Local News

Local NEWS December 2021 - January 2022

Festive markets return to Liverpool

From Friday 12 November to Thursday 23 December, around 40 stalls, festive rides and twinkly lights will transform St John’s Gardens, William Brown Street and the area around the North Entrance of St George’s Hall – in a slight change of location this year. The market will be packed with a delicious range of food and drink, gift stalls and kids (big and small) can enjoy Santa’s Village with its variety of festive rides including a big wheel and a giant Bavarian snow slide. Opening times are Sunday to Wednesday 11am to 9pm and Thursday to Saturday 11am to 10pm. The markets will be accessible from lower and upper William Brown Street and via St Johns Lane.

Huge cultural cash injection for Liverpool’s waterfront

Plans for a new global visitor attraction, the redevelopment of two of Liverpool’s leading cultural institutions and a new public realm have been given a £22 million budget boost. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced two separate financial investments for the city which will inject a new lease of life in and around the city’s docks, and cement Liverpool’s ambition to put culture at the heart of major regeneration projects. Investments include £2 million to fund the initial development stage for The Pool, a transformative waterfront project, and £20 million Levelling Up funding for Tate Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool. As a result of the funding, improvements will be made to the public realm which will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing.

River of Light success shines bright

Were you one of the thousands of people who visited River of Light? Post-event figures show around a whopping 150,000 people enjoyed the free, outdoor trail over 17 nights which boosted the local economy. Each evening saw thousands of people take in the 12 large-scale, stunning illuminated artworks which spanned a 2km route. The popularity saw a boost in footfall in the city centre, with many restaurants and shops reporting high demand. Following this year’s success, the Culture Liverpool Team has announced River of Light will return in 2022 for another 17 nights of beautiful, illuminated art from Friday 21 October until Sunday 6 November. The theme is being kept under wraps until next year but it will be a nod to the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 which will be taking place in the city at the same time

Marie Curie is calling on flipping fabulous young fundraisers in Liverpool to step out this festive season and take part in a penguin parade for families affected by terminal illness. The newly launched Penguin Parade will see young children go for a waddle of any distance at their nursery or primary school, to raise money and light up the festive season for local families affected by terminal illness. The cute fundraiser is fronted by Penelope the Penguin, who will make an appearance in plush toy form at nurseries and schools taking part. The Penguin Parade is aimed at children aged 1-6 and the charity recommends taking part in small groups, such as nurseries or primary schools. Once signed up, participating groups will get everything they need for the perfect Penguin Parade, including Penelope the Penguin a soft cuddly toy. For more information on Penguin Parade and to sign up visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/ charity-events/penguin-parade-2021

Liverpool sees the return of the world-famous Santa Dash

Thought to be the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run, The Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash takes place on Sunday 5 December. It starts at 9.30am from Pier Head Liverpool on the city’s iconic waterfront and takes Santas through the Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool and city centre, before a grandstand finish outside Liverpool Town Hall featuring stilt walking festive characters and ‘real’ snow. Anticipation and excitement are steadily mounting for the event return after it was staged virtually last year due to Covid-19 guidelines. More than 3,000 people have already registered to take part in 2021. Dashing Santas are being encouraged to walk, jog or run to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Charity – the event’s official charity partner for 2021. For full details and online entry visit www.btrliverpool.com/santa-dash

Support for adults in Merseyside who struggle to read

Read Easy Merseyside is a new voluntary group set up to offer support to the 10% of the adult population in the area who struggle to read. This group are offering free, one to one and confidential to support these adults. We are seeking a key individual with time to become a Volunteer Coordinator. This person will meet those wishing to learn to read and once they are paired with a trained volunteer reading coach, the coordinator is their point of contact offering support and guidance. The key skills are communication skills, empathy, organisational skills and being a selfstarter. Full induction, training and support are offered. You will belong to a group of motivated and enthusiastic volunteers.

This is a very rewarding role and the difference learning to read makes a huge impact on an adults life. For more information contact either karen@readeasy.org.uk or merseysiderecruiter@readeasy.org.uk You can also call Karen on 07763442924.