All Together NOW! Summer 2025

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THE SUNNIEST PAPER AROUND – AND IT’S FREE

SUMMER 2025

EVEREST

YEARS OLD

– THE FIGHT GOES ON TO SAVE YOUR GREAT PAPER centre pages

Our thanks to the Duchy of Lancaster BF for paying the printing of this special edition

THE HARDEST WAY p8

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WIN! WIN! WIN!

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TEN SUPER WATER BUTTS TO BE WON

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opening doors . . . broadening minds

IT’S THAT SPECIAL DAD TIME AGAIN

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All Together NOW!

What’s inside NEWS

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UNITED UTILITIES

EVEREST THE HARDEST WAY

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

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ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

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HEALTHZONE

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THEATREZONE

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PUZZLEZONE

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GARDENING

KEN PYE: Discovering Liverpool HOROSCOPE / BOOKS

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Can YOU help keep us going? 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. n The charity – the only one of its kind in the UK – relies entirely on support from its sponsors, advertisers, subscriptions and donations.

JOHN’S LEAP FOR MANKIND

Help in hunt for suitable homes

SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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THE hunt for wheelchair homes to rent just got a little bit easier – if you have access to the internet.

T’S all systems go for John McFall – who has been cleared to be the world’s first disabled astronaut.

The former British Paralympian sprinter and surgeon, who lost a leg in a motorbike accident aged 19, has been declared medically fit for a stint in space.

John was part of a European Space Agency study that spent a year and a half successfully showing it is feasible to fly someone with a disability like his on a six-month mission to the ISS as a fully integrated crew member.

Now he hopes to receive the green light to join a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

John, 52, said: “It’s great that we can say after a huge amount of work in the last 18 months that it’s possible.

“Now we’re progressing to the next phase – Mission Ready – an important step in moving forward to realise a potential flight opportunity.

ROCKET MAN: John set to be the first disabled astronaut

“We’re going to be looking at what potential science could be conducted on the International Space Station should I get the opportunity to fly, and importantly we’re looking towards medical certification for me to fly on a long duration mission.

“This progression to the Mission Ready phase is a really important milestone in the history of human spaceflight.”

John, from Frimley, Surrey, is currently taking part in ESA Astronaut Reserve training at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.

– 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

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NEXT EDITION Monday 8 September 2025

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

We’re in the business of dreams MUSCLE MEMORIES: The Foundation provides unforgettable experiences like flying a plane

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AKING dreams come true is the aim of a muscular dystrophy charity.

Young people aged eight to 28 have enjoyed experiences such as driving high-powered sports cars, flying a plane, or meeting an acting or sporting hero.

Now, the Muscle Help Foundation is reaching out to all families living with MD, and children’s hospices, to offer

opportunities to more young people.

Michael McGrath founded the

charity after undertaking two life-changing experiences saw him make history as the first disabled person to journey to both the North and South Poles.

He said: “Experiences can be both profound and enormously joyful – they can also improve confidence and self-worth and be incredibly empowering.” n MHF: Tel. 07958 463434 n www.musclehelp.com

Connecting with 250,000 people . . .

Disabled and older people can now use an improved search function on England’s dedicated accessible housing resource, Accessible NOW. The site boasts information that other property portals may not have, including accessibility features like wet rooms, step free entrances, parking, location, proximity to shops and transport links, along with photos of key areas within the home.

Not-for-profit national housing mobility scheme Homefinder UK developed Accessible NOW in partnership with the leading social housing provider of accessible homes, Habinteg Housing Association, to help England’s disabled home seekers.

Life-changer

The mother of a wheelchair user, who was able to find a three-bed wheelchair accessible property through Accessible NOW, said: “Finding a fully wheelchairadapted home has completely changed our lives, especially our daughter’s.

“For the first time, she can move around freely and live with the dignity and independence she deserves.”

Christina McGill, from Habinteg, believes the portal could become a life-changing resource.

She said: “With over 1,300 housing associations in England, just think what we could achieve if they all market their accessible properties on the platform.

Disabled and older people, and their families, would be able to find a suitable accessible home in one trusted resource.”

Disabled and older people, and families with disabled children, across England are being urged to register on Accessible NOW to express an interest and apply for a property at homefinderuk.org/accessiblenow-channel.

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GREAT YEARS!

HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THIS PAPER ALIVE

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SUMMER 2025

. . . now the fight is on to save this vital newspaper

MAY 2005: Our very first edition

See centre page special

£100 million

to make life better for everyone

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HE Steve Morgan Foundation has pledged £100m over the

next five years to help charities and not-for-profit organisations tackle social disadvantage – and fund research into Type 1 diabetes.

Set up in 2001, the Foundation has already given milllions to local good causes. Now, as the 25th anniversary approaches, Foundation chairman Steve Morgan said: “This is a pivotal moment as we continue to drive proper impact across our region. Now is the time for meaningful change and a new strategic direction.

“We recognise these are really tough

– BACK PAGE

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A lesson for us all from Doctor Paul

PAUL Doyle’s journey from leaving school with severe cerebral palsy and no qualifications to a PhD in disability studies is a tale of hope and inspiration.

Now Dr Doyle has recounted that journey in a new book, Beyond the Chair.

Dr Doyle said: “I have had to convince people that I am able to achieve a high educational status.

“My book is based on my PhD, and the fieldwork for my degree took place at a special HOPE: Paul school.

“As I have very severe cerebral palsy, I was able to talk about my own experiences of leaving special school with no qualifications at all, and transitioning to a mainstream college.”

Professor Jackie Carter., who runs Manchester University’s disabled staff network, said: “Paul’s book is a beacon of inspiration.”

It’s DAD DAD It’s time again!

CHAMPIONS: Steve Morgan with winners of last year’s Steve Morgan Foundation awards

times for so many communities who are facing poverty and a lack of meaningful opportunities.

“This is why we are significantly scaling up our support and pledging £20m each year for the next five years to support collaborative partnerships that tackle these issues head on.”

Large-scale projects the Foundation has previously supported include the Cradle 2 Career programme, which brought together communities and services in north Birkenhead to improve literacy standards and transform the lives of children and young people.

The programme is now being scaled

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

up across five other communities in the Liverpool City Region.

The Foundation has also built new Maggie’s Centres for cancer patients in Wirral and Liverpool. A third is under way in North Wales, and there are plans for a second centre in Liverpool.

Three years ago they committed £50m to the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Steve’s wife, Sally, a trustee of the Foundation, said: “This is a cause close to our hearts. It is fantastic to see research projects funded by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge taking us closer to new treatments and cures.”

Free Home Demonstrations

SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

ALL roads lead to Walton Hall Gardens, near Warrington, on Sunday July 13 for the 35th annual Disability Awareness Day. Dave Thompson, chief executive of Warrington Disability Partnership, said: “We are delighted to say that DAD just gets better and better. When we started the event all those years ago, we couldn’t have imagined it would become so big and so popular.

“It’s a free event, and one that brings together people of all ages and abilities.”

Call Us On:

01744 602602 Also At:

0151 423 3738

Widnes Mobility Supercentre (Largest in Northwest) 62 Victoria Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 7RA

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WHY MUST IT BE SO HARD? SUMMER 2025

Extra costs last straw for hard-up charities

DISABILITY charities already struggling to meet demand are being pushed to the brink.

The increase in employer National Insurance contributions and minimum wage rates has left one in three poised to hand back local government contracts – including residential care and support provided in people’s homes.

For disabled people, the consequences will be devastating, say charity chiefs.

The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group and Corbis Bright found the increased cost of NICs and wages will result in an estimated £266m shortfall in funds.

Dr Rhidian Hughes, head of the VODG, said: “Third sector providers of frontline services have faced years of underfunding, and these changes are set to push charities to the brink.

“Without an exemption, or protected funding to cover the commitments being introduced by Government, it will mean that services for disabled people will at best shrink, and at worst close.

“Public sector commissioners are in no place to be able to pick up and run these services and the question we are left with is who will then support disabled people with lifelong conditions?”

Toolkit for bosses

EMPLOYERS are being offered free online help to understand the needs of disabled workers.

The Technology Toolkit provides practical advice and strategies for employers on how to introduce inclusive technology. n Tel. 020 7403 3020. www.businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

Still failed 30 years on

THIRTY years after the Disability Discrimination Act took effect, disabled people are still fighting for equal access.

The Euan’s Guide Access Survey says an entire generation of disabled people – and their families – has been failed.

Out of 6.500 people asked, 70% said lack of access has directly affected their goals, plans or aspirations.

Many respondents expressed frustration, exhaustion, and isolation due to ongoing access issues.

Kiki MacDonald, co-founder of the guide, said: “Thirty years after the first legislation was put in place, disabled people are still having to fight for access information and access to everyday places – whether it’s arriving at a ‘wheelchair-accessible’ restaurant only to find a step and no ramp or being stranded at a train station with no assistance, these experiences are unacceptable.

STRUGGLING: Huge numbers of older carers are missing out on votal support

Complex system denies the needy

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ENS of thousands of hard-up carers are believed to be missing out on crucial financial support they are entitled to.

Find YOUR local Carers Centre – p17

Many older carers are simply unaware that they qualify for Pension Credit, while an unnecessarily perplexing application process is another major barrier to receiving support.

Charities are calling for a simpler application process and an increase to benefits for the poorest pensioner carers.

New figures from Age UK estimate that 65,000 low-income older carers looking after disabled, older and ill relatives and friends could be missing out on Pension Credit and potentially other key entitlements.

As well as a lack of knowledge about what’s available, a complex and confusing application process for an extra payment for unpaid carers is stopping low-income pensioners from claiming.

This top up to Pension Credit, Carer Addition, could be worth up to £2,412.80 extra per year for an older carer.

Age UK says it is especially concerning that carers are not receiving the support they are entitled to as Pension Credit is a gateway to additional help such as the Winter Fuel Payment.

A new survey of 344 older carers, carried out by Carers UK, found three quarters did not know that

submitting a claim for Carer’s Allowance makes it more likely they will be eligible for Pension Credit – and more likely to receive a higher amount.

Carers UK chief executive Helen Walker said “Older carers are already having to provide significant amounts of care, are often in poor health themselves and are frequently exhausted from the amount of administration they have to deal with.

“Having such a complex, frustrating and baffling system is incredibly counterproductive and those on the lowest incomes can least afford to miss out.

“Following the tightening of Winter Fuel Payments criteria for those who are in receipt of Pension Credit and other key benefits, a simple claims process becomes even more important.

“The Government needs to take this step before next winter so that as many carers as possible on low incomes get vital support.”

Vivienne Jackson, from charity abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, said: “It’s not right that older carers, often run off of their feet at a time of life when they should have some space to put them up, have a bewildering maze to navigate.

“There is a real chance now to simplify the system, making sure older carers and their families claim the support they deserve.”

Saluting those who care for carers EFFORTS made to overcome the challenges faced by carers are being celebrated at a national awards ceremony.

Community groups and organisations will be honoured at the first Carers UK Awards

being held in the charity’s 60th anniversary year.

The judging panel will include Carers UK patron Tiggy Walker, who cared for her late husband, the legendary radio broadcaster Johnnie.

Families ‘left at breaking point’

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Nominations close on Friday, June 27, with a gala ceremony to honour the winners on October 16 in London.

n Carers UK: Tel. 020 7378 4999 n www.carersuk.org

FAMILIES with disabled children are at breaking point, left without the support they need.

Just weeks after hearing that many of them may lose thousands of pounds in benefits, a report from national disability charity Sense reveals the huge delays parents face to be seen by children’s social services.

By law, disabled children are entitled to an assessment to identify their needs and ensure they receive the necessary support. This is a crucial step in securing support services such as home adaptations, support with personal care and access to day centres.

Parents, however, say they are waiting more than 200 days for their child to be seen by a social worker – with one in four waiting over a year.

Without a referral and assessment, families are unable to get any support from their local authority.

Nearly half of families say without this support they are struggling to cope.

Exhausted

Sense says in 18 local authorities the average length of assessments is more than the 45-day legal limit, with one local authority almost double the legal limit. In Knowsley the average wait is 48 days, while in Sefton it is 46.

