Best of Liverpool Magazine - July 2012 by Liverpool Post & Echo

SUPPLEMENT

WINNERS

COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

FLOWER POWER

A sneak preview at Southport Flower Show 2012

OF LIVERPOOL JULY ISSUE 2012

KNOWSLEY SPECIAL Get in the know about Knowsley

SCHOOL’S OUT Where to take the kids this summer

SUMMER STYLE Hottest holiday fashions

CHELCEE SCORES From footballer to pop star – Chelcee Grimes shoots for her golden goal of chart success HAIR TRENDS//LIVERPOOL’S OLYMPIC INFLUENCE//TASTES OF SUMMER// GARDEN PARTIES//GO GLAMPING//JULY JAUNTS//WATERSPORTS//WHAT’S ON

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Contents

BEST

04-05 TALK OF THE TOWN City news and gossip

FASHION

06-07 SHOPPING FOR HER Sizzling summer style 08 SHOPPING FOR HIM How to look cool this summer

THE 2012 NEWSPAPER AWARD

WINNERS: COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

MAGAZINE EDITOR Michelle Rushton DEPUTY EDITOR Katie McLoughlin WRITERS Paul Baker, Sarah Hooley, Richard Lackey, Claire Lewis and Katie McLoughlin PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror photographers COVER PHOTO Conor McDonnell Photography DESIGN Vicky Andrews and Colin Harrison COMMERCIAL FEATURES EDITOR Sally Jones SALES MANAGER Ros McGuire

COPYRIGHT Best of Liverpool is published monthly by Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales/ Liverpool Echo. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 10 SALON SPOTLIGHT Hot hair shades

FITNESS

GET IN TOUCH

LIVERPOOL ECHO EDITOR Alastair Machray

JULY 12 NEWS

O F L IVERP O O L

STORIES 0151 330 5035 EMAIL magazine@liverpool.com ADVERTISING 0151 330 5039 WEBSITE www.bestofliverpool.com FOLLOW US twitter@BestofLpool

JULY 12

Welcome... WELL hello and welcome to July – this year seems to passing by in a dizzy blur (or it could just be the effect of the Cotton Candy Martinis at Hotel Indigo...) I wish the weather would make its mind up. We at Best of Liverpool (BOL) are hopeful that the sun will eventually put his hat on and, just in case, we have scoured the high street for some essential summer styles for him and her – see pages 6-8 – not to mention our little darlings. Why should the grown ups hog the style? To complement your summer wardrobe, Katie finds out about the hot new hair trend, the ‘ombre-effect’ and gets a fab new look on page 10. We’re getting very excited about the Olympics this month. Paul looks at how a Liverpool man influenced the great games, and how the region is getting in on the action on page 11. Feeling decidedly sporty all of a sudden, team BOL has been thinking of different ways to get fit without having to set foot in a gym. Our dancing queen, Sarah, celebrates Big Dance Week on page 12 by checking out what dance classes there are in the area, while Richard dons his wetsuit in a quest for some watery fun on page 13. Still in Jubilee mode, I find any excuse for a soiree and discover how to stage a good old British garden party on page 22. As the schools break up for summer,

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we bring you some great ideas of where to take the kids. To keep my little monkeys amused, I took them for a trip to Croxteth Hall and Country Park – read all about it on page 14 – and we also head to Knowsley to exploring this buzzing borough, on pages 16-19. There’s so much going on this month, you certainly won’t find time to be bored. There’s a bumper line-up of colourful festivals to enjoy, from DaDaFest and Brazilica to Brouhaha and the Southport Flower Show, all brimming with local and international talent. Talking of talent, our cover girl, Chelcee Grimes, has buckets of the stuff – we chat to the rising pop star on page 26, as well as catching up with comedian, actress and ‘armchair’ Reds supporter, Lindzi Germain on page 27. Summer is also a great time for wining and dining. Katie gets a taste of the Far East at Sapporo on page 20, while Richard sniffs out some sizzling summer recipes. And, to celebrate her first wedding anniversary, Sarah glamps it up at the Hot Tub Safari on page 30. Happy summer!

Michelle Rushton, Best of Liverpool Editor

11 OLYMPICS Liverpool’s influence on the games 12 DANCE FEVER Get into the groove 13 WATERSPORTS Dip your toe into a new hobby

CHILDREN

14 SUMMER FUN Things to do over the holidays 15 CHILDREN’S FASHION Adorable designs for little ones

VISIT KNOWSLEY

16 IN THE KNOW Things to do, places to see 18 EXCITING EVENTS What’s on in the region 19 CULTURE VULTURES Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park

FOOD & DRINK

20 GEISHA GRUB A taste of the Far East at Sapporo 21 TASTE OF SUNSHINE Sensational summer recipes

HOMES & GARDENS 22 GARDEN PARTIES Entertaining al fresco

ENTERTAINMENT

24-25 SOUTHPORT FLOWER SHOW What’s in store for 2012 26-27 HOMEGROWN TALENT Chelcee Grimes and Lindzi Germain 28 DADAFEST Blazing the trail for disability and deaf arts 29 THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE Hot dates for July

TRAVEL

30 GLAMP IT UP Camping with a luxury twist

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Talk of town Photo: James Maloney

DELI OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST DELIFONSECA is celebrating getting through to the final round of judging in Olives Et Al’s Deli of the Year 2012 competition. The Dockside deli is one of 10 regional finalists in the competition organised and run by the Dorset-based artisan food specialists, Olives Et Al. The foodie firm carefully designed the competition in such a way as to allow every business that entered to be able to showcase itself by engaging with staff, customers and its local community. This year, more than 300 delis were nominated and over 12,000 people voted for their favourite deli in the competition which was judged by a panel of independent food and retail experts. The winning deli will be announced at the Great Taste Awards dinner in London in September.

ALTERNATIVE ASCOT THE North West’s largest alternative Ascot Ladies’ Day celebrated its 13th anniversary this year. The sights and sounds of the renowned Berkshire course were recreated at Aintree when over 450 ladies celebrated their own Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day at the world famous Aintree Racecourse in June. Racing was beamed live from Ascot to the home of the Grand National and punters competed for race prizes in order to raise funds for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Crystal Clear and Tangle Teezer were amongst the individual race sponsors and Wongs the jewellers donated a matching solid silver bangle and a double link pendant. Chris Done, head of fundraising for Imagine says: “Our ladies make a huge effort with outfits and look amazing. They have a great

time, win prizes and raise much needed funds for Alder Hey – winners all round!” The event has raised around £140,000 for Alder Hey since it began.

OutANDabout Katie McLoughlin and Michelle Rushton bring you the latest city gossip

FESTIVAL DEFIES WEATHER Photos: Adam Johns Photography

Photo: Colin Lane

PERK ME UP

THE news that a Friends-inspired cafe had opened in the city perked me up no end recently. Central Perk is situated on Hatton Garden and has been designed to look exactly like the coffee house in the hit US TV comedy show. I just had to take my old flatmate Emma to see it, as when we shared an apartment in Cressington, we would rush home from work to watch the show. We couldn’t believe how similar it was to the real one in New York and although it was very busy, we managed to fight our way to the sofa where Rachel, Ross, Joey, Monica, Phoebe and Chandler et al discussed their loves and lives. Central Perk’s menu includes signature coffees, cakes, American sodas, pancakes, waffles, NYC-style deli sandwiches and much more. You can even have Lucky Charms for breakfast and the coffee house will be hosting ‘Finding Phoebe’ open mic nights. As we lounged on the replica of the famous settee and watched old episodes of Friends, we tucked into a New York-style chicken bagel and white chocolate Malteser cheesecake - we were in Friends’ Heaven!

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOTEL INDIGO

RAIN didn’t stop play at Africa Oyé last month. Despite the miserable weather, which stopped the festival from being held at its usual site of Sefton Park, organisers’ spirits were not dampened and they worked around the clock to organise events at indoor venues. Adverse weather conditions caused the festival site to be deemed unfit for the stage to be constructed upon as well as unsafe for thousands of

people to convene upon over two days. However, the kind souls The Picket and The Blade Factory @ Camp & Furnace, in the centre of Liverpool, stepped in at the last minute to host the festival and a fantastic time was had by all. The festival, which enjoyed its 20th anniversary and is the UK’s biggest festival of African music and culture, featured stalls, DJs, bands and much more.

We’re loving... CREAMFIELDS WITH the August bank holiday rapidly approaching, we’re loving the look of the line-up for Creamfields this year and have been digging out our wellies ready to get our rave on in Daresbury. This year, Creamfields has secured quite possibly its biggest DJ line-up ever. Highlights of the three-day festival include The Chemical Brothers, Richie Hawtin, Groove Armada, Paul van Dyk, Above & Beyond, Calvin Harris, Jacques Lu Cont, Loco Dice, Seth Troxler and Fake Blood, to name just a few. Visit www.creamfields.com or call 0151 707 1309 for more information.

