and disputes with local authorities over social care provision. It is often the only way people can enforce their legal rights when informal complaints have failed. The report, from Dr Jo Wilding at the University of Sussex, reveals that the number of community care legal help cases has fallen from more than 8,500 in 2009/10 to 1,636 in 2024/25 – a reduction of more than 80%. The report includes evidence from lawyers who say they are routinely forced to refuse new clients simply because they lack the capacity to take on more work. Support organisations described repeatedly referring disabled people to community care solicitors, only to discover there was nobody available to take the case. Legal aid fees have not increased since 1996 and were cut by 10% in 2011. As a result, many firms lose money on legal help cases.

Fix tax on disability AS reforms to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) are looked at this winter, the Government has been urged to consider new information about the extra cost of living with disability. Earlier this year, the Timms Review’s interim report concluded that PIP is “not fit for purpose” and is now considering whether the weekly payments adequately contribute towards the additional costs faced by disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Georgina Colman, founder of the money-savings platform Purpl, said: “As the Timms Review considers the future of PIP, it must recognise the full reality of disability-related costs. “Our findings expose a hidden accessibility premium that goes far beyond medical equipment, care and household bills. “An inaccessible website, unsuitable delivery service or physically demanding shopping experience can leave disabled consumers paying more for some things.”

ANNIVERSARY

LET DOWN . . . BY POOR COMMUNICATION D

ISABLED people are at risk of serious harm from public bodies who communicate in ways that are hard or impoossible to access.

How our key services fail to reach most at risk

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found disabled people not receiving the information they needed to make vital decisions about their healthcare, finances or employment because services failed to provide accessible formats such as audio materials or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. The Ombudsman’s findings, detailed in the report, Spotlight On Accessible Communication: Your Stories, Your Rights, reveals instances where disabled people were left confused, distressed, and financially worse off because information was inaccessible to them. Rebecca Hilsenrath, head of the PHSO, said: “Good communication is fundamental to safe and effective public services. Yet for too many people, public services are falling short. “When people feel they are not listened to and that their needs are not met, they lose trust in the very services designed to support them. “Public services have a duty to communicate clearly in a range of formats to meet the needs of people who use their services. This must be consistently built into service delivery. “Organisations must listen to people who use their services and make improvements so that services

are inclusive, safe and effective for everyone.” The report highlights how a deaf woman was given the wrong vaccination at a GP surgery because staff failed to provide a BSL interpreter. Samantha, whose first language is BSL, attended the surgery for a pre-booked flu vaccination, but instead was given the COVID-19 vaccination without her consent. She said there was no interpreter present, and staff attempted to communicate with her through her grandmother, without knowing whether she knew sign language. Staff also failed to show her the NHS COVID-19 vaccination video which explains the vaccine and possible side effects in BSL. Samantha later experienced side effects she had not been expecting. Had she been allergic to any component of the vaccine, the error could have had serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. She said: “I have completely lost trust and confidence in having any type of injection. “In the past, I would confidently attend blood tests or any procedures involving injections, but now I feel very nervous and anxious.” n The Ombudsman’ investigates complaints about UK Government departments and NHS England.

BOSSES of utility and broadband companies are being told to improve awareness of the help available to customers struggling to pay bills, Millions of people are missing out on support for essential bills, says the National Audit Office (NAO), as debt to water and energy companies climbs over £7 billion. The watchdog says consumers struggle to contact their providers and are not always aware of support available to help manage their billss. The NAO found only 39% of water customers and a third of eligible broadband customers who are struggling to pay their bills are aware of social tariffs. Energy customers on repayment plans owe around £1,000 less than those without one in place. Since the watchdog’s last consumer debt report in 2019, regulators have strengthened protections, and have tissued multimillion-pound fines to providers where service and performance fall short of expectations.

Delays Ofwat and Ofgem have overseen an uptake in registration for company priority services registers, although consumer awareness remains low. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “Regulators have made progress to support consumers, but they’re not keeping up with the pressure now facing millions of households. “With debt rising sharply, it’s more important than ever to make regulation work so that people know what support is available and can contact essential providers when they need to.” The NAO also recommends regulators tackle inaccurate billing, delays when people move home and barriers that prevent consumers from switching tariffs. The watchdog found that industry practices account for an estimated 35% of customer energy debt.

Engaging with 250,000 people across the region . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

AUTUMN 2026

LET’S KEEP THIS COMMUNITY LIFELINE ALIVE . . .

All Together NOW!

Reaching the people too often ignored AS LIVERPOOL celebrates 21 years of All Together NOW! it is important that we recognise the vital role this publication plays in reaching people who are too often overlooked.

FRUSTRATION: Trying to navigate banking, health care, utilities and other online services is a cause of shame, stress, and anxiety for many

Alone and afraid in a digital world

ORE research highlights how frustrating and isolating life is becoming for many vulnerable people. Across the UK, there are about 22 million who are digitally excluded – about one in three, say UK charity AbilityNet. This includes around 300,000 people across the Liverpool City Region – many of whom are disabled or over 65. That may be shocking enough. But research by telecoms organisation Mova and AbilityNet reveals that many vulnerable people owning a computer or smartphone still face huge problems – and cumulative psychological harm – when trying to get essential help online or decipher complicated and confusing services. Finding their way around banking, healthcare, utilities, benefits and telecoms services are among the online tasks that are causing shame, stress, anxiety, exhaustion, reduced independence, financial loss and increased reliance on informal carers, says the report, Inclusive by Design, based on indepth interviews with people experiencing a broad range of vulnerabilities. One participant described what happened when an online process defeated her: “I lost out on three months’ money because I just… I just didn’t have the strength. It taxes my brain so much…My savings ran out, then I had to sign on. It’s taken a toll on my mental health. I get really annoyed with myself. I feel useless. I’m only 61”. The research found that poor website

Vulnerability is widespread l The Financial Conduct Authority estimates that 49% of UK adults – 26.4 million – show at least one characteristic of vulnerability, with many experiencing multiple overlapping challenges. l Poor website experiences can affect mental wellbeing: repeated failed interactions can escalate from frustration and anger to shame, anxiety, dread, avoidance and loss of confidence. l The impact can extend to carers: poor service design can increase reliance on family members, friends and informal carers, many of whom are already managing their own pressures. l Digital isn’t inherently the problem: participants valued well-designed digital services, including healthcare apps and video support. The issue arises when services are inaccessible, difficult to complete or provide no route to human help. design transfers pressures onto family members, friends and informal carers. Almost every participant either relied on support from someone else to manage key aspects of their life or was themselves acting as a carer for someone more vulnerable while managing their own vulnerabilities. Many were anxious about what would

happen to the people they support if they could no longer help. The report is clear that participants are not opposed to digital services. Many valued banking apps, NHS services, biometric authentication, video support and AI-powered tools, and described well-designed apps as life-changing. Problems arose when forms were difficult to complete and no effective alternative existed. Common barriers included authentication failures, timeouts that lost progress, and processes requiring multiple devices. Telephone support remained essential for the most vulnerable. Notably, participants, including some with very limited digital capability, described turning to AI tools for immediate and plain language answers when traditional websites had failed them. Ben Roome, CEO of Mova, said: “Too often, vulnerability is treated as a niche issue rather than something that can affect any of us at different points in our lives. “Inclusive service design cannot be an afterthought. Service providers, regulators, industry bodies, civil society and government need to work together to make inclusive service the norm, not the exception.” Ellen Martin, Research and Evaluation Manager at AbilityNet, added: “Service providers are not yet doing enough to support their vulnerable customers. “This research highlights the widespread frustrations and harms that inaccessible services cause.”

Engaging with 250,000 people across the region . . .

For tens of Councillor Liam Robinson thousands of Leader of Liverpool City Council residents who are digitally excluded, this newspaper is not just a source of information – it is a lifeline that connects them to their community, to opportunities, and to support. All Together NOW! has stood as a powerful example of what inclusive communication looks like in practice, ensuring that older people, disabled residents, carers and vulnerable communities are not left behind. As we mark this milestone, I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and commitment. At the same time, more support is needed to secure its future. I would encourage partners, organisations and businesses across our region to get behind this invaluable publication so it can continue to inform, empower and connect our communities for many years to come.

Two decades of promoting equality CONGRATULATIONS to All Together NOW! on your 21st anniversary – a fantastic testament to more than two decades of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across our communities. On behalf of everyone at Everton in the Community, thank you for your continued support of our charity and the work we do across the Liverpool City Region. Keep up the fantastic work. Here’s to many more years of making a positive difference – Sue Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Everton in the Community

Essential lifeline FOR 21 YEARS, All Together NOW! has brought connection and comfort to so many patients across all our Liverpool University Hospitals, providing an essential lifeline for people who may otherwise struggle to access important information. We commend the dedication of the team in continuing to serve some of the most vulnerable members of our community – Emily Naylor, Voluntary Services Manager, L’pool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

AUTUMN 2026

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

HELP KEEP THIS VITAL NEWSPAPER ALIVE

Airport’s access service on the up

Train station safety fears for women ACCESS needs at Britain’s railway stations remain inconsistent, inadequate or nonexistent, a new investigation has revealed. The shortcomings affect all passengers with mobility needs but disproportionately impact women, particularly disabled women, older women, and mothers travelling with young children, the research found. Leading women’s charity Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) was testing safety standards across 373 stations and 985 platforms throughout the UK. A significant minority of stations lack step-free access between platforms, while inaccessible lifts, steep ramps and platform restrictions can prevent independent travel. Researchers also found that the replacement of printed timetables with QR code-based information can disadvantage partially sighted passengers. SIGBI Gillie O’Rourke said: “For women already concerned about personal safety while travelling, being unable to independently access another platform, use a lift, or complete a journey without staff assistance can increase both anxiety and vulnerability.” They are calling for the acceleration of step-free access programmes, the removal of mandatory Passenger Assist pre-booking requirements where operationally possible, and action to address the growing impact of staffing cuts on disability provision. SIGBI has been campaigning for safer railways for women for over 30 years.

£1m to get us moving AN inclusive flight planning service that enables information about mobility aids to be shared securely with airlines, airports and ground handling teams is among ideas that have won cash backing. In all, 11 projects have each won a share of more than £1 million to develop and test solutions that remove barriers across the UK’s transport system. The funding comes from Scaling Innovation, a programme that brings together money, research evidence, lived experience and specialist expertise to support organisations developing practical solutions to accessibility challenges. It helps promising accessible transport innovations progress from early-stage ideas towards testing, practical application and wider adoption. Other projects include accessible journey planning and navigation technology, an open standard for sharing information about walking and wheeling routes, and a national approach to identifying suitable charging locations for powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Scaling Innovation is run by the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat), in partnership with the governmentbacked agency Connected Places Catapult.

– BACK PAGE

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport has been awarded the highest possible rating for accessibility from the UK’s regulator.

GOODWILL HUNTING: Tom with the vital DaVinci attachment that provoked an angry reaction

Park & ride or bark & rude?! A

TTITUDES MATTER … they can either make you or break you.

him for getting the ramp out, I tried,

Editor Tom quietly, to point out that he had acted wrongly. But he became angrier, shouting in Dowling front of awaiting passengers that he was right and I was wrong. on his big I’ve since had a full apology from First Bus and assurances that courses regarding bus bust-up refresher wheelchairs and attachments is now a

And if you’re disadvantaged in any way, then the reactions of others can have a massive impact – good or otherwise. Before the ant-discrimination law of the mid-90s, millions of us with disabilities had to rely on sheer goodwill to enable us to do the kind of everyday things that most take for granted. Simple things like using public transport and getting on a bus. So much of the system was inaccessible. Today, transport providers are making things much easier for everyone. But, no matter how many billions are invested, it’s all got be backed up with ongoing staff training – and promoting good attitudes. During the summer, I made a family trip to York to try out the city’s wheelchair accessible park & ride service, operated by First Bus. No problems on the journey into the city centre. Returning was a different matter. Complying with First Bus rules, we unclipped the DaVinci lithium-powered wheel attachment to my chair and attempted to board. The driver, however, intervened: “You’re not bringing that on,” he shouted. “Company rules don’t allow electric bikes or lithium batteries. It’s a safety hazard – it could harm a child if it fell – and the battery could explode.” When I explained the “bike” was actutally a vital part of my wheelchair and that it had not been an issue on the inward trip, he reluctantly agreed to let us bring it on board. “But only this once!” he shouted. Disembarking, things deteriorated. While thanking

priority for all their drivers. Megan Hope-Rushforth, service delivery director at First Bus, said: “The service you received fell below the high standards we expect and strive to deliver for all our customers. “You were correct in highlighting that a power device attached to a wheelchair – such as a front wheel that converts it into a trike – is permitted on board our vehicles, provided it has been detached from the wheelchair before boarding. “We will be providing refresher training to our driving team as a matter of priority to ensure the correct policy is fully understood and consistently applied.” Meanwhile, Councillor Kate Ravilious, executive member for transport for City of York Council, added: “We welcome First’s apology and commitment to driver training. Fully accessible public transport is non-negotiable for us and is a key priority to ensure that residents and visitors have positive experiences travelling in York. “We’ve been investing to make the start and finish of journeys better too, with accessible bus stop kerbs, improved seating and waiting areas at bus stops, plus audio announcements and electronic display real-time bus service information.”