Two in five of the parents interviewed from Liverpool said, over the past year, they haven’t been able to get the support they need, and two thirds were exhausted from constantly battling for help.

The charity’s report – ‘From crisis to care – making social care work for disabled children’ – says every step of the process of securing support is a long, drawn-out process for parents.

Multiple assessments and prolonged delays are common, and even when families are granted support, local services are rarely available.

The charity’s chief executive, James WatsonO’Neill, said: “The social care system is failing disabled children and leaving families at breaking point.”

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

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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We are delighted to support All Together NOW! because it reaches those with no access to the internet

HE Liverpool Lieutenancy and The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund extend warm congratulations to All Together NOW! on reaching this wonderful milestone of publishing for 20 years.

We are delighted to support this newspaper because its founder, who has a disability himself, saw the need for a hard copy publication which reaches those who do not have access to the internet.

The free, quarterly piublication is available in appropriate locations throughout Merseyside.

It is informative, entertaining and

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All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

an all-round good read with responsible content.

We wish All Together NOW! many more years providing readers with this invaluable newspaper.

– Merseyside Lieutenancy

INCE its inception in 1993 the DLBF has distributed almost £3 million to charities and good causes throughout the five boroughs of Merseyside.

The Duchy of Lancaster provides the funding and a similar sum is quarterly granted to the counties of Lancashire and Manchester.

Applications for funding are considerd every three months.

The awards panel is made up of Deputy Lieutenants, who are appointed to support the Lord Lieutenant, Mr Mark Blundell, the Monarch’s representative here on Merseyside.

Comprising men and women from each of the five boroughs of the county ensures that the panel has a deep knowledge of the needs and diversity of their area.

The first stage of the process is for applicants to download the application form from the Merseyside Lieutenancy website and to check compliance.

The form is straightforward and designed so the panel can satisfy themselves that the applicant is bona fide and is carrying out a service which will benefit the citizens of Merseyside.

SCIENTISTS have developed an ultra fast way of diagnosing brain tumours – reducing the waiting time from six to eight weeks to two hours.

The groundbreaking method, which could improve care for thousands of patients each year in the UK, has been developed by a team of experts at Nottingham University Hospitals.

Professor Matt Loose said: “Once we have a sample from a patient, we can now quickly extract the DNA and look at the different properties to give us the information we need.

“Not only is the test more accurate and quicker, but it is also cheaper than current methods. Our calculations stand at around £450 per person, potentially less when scaled-up.”

Dr Simon Paine said: “This new method of diagnosing brain tumours is going to be a game changer.”

The team are now looking to get the new testing rolled out at NHS Trusts across the UK.

Be a butterfly buddy GREEN AND PLEASANT: A garden funded by the Duchy in the grounds of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral

The number of applications varies – anything from 12 to 26.

The panel is provided with all the information and the amount of funds available well in advance of the meeting so checks can be made regarding references, need for the project, and financial history of the organisation.

All meetings are attended by the Clerk to the Lieutenancy, who forwards the panel’s recommendations to the Lord Lieutenant, whose decision is final..

The range of organisations assisted includes food banks, community,

Ultra-fast diagnosis aids brain treatment

veterans and interfaith groups, wellbeing projects, cultural and literacy providers, hospices, children and pensioners’ programmes.

Sadly, however, there are occasions when we do not have sufficient funds to help the many worthy causes.

l During our deliberations we also often identify groups of volunteers whom we feel might merit The King’s Award for Volunteers (KAFV) and we suggest they might consider being nominated for the prestigious award.

WILL butterfly populations bounce back? That’s the big question after research showed that 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s.

The Big Butterfly Count, running from July 18 to August 1, is a quick and easy way for those online to help their survival. www.bigbutterflycount.org

Women’s web woes

SOCIETY is becoming more and more “digital by default”.

Age UK’s research confirms that older women are less likely to be online, or to be confident and successful internet users than older men – the gap becoming more pronounced with age.

This lack of digital skills also impacts their ability to access NHS and banking services.

The charity’s analysis finds 14% of women and 11% of men aged 60-plus say they never use the internet, with the proportion of people not using the internet, and the associated gender gap, increasing with age.

At age 75-plus, 23% of women and 14% of men never use the internet.

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

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Grim reality of travelling in the UK SUMMER 2025

Fears that leave deaf passengers struggling

THE extent to which the public are unwilling to help deaf people who are travelling or using public transport has been revealed.

But in many cases it’s not because they don’t care – but rather because they worry about doing or saying the wrong thing.

Indeed, a large majority of people asked said they would be more likely to help somebody with hearing loss if they were given a few useful tips on how best to go about it.

National blind charity RNID found that only 65% of the public they surveyed would offer help to someone with a hearing aid on public transport – that compared to 83% who would assist a wheelchair user.

Two in five (41%) people asked said they worried about getting it wrong or coming across as patronising (40%), and 36% are unsure how to communicate effectively with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss.

Easy ways to help

SIGN up for RNID’s communication tips, including videos of simple British Sign Language phrases you can learn, and find out what small changes you can make www.rnid.org.uk

Now is perfect time to make the buses better

MULTIPLE barriers stop people with sight loss from using bus services, say the Royal National Institute of Blind people.

Inconsistent bus stop design, missing lighting and signage and insufficient driver training are among the reasons why blind people stay at home.

A new report from RNIB – All Aboard?

Navigating bus travel with sight loss’ – also highlights the decline in bus services across the country, further reducing the confidence of blind and partially sighted people to travel independently.

The charity’s transport survey of 1,200 blind and partially sighted people found: l Fewer than half can make all the journeys by bus they want and need to. l 56% said they’d like to go out more than they do. l 80% found unfamiliar bus journeys difficult or very difficult.

Erik Matthies, RNIB’s policy lead for travel and transport, said: “This report shows how far services are failing to help those of us with sight loss get around.

“As there are upcoming plans to extend bus franchising in both England and Wales, now’s the time for local authorities and bus operators to act on the experiences of blind and partially sighted people to make all buses accessible, reliable, and safe so people, like me, with sight loss can make the journeys they want and need to.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

TRANSPORT USERS DRIVEN TO DESPAIR

GETTING THERE?: Too few disabled passengers have a positive experience when travelling

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HE harsh daily reality experienced by disabled people when using transport in the UK has been exposed.

And a report from MPs calls for a complete overhaul of the regulations meant to protect people from discrimination.

From accounts of wheelchair users left on planes for hours, to taxi drivers refusing lifts to people with an assistance dog, the House of Commons Transport Committee heard evidence of widespread failures – across all modes of transport – to uphold the rights of people with access needs.

The cross-party committee’s inquiry also found that attempts to address

disparities between disabled and nondisabled people’s experience of transport have in some cases gone into reverse since Covid.

A survey conducted by the committee, which received 825 responses, found 67% of disabled people, or those who assist them, encounter problems using transport either “always” or “most of the time”.

Less than one in 20 said they never experienced challenges when travelling.

And half said that at least once a month they would decide against making a journey because they expected to face difficulties.

Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said: “It should be a source of national embarrassment that our country’s

Despair, anger, frustration . . .

Some of the comments received by the transport committee: “In my lifetime, I will not be able to get on a train without the permission or support of a non-disabled person.”

– Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former paralympic wheelchair racer.

“We do not even have a plan at the moment.

We need a ring-fenced budget and a cross-party commitment for the next 30 years that no one touches.” – Christiane Link, journalist, campaigner and consultant for transport accessibility.

transport services effectively treat disabled people as second class citizens, denying them access to jobs, leisure, support networks and essential services – denying them their rights. .

“Even when complaints are resolved, lessons aren’t learnt, changes aren’t put in place, and it’s tempting to think that the small and occasional penalties for failure are accepted by providers as a mere cost of doing business.”

Ms Cadbury added: “In its reforms to transport services over this Parliament, the Government must ensure people with access needs no longer go unseen, unheard and unacknowledged.

“This should be underpinned with a new inclusive transport strategy, backed by long-term funding.”

“I don’t use public transport at all anymore. I can’t cope with buses refusing me space, trains leaving me stranded in the sidings, airline crew destroying my wheelchair, taxis refusing wheelchairs.”

“I don’t fly because it is inaccessible to me (I can’t transfer out of my wheelchair, can’t risk injury by being manhandled by airport staff without appropriate equipment). I choose not to use trains because I have no guarantee that I will be able to disembark at my destination, I can’t risk getting stranded. Longer distance buses/coaches are generally not wheelchair accessible, so I restrict my journeys to local only.”

“Particularly on trains, Passenger Assistance staff are usually helpful but so chronically understaffed that they’re running platform to platform and delayed (upwards of 30 minutes plus) supporting people as they can’t be everywhere at once.”

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

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

Keep your garden blooming lovely It’s really easy to keep your garden looking lovely without using a lot of water.

Just follow our water saving tips below.

Plan your garden TOP Try planting drought-resistant plants, such as lavender.

TIP It looks fabulous and requires a lot less water.

Water out of hours

TOP TIP

Water your garden in the early morning or late evening, when less water is lost through evaporation. Aim for the plant roots, not the leaves.

Use mulch for moisture

TOP TIP

n i r e W t wa

a butt

Add a layer of mulch (e.g. bark chips, manure) over your soil to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Ditch the hosepipe A watering can uses far less water than a hosepipe or sprinkler, and it’s easier to direct the water at the roots, where your plants need it most. If possible, invest in a water butt so you can use all that lovely rainwater in the garden.

TOP TIP

We’ve got 10 water butts to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply send your name, address and phone number to Water Butt Competition, All Together Now, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool, L14 2EP or email your entry to competition@ alltogethernow.org.uk with “water butt” in the subject line. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day on 25th July 2025.

Terms and conditions apply, see unitedutilities.com for details.

Visit unitedutilities.com/savewater for lots more water savings tips.

Support when you need it :H FDQ DOO EHQHLJW IURP D ELW RI H[WUD KHOS DW VRPH VWDJH in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, PHQWDO KHDOWK SUREOHPV LJQDQFLDO ZRUULHV RU ODQJXDJH barriers.

Registering for Priority Services is free and means you’ll EHQHLJW IURP WKH IROORZLQJ VHUYLFHV

Register at unitedutilities.com/priorityservices or call 0345 672 2888

• A dedicated team on hand to listen and help • %UDLOOH ODUJH SULQW ßWDONLQJà ELOOV DQG WH[W UHOD\ VHUYLFH • Knock and wait service if you have mobility needs • 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 05/25/SD/10705

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The epic journey they said couldn’t be done

8 All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

MITCH’N IMPOSSIBLE TOP OF THE WORLD: On Everest summit

EPIC: During the 240-day expedition

Whatever your dream, go out and smash it ...

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VER the past 20 years All Together NOW! has highlighted countless stories of people who are defying the odds and showing just what can be done – whatever life throws at them.

The news of Mitch Hutchcraft is surely up there with the best of them.

The 31-year-old former Royal Marine made history by climbing Mount Everest – after swimming, cycling and running more than 8,000 miles to get there!

Not bad going for someone once told that a full knee reconstruction would make it impossible to even join the military, let alone complete a challenge of this magnitude.

Mitch’s 240-day Project Limitless expedition started last September when he swam 22 miles non-stop across the Channel, cycled over 7,500 miles through Europe and Asia to Digha in India; ran 560 miles to Kathmandu, before embarking on the grueling mountain trek to Everest base camp.

“It was more magical than I could have ever dreamed it would be,” he said on his way down from the summit.

“Although I lost my dad 11 years ago, he was with me every step of the way. It’s been

tough, the most difficult thing I’ve ever one. But I couldn’t be happier and more proud of finishing this epic adventure.”

He added: “This has been the most painful, but fulfilling, adventure. I just want it to inspire others to believe that whatever they’re dreaming, however small, they just need to get out there and smash it.”

While this is by far the biggest challenge of his life, it isn’t his first epic adventure.

The last few years has seen him rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean; cycling the same distance across North America and climbing some of the world’s most challenging mountains.

His father died suddenly when he was 20, which became the driving force in his decision to be a marine.

