South Liverpool LINK - Apr/May 23

Specialist Accident at Work Solicitors in Allerton and Garston

Recent data released by the Health and Safety Executive has revealed that there were in excess of half a million non-fatal workplace accidents in

The most common causes of these workplace accidents included:

Expert Legal Advice for Individuals

Personal Injury

Medical Negligence

Residential Conveyancing

Property Auction

Enfranchisement

Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts

Lasting Power of Attorney

Dispute Resolution

www.gadlegal.co.uk

Being struck by a moving object

Over 36 million working days have been lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. Sadly the same report also reveals that 123 workers were killed in work-related accidents. The industries with the highest fatality rates

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Administration and support services

At Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors we have over 20 years of experience representing clients who have been injured at work or developed work related illnesses as a consequence of a failure by their employers to adhere to health and safety rules. We have been able to arrange private treatment for our clients to aid and speed up their recovery. We have secured compensation for the injuries sustained as well as recovering additional compensation for other losses such medical treatment costs and loss of income.

We are regularly instructed to assist clients who have suffered workplace accidents and can assist where injuries have been sustained as a

Slips, trips or falls leading to for example sprained or fractured bones

Lifting and handling resulting in soft tissue, spinal strains and

Injuries caused by a falling object for example in a distribution centre

Falling from a height such as from a ladder or scaffolding

Needle stick injuries where an injury has been caused by a sharp object

Military claims where for example an injury is sustained due to

Injuries caused by moving machinery such as where hands or arms become trapped causing serious crushing injuries

Gregory Abrams Davidson are experienced solicitors who specialise in ersonal Injury law and can provide advice and representation in regards to injuries arising from accidents at work. We have many years of experience representing clients who have suffered injuries due to all types of accidents at work including construction accidents, defective equipment, and factory, warehouse accidents and all other employer’s liability matters. We offer a free initial case assessment and No Win No Fee Funding is available. To enquire contact a member of our personal Injury new enquiries team on 0151 494 0777, email info@gadlegal.co.uk or visit GADLegal.co.uk to complete our online enquiry form or use our online chat function.

Welcome to your April/May issue of the Liverpool LINK.

Now the clocks have ‘sprung forward’, we can now officially say spring has arrived! No more surprise snowfall, please! I know we all look forward to longer, lighter evenings with more opportunities to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, daffodils and all those other glorious signs of spring!

April and May are going to be a busy couple of months… First, we all get to enjoy a long Easter weekend in April. Then in May we have King Charles III’s coronation on May 6th followed by Eurovision the weekend after. It will be fantastic to see our city come alive and welcome Eurovision fans from around the world.

I do hope you are enjoying the new A4 size LINK - we have made sure to keep all your favourite features such as games, quizzes and interesting articles. If you own a local business, your potential customers are reading this too so please get in touch to find out how we can get your business in front of tens of thousands of readers across South Liverpool.

Until next time, stay safe and don’t forget to tell our very valued advertisers that you saw it in The LINK!

All the best, Moira (Editor) and everyone at The LINK

LINK pick up points

SUperMArKeTS

Tesco Mather Avenue L18

Tesco Woolton L25

Sainsbury’s Woolton L25

ASDA Smithdown Road L15

Tesco Park Road L8

poST offIceS

Woolton Post Office, 27 Woolton Street, L25 5NH

Hunts Cross Post Office, 269 Speke Rd, L25 0NN

Lark Lane Post Office, Lark Lane, L17

Speke Post Office, 4 South Parade, L24 2SG

Booker Ave. Post Office, L18 Garston Post Office, Speke Rd., L18

SoUTH LIVerpooL LIBrArIeS

Allerton Library, Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 6HG

Childwall Fiveways Library, Liverpool, L15 6UT

Garston Library, Bowden Road, L19 1QN

Lee Valley Library, Millennium Centre, Childwall Valley RD, L25 2RF

Sefton Park Library, Aigburth Road, L17 4JS Speke Library, Parklands, Conleach Road, Speke, L24 OTY

Wavertree Library, Picton Road, L15 4LP

Halewood Library, Leathers Lane, L26 0TS

R.T.S. Printers, Rose Lane, Liverpool 18 Espresso Plus 173, Rose Lane, L18

Aigburth Cricket Club, L17

Aigburth Hall Nurseries, 5 Aigburth Hall Ave, L19 9EA

South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre, Garston L19

Speke Treatment Centre NHS L24

Citizens Advice Bureau, 2 Speke Road, L19

NeWSAGeNTS, eTc

McNaughton’s, 250 Woolton Road, Childwall, L16 8NE

Keith’s Food & Wine Bar, Lark Lane, L17

Prom News, 137 Aigburth Road, Aigburth Vale, L17

Hale News, Hale Village, L24

Grange Lane Store, Gateacre Village, L25

Super Cigs, Belle Vale Shopping Centre, L25

Woolton Village Newsagents, Allerton Road, L25

Liverpool South Parkway Train Station

Front cover photo by Neil Martin on Unsplash.com

Photo of the Month

“Colours of India” was taken by South Liverpool Photographic Society’s very own Irene Drummond. Irene has just spent her holiday in India, where she drew a lot of inspiration from her surroundings.

Why not join Irene and other keen photographers with whom you can share your passion for photography?