Now that’s the kind of attitude we at All Together NOW! like …

It marks a steady improvement in its service for passengers with disabilities or mobility issues from two years ago when the Civil Aviation Authority deemed the airport “in need of improvement”. Liverpool was among 19 UK airports to receive a “very good” rating this time round, along with Manchester Airport, in the regulator’s annual airport accessibility report. An LJLA spokesman said: “We are delighted. ‘Very good’ is the CAA’s top grade, and the result underlines our commitment to our passengers and those with accessibility requirements.” Overall, the CAA report found continued improvements in airport accessibility – with no ratings of “poor” or “needs improvement” this year – alongside record demand for assistance services. Since 2015, requests for assistance have increased by 115.8%, compared with overall passenger growth of 23.9%. While the report highlights the progress made by airports, it also shows that disabled passengers continue to face challenges when travelling. The CAA’s latest aviation consumer survey found overall passenger satisfaction with air travel reached 88% – the highest level since the survey began in 2016. However, satisfaction among passengers with accessibility or disability needs was lower, at 82%. And the survey found 58% of disabled consumers reported difficulties accessing or using airports and flying, with the most common needs relating to walking, standing or carrying luggage.

Engaging with 250,000 people across the region . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

AUTUMN 2026

All Together NOW!

Spotting ‘bogus callers’ Stay safe, stay con昀dent We know that feeling safe - whether at home or on the phone - really matters. Unfortunately, there are people who use the United Utilities name to try and trick our customers into providing their personal details or get access to their home to steal items of value. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to turn the tables on phone scammers and doorstep criminals by following some simple advice.

On the phone If a call feels suspicious, it’s always best to trust your instincts. For example, we’ll never call you from a mobile number asking for your bank or credit card details. If in doubt, hang up. We’ll never pressure you to pay for services you’ve not requested from us. Then call us on 0345 672 3723 to check if the caller is genuine. This advice also applies to text messages - if they look suspicious or are asking for bank details, don’t click on any links, call us to check.

On the doorstep All our employees who visit your home will carry an ID card. So, if a person knocks on your door claiming to be from United Utilities saying they need to check your taps or toilet, ask to see their ID card. Then, ask them to wait outside and close the door while you call us on 0345 672 3723 to check they are genuine. We’ll always be happy for you to do this and will never pressure you to enter your home.

Protect yourself with a password If you’ve not already registered for our password scheme you can do this online at unitedutilities.com/priorityservices. Then, when we call you or visit your home, we will quote your password so you know the person is genuine. It’s a really easy way to protect yourself from scammers and doorstep criminals.

Remember – never feel under pressure to provide personal information or bank details to someone at your door or on the phone without checking with us 昀rst.

Support when you need it most We can all bene昀t from a bit of extra help at some stage in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mental health problems, 昀nancial worries or language barriers. Registering for Priority Services is free and it means you will bene昀t from additional services to support your particular needs. Services include: • A dedicated team to listen and help • Braille, large print, ‘talking’ bills and text relay service • Knock and wait service if you have mobility needs • Nominate a carer, family member or friend to speak to us on your behalf • Additional support if you have a medical need for water • Protection from bogus callers with a password protection scheme • Notice of interruptions to your water supply • Translation services

All Together NOW!

AUTUMN 2026

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SAVE THIS VITAL LIFELINE MEDICAL NOTES The diabetes pump helping set kids free LIFE-changing technology for children with Type 1 diabetes has been rolled out across Merseyside and Cheshire. The so-called hybrid closed loop system is helping hundreds of children and families better manage their condition with less disruption, less anxiety and greater independence. Children using it are experiencing fewer instances of high and low blood sugar levels, better sleep, and greater confidence at school and during activities. The technology has been introduced at Arrowe Park, Warrington and Whiston hospitals. One child said: “I have been on a pump for six months now and it’s changed my life completely.” Dr Fiona Lemmens, executive clinical director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “The impact of this technology on children and families cannot be overstated. “We are seeing young people who feel more confident, more independent, and far less defined by their condition.”

Booze shops targeted SHOPS selling booze near hospital sites across Liverpool have been targeted as part of a zero alcohol policy. An alcohol ban has been put in place at Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, alongside a host of community services. The programme was developed due to concerns about the availability of alcohol near hospital sites and the risks this can pose to a patient’s treatment and recovery. Volunteers posing as hospital patients attempting to buy alcohol from nearby retailers found that refusal rates have soared from 33% to 80% following targeted engagement and awareness raising. Public support for the initiative is also high, with 92% of surveyed patients backing the approach.

Families kept in loop FAMILIES and carers of cancer patients continue to be more involved in their treatment, NHS research shows. The latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey found sustained improvements in how well services involve patients’ loved ones.

How AI is saving our skin USING artificial intelligence to diagnose skin cancer is slashing waiting times and potentially saving lives across Merseyside and Cheshire. The technology recognises cancerous, pre-cancerous and common harmless skin conditions through photographic images taken of a patient’s mole or skin lesion. If skin lesions are flagged as potentially pre-malignant or malignant, patients receive faster access to care. In Cheshire and Merseyside in 2025-26, 4,640 unnecessary face-to-face appointments were avoided as a result, with substantial time and money saved in outpatient appointments and biopsies.

The NICE-recommended technology, DERM, is now being used across NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. Figures show DERM is 99.9% accurate when ruling out melanoma and 97% sensitive when detecting skin cancer. It is being used at Liverpool University Hospitals, Mid Cheshire Hospitals, Countess of Chester Hospital, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, North Cheshire and Mersey, and Wirral University Teaching Hospital. l Cancer Research UK says new melanoma cases across the country rose above 20,000 for the first time, placing great demand on dermatology services.

DON’T BE TOO SHY TO SAVE YOUR LIFE Question stroke patients must ask GP

ORK is under way to ensure life-saving medication is provided for the one in three stroke survivors missing out. Stroke survivors not taking essential preventative medication have an increased risk of suffering a second – often more disabling – episode. They are up to 15 times more likely to have a stroke than someone who has never had one. Treatment like statins (to reduce artery-blocking cholesterol) and anticoagulants (to prevent dangerous blood clots) can cut the risk of a second stroke by up to 66%. But national research shows 20% to 40% of eligible patients miss out. A major study taking place at the University of Bradford aims to uncover practical barriers to vital medications. Early results of the research have revealed clear inequalities: women and younger stroke

survivors appear less likely to receive cholesterol-lowering medication after their first stroke. Public health researcher Dr Alejandro Gonzalez Aquines said: “A second stroke can be devastating. The medications that help prevent it are well understood, safe, and widely available – but too many people still slip through the net. “By understanding who is missing out and why, we can help health services close that gap.” Dr Aquines said the clearest takeaway for stroke survivors was simple. “Ask your healthcare team whether you are receiving the full set of medicines recommended to reduce your risk of a second stroke. “Ask specifically about blood pressure medication, cholesterollowering (statins), and blood thinners (anticoagulants) if you have been diagnosed with heart rhythm problems. “And if you are not sure, ask again. These are life-saving conversations.”

Five key questions for your doctor l Am I on the recommended medication to prevent another stroke? l Do I need statins, blood thinners, or both?

– BACK PAGE

Hospital care – in your home TENS of thousands of people in Cheshire and Merseyside received urgent care at home in the last year – avoiding often traumatic trips to A&E departments. Just over 62,600 people in the region were helped by the NHS Urgent Community Response (UCR) service, allowing them to remain independent for longer. UCR teams provide rapid assessment and treatment for adults experiencing an urgent health or social care crisis, who might otherwise attend hospital or be admitted as an inpatient. The teams aim to respond within two hours and provide a range of services including diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, rehabilitation and short-term support. One patient who benefited from the service was an 86-year-old man living independently in supported accommodation in Chester.

Blood tests

CLOSING THE GAP: Dr Alejandro Gonzalez Aquines

l How often should my medications be reviewed? l What should I watch for in terms of side effects? l Are there support options if I struggle with mobility, communication or accessing care?

After a fall boarding a minibus left him unable to stand, a 999 call was made, and he was referred to the Cheshire West UCR Response team. After assessing him, clinicians decided he could be safely treated at home. He received a face-to-face visit within two hours, with observations and blood tests completed at home. A GP reviewed the results and adjusted his antibiotic treatment the same day, while the team also provided tailored care to support his needle phobia. The patient was then transferred to the Hospital At Home service for ongoing monitoring and therapy aimed at reducing future falls risk. Dr Fiona Lemmens, from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Community-based care can have a significant impact when services work together.”

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SAVE THIS VITAL LIFELINE

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The smart way to spot and treat Parkinson’s

EOPLE’S smartphones are set to diagnose Parkinson’s by spotting changes in the way they move.

An AI system is being developed which could accelerate the early detection and monitoring of Parkinson’s using smart phone video recordings. The project focuses on analysing subtle movement abnormalities in people which often precede a formal Parkinson’s diagnosis. At present, a diagnosis relies on a neurologist’s visual reading of signs like bradykinesia, a characteristic slowness of movement. This requires both experienced clinicians and long-term patient motivation. Dr Ramzi Jaber, at the University of Bradford, is leading the project, supported by Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Hospital de Clínicas in Brazil. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological

disorder involving increased difficulties with movement and coordination. Symptoms include tremors, muscle rigidity, balance impairment and bradykinesia. Neurologists currently score patients using a 50-question assessment of motor and non-motor symptoms. Dr Jaber said: “One of the project’s initial aims was to enable remote detection of movement disorders from analysis of video recordings of a patient performing a range of movement tasks.

Reducing falls “Users could record videos on their smartphones of themselves performing these tasks and upload them to the cloud for analysis. “By applying AI to these videos, we can transform subjective clinician judgement of movement abnormalities into objective data, allowing us to accurately track how Parkinson’s symptoms change over time.”

Join choir and put a song in your heart I

T’S usually filed away as something you either “can do” or “can’t do” – something for choirs, talent shows or the shower if nobody’s listening. But doctors say singing is one of the most overlooked wellbeing habits, with research showing only one in five people think it’s something worth doing later in life. Yet among those who do sing, the perceived benefits are hard to ignore. Four in five say it improves breathing and lung health. More than eight in 10 report better mood and lower stress. And nearly eight in 10 believe it helps keep memory sharp and supports brain function. Dr Asimah Hanif, a GP at medical travel insurance provider Staysure – which surveyed 2,000 people – says there is

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Because having Parkinson’s is associated with having an increased falls risk, the Bradford team is also developing an AI system that can be used to automatically assess lower-limb functioning, particularly the ankle, which has been linked to falls. In trials, which started in 2019 with 120 participants, the AI systems have shown potential not only for Parkinson’s detection but also for identifying fall risk in older adults. As well as early screening, the team says the system can be used for ongoing monitoring. For people with Parkinson’s, regular at-home recordings could allow clinicians to track symptom progression or treatment response with far greater precision than occasional visits to a clinic. Similarly, for older adults with declining health, recordings could track changes in fall risk, so that any significant change in risk could trigger early interventions.

MEDICAL NOTES Easier to buy car than pick cancer therapy THREE out of five men say they felt better informed buying their last car than when deciding on a treatment for prostate cancer. Despite prostate cancer being the most diagnosed form in the UK – with over 63,000 new cases every year – a study reveals an alarming knowledge gap when it comes to treatment options. Research shows nearly half of men don’t feel fully informed when they receive a prostate cancer diagnosis and when choosing their treatment. Worryingly more than a third of patients are never told about all the choices on offer. Dr Yae-eun Suh, an oncologist at GenesisCare UK, which commissioned the research, said: “Patients should be fully informed of the appropriate treatment options available at the time of diagnosis, together with the potential pathways should primary treatment not achieve long-term control.” GenesisCare has launched a number of helpful tools on their website. n www.www.genesiscare.com/uk

Care hEDS right way DISTRESSING gut problems in people with a genetic disorder are not caused in the way medical experts had believed. A new discovery could lead to better care for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), who suffer persistent and at times severe symptoms in the upper gut. Until now it was thought physical problems with the gullet – how it moves (motility) or handles acid – were responsible. But University of Nottingham research found signals passing between the brain and the gut are more likely to blame.

Peppermint remedy IN TUNE: Singing is great for physical and mental health

growing scientific backing for these claims, even if the habit itself is often dismissed. “Singing involves controlled breathing, which may support respiration and posture, while also helping to reduce stress by calming the nervous system,” she explains. “Group singing has been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety, partly through the release of endorphins and partly through the social connection it creates.” Anjula Mutanda, a TV psychologist working with stairlift company Stannah, said: “Singing with others in a group has been shown to increase oxytocin – sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” associated with social bonding – helping to cultivate close connections with others in the group.” It’s that combination of physical and

psychological effects that makes it particularly interesting from a health perspective. Not just for the lungs, but for the brain too. “Learning lyrics, keeping time and singing in sync with others engages the brain, helping to support memory, focus and cognitive function,” said Dr Hanif. But arguably the most powerful impact is through connection. “Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a risk factor for poor health, particularly as we age,” he added. “Being part of a choir provides regular social interaction and a sense of belonging, and group activities like choirs can play an important role in supporting emotional wellbeing.”

Engaging with 250,000 people across the region . . .

PEPPERMINT oil could be the answer for many people with high blood pressure. The discovery was made by a team at the University of Lancashire. A study showed a daily intake of 100 microlitres of peppermint oil, taken twice a day over 20 days, lowered the systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by an average of 8.5mmHg. Dr Jonnie Sinclair said: “Peppermint oil is low in calories and price so it’s proved to be a very simple and costeffective solution to potentially treat millions of people around the world.” l Always check with your GP before trying any health supplements.