BEST of Liverpool and fellow members of the media from throughout the North West enjoyed a fabulous evening at Hotel Indigo recently. The boutique Hotel was celebrating its first birthday and welcoming a new head chef to the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill. The press enjoyed sipping and making their own Cotton Candy Martinis in The Cotton Lounge bar before moving to the steakhouse restaurant for an intimate dinner created by the new head chef, Chris Jones. Chris, who learned his craft at the elbow of some of the North West’s most talented chefs, has a passion for bringing local produce to his tables and has introduced a new Taste of the Seasons menu. Each month he will introduce new seasonal produce into the menu, which changes daily, and is ideal for a busy working lunch. A great night was had by all and we were given the chance to sample the glamorous hotel’s hospitality, staying over in the sumptuous rooms and enjoying a glorious full English the next day before sauntering round the corner back to our office on Old Hall Street!

MAYA THE TRULY authentic Mexican experience at Maya. The new bar which has opened its doors on Wood Street, is located underneath Lucha Libre and offers a taste of contemporary Mexican culture and cuisine. Named after the Goddess of the Agave Plat Mayahuel, the owners have described it as: “A late night trip to the other side with some great cocktails and tunes and, of course, tequila!” And we love the sound of their sparkling cocktails such as Lady of the Dead, the Titty Twister and the Pancho Libre! Maya is open six nights a week. Call 0151 329 0200.

JULY 12 SPARKLING SOIREE

HILLBARK HOTEL AWARDED FIVE AA STARS

ACTRESS Pauline Daniels recently celebrated her 21st year of Shirley Valentine. Gusto Restaurant and Bar in Heswall joined forces with hair, beauty and accessory retailers Hairline, to host a superb lunch for the occasion. Pauline entertained 100 glamorous ladies with her fantastic set which included comedy, scenes from Shirley Valentine and a collection of songs. Hairline, based in Waterloo and Heswall, showcased its fantastic collections of hair extensions, hairpieces, accessories beauty products and bags, as the ladies enjoyed a sumptuous three course lunch whilst raising money for Wirral Witches.

THE team at Hillbark Hotel & Spa is celebrating its highest accolade to date in being named the only five-star rated hotel in the Liverpool city region. Operated by Contessa Hotels, the lavish Grade II listed Hillbark Hotel has been awarded five stars following an inspection by the AA Tourism authority – one of the governing boards for hotel star ratings. Amplifying this impressive accolade, the boutique manor is also the smallest hotel to be awarded five stars in the UK – positioning the brand side-by-side international names in luxury accommodation. The Hillbark Hotel & Spa is located in the 250 acres of parkland in Royden Park in Wirral. The Grade II listed Elizabethan style mansion has 18 individually designed bedrooms and suites, a choice of restaurants including the fine dining restaurant by award-winning chef Stewart Warner and a luxurious spa.

Photo: McCoy Wynne

LIVERPOOL ART PRIZE THE winner of the Liverpool Art Prize 2012 was recently announced Robyn Woolston will be awarded £2,000 and a solo display at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery in 2013. The Liverpool-based filmmaker, photographer and installation artist, who originally hails from the midlands, is passionate about people, relationships and the way the world works, which is reflected in her work. On receiving the prestigious award Robyn said: “I am utterly overjoyed and overwhelmed. It hasn’t sunk in yet but winning the prize will hopefully open up new opportunities for me, giving me the chance to work in other interesting spaces with lots of different materials. I think it will enable me to widen my area of work.”

A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME... HEAD chef Mark Jones travelled the world and cooked in venues as grand as Sydney Opera House before heading to Liverpool to lead the kitchen in Merchants at 62 Castle Street. The chef has made it his mission to make the restaurant, which was formerly Trials, a shining star in the city’s culinary crown and, on June 27, he excitedly launched a new menu for the swish city centre venue. Mark, who has worked in Australia, Bermuda and in some of London’s best restaurants, spoke of his plans to make Merchants the place to be and told invited guests of his plans to introduce a host of special dishes to the menu. Guests at the event quaffed an extensive array of wines and enjoyed a taste of the new menu, with tempura broccoli, parsnip crisps and mini-cheese souffles served to tantalise their tastebuds.

TWISTED CIRCUS THE ‘Twisted Circus’ came to Liverpool earlier this month as Voodou Training hosted its annual competition to find Liverpool’s Hair Stylist of the Year. Big Fat Gypsy Wedding dressmaker Thelma Madine and Big Brother’s first ever winner, Craig Phillips, were among the celebrity guests at the event, hailed by organisers as the ‘biggest and best ever’. Not your average hairdressing competition, the event was staged by Voodou Training and took place at Nation, the home of superclub Cream. Juice FM presenter Baz Todd and Liverpool singer Chelcee Grimes were among the entertainment at the annual event, which this year had the theme of Twisted Circus and included an outstanding array of weird and wonderful costumes.

Photo: Event Photography

Photo: J. Cardoso

SHIRLEY GETS THE KEY TO THE DOOR

CITY centre jewellers Wongs invited customers and stylish guests to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a little vintage flair in its Whitechapel showroom recently. Over 100 guests were met with China teacups full to the brim with earl grey martini cocktails, glasses of sparkling bubbly and delicious street party canapés, while being pampered by the team from Clarins Skin Spa.

Winners on the night included Bart Baxter, Ross Barscragg, Frankie White, Kev Martin, Kate Wilson, Alex Taggart, Alan Robinson and Chloe Jeffries. The overall Hairstylist of the Year award went to Abbie Rowan from QDos Hair Designs in Toxteth, after she competed against all other hair salons from across Merseyside. Voodou Training raised an impressive £1,200 for local children’s hospice Claire House.

CULINARY CULTURE THE firm behind two of the city’s best loved gastropubs – The James Monro on Tithebarn Street and The Monro on Duke Street – has been recognised as one of Liverpool’s Cultural Champions by Arts & Business. The Monro Group was honoured at a swanky awards ceremony, held in Manchester recently, which recognised the achievements of 25 businesses from across the North West for their contribution towards supporting, investing in and engaging with the arts. The firm was recognised because it provides cash sponsorship and offers inkind private dining experiences for Liverpool Biennial events. William Lyons, director of The Monro Group said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for our contribution to the arts and we will continue to support Liverpool’s ever growing cultural landscape.”

PEARL OF A SHOP THE sensational collection of dresses, playsuits and swimwear at Pearl Boutique in Aigburth is perfect for your summer hols! Inside the exclusive boutique is filled with oh-so-lovely rail after oh-so-lovely rail of covetable items, and is the ideal place to stock up on clothes to stash in your suitcase. Opened in March last year, Pearl Boutique boasts an extensive range of labels and specialises in celebrity favourites, beautiful evening dresses and catwalk fashions.

Visit the store at 70 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 7BN, telephone 0151 222 7361 or log onto www.pearl-boutique.com for more information.

The showroom was dressed to the nines with bunting, cupcake-filled cake stands and vintage paraphernalia, while the very best in classic rock’n’roll bellowed out of the speakers in an ode to 1953 – the year of The Queen’s coronation. A charity prize draw, in aid of Alder Hey Imagine Appeal, raised a staggering £575 on the night, with a dazzling, £1,600 pair of diamond earrings donated by Wongs being the star prize for the evening. Peter Wong, director of Wongs Jewellers said: “It was wonderful to welcome back so many of our customers and friends for our second event of the year. Our Mastercut 4.5ct diamond tiara provided a focal point for the regal evening and our guests certainly enjoyed trying the piece on and taking a turn around the room dressed as a Queen.”

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 05

Shopping for her WORK IT WE’VE all been there, you’re late for work and you’re wrestling with your wardrobe attempting to find some form of attire that makes you look both professional and stylish. So, if your work-wear wardrobe needs a little helping hand, pay a visit to McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet this week. The Ellesmere Port shopping outlet has teamed up with women’s charity, Dress For Success London, to launch what it believes is the UK’s first-ever official Workwear Week. The event, which runs until July 8, will see exclusive offers and flash sales take place, plus there’ll be a pop-up panel of experts offering style and career advice. If you’re keen to dress for success – and not get noticed in the office for all the wrong reasons a la Bridget Jones – here are some tips from style consultant, Gabbie Cowley, who’ll be providing sartorial advice to shoppers during the event: 1. For effortless work chic, team a light blouse from Reiss or Jaeger with a pair of sleek trousers in black or French navy. Finish the look with bold jewellery from Pilgrim Jewellery to inject a touch of personality.

Sizzling sartorial style

Sport a 50s beach ensemble with this top, £8, bikini briefs, £5, and sunglasses, £5, all by F&F at Tesco

Escape it all with a whole new look, says Katie McLoughlin, as she discovers summer’s hottest holiday styles... GO big or go home is my motto for many endeavours, but, when it comes to packing for a holiday, it’s an approach that does me no favours. This season I shall be finding it especially hard to limit my luggage to that of the non-fee-paying persuasion as there are such an abundance of sizzling trends to pack for a sojourn to the sun

Limited Collection Sports Luxe Playsuit, £39.50, from Marks & Spencer

and experiment with a sense of style. From Aztec prints to colour blocking, tribal and lace, fabulous fifties, maxi dresses, nudes, pastels and prints, there’s no shortage of covetable clobber to cram into your case for a jaunt to sunnier climes. The only difficulty will be deciding what not to pack....