Mitch is raising money for SAVSIM, a non-profit organisation centred around wildlife conservation, and dedicated to providing mental health support to veterans and others suffering from PTSD and similar issues. n https://givestar.io/gs/limitless

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

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Welfare benefits and social care: everything you need to know Disability Rights UK is a charity that’s been providing advice, and information about benefits for over half a century. Our publications and online resources have helped hundreds of thousands of people get the benefits, services and support they have a right to expect.

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DISABILITY RIGHTS HANDBOOK Edition 50 April 2025 - April 2026

Don’t miss out - find your way around the benefits maze

Need priority access to accessible public toilets?

Thinking about making a claim for a benefit?

Or applying for care or support services?

If you have a health condition or disability, finding a clean, tidy, accessible toilet can be a challenge.

The answers you need, all in one place Comprehensive guidance on the benefits system and your rights O How social care operates around the UK and how support needs should be met, at home or in a care home O Other services and resources for disabled people

The Radar key gives you access to over 9,000 locked disabled public toilets around the UK. We manage the Radar National Key Scheme (NKS) and use profits from key sales to maintain the scheme.

Written in plain English by benefits specialists and updated every year, our handbook has been the trusted source of advice for both claimants and advisers for almost 50 years.

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O A guide to benefits and services for all disabled people, their families, carers and advisers

Full of tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim

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Order online

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Get a Radar key Manufactured and guaranteed by the makers of Radar NKS locks O Don’t risk buying a cheap copy that may not work Genuine Radar Key £5 + P&P

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Order at disabilityrightsuk.org/shop and save 10% with NOW10 code at checkout

9

10 All Together NOW!

Thought you would never get to drive?

Think again!

A

NEW fleet of adapted vehicles is all set to give disabled youngsters aged as young as nine a taste of driving.

The Young Driver organisation, which provides lessons and experiences to young people, has taken possession of 10 automatic Suzuki Swifts, suitable for those with a wide range of physical disabilities and additional needs.

Lessons are available at every event held at each of the scheme’s 70 private venues across Britain – including Aintree and Haydock Park racecourses and Chester FC.

SUMMER 2025

Over the last 15 years, Young Driver has built up vast experience of teaching youngsters with additional needs.

Instructors regularly work with people who are blind, deaf, have prosthetic limbs, are in wheelchairs, have learning disabilities, or are neurodiverse.

Youngsters are able to take as much time as they need to get to grips with driving, with no pressure to pass tests.

And there is no upper age limit – the lessons aren’t restricted to under 17s – so Young Driver provides the opportunity to people of any age, who may not feel able, or

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ALL REVVED UP: David with his parents be allowed, to take tuition on the road.

The specially adapted vehicles – with optional hand controls – have a manual push/pull device next to the steering wheel, to enable drivers to control its speed, along with a steering ball, to allow the vehicle to be steered with one hand.

Each car is dual-controlled, ensuring an instructor is always able to take charge of the vehicle quickly and easily if needed.

Realistic road systems are created, including roundabouts and junctions.

Young Driver chief Ian Mulingani said: “Because lessons take place on private

property, the scheme is suitable for everyone whatever their age – especially with the new adapted cars. That includes those who aren’t allowed or who feel unable to have lessons on the road.

“We have pupils, even ones into their old age, who will never be able to drive on the roads. They want to experience what it’s like to drive, and we can make that happen.

“Learning to drive is about more than just learning to pass a test. It’s about building confidence and a sense of achievement. It’s about having something in common with your peers. It’s about independence.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

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Visit our Glasgow or Coventry showrooms or request a home demonstration

Heartbreak to joy for David and family

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D

AVID Hopcroft is 28, has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and is registered blind. But he CAN drive!

Proud mum Anna said: “When David’s brother Mark started to drive, David let us know he wanted to learn, too. We felt heartbroken as we knew he would never be able to drive on the roads.

“Then I came across Young Driver. He has had at least eight one-hour lessons a year at Stoneleigh Park.

“It gives him a life experience we never thought would happen.” n Young Driver. Tel.0333 577 9010. n www.youngdriver.com or call

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All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES

Breakthrough in how brain affects cancer

WHAT’S happening in the brain could be directly linked to the development of many cancers, scientists have revealed.

This remarkable discovery has led to a new branch of medical research – cancer neuroscience.

And two of the pioneers of this entirely new way of understanding cancers, which could result in different approaches to treatments, have received a major international prize.

Neuroscientists Professors Michelle Monje, from the US, and Frank Winkler, from Germany, were awarded The Brain Prize 2025.

Their work focused on gliomas, types of brain tumour that are extraordinarily hard to treat.

Professor Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, chair of The Brain Prize selection committee, said the neuroscientists’ findings could now pave the way for potential new treatments.

Check your kidneys

KIDNEY failure is up to five times more common in people from minority ethnic backgrounds, yet many are not getting the care they need.

Access to early diagnosis and treatment is often delayed.

Professor Shivani Sharma, pro-vice chancellor at Aston University, whose work focuses making kidney healthcare more equitable, said “Our research aims to highlight approaches to breaking down barriers so that everyone, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to understand why the kidneys are important and to prevent ill health.” n ARE your kidneys OK? Take the kidney health check at: www.kidney researchuk.com

Drug’s double benefit

A NEW and widely used diabetes drug may have additional health benefits for older adults, according to new research.

The study, led by the University of Glasgow, is the largest of its kind to assess the health benefits of diabetes medications in different age groups.

Researchers looked at data from more than 300,000 patients and found that one type of diabetes drug in particular – SGLT2 inhibitors – were associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes in older people, compared to younger people.

Dr Peter Hanlon said: “Our findings that older people experienced greater benefits from these drugs, in terms of reduced heart attacks and strokes, is very encouraging.”

SUMMER 2025

SAVE THIS VITAL LIFELINE

Speedy insulin test on the way

A

NEW device to measure how much insulin people are producing promises to transform the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The simple tool would allow healthcare professionals to quickly and easily check an individual’s C-peptide levels, which is a measure of how much insulin they are making and releasing.

At present, this is a time-consuming and expensive process, making it impractical for healthcare professionals and their patients.

The new sensor can measure C-peptide levels in minutes, without the need for laboratory tests, with patients able to do a simple finger prick test at their GP or in a diabetes clinic.

Dr Samet Sahin, from Lancaster University School of Engineering, has received £406,000 funding from diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D UK, to develop the tool.

He said: “This new tool could enhance diabetes management by enabling earlier and more personalised interventions, ultimately improving patient care.”

Rachel Connor, from Breakthrough T1D UK, said: “We’re excited at the prospect of having a quick finger prick test that would give critical information on how type 1 diabetes is developing.

“This would be transformative in guiding healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate treatments.”

Treasure trove of antibiotics “EXCITING”: Professor Merbl, centre, and her team who made the discovery

A

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

WORLD of potential new antibiotics has been discovered in the immune system, say scientists.

They found that a part of the body known to recycle proteins has a secret mode that can spew out bacteria-killing chemicals.

It transforms our understanding of how we are protected against infection, according to researchers.

And it provides a new place to look for antibiotics to tackle the growing problem of superbugs that resist our current drugs.

The discovery centres on the proteasome – a tiny structure in every cell of the body – whose main job is to chop up old proteins into smaller chunks so they can be recycled into new ones.

But experiments showed that when the proteasome detects that a cell has been infected by bacteria, it changes shape and starts transforming old proteins into weapons that can rip open the outer layer of disease-causing bacteria to kill them.

Prof Yifat Merbl, from the Weizmann

Institute of Science, Israel, told the BBC: “This is really exciting, because we never knew that this was happening.

“We discovered a novel mechanism of immunity that is allowing us to have a defence against bacterial infection. It’s happening throughout our body in all the cells, and generates a whole new class of potential natural antibiotics.”

Dr Lindsey Edwards, a senior lecturer in microbiology at King’s College London, sad: “It’s a potential goldmine for new antibiotics.

“In previous years it’s been digging up soil (to find new antibiotics), it is wild that it’s something we have within us, but comes down to having the technology to be able to detect these things.”

More than a million people a year are estimated to die from infections resistant to drugs like antibiotics.

Despite the need, there has been a lack of research into developing new antibiotics to keep up with demand.

The study’s finding were detailed in the journal Nature.

– BACK PAGE

500,000

A NEW online guide is available for autistic people going through menopause or perimenopause.

Details of what to expect, insight from an autistic person’s menopause journey, tips on what can make it easier, and treatment options are included.

Dr Sarah Lister Brook, from the National Autistic Society, said: “Being autistic doesn’t mean you bypass the experience of menopause. In fact, perimenopause and menopause symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings and sensory sensitivities may be

people across Merseyside and Cheshire

DIGITALLY EXCLUDED

Logged out!

Why this FREE paper is so vital

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

250,000

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

READERS . . . BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER SUMMER 2025

All Together NOW!

All Together NOW! has been a real help to us. We’ve been involved with the paper since its launch in 2005 and always get a great response to our adverts. Here’s wishing the paper every success.”

— Steve Curran, co-director, DaVinci Mobility

“All Together NOW! brings together so many people and organisations – there is no doubting the importance of this excellent publication.

“The newspaper makes a unique contribution to improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families.

“We are delighted with the huge progress the paper has made.”

– Steve Morgan CBE, chairman Steve Morgan Foundation

SIMPLY THE BEST

“OF ALL the marketing that United Utilities puts into the community, nothing generates as much feedback and response as All Together NOW! “It is a great platform that’s helping us to get our messages to our vulnerable customers.”

— Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive Officer United Utilities

A LIFELINE TO THOUSANDS NOT ONLINE More than a newspaper – the key to independence

“All Together NOW! is a valuable link to hundreds of thousands of disabled people. We have used this free charity newspaper to promote the services of our mobility shops and the annual Disability Awareness Day and know that it is reaching huge numbers of people who otherwise would go uninformed.”

— Dave Thompson Warrington Disability Partnership “WE HAD a brilliant response to your article about our Atrial Fibrillation Ambassador programme – and lots of people phoned us to find out how they could become an AF Ambassador.

Thanks to All Together NOW! many more people with an irregular heart rhythm will now be detected, get the right medication and this will prevent them from having strokes.”

— NHS Innovation Agency

facebook.com/ AllTogetherNews/

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You can benefit from our in-paper and online audiences with cost-effective advertising and sponsorship.

Your advertisement will be

250,000

seen by local, and highly relevant readers – don't let your business miss out on our huge audience!

Tel 0151 230 0307 Contact us now

sales@alltogethernow.org.uk

“WE’VE advertised in All Together NOW! for the past 14 years – and haven't missed a single issue. It's a fantastic publication that does a brilliant job of presenting disability interests and issues in a positive and inclusive manner. We get a great response to our advertising – and the team is always great to deal with.” – Donald Pow, MD, Allied Mobility

“WE HAVE proudly advertised in All Together NOW! for over 12 years.

It is an excellent newspaper, with endless interesting and helpful facts for all readers.

“We alway receive great responses to our advertisements.

“The newspaper is freely available to so many people throughout the North West and is appreciated by so many.”

– Heather Maddox, A-Line Mobility

www.alltogethernow.org.uk Registered Charity: 1106387

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All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

20

www.alltogether

WE COULDN’T DO

MAY 2005: Liverpool’s hit band The Farm helped us launch All Together NOW!

RIGHT: Remembering some of the special friends who have helped us along the bumpy road to a remarkable milestone

They are pictured here with editor Tom Dowling (centre) and the ATN team.

From left: Carl Hunter, Chris Groves,

Chris Williams, Lynn-Marie Clarkson, Keith Mullin, Steve Grimes, Roy Boulter and Peter Hooton. Picture: COLIN LANE

CONGRATULATIONS to the team at All Together NOW! on its 20th birthday!

“We’re so proud to have supported such a vital publication, one that’s made a hugely positive impact over the years to communities across the North West.

“This team’s dedication has been incredible and you’ve kept it going

Positive attitudes . . . and a whole lot of

H

CHRIS GROVES: Jack of all trades

OW do you find the backing to start a brand new niche newspaper when the economy is in dire straits and when hundreds of long-standing local papers are closing forever?