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Motability bill blow

Approved Used Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

PEOPLE leasing Motability cars are set to lose more than £400 each on average as a result of tax changes, says the company that runs the scheme. But after changes by the company in response – including a big jump in excess mileage charges – many could find themselves a lot more out of pocket. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced she was imposing VAT at 20% on most advance payments for cars leased through the Motability scheme and removing the current 12% insurance premium tax exemption. Only vehicles with substantial adaptations for wheelchair and stretcher users were exempt from the new taxes, which have now taken effect on new leases. Motability Operations, the company which runs the scheme, has said it will absorb some of the extra costs but claim the impact of the tax changes will see customers pay an extra £400 on average through increases to advance payments for like-for-like vehicles. It could not yet confirm how much extra disabled customers will pay through increased excess mileage charges and the other changes.

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‘Disabled man gets first free car’ FLASHBACK: October 1948 … Disabled Man Gets First Free Car – Presented by the Minister of Pensions. And here’s how it was reported: The first free car to go to a disabled ex-serviceman – a £309 Ford – was presented today by Mr H.A. Marquand, Minister of Pensions, to 26 year-old Michael Flanders, an infantile paralysis victim, at the latter’s Hampstead Home.

With the car goes a cheque for £11.5s.0d – first part of the £45 a year upkeep allowance. About 1,500 disabled men are to get free cars. RIGHT: Michael Flanders is lifted to the car for his first ride. He was soon able to transfer himself into the car from his wheelchair, but relied on others to store the chair in the boot.

What a difference 80 years makes THANKFULLY, getting in and out of cars is a lot easier than it was back in 1948. This updated version of the Milford Person Lift makes assisted transfers easier in today’s increasingly tall SUVs, crossovers and other larger vehicles. n Mobility in Motion: Tel. 0800 288 4422. Prices from £2,995

ALL YOU NEED IS DAVINCI At DaVinci Mobility we can make virtually any wheelchair to your exact specification — that’s what we’ve been doing since the 1990s and we have thousands of happy customers who come back whenever they need an upgrade. We love to chat about all things mobility related to help our customers, so please get in touch to discuss your requirements. Call: 0151 548 1999 Email: Sales@Davincimobility.co.uk Follow: @DavincimobilityLTD

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Comedy great first to perform in wheelchair on West End stage MICHAEL Flanders was a world-renowned actor, broadcaster and performer of comedy songs along with Donald Swann. He contracted polio aged 21 in 1943 while serving in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. The infection paralysed him, requiring him to spend a substantial period in an iron lung and three years in various hospitals. His attempts to return to Christ Church, Oxford, to finish his history degree were thwarted when university authorities refused to readmit him because the campus could not accommodate wheelchairs. Flanders adjusted his focus to radio broadcasting

and writing. In 1948, he crossed paths again with his old school friend, composer Donald Swann. This reconnection sparked their legendary professional partnership, which included The Hippopotamus Song and their hit revue At the Drop of a Hat). He also became a pioneer for disability representation as the first wheelchair user to perform on Broadway and in London’s West End, using his platform to passionately campaign for accessible public transport and spaces. After his sudden death while holidaying in Betwys-y-Coed in 1975, aged 53, his wife Claudia continued his campaigning work for wheelchair users.

12 All Together NOW!

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‘

BOOKS

Slowly the weight of my experiences began to lift

Matthew Kenslow with his book, The Tireless Advocate (Amazon)

Working tirelessly to inspire others ZACHARY Corwin grew up facing relentless bullying and discrimination. Diagnosed with autism aged six and viewed as awkward by some, he was often underestimated and overlooked but refused to let those barriers define his future. Driven by perseverance and purpose, Zachary continued to pursue his passions. Despite suffering burnout and losses in his life, he completed his education, achieving a maths degree and teaching certificate. He began putting pen to paper, published a couple of books about being autistic, then turning to social media he reached millions of followers, encouraging them to believe in themselves. As a student teacher, teaching mathematics, he went above and beyond to help students, not just academically, but motivating them to pursue their goals, disabled or not. He became a respected educator and sought-after teacher, inspiring students with his positivity and authenticity, adding some juggling and sleight-of-hand to maintain their attention. While giving back through volunteer assemblies and reaching tens of thousands of lives, he continued to overcome recurring rejection and adversity with unwavering determination. The Tireless Advocate is based on the real-life experiences of Matthew Kenslow—autistic, author, speaker, and educator. It is a compelling and emotional journey of resilience, purpose, and impact—a story that proves even in the face of constant obstacles, one person’s courage can change the lives of many.

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DEGREES OF SUCCESS: Georgia celebrating her graduation at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and, right, as a Youth Ambassador for Nerve Tumours UK

Finally, I feel like I’m truly understood J

OINT and abdominal pain, headaches, disrupted sleep, sight issues . . . just some of the persistent and worrying symptoms I faced aged nine. Doctors at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital informed my parents that I had been diagnosed with the rare condition Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and life in my teens was to prove ever more challenging. If you had told me back then that one day I would speak openly and confidently about my journey, I would not have believed you. But today I no longer ask, why me? I understand that my brain and body work differently, and that this difference is not something to fear or hide. Childhood was shaped by frequent hospital visits, numerous scans, ongoing monitoring, and eventually two surgeries to remove growths. Alongside this, I underwent repeated laser treatments for hypertrichosis – excessive hair growth on my forehead – something that became a focal point for ridicule. It was the feature others noticed most, and the one I went to great lengths to conceal. The emotional toll was profound. I became deeply self-conscious, constantly aware of how I might be perceived. But the physical aspects were only part of the story. School brought its own challenges. I was often labelled as “too chatty,” “easily distracted”, and “lacking co-ordination”.

by GEORGIA BAUM These comments appeared repeatedly in reports yet never captured the full picture. I was struggling in ways that were not understood. Unbeknown to me at the time, I was navigating my education with ADHD. It was not until after I had left school that I received a diagnosis. There were moments when it felt as though no one truly listened or understood my struggles. My parents worked tirelessly to advocate for me, hoping for understanding that rarely came. For years, I had believed my struggles were personal failings rather than the result of underlying conditions. I spent time in counselling, trying to understand myself and rebuild my self-image, and was even supported by Tier 3 (severe) mental health services. Achieving a first-class honours degree in education and early years at Liverpool John Moores University provided a rare bright spot. I was among 20 students selected to teach English in Thailand to children aged three to five. It was a massive shock to the system as the way of life was completely different to what I know, but I fell in love with the culture during three weeks of teaching and another three weeks travelling independently. The whole experience was an incredible

privilege and something I will always be grateful for, especially after the hard years I endured. But then in 2020 I went through one of the most frightening periods of my life. Told I had developed something on my brain. I became severely unwell and began having seizures, something I had never previously associated with NF1. It was during this time that I discovered Nerve Tumours UK. For the first time, I found a community that truly understood. I no longer felt alone. We developed a great relationship, and I am now proudly a Youth Ambassador for the charity, helping others going through similar things to myself. Gradually, the weight of my earlier experiences began to lift. The bullying, the misunderstandings, the years of feeling unseen no longer defined me in the same way. In fact, they have helped me within my role and have strengthened my determination to do more for the NF community. NF1 has taught me resilience, empathy and the importance of raising awareness in a world that often overlooks what it does not immediately see.

Looking back on it all, it is difficult to fully grasp how far I have come. l Nerve Tumours UK Support line: 0300 012 0275 www.nervetumours.org.uk/

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You don’t have to watch daytime telly to feel old . . . but it helps A

SEETHING resentment was building inside me as I approached the nice young woman behind the counter at a local leisure centre.

‘

For she it was who, on a previous visit, had dared to assume that I qualified for the reduced over-60s rate and charged me accordingly when in fact I was barely 59 and three quarters Why, you may reasonably ask, would I so strongly object to paying less? Was it because I am a thoroughly honest and upstanding member of society? God, no. Was it because I am vain and insecure and can’t bear the thought that someone might think me the age that I am, give or take a few weeks? Maybe. What would her response have been had I complained? “Don’t be so ungrateful”? “It’s not my fault that you have so visibly failed to lead a wholesome life”? Maybe she would have said, “I was just trying to be helpful”, Or: “Don’t be so ungrateful you moaning old get.” “Moaning get” I will take. It’s the other bit I object to.

Life is not cheap Of course, some people, lacking a deep sense of inadequacy and obsessive rejection of their chronological age, seize every opportunity to cash in on their concessionary entitlements. And why not. Life is not cheap after all, and why would they not want to save a few bob here and there if they can, not to mention accept a helping hand from a willing stranger. They might be grateful to the twentysomething chap kindly offering to give up his seat on the train for them, whereas my inclination would be to give him a sharp slap. More recently, however, I have tried taking a more benign, accepting view of my age; no longer raging against the dying of the light, while still strongly objecting to it. I have long abandoned my plan to stop the clock, to never again acknowledge another birthday and instead see out my time in blissful ignorance of the years accumulated. That strategy lasted as long as it took to

I refuse to have any truck with the ‘O’ word

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Support for jobseekers facing extra challenges

IVERPOOL in Work delivers the Government-backed Connect to Work programme for the city and can give you support. Connect to Work can help you if you live in Liverpool, are aged 18 or over, and you face extra challenges due to: l A disability or health condition, including your mental health. l Neurodiversity. l Other challenges to starting or staying in a job. The free programme offers tailored, one-to-one support to help you find work that suits your skills and circumstances. To find out more or ask for support, use the links below. https://liverpool.gov.uk/jobs-andtraining/liverpool-in-work/support-forjobseekers-facing-extra-challenges/ https://www.liverpoolcityregionca.gov.uk/connect-to-work

– GERRY CORNER

book a table at a local restaurant, who insisted on knowing my date of birth before allowing me to eat a pepperoni pizza. But while I’m now perfectly happy to admit my age (somewhere around the middle of my sixties if you must know) I refuse to have any truck with the “O” word. Telling yourself you are old is inviting trouble if you ask me. Some people carry the years as a great weight. They hit 60 and assume every ache and twinge is as unstoppable as the rain; see only a future spent squinting at supermarket labels, watching Lorraine, and forgetting where they put their keys/phone/glasses/grandchildren. Not me. You won’t find me complaining that music was better in my day or that I am baffled by modern technology. Although it was. And I am. This is not denial, it’s simple psychology. Act like an oldie and you will be an oldie. Six months ago, I realised I was beginning to struggle to put my trousers on. Rather than resigning myself, I took the advice of a friend and took up yoga. Six months on, I am not just donning trousers like a teenager (albeit a severely out of condition teenager), I am expanding my knowledge and slowing my cognitive decline by learning all the weird and wonderful names of the many yoga poses. Who knew, for instance, that a half pigeon is actually an excellent way to loosen tight hips and not, as you probably thought, the grim aftermath of a collision between an inattentive bird and a Dunlop radial.

Namaste!

Engaging with 250,000 people across the region . . .

You can also call 0151 233 5312 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Connect to Work is funded by the UK Government. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been awarded funding by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help support residents across all six local authority areas - Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

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Perilous journey pushing limits of possibility

CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONS: Shaun and his team on the 2024 Zambezi expedition

ENTERING THE DR W

HEELCHAIR adventurer Shaun Gash has been taking on one of the world’s most demanding environments in a unique challenge. The father of three, from Lancaster, was leading a three-man wheelchair team on an expedition across Indonesia’s remote Komodo National Park. Kayaking more than 100 kilometres through open ocean during manta ray and turtle migration season, Shaun, 55, fellow adventurer Liam Morris, 36, and Lancaster Bulldogs wheelchair basketball and Wigan Warriors’ rugby league star Jack Neatis were navigating powerful currents, long distances and unpredictable conditions. Camping on uninhabited islands, including the famous Pink Beach, they needed armed park rangers to protect them from Komodo dragons, which combine massive size and razor-sharp teeth with potent venom that stops blood from clotting. On the water, each team member was kayaking independently, supported by boats carrying wheelchairs, food, tents and safety equipment. The expedition is raising vital funds for Spinal Research, Spinal Injuries Scotland, Leukaemia Luke UK, and Chameleon Bodies. The Challenge follows

Shaun’s previous Zambezi River expedition – a 300km-long canoe trek in hippo-filled waters – but brings added complexity and the need for stronger safety planning. Speaking before the death of team member Michelle Anna Moffatt, Shaun, 55, said: “This is absolutely my most ambitious challenge to date – nothing’s ever come close to it in terms of difficulty. “It’s been months in planning, but I couldn’t be more excited to get started. We’ve assembled the absolute dream team, and I know everyone has got what it takes to see this challenge through.

Serious blow “I’m mostly looking forward to visiting Pink Beach, but more than that, it’s about proving these places don’t have to be off‑limits.” Shaun was paralysed in 1992 from the chest down following a car crash at the age of 20. The accident broke his back, wrist and shoulder, punctured both of his lungs and doctors believed he would only have days to live. In 2018, he suffered another serious blow, losing half of his right leg in a mountaineering accident. During a fundraising trek up Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Shaun’s leg became trapped under the off-road wheelchair he was in. Since he had no feeling in the limb, it wasn’t until

his group stopped to shelter from a hailstorm that they noticed the damage. His lower right leg had to be amputated following the accident, but he vowed to continue his fundraising work. Rather than scaling back his ambitions, he has continued to pursue increasingly challenging expeditions, driven by a belief that action is the most powerful way to change perceptions. He added: “People still underestimate what wheelchair users can do. If this changes how even a few organisations or individuals think, it’s worth it.” Three team members will use RGK FX wheelchairs, chosen for their ability to fold compactly for boat transport and perform well on varied terrain once ashore, with additional front wheels providing off-road stability. The expedition was being supported by Sunrise Medical, the parent group of RGK, which has helped fund support boats and crew. Shaun, who works as an international product specialist for RGK, says authenticity was central to the expedition. “I wanted to use the same type of equipment people rely on day to day,” he said. “It helps show that independence and adventure aren’t separate things – they’re connected.” The journey has required months of dialogue with expedition operators, adjusting safety

protocols and logistics to accommod wheelchair users at sea. Shaun described the process as a curve for everyone involved: “The op learning too – and that’s how lasting happens.” Despite growing interest in adaptive wheelchair users are still routinely tu from adventure experiences due to li concerns and assumptions about ris Ultimately, Shaun hopes the Komo will inspire greater ambition and inclu travel and adventure industries.