Woodstock tie-dye shorts, £35, from River Island

Nectarine ‘Laurey’ lemon bikini, £25, from A|wear

2. The high-waisted pencil skirt is an office staple showing professional style with a feminine twist. Head to French Connection or Karen Millen for a variety of skirt lengths to suit any shape – a cut just below the knee is flattering for most. 3. A fitted blazer is a work wardrobe must. Nicole Farhi and Hobbs have a great selection of tailored styles which work perfectly over a simple white shirt or stylish dress. Mix different textures and fabrics to give an instant lift to your outfit. 4. Classic court shoes with a medium height heel are a top choice for work. For all-day glamour, choose a pair in patent black leather or Middleton-worthy nude, which will take you straight from your desk to dinner.

Aztec kaftan, £35, from Accessorize Sandals, £10, by F&F at Tesco

5. Complete your look with smart accessories from Mulberry, Radley or Osprey London. A leather tote in a classic colour like black or cream will hold all your essentials and match any outfit, while a striking handbag in a bold, eye-catching colour will accentuate your workwear look. Check out the website, www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com for more information. Image top: Pinstripe trousers, RRP £95, outlet price £55; pinstripe jacket, RRP £195, outlet price £98, and pinstripe waistcoat, RRP £110, outlet price £73, all from Reiss at McArthurGlen. Plus, bag, RRP £395, outlet price, £245, from Osprey at McArthurGlen Image bottom: Skirt, RRP £110, outlet price £55, from Reiss at McArthurGlen; blouse, RRP £90, outlet price £35, from Coast at McArthurGlen; and bag, RRP £395, outlet price £245, from Osprey at McArthurGlen

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Rock both the colour blocking and 50s trend with this orange and pink pleated dress, £45, from A|wear

Printed denim playsuit, £35, tan woven belt, £10, tribal scarf, £10, and bangles, £12, from A|wear

Bamboo print trousers, £45, from Next

Sandals, £4, by F&F at Tesco

JULY 12 Yellow metal detail cami, £20, and ‘Sandy’ skater skirt, £30, from A|wear

Paisley silk dress £30, from Dorothy Perkins

Pink and grey sporty multi-fabric jacket, £39, from La Redoute Playsuit, £38, from Urban Outfitters

You’ll be chief of the fashion tribe with this tribal-inspired ensemble – top, £16, and trousers, £20, by F&F Limited Edition; plus tasselled necklace, £7, beaded necklace, £12, and bangles, from £4, by F&F at Tesco

Nude sunglasses, £12.50, from Next Crafted hot pants, £20, from Republic

Beach bag, £24, from Next

Shirt, £35, from Urban Outfitters

Green maxi skirt, £35, from Next Carla Monaco Bag, £10, by F&F at Tesco Pink neon flats, £20, from Next

Go totally topical with this bikini top, £9, and bikini briefs, £6, by F&F at Tesco

Pastel, colour blocking and wedges – the perfect summer shoes, £18, by F&F at Tesco

Pink denim shorts, £19.99, from New Look

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 07

Shopping for him

JULY 12

BOYS OF SUMMER

WRAP UP! Original Penguin blazer, £135, from John Lewis

Richard Lackey delves into the high street to pick out a few essential items for this season... THIS summer it’s all about clean lines, simple garments, understated hues and a dash of Oxbridge prep. Team chinos with a classic polo shirt and complete the outfit with a lightweight tailored blazer which will slim down your silhouette and give you a smart finish.

Polo Golf by Ralph Lauren, £96, from John Lewis

For the brightest of days, opt for a more casual look which doesn’t compromise on style; chino shorts, a slim-fit tee and casual pumps will look suitably dashing. And summer essentials such as sunglasses and hats never go out of fashion. Sunspel Riviera polo, £70, from Weaver's Door, Cavern Walks Red Herring tee, £14, from Debenhams

Joe Casley-Hayford mac, £299, from John Lewis

PROTECT yourself from the inevitable summer downpours with one of these stylish lightweight jackets . . .

Superdry Commodity Harrrington jacket, £84.99, from Cult, Liverpool ONE

Blue chino shorts, £22, from Next

Brick chino shorts, £22, from Next

Wool-blend blazer, £265, from John Lewis

Red Herring sunglasses, £9.50, from Debenhams

Mexico 66 CV vintage trainers, £65, from Onitsuka Tiger, Liverpool ONE

J Jeans by Jasper Conran trilby, £26, from Debenhams J Jeans by Jasper Conran, £65, from Debenhams

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Health & beauty Photos: Paul Baker

BEST-DRESSED TRESSES ENSURE your hair is your crowning glory with these on-trend products.

Hair today – gone tomorrow

Roots manoeuvre Katie McLoughlin dips into the latest colour trends at Hooka . . . HAIR trends reflect the times. Cropping your locks in the 1920s signalled a carefree-Flapper lifestyle; while a Farrah Fawcett flick proved you had funk in the decade of disco and a tightly curled perm, a la Kylie in Neighbours, was the hair to have in the 80s, when style-savvy yuppies wanted hair as big as their shoulder pads and newly-acquired mobile phones. So, given the current state of play, how has the world of hairdressing responded to the post-credit crunch age of austerity? Well, there’s been a distinct move away from the kind of uber-preened looks sported by Cheryl Cole et al, as Phill Gallagher, artistic director at Hooka, explains: “The whole big, curly, blow-dry is starting to disappear and everything is becoming a bit more natural. There’s still movement and a slight curl but a more natural finish, using tongs or curling wands rather than GHDs, so you get a relaxed, tousled look with random, natural movement that’s not too contrived.” At a time when many people are watching their spending, it’s not surprising that hair and colour trends are also reflecting the age of austerity, with two-tone tresses now more popular than highlights, which require a lot of upkeep. Now, think of two-tone hair and you’re probably envisioning something akin to Vicky Pollard’s barnet, complete with nasty roots and scraggy ends, but this style, known as the ‘ombre-effect’, is far from it. Indeed, it has been one of the most

FDA Approved

coveted colour styles ever since Alexa Chung dip-dyed her mane, with other celebrities, such as Jessie J, following Ms Chung’s lead. “We’ve had a lot of people coming in and asking for the ombre-effect,” says Phill. “It’s a sort of smudged look that everyone’s going for – it can be quite subtle, with dark roots and blonde ends, or quite dramatic with, for example, coppery roots and blonde ends.” “As you grow your hair, it adds to the look, so there’s a lot less upkeep and expense than having highlights done, and it’s great for those with long hair, who generally go longer between hair cuts.” “With this kind of colour, you can keep the length but still change your style, with the sweeping side fringe as a point of difference,” says Phill, while assessing my locks. Using L’Oreal Professional products, Phill, who has styled models’ hair on Britain’s Next Top Model and tamed the tresses of Danni Minogue for a video shoot, sets to work on my hair – applying a semi-permanent dark brown shade to my upper lengths and bleaching the ends in sections. Once both colours had developed, a toner was put on my newly-blonde ends, so they retain a glossy finish. Next, to add some serious lustre, a L’Oreal Professional Fiberceutic intensive treatment was applied in two parts – with a serum first, then a masque. Dubbed ‘Botox for hair’, this restorative,

conditioning treatment penetrates the hair shaft, rather than simply coating it, so the hair swells to smooth the appearance of split ends and make hair fuller, thicker and healthier-looking for up to 10 washes. With my locks now a gorgeously glossy dark brown on top, and caramel blonde on the ends, Phill cut in a soft side fringe and layers to give the hair movement and that-all-important swish. I leave Hooka safe in the knowledge that I won’t need to grace a hairdresser’s chair for a while, as roots aren’t an issue with this style – they simply add to the effect rather than making your barnet look like Britney Spears mid-Federline phase.

WHERE IS IT:

Hooka has two city centre salons – one in the Ropewalks area, on Wood Street, and another on Button Street, where Phill is based.

TO add another dimension to your swish new ombre style for just a night, try Kevin Murphy’s Color.Bug Hair Shadow. Available in an array of vibrant shades, the Color.Bug can be used to add intense, pigment-rich colour onto your locks without commitment – simply wipe on and wash out. Available from Hooka on Wood Street and Button Street.

Be a smoothy SOFT, smooth hair is key to looking beautiful au-natural on the beach so, to give your locks a helping hand, try Ojon Super Sleek Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner. Packed with nourishing ingredients like Ojon oil, natural azurite and plant keratin, the products seal in moisture, protect against frizz and instantly boost shine and manageability. Ojon Super Sleek Smoothing Shampoo, RRP £20, and Conditioner, RRP £21.50, available from John Lewis in Liverpool ONE.

Get your gloss on FOR a glossy mane without a hefty price tag, try Argan Oil Hair Treatment, which is enriched with vitamin E to nourish dry, damaged locks, boost shine and restore your hair to its former glory. RRP £9.99 from Superdrug.

WHAT DOES IT DO?:

Hooka offers creative cutting, colouring and styling for both men and women.