That was my challenge in the spring of 2004.

For the previous seven years, I’d had the good fortune to run the Liverpool Echo’s I Can Do That! disability magazine – a spin-off from my long-standing weekly column at the paper.

The mag had been a huge community hit, but sadly wasn’t paying its way, and the company felt it had no

ROBBIE CANNING: NANCY JAMES: TONY OWENS: Driver Trustee Trustee

choice but to pull the plug, leaving tens of thousands of disabled families feeling even more isolated.

Just turned 50, married, with a hefty mortgage and three young boys to support, I also felt weak and powerless … just as I did when I was shot and paralysed for life 30 years earlier.

What got me through then – and to this day – are PEOPLE. I’d learned early from my Liverpool roots that if you approach things positively, then things sometimes had a way of working out.

The plan was simple: set up a charity newspaper. Income would come from a mix of grants and advertising and sponsorships.

Easy.

But life, of course, is rarely that easy. It took

EILEEN EASTWOOD: Trustee

MADELEINE WERE: Writer

a year to get charity status, build a small, enthusiastic team, and find a pot of gold sufficient to get things moving.

That gold came via the now defunct North West Regional Development Agency and the European Social Risk Capital Fund.

From then on it’s been a constant battle to balance the books. Miraculously, we’re still here 20 years on.

How that’s possible is due to a long list of people who have liked what we’re doing and been able to lend a hand: people like Steve Morgan, Jane Harris and trustees from the Steve Morgan Foundation; Louise Beardmore, Colin Gallagher and the team from United Utilities; trustees at the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, Anne Duchess of Westminster Charity, Eleanor Rathbone

WALTER HUNTLEY and SIR K Ambassadors

Charity, and PH Holt Foundation; the late Everton FC owner Peter Johnson; the late Sir Ken Dodd and his wife, Lady Anne; Ruth Hussey and Gideon Ben Tovim (NHS), Phil Godfrey (John Moores Foundation); Sue Weir and Andy Abernethy (Medicash); Donald Pow (Allied Vehicles); Vin Ross and Steve Curran (DaVinci Mobility); Dave Thompson at Warrington Disability Partnership; Rosie Richer at the Persula Foundation; and Walter Huntley, David Highet, Mike Unger, Gerry Corner and colleagues at the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo. The list is endless, and my apologies if I have missed a name or two.

The late disability campaigner Sir Bert Massie best described All Together NOW! as being “much more than a newspaper – it’s a lifeline, a beacon of hope and

i

M

m W i b

w h a w

. . . but we desperately NEED support to k

YEARS OLD

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

rnow.org.uk

IT WITHOUT YOU

strong all these years. it wouldn’t be what it is today without all that hard work.”

– Jemma Houghton, Priority Services Manager, United Utilities

help

KEN DODD:

SIR BERT MASSIE: Columnist

inspiration, and the key to independence”.

That’s how thousands of people across Merseyside and Cheshire see the paper, too.

But how much longer we can keep this magnificent beacon burning is very uncertain.

With ever-increasing costs, and less and less ncome coming our way, things are looking bleak.

However, we face the future with optimism – and with hope that positive attitudes will again win the day.

The battle is on.

TOM DOWLING editor

MAY 2015: Philanthropist Steve Morgan has been a tremendous supporter of this newspaper. Over the years, his charity –

the Steve Morgan Foundation – has worked with us to deliver key messages about their life-changing grants

programmes. In 2015 they provided us with our own delivery van. Without all their support, we wouldn’t be here today.

NEVER EVER GIVE IN

says Mike McCartney

Log in and view ZUT MEDIA’s powerful films about our work www.alltogethernow.org.uk

W

ANT to know the 50-year story behind the paper and why people like Liverpool legend 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, talks about the pride he feels in becoming All Together NOW!’s first patron – and recalls the suffering he and his family went through on

MOVING: The remarkable 50-year story behind the newspaper

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

keep this newspaper alive – back page

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 me 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 since 2013.

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All Together NOW!

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.

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SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Equipped for life

Music maestros

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 is the new name for the helpline run by the Disabled Living charity, which has been operating in Manchester for 125 years.

The team also provides occupational therapy assessments, access audits and accredited training programmes. n 0161 214 4590

THE National Open Youth Orchestra, the world’s first disabled-led national youth orchestra, has just ended a hugely popular series of relaxed BSL interpreted performances.

INSTRUMENT-ALL! T

HE brilliance of disabled performers has been recognised at what’s billed as the biggest night in UK classical music.

Paraorchestra, pictured, which brings together professional disabled and non-disabled musicians, took one of the top prizes at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards.

Presenter Jess Gillam said Bristol-based Paraorchestra, which won the RLPS Ensemble Award, “are inspirational in their care and creativity, putting disabled musicians centre stage”.

Paraorchestra chief executive Jonathan

Top award for inclusive band

Harper said the award was “a tremendous recognition of the extraordinary artistic achievements of Paraorchestra over the last year, in which we presented a boundary-breaking repertoire of orchestral music experiences that blend genres and artforms, to an exceptionally wide range of audiences.”

Belfast’s Open Arts Community Choir and music director Beverley McGeown received

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support.

Tel 01253 472 202.

Textphone 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 Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 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 0161-273 5154

n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053

the Inspiration Award, celebrating the UK’s non-professional ensembles, and the only one voted for by the public.

The choir unites disabled and nondisabled people from different backgrounds through the power of song.

Welsh composer Sarah Lianne Lewis lifted the Chamber-Scale Composition Award. Her piece for solo piano, Letting the Light In, captures Sarah’s reflections on motherhood, balancing a career with caregiving, and the impact of this on her disability.

It features on the first commercial album to showcase UK disabled composers.

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

SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

THE FIRE INSIDE

B

All Together NOW!

EN Wilson is using the “fire inside” to forge a career in dance.

The 20-year-old, who has Down Syndrome, has won a coveted place on a training programme – and premiered a dance piece that he choreographed and starred in.

After first experiencing dance at the age of 13, Ben, from Northwich, was named an associate of leading arts charity, Cheshire Dance, two years ago and now hopes to open his own dance studio.

Cheshire Dance producer Emma Thomas said: “Watching him grow and learn about a dance world that isn’t created for someone with more challenges is an incredible process.”

His new dance piece, Step Ahead, features himself and three other dancers and was unveiled at the Now Northwich Festival.

Ben said: “Being a Cheshire Dance associate dancer means so much to me. I get to work with different teachers and dance artists and have time to develop.

“Before this, I didn’t know that I could become a dancer or a choreographer. Cheshire Dance has shown me that this is an option for me.”

Ben, whose love of dance began as a young teenager at the Down’s Syndrome Cheshire and Cheshire Dance run DS Dance group in Winsford, is set to continue his development on a training scheme for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent dancers with Frontline Dance in Stoke-on-Trent.

VISUAL PROBLEMS n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507

How Ben is blazing a trail in the world of dance

Deafblind ‘game changer’

FLYING HIGH: Ben aims to eventually open his own dance studio

A

NEW centre of excellence is aiming to overcome the “frustrating and overwhelming isolation” felt by many deafblind people.

The Deafblind UK Centre for Education and Research has been hailed as “life-changing” and a “game changer” for deafblind people.

Based at Birmingham City University (BCU) and the first of its kind, it will connect researchers, practitioners, and people living with deafblindness to increase knowledge and raise awareness.

David Childs, from BCU, said: “It will be a game changer in how we understand more about deafblindness and what we can do to make the lives of all those affected better.

“The research undertaken in this area is shockingly low. The centre won’t just meet

the knowledge gap, it will be an important beacon of hope to those affected by dual sensory loss.”

British Labour Party politician Lord Blunkett, himself blind, said: “A great deal is known about sensory challenges for blind people and those with profound deafness, but much less about the dual challenges deafblind people encounter on a daily basis.

“The centre will make an important contribution – both to greater understanding and public awareness – to the ways in which social and technological innovation can assist in the future.”

Deafblind UK chief Nikki Morris added: “There’s an urgent need to better understand the impact of deafblindness on people and their loved ones. The centre will help fill that gap.”

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 n CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 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 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 MANCHESTER Deaf Centre. Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks.

Tel 0161 941 4549.

Text 18001 0161 941 4549 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

CARERS’ CENTRES

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

17

18

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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, PHQWDO KHDOWK SUREOHPV LJQDQFLDO worries or language barriers.

“By registering for our scheme, we can make sure you receive the right support from us during those times ZKHQ ZH PD\ QHHG WR VZLWFK RDŽ 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 ZKR ZRXOG EHQHLJW IURP WKHVH 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; ç KDYH D FRQGLWLRQ WKDW DDŽHFWV WKHLU development; • have dementia; • rely on dialysis, feeding pumps or automated medication; ç DUH KDYLQJ LJQDQFLDO GLDžFXOWLHV • are deaf or hard of hearing, or have VSHHFK GLDžFXOWLHV • 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 GLDžFXOW WR DQVZHU WKH GRRU RU • may struggle to communicate because WKHLU LJUVW ODQJXDJH LVQàW (QJOLVK

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

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

May 30-Jul 5: Speedo Mick – The Scouse Stomper. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Musical. The story of a man who thought he had lost everything – his family, his home, his mind and his soul. For some time, Michael Cullen suffered from addiction and mental health issues. As he got on the road to recovery, he wanted to give something back, so he set about raising more than £1 million for disadvantaged young people and the homeless.

Jun 4-14: Grease The Musical. Grand, Blackpool. Step into the electrifying world of 1950s Rydell High School and follow the whirlwind romance between new girl Sandy Dumbrowski and popular guy Danny Zuko, who find their summer love challenged by the pressures of teenage life.

Jun 5-28: Pride & Prejudice. Octagon, Bolton.

When it comes to the subject of marriage, headstrong Lizzy Bennet is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society. But can she resist love, especially when the infuriatingly intriguing Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn? Audio described Jun 21; signed/captioned Jun 25.

Jun 9-21: Only Fools & Horses the Musical. Empire, Liverpool. Prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues. Paul Whitehouse is back as Grandad. Signed Jun 11; audio described Jun 18; captioned Jun 19.

Jun 9: Jukebox Idols. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova and the platinum-selling vocal harmony group The Overtones.

Jun 10-14: Boys from the Blackstuff. Regent, Stoke.

Jun 10-11: Thick & Tight – Natural Behaviour. The Lowry, Salford. Dance. A queer look at what it means to be natural or unnatural within ecology and society.

Jun 11: Robbie Cumming: Canal Boat Stories. Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 12-21: The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure. Everyman, Liverpool. Meet Oskar, Rio and Hazel – three people getting on with their lives in different corners of the globe.

They’ve never spoken. They’ve never met. But they’re about to share a startling wild-animal encounter. One that will transform the way they think about their world. Captioned Jun 16; audio described Jun 19 Jun 12: Chris Hadfield: A Journey into the Cosmos. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jun 12: Danny Davies – Receipts. Brindley, Runcorn. .

Jun 13: Nanna Mo’s Botox and Bum. Octagon, Bolton. After doing an online course in cosmetic procedures Nanna Mo has started earning a few quid by giving botox jabs and Brazilian butt lifts to the fellow residents of her care home.

However, things start to go wrong after she buys some snide silicone from a dodgy bloke in the bogs at Bury bus station causing unfortunate side effects to her friends at the old folks home.

Jun 13: John Hegley – An American in Luton. Grand, Blackpool.

Jun 13: Hairbrush Party Anthems. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 13: An Evening with Dr Warheed Arian.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jun 13: Katie Piper: Still Beautiful.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jun 13: Dressed to Kill – Kiss Tribute.

Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 13: Dick

SUMMER 2025

PREVIEW

GREAT music – and great laughs – TV stars and chart-topping podcasters The Horne Section are back on tour with a memorable n AN EVENING with Crissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm.

Jun 16: Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Also . . .

Jun 18: Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Whittington. Brindley, Runcorn. Adult panto.