Absolutely achiev

He said: “So often the answer is no question has really been explored. W show that with planning, support and mindset, accessibility in extreme env absolutely achievable. “If this sparks support, challenges a or shifts perceptions about where wh users belong, then it will have made difference.”

l Donations can be made to Shau fundraiser at https://givestar.io/gs round-the-komodos

We NEED support to keep this ne

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Remembering Michelle . . . T

HE Komodo Challenge is being dedicated to the memory of wheelchair campaigner Michelle Anna Moffatt, who died suddenly in June aged 44. Michelle was one of the original team of four wheelchair users planning the expedition. The Scottish critical care nurse, disability advocate, and record-breaking paraplegic adventurer – who made history canoeing the Zambezi River in 2024 – passed away following severe complications from a. long-term illness. Despite multiple health struggles including alopecia and total paralysis from the waist down caused by two prolapsed discs in her back, Michelle lived life to the full. As an ambassador for Spinal Injuries Scotland, she wrote: “I’m passionate about showing that living with a

spinal cord injury isn’t the end – it’s a change in life, but it can be an exciting one filled with hope. “I’m actively involved in my local Christian church, and I love promoting health and fitness for people with disabilities. Through my online presence, I share my journey of living with a spinal cord injury and everything that comes with it. “My passion for Spinal Injuries Scotland stems from a very personal place. Before discovering SIS, I was in a dark place and struggled with suicidal thoughts. “The peer support I received through the charity changed my attitude and reignited my passion for life. “Now, I’m committed to helping others facing the same physical and mental challenges, offering them the same hope and support that I found. “ Michelle is survived by husband Ross and four children.

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SHOPMOBILITY n ALTRINCHAM . Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 01244 312626 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01244 312626 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 710144 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 WIDNES: 0151 511 8833 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01244 312626 n WIRRAL. 0151 647 6162 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392

CONGRATULATIONS to the 10 winners of United Utilities’ competition to win a water butt:

STAR: Matthew fronts the band, whose music is improvised and energetic

Thunder set to take the world by storm M

ATTHEW Watson is a musician, performer and the frontman of punk band Ultimate Thunder.

He’s also on a mission – to show the world what people with learning disabilities can achieve. Matthew and his bandmates shared their story with audiences from around the world when a documentary following their journey premiered at Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s leading documentary festival. Ultimate Thunder is made up of musicians with learning disabilities and autism. Their music is improvised, energetic and entirely their own. Over the last three years, independent filmmaker Ben Brown followed them through rehearsals, performances, setbacks and successes. The resulting 98-minute documentary was selected as one of just 70 films from more than 3,000 for screening at the festival. At the heart of the story is Matthew. Music isn’t just a hobby for him, it’s his favourite form of expression, a way to build

STREETWISE: Ben, left, with the up-and-coming musicians connection and share his creativity with the world. Filmmaker Ben said: “Ultimate Thunder are proof that learning disabled musicians are some of the most creative, exciting and talented artists out there, and we can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with them like we have. “When people are given the opportunity to pursue their passions, incredible things happen.”

The festival was attended by filmmakers from across the world, including from Netflix, the BBC, Amazon Prime, Channel 4, BAFTA and Sky. l For the past decade, Matthew has been supported by learning disability charity Hft, set up in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, supports more than 2,800 learning disabled adults in England and Wales.

Brenda McCorack, Garston, Liverpool. Miss Helen Liversedge, Croxteth, Liverpool. Mr Andrew Sproston, Norris Green, Liverpool. Neil Fyfe, Liverpool. Mrs Sylvia Smith, Saughall, Chester. Barbara Hibbert, Woolston, Warrington. Mr Trevor Griffiths, Ainsdale, Southport. Miss Alison Fraser, Southport. Mr Frank Kelly, Bromborough, Wirral. David Levene, Neston, Wirral.

NEED advice finding the right equipment to help you live more independently? If so, give the friendly people at Adapt & Live a call. The service run by tManchester-based charity Disabled Living. The team also provides occupational therapy assessments, access audits and accredited training programmes. n Tel. 0161 214 4590

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Text 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability

Partnership Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. Tel 0151 480 4090 n ACSIL (Amputees and Carers), Tel, 0151 261 1166 n THE BRAIN CHARITY Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161 636 7534

n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. Tel 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. Tel 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 522 7990 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 51819

n Personal Budgets Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0404 Opening hours: 9.30am-1.30pm, Tues and Thurs personalbudgets@ disabilityrightsuk.org n Disabled Students Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tues and Thurs students@disabilityrightsuk.org n Scope’s Disabilty Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Freephone 0808 800 3333

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Blues ‘sense’ victory EVERTON footie fans with sensory needs are well ahead of the game when it comes to accessibility. Stephen Nurse, founder of Zensory, who create neuroinclusive sensory spaces, described the club’s facilities as “a benchmark for others to aspire to”. He said: “We are delighted to name Hill Dickinson Stadium our first Gold Standard accredited venue.” The stadium’s sensory box

CARERS’ CENTRES

provides a calm environment, with specialist equipment and reserved seats in front of its windows giving fans the choice of watching the match both inside and outside. Chris Massam, accessibility lead at Everton, said: “This recognition reflects the commitment of so many to make our stadium, and our sensory room, a place where fans can feel comfortable and included.”

STRIKING GOLD: Chris receives the award from Stephen Nurse

Deafness is art of me

it’s given me a different perspective on life, one that not many have the privilege of. “When you lose your hearing you become a lot more observant. We see things other people wouldn’t necessarily pick up on in body language. “We lip read, we read ARAH Adedeji is not body language, we use broken, she does not our hands. We’re very need fixing – indeed, gestural, and we can being deaf has elevated her notice the tone in work as a writer and a different things, so that dancer. we don’t necessarily need to be able to hear Her new work, Pray for Me, someone’s tone. We can was one of the highlights of this see someone’s tone.” year’s Edinburgh Deaf Festival. HIT SHOW: Sarah was a star of the Edinburgh Deaf Festival And even though cochlear The work is a raw blend of don’t believe enough in God.” implants have revolutionised her ability to poetry, movement, dance and live music, Over the years she endured attempts by hear, she sometimes removes them to exploring the barriers, prejudice and cultural pastors to “heal” her in a variety of ways, experience music in a different way, through assumptions faced by a young black including trickling holy oil into her ears. the vibrations and the beat. woman being raised by a highly religious At the same time Sarah has faced many The 25-year-old is in increasing demand Nigerian family. issues in wider society. for film, dance and other projects and has Sarah, who is a locum NHS audiologist as She says: “There are barriers in every found a high degree of acceptance in the well as a performer and writer, says: “It’s not area of life. It’s like playing the lottery every arts world. been a fun time as a deaf person in a time you go out, and you never know if it’s She says: “The creative arts are a bit Christian space. going to be good or bad.” more welcoming of people of different “Growing up and going to church, and Sarah is emphatic that deafness can bring backgrounds. There are people out there being from an African family, the way I was many positives: “It has helped me to be a who see disability as a positive thing, look treated was that I needed to be healed. past it and appreciate what I’m putting out.” “And if you are not healed it’s because you better dancer and a better writer because

Preachers’ attempts to ‘heal’ Sarah

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE VISUAL PROBLEMS n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 n CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 234 or 0151 708 7055 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for

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Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West) Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Tel 0151 652 8877 HEARING ISSUES n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101

n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n SOUTHPORT Centre for the Deaf Tel 01704 537001 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre. Tel 01744 23887 n N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 n CUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON Helpline:0300 102 0008 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASHIRE 0345 688 7113 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON (WIRED) Tel 01925 633 492 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 705959 / 486923 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE

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Help when you need it most United Utilities is calling on its customers to take advantage of FREE support with their water services. Since launching in 2015, more than 400,000 people across the North West have now registered for United Utilities’ Priority Services scheme. Steph Smith from the Priority Services team said: “Our Priority Services scheme is free to all our customers who may need a bit of extra support in life. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mental health problems, 昀nancial worries or language barriers. “By registering for our scheme, we can make sure you receive the right support from us during those times when we may need to switch o昀 the water to repair a leak, or if we need to visit you in your own home. “Even if you don’t need this support, we all know someone who would bene昀t from these services - such as a friend, family member or neighbour - so please encourage them to get in touch to register.”

Services include: • A dedicated team on hand to listen and help • Braille, large print, ‘talking’ bills and text relay service • Knock and wait service. If you tell us you have mobility needs and we have to visit your home, we will wait allowing enough time for you to answer the door • Nominate a carer, family member or friend to check your bills and speak to us on your behalf • Additional support if you have a medical need for water. • Protection from bogus callers with a password protection scheme • Notice of interruptions to your water supply • Translation services • Every two years we’ll check that your details are still correct

Our scheme is designed to support people who: • are blind or partially sighted; • have a chronic (long-term) or serious illness; • have a condition that a昀ects their development; • have dementia; • rely on dialysis, feeding pumps or automated medication; • are having 昀nancial di culties; • are deaf or hard of hearing, or have speech di culties; • have a mental health condition; • have children aged 5 or under; • are experiencing temporary life changes (including divorce or bereavement); • are recovering after leaving hospital; • have restricted movement making it di cult to answer the door; or • may struggle to communicate because their 昀rst language isn’t English.

Scan the QR code to visit our Priority Services webpage, where you can click on ‘Accessibility Help’ to turn on text-to-speech or change the language used on our website.

To register for Priority Services apply online at: unitedutilities.com/priorityservices or call 0345 672 2888 08/24/SD/10466

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All Together NOW!

Your guide to some of autumn’s best treats Sep 11-Oct 17: Letter to Breshnev. Royal Court, Liverpool. Matinees. Signed, Oct 13; audio described, Oct 14; captioned performances throughout final week. Sep 11-Oct 3: Macbeth. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Matinees. Relaxed and audio descibed, Sep 30. Sep 19-Oct 10: Death of a Salesman. Everyman, Liverpool. Matinees. Audio described, Oct 1. Sep 22-Oct 3: High Society: The Musical. The Lowry, Salford. Signed, Oct 1. Sep 29-Oct 3: Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of). Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matinee, Sep 30. Sep 29-Oct 3: Dirty Dancing. The Musical. Palace, Manchester. Matinees, Sep 30/Nov 2/3. Sep 29: Guilty or Not Guilty? Jeremy Bamber – The White House. Lyceum, Crewe. Sep 29: An Evening with Marina Hyde. Playhouse, Liverpool. The bestselling author promotes her new book. Sep 30-Oct 3: The Great British Bake Off Musical. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matine, Oct 3. Sep 30-Oct 2: King of Pop starring Navi. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Michael Jackson tribute show. Sep 30: Henry Paker: Pencil Case. Playhouse, Liverpool. Sep 30: Gary Delaney: Gary on Laughing. Lyceum, Crewe. Sep 30: Susan Calman: Tall Tales. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Sep 30: Bright Places. Atkinson, Southport. Rae Mainwaring’s stunning debut play about living with multiple sclerosis. Sep 30: My Beautiful Brain. Epstein, Liverpool. Hannah Rose-Curtis’s warm, funny, and honest coming-of-age story. Oct 1-3: Bugsy Malone. Storyhouse, Chester. Matinee, Oct 3. Oct 1-2: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 1: The Simon & Garfunkley Story. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 1: Country Music. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 1: Rob Lamberti Presents Perfectly George. Opera House, Manchester. George Michael tribute night. Oct 1: RLPO: Mahler Symphony No 2: Resurrection. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 1: Beautiful Crazy – The Luke Combs Collection. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 2-3: Stuffed. Unity, Liverpool. Intense play from the front line of the UK’s food banks. Matinees and evening performances. Captioned. Oct 2: Alex Stringer: Happy Hour. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Oct 2: Eric’s at 50. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Celebrating the famous city club. Oct 2: Chris Ramsey. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 2: Daniel O’Reilly. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 2: Rave On – The Ultimate 50s & 60s Experience. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 2: Kane Brown: Crowd Work King. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 2: The Dusty Show. Epstein, Liverpool. Louise Anne Masters’ tribute to Dusty Springfield. Oct 2: Rhys James: Chop Logic. Playhouse, Liverpool. Oct 2: A Pandemonium of Poe. The Brindley, Runcorn. Edgar Allan Poe night. Oct 2: The Carpenters Experience. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 3: Vamos

PREVIEW

l PAUL MERTON & SUKI WEBSTER’S IMPROV SHOW: Playhouse, Liverpool, Oct 3

Ghostly goings-on

l HAUNTED SHADOWS: THE GOTHIC TALES OF EDITH NESBIT: Shakespeare North, Prescot, Oct 10