Complete beginners and the more experienced are all welcome. Check out the syllabus on their website, www.slps.co.uk, and get in touch!

Call/text 07783 335 353 or email Tim, membership@slps.co.uk

How Waste Wizard are keeping Liverpool clean

Waste Wizard, an environmentally friendly clearance company for domestic and commercial customers, has been building a solid reputation throughout Liverpool for their commitment to a high standard of customer service and the best after-job cleanup in town.

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Tony Worrall and his team specialise in the removal of domestic, dirty and small trade waste. If you don’t want it, they will remove it. From total house clearance to attics, lofts, garages, sheds, garden clearance, hardcore/soil, wood, plastic, metal, wood, carpets and electrical items, there is no job too big or too small.

As the leading choice in Liverpool for rubbish removal, they’re big enough to cope with all your waste management requirements but small enough to care, giving individual attention to each and every customer.

Their competitive prices start from as low as £10 and they also offer a same-day removal service.

for more information, visit their website at www.wastewizardliverpool.co.uk

Luxury Children’s Atelier

Bringing you iconic brands in luxury childrenswear, handpicked to cater for all occasions, Le Monde is committed to dressing children beautifully.

For exclusive 10% discount enter VIP10 to your basket before checkout

www.lemondeestpetit.co.uk

@le.mondepetit @lmp_itsasmallworld

King Charles III

As Prince of Wales, Charles has been preparing for this moment for most of his life, under the tutelage and guidance of his late mother, Elizabeth II. He will be recorded in history as the longest-ever heir apparent, and the oldest to accede to the British throne at 73.

Charles Philip Arthur George was born on 14th November 1948, during the reign of his grandfather King George VI. After the death of the King in 1952, his mother Elizabeth became Queen and Charles became heir to the throne at just three years old.

Charles was educated at Cheam and Gordonstoun schools, in the footsteps of his father Philip. He was the first heir apparent to attend school rather than receive private tuition. His time at Gordonstoun was hard, he referred to it as “Colditz in kilts” but later reflected, “…it taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative.”

Charles went on to read Archaeology and Anthropology, then switched to History at Trinity College, Cambridge. As Prince of Wales, he also spent a term at the University College in Aberystwyth, in order to study the Welsh language and history.

Charles joined the Royal Air Force and trained as a jet pilot, then the Royal Navy, where he qualified as a helicopter pilot. The Prince’s Trust was founded in 1976 with the £7,500 severance pay from the Navy. Since then, Charles has established sixteen more charities which raise over £100 million annually.

In 1981, he married Lady Diana Spencer. They had two sons, William born in 1982 and Harry in 1984. The couple divorced in 1996, and Diana was tragically killed in a car accident a year later. In 2005, Charles married Camilla Parker-Bowles. The official title of Princess of Wales was never

It’s thought that the service will be smaller than the last coronation in 1953, and include different faiths and communities to reflect the change in British society. The Church of England ceremony will be broadcast internationally and requires an oath and anointment, delivery of the orb and enthronement.

The coronation of King Charles III and Camilla takes place in Westminster Abbey on 6th May 2023. Long live the King!

Livv Housing Group customer launches community lunch club in Halewood

After taking part in one of Livv Housing Group’s food-based social impact programmes, George from Halewood, Merseyside, has brought together his passion for cooking and love for his community by starting up a community lunch club. With the rising cost of living, George’s initiative helps local residents have access to a hearty, homemade meal whilst learning how to cook.

George said: “As my late dad was a confectionery chef on a cruise ship, I grew up cooking. However, over time it became more of a ‘needs must’ rather than something I actually enjoyed. I’ve lived with a rare bone condition in my jaw for the past 25 years so I’m on a soft diet, but I cared for my mum for a while. Especially now that she’s getting older, it was important she was getting decent meals.”

George completed the four-week beginner and four-week advanced course, gaining an Introduction to Slow Cooking qualification. As well as a slow cooker, he took home new ideas, additional skills and a reignited love for cooking.

George added: “I miss how the community centre was always packed pre-pandemic. Residents would make and bake, and we’d get together regularly to socialise. There was a proper community spirit. But the impact of lockdown and social isolation really took its toll and it’s not been the same since.”

Livv arranged for George to complete his Food Hygiene Certificate and a new cooker was installed in the community centre kitchen. Chef Adam Franklin also kindly donated kitchen essentials such as utensils, takeaway crockery and cutlery.

Community Kitchen has been running for several weeks and the turnout has been a success. Open every Wednesday, ‘Community Kitchen’ serves freshly prepared hot meals. The menu varies each week and includes items such as vegetable soup and fresh bread, scouse, stews and apple pie.

Livv provided £500 funding to cover George’s food shops and he’ll receive ongoing practical support and guidance from Alchemic Kitchen and the local chefs throughout the project, should he need it.

George continued: “I’m currently open every Wednesday lunchtime to drive more people down to the community centre. Once it gets busier, I’d like to expand to provide breakfast and evening meals. I’ve got a lot of plans, but I need to walk first before I can run!”

local history

Valley Viewpoint

Liverpool saw huge growth after the First World War as suburbs spread across open countryside, absorbing villages and transforming communities. This has been an ongoing process since the agricultural and industrial revolutions helped boost Britain into a global power. A combination of technical innovations, manufacturing and commercial enterprise saw the United Kingdom’s influence spread throughout the world.