Jun 13: The Horne Section’s Hit Show.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. See PREVIEW. Jun 13: Highrise Entertainment: Lil.Miss.Lady. The Lowry, Salford. The history of Grime through the eyes of a vigorous female MC. Jun 13: T Rextasy – The Greatest Hits Tour.

Lyceum, Crewe. Tribute show.

Jun 14: Jools Holland and his R&B Orchestra. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 14: Paul Coulter: 5 Mistakes That Changed History. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jun 14: The Roy Orbison Story. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 14: A Night at the Musicals. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jun 14: Northern Soul & Modern Soul.

Pavilion, Rhyl.

Jun 15: Orchestra Baobab. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jun 15: The Lost Music of Auschwitz. The Lowry, Salford. Amid unimaginable cruelty, music echoed through the Auschwitz camp.

Orchestras made up of prisoners were forced to entertain Nazi officers and accompany the grim march of captives to and from their labour.

Jun 15: Flowers & Friendship Bracelets.

Regent, Stoke.

Jun 16: An Evening with Crissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm.

Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Jun 17-21: Calamity Jane. Regent, Stoke.

Jun 17: Manchester United Legends – An Evening with Steve Bruce. Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 17: The Searchers – ‘Thank You’ Tour.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 18: An Evening with Chrissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm..

Theatre Royal, St Helens.

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night of comedy, enthusiastic dancing and a lot of mucking about. n The Horne Section’s Hit Show.

Jun 13: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Tarby time again

n AN EVENING with Jimmy Tarbuck.

Jun 25: Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 18: Something About Lennon. Grand, Blackpool.

Jun 18: Michael starring Ben. Brindley, Runcorn. Michael Jackson tribute show.

Jun 19: Kai Widdrington – Evolution. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 19: Sing The Musicals. Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 19: The King’s Voice – Gordon Hendricks as Elvis. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 20: Jack Dee: Small World.

Grand, Blackpool.

Jun 20: The 70s Show. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 20: Whole Lotta Shakin’ – The Shakin’ Stevens Story. Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 20: Bee Gees & Abba in Concert.

Theatre Royal, St Helens. Tribute show.

Jun 20-21: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. The Lowry, Salford. A new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results.

Jun 20: Johns’ Boys Male Chorus. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 21– 5.30pm: Manchester by the Sea . . .

Featuring The Clone Roses, The Smiths Ltd, The James Experience & DJ Dave Sweetmore.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

June 21: What’s Love Got to do With It? Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Tina Turner tribute show.

Jun 21: Huw Chiswell and Cor Y Pentan.

Theatr Clwyd, Mold. The singer songwriter is joined by Mold’s community choir.

Jun 21: Craig Revel Horwood. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jun 22: An Evening Without Kate Bush. The Lowry, Salford. Sarah-

All Together NOW!

19

Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay homage to one of the most influential voices in British music.

Jun 22: MatriXX Revolutions. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 22: The Dinosaur That Pooped. Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 23: Billy Ocean. Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 24-28: Shrek The Musical. Regent, Stoke.

Jun 24: Taylormania. Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 25: Killer Couples with Emma Kenny.

Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 25: An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 26: Anton & Giovanni – Together Again. Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 26: Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jun 26: Steptoe & Son – Live!

Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 27-Jul 13: Tim Minchin – Songs The World Will Never Hear. Opera House, Manchester. Tim looks back on how a Perth cabaret pianist ended up building one of the most eclectic and extraordinary careers in entertainment.

Jun 27: American Four Tops Motown Show.

Pavilion, Rhyl. Tribute show.

Jun 27: ADHD Unmasked. Lyceum, Crewe.

Join Hester Grainger for an evening of conversation, laughter and a refreshingly honest look at life. If you live with ADHD, you’ll leave feeling uplifted, empowered, understanding more about yourself and how your brain works and most importantly, knowing you aren’t alone on this journey.

Jun 27: Showaddywaddy. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 27: Tina Live! Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show.

Jun 27: The Chicago Blues Brothers – The Respect Tour. Empire, Liverpool. All-singing, all-dancing high-octane musical.

Jun 28: Tim Minchin – Songs the World will Never Hear. Empire, Liverpool.

Jun 28: The G-dfather Returns – James Brown Tribute. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 28: The Liverpool Songbook.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. From the Beatles and The Coral to Cilla Black.

Jun 29: Rhys Darby – The Legend Returns. Opera House, Manchester.

The Kiwi icon returns with a brand new stand-up show.

Jun 29: Dinosaurs Live. Grand, Blackpool.

Jun 29: The Planets. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Crosby & Wirral Symphony Orchestras helping to fundraise for local charities.

Jun 29: Tom Lawrinson Buried Alive (And Loving It). The Lowry, Salford. Everything is awful but that’s okay, argues Tom in his show about family and growing up in a Spanish subterranean cave.

Jun 30-Jul 5: Bat Out of Hell. Regent, Stoke.

Jul 1-5: The Croft. Playhouse, Liverpool.

Based on a true highland story. Two women arrive at a former crofter’s hut in the deserted village of Coille Ghillie. But their weekend getaway takes an unexpected turn. Cut off from the modern world, Laura and Suzanne find themselves drawn into the dark history of the croft and the lives that passed before them.

Starring Liza Goddard and Caroline Harker.

Jul 1-5: Boys from the Blackstuff. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Powerful new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s BAFTA award-winning TV series.

Signed Jul 2; captioned Jul 5.

Jul 1-5: SIX. Pavilion, Rhyl. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses.

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20

All Together NOW!

l Continued from p19

SUMMER 2025

Jul 1: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell. The Lowry, Salford.

Dance. In 1930s London people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Audio described Jul 3 (touch tour); Jul 5.

Jul 1: Tiny Tim’s Biggest Adventure. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jul 2-5: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Lyceum, Crewe. Musical.

Jamie is 16 and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future. But he’s going to be a sensation, overcoming prejudice and beating the bullies.

Jul 2: One Night in Dublin. Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 3-5: The UK Amateur Premier of Les Miserables. Empire, Liverpool.

Jul 3: White Nights. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Conductor Laureate Vasily Petrenko leads the orchestra in works by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich.

Jul 3: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jul 4-5: The Upbeat Beatles.

Octagon, Bolton.

Jul 4: Celebrating George Michael.

Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 5: Welcome to Theatreland.

Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 5: Ocean Colour Scene plus Special Guests Echobelly and Pastel. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 5: Love Hurts – Power Ballads and Anthems. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 6: What’s Love Got to do With It? Lyceum, Crewe. Tina Turner tribute show.

Jul 8-12: Kinky Boots. Empire, Liverpool. Musical. After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price. That is until he meets Lola, a drag queen whose sparkle and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.

Jul 8: Ballet Cymru. Giselle. Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Jul 8: Dianne & Vito – Burn the Floor: Red Hot and Ready. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Dance show with a difference!

Jul 9: Legends: From Stage & Screen.

Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 9: Leo Sayer – Still Feel Like Dancing?

Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 10-12: Murder Mystery: Death on Deck – Afternoon Tea. Everyman, Liverpool.

Jul 10: Dianne & Vito – Burn The Floor: Red Hot and Ready. Lyceum, Crewe. Dance.

Jul 11: Buddy Holly & The Cricketers.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 11: In Harmony’s 16th Birthday Concert.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jul 11: The Bon Jovi Experience. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Tribute show.

Jul 11: Piaf.

Storyhouse, Chester. No glamour. No gimmicks. No

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

BOX OFFICE CONTACTS

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 CHESTER Storyhouse: 01244 409 113 CREWE Lyceum: 01270 368 242 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Philharmonic Hall: 0151 709 3789 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Unity 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000

MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace: 0870 401 3000 SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 Access line: 0333 320 2838 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000 RHYL: Pavilion: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000 STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627

BERNARD and the boys are back with an evening packed with silly songs and humour. n The Lancashire Hotpots: Definitely Gravy Tour.

Jul 19: Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 26: The Lowry, Salford.

FEEL LIKE DANCING?

THE OLD BOYS ARE pretence. Nothing but a voice, singing of life’s triumphs and tragedies. Who was Edith Piaf?

And how did she come to represent the spirit of Paris like no-one before or since?

Jul 11: Calling Planet Earth. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The music of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet etc.

Jul 12-13: Spy Movie: The Play! Storyhouse, Chester. Agent Blonde has 24 hours to save the world. The only things standing in her way are dastardly villains, an outrageous plot, and… a lack of funding.

Jul 12: The Haunting of Blaine Manor. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. England 1953. Renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a séance in what is said to be the most haunted building in England, a building with an horrific history, Blaine Manor.

Jul 12: Daniel Lloyd a Mr Pinc. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. The band return to celebrate 20 years of their hit album Goleuadau Llundain.

Jul 12: Justin Moorhouse.

Storyhouse, Chester.

Jul 12: Verdi’s Requiem.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Jul 13: Fastlove – A Tribute to George Michael. Empire, Liverpool.

n Leo Sayer: Still Feel Like Dancing!

Jul 9: Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 26: Storyhouse, Chester.

Jul 13: Anton and Giovanni: Together Again.

The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 15-19: Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet. The Lowry, Salford. Prepare to be blown away as the power of dance brings a whole new dimension to the raw energy and emotion of one of The Who’s most iconic rock albums. Audio described/touch tour Jul 17.

Jul 15-20: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Empire, Liverpool.

Starring X-Factor winner Joe McElderry as the roof-raising Pharaoh.

Jul 15-19: The Girl on the Train. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moment. Laura Whitmore stars.

Jul 15-16: Dianne & Vito – Burn The Floor: Red Hot and Ready! Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 15: Living the Life of Riley.

Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 16-19: Annie. Storyhouse, Chester. The extraordinary story of a little orphan who leaves the clutches of Miss Hannigan and ends up in the lap of luxury with Depression-era billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

Jul 17: Living the Life of Riley.

Pavilion, New Brighton. Heartwarming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale

To advertise, contact . . .

of a family, trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma.

Joanne Riley always knew there was something different about her son Jackson, he didn’t interact with other kids was very demanding and rarely spoke: Then came the bombshell – Jackson was diagnosed with autism. When Grandma moved in to “help out” things took a downward turn!

Jul 18-Aug 23: The Legend of Rooney’s Ring. Royal Court, Liverpool. Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland, Amandaland, Nova Jones) has created the ultimate scouse sword and sorcery tale, packed with magic, romance, original songs and stupid gags.

Jul 18: The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 18: Sweet Caroline. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Gary Ryan (Stars in Their Eyes) celebrates the music of Neil Diamond.

Jul 18: Totally Tina. Pavilion, Rhyl. Tribute show.

Jul 18: Love Hurts: Power Ballads and Anthems. Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 19: The Lancashire Hot Pots: Definitely Gravy Tour. Grand, Blackpool.

Jul 19: The Magic of Motown. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The 20th anniversary tour.

sales@alltogethernow.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SUMMER 2025

GIZZA JOB

JUST LIKE THAT

BACK IN TOWN 1980s – LIVERPOOL DOCKS: Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families.

But there is no work and there is no money . . . n Boys from the Blackstuff.

Jun 10-14: Regent, Stoke.

Jul 1-5: Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Jul 19: The Drifters. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jul 20: Tom Gates. Regent, Stoke.

Jul 20: A Tribute to Miss Rachel – Fun for the Little Ones. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jul 21-24: Bouncers. Brindley, Runcorn. John Godber’s awardwinning play.

Jul 23: Living the Life of Riley.

Theatre Royal, St Helens. Heartwarming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale of a family trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma.

Everyone tried to pull together but when Grandma moved in to “help out” things took a downward turn!

Jul 23 – 2pm: Land of Hope and Glory.

Pavilion, New Brighton. Neil Sands and his team of singers are back with songs from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Jul 24-26: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Pavilion, Rhyl. Relaxed performance Jul 25.

Jul 24-Aug 3: On Wednesdays We Wear PINK. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. From the 1980s to modern day Mold, celebrate summer with this new show about high fashion and rebellious spirit. Signed Aug 1.

Jul 24-26: King Arthur. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Comedy for all the family.

PAUL Hendy’s play imagines three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse – sharing a dressing room pre-show. n The Last Laugh.

Jul 29: Opera House, Manchester.