Theatre Free Mask Taster Session. Everyman, Liverpool. Oct 3: Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show. Playhouse, Liverpool. Oct 3: Ocean Film Festival. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 3: Taylormania. Pavilion, Rhyl. Oct 3: The Chicago Blues Brothers: Live at the Country Bunker. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 3: The Flight Tonight – The Songs of Joni Mitchell. Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 3: Country Superstars. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 3: Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 3: Katherine Jenkins: The 25th Anniversary Tour. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 3: A Vision of Elvis. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Oct 4: Classof FM Hall of Fame. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 4: Nish Kumar Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy. The Lowry, Salford. Oct 4: Legends of the 60s Show. Pavilion, Rhyl. Oct 4: The Illegal Eagles. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 4: The Bootleg Beatles in Concert. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 4: The Legends in Vegas – After Hours. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 5-10: The Mousetrap. Lyceum, Crewe. Matinee, Oct 7. Oct 5: Cake & Classical Music: Songs of Italy. Atkinson, Southport. Matinee. Oct 5: Alison Moyet. Empire, Liverpool. Oct 5: Joe Jackson. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 5: Black is the Colour of My Voice. Epstein, Liverpool. Apphia Campbell’s play inspired by the life of Nina Simone. Oct 5: The Legends in Vegas – After Hours. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

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Oct 6-10: The Last Laugh. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Smash hit play about Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse discussing the secret of life. Matinees, Oct 8/10. Oct 6-10 Lord of the Dance. Empire, Liverpool. It’s the 30th anniversary show. Matinee, Oct 10. Oct 6-10: The Silence of the Lambs. The Lowry, Salford. Matinee, Oct 7. Signed, Oct 8; audio described/touch tour, Oct 9. Oct 6-7: National Dance Company Wales – Double Bill: Glas/Blue. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 6-7: How Soon is Now? Storyhouse, Chester. Musical about mates, music and magic. Oct 6: Walter Trout. Atkinson, Southport. A masterclass in blues and rock. Oct 6: Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet. Epstein, Liverpool. Warning: may feature foul language, nudity, disembowelled limbs and, occasionally, some Shakespeare! Oct 6: The Legends in Vegas – After Hours. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 6: How Far Away Are They Now? An Evening with the Cast of Phoenix Nights. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Oct 6: Swan Lake. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Imperial Classical Ballet. Oct 7-10: The Picture of Dorian Gray. Shakespeare North, Prescot. In a society obsessed with youth and beauty, Dorian Gray is offered the ultimate prize: eternal perfection. But perfection comes at a price, one that must be paid in blood. Matinees, Oct 8/10. Oct 7: What The World Needs Now: The Burt Bacharach Songbook. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 7: An Evening with Danny McNamara. Atkinson, Southport. Founder and lead singer of Embrace. Oct 7: Maisie Adam: Whatsherface. Playhouse, Liverpool. Oct 7: Grateful Fred’s: Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow. Atkinson, Southport.

Oct 8-31: Calendar Girls The Musical. Octagon, Bolton. Matinees. Audio decribed, Oct 17; signed/captioned, Oct 21. Oct 7: Giselle. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Imperial Classical Ballet. Oct 8-10: Helios/ Selene. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Two ancient myths crashing into the modern world. Matinee, Oct 10. Oct 8: Of Mice and Me. Atkinson, Southport. Set against the harsh backdrop of America’s Great Depression. Oct 8: Daniel Kitson – Thrum. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 8: Brothers in Band. Epstein, Liverpool. Dire Straits tribute show. Oct 8: Aurie Styla: Maverick. Storyhouse, Chester. Oct 9: Charlie Connelly’s Attention All Shipping. Storyhouse, Chester. Oct 9: Screening: Walking for Wellbeing – Around Morecambe Bay with William Wordsworth. Shakespeare North, Prescot. On the eve of World Mental Health Day, a FREE 45-minute film showing the great benefits of walking. Oct 9: Hen Night Horror. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Thrilling, terrifying, hilarious. Oct 9: Boyzlife. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 9: Francis Rossi. Regent, Stoke. Oct 9: Grace Petrie. Epstein, Liverpool. Top folk. Oct 9: Alasdair Becket-King: King of Crumbs. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 9: Barry From Watford. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 9: The Music of Whitney – The Candelight Concert. Tribute show. Oct 9: Jasmin Vardimon: Lullaby. Playhouse, Liverpool. New dance performance Oct 9: Stax of Soul. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 9: Steely Don. The Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show. Oct 10: Haunted Shadows: The Gothic Tales of Edith Nesbit. Shakespeare North, Prescot. An expert at chilling the spine and curdling the blood, Edith relates three of her best Gothic tales while recalling her own childhood terrors. Oct 10: Lenny Henry: Still at Large. Playhouse, Liverpool. Oct 10: Rich Hall: Chin Music. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 10: Showaddywaddy. Pavilion, Rhyl. Oct 10: Simon Evans. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 10: Barry From Watford. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 10: African Soul Rebels featuring Les Amazones D’Afrique, Gasper Nali and support. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 10: Seth Lakeman: Freedom Fields. Storyhouse, Chester. Indie-folk at its very best. Oct 11: Lenny Henry: Still at Large. The Lowry, Salford. Oct 11: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight. Regent, Stoke. Oct 11: Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 11: Beyond the Barricade. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Music from the top shows. Oct 12: Gilbert O’Sullivan. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 13-18: Annie. Regent, Stoke. Musical with Claire Sweeney. Matinees, Oct 14/17/18. Signed, Oct 14; audio described, Oct 15. Oct 13-17: Blood Brothers. Storyhouse, Chester. Musical. Matinees, Oct 14/15/17. Oct 13-17: Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of). Playhouse, Liverpool. Matinees, Oct 14/15/17. Oct 13-17: The Haunting of Hill House. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Chilling adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s (Stephen King) classic ghost story. Matinees, Oct 14,17.

l Continued next pages

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Your guide to some of the best treats l Continued from p19 Oct 13-17: The Choir of Man. The Lowry, Salford. Welcome to the best pub in the world. Matinee, Oct 16. Signed, Oct 14; audio described/touch tour, Oct 16. Oct 13: Woodhill. The Lowry, Salford. Three men at Woodhill prison are dead. Oct 13: Reece Shearsmith: Things I took from the Dark. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 13: The Wonder of Stevie. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Stevie Wonder tribute show. Oct 14-17: The Witches of Eastwick. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 14: T.Rextasy. Epstein, Liverpool. Tribute show. Oct 14: Noson gyda Hywel: Gwynfryn a Beti George. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Two icons of the Welsh broadcasting world since the 60s. Oct 14: Lipstick on Your Collar. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 14: Woyzeck. The Brindley, Runcorn. The relentless pressure of living in poverty. Oct 15-17: English National Ballet Romeo & Juliet. Empire, Liverpool. Matinees, Oct 16/17. Oct 15-16: The Hammer & Helena. Shakespeare North, Prescot. True story of the 1485 Austrian witch trials. Helena Scheuberin finds herself the unwitting muse of a religious zealot – the self-proclaimed Hammer of Witches. Oct 15: Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 15: Let Life Dance. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Oct 15: The Makings of a Murderer – The Undercover Detective. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Oct 15: Art Garfunkel: What a Wonderful World. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 15: The Glenn Miller Big Band Spectacular. Pavilion, Rhyl. Oct 15: What’s Love Got to do With It – The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 15: Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins – Told by Gav Cross. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 15: The Chris Rea Experience. The Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show. Oct 16-17: Comrade in the Dark by Caitlin Barney Dance Co. Unity, Liverpool. Distressing issues. 1981 – H Blocks, Belfast. Oct 16-17: The Void. Atkinson, Southport. Chilling sci-fi horror. Matinee, Oct 17. Oct 16-17: Roadtrip. The Brindley, Runcorn. Music from around Britain. Matinee, Oct 17. Oct 16: Alice Cooper: Devil on My Shoulder Book Tour. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 16: Enya Martin – Acting the Devil. Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 16: Russell Walson. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 16: Hometown Glory Candlelight Concert. Pavilion, Rhyl. Natalie Black’s Adele tribute. Oct 16: Showaddywaddy. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 17: Off Grid. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Comedy. Imagine being dragged into a wild camping trip with your politically outspoken uncle out of social awkwardness. Oct 17: Totally 80s Bottomless Brunch Show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 17: Ore Oduba stars in The Vintage Boys Rock ‘n’ Roll Show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 17: An Evening of Burlesque. Theatre

BOX OFFICE CONTACTS BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 CHESTER Storyhouse: 01244 409 113 CREWE Lyceum: 01270 368 242 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Epstein: 0151 312 8735 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Philharmonic Hall: 0151 709 3789 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Shakespeare North Playhouse: 0151 433 7156 Unity: 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000

MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace: 0870 401 3000 MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000 RHYL: Pavilion: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 Access line: 0333 320 2838 SOUTHPORT Atkinson: 01704 533333 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000

Royal, St Helens. Oct 17: Katherine Jenkins plus Support. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 17: Noel Fitzpatrick – Pets, Hugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 18: Thank Abba for the Music. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Oct 18: John Lydon. Shakespeare North, Prescot. As Johnny Rotten, he changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. Book signing after the talk. Oct 18: Imperial Classical Balleyt – Swan Life. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 18: The Proclaimers. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 18: Evergreen! The Barbara Streisand Story. Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 18: Between the Covers Live – Celebrating Agatha Christie. The Lowry, Salford. Oct 19-31: Mean Girls. Empire, Liverpool. The smash-hit musical comedy. Matinees, Oct 21/24/28/31. Oct 19-24: The Mousetrap. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Matinees, Oct 21/24. Oct 19-24: Sylvia. The Lowry. The untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst. Starring Beverley Knight. Matinee, audio described/touch tour, and signed, Oct 22. Oct 19: Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 19: Tits Up. Epstein, Liverpool. Tina is a devoted mother, Rachel, a career driven businesswoman, and Rosie a rebellious young spirit. Starring Crissy Rock, Leah Bell, Alison Stanley and Rosie Fox. Oct 19: WNO: Bluebeard’s Castle and Oedipus Rex (Autumn) Bartok / Stravinsky. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 19: Swan Lake. The Brindley, Runcorn. Crown Ballet.

l WAR OF THE WORLDS: Philharmonic, Liverpool, Oct 19

l THE HIGHWAYMAN. Octagon, Bolton, Nov 3-7

Witch trials l THE HAMMER AND HELENA: Shakespeare North. Oct 15-16

Oct 20-24: Present Laughter. Playhouse, Liverpool. Noel Coward’s hilarious portrayal of the temptations and pitfalls of theatrical celebrity. Matinees, Oct 21/22/24. Oct 20-24: Othello. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. New production looks afresh at this iconic tragedy – as much about love as it is about hate. Matinees, Oct 21,24. Captioned, Oct 22. Oct 20: Kiell Smth-Bynoe’s Kool Story Bro. Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 20: Ruby Wax: Absolutely Famous. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 20: The Picture of Dorian Gray. Pavilion, Rhyl. Musical. Oct 20: One Night in Dublin. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 21-25: English National Ballet – Romeo & Juliet. Palace, Manchester. Matinee, Oct 24. Oct 21-22: Woodhill. Unity, Liverpool. Documentary theatre and dance shining a light on the hidden story of HMP Woodhill. Oct 21: Swan Lake performed by The Crown Ballet. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 21: Lightstreams. Atkinson, Southport. Maurice and Hermia – a migrant married couple make their home in the UK. Oct 21: Mary Beard: The Secret Histories of Ancient Rome. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 21: China Crisis. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 22: T-Rextasy. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 23: Paul Smith: Happy. Pavilion, Rhyl. Oct 23: An Evening with Henry Cole. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 23: Emmeline Pankhurst: Angel or Anarchist? Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 23: Ray Lewis: Still Drifting. Epstein, Liverpool. Motown excellence. Oct 23: The Very Best of Tommy Cooper. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matinee and evening show.

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Oct 23: Sing the Musicals. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 23: Halloween Special: The Body Smugglers Murder Mystery. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 23: Fin Taylor. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 23: WNO: Play Opera Live – Welsh Language Concert. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 23: Pet Shop Boys, Actually – 40th Anniversary Tour. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 23: Eclipse: The Pink Floyd Experience. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 24-Nov 1: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Panto. Oct 24: Steve Hacket – Best of Genesis & Solo Gems. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 24: The Haunting of Blaine Manor. Atkinson, Southport. Matinee and evening. Oct 24: 10CC’s Grahm Gouldman and Heart Full of Sings. Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 24: The Ultimate Classic Rock Show. Lyceum, Crewe. Oct 24: An Orchestra Tribute to Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 24: WNO: La Boheme. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 25: Dexys Midnight Runners. Opera House, Manchester. Oct 25: The Void. Lyceum, Crewe. Sci-fi horror. Oct 26-31: The Mousetrap. Opera House, Manchester. Matinees, Oct 28/31. Oct 26: Mid Wales Opera – Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Fast-moving plot. Oct 26: The Shamrocks. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 27-31: The Picture of Dorian Gray. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matinees, Oct 28/31. Captioned, Oct 29. Oct 27-31: The Haunting of Hill House. Palace, Manchester. Matinees, Oct 28/31.