CONTACT:

Visit Hooka at 5 Button Street, Liverpool, L2 6PX or 92-98 Wood Street, Liverpool, L14DQ. Alternatively, call 0151 236 2725 (Button Street) or 0151 708 0302 (Wood Street), or log onto www.hooka-uk.com

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Olympics

JULY 12

Olympic hero With the London 2012 start line now in sight, Paul Baker learns how important the city of Liverpool and a local man, John Hulley, were in inspiring the modern Olympics

WE already know Liverpool is an innovative city responsible for giving the world some of the best music, actors, writers and, of course, two of the best football teams. So it should come as no surprise that Liverpool also gave the world the Olympics! Well, that’s a bit of an overstatement, of course. The Ancient Olympics are a Greek invention, but the modern Olympics, that global celebration of sport that the UK is hosting this summer, has its roots in the ideas of a Liverpudlian, born in 1832, named John Hulley. In 1865 he established the National Olympic Association (a forerunner of the British Olympic Association which is organising the 2012 games) from the gymnasium he had set up in Myrtle Street (earlier in Bold Street) and organised the first National Olympian Games a year later. These games took place in London, just as this month’s Olympics will, but the Games themselves grew out of a series of Grand Olympic Festivals which first took place at Liverpool’s Mount Vernon Parade Ground in 1862. Hulley’s Olympic Festivals, along with the more famous Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games, were said to have inspired Baron Pierre de Coubertin – who established the International Olympic Committee which organise the modern Olympic Games. During the sixth Olympic Festival in 1867, in Liverpool, John Hulley gave a speech about the benefits of physical education and Olympic festivals. This

John Hulley, Liverpool’s Olympic pioneer. Below, an illustration of Liverpool Olympic festival, circa 1869

A runner competing in the first John Hulley Across Mersey Aquathon

quote from the speech was recorded in the Liverpool Mercury (a popular local newspaper of the day that later merged with The Liverpool Daily Post), on June 29, 1867: “What I desire to impress upon you is that Olympic festivals are not the end of physical education. Physical education, or rather its dissemination, is the end. “Olympic festivals are the means of securing that end. They must be judged by their after effect, not their immediate results. They are evidence of the good done, but not the whole evidence.” Here Hulley speaks about legacy, which has been such an important consideration for those organising the 2012 Games. It’s fitting that a number of local organisations are continuing Hulley’s work and maintaining his legacy, such as the John Hulley Memorial Fund and local fitness charity

Liverpool Heartbeat. The latter has been running a number of events leading up to the 2012 Games which they’ve dubbed the John Hulley Olympic Festival. Liverpool Heartbeat were also there to pay tribute to Hulley recently when the Olympic Torch made its way through the city. Hulley’s grave is in Toxteth Park cemetery. It was renovated and then re-dedicated during a service in June 2009. During the service, the Rev Graham Murphy said: “Hulley looked to improve physical health in the vicinity of where people in the age of industry ordinarily lived and worked. “Until now, Hulley has suffered from

obscurity following his early death. Let the restoration of his grave be an end to that. It is with great pleasure that I declare this restoration to be the granting to John Hulley of a place in history, which he undoubtedly deserves.” In this Olympic year, especially, it is worth remembering and celebrating Hulley’s and the city’s part in inspiring the Olympic Games as we know and love them today. For more information about John Hulley and the John Hulley Olympic Festival, you can go online and visit: www.johnhulleymemorialfund.co.uk or www.liverpoolheartbeat.com

LOCAL OLYMPIC EVENTS UNDER STARTER’S ORDERS . . . JOHN HULLEY OLYMPIC FESTIVAL AS part of the John Hulley Olympic Festival there will be a weekend of equestrian action at Aintree Racecourse’s Indoor Equestrian Centre on Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29, including a Family Fun Day on the Saturday. There’s also the John Hulley Across Mersey Aquathlon, taking place on Saturday, July 21, on the River Mersey. For more details visit www.liverpoolheartbeat.com

RACING FOR GOLD OUR very own Maritime Museum is currently displaying three racing craft that help show the importance of the North West to British sailing and rowing. These events were introduced at the Paris Olympics of 1900

and Great Britain has enjoyed success in them ever since. One vessel on display is ‘Olympic Gold’, an eight-man racing shell commissioned by Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club which carried rower Sir Steve Redgrave to his first gold medal success in the 1984 Olympic Games. Visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ maritime for more details. Sefton Park Palm House

OLYMPICS AT THE PALM HOUSE THE Olympics are coming to The Palm House on Thursday, August 23, from 1pm-4pm. Bring your little Usain Bolts and join the Liverpool Harriers and Little Kickers in fun activities such as the long jump, mini hurdles and football. Jumping Jacks and Underwater Street will be on hand to provide entertainment with crafts and parties. Plus, the Liverpool Harriers will be bringing the Olympic Torch along to give people the chance for a unique photo opportunity. Tickets are priced £2 and are available online at www.wegottickets.com/ event/171099

affect sporting success. Event runs from 11am-4pm – visit: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ wml for more details.

World Museum, Liverpool

SPORTS SCIENCE AT WORLD MUSEUM SPORTS science is an increasingly important part of the lives of sportspeople across the globe. On Saturday, July 7, World Museum, Liverpool is gearing up for the Olympics by giving the public the chance to see how they measure up to sporting stars! Test your own performance using interactive exhibits. You’ll see that the way your body is put together, what you eat and drink, even the way you think, can really

PRIDE OF KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK IF you find you and your family are touched by Olympic fever then get down to Knowsley Safari Park this summer. There are three rather special little lion cubs roaming the park. Lioness Handeya gave birth to three male lion cubs and, to celebrate the Olympics, the cubs have been named Gold, Silver and Bronze. They will be on public view until the end of October so this summer will be the perfect time to say hello to the ‘pride’ of Knowsley Safari Park. Visit www.knowsleysafariexperience. co.uk for more details.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 11

Fitness

JULY 12

Artists from Big Dance North West Link Up! will perform at Liverpool ONE this month

Just dance! With a bumper month of dance events, Sarah Hooley gets her jazz hands ready and finds some of the city’s best classes... IT’S time to get footloose and fancy free as Big Dance Week (July 7 -15) hits Liverpool this month. The nationwide event is part of Big Dance 2012, and if you’re feeling inspired it’s the perfect opportunity to dig out a pair of leg warmers and try one of the many classes on offer in the city! As part of Big Dance week, there will be a number of events taking place across the region, including a spectacular finale in Liverpool on Sunday, July 15. The eagerly-anticipated day will kick off with entertainment from international dance festival, City Steps, between 12pm and 2.30pm when thousands are expected to flock to Church Street, Paradise Street and Liverpool ONE to watch the cream of the dance world perform. At 2.30pm this will be followed by the Big Dance North West Link Up! at Liverpool ONE – bringing 1,275 dancers with it! Streaming down the steps of Chavasse Park, performers aged six to 86 from Merseyside, Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester will perform choreography representing the history and landmarks of their region.

(For a full listings of events, visit www.bigdance2012.com). So, if you fancy putting your best foot forward, here are a few of the city’s best dance classes to try...

Good toes, naughty toes IF you always wanted to be a prima ballerina but never got the chance as a child, now’s the time to start. KNT Danceworks, based at the Elliott Clarke Theatre School on Sefton Street, offers KNT Danceworks beginner and intermediate/advanced lessons for adults in ballet. Every week there are new exercises so you can join at any time, and as ballet can burn up to 350 calories an hour it’s a great way to keep fit. Classes cost £5. For times and a list of lessons visit www.kntdanceworks.co.uk/liverpool or call 07835945459.

Learn the Argentine tango with Tango Aires

Cheerios

Walk like an Egyptian

IF you think cheerleading is all about cute outfits and pom-poms, think again! A great way to keep fit, cheerleading is an energetic mix of dance, gymnastics, cheers, chants and dare-devil stunts and Jem Xtreme in St Helens is one of the region’s best squads. Join its adult cheerleading and fitness classes at St Andrew’s Church, Dentons Green Lane, 7.30pm - 8.30pm every Monday. Classes cost £3.40 and everyone is welcome. Visit www.jemxtremecheerleaders. co.uk for more information.

IF you’ve ever fancied learning the ancient art of bellydance, shimmy over to the Sirocco Academy of Egyptian Dance in Wavertree. Set up by a group of gifted bellydance teachers who have all studied Egyptian dance to a high standard, the school holds a class from 7.30pm to 8.30pm every Monday. Lessons cost £4.50 or £15 for four. Sirocco Academy of Egyptian Dance, Estudio Flamenco de Liverpool, Unit 3H, Wavertree, L15 4HJ. Visit www.saeddance.com

You’ve been tango-ed FIRE up your weekly workout with an Argentine tango lesson from Tango Aires Liverpool at the Casa on Hope Street. The lessons, held every Tuesday, are run by Adam Parnell. Adam, who lived in Buenos Aires for 18 months, studied tango intensively in the city taking lessons from acclaimed teachers and danced in the Campeonata Mundial (World Championships). Beginners classes are held 7pm to 8pm, and improvers lessons at 8pm to 9pm. Classes cost £5.50. Visit www.tangoaires.org.uk

The Sirocco Academy of Egyptian Dance in Wavertree

Dancing Queen

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

(Right foot back) Bring your right foot in a sweeping half circle motion, landing it at the back slightly away from the left foot.

Stand with both feet under your hips . . .

(Left foot at the front) Your left foot is already where it should be, so simply lift it slightly up and down again.

(Right foot close behind the left foot) Bring your right foot forward to land just behind the left, almost touching it.

This is one samba step, to continue, it’s the leg that is at the front that begins the step in the same sequence. When you first start doing this samba step you will use your whole foot, but after practising you can try doing exactly the same but using only the balls of your feet.