Jul 24: Sexbomb: Celebrating the Music of Sir Tom Jones. Pavilion, New Brighton. Andy Wood’s tribute show.

Jul 25-26: JAGS Dance Academy presents DECADE. Regent, Stoke.

Jul 25: Hometown Glory Candlelight Concert – Adele Tribute. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 25: Fireman Sam: The Great Camping Adventure. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jul 25: Roy Chubby Brown – No Offence Meant, It’s Simply Comedy Tour. Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 26: Leo Sayer. Storyhouse, Chester.

Jul 26: The Lancashire Hotpots: Definitely Gravy Tour. The Lowry, Salford. Bernard and the boys are back with an evening packed with silly songs and humour.

Jul 26: Luke Combs UK. Lyceum, Crewe.

Paying homage to one of the greatest country stars.

Jul 27: Queen of the Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston. Lyceum, Crewe.

Jul 27: Buddy Holly & The Cricketers.

Pavilion, Rhyl. Tribute show.

Jul 27: The ELO Experience. Opera House, Manchester. Tribute show.

Jul 29: The Last Laugh. Opera House, Manchester. Laugh-a-minute play which re-imagines the lives of three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.

Jul 29-Aug 3: SIX. The Lowry, Salford. From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales.

Signed Jul 30; captioned Jul 31; audio described Aug 2.

Jul 31: Bitter Sweet. Storyhouse, Chester.

Aug 1: The Searchers & Hollies Experience.

Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show.

Aug 1: Dolly Forever. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Dolly Parton tribute show.

Aug 2: The Ultimate Commitments & Blues Brothers Experience. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Aug 2: Taylormania. Lyceum, Crewe. Tribute show.

Aug 3: Science Museum – The Live Stage Show. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 5-9: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Step into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits. Signed Aug 7.

Aug 5 – 3pm: Cirque: The Greatest Show.

Storyhouse, Chester.

. . . reaching people who are digitally excluded . . .

All Together NOW!

21

Aug 6-9: By Royal Appointment. The Lowry, Salford. Funny and poignant new play about the kind of power that only a Queen can wield – she charms the world through coats and admonishes her family through a carefully chosen hat. Anne Reid and Caroline Quentin star.

Aug 7-16: 2-22 A Ghost Story. Opera House, Manchester. Supernatural thriller. It’s a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear…

What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?

Aug 7: Fireman Sam – The Great Camping Adventure. Pavilion, Rhyl.

Aug 8-9: High School Musical. Storyhouse, Chester. Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on stage. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.

Aug 8: Milkshake Live. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 9-10: Wicked Sing – Along. Lyceum, Crewe.

Aug 9: Thank ABBA. Pavilion, Rhyl. Tribute show.

Aug 12-23: TINA – The Tina Turner Musical.

Empire, Liverpool.

Aug 12-16: The Addams Family. The Lowry, Salford. Spectacular musical comedy based on the characters created by Charles Addams. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows – she’s fallen in love with a sweet, young man from a respectable family. Signed Aug 12; captioned Aug 14; audio described Aug 15.

Aug 14-17: The Wind in the Willows. Grand, Blackpool.

Aug 15-16: Cats. Storyhouse, Chester. The smash-hit musical comes to Chester for the first time.

Aug 16: The Rolling Stones Story. Pavilion, New Brighton. Relive their classic hits with Mick Jagger lookalike Paul Ashworth.

Aug 17: The Ultimate Irish Hooley. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Aug 20-Oct 4: Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Palace, Manchester.

Aug 22: John & Paul – Beyond the Beatles.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Adam Hastings (John Lennon) and Tony Coburn (Paul McCartney) celebrate the extraordinary careers of the iconic musicians.

Aug 22-23: Annie – Presented by Crewe Lyceum Summer Youth Project. Lyceum, Crewe.

Aug 23-24: Wirral Tattoo Extravaganza.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Aug 23-27: Riverdance 30: The New Generation. Opera House, Manchester.

Aug 24: Arrival – The Hits of Abba. Grand, Blackpool.

Aug 25: Liverpool Legends. Empire, Liverpool.

John Barnes, Phil Thompson and John Aldridge.

Aug 25: Pop Princesses World Tour. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 26-30: Calamity Jane starring Carrie Hope Fletcher. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Meet the fearless, gun slingin’ Calamity Jane – biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie. Signed Aug 28.

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SUMMER 2025

PREVIEW

l Continued from p21

Aug 26: Domination – The Rise and Fall of an Empire. Professor Alice Roberts.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Alice takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why.

Aug 26: Suzie Dent – Word Perfect. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Aug 27: Dinosaurs Live. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 28: A Country Night in Nashville. Opera House, Manchester.

Aug 29-Sep 2: Riverdance 30: The New Generation. Empire, Liverpool.

Aug 29: An Evening with Neil Warnock.

Opera House, Manchester. Join football manager Neil as he recounts a career like no other.

Aug 29: Lancashire Hotpots: Definitely Gravy Tour. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 30: The Illegal Eagles. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 30: CIRQUE: The Greatest Show.

Pavilion, Rhyl.

Aug 31: Tom Gates Live on Stage. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Aug 31: The Illegal Eagles. Grand, Blackpool.

Sep 2-13: Here & Now – The Steps Musical.

Opera House, Manchester. Heart-warming new musical based on the songs of the multi-million-selling pop band.

Sep 2-13: Derren Brown: Only Human. The Lowry, Salford. Prepare to be astonished! The master of mind control and psychological illusion is back. Signed Sep 6.

Sep 2: The Makings of a Murderer 2 – The Real Manhunter. Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 3-6: Annie Get Your Gun. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Annie Oakley and the cast of Buffalo Bill's Wild West in the hit comedy romance.

Sep 3: The Mersey Beatles. Brindley, Runcorn.

Sep 3: Sounds of the 60s Live – Hosted by Tony Blackburn. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Sep 4: Luther Live. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Sep 4: Beyond the Barricade. Brindley, Runcorn. Music form the West End musicals.

Sep 4: Sounds of the 60s Live – Hosted by Tony Blackburn. Empire, Liverpool.

Sep 4: Walk Like a Man. Lyceum, Crewe. The music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 5-6: Giraffe – Rob Beckett.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Sep 5: Walk Like a Man. Theatre Royal, St Helens. The music of Frankie Vallii and The Four Seasons.

Sep 5: A Foreigners Journey. Brindley, Runcorn. The music of legendary band Foreigner.

Sep 5: Barry Steele: The Roy Orbison Story.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Barry Steele’s special tribute to the Big O. Sep 5: rePunk’d: The Classic Punk and New Wave Revival. Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 5: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Pavilion, New Brighton. Tina Turner tribute show.

Sep 6: Supreme Queen. Lyceum, Crewe.

Tribute show.

Sep 6: Barry Steele: The Roy Orbison Story.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Sep 6: Killer Rhapsody – A Night of Queen. Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show.

Sep 6: Northern Soul and Modern Soul. Pavilion, Rhyl.

Sep 6: The Return of the Legends.

ROCKIN’ AL OVER

I

N THE 1970s on an unassuming street in Cardiff, a revolution began – a revolution that rocked the world.

It began when Alan, a young man born with Down’s syndrome, crashed into the life of student Jim. Alan had lived in an institution since childhood. All he wanted was to live in a house and be in a band.

Jim wanted to make a difference in the world, but didn’t know how.

Together with their friends, they embarked on an experiment that transformed how things were done,

Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian … All Strictly favourites, all kings of the ballroom, and all reuniting again.

Sep 7: The Return of the Legends. Lyceum, Crewe. Strictly dancers Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite.

Sep 7: Northern Live: Do I Love You? Grand, Blackpool. Northern soul night.

Sep 8-13: Ideal: Starring Johnny Vegas. The Lowry, Salford. Moz and gangsters Psycho Paul and Cartoon Head must dispose of a dead body. But things spin out of control.

Sep 6: The Dolly Show. Theatre Royal, St Helens. The music of Dolly Parton.

Sep 9-13: Housemates. Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

See PREVIEW above. Audio described Sep 11; signed Sep 13.

Sep 9: Miriam Margoyles: From A-Z. Empire, Liverpool.

Sep 10-13: The Spongebob Musical.

Brindley, Runcorn.

Sep 10: That’ll Be The Day – 40th Anniversary Tour. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Sep 11-13: Murder Mystery: A Matinee Murder – Afternoon Tea. Everyman, Liverpool.

Sep 11: Movicals – A Movie Musical Extravaganza. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Sep 11: Fastlove. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

George Michael tribute show Sep 11: The Return of the Legends. Empire, Liverpool. Strictly dancers Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite.

Sep 12: Saving Grace. Empire, Liverpool.

Sep 12: An Evening with Katie Price and Kerry Katona. Pavilion, New Brighton.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

how people were treated and who got to tell you how to live.

This was the beginning of the end of institutionalised care and the birth of Supported Living.

Wonderfully warm, funny and deeply moving, Tim Green brings this remarkable true Welsh story to life.

Performed by a cast of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians, Housemates packs a punch and touches the heart. n Housemates.

Sep 9-13:Theatr Clwyd.

Sep 12: That’ll Be The Day: 40th Anniversary Show. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Pop hits from the 50s through to the 80s.

Sep 12: An Evening with Jimmy Anderson.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. England’s greatest ever fast bowler with stories from inside the changing room.

Sep 12: A Vision of Elvis. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Tribute show.

Sep 12: Russell Kane: HyperActive. Storyhouse, Chester.

Sep 12: Paul Chowdhry – Englandia.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 13-Oct 4: Romeo & Juliet. Everyman, Liverpool. United by passion but forced apart by their families, the young lovers are caught in the middle of their feuding households.

Captioned Sep 18; signed Sep 27; audio described Oct 2.

Sep 13: Thank Abba for the Music. Theatre Royal, St Helens. Tribute show.

Sep 13: Oh What a Night. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The music of Frankie Vallet & The Four Seasons.

Sep 13: Mersey Beatles. Pavilion, Rhyl.

Sep 13: Suzi Ruffell: The Juggle. Playhouse, Liverpool. Comedy.

Sep 14: Susie Dent – Word Perfect. The Lowry, Salford. Britain’s best-loved wordsmith.

Sep 14: Russell Kane: Hyperactive. Grand, Blackpool.

Sep 15-Oct 4: Snake in the Grass. Theatr Clwyd Weston, Wrexham. Darkly comic thriller about family, secrets and manipulation.

Signed Sep 20, Oct 2; captioned Sep 24, Oct 4; audio described Sep 25, Oct 3.

Sep 15-16: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital, Sondheim in the Sahara or Les Misérables on Moel Famau, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!

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Sep 15: Chris McCausland: Yonks! Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 16-20: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell. Playhouse, Liverpool. Dance theatre. In 1930s London, people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia.

Audio described Sep 19.

Sep 16-18: Rambert X (LA) Horde. The Lowry, Salford. Dance. Audio described/touch tour Sep 18.

Sep 24: Elis James & John Roberts.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Sep 16: The Greatest Love of All starring Belinda Davids Concert. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Sep 17: An Evening with Katie Price and Kerry Katona. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Sep 17: The Ripper Files! Brindley, Runcorn.

Spine-tingling whodunit.

Sep 17: Dara O Briain. Regent, Stoke.

Sep 18-20: Wagatha Christie. Brindley, Runcorn. Smash-hit play about the courtroom battle of the footabllers’ wives.

Sep 18-20: Uncanny – Fear of the Dark. The Lowry, Salford. Danny Robins with accounts of hauntings, apparitions, poltergeists, UFOs and events that seem to defy logical explanation.

You also get the chance to share your own experiences.

Sep 18: RUSH – Sisters with Soul. Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Sep 18: The Poldark Show presents El Mistico. Brindley, Runcorn.

Sep 18: As We Were. Theatre Royal, St Helens. The history of Oasis and beyond.

Sep 19: Josh Jones: I Haven’t Won The Lottery So Here’s Another Tour Show. Storyhouse, Chester.

Sep 19: Black is the Colour of My Voice. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs.

Sep 19: The Secret Histories of Rome with Mary Beard. The Lowry, Salford.