Liverpool played a key role with its trade links across the British Empire, spreading to numerous other countries. Thousands of people flocked to the port not only to emigrate but also to settle permanently. The incomers needed to be housed and services such as schools were essential in the wake of social reform.

The railways fuelled urbanisation from 1830 as lines began to crisscross the country. The process had begun with improved roads in the 18th century. However, the new train services encouraged growing numbers of people to commute. Lines had stations at regular intervals to encourage passengers. Developers bought up land around stations to build attractive villas for well-off professionals and others. Despite having a relatively short-lived train station between 1879 and 1931, Childwall largely escaped development until the 1930s.

This view of Childwall Valley was drawn by Liverpool architect and artist William Stubbs in about 1850. Childwall Church can be seen in the distance with a few houses clustered around. All Saints is Liverpool’s only surviving substantial medieval church with some 14th-century masonry and windows. The building has been altered over the centuries: the tower was rebuilt in 1810 and an aisle was added in 1906. There are

dog of the month

NAMe: Zzee

AGe: 4

BreeD: American Bulldog type

Zzee is a happy lad who has settled well into kennels but is always raring to go when it’s time for walkies. He loves to explore and splits his time between sniffing and wagging his tail at everyone! He’s a very friendly boy and enjoys spending time with the other dogs. That said, he does try to push his luck and romance them all, so he’s probably best as the only dog at home whilst he works on his social skills.

Z doesn’t seem to be too interested in toys at the moment, but reacted excitedly to a thrown tennis ball! Having a family who will encourage him to play and show him the joys of it, will be wonderful, and he can live with children over the age of 12 but no other pets.

If you think Zzee could be the four-legged friend you are looking for, you can find out more by visiting Dogs Trust Merseyside’s page at www.dogstrust.org.uk. You can also follow the doggy ‘tails’ on Twitter @DT_Merseyside and Instagram, @dogstrust_merseyside

two monumental brasses, rare in this area, set in a wall. Dating from 1524, they depict Henry Norris of Speke and his wife.

The south wall has what is believed to be a “lepers’ squint” outside at ground level. Now mostly confined to hot countries, leprosy was once found in Britain. Lepers were not allowed to join congregations in church for fear of spreading infection. However, they had a view of the altar through the squint and could follow the service.

Among prominent people buried in the churchyard are brewer Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, of art gallery fame, and Liverpool’s first woman lord mayor Margaret Beavan.

Sensitive planning over the years has ensured that the area around the church retains its rural atmosphere with fine views over the surviving countryside.

Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, pier Head, admission free.

Connoisseur

Trevor Langley’s Guide to Wine & Spirits

Drinks: Spirits of Audemus

The award-winning Audemus Company is located in Cognac, France. Audemus produces hand-crafted spirits, to an exceptional standard and quality, using the traditional methods, proven by previous generations of distilling personnel, along with modern technology. The company was founded by Miko, during 2013, who had already achieved several years of distilling cognac.

Audemus Pink Pepper Gin (44% vol) has nine ingredients that are infused and complement each other, to create this production. Hand-picked pink peppercorns, juniper, and honey (locally-sourced), plus four other botanicals are distilled separately and then come together, with vanilla and tonka bean infusions. I found this Pink Pepper Gin to be smooth, spicy and with an enticing nasal sensation, having the power to satisfy the mouthfeel and palate, wonderfully.

Audemus Umami Gin (42% vol) utilises distilled Southern Italian capers. With the inclusion of other ingredients, such as juniper and ParmigianoReggiano (Italian parmesan cheese), this gin continues to grow in popularity. As a perfectly blended delectation, it is rested in old cognac barrels for several months. Innovative and most satisfying, sums it up for me, without hesitation.

Other very popular spirits include Audemus Covert Liqueur which uses fig leaves, honey and cognac to a great advantage. This brightly-coloured liqueur has a ‘touch’ of cane sugar, which balances the sweetness to

perfection. Great, by itself or with ice and to commence a dining occasion, plus after a meal too.

For information and details of products, please visit their website: www.audemus-spirits.com

As always, enjoy!

Trevor Langley

& SHANNON JENKINS

Independent Family Funeral Directors

Richard and Shannon Jenkins Funeral directors are your local, trusted, independent funeral directors. We believe in being at the heart of the community, providing a rst class 24 hour service and building strong everlasting relations with you and your family at this very di cult time.

The Best Ways to Dress Windows and Doors in 2023

A well-fitting front door will prevent cold draughts, and create a welcoming entrance to your home. Natural wood grain is a classic choice, polished in any shade from light to dark to protect it from bad weather. Front doors can be painted in any colour, but traditional black or white gloss is never out of style. The latest vibrant trends include sunshine yellow, pillar box red or forest green.

colour creates a different effect, making the door a centrepiece that compliments the décor.

Windows can also be treated as a decorative feature, there is currently a trend for heritage prints, inspired by William Morris or Delft. These bold, traditional designs work well in older properties, giving an elegant finish to plain coloured rooms. Matching cushions or lampshades add an extra layer of detail to your décor. For a more muted backdrop, earthy tones are popular this year, reddish terracotta, through shades of green to dark brown.