Photos: Andrew Teebay

IF you fancy strutting your samba stuff at Brazilica, July 13 – 15, follow these simple steps from Simone Reeves, Brazilica Liverpool Carnival Queen . . . “Brazilian carnival dancing is comprised of fast paced samba, energetic routines and lively moves,” she says. “It has all of the samba technique but also plenty of cheekiness and sensuality. That does not mean only professional samba dancers can take part, anyone can take part at the Brazilica Carnival. All you need to join the fun is have a happy and energetic attitude, get in touch with Brazilica and that’s that!” At home you can practice the 1,2,3 samba step:

Fitness

JULY 12

What a sport! Photo: Gavin Trafford

Liverpool’s docks are a hotbed of watersports activity

Sailing with those Liverpool views!

Richard Lackey heads to the coast to find out what leisure activities are making a splash . . . Photo: Tony Kenwright

US Scousers sometimes forget just how lucky we are to live so close to the coast. Apart from the stretches of beaches and dunes to the north and the world-class attractions at the Pier Head and Albert Dock to enjoy, there is a wealth of watersports activities literally on our doorstep to have a go at. Now, if you’re like me, then the idea of donning a wet suit and braving the chilly Mersey is the stuff of nightmares. But, I’m told, watersports are for everyone, and even the most unadventurous will find something they enjoy. Liverpool is blessed with a number of centres that cater specifically for the water enthusiasts among you. Situated in the heart of the city centre, in Queens Dock, Liverpool Watersports Centre gives members the chance to try out such sports as canoeing and windsurfing, all with the added bonus of some breathtaking city skyline views to soak up.

Paddle up – watersports are for all ages

Liverpool Watersports Centre at Queens Dock

The centre’s trained staff provide advice and instruction in a variety of water and land-based pursuits to people of all abilities in both hourly, half/ full day and course tuition. Activities include paddlesports, from kayaking (popular with those who are new to watersports and on a budget) to canoeing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, rafting and swimming. Charles Hassett is a senior sailing instructor at the centre and team leader, and has 15 years’ experience.

He tells Best of Liverpool that everyone is welcome to join the centre. “A lot of people have this impression that we are elitist clubs, but we are very much not that,” says Charles. “We have all walks of life joining the centre, all abilities, from ages eight to 80, and from every section of society.” On the benefits of taking up watersports, Charles adds: “Any sport is a good sport because it gets you out of the house and off the computer! With watersports, though, it offers diversity. We can find something for everyone. Watersports cover a huge variety of different things.” For those who prefer a slower pace, the centre even offers organised canoe tours of the south docklands, giving you the chance to spruce up your paddling skills as well as your knowledge of the docks’ colourful

history. Elsewhere, take a paddle up the coast and you’ll find Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, a facility which provides a variety of exciting watersports to sample, from sailing, kayaking and canoeing to powerboating and windsurfing. Liverpool Sailing Club, located in the Garston Coastal Park, also welcomes all watersports enthusiasts – regardless of their ability – to go along and enjoy their many sailing activities. So, what are you waiting for? For more details, including price information, about Liverpool Watersports Centre, call 0151 708 9322, email lwc@localsolutions.org.uk or visit www.liverpoolwatersports.org.uk Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre can be contacted by calling 0151 966 6868. For Liverpool Sailing Club, call 01695 620 053.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 13

Children BRIGHT IDEAS World Museum Liverpool

WHO says museums are boring? Visit World Museum in the city centre and you will easily fill an afternoon or two. Situated on William Brown Street, the museum is packed full of exciting things to experience for people of all ages, including the breathtaking Planetarium, the fully stocked Aquarium, Egyptian mummies and the Bug House. What’s more, entry is completely free! A highlight in the coming weeks is a series of Olympicsinspired events to celebrate the London games. Visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/ for more Sarah details. Hooley discovers the best

places to take to Port Sunlight the skies....Festival, Summer August 25

A FUN day out is promised for the whole family at this annual extravaganza. This historic village on the Wirral will come alive with live entertainment and hundreds of stalls selling local crafts and food produce. Yet again, it is a free event, and a popular one at that – it attracted a staggering 18,000 visitors last year! And if there’s time make an effort to visit the museum and beautiful gardens - you won’t be disappointed. For more information, visit www.portsunlightvillage.com

Crosby Beach

WHAT kids don’t like visiting the beach? Here on Merseyside we are lucky to have some fine beaches even though the weather doesn’t always play ball. Crosby Beach is the ideal place to take the family for an afternoon picnic; pack a frisbee, bucket and spade, and you’ve got a few entertaining hours out of the house. The beach, which was recently awarded for its cleanliness, is also home to Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’, which doesn’t fail to excite kids of all ages.

Acorn Farm, Kirkby

ACORN Farm is a wonderful place for kids who love animals. And what kids don’t love animals! The farm has a range of furry beasts to “ooh” and “ahh” over, including sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, horses, poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs. There’s also the farm shop which sells home produce, including delicious ice cream, and souvenirs. An in-house cafe is also on hand to fill those empty stomachs. For details, visit www.acornfarm.co.uk/index.asp

FUN on the FARM Michelle Rushton takes her family to Croxteth Hall and Country Park . . . IF you’ve yet to discover the delights of Croxteth Hall and Country Park then put it at the top of your ‘to do’ list this summer. The former home of the Molyneux family (Earls of Sefton), Croxteth Hall lies at the heart of a historic country estate, comprising the Hall, Home Farm and Walled Garden and Country Park. It is a fantastic place to take children as there’s so much to see and do, you can spend a whole day there exploring, learning and having lots of fun. I know, because I recently took my little monkeys there for a day out. When we arrived, Daniel and Isla were most excited about meeting the animals so we made the Victorian farmyard our first port of call. We were lucky enough to catch the friendly staff in action shearing the sheep. Daniel was most fascinated by this, especially when I likened it to the clippers the barber uses on Daddy! And the kids got to feel real wool like that used by Nana to knit their jumpers. Next we inspected the “moo cows” and learned how they were milked in the olden days. The traditional Victorian farmyard is home to an important collection of rare historical farm breeds. We got up close and personal (a bit too close for my liking!) to a large bull complete with a ring through his nose and some young calves. We also got to see a donkey, mule and some very tall horses, not to mention the very noisy pigs who were getting most excited about feeding time. Isla enjoyed chasing the ducks and chickens around the yard while Daniel enjoyed riding around on a mini tractor. We had a giggle at the ‘Billy Goats Gruff’ as Daniel liked to call them and the ram with his magnificent curly horns. During a shower, we took refuge in an undercover barn where we cooed over the fluffy Angora bunnies and brightly coloured budgies.

Albert Dock

AT the Albert Dock there’s loads of fun and fantastic things to do and see and it’s all conveniently in the one place! For the most inquisitive of young minds there’s The Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool who all cater for younger visitors. For hungry tummies there’s a huge selection of restaurants to choose from including the popular family-friendly venues What’s Cooking? and Funky Shake Bar. And to finish off the day, what child won’t enjoy a trip on The Yellow Duckmarine or The Yellow Boat Cruise?

WIN

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

COMPETITION TIME! OUR friends at the Albert Dock are kindly offering one lucky family the chance to experience a fantastic day out at the world class tourist attraction. The prize consists of a meal for a family of four at PanAm Bar, plus an adventure on The Yellow Boat Cruise - a relaxing 40-minute experience that takes in Liverpool’s historic south docks.

It was a wonderful way for the children to enjoy the sights andsounds of a real working farm and actually touch some of the animals, and the farmworkers were really friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer their endless questions. Next we headed over to the historical hall, once the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, who lived there from the 16th century until the death of the last Earl in 1972 when it was given to the City of Liverpool. We took a tour around the hall which shows you a glimpse of life ‘above’ and ‘below’ stairs so you can compare the opulent and elegant rooms of Earl and Lady Sefton with the servants’ living quarters who waited on them hand and foot. After a quick coffee in the Old Riding School Café we strolled through the 500 acre country park which includes Croxteth Local Nature Reserve. The stunning parkland provides a brilliant outdoor classroom with lots of opportunities for nature trails. Daniel and Isla were able to burn off some energy running free, stopping now and then to explore a tree or pretty flower. The Victorian Walled Garden is also well worth a visit which houses of part of Liverpool’s historical botanical collection. As the children were getting tired, we headed back to the car park, but they suddenly perked up when they spotted the well-equipped playground. My partner Mike and I had a well earned rest and snack in the picnic area while the kids tried out the slides, swings and fireman’s pole. For older children, there is Jungle Parc an exciting high wire adventure activity plus children of all ages can learn to ride at the Earl’s former Stables. As well as guided walks and educational activities, The Park hosts a varied events programme throughout the year from funfairs and donkey rides to music festivals. There really is something for everyone to enjoy, so if you’re stuck for something to do during the summer holidays, get yourself over to Croxteth Hall and Country Park – there’s never a dull moment! Croxteth Hall & Country Park is at Croxteth Hall Lane, Liverpool L12 0HB, telephone 0151 233 6910 or visit www.croxteth.co.uk

All you have to do is answer the following question correctly:

Q. Which famous pop band has a museum dedicated to them at the Albert Dock? Send your answer, full name, daytime phone number and address to: Albert Dock Competition, Best of Liverpool, PO BOX 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Maximum one entry per person. Closing date: July 12.