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AUTUMN 2026

in store at theatres across the region

Smash country musical

l UNDER THE MERSEY MOON: Epstein, Liverpool, Nov 11

l BLACK IS THE COLOUR OF MY VOICE, Epstein, Liverpool, Oct 5

l HOW THE BODY KEEPS SCORE with Dr Bessel van der Kolk: The Lowry, Salford, Nov 1

Oct 27: Halloween in Concert. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Stand by for some scary pop music. Oct 27: The Witcher in Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 27: Halloween in Concert. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 28-29: Freezin. Atkinson, Southport. The ultimate half-term treat. Matinees/early evening. Oct 28-29: Rapunzel. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matinees only. Oct 28: Janet Street-Porter is Still Off The Leash at 80! Epstein, Liverpool. Oct 28: Paul Smith – Happy. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 28: Dr John Cooper Clarke. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 28: The Australian Pink Floyd. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 29-31: Beauty and the Beast. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 29: The Shamrocks. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 29: Sing the Musicals. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 29: Meet the Deans. Epstein, Liverpool. Family comedy following a hard-working mother of five. Oct 29: John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 30-31: Murder Mystery: Halloween Special Afternoon Tea. Downstairs at Everyman, Liverpool. Matinees only. Oct 30-31. Spellbound. Lyceum, Crewe. Alison Gallacher School of Dance, Sandbach. Oct 30-31: The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong. Unity, Liverpool. Fifty years after his wrongful conviction, at the age of 74, Paddy is facing into his twilight years and wrestling with a thousand turbulent memories. Oct 30: What Wood Victoria Do? Shakespeare North, Prescot. Paulus the Cabaret Geek invites

you to a fresh batch of brilliant tunes from The Victoria Wood Songbook. Oct 30: The Real Thing. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 30: Fun for the Little Ones – A Tribute to Ms Rachel. Atkinson, Southport. Matinee. Oct 30: Fireman Sam Live! The Lost Pirate Treasure. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Matinee. Oct 30: Mike Bubbins – Ideas Man. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 30: Every Breath Retold – A Tribute to The Police and Sting. The Brindley, Runcorn. Oct 31: Go West – We Close Our Eyes and Other Stories. An Intimate Evening with singer Peter Cox. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Oct 31: The Amy Whitehouse Band. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Oct 31: Ian Prowse & Amsterdam. Atkinson, Southport. Oct 31: Anything For Love. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Oct 31: The Haunted Bride. The Brindley, Runcorn. Spine chiller. Nov 1-2: Jack’s Back! Halloween Special Murder Mystery. Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 1: Chris Packham’s World of Wonder: A Planet on the Edge. The Lowry, Salford. Nov 1: How The Body Keeps Score. The Lowry, Salford. Dr Bessell van der Kolk. Nov 1: Eric & Ern. Pavilion, Rhyl. Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens recreate some of Morecambe and Wise’s best sketches. Nov 1: Rank: A Tale from Paradise Heights. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. It’s Halloween in the Heights. Nov 1: An Evening with Mike Masse: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 1: Tracy Borman: Tudors on Tour. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 2-7: Trainspotting The Musical. Palace, Manchester. Matinees, Nov 4/7. Signed, Nov 3;

l JOHN LYDON. I COULD BE WRONG, I COULD BE RIGHT: Atkinson, Southport, Oct 29

audio described, Nov 4; captioned, Nov 5. Nov 2: Doctor Richard Shepherd: Time of Death – More Unnatural Causes. Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 2: An Evening with Lord Ian Botham. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 2: Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess. Epstein, Liverpool. Helen and Ellie are back. Nov 2: Cake & Classical Music: Mozart Clarinet Quintet. Atkinson, Southport. Afternoon show. Nov 3-14: Legally Blonde. Opera House, Manchester. Smash-hit musical comedy. Matinees. Nov 3-7: The Highwayman. Octagon, Bolton. It’s 1769 and Yorkshire’s population has exploded. Matinees, Nov 5/7. Captioned, Nov 4. Nov 3-7: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Empire, Liverpool. Matinees, Nov 4/7. Nov 3-7: The Haunting of Hill House. Playhouse, Liverpool. Matinees, Nov 5/7. Nov 3-7: A Man for All Seasons. The Lowry, Salford. Martin Shaw stars as Sir Thomas More. Matinee, Nov 4. Signed, Nov 4; audio described/touch tour, Nov 7. Nov 3-7: It Walks Around the House at Night. The Lowry, Salford. When an out-of-work actor takes a job playing a ghost at an old countryside manor, he expects nothing more than a few cheap scares. How wrong can he be? Hold on to your seats! Matinee, Nov 4. Nov 3-4: There’s a Monster in Your Show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Matinees only. Nov 3-4: Off-Key. Unity, Liverpool. Coming-of-age drama about Black girlhood, ambition, and friendship. Nov 3: An Evening with Michael Portillo. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 3: The Void – A Horror Story. Storyhouse, Chester. Chilling sci-fi horror. Nov 3: Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd. Theatr

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Clwyd, Mold. Welsh drama. Matinee, 2.30pm. Audio described/captioned, signed, 7.30pm. Nov 3: The Drifters. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 4: Man in the Mirror. The Brindley, Runcorn. Michael Jackson tribute. Nov 4: Educating Rita. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 4: Desperate Scousewives: Nessa’s Story. Theatre Royal, St Helens. It’s Christmas Eve on a Liverpool street where nothing ever goes to plan. Nov 4: Uncovering Ancient Egypt with Bettany Hughes. Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 4: Hot House. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Powerful dance performance. Nov 4: Russell Watson. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 5: The Nutcracker. Storyhouse, Chester. Imperial Classical Ballet. Nov 5: What Wood Victoria Do? Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 5: The Best of Buble. Epstein, Liverpool. Josh Hindle and his sensational live band. Nov 5: Luther UK. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Harry Cambridge’s tribute to Luther Vandross. Nov 5: RLPO: Four Last Songs. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 5: The Stylistics. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 6-Jan 16: Scouse Nativity – The Second Coming. Royal Court, Liverpool. Oh Come’ Ed Ye Faithful … Matinees. Signed, Dec 1/Jan 5; audio described, Dec 3; captioned, final week. Nov 6-7: Thunder Road Theatre Presents: The Void. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Chilling sci-fi horror. Nov 6-7: We Dance Too. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Featuring local performers with additional needs. Matinees only. Nov 6: The Rachel Parris Songbook. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 6: The Snow Queen. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 6: The Night Sky Show. Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 6: Francis Rossi. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 6: Killer Rhapsody. The Brindley, Runcorn. Queen tribute. Nov 7: Susie Dent: Word Perfect. Atkinson, Southport. Matinee only. Nov 7: Leo Sayer – Can’t Stop Loving You. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 7: Emerald Storm. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Electrifying new Irish dance show. Nov 8: The Australian Pink Floyd Show. Empire, Liverpool. Nov 8: The Forbidden Realm of Conspiracies: Uncovered. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 9: The Overtones – Jivin’ Home for Christmas. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 9: Desperate Scousewives: Nessa’s Story. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 9: W*nkernomics. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 9: Gipsy Kings by Andre Reyes. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 10-21: Jane Eyre. Storyhouse, Chester. . Captioned, Nov 11; audio described, Nov 18; signed, Nov 19. Nov 10-21: Cats. Palace, Manchester. Musical. Nov 10: Ray Quinn: A Swinging Christmas. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Nov 10: A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play Live on Stage. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 10: Omid Djalili: Namaste. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 10: Six the Musical. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 11: Omid Djalili: Namaste. The Lowry, Salford. Nov 11: Under the Mersey Moon. Epstein, Liverpool. Inspired by his beloved grandfather, Danny Rogers, a struggling country musician from Liverpool, sets off on a make-or-break pilgrimage to Nashville.

l Continued next page

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l Continued from p21

AUTUMN 2026

Nov 11: London Symphonic Rock Orchestra. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 11: The Crooners Christmas Special. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 11: What’s Love Got To Do With It? Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 11: The Mersey Beatles. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 12-14: Wilko. The Lowry, Salford. Uplifting play about rock star Wilko Johnson, who in 2012 was told he had inoperable cancer and a year to live. Matinee, Nov 14. Nov 12: Hugh Cornwell – Never Say Goodbye: The Final Solo Acoustic Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 12: The Nutcracker. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 12: Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn. Empire, Nov 12: Fin Taylor: The Pre-emptive Comeback Special. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 12: The Picture of Dorian Gray. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 13-14: Flo & Joan – With Feeling. Playhouse, Liverpool. Nov 13-14: Adam Rowe: Fashionism. Empire, Liverpool. Nov 13-14: Clue. Unity, Liverpool. When a dinner party turns deadly, the guests of Boddy Manor must work out who did it. Nov 13: Murder Impossible: A Christmas Murder Mystery. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 13: By Bye Baby – A Tribute to the Jersey Boys. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 13: Phil Mealey: Early Doors – Behind the Bar and Beyond. Pavilion, Rhyl. Nov 13: Thank ABBA for the Music. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 14-Jan 16: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto: Beauty and The Beast. Everyman, Liverpool. Matinees. Signed, Nov 18/ Dec 18; Enhanced performance/touch tour, Nov 24; captioned, Dec 5; audio described, Jan 7; relaxed, Jan 14. Nov 14: Bellowhead. Burlesque 20th Anniversary Tour. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 14: The 80s Show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 14: China Crisis –– Warped Tour 2026. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 14: Across the Universe. Atkinson, Southport. Celebration of The Beatles studio years. Nov 14: Ahh …. Freak Out. Epstein, Liverpool. Step into the glittering time machine and journey back to the dazzling 1970s. Nov 14: Ignacio Lopez: Nada. Atkinson, Southport. Comedy with a difference. Nov 15-17: Paranormal Activity. The Lowry, Salford. Signed, Nov 18; audio described/touch tour, Nov 19. Nov 15: That’ll Be Christmas. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Funa and festive hits. Nov 15: Smile It’s Christmas. Empire, Liverpool. Two shows – 11am and 5pm. Nov 15: Uncovering Ancient Egypt with Bettany Hughes. The Lowry, Salford. Nov 16: That’ll Be Christmas. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 17-21: Annie. The Brindley, Runcorn. Musical. Matinee, Nov 21. Nov 17-21: Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. Opera House, Manchester. Matinees, Nov 18/19/21. Nov 17: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 17: Luke Wright: Later Life Letters. Storyhouse, Chester. Nov 18: The Shires. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 18: Hugh Cromwell. Atkinson, Southport. Lead singer and songwriter of The Stranglers. Nov 18: Christmas in Ireland. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 18: Fume Live. Unity, Liverpool.

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Your guide to some of autumn’s best treats PREVIEW

l SCOUSE NATIVITY – THE SECOND COMING: Royal Court, Liverpool, Nov 6-

l MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA. The Lowry. Salford, Nov 24-28.

l PINOCCHIO: Theatre Clwyd, Mold, Nov 21-Jan 16.

The city’s brightest neurodivergent acting talent alongside new writing from up and coming local writers. Nov 19-22: Elf The Musical. Empire, Liverpool. Matinees, Nov 21/22. Nov 19-21: The Vicar of Dibley. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Matinee, Nov 21. Nov 19: Desperate Scousewives: Nessa’s Story. Atkinson, Southport. It’s Christmas Eve on a Liverpool street where nothing ever goes to plan. Matinee and evening perfiormances. Nov 19: Ray Quinn – A Swinging Christmas. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 19: Operation M16. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 19: Man in the Mirror. Lyceum, Crewe. Michael Jackson tribute show. Nov 19: A Beautiful Noise. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Fisher Stevens tribute to Neil Diamond. Nov 19: The Illegal Eagles – Hotel California Tour. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 20-Jan 9: Cinderella. Octagon, Bolton. Matinees. Audio described, Dec 5; signed/captioned, Dec 11; relaxed, Jan 3. Nov 20-Jan 2: Christmas Carol. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Festive lights twinkle outside The Counting House pub but inside manager Bob Cratchit is struggling to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. Matinees. Audio described, Dec 17. Nov 20: Mark Thomas: 40 Years in Stand-Up Years. Playhouse, Liverpool. Nov 20: An Evening with Duncan Ferguson. Pavilion, Rhyl. Nov 20: The Illegal Eagles – Hotel California Tour. Lyceum, Crewe. Nov 20: Lewis Carlvert’s Variety Show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 20: Gary Murphy’s “I Like It”. Epstein, Liverpool.

Nov 20: Sherlock Holmes – Christmas Casebook. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 20: Christmas Gothie. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 20: Thank ABBA for the Music. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 21-Jan 16: Pinocchio. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. The famous rock ‘n’ roll panto celebrates its 50th anniversary. Matinees. Audio described, Dec 5/13; signed, Dec 12/Jan 8; captioned, Dec19/Jan 9. Nov 21: Noson o Gomedi. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Some of the best Welsh language comedians. Nov 21: The Mersey Beatles. Pavilion, Rhyl. Nov 21: ABBA Forever. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 21: The Glenn Miller and Big Band Spectacular. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 21: Holly at Christmas. Lyceum, Crewe. Tribute to Buddy Holly & The Cricketers. Nov 21: Ray Quinn: A Swinging Christmas. Atkinson, Southport. Nov 21: The Body Smugglers: A Murder Mystery. The Brindley, Runcorn. Nov 21: The Sensational 60s Experience. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 22: Queen of the Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 23: An Evening with Sir Chris Hoy. Opera House, Manchester. Nov 24-Dec 5: Burlesque The Musical. Empire, Liverpool. Matinees, Nov 25/28/Dec 2/5. Nov 24-28: Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. The Lowry, Salford. Thrilling and evocative love story, set in London during the Second World War. Audio described/touch tour, Nov 28 Nov 24: The Irish House Party. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Nov 24: Christmas in Ireland. Opera House, Manchester. Nov 24: The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 25-28: Nativity. Lyceum, Crewe. Musical. Nov 25: Chris Packham’s World of Wonder.