For extra warmth, thermal curtains and insulated blinds can improve your home’s energy efficiency. They help keep the heat within a room and also keep noise out, so if you live in a busy neighbourhood this type of window dressing could help reduce the amount of sound disturbance in your home.

Interior wooden shutters have been fashionable for some time. New, improved materials have reduced costs and improved durability. This allows easy management of light and privacy at an affordable price, as well as providing an effective block from cold draughts. Venetian blinds are also popular, especially in a dark wood finish. They’re generally cheaper

Exterior door furniture (or hardware) such as knockers, letterboxes and push plates, are important features. There are numerous styles, so consider what would blend in with your property. Traditional lions head door knockers have some competition, dragonflies, dolphins and birds are just some of the quirky additions on the market at the moment.

Interior design teams are turning their attention to internal doors. Painting a door the same colour as surrounding walls creates a ‘hidden’ entrance, this uninterrupted colour also makes a room look bigger. A contrasting

Best Cars to Buy in 2023

Buying a car is one of the biggest investments in life. We all rely heavily on the purchase of a reliable set of wheels, but we also need to consider running costs, safety and comfort. Another important factor is efficiency, with fuel duty set to rise in 2023. The Office for Budget Responsibility reports that an increase of up to 23% may occur in the spring.

city or Small cars

City cars are easy to park, fuel-efficient and manoeuvrable. Some of the best vehicles in this range include Toyota Aygo, Fiat 500 and the VW Up. A small car is generally an easy drive, simple to control with an optimum acceleration to overtake between 30-60mph. The best small options include old favourites, the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and the Mini range.

Medium to Large family cars

This range optimises safety, efficiency and comfort. These vehicles need to adapt to different conditions and be easy to park in a variety of places. The best medium cars on the market are the Ford Focus, Hyundai i30 and the Honda Civic. Larger cars offer more legroom, smoother suspension as well as a roomier seating capacity. Bigger engines and fuel tanks can cope with the extra load. The forerunners in this category are the Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo and VW Passat.

SUVs and 4x4

The best in this category offer plenty of room, manoeuvrability and a high driving position with plenty of additional safety features. Best crossovers include the Nissan Qashqai or the Juke and the Kia Sportage. Bigger vehicles like the Honda CRV and Peugeot 3008 consistently prove themselves to be top-of-the-range.

This means that PHEVs are now likely to cost between zero and £105 depending on emissions, then £145 per year after that.

Electric cars have matured over the past few years, and so have our driving expectations. The best cars in this category tend to come from Tesla with the Model 3 a long way ahead in terms of battery range and performance. The Kia EV6 and the Audi Q4 e-Tron are also very impressive and all three cars are priced between £40-50k. Hybrids encompass the best of both worlds. BMW 3 series and the Mercedes C-class are top performers, but the Skoda Superb iV comes in at around £28k and has an impressive 45 mile battery range.

What’s up, doc?

Chill out, stand more & stop snoring… there’s lots of help and advice to improve your health this April.

Distress to de-stress

If you’re increasingly overwhelmed by juggling modern life’s many demands, then take advantage of the free resources and help during Stress Awareness Month in April.

The Stress Management Society has created a 30-Day Challenge to help you dial down your stress levels, focusing on taking one new action each day to boost your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. It takes 30 days on average to turn new actions into habits, so by the end of the month you could be enjoying a whole new outlook on life.

There’s also a daily de-stressing planner, a seven-day action plan, a digital detox checklist, a free stress guide, videos and even a rather lovely stress-relief adult colouring book. Find out more at stress.org.uk/ national-stress-awareness-month/

No more snores

Did you know?

■ Snoring has affected humans for millennia, with the ancient Egyptians documenting thyme as a treatment 3,500 years ago.

■ Over 40% of the population snore, and it’s twice as common in men than women, although it increases in women after the menopause.

■ Long-term snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea in 4-10% of people.

■ Hormones play a huge role – testosterone replacement therapy in men doubles their risk of snoring, while women with polycystic ovary

Q UI z T IME

Music Quiz

1. By what name is the rapper Curtis Jackson better known? (a) Dr Dre (b) 50 Cent (c) Jay Z

2. What was Robbie Williams’ first solo No.1 single? Was it: (a) Freedom (b) Let Me Entertain You or (c) Millennium

3. Who had a chart hit in 1999 with “Music to Watch Girls By”? (a) Tony Bennett (b) Frank Sinatra (c) Andy Williams

4. Ian Gillan and David Coverdale were, at different times, the lead singer with which band? (a) Deep Purple (b) ELO (c) Jethro Tull

5. Which band had chart hits in the 60’s with “Make It Easy on Yourself” & “My Ship is Coming In” and a 70’s chart hit with “No Regrets”?

(a) Doobie Brothers (b) Righteous Brothers (c) Walker Brothers

6. Complete the name of the Motown band “Junior Walker and the …….”.

7. Frank Sinatra had a No.1 hit in 1966, singing a duet with his daughter. What was his daughter’s name?

8. Which actor shared the vocals with Damon Albarn on Blur’s “Parklife”?

9. Which two David Bowie singles were also the titles of TV series about a detective who time-travels back to the 70s & 80s?

britishsnoring.co.uk

Get up offa that thing!