JULY 12

PLAY IT COOL! Richard Lackey looks at summer fashion trends to make your little ones shimmer in the sun . . . GONE is the time when children were thrown into any old hand-me-downs and mismatched cast-offs. These days young people want a piece of the fashion action and the high street knows it. This season is no exception and the stores have gone to town with their summer kids’ collections. For girls, floral prints are in, with 60s flower-power-inspired dresses proving to be hugely popular yet again. The denim short has also made a formidable comeback and

Left; Bel Air Ditsy set, £24-26; Right; Sophie embroidered blouse, £22-£24; coloured skinny jeans, £19-£20; multibead butterfly set, £5, from Monsoon

looks great when paired with a floaty vest top. Simple and summery! For boys, current styles include the quintessential English gentleman look, with chinos and light-weight shirts turning the most boisterous of rascals into dapper, young men. Likewise, the American college jock trend continues to make its presence felt on the high street, with polo tops and tailored shorts proving to be one of the must-have looks this summer.

Bluezoo top, £18, jeans, £20, from Debenhams

J by Jasper Conran polo, £11, from Debenhams

J by Jasper Conran set, £18, from Debenhams

Cut and Sew pique polo, £7, from Matalan

Beige chinos, £14.99, from Blue Inc

Floral dress, £14, from Matalan

Boys’ J by Jasper Conran gingham shorts, £13.50, from Debenhams

Dolores dress, £26, from Monsoon

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JULY 12

Advertising feature

BEST OF KNOWSLEY With award-winning visitor attractions, unmissable events, and exciting things to see and do, Knowsley is fast becoming THE place to be this summer. Check out our line-up of exciting places and events to keep you and your family amused. Claire Lewis is in the know about you know where . . .

DOWN ON THE FARM

Acorn Farm

YOUNG animal lovers will like nothing better than a visit to Acorn Farm in Kirkby. Here, they will have a ball, cuddling cute rabbits, feeding farm animals, riding horses and even milking a goat. Baaahhh!

Thousands of visitors flock to Knowsley Safari Park every year

GREAT ADVENTURES TAKE your herd along to Prescot, home to the impressive Knowsley Safari Park, which is renowned the world over. The five-mile safari drive enables the whole family to get up, close and personal with more than 700 exotic animals, from lions and tigers, to enormous elephants, adorable meerkats, and of course, Knowsley’s world famous baboons. The latter have a penchant for windscreen wipers, incidentally (you have been warned.) If all those close encounters bring out your wild side, head off to Aerial Extreme and challenge yourself, Tarzan-style, as you tackle the high ropes of said attraction. Next, hotfoot it to Halewood manufacturing plant for a Land Rover Experience; or an off-road activity experience at Knowsley Adventure Centre, where you can not only satisfy your need for speed, but have a go at quad biking and paintball.

Tackle the high ropes at Aerial Extreme

Prescot Museum Enjoy nature’s beauty at the National Wildflower Centre

BACK TO THE FUTURE HISTORY lovers should not let summer pass without a visit to the newly located Prescot Museum, now in the heart of Prescot town centre. There are thousands of fascinating objects on display here, charting the history of the area and with an emphasis on those relating to local business and industry.

FLOWERS, FLOWERS EVERYWHERE IF you prefer an altogether quieter day out, the National Wildflower Centre at Court Hey Park, Huyton, is a wonderful haven of peace and tranquillity. Watch beautiful wild species, nodding in the breeze. Then, indulge in delicious homemade treats at the Cornflower Café, buy gifts and local produce at the shop, and learn something new at the visitors’ centre. If you reckon the kids will be bored here, think again. The Wildflower Centre has organised an action-packed programme of family-friendly events throughout the summer season, such as the Scarecrow Festival and Vintage and Craft Fayre on Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15. With an eclectic mix of vintage and craft themed stalls, as well as the judging of the annual scarecrow competition, there is plenty to see.

KNOWSLEY DISCOUNT CARD EVERYONE in the know should have their own Knowsley Discount Card. This offers incentives and reduced prices at several shops in the borough.

OFF TO MARKET SHOPAHOLICS will be delighted to know that every first Saturday of the month, the popular Prescot Producers’ Market will be back in Eccleston Street. Offering the best of locally produced goods, right in the heart of historic Prescot, the market is not to be missed. There are oodles more opportunities

to do a spot of bargain hunting in Knowsley, what with Kirkby Market taking place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and the town centres of Kirkby, Huyton, and Prescot in which to practice your own brand of retail therapy. What’s more, Kirkby Market will be doing free face painting for the kids, throughout the month of August.

Knowsley offers a friendly and enjoyable shopping experience

So, if you haven’t already picked yours up, get on down to any of the council’s One Stop Shops, leisure centres or libraries, pronto! You know it makes sense.

For more information visit www.discoverknowsley.co.uk BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Visit Knowsley

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SUMMER IN KNOWSLEY

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS

Knowsley Flower Show is one of the highlights in the borough’s calendar

AS ever, one of the highlights of the year is the Knowsley Flower Show, which will take place on Sunday, August 5, at Court Hey Park in Huyton. With over 18,000 people expected, the show is about much more than plants alone. Visitors can expect a full day of entertainment incorporating an Olympic style sports village, farmers’ market, craft marquee, children’s entertainment and a dog display team. Other good news is that there is still plenty of time for you to think about entering – novices are more than welcome. All you need are a few green fingers and a shed load of enthusiasm.

As well as its myriad of year-round tourist attractions, Knowsley is hosting a full programme of summer events – some of which have never been seen before in the area. THIS summer, every town and community in Knowsley will come alive with must-do events. From family fun days, to teddy bears’ picnics, bat walks and pet shows, it’s all going on. This year, in particular, Knowsley is playing host to some unique and high profile events that will give the community the chance to do what it’s best at – celebrating! And, naturally, visitors are more than welcome to join in – the more, in fact, the merrier. The bar has already been set high with more than 6,000 people attending a recent free event at Knowsley Safari Park, to welcome the arrival of the Olympic Torch. With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee also celebrated in right royal style across the borough, the impressive summer events calendar is sure to continue to be a great IMAGINE ADVERT_Layout 1 28/06/2012 12:45 Page 1 success.

Jakob Bruce, 4, enjoys a great day out at one of the borough’s recent events

FLAMING WONDERFUL

ON YER BIKE!

IN the lead up to the Olympic Games, Kirkby Sports College is providing training camps for Paralympians from as far afield as Romania and Namibia. Sporting fever will return to Knowsley in August, with the arrival of the Paralympic Flame. This symbol of friendship will be stopping off at Kirkby Sports College on Saturday, August 25, where it will be welcomed with a community celebration event. As one of only four places in the North West where the flame can be viewed, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Paralympic Flame in the borough.

JUST when Knowsley’s sporting summer couldn’t get more exciting, Knowsley will be hosting the best cyclists in the world, as the Tour of Britain arrives in the borough on Monday, September 10. The epic race takes place over eight stages, taking cyclists on an eight day tour of Britain. Knowsley Safari Park is where competitors will be giving their all as they race to the finish line of stage two of the 2012 race.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN DO IN ONE DAY

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For more information about these and more must-see events in Knowsley, visit www.discoverknowsley.co.uk

With so many things to see, and places to go and have fun, you will be spoilt for choice when you come to Knowsley! It’s the perfect place to visit when you are out and about in the north west. Visit www.discoverknowsley.co.uk Then visit for real!

JULY 12

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A great new venue for Merseyside WHATEVER the weather, there is plenty of indoor fun to be had in the borough at Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park over the summer. Boasting not only state-ofthe-art swimming and fitness facilities, the Leisure & Culture Park also has a luxurious spa, community spaces and a collection of inspirational public art. Whether you want to burn off those pesky calories in the awesome gym, or pamper

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT WHEN the sun goes down, Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park transforms into a theatre or concert venue, with a must-see programme of shows and performances planned over the coming months.

yourself for an overdue spell of ‘me time’, this is the place to come. Chill in The Spa and treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage. Or take time out in the relaxation area, aroma steam room, rock sauna, salt inhalation room or the bubbly Jacuzzi. An incredible outdoor velodrome and BMX track will be opening on the site soon – only the second of its kind in Europe.

For more about all these activities, attractions, events and much more besides, see the Discover Knowsley website www.discoverknowsley.co.uk

Highlights for July include Liverpool’s top show, Laughterhouse Comedy, on Saturday, July 28, and the Honey Honey Show (the first Abba show for kids) wowing wannabe popstars on Sunday, July 29.

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Young people make the most of the state-of-theart facilities at OurPlace

RIGHT next door to the Leisure & Culture Park is the brand new, purposebuilt, OurPlace facility. Here, young people can meet up and socialise as they play pool or table tennis, use the computers and media suite

or just get together for a bit of a natter. OurPlace has its own football pitches, skate and BMX ramp park, as well as a dance studio; yet access to all it has to offer costs just £5 a year!

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The Arts. Performance. Culture. Fitness. Relaxation. You’ll find it all here. Visit www.discoverknowsley.co.uk Then visit for real!