Sep 19-20: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.

Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 19: Diana Reigns Supreme. Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute show.

Sep 20: Harry Hill: New Bits and Greatest Hits. Grand, Blackpool.

Sep 20: Holding Back The Years.

Brindley, Runcorn. Simply Red tribute show.

Sep 20: Buffy Revamped. Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Sep 21-Oct 12: 13 Going on 30 – The Musical. Opera House, Manchester. Hilarious and inspiring new musical about the choices we make, the friends we choose and the beauty of never losing your sparkle. Starring Lucie Jones.

Sep 21: Harry Hill – New Bits and Greatest Hits. The Lowry, Salford.

Sep 21: The Illegal Eagles. Lyceum, Crewe.

Sep 21: Nik Kershaw – Musings and Lyrics.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Sep 22-27: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. The Lowry, Salford.

Sep 22: Omid Djalili: Namaste.

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Sep 23: Hello Again. Pavilion, New Brighton.

The music of Neil Diamond.

Sep 23-27: SIX – The Musical. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of 21st century girl power. Signed Sep 25; captioned Sep 27.

Sep 23-27: The Shawshank Redemption.

Grand, Blackpool.

. . . see back page

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

HOW PLANTS GOT THEIR NAMES: GERANIUM OR PELARGONIUM?

TIP OF THE SEASON

All the thyme you need . . .

SUMMER is the time to take cuttings of shrubby herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme.

T

CAUSE FOR CONFUSION: Both are garden favourites but geraniums, left, are hardier than the tender pelargoniums

KNOW YOUR ONIONS HE summer plants that fill borders, pots and hanging baskets with clusters of red, white or pink blossoms are commonly known as geraniums but are in fact pelargoniums.

Geraniums are hardy perennials. They are less showy than pelargoniums but are hardy – though they look more delicate –

include blue and purple varieties, tolerate shade and require little care and attention.

The roots can be divided after flowering to make more plants.

Pelargoniums are usually too tender for over-wintering outdoors in Britain so are treated as biennials, grown from seeds the year before blooming or propagated more easily from cuttings taken in August.

However, both species’ botanical names are derived from similar sources.

Geranium comes from geranos, the Greek word for the crane, which refers to the long, beak-like seedpod and gives the plant its nickname of cranesbill.

Pelargonium comes from the Greek pelargos for a stork’s beak.

O YOU know your onions? They are a key addition to everything from stews to spagbol.

But there are 700 species of onion – known botanically as allium – some of which are no good for cooking but look beautiful in the garden, with numerous tiny flowers forming a huge purple globe or yellow blooms in nodding, bell-like clusters.

Allium giganteum makes a spectacular landmark. Well over 1m (3ft 3in) tall, it carries spheres of purplish-pink flowers 15cm (6in) across.

It has the added advantages that, despite its height, it needs no staking and the dried

Keep the compost just moist but do not over-water.

COOK GOOD, LOOK GOOD: Above, Allium moly. Right, Allium Globemaster

Good for stews and garden views

D

Take cuttings under a leaf joint, strip off all but two or three topmost leaves and set them in pots in cutting compost in a shady position.

seed heads can be used in floral art.

Perhaps even more eye-catching is Allium cristophii, with heads of a similar colour but even larger – like a small football – though on stems which generally do not exceed 60cm (2ft). Allium Globemaster also makes a striking group in the border.

Allium moly is a much smaller onion, growing up to 30cm (1ft) tall, with bright

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yellow, star-like flowers. It soon spreads into a bright carpet and will tolerate some shade. In fact it is so vigorous that, if planted among less robust flowers, it will swamp them.

The pink-flowered Allium ostrowkianum is a dwarf, only 15cm-20cm (6in-8in) tall with umbels of tiny star-like blooms up to 10cm (4in) across. It needs a sunny position in a rock garden or border where it will flower before most other onions, in early summer, and seed itself to form a small colony.

For a change of colour, the variety Zwanenburg is pink and Allium beesianum usually has bright blue tubular flowers in drooping heads, although there are also

purplish-blue and white forms. They grow to only 30cm (12in) and are ideal where a less vigorous clump is wanted and the soil is not too dry.

The reddish-purple heads of Allium sphaerocephalon, a great attraction for bees, are carried on stems about 40cm (16in) in height.

Ornamental alliums are planted in the autumn and will grow reasonably well in most types of soil.

The name allium comes from the Latin for garlic, which is a member of the onion family, along with leeks and chives.

. . . see back page

23

All Together NOW!

24

SUMMER 2025

The Accumulator Quiz

STARSPOT CROSSWORD 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

2

★

3

4

5

5

6

7

★ 8

9

★

9

10

10

★

11

11

12

14 16

★

13

17

19 23

20 22

25

23

★

26

24

★

24

25

28

★

29

★ 30

31

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

QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: A marriage of 25 years is traditionally celebrated with which type of gift?

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Which is the largest state by area in Australia?

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

18

21

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your

Gold Silver Paper Pearl

Turkeys Chickens Peacocks Geese

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Artistic patent (9) 6. Worthless dog (3) 8. Rich mass of gold (7) 9. Boundary (5) 10. Choose (4) 11. Garden plot (3) 13. Land measure (4) 14. Low basin (5) 16. Escape (3,3) 18. Worked hard (6) 19. Twist (5) 21. Swedish pop group (4) 22. Ben --- (3) 23. Fanciful notion (4) 27. Deal with, handle (5) 28. Pamphlet (7) 30. Second person (3) 31. First meal of the day (9)

1. Whelp (3) 2. Overwhelming fear (5) 3. South African currency (4) 4. Scratched (6) 5. Incline (4) 6. Humorous (7) 7. Dutch port (9) 10. Splendid display (9) 11. Female dog (5) 12. Discourage (5) 14. Motor coach (3) 15. Pull along (3) 17. Dramatic scene (7) 20. Loose rock (6) 24. Board game (5) 25. Pierce (4) 26. Direct one’s gaze (4) 29. Songbird (3)

A B C D

Julie Joanne Jenny Judy

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: In which sport is number 1 red and number 5 black?

A B C D

Snooker Tenpin bowling Greyhound racing Ocean yacht racing

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: What is used to measure the spicy heat of chili peppers?

A B C D

A B C D

Fat Boy Little Boy Big Boy Tomboy

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Who wrote the oratorio Belshazzar’s Feast?

A B C D

A B C D

Chile Peru Paraguay Argentina

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: The toy Lego takes its name from the Danish term ‘leg godt’. What is its English meaning?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: In which constellation is the Horsehead Nebula?

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

Acid Ink Bile Slime

DIFFICULT

3

4 6

8

8

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

6

Edward Elgar William Walton Arthur Sullivan Ralph Vaughan Williams

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Which substance can be ejected by an octopus when it is disturbed?

Build high Collect all Play well Good times

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.

9

Richter scale Beaufort scale Litmus test Scoville scale

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: In which country is the Atacama Desert?

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.

4 8 6

France Portugal Spain Scotland

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: What nickname was given to the nuclear bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima?

KAKURO

7 8 5 3 2 4 6 5 9

A B C D

Author J.K. Rowling. See Question 4

SUDOKU

EASY

John Motson David Coleman Jimmy Hill Harry Carpenter

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: In which country is Cape Finisterre?

Dino Bronco Trex Clawed

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: What is the first name of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling?

★

A B C D

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: What is the name of Fred Flintstone’s pet?

A B C D

Northern Territory New South Wales Western Australia Queensland

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which TV sports commentator famously said: “For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip.”?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which birds form a group known as a gaggle?

15

19

27

13

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

5

2 5 3 7 4 9 3 1 6 9 5

1 3 8 9 8 9 7 2 1

Orion Taurus Pegasus Andromeda

MEDIUM 3

28

12

10 29

22

22

37 7 12

10 6

17

4 10 39 6 4

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

25

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

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

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

1 []’–

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?

2. nautical terms 262 467 142 726 871 566 816 274 631 683 726 273 126 412 277 493 126 661 338 241 782 912 262 731 362 512 224 612 364 725 127 391 332 516 278

3. equipment brands 227 752 214 738 724 133 633 713 865 671 267 319 262 421 442 766 122 539 461 766 917 652 631 522 576 613 747 466 317 466 337 122 746 173 275

4. fictional doctors 622 691 946 156 637 166 192 487 142 786 261 535 955 136 654 885 317 846 615 328 371 642 513 845 127 696 144 223 781 738 771 767 719 448 246

5. famous guitar players 248 251 237 791 333 431 826 142 536 153 717 285 154 641 436 374 917 746 231 546 691 724 313 284 314 456 687 153 331 232 513 742 125 278 66

6. Carry On films 253 618 322 437 156 846 412 692 691 265 862 871 222 291 226 746 416 287 661 687 731 779 464 136 286 717 273 264 641 522 513 645 263 144 757

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 seven popular wartime songs.

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 6?

1

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MISSING LINK 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 a popular model of car.

musical instrument and

1. characters in Family Guy 266 783 521 564 712 782 316 341 384 516 665 391 732 687 156 317 824 647 315 673 882 178 394 317 383 716 678 143 723 781 274 261 253 835 263

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MULLEIN 1) The upright

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division between the casements of

MAKE A DATE

a window;

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

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3

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

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WORD WIZARD

2

2) A rat-sized carnivorous

1. Rupert Murdoch’s company, News International, acquires The Times and The Sunday Times after a bitter struggle.

marsupial with a crested tail;

2. President Reagan is shot and wounded outside Washington’s Hilton Hotel.

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

Clue: Blunder by adding tail to seabird.

____ +Y=____Y

3) A plant with

3. Making Your Mind Up, by Bucks Fizz, tops the UK charts for three consecutive weeks.

woolly leaves

WAS IT? a) 1981; b) 1983; c) 1985; d) 1987; e) 1989.

flowers.

and tall spikes of yellow

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords Run Rabbit Run; Lili Marlene; The White Cliffs Of Dover; There’ll Always Be An England; We’ll Meet Again; It’s A Long Way To Tipperary; Pack Up Your Troubles.

7 3 4 9 6 5 1 2 8

8 1 6 2 4 3 7 9 5

5 9 2 1 8 7 4 3 6

3 2 7 5 1 6 9 8 4

SUDOKU EASY

9 4 1 3 2 8 5 6 7

6 8 5 7 9 4 3 1 2

4 6 3 8 7 9 2 5 1

2 5 8 4 3 1 6 7 9

1 7 9 6 5 2 8 4 3

4 2 6 7 1 9 5 8 3

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SUDOKU DIFFICULT

6 1 8 3 9 2 7 5 4

5 4 9 8 7 6 2 3 1

2 3 7 5 4 1 6 9 8

4 6 39 17 12 37

8

5

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7 6

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1 10

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3 9 2 1 6 7 28

KAKURO MEDIUM

3

1

1

2

6

7

10 4

3 7

3

1

4 5

2 22 12

4 2 7

Accumulator Quiz 1 – B; 2 – D; 3 – A; 4 – B; 5 – C; 6 – B; 7 – B; 8 – A; 9 – C; 10 – C; 11 – A; 12 – C; 13 – D; 14 – B; 15 – A. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Copyright; 6 Cur; 8 Bonanza; 9 Limit; 10 Pick; 11 Bed; 13 Acre; 14 Bidet; 16 Get out; 18 Toiled; 19 Screw; 21 Abba; 22 Hur; 23 Whim; 27 Treat; 28 Booklet; 30 You; 31 Breakfast.

Down – 1 Cub; 2 Panic; 3 Rand; 4 Grazed; 5 Tilt; 6 Comical; 7 Rotterdam; 10 Pageantry; 11 Bitch; 12 Deter; 14 Bus; 15 Tow; 17 Tableau; 20 Rubble; 24 Halma; 25 Stab; 26 Look; 29 Tit. Star Name: KATHY BURKE

Word Wizard No 3 is correct. A mullein is a plant.

Dialling Codes 1. Consuela; Lois; Bruce; Meg; Evil Monkey; Seamus; Joe; Quagmire; Loretta; Stewie; Peter; Mort; Herbert; Brian; Cleveland.