How many hours a day do you spend sitting down? For the typical office worker, it’s ten hours. Yet regularly sitting for more than eight hours a day can lead to a 40% higher risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. On Your Feet Britain Day on 27 April is all about increasing your hours of daily standing and light activity to two to four hours during the working day, with great tips for encouraging you to make a standing start at liberating yourself from the chair. Find out more at getbritainstanding. org and look out on Instagram for the #BigWiggle #OYF2023

By Gill Mullins, freelance writer and journalist at www.superhappycontent.com

General Knowledge

1. Which “Dr Who” was born in Scotland Road in 1934?

2. Which famous TV/film actor, noted for the “Ealing Comedies” (Genevieve, etc), was born in Wavertree in 1919?

3. In what century was Liverpool Castle built? (a) 12th (b) 13th (c) 14th

4. What now stands on the site of Liverpool Castle? (a) Liver Building (b) Town Hall (c) Queen Victoria Monument

5. Deva was the Roman name for (a) Chester (b) Manchester (c) Warrington?

6. In football, which two teams contest the “North London derby”? (a) Arsenal-Spurs (b) Chelsea-Fulham (c) West Ham-QPR

7. Which American city is known as “The Windy City”? (a) Boston (b) Chicago (c) Dallas

8. With which musical instrument was Yehudi Menuhin associated? (a) piano (b) saxophone (c) violin

9. Which African country was previously (until 1964) known as Nyasaland? (a) Malawi (c) Tanzania (c) Zambia

10. Who succeeded Winston Churchill as Prime Minister in 1955? (a) Clement Attlee (b) Anthony Eden (c) Harold Macmillan

10. The film “Sex & Drugs and Rock & Roll” is based on the life of which British rock singer (who died in 2000)? (a) Ian Dury (b) Billy Fury (c) Rory Gallagher Solutions on page 22

B. JENKINS & SONS

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Available

KidsCorner

Recipe: Garlic and Herb Prawns

A light and tasty dish that can be served as a starter or main. or why not serve alongside other tapas dishes to continue the Mediterranean vibe?

preparation time - 25 minutes + marinating time

cooking time - 5-6 minutes

Serves - 2

Ingredients

■ 12 raw prawns in their shells

■ Juice of half a lemon

■ 2 garlic cloves - crushed

■ 3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

■ 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill

■ 3 tbsp softened butter

■ Salt and pepper

Method

Rinse the prawns. Use a sharp knife to slice along the back of each prawn from head end to tail and remove the thin black intestine.

Mix the lemon juice with the garlic, herbs and butter to form a paste. Season well with salt and pepper and spread the paste over the prawns. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.

Preheat a frying pan. Fry the prawns until cooked, tossing them several times to distribute the heat evenly.

Turn out onto warm plates and drizzle with the juices from the pan.

Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.

Strange Tales

Boys Will Be Boys

Twins Sam and Gareth were always on the go - enjoying life as young lads should, climbing trees, running races, getting into scrapes. “Boys will be boys,” nodded grandma sagely, after one of their escapades. Big sister Nelly thought otherwise. “They are a pain in my brain,” she said with the authority of her 15 years to their 10. She would fume when the rest of the family sniggered and guffawed at the boys’ antics. One day they climbed the King’s Oak and hoisted a chamber pot on high. When it rattled in the wind, granddad called it Guzunder Thunder. Another time they tied the curate’s bootlaces together and he fell flat on his face. Fortunately, he saw the funny side. The fun and pranks reflected the seasons. Snowmen found their heads tucked under their arms.

In February some of the unlikeliest people received homemade Valentine’s Cards. Emily the undertaker even received one from old Mr Potts who she had buried a month earlier.

In summer, there was a spate of trip-ups in cottage gardens: someone had tied grass stalks together to catch the unwary. Then there were loud raspberries blown through letter boxes at dusk.

Autumn saw outside lavatories disappearing under piles of leaves, resulting in desperate attempts to move them in time.

by Anton Valdemart

There was a warning from father during the seasons of fun: “Don’t go near the old mine shaft. You never know what’s down there.” Then there was the balloon. It was uncertain where it came from. Some said it must be from one of the big houses because of its fine quality. Others opined that it was a weather balloon. “That’s vulcanised rubber,” said granddad prodding the three-foot wide black sphere. The twins commandeered the balloon, using it as a big football or letting it float off so they could chase the bouncing blimp. Down hills it went, over cottages it soared - always with the bounding boys following close. The final straw came when it knocked Nelly into the rhubarb patch. She vent her fury in silence as the twins chased the errant balloon. Then it disappeared - as soon as it came, it was gone. The boys never could fathom how Nelly tricked them to go down the mine shaft. They’d been for a swim in the mill pond when she cheerily made the suggestion. “I dare you to go down theredad says it’s all right,” she fibbed. Her brothers hesitated then climbed into the bucket. “I’ll bring you back up - just shout when you’ve reached the bottom.” They screamed ... and screamed and screamed. In the pitch dark, they felt the slithering touch of something cold and lifeless. Nelly hauled them up at once, then collapsed, shaking with laughter. Snared on the bucket beneath the boys, the balloon was being squeezed tighter and tighter. It exploded with a thunderous roar, blasting the twins to safety.

read my next Strange Tale in The LINK: The Miser.