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Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 25: Desperate Scousewives: Nessa’s Story. The Brindley, Runcorn. It’s Christmas Eve on a Liverpool street where nothing ever goes to plan. Matinee and evening shows.. Nov 26-28: Selected Works: Table Top Shakespeare. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Two performers create condensed versions of some of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays, creating lovingly made miniatures played out on a one metre tabletop. Nov 26: Midge Ure – A Man of Two Worlds. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 27: Miss Americana – A Tribute to Taylor Swift. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 27-28: Disco King. Unity, Liverpool. Nov 27-28: Woodhill. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Three men at Woodhill prison are dead. Their families demand answers. Nov 27: The Stylistics. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 28-Jan 10: Peter Pan. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Relaxed, Jan 3. Nov 28: Del Amitri. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 29: Asa Murphy – My Kind of Music. Epstein, Liverpool. Nov 28: Welsh of the West End. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 29: Bellowhead plus Support. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Nov 29: Vikingur Olafsson & Domingo Hindoyan. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Nov 30-Dec 1: Dickens Theatre Company presents A Christmas Carol. Lyceum, Crewe. Matinees. Nov 30: The Holiday in Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Film with live orchestra. Dec 1-5: Cats. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical. Matinees, cDec 2/3/5. Signed, Dec 3. Dec 1-3: Ghost Stories for Christmas. Shakespeare North, Prescot. Matinee, Dec 3. Dec 2-Jan 9: Billy Elliot the Musical. Palace, Manchester. Matinees. Signed, Dec 17. Dec 2: Cabarela ‘Dolig 2026. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without spending a night with the mischievous Cabarela. Dec 2: Step into Christmas. Lyceum, Crewe. Dec 3-Jan 9: Little Shop of Horrors. Playhouse, Liverpool. Matinees. Audio described, Dec 10; captioned, Dec 21. Dec 3-5: Murder Mystery: Murder at Blackout. Afternoon Tea. Downstairs at Everyman, Liverpool. Matinees only. Dec 3: RLPO: The Nutcracker. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Dec 4-Jan 3: Rapunzel. Storyhouse, Chester. Matinees. Captioned throughout; audio described, Dec 20; relaxed, Dec 27; signed, Jan 2. Dec 4-Jan 3: The Jolly Christmas Postman. The Lowry, Salford. Captioned, Dec 16; audio described/touch tour, Dec 19; signed, Dec 22/Jan 2; touch tour, Dec 29; relaxed, Dec 27. Dec 4-31: Cinderella. Atkinson, Southport. Matinees. Relaxed, Dec 12/27; captioned, Dec 22. Dec 4: The Magic of Motown. Lyceum, Crewe. Dec 4: LIPA Christmas Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Dec 4: Soul & Motown Night. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Dec 5-Jan 3: Snow White. Epstein, Liverpool. Dec 5-Jan 3: Dick Whittington. Opera House, Manchester. Matinees. Relaxed, Dec 30. Dec 5-Dec 31: Aladdin. Pavilion, Rhyl. Matinees. Relaxed, Dec 30. Dec 5-19: The Littlest Yak. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Dec 5-6: Aladdin. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Matinees and evening shows. Dec 5: Love Actually in Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool. Film with live orchestra. Dec 6: The Bootleg Beatles in Concert. Philharmonic, Liverpool.

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AUTUMN 2026

HOW PLANTS GOT THEIR NAMES: GAILLARDIA, the fiery-coloured perennial, grows well in dry conditions in Britain because it originated on the parched prairies of North America where it spread so freely that it was nicknamed the blanket flower. The Okanagan people, native Canadians, called it “mitl’mn” meaning painting instrument because they painted blanketflower on to their bodies to reduce pain.

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GAILLARDIA

The Gaillardia aristata specimen was first collected in 1806 on the Lewis and Clark expedition, a two-and-a-half year trek commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, to explore the land, indigenous people and plants of the vast, unsettled US. The gaillardias in our gardens are varieties bred from that species. The plant is named for Gaillard de Charetonneau, an early French botanist.

TIP OF THE SEASON l HOUSEPLANTS which flowered earlier in the year require just enough water to keep the compost slightly moist. l Plants which will bloom later in the year, like Christmas cactus and cyclamen, need food and water regularly.

BLANKET COVERAGE: Gaillardia aristata Arizona Sun

HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT IF IN DROUGHT: Sedum Autumn Joy and

SUN KINGS: Verbena Seabrook’s lavender and, below, French lavender thrive in heat

below, Achillea tomentosa tolerate dry

Prepare now for future droughts

E CAN’T say we were not warned: hotter, drier summers have been evident for more than 30 years. In 2017, an in-depth report by British climate change scientists, detailed at the time in All Together NOW! warned: “The threat to our gardens and green spaces from climate change is very real and is happening now.” Anyone who doubted that can look at the effects of this year’s heatwaves and shortage of rain. Many plants have produced smaller and fewer flowers and many vegetables such as runner beans have failed to grow the usual amount of produce For months, lawns everywhere looked

overnight condensation on the blades of grass returns a little water to the ground.

like yucca, with its huge plumes of white flowers in late summer, and lavender – English or French.

DO replace dying flowers with species which tolerate dry conditions such as achillea, verbena, catmint and sedum. like straw. The forecast for autumn is no better with more higher than normal temperatures, so everyone who loves their garden would be wise to follow these do’s and don’ts: DON’T waste water on the lawn. The grass will recover eventually but can be helped by not being mown short. In late summer and early autumn,

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DON’T let plants in pots dry out, even if it means saving “grey water” from the kitchen such as washing-up water and drenching the compost to its full depth each evening. Moderate detergent in the water will not normally harm plants. DO choose heat-loving shrubs which thrive in well-drained soil,

DON’T just sprinkle water on the leaves but use plenty at a time, directed below the foliage on to the roots, ideally in the evening. DO conserve water in the soil by spreading a thick layer of mulch. Garden compost and manure are best but wood chippings and shredded bark are also effective. These are best applied in spring when the soil has started warming up and there should still be moisture in the ground.

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AUTUMN 2026

STARSPOT CROSSWORD

The Accumulator Quiz

Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this Starspot Crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are looking for. 1

★

★ 21

★

26 28

★

22 23

★

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

A B C D

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Where in the human body is the patella bone? A B C D

Daphne Dotty Daisy Dolly

A B C D

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Not expressly stated (8) 6. Oil reservoir (4) 8. Little demon (3) 9. Fearless (8) 10. Cycle of duty (4) 12. Pry (5) 14. Capital of Vietnam (5) 17. Bend (4) 18. Permanent inhabitant (8) 20. Towards the side (8) 24. Cleanse (4) 25. Bailiff (5) 26. Large group of fish (5) 29. Pledge (4) 30. Sumptuous, spacious (8) 31. Ocean (3) 32. Counter-tenor (4) 33. Cured (8)

2. Excavation (4) 3. Voice-box (6) 4. One taking a prisoner (6) 5. Ocean phase (4) 6. Extend, scatter (6) 7. Proposal (6) 11. Bid (5) 12. Strong fabric (5) 13. Famous diarist (5) 14. Rose fruit (3) 15. Himalayan country (5) 16. Irritating (5) 19. Female sheep (3) 21. Enumerate (6) 22. Nevertheless (4,2) 23. Jewish greeting (6) 24. Needed (6) 27. Stout pole (4) 28. Labyrinth (4)

A B C D

Goose Chicken Duck Turkey

A B C D

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Which singer has the real name George O’Dowd?

A B C D

Cubs Pups Kits Scuts

Sting Boy George Bono Shaggy

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Who wrote John Barleycorn, his book of ‘alcoholic memoirs’, which was published in 1913?

A B C D

Spain Germany Italy France

Paris London NewYork Moscow

Fill in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it. Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners. You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

DIFFICULT

7 4

2 5 7 3 8 2 8 5 1 6 7 5 5 6 7 3 7 8 6 4 1 3 2 9 1 2 4 9

3 6 4

Papua New Guinea Fiji Tonga Samoa

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Which city’s underground railway system has the greatest number of stations?

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not have to guess.

A B C D

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Which is the largest country by area in the European Union?

KAKURO

Manchester Belfast Liverpool Leeds Bradford

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which country has Port Moresby as its capital?

Wheat Timber Wool Coal

SUDOKU

EASY

A B C D

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: Which natural product was the cornerstone of English foreign trade in the 14th century? A B C D

Joseph Priestley Michael Faraday James Dewar Humphry Davy

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Which city airport was renamed to celebrate sporting legend George Best?

Actor James Norton. See Question 4

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: English actor James Norton plays a crimesolving vicar in which TV series?

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: What are baby rabbits called?

Red White Black Yellow

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Which scientist was the first to publish his work outlining the existence of oxygen?

Trumpet Banjo Piano Saxophone

Grantchester Cadfael Father Brown Rev.

Collar Hip Knee Wrist

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: What colour are new buds on an ash tree?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which bird is traditionally eaten in the USA at Thanksgiving?

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: In The Muppet Show, Kermit the Frog played which instrument?

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: Who is the girlfriend of Walt Disney’s cartoon character Donald Duck?

18 19

★

8 10

★

9 10

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8 5 3 7 9 5 6 2 9 7 1 8 4 9 8 5 7 7 6 8 6 4

D.H. Lawrence Rudyard Kipling Jack London H.G. Wells

MEDIUM 8

23 10

4 7

18 10 20 15

3 17

28 13

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AUTUMN 2026

19 8

25 25

25 2

6 3

24 8

26 17

5 10

24 8

6 24

20 5

26 7

26 17

4 6

14 7

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

1 []’–

26 13

25 17

Telephone dialling pads combine several letters on one key. Here we have encoded several sets of words or items by using numbers rather than letters. Then we have divided them into groups of three characters and run all the names one after another to make your task a little more difficult. Can you crack the codes?

15 19

7 6

6 1

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE 2

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terms and 1. scientific quantities 627 718 463 135 328 742 128 773 681 264 531 373 783 629 136 723 193 444 817 737 787 317 693 718 658 243 162 463 842 134 353 183 673 728 873

2. Barbra Streisand films 435 561 365 591 386 691 447 512 551 644 481 566 418 431 647 767 142 718 961 322 371 217 827 147 126 761 942 871 871 362 184 316 246 138 368

3. languages 226 866 373 144 634 137 362 418 264 517 877 426 184 386 263 731 767 884 837 315 272 637 312 722 421 236 425 417 726 474 148 254 261 437 626

capital 4. Commonwealth cities 226 237 721 688 292 154 647 866 184 286 742 152 672 521 342 521 935 546 486 613 733 869 617 678 163 177 246 127 434 386 961 582 521 586 787

5. famous explorers 627 261 765 615 263 712 665 137 262 471 372 531 223 518 276 261 328 431 548 464 786 631 762 531 268 637 361 436 791 483 766 153 736 912 875

6. European football clubs 227 235 662 172 628 446 245 671 396 266 154 381 732 516 237 431 252 915 294 612 216 452 612 678 774 213 678 686 317 274 717 246 814 376 246

PATHWORDS

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 11 medical specialists.

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 11?

N N

R O G

G O

Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

PLEACH

MISSING LINK

O R

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out an item of clothing.

U M M

A I

N U MAKE A DATE

O G

R O

G O C U

WORD WIZARD

BROWN

–––––

LINE

YULE

–––

OFF

BROKEN

–––––

STRAP

ABSOLUTE

––––

HOUR

I C I A N O N C TRANSFORMER

FOR

––––

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word.

FLAT

––––

RACK

2) An item or token given as security for a transaction, as opposed to a cash deposit;

1. SAS soldiers successfully storm the Iranian Embassy in London after a long siege.

R G

1) A substance added to plaster to accelerate the drying process;

In which year did all three of these significant historical events take place?

2. John Lennon is murdered by a deranged fan in New York.

3. Pierre Trudeau becomes prime minister of Canada for the second time.

Clue: Hard work will amplify the network.

3) To intertwine the branches of a hedge.

WAS IT? a) 1974; b) 1976; c) 1978; d) 1980; e) 1982.

____ +N=___N_

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords anaesthetist; paediatrician; surgeon; urologist; pathologist; obstetrician; neurologist; geriatrician; oncologist; cardiologist; immunologist.

9 7 4 1 3 5 2 8 6

3 5 2 6 9 8 7 1 4

8 1 6 2 4 7 5 3 9

6 9 7 4 5 1 8 2 3

SUDOKU EASY

4 2 8 3 7 9 6 5 1

1 3 5 8 6 2 9 4 7

2 8 9 7 1 4 3 6 5

5 6 1 9 8 3 4 7 2

7 4 3 5 2 6 1 9 8

3 6 4 9 5 1 2 7 8

7 1 8 4 2 3 9 6 5

5 2 9 7 6 8 1 4 3

2 4 5 3 9 6 8 1 7

N Q

14 1

15 2

16 3

Y C M W B

R U V 4

X G S

E O

CROSS CODE

8 7 6 5 1 4 3 2 9

1 9 3 8 7 2 4 5 6

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

4 3 2 6 8 7 5 9 1

9 8 7 1 4 5 6 3 2

6 5 1 2 3 9 7 8 4

13 28 17

9 15 20

7 11 6 8

9 4

6 4

8 3

3 1 11 16

1 2 10 18

1 9 10

KAKURO MEDIUM

4 2 6 1 3 7 23

8 2 10

9 5 14

Accumulator Quiz 1 – C; 2 – D; 3 – B; 4 – A; 5 – C; 6 – D; 7 – B; 8 – C; 9 – B; 10 – C; 11 – C; 12 – A; 13 – B; 14 – A; 15 – C. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Implicit; 6 Sump; 8 Imp; 9 Intrepid; 10 Rota; 12 Snoop; 14 Hanoi; 17 Flex; 18 Resident; 20 Edgeways; 24 Wash; 25 Reeve; 26 Shoal; 29 Pawn; 30 Palatial; 31 Sea; 32 Alto; 33 Remedied. Down – 2 Mine; 3 Larynx; 4 Captor; 5 Tide; 6 Spread; 7 Motion; 11 Offer; 12 Serge; 13 Pepys; 14 Hip; 15 Nepal; 16 Itchy; 19 Ewe; 21 Detail; 22 Even so; 23 Shalom; 24 Wanted; 27 Spar; 28 Maze. Star Name: CLIVE OWEN

Word Wizard No 3 is correct. To pleach is to intertwine branches. Dialling Codes 1. mass; time; electric current; angle; frequency; force; weight; pressure; power; voltage; magnetic field; temperature. 2. Hello Dolly; Funny Girl; All Night Long; The Mirror Has Two Faces; A Star Is Born; Whats Up Doc; The Main Event. 3. Cantonese; Hindi; French; Tamil; Russian; Vietnamese; Portuguese; Japanese; Arabic; Bengali; Spanish; Italian; German. 4. Canberra; Ottawa; Kingston; Victoria; Kampala; Dhaka; Wellington; Freetown; Port Of Spain; Bridgetown; Kuala Lumpur.