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 19

Food & drink

JULY 12

Geisha grub Katie McLoughlin looks to the land of the rising sun and finds food fit for a geisha at Sapporo on Duke Street

HAVING just returned from an amazing trip to the Far East, I’ve been less than inspired by the insipidly bland food at home. Not that my mum’s cooking isn’t fabulous (which it certainly is) but there’s only so many spuds a girl can eat and, try as I might, chopsticks, spice and noodles will never become a regular fixture on the family dining table. So, keen to give my new-found chopstick skills an outing, my friend and I ventured to Sapporo Teppanyaki, on Duke Street, to awaken our tastebuds with some Far Eastern flavours. When we arrived, at 9pm on a Friday, the restaurant was packed, heaving with customers keen to sample Sapporo’s signature style of food and entertainment for themselves. Admittedly, the shared seating style has always put me off visiting this Japanese eatery with just one mate in tow – as the seating around the teppanyaki grill and the accompanying entertainment as the chef does tricks and cooks in front of you – is ideal for a big group. Photo: Tracey O’Neill

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geisha could probably consume in a week (waist-cinching kimonos don’t look like they leave a whole lot of room for food do they?), we enjoyed another glass of the sauvignon blanc before dessert. For pud, my dining companion was exceptionally healthy and selected a fresh fruit salad. I, meanwhile, was not as calorie conscious and indulged with a sizeable slab of yuzu lime cheesecake. Now, cheesecake isn’t the kind of dessert typically found in Japan, but given how decadently delicious it was, I can forgive a lack of culinary authenticity. Having given the chopsticks a good workout and enjoyed a gossip over tasty teppanyaki food and a beautiful bottle of wine, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Sapporo and shall be giving our tastebuds a flavour of the Far East again soon. To make a reservation, visit Sapporo Liverpool, 134 Duke Street, East Village, Liverpool, L1 5AG, call 0151 705 3005 or log onto the website www.sapporo.co.uk

AWARD-WORTHY EATERY? VOTE NOW! Liverpool Food & Drink Festival in Sefton Park

Photo: Jason Roberts

However, a quick squiz around the lively restaurant proved I was wrong – Sapporo isn’t just for large groups as there were a good mix of diners, including not just groups, but families, couples and pairs of friends, like ourselves. Glancing at the drinks menu, the restaurant has a rather impressive selection of vino – including a South African chenin blanc, a fruity viognier and an organically-produced beaujolais – alongside authentic sake, Japanese whiskey and cocktails. Wine critic I am not, but I like a good sauvignon blanc and, on the waitress’ advice, we plumped for a New Zealand version of my favourite vino (£22.95). Crisp, fruity and medium dry, it was the perfect accompaniment to the upcoming Far Eastern feast. Sapporo’s food menu is extensive and contains a whole ocean of sushi

choices – from simple nigiri sushi (rice topped with fish, radish, wasabi and pickled ginger) to oshi-zushi, sashimi and uzukuri (wafer thin slices of fresh fish with a soy sauce and spring onion dressing). There’s even a selection of specialised sushi rolls, like the Liverpool roll, which features thin slices of smoked salmon with cream cheese and rice, rolled in flying fish roe. Alongside sushi, there are miso soups; tempura dishes; salads, such as a rather delectable sounding soft shell crab option; yakisoba noodles and teppanyaki grilled meats and fish. Indeed, the menu is so large that it can be a little overwhelming at first glance. So, for indecisive diners like my friend and I, there are a selection of set teppanyaki menus offering a good variety of dishes and prices. With neither of us particularly keen on the concept of raw fish, we avoided those which included sushi, instead favouring the ‘Geisha’ set menu (£33 each) – a four-course Japanese feast which began with miso wakame soup and a namasu salad – thin slices of carrot and white cabbage pickled in rice wine vinegar and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Admittedly, neither of us especially fancied the sound of a pickled veg salad. After all, we’d never eat a whole bowl of pickled onions or beetroot would we? Thankfully though, Japanese pickled veggies are far more appetising than those of the English persuasion and the namasu salad made for a refreshing accompaniment to the miso soup, which was served at the same time. Next up, came a chicken variation on classic spring rolls. A generous portion, the two spring rolls were amply filled with smoked chicken breast, bean sprouts and other vegetables, and came with a barbecue dipping sauce and a pretty, but not especially tasty, side of deep-fried rice noodles. Between courses, our chef certainly kept us entertained and, after trying (and failing) to catch sautéd potato slices in our mouths, we watched in awe as the chef performed a series of tricks – the highlight of which came when he set the teppanyaki grill alight. After oohing and ahhing at the entertainment, we were enjoying ourselves so much that we almost forgot we had another two courses to enjoy – which, as well as keeping us amused, the chef was cooking before our eyes. For our main, we devoured a hearty teppanyaki feast of teriyaki duck breast, egg fried rice, sautéd potatoes and grilled vegetables. Having eaten more than the average

IF the place where you get your grub deserves a gong, or the wine list in your local is worthy of an accolade, don’t miss your chance to vote for your favourite place to eat or drink in the Liverpool Food & Drink Awards. Now in their fifth year, the annual awards recognise excellence and innovation among the bars, restaurants, cafés and local producers who take part in the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival and, importantly, the awards are voted for by the public. The Liverpool Food & Drink Awards are part of the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, which launches in Sefton Park on September 1-2 and culminates with the prestigious awards ceremony on September 10. Categories range from favourite independent restaurant to finest wine list and most family-friendly restaurant. So, if you think a city bar or eatery has all the ingredients to be named the best in its field, then log on and vote at www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

Food & drink

JULY 12

A taste of summer Richard Lackey challenges two Liverpool restaurants to come up with their ultimate sizzling speciality . . . IT’S July and although the weather has been typically British (in other words, indifferent) that shouldn’t stop us from at least trying to enter into the summer spirit. If you’re like me, then the perfect way to spend a summer’s afternoon is to browse around the city’s many shops (particularly on pay day!) followed by a spot of light lunch with friends. Oh, and not forgetting the obligatory tipple to wash all that food down! Life doesn’t really get much better than that, does it? Now that summer is in full swing, Liverpool’s huge array of restaurants and eateries are serving up a selection of summery delights for you to sample. Away from the set menus, there is a whole

host of lighter specials on offer, using the freshest of in-season vegetables, meats and seafoods. And that’s not to mention the plethora of summer cocktails – from the non-alcoholic to the positively mind-blowing – waiting to cool you down on the most sweltering of days. So, next time it’s cracking the flags, head into town for some al-fresco dining. Use a little bit of imagination and you could be on the French Riviera! In the meantime, Best of Liverpool invited Il Forno and Sapporo, two restaurants flying the flag for Liverpool’s thriving Duke Street dining scene, to provide recipes for two specials that scream ‘summer’.

SAKE’TINI (Recipe courtesy of Sapporo Teppanyaki) SAKE, mixed with Chambord black raspberry liqueur, strengthened with vodka and finished with fresh pineapple juice for a fresh note, served in a Martini glass – the perfect summer beverage! Ingredients: 25ml sake 12.5ml vodka 12.5ml Chambord black raspberry liqueur 50ml pineapple juice Garnish with half a sliced strawberry with leaves

Method: First, pour the Chambord into a chilled Martini glass. l Using a Boston shaker, add the sake, vodka and pineapple juice and shake vigorously until the pineapple juice starts to froth. l Using a bar spoon leveller, carefully strain as you pour onto the Chambord to create a distinct layer. l

SQUID INK RISOTTO WITH ORANGE AND BASIL PESTO (Recipe coourtesy of Il Forno) LIGHT, succulent and full of flavour – this simple summery dish won’t weigh you down. Ingredients: Risotto: 100g Vialone Nano rice 20ml squid ink 300g lobster tail and claw 2 chopped onions Salt and extra virgin olive oil 25ml white wine 150ml vegetable stock Pesto: 20g basil 10g parmesan 5g pine nuts 20ml orange juice 10ml extra virgin olive oil For decoration: 10ml extra virgin olive oil and 10ml orange juice

A True Italian Experience

Francos

THE BEST IN ITALIAN FOOD 0151 236 3375 bookings@francosliverpool.com www.francosliverpool.com

Early Doors Menu Tuesday-Friday 5.30pm - 7pm only

Express Lunch Menu

Special Reduced Priced Lunch Options - Mon-Fri Only

Method: Add the oil to a heavy-based pan, once it’s hot add the chopped onion and allow to soften for approximately five to 10 minutes. l Add the rice and stir for two minutes. l Add the wine, allow it to reduce almost to evaporation point and gradually add the stock until it’s absorbed. Finally, stir in the squid ink to the rice. l In another pan, fry some oil with the rest of the chopped onion and add the vegetable stock. l Place the lobster in to poach slowly. Allow to cook for only a couple of minutes and remove from the heat. l Prepare the pesto by crushing the pine nuts, basil, parmesan, orange juice and oil together in a pestle and mortar until it combines. l Using the lobster shell to hold the rice, add the risotto and top with the cooked lobster claw and tail before topping with the pesto. l Drizzle the final dish with olive oil and orange juice. l

Evening Menu

Special Menu available every evening £19.95 inc Half Bottle of House Wine per couple

Francos Restaurant is situated at 48a Castle Street in the heart of Liverpool. Open daily for lunch and dinner - until 11pm on Saturdays

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Gardens

Entertaining al fresco

Michelle Rushton raises a glass of Pimms to the good old British garden party CUCUMBER sandwiches, floral frocks, a spot of croquet – there’s nothing us British love more than a good old garden party. The recent Queen’s Diamond Jubilee saw a resurgence in the time-served traditional soiree, but they’re not just for royal celebrations. If we do finally get the summer we deserve this year, then why not show off your gardening and culinary skills by inviting your nearest and dearest to your own diamond occasion? First, you need to make sure your garden is in dazzling full bloom and your lawns are perfectly manicured. If you’re more dim than Dimmock when it comes to all things green-fingered, then Google your nearest landscaped gardener! Adorn your hedges and trees with bunting, fairy lights, wind chimes, lanterns and candle torches, for a quintessentially English country garden touch. Think about your seating arrangements. You will need a decent sized, sturdy table and plenty of chairs to accommodate your guests. Make sure you place the table in a good spot where they can admire your azaleas. And afterwards, strategically place your loungers around the garden for your guests to relax in. If space is a premium, you could always set up a buffet table indoors where guests can help themselves then come back outside to eat. If you’re dining al fresco, use mesh domes to protect food from flies, and light candles in the centre of the table, which will help to deter those pesky bugs. You might want to set up some parasols or a canopy for the unlikely but welcome event of blinding sun or (more probable), a few showers.