Loop Line trail to be given a revamp

One of Liverpool’s key active travel corridors is to be given its first major upgrade since the start of the century.

Work began at the start of March to transform the historic Liverpool Loop Line, completed in 2000 after a 12-year reclamation programme, to encourage more residents to start using and enjoying it.

Laid out on a former disused railway that closed in 1964, the traffic-free route is on the National Cycle Network and forms part of the awardwinning Trans Pennine Trail. The hidden corridor winds through the suburban heartlands of the city, from Halewood in the south, to Aintree in the north, with more than half a million people living within 20 minutes of the trail.

Now Liverpool City Council, together with its partner Sustrans, has begun the task of updating thirty access points across the 11 mile track. The £500,000 scheme, supported by the EU

through the Sustainable Urban Fund, as well as funding from the Department of Transport, has been designed to improve the route for people with wheelchairs, prams, mobility scooters and adapted cycles as well as horse riders. The upgrades include:

■ Removing old access barriers

■ Relocating other barriers, such as street lighting columns and litter bins

■ Introducing new bollards

■ Improving access for maintenance vehicles

■ Restoring dropped kerbs

■ Resurfacing paths and footways

■ Fencing improvements

■ Widening access paths

Some trees have also been removed along the route as part of the pre-works programme as

roots were eroding the geologically important sandstone along the path, and causing a hazard through falling stones.

Resurfacing works at the southern arm of the Loop Line will begin at Belle Vale Road running to Lydiate Lane. This four week phase, which includes opening up access at Mill Lane. The overall scheme is due to be completed by June and forms part of Liverpool’s ambitious active travel programme.

Changes at this year’s local elections

Voters are being advised to check their polling cards and be aware of changes at this year’s local elections, which take place on Thursday 4 May.

Voters will now need to provide photo ID when voting a polling station, some ward boundaries have changed and the location of polling stations may be different to previous years.

New legislation has been introduced by the Government which means that people voting at a polling station will need to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper. The full list of acceptable ID will be set out on polling cards,

which will be delivered in early April and the details can also be found at liverpool.gov.uk/voterid.

The ward boundaries in Liverpool have changed significantly, with 64 wards and 85 councillors, compared with 30 wards and 90 councillors previously. Most people will be in a new ward and some people will be voting at a new polling station. People are being asked to check their polling card that will include a location map of their polling station.

From now on, elections will only be held once every four years, with every seat being contested.

Huge Eurovision Outdoor Party Announced

The National Lottery announced it will be hosting ‘The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome’ – a spectacular live show, outside St George’s Hall in the heart of Liverpool.

Taking place on the evening of Sunday 7 May this crucial part of Liverpool’s ambitious Eurovision host city plans, will see up to 30,000 tickets made available to the public for free*, thanks to The National Lottery.

Up to 15,000 pairs of tickets will be available for free (*subject to a small booking fee), for

anyone who is a National Lottery player able to claim a pair on a first come, first served basis as a thank you for the £330M they have contributed to over 3,600 music and cultural projects in Liverpool.

A proportion of tickets will be reserved for Ukrainian residents in the UK, including refugees supported by National Lottery funded organisations, as well as community groups from Liverpool.

Tickets will be released in early April.

Support for businesses to get Eurovision-ready

Liverpool BID Company has invested a six-figure sum to support hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

The funding, which will come directly from the city’s private sector businesses, will ensure that the benefits of Eurovision are felt as widely and keenly through the city centre economy as possible.

With tens of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city in just over two months’ time, the increased footfall will deliver a positive economic impact for the city’s

hospitality, retail and leisure industry, as well as raising its global profile.

Liverpool BID Company, a private, not-forprofit organisation representing over 1,000 levy paying businesses across the city centre, has programmed a series of free marketing workshops, language classes and first aid courses, to ensure that they are able to share their Eurovision story with all of the city’s visitors.

Liverpool City Council has launched a dedicated business support page on its website, which

offers advice on everything from licensing requirements to ambassador training.

Small group yoga classes in a beautiful studio near Strawberr y Fields, Woolton Live, online and on demand yoga classes also available from the comfor t of your own home

Since I started advertising with The Link, I have seen my business inundated with enquiries. I would estimate around 90% of the business I get comes from my advert in The Link and as a result, I no longer need to invest in any other form of advertising. I’m thrilled with the results!

T. Delcher

What’s ON

L IV erpoo L B A c KGAMM o N cLUB

Meets every Thursday 7pm at Christ the King social club Score Lane L16 6AW. The club is friendly, sociable and open to all levels of players including beginners who can have free lessons. Further information 07931 553829 or www.liverpoolbackgammon.co.uk

LIV erpoo L e X c HANG e roTA ry c LUB

Liverpool Exchange Rotary Club is a lively and energetic club that meets at lunchtime on Thursdays in the smart surroundings of the Athenaeum in Liverpool’s city centre. The club always welcomes new members and if you enjoy good company, social activities and the opportunity to serve others in the traditions of Rotary International, Google our club name for further details; you can contact us via the “join-us” tab at the top of the home page or phone or text Alan on 07826-611065 or Michele on 07790-769223.