5. Marco Polo; James Cook; Francis Drake; Abel Tasman; David Livingstone; Roald Amundsen; Henry Hudson; Jeremy Curl. 6. Barcelona; Panathinaikos; Dynamo Kiev; Real Madrid; Ajax; Lazio; AC Milan; Borussia Dortmund; Paris Saint Germain. Spot Check A = 1; B = 3; C = 6; D = 2; E = 4; F = 5. Missing Link bread; log; ankle; zero; ever; roof. Clothing: blazer. Make a Date The year was 1980. Transformer Grid + N = Grind.

Studio 42 Photography Portraits Weddings Commercial Print sales Tuitian Picture Framing Photo Restoration Studio Hire.

255 Seabank Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH45 1HE. Tel: 0151 638 0412 Email: ken@42multimedia.co.uk

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AUTUMN 2026

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MUCH MISSED: Overhead Railway at The Strand, Liverpool

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Tracks of our tears T

HE world had never seen quite the like and it was beloved of all who rode it, yet the Liverpool Overhead Railway would run for only 63 years before being dismantled, piece by piece, and sent for scrap. A public outcry greeted the closure of the double-track line, which ran 16 feet above the roadway and spanned seven and a half miles of the city docklands. To this day, its passing remains a source of regret. Work began in 1889 on constructing what would become known affectionately as The Dockers Umbrella for the protection from the rain it lent to those walking underneath. Similar elevated railways did exist in the United States but the Liverpool version was the first to run on the then new electric technology. Opened to the public on February 4, 1893, the railway offered passengers sweeping views of the River Mersey, ocean liners and the bustling docklands during its 25-minute journey from Herculaneum dock at the far south end of the waterfront, to the northern terminus at Seaforth Sands. Soon it was soon carrying four million passengers a year past every dock on the Liverpool riverfront. Indeed, at Seaforth station in 1921, this pioneering transport system installed Britain’s first railway escalator. In 1896, it was decided to extend the

www.discover-liverpool.com

KEN PYE is managing director of Discover Liverpool, and local historian, author and broadcaster. He has recently published two new books, Quirky Liverpool and Quirky Wirral – available in all good bookshops or from Ken directly. l www.discover-liverpool.com. l ken@discover-liverpool.com l Tel. 0151 427 2717 railway southwards, to service the large district of hundreds of terraced houses at the south end of the city known as the Dingle. From here, many hundreds of dockers and office workers were now travelling daily into the city. The extended line would now relieve the pressure on the local tram and bus network. If you find yourself in a car passing Herculaneum Dock, along Riverside Drive and Sefton Street, be sure to look up at the cliff face that towers behind the apartment complex and the sports and fitness centre. Here, you will see a large, porticoed archway, set high up in the sandstone wall. Although now partially bricked up, this shows the point at which a tunnel emerges over the dock, under the houses on the cliff top above. This tunnel carried the extension line from Herculaneum Dock to an underground station at the Dingle. This now meant that the Overhead had an underground as well.

After the Second World War things began to go badly economically for Liverpool and its port and the Overhead Railway, which had only ever been temporarily repaired after repeated wartime bombing. It had also suffered from a combination of severe acid corrosion from pollution, and salt corrosion from the sea and river and had become very dilapidated. In 1955, a survey discovered that considerable funding would be necessary, totalling £2million, the equivalent of £70.5million today! Despite rigorous public protests, the Overhead Railway closed on December 30, 1956, and demolition began late in 1957. This was after the railway had been operating successfully and profitably for six decades. A section of track and a carriage from the Liverpool Overhead Railway can be seen at The Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head.

I will be writing more about the railway in the next issue.

Ken Pye – 0151 427 2717

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th) October starts with family tensions, and no, charging in like a warrior with a flaming sword will not help. Persistent home issues need teamwork, not another exhausting argument. By the end of the month, financial concerns weigh heavily. Avoid dubious deals or quick money schemes. If bills are difficult to manage, speak honestly with creditors. November begins with commitment written all over it. Shared assets, taxes, debts, property matters or legal loose ends demand attention, and you’ll need to provide details others have been pressing for. By month’s end, life feels brighter. Friendship and group plans give you something to enjoy, while home and family arrangements cost less than feared. Still, give yourself extra time and refuse unreasonable favours from relatives.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st) October begins with boundaries, and you’ll need to set them firmly. Shared finances or joint property may become awkward later. Stay calm, even if others start behaving like overheated kettles. Count to ten if your temper rises. You can resolve disagreements if everyone avoids insults. November opens with someone else’s wishes restricting your freedom. A partner, close friend or group may want things their way, but you still have responsibilities of your own. Tie up loose ends by the 12th if you can, because work priorities soon take over. An older relative offers useful advice about reducing stress, so don’t dismiss it just because it sounds simple. GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st) October begins with work stress affecting your body and mind, and you’d be foolish to ignore it. Projects involving colour, texture, tools or design bring pleasure and may even help you build a reputation. As Mercury turns retrograde, you may need to adapt a little. A fantastic opportunity could arrive suddenly, and you may need to start working on it start straight away. November begins with health and daily routines taking centre stage. You may need more discipline with exercise, food and sleep, especially if social life has been lively. Mid-month brings mixed news. Financially, this can be a strong period, and you’ll have chances to raise your profile. Around the 19th, though, tension with someone envious could appear.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd) October opens with a candid financial conversation you can’t dodge any longer. The second week turns your attention to home repairs. Mid-month, family issues interfere with personal goals. You cannot keep rescuing a careless relative from the consequences of poor planning, spending or time management. Focus on what matters to you. November begins with surprising news or fortunate events around the 9th, but don’t let excitement knock you off course. Responsibilities still need your attention. Cash flow and income potential are major themes, and new paths forming quietly could lead to stronger financial or job prospects.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd) October begins with a powerful longing to reconnect with your past. Family ties, old memories and emotional artwork may all speak to your inner child. If relationships are

AUTUMN 2026

What do the stars have in store for you this autumn

‘

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opportunities later. If a friend or partner isn’t keen, go anyway. Just get enough sleep.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st) October begins with important progress behind the scenes. Help from a government agency, university or non-profit organisation may advance a project. Mid-month, avoid hidden power struggles. You may disagree with someone, but their support could still help. A secret may come out. November begins with a feeling of restriction, which finally eases. You’re ready to free yourself from outdated ties and recover energy, confidence and a stronger sense of direction. Recent lessons have not been wasted. You’re becoming more strategic about the future and, at last, developing a healthier relationship with your bank account.

RUSSELL GRANT

HUGE congratulations to All Together NOW! on reaching its 21st anniversary. In a world where so many people can feel unseen, unheard or left behind, this wonderful newspaper has been a guiding light for disabled, vulnerable, older and digitally excluded

strained, improve communication where you can, but don’t beg for approval. The second week gives you quieter breathing space. Family obligations begin to ease, allowing you to enjoy hobbies. November starts with support from family, helping you steer life in a new direction. Opportunities can take you far if you accept them in the right frame of mind. Just don’t spend wildly on things you don’t need. Mars in your sign may make you impatient around the 11th, and the world will respond to your attitude. Mid-month keeps the focus on home, family and neighbourhood matters, but patience is needed when working with older relatives or colleagues.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd) October begins with a warning: don’t discuss private matters in public. Someone may be listening, and gossip is a miserable little beast once it escapes. If emotions need to be expressed, confide in one trustworthy friend. Your sensitivity is not a weakness. It’s a sharp instrument that gives you insight into people others completely miss. November begins with conversations everywhere: home, office, online and perhaps in places where you’d rather have silence. Think before speaking, because words can be misunderstood. Someone questions your views without revealing why they care, which is suspicious enough to deserve caution. Prioritise daily responsibilities around the 11th and keep a careful eye on money.

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readers across Merseyside and Cheshire. It takes real heart, grit and purpose to keep something this special alive for 21 years. May All Together NOW! continue to shine, connect people, open doors and remind every reader that they matter. – Russell Grant

LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd) October opens with a serious relationship question. You’re struggling to find middle ground with a romantic or business partner, and their assertiveness may be tipping into something uglier. Compromise is one thing. Bullying is another. Don’t waste energy debating whose approach is superior if basic respect is missing. November begins with concentration as your superpower. Others may grow bored quickly, but you can look at a situation from a fresh angle and spot opportunities they miss. It feels as though you’re preparing to break free from something restrictive. If someone becomes clingy or jealous, your independent side will come out in full force.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd) October begins with solutions finally appearing. You can now take action, and your determination may unsettle people who prefer endless waffle. By month’s end, selfconfidence becomes crucial. Stop criticising yourself and start backing your own abilities. One small step a day will build momentum. Updating your appearance, wardrobe or dating profile can also lift your spirits. November begins with a surprise chance to enjoy yourself, and for once, don’t interrogate it under a spotlight. Say yes if it appeals. Keep routines and responsibilities ticking over so you can take advantage of similar

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th) October begins with a warning to avoid power struggles. An unjust situation may infuriate you, but pouring energy into a lost cause will only sour your mood. Redirect stress into creative work. Bitterness is dreary. Lemonade is better. Mid-month asks for tolerance, but not submission. November opens with group efforts producing solid results. Friends or workmates value your practical suggestions, especially around future opportunities. Pay close attention to details around the 11th, when someone may inflate a trivial issue into a grand opera. You’ve been held back before, so you already have answers ready. Use them calmly.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th) October begins with business strategies in need of revision. If a policy isn’t working, change it. Mid-month, unreliable people exhaust you. Make plans with those who actually keep their word. Bold choices can bring excitement. A public meeting or event may attract unruly people, so stay calm and assertive. Don’t let rebels mock your authority. November begins with caution around the support you’ve been offered. Listen to someone who has faced a similar situation, because this offer may come with expectations attached. Matters you’ve avoided need action, and a balanced perspective helps you decide what you actually want.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th) October opens by asking you to confront fear. The second week is productive. Responsibilities increase, yet you move through tasks with surprising ease when distractions are blocked. Avoid gossip and rumours. Most are nonsense, and your position is likely to remain stable, which is exactly what you want. Learning from an expert can transform your skills. November begins with you proving you are not merely a dreamer. Ignore anyone who accuses you of floating about in fantasy. Opportunities to pursue new paths are approaching, and you’re already sensing who will support you and who might hold you back. Your understanding of people is a gift. Use it. Keep close to those who feel helpful and genuine. A younger family member may need to be persuaded to take commitments seriously. Be kind but firm.

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All Together NOW!

AUTUMN 2026

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OR 21 years, your FREE, multi-award winning All Together NOW! newspaper has been helping and inspiring hundreds of thousands of readers across the region with its unique content. But publishing newspapers is a hugely costly business – especially for a small charity like ours. Every advertisement or donation helps us to achieve that goal. We are now appealing to YOU – our loyal and devoted readers – to help us to carry on the good work by becoming a FRIEND of All Together NOW! By making a donation to the charity you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a direct involvement in keeping this essential and unique news service in good fettle. Whatever you can afford to give – however little – will be gratefully appreciated! All Together NOW! is unique. You can help secure its future – and make it even bigger and better for everyone’s benefit. Thank you.

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INSPIRING: Mike McCartney’s message

MOVING: The remarkable 52-year story

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ANT to know the story behind All Together NOW! and why people like Liverpool celebrity Mike McCartney love the paper? Thanks to Liverpool-based Zut Media you can see two powerful short films about our work. Mike, younger brother of Beatles star Paul, recalls the suffering he and his family went through on hearing that his son, Sonny, had to

have his left leg amputated following a motorbike accident. An emotional Mike says: “Sonny asked for help, took help, and he came out the other end. That’s why it’s important to never ever give in. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.” Mike, now an internationally acclaimed photographer and artist, continues: “I got involved with All Together NOW! through DadaFest, Disability Arts Forum, where I first met Tom (Dowling). I

found out he did this newspaper about disability and things and I said ‘Oh, if you have a newspaper providing information, giving help to people that otherwise won’t know where to go, then that to be is a valuable institution, a valuable outlet’. “I’ll be singing the paper’s praises every chance I get … Try and stop me!” l Zut Media is owned by Mark Hancock, a trustee of the charity.

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