Outdoor heaters may be Left; Epicurean disco folk necessary as it can get chilly melamine dining set, £15, in the evenings. Decorate from Littlewoods Centre; motif design patio your table with bouquets heater, £199.99, of flowers picked from from Taskers your garden and place Far left; plastic cocktail in glass jars for a casual set, £8, from Next yet pretty look. When it comes to the menu, keep it simple, as you want to be able to mingle with your guests rather than being chained to the oven. Choose dishes you can prepare beforehand then simply heat up on the barbecue. For a typically English buffet, try cucumber sandwiches, Scotch eggs with herbs, sausage rolls with Worcestershire sauce and mini pork pies. Deck your buffet table with plenty of breads, dips and spreads, cold pasta dishes, cold meats, cheeses and assorted salads. For dessert, Eton Mess featuring meringue, whipped cream and strawberries, is simple, easy and oh so very English. Set up a bar near your outdoor dining area where guests can help themselves. You can buy special bar carts or just use a side table or bench. Cocktails are perfect for garden parties, perhaps include non-alcoholic versions for those unfortunate drivers! Pimms is a real garden party favourite, as is iced tea. As well as the drinks, make sure the bar area is stocked with glasses, bottle openers, ice buckets and mixers. As for entertainment, move speakers outside to play some subtle, ambient music. Gangsta rap might not be the vibe we’re going for here. Stripe pitcher, Then, when everyone is slightly £8, from Next tipsy, engage your guests in a cheeky game of croquet – you can’t get any more British than that!

WIN – a summer BBQ worth £1,500 FANCY hosting your own fabulous barbie for your friends without having to lift a finger? Those kind souls at Viva Brazil Liverpool (VBL) are offering one lucky winner the chance to win a summer BBQ for 10 people! A talented team of eight chefs and waiters from the authentic Brazilian steakhouse on Castle Street will come to your garden and cook for 10 people, as well as making sizzling summer cocktails. They will bring all their catering equipment with them, so you don’t have to do a thing and there will be no dishes to wash afterwards! For more information on VBL find them on Facebook, visit www.vivabrazilrestaurants.com or call 0151 236 8080.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize, which is worth £1,500, simply answer the following question:

Fairhaven rattan corner set, £999.99, from Taskers

Very Vintage China Hire

Where can you find Viva Brazil’s Liverpool restaurant? Send your answers on a postcard, along with your name and daytime telephone number, to Viva Brazil competition, Best of Liverpool, Liverpool Post & Echo, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB or email your answer to magazine@ liverpool.com stating Viva Brazil in the subject box. Closing date for entries: Friday, July 20, 2012. Entrants must be aged 18 and over.

Tableware from Isme, www.isme.com

Terms and Conditions *VBL takes no responsibility for weather on the chosen day of BBQ and regrets that if poor weather on the day causes the BBQ to be cancelled, it will endeavour to provide food on the day but cannot re-book the BBQ. *The BBQ is for a maximum of 10 guests and the location must be privately owned and provide ample space. *The prize includes the services of waiters and a passador, plus meat and cocktails for 10 people. *BBQ must be taken between July – September 2012 and VBL requires a minimum two weeks notice of the date. No cancellations are allowed once booked. *The BBQ will begin at 3pm and finish at 5.30pm – please allow half an hour either side for set up and clean up.

IF you’re hosting a garden party but your crockery has seen better days, fear not as Best of Liverpool has discovered a fabulous solution. You can hire pretty vintage china for a real touch of English country garden charm. Based in Liverpool, Kate Allen has an impressive collection of original vintage china available to hire – from teacups and saucers, to teapots, milk jugs, sugar pots and cake stands. She has also teamed up with Can Cook Studio to provide traditional afternoon teas with finger sandwiches and cakes. For more details contact Kate on 07919 493 546, visit www.veryvintagechina.co.uk or find her on twitter @veryvintagehire or Facebook.

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 23

Southport Flower Show

Flower power is cooler than ever Thursday, August 16 to Sunday, August 19, 2012 at Southport’s Victoria Park.

Southport

Flower

GREEN FINGERED EXPERTS FLOWER show organisers have just confirmed that Christine Walkden and Alys Fowler from BBC’s Gardeners World will be attending the show this year. Both Christine and Alys will be attending the show on Thursday, August 16, presenting some of the festival’s top trophy awards, giving talks in the lecture theatre and signing books as part of the North West Book Festival. They will also take a tour of the showground, during which they will meet a selection of the show’s trophy winners and visitors. Celebrity garden experts and Southport Flower Show patrons Sir Roddy Llewellyn, Professor David Bellamy OBE and Professor Stefan Buczacki will also be on hand again this year to offer tips and guidance.

16-19

August

Show 2012 Featuring the North West’s Food Festival Book Festival and NEW Edible Garden Festival This Summer’s Cool

southportflowershow.co.uk Southport Flower Show, Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 2BZ, UK. Southport Flower Show is a registered Charity; its main fundraising event is the annual show. Registered Charity Number 1000698 | Registered Company Number 2103365

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Professor David Bellamy

SOUTHPORT Flower Show returns this summer and its theme will be ‘cool,’ with professional and amateur gardeners and growers all reflecting the cool theme in their displays. Now in its 83rd year, Southport Flower Show has more on offer than ever before. Aside from the fantastic horticultural attractions and stunning floral arrangements, this year’s show will boast the first year of the North West Food Festival, complete with a host of well-known celebrity chefs. There’s also the launch of the North West Book Festival, featuring authors from all genres. Every day there is something new happening, from talks and lectures, to cookery presentations in the kitchen. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions and the bandstand has a rich and varied programme of music. During the four day event visitors will be surrounded by over a million blooms, and as always the stunning Grand Floral Marquee will be packed with spectacular displays from some of the country’s top independent growers. Inspirational show gardens with unique features, exquisite furniture and plants will leave visitors buzzing with ideas on how to transform their own garden, whatever its size. There is also a dedicated edible gardening section for those who want their gardens to be productive as well as pretty. Southport Flower Show will run from Thursday, August 16 to Sunday, August 19 at Southport’s Victoria Park. Ticket prices for the show have been frozen for the third year running, with advance tickets costing just £16 per person. (Please note that booking and postal fees apply). For more up to date information visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk

JULY 12

Southport Flower Show boosts the Mersey economy

Competitive nature SOUTHPORT Flower Show’s amateur competitions prove hugely popular each year, attracting a high standard of entry in over 375 different classes. The show has one of the largest Amateur Growers’ competitions in the country, with people of all ages putting Last year’s winning garden 2011 forward their prize specimens for scrutiny by the judges and visitors alike. In addition to the main growers’ competition, there is a very vibrant honey section, the opportunity to express yourself through the Floral Arts competition and, for those who feel a bit more daring, you can enter the Contemporary Floral Design competition which is the only competition of its kind in the UK. The David Bellamy Design a Garden Competition, now in its 14th year, is a chance for the gardeners of the future to create a garden for the show. The competition is open to all primary school children in Years 5 and 6, and the two winning designs chosen will be constructed by a professional garden company and displayed for the duration of the show. The Stefan Buczacki Open Photography Competition is a very popular competition. Open to amateurs only, it encourages photographers of all ages to take a close look at their gardens and produce some remarkable images. This year there’s also a separate competition for young photographers, aged under 16. Entry to all the competitions is free, but requires online registration via the show’s website www.southportflowershow.co.uk

THE annual Southport Flower Show, the second largest paid-for event in Merseyside after the Grand National meeting, continues to be an increasingly valuable asset for the Liverpool city region. This year the show expects to generate over £5m for the local economy, in the shape of employment and tourism. Research carried out by the show’s organisers revealed that it generates on average over £4.4m in net economic impact in each year, and now that the 2012 show will also be hosting the North West Food Festival and the North West Book Festival, a significant increase in trade exhibitors* and a surge of new visitors, are expected to result in a record year. Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown in Business says: “Much celebrated events like Southport Flower Show don’t just put Merseyside in the spotlight and show off its beauty, they also play a massive role in maintaining and improving the local economy. “The show not only allows local producers and businesses to showcase their products and services, but the wealth gained through tourism keeps the local businesses, like

FOODIE TREATS