S ef T o N pA r K B o WLING c LUB

Is looking for new members. Various competitions starting from Easter to October. Open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Wednesday and Friday Evenings, and most weekends. Learners & experts, singles & couples are all welcome. Postcode L17 7DG. Call Gregg on 0151 222 2964.

L IV erpoo L AND D IST r I c T c HA rAMBLING cLUB

Come and join us and enjoy rambling in our beautiful countryside. All new members welcome. Coach pick ups are West Derby and Old Roan. Walks include Cumbria, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Peak District, Wales etc. For more information please contact Pauline on 07800 807043 or paulinehinton@blueyonder.co.uk

A rT for p L e ASU re Mondays 1pm to 3pm Garston Reading Rooms, corner of Wellington Street and Chapel Road. Starting 7th of March. Book your place now! Tuesdays & Wednesdays.

10.00 am - 12.30, pm Mossley Hill Church, Rose Lane. Any medium, any ability, courses or own choice, relaxed and friendly. Call Anthea : 0151 427 5084 Email: anthea26k@gmail.com

e T o N B o WLING c LUB

Come bowling at the oldest bowling club in Liverpool. You will be made very welcome and we will give coaching to all players new to the game. We are located at the back of The Halfway House in Woolton Road and our season runs from the end of March until October. Contact Keith on 07709 924522.

pe NN y LAN e JAZZ W or KSH op Meets Thursdays, 7-9PM, Elm Hall Methodist Church, Elm Hall Drive, L18 2DD. £10 Admission. Led by Liverpoolbased saxophonist, Frank Griffith. All instruments and vocalists welcome. Reading music not required as emphasis is on improvisation. See www.facebook/frankgriffithjazz or email frank@frankgriffith.co.uk. 07976 313224.

S orop TIMIST INT er NATI o NAL

We are a group of women who seek to advance the status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enablement. We do this in friendship through service projects, fund-raising and advocacy. We meet every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Meetings are being held on Zoom at present. For further details contact us at liverpoolsorops@gmail.com, text 07814 564649 or via website www.sigbi.org/liverpool

Puzzle & Quiz Answers

Crossword

f L e X erc IS e c LASS for TH e A c TIV e 50+

Exercise, movement and dance class: low impact to help improve posture, balance, muscle strength, core and range of movement. Mondays 12.30pm and 1.45pm. Thursdays 10am. At All Hallows Centre, Harthill Road, Allerton, L18 3HU. To book your place, please contact Jane on 0151 724 5192 or janevduff@gmail.com

S o UTH LIV erpoo L

p H oT o G r A p HI c S oc I e T y Meetings in CADWA Rocky Lane L161JD on 1st three Thursdays each month 8 -10pm. All other Thursdays online via ZOOM. Check out the syllabus, see if it’s for you, and come along. Initial meetings FREE. New members encouraged and supported, especially beginners. Contact Tim - membership@slps.co.uk

Tel 0151 721 1359 or 07783 335 353 Website www.slps.co.uk

TAI c HI B e GINN er S c LASS Liverpool College Sport, Mossley Hill. 8pm-9pm. CADWA Hall, Childwall. 11am-12noon. Parish Hall, Aigburth. 1pm-2pm. Call 07958 286068 www.liverpooltaichi.com

po LI ce SU r G ery W oo LT o N A chance to meet with local police community support officer, PCSO Sam, Ashton and discuss local issues on your mind. Just drop in. All welcome.

Wednesday 15th February, 10-11am at St. Peter’s, Church Road, Woolton Village

S o UTH LIV erpoo L MA r K e TS

farmers’ Markets are open from 9am to 2pm on the following days:

G A r STo N M A r K e T - Fridays 9am to 2pm. Woolton Village, L25 7RG – Second Saturday of the month.

G A rTHDAL e r oAD - off Allerton Road, L18 (next to Barclays Bank) - Third Saturday of the month.

L A r K L AN e - L17 8UP – Fourth Saturday of the month. Subject to Covid restrictions.

Sudoko Quizzes

1.

2.

3. Andy Williams

4. Deep Purple

5. The Walker Brothers

6. All

7. Nancy

8. Phil Daniels

9. Life on Mars & Ashes to Ashes

10. Ian Dury

trapeze, seals, acrobat, jugglers, lions, clown. Extra letter answer: bigtop.

Seasonal Treats for April

There’s no denying spring is here – the weather may be changeable, but the blossom is on the trees and although there’s not an overabundance of local produce, what we’ve got is pretty special. Here are four of the best…

english asparagus

There’s asparagus, and then there’s English asparagus. With a short but sweet season that starts officially on April 23 (St George’s Day) and runs through to the end of June. Before cooking, thoroughly wash to flush out any grit, chop off the woody ends, then either boil or steam, or roast drizzled in olive oil at 220°C for 10-20 minutes (depending on thickness).

Jersey royals

Always a harbinger of spring, Jersey Royals will be available towards the end of the month. Grown only in Jersey, they are fertilized with seaweed

(vraic) which adds tons of flavour, before being carefully hand-lifted. To eat, keep it simple – those thin, tasty skins can be left on after a gentle wash, and their waxy texture makes them perfect for boiling, steaming or frying (although if you’re feeling adventurous, they also make magnificent dauphinoise).