2. anchor; harbour; knot; marine; overboard; cog; capsize; boom; fetch; quay; aboard; dock; cabin; admiral; crew; deck; mast.

3. BassLab; Gretsch; Fender; Dunlop; Bose; Yamaha; Gibson; Baldwin; Sony; Roland; Jackson; Epiphone; Pioneer; Casio; Pearl.

4. McCoy; Who; Jones; No; Zaius; Hartman; Jekyll; Doolittle; Quinn; Lecter; Nick; Evil; Brown; Hibbert; Seuss; Ross; Zhivago.

5. Chuck Berry; Eddie Van Halen; Les Paul; Jimi Hendrix; Prince; Jimmy Page; David Gilmour; Jeff Beck; Eric Clapton.

6. Cleo; Teacher; Loving; Cowboy; Columbus; Cabby; Camping; Matron; Nurse; Spying; Doctor; Screaming; Jack; England; Girls.

Spot Check A = 3; B = 6; C = 5; D = 4; E = 1; F = 2.

Missing Link moon; opera; news; dance; exit; orange. Car: Mondeo.

Make a Date The year was 1981.

Transformer Boob + Y = Booby.

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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SUMMER 2025

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THERE’S TROUBLE AT T’MILL

WINDS OF CHANGE: Bidston Mill has had a chequered history

All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people.

But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books.

You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £20 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

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EATH, destruction and a flying donkey are all woven into the chequered history of a famous Merseyside windmill.

Bidston Mill stands proudly today despite falling victim, at one time or another, to fire, neglect, vandalism and officialdom.

A windmill for grinding wheat is thought to have stood on Bidston Hill since 1596, and the original “peg” or “post” mill was about 20 yards to the north of the present mill.

Barring the mill stones, this first mill was made entirely of timber, including the grinding machinery inside

Fire disasters

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It was manually pushed round on a central post or pillar so that its vanes always faced into the prevailing wind.

This was accomplished by the miller and his assistants pushing on a long tail pole that stuck out from the back.

Holes, which can still be seen today, were cut into the sandstone rock, in a circle around the mill, so their feet could gain some purchase as they heaved the great structure around.

But in 1791, disaster struck. During a gale, the vanes were turned so fast by the wind that the friction set up in the wooden machinery caused the mill to burst into flames and burn down.

A new mill was built, this time on the present site. But, in 1821, this mill caught fire too – and then again in 1839!

www.discover-liverpool.com

KEN PYE’s latest book, Liverpool: A Potted History, is now available with Quirky Wirral to follow later this year.

All his books are available in all good bookshops or from Ken directly.

Tel. 0151 427 2717 Email: ken@discover-liverpool.com

Milling was actually a dangerous operation. On one occasion the miller must have forgotten the position of the vanes and used the wrong door. He was struck by the heavy wooden arms as they swept past the doorway as he was coming outside and killed outright.

Another time, an itinerant tinker called to the mill to sell pots and pans. His wares were tied to his donkey, which he left tethered to one of the vanes as he went inside to see the miller.

There was no wind so the vanes were static. But while the men chatted, the wind got up unexpectedly and began turning the vanes of the mill, hoisting the unfortunate donkey into the air. It was then carried around and around…

Frantic braying from the animal brought the tinker and the miller rushing out to see what was going on.

They managed to put the brake on and lower the nauseated, thoroughly surprised, and relatively unharmed

donkey to the ground. The current mill on the hill ground its last bushel of grain in 1870, and was allowed to fall into decay.

It was restored in 1894, but was again badly damaged in 1927, this time by vandalism.

This prompted local people to set up a public subscription fund, which successfully raised enough to recondition the mill inside and out.

For many years it was then opened to the public on the first Sunday of every month.

Refurbishment

That was until 2001, when Health and Safety inspectors declared it to be a dangerous building and closed it down.

It finally reopened in 2009 following a £120,000 restoration and complete refurbishment to comply with legislation.

The old mill now forms the hub of the public open space and nature reserve that covers Bidston Hill and its acres of heathland and woods.

Ken Pye – 0151 427 2717

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ARIES (21 Mar – 20 Apr)

richer your life will feel. Embrace cultural exchanges and new faces. If you’re in a relationship, bring a bit of adventure into your usual routine – it’ll work wonders.

August: Petty games and distractions are best ignored. As the month draws on, pour your energy into what matters most. Keep your cool, protect your peace, and don’t let anyone derail your momentum.

You’re right in your element this month when surrounded by good friends and familiar faces.

Whether it’s pub nights, hobby groups or spontaneous gatherings, you’ll thrive in the company of like-minded souls.

July: Make time for more joy. Tidying the home or ticking off domestic tasks will also bring unexpected satisfaction. Don’t be afraid to tweak a few habits for your own good.

August: You’ve been feeling a bit hollow lately, as though something’s missing. Hang on to the hope that things will change. But don’t just sit in silence – fill it with something new and meaningful. Small steps can help rebuild a sense of purpose.

SAGITTARIUS (23 Nov – 21 Dec)

Changes are coming thick and fast. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, step back and breathe.

Your health needs attention now more than ever. Make it a priority to tackle one bad habit.

A healthier you will handle everything else with far more ease.

July: Whether you’re diving into research or helping someone else through a difficult time, your insight is invaluable. A younger relative could use your guidance when it comes to financial matters.

August: A friend needs a gentle nudge of encouragement, and you’re just the one to give it. Your honesty, warmth, and big-picture thinking can help lift them out of a rut.

TAURUS (21 Apr – 21 May)

This month brings a fresh burst of enthusiasm to explore something new. Whether it’s a side hustle, a new role or simply shaking up your day-to-day, your desire for a more secure and steady future remains front and centre.

July: You’ve got ideas by the bucketload, but it feels like no one’s really listening. A little tweak in how you put your thoughts across might make all the difference. Fancy a break with a close companion? A getaway could do you both good.

August: Life throws its fair share of curveballs, and this month you’re learning that even struggles have value. What you discover could lead to long-term fulfilment.

GEMINI (22 May – 21 Jun)

Mid-June marks a turning point. You might reach a crossroads with someone important – whether it’s time to part ways or commit more deeply, you’ll sense it. Trust your inner compass.

July: A shift in focus towards something that lifts your mood – a walk, a film, a spot of music – could be just the tonic. Don’t underestimate the power of a small joy to change your whole outlook.

August: Now’s the time to speak up and share your ideas. Not everyone will agree, and some may try to shut you down, but that’s just noise.

Your natural charm is likely to win over even the harshest critics.

CANCER (22 Jun – 23 Jul)

June begins with a need to retreat, recharge, and gently shut the door on the outside world.

Being social feels more draining than delightful, so give yourself permission to say no.

July: You’re craving closeness and connection—nothing superficial will do. You want your relationships to mean something, and that means opening up, even if it makes you feel vulnerable. Be careful not to cling too tightly to those you love.

August: Someone close has been taking advantage, and it’s starting to weigh you down.

Being kind doesn’t mean being a doormat.

You’re allowed to set boundaries and demand mutual respect.

LEO (24 Jul – 23 Aug)

Social butterflies rejoice – the first half June is brimming with opportunities to mingle and connect. A new direction is calling, and it could involve learning something new or honing a hidden talent.

July: Stick to your goals and you’ll surprise yourself with what you achieve. The month ends on a high with well-deserved success – and yes, you absolutely should celebrate. A little praise goes a long way.

August: Your energy lights up a room.

Whether it’s a fundraiser, a community project

All Together NOW!

SUMMER 2025

(22 Dec – 20 Jan) RUSSELL GRANT CAPRICORN The past has a funny way of resurfacing when you least expect it. An issue you thought you’d What‘s in store put to bed might pop up again. Exercise or physical activity will help release emotional for you this summer tension.

July: You and a loved one seem to be talking or simply cheering up a friend, you’re the spark that gets things going. Getting involved will also rekindle talents you’ve tucked away.

VIRGO (24 Aug – 23 Sept)

Fresh opportunities are ripe for the taking, and you’re more than ready to accept the challenge.

Whether you’re diving into a new adventure or taking a chance on something bold, you radiate quiet confidence.

July: Comparing yourself to others isn’t a good idea. A mid-month family gathering brings the chance to resolve disputes and tie up loose ends. And if life feels too full-on, an outing workout could clear your head like nothing else.

August: Solitude suits you this month. You’ll find comfort in quiet corners—reading, painting, or just letting your mind wander. Gentle exercise will reconnect you with your physical self. Keep things simple. Keep things soft.

LIBRA (24 Sept – 23 Oct)

You’re holding your cards close to your chest, especially when it comes to new relationships or commitments. There’s a preference now for keeping things private and personal.

July: You’re more affected than usual by what others think – and it’s playing on your confidence. Ignore the noise and focus on your own path. Take practical steps to feel more secure.

August: If you’ve been waiting for someone else to lift your spirits, you might be waiting a while. Joy isn’t always found in others – it can come from fresh experiences and new ideas.

Your mood lifts when you find something that stirs your curiosity.

SCORPIO (24 Oct – 22 Nov) This isn’t a time for bold moves – instead, go back to an old goal and give it a fresh shot.

There’s wisdom in reviewing your journey so far and choosing a smarter, steadier course forward.

July: The more diverse your experiences, the

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in circles lately. It’s frustrating when you both want the same thing but can’t quite express it.

Keep the lines of communication open – a resolution is in sight.

August: The emotional burden of someone else’s troubles is starting to wear on you. Take some time for yourself to process what you’re carrying. Even a short pause can be healing. If something’s been niggling you health-wise, don’t put off speaking to a professional.

AQUARIUS (21 Jan – 19 Feb)

Financial matters involving shared resources need a cautious approach – not everyone is as honest as you’d like. Be selective with whom you trust. Embrace what makes you unique – it’s your greatest strength.

July: You’re longing for closeness, but the people around you feel just out of reach. Midmonth misunderstandings might sting, but let them settle before reacting. Clarity will come later, and with it, a chance to rebuild stronger bonds.

August: You may clash with someone stubborn. Rather than push for agreement, accept your differences and move on. Not everyone has to see things your way—and that’s perfectly fine.

PISCES (20 Feb – 20 Mar)

One particular friendship feels out of sync, and you might need to take a step back. Trust yourself when it comes to making big decisions.

Reconnecting with a mentor could bring clarity and comfort.

July: You feel pulled in all directions, and your own priorities keep slipping through the cracks.

Legal matters, work pressures or travel plans are all crowding your mind. Late July brings a turning point.

August: Your body’s calling out for a bit more TLC. Too much indulgence, not enough balance, and you’re starting to feel the effects.

A few mindful swaps in your diet could do wonders. Plan meals ahead, keep snacks healthy, and your mood will lift with your energy.

books

A young person’s guide to the world

Strange Sayings and Confusing Conversations, by Debby Elley.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

AUTHOR Debby Elley’s new work is a collection of humorous tales designed to help young children navigate the world.

Manchesterbased Debby, co-writer of the best-selling Ice Cream Sundae Guide to Autism, says: “Years ago, the emphasis was on teaching autistic children how to behave in what was considered the ‘normal’ way.

“Thankfully, times have changed and the neurodiversity movement has ensured that there’s more acceptance of people whose brains work differently.

“The aim of this book isn’t to change anyone’s behaviour. It’s to give them a better grasp of why other people behave in the way they do, and help them in the first steps towards self-advocacy.”

The book, aimed at eight to 13-yearolds, includes cartoons by autistic illustrator Tim Stringer.

“Tim’s a really great role model for the children reading this book.”

Healing Donnie Freefall – Pushing it to the Edge, £8.99, Amazon

DONNIE MacDougall suffered catastrophic brain injuries after falling 7,500 feet in a skydiving accident.

Partially blind, paralysed down one side, and unable to walk or talk, this memoir follows Donnie’s recovery.

Donnie says: “This story is a way of acknowledging those who have helped me along the way. It might seem a bit patchy, and it might jump around, but it is how my injured brain has remembered things.

“Fortunately, as I continue to receive treatment my memory has started to improve.”

. . . see back page

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