Mackerel

A real treat for both the eye and the palate, mackerel are one of the cheapest fish you can buy, and one of the healthiest and most sustainable, too – rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have been shown to help prevent heart disease and lower high blood pressure. The classic way to cook them is pan-frying – add a splash of oil to the pan and cook until the skin is crisp and golden (usually two to four minutes).

Dandelions

Yes, they’re weeds, and yes, they’re everywhere – including your garden. But did you know dandelions are actually rather good to eat? Part of the same family as endives, they pack a similarly punchy, earthy flavour and are a great source of vitamins A, B, C, E and K. Enjoy their slightly bitter, peppery raw taste in a salad, or sauteed or steamed for a nutritious and milder serving of greens. You can also eat the flowers raw – they look beautiful in a salad.

April’s shopping list:

Asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflowers, cucumber, Jersey new potatoes, kale, leeks, lettuce, mackerel, radishes, wild salmon, spring greens, spring onions, turnips, watercress.

South Liverpool’s recent good form banishes relegation worries

If it’s goals that you’re looking for then watching South Liverpool’s first team should be your favourite team as there have been 150 goals scored in their matches this season at an average of over four goals per game.

Three league wins from their last four games has moved them comfortably into mid-table and has meant that they can finish only as low as third to bottom and realistically avoid the possibility of relegation.

The best recent performance was undoubtedly the 4-1 home win over Bacup Borough exacting revenge for the exit from the League Cup only 10 days earlier. Four days later another four goals put paid to struggling Daisy Hill while two weeks after that another four goals saw off Garstang.

Disappointingly, having reached the quarter finals of both league cups, the team exited both at the same stage, deservedly so against Bacup Borough but agonisingly so against Abbey Hulton United when a last minute equaliser saw our opponents score with their only shot on target and then winning on penalties.

The club’s reserve side have only been beaten once in the last eleven league games and have climbed up to fifth in the table. The recent highlight was a 4-2 win at the league leaders Poulton Vics. The club’s third team are unbeaten in the league since August with a run of fourteen games which has brought the team into promotion contention for. And with two games against both Hooton and Higher Bebington Kelma, two of their promotion rivals,

still to come, there is still the chance of a top two place.

The club’s Sunday Veterans team remain top of their division in the Cheshire Veterans League with a 100% record and only need to beat Tintwistle and Baguley at home to clinch the title.

Ways to Style Your Outdoor Space

Whether you have a balcony or a backyard, outdoor space is often overlooked. It can be possible to use this extra room for all sorts of activities and extend your living zone.

Think about this new area in the same way that you would consider your indoor space: is it casual, modern, traditional or fun? If you want to feel comfortable, it needs to be an extension of your home and a reflection of your personality.

Solar-powered lighting can be very effective and can be moved easily to suit your needs. String lights are popular, they can be plain, coloured or shaped. Lanterns are very effective, with candles that can use either real flame or LED lights.

For heating, fire pits and chimineas are romantic real-flame centrepieces but ensure you have room to accommodate them. Outdoor gas heaters come in a range of styles from small to free-standing, practical to pretty, with something to suit every budget.

Barbecues can be simple, practical cooking stations but outdoor kitchens are the next level in home entertainment. Six burner gas hobs, sinks and beer fridges, these modules can all be tailored to your entertaining needs.

And although this might sound crazy, shade is vital, even in the UK! It provides some relief from the summer sun. Umbrellas and pergolas can be versatile, simple and easy to move. Awnings can be manual, pull-down shades or fully automated integral systems.

Any furniture that you buy should be suitable for outdoor living, and strong enough to withstand summer heat and winter cold. Cushions can add a splash of colour to your décor while throws and blankets add a touch of softness and texture to your outdoor space. Remember to provide a weatherproof box or basket to store them at the end of the day.

First of all, consider how you intend to use this additional area. Is it a place for cooking and entertaining, exercise or relaxation? Once you have established the purpose, you can begin to plan the layout and explore your style options.

Finally, don’t forget to add plants and greenery to your outdoor space. Many local garden centres will be able to help you choose the right ones for your outdoor space.

Mason Nevitt receives his NW Counties Division One North Player of the Month (November)

Match action v Bacup Borough at The Jericho Hub

Tyler Magee scores a free kick in our recent game v Bacup Borough

Across

1 Nightclub entertainment (7)

4 Strange and frightening (5)

7 System for detecting aircraft (5)

9 Vertical, erect (7)

10 Passivity, paralysis (7)

11 Emperor, king, monarch (5)

12 Tyrannical dictator (6)

14 Priest or religious leader (6)

18 Plentiful (5)

20 Gaunt, exhausted (7)

22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7)

23 Ceremonial headdress (5)

24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5)

25 Spiny Australian egg-laying mammal! (7)

Down

1 Supported, sustained (7)

2 Decorative breast pin (5)

3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6)

4 Mistake (5)

5 Constant, uniform (7)

6 Go inside (5)

8 Relative size of two values (5)

13 Assist financially (7)

15 Strict reason (5)

16 Intricate musical solo (7)

17 Become different (6)

18 Passage in supermarket (5)

19 Before the expected time (5)

21 Keep away from (5)

Take a break with the LINK Sudoku

Sudoku is a highly addictive puzzle game with one rule. Place the number from 1 to 9 in each row, in each column and each 3x3 box.

Solutions on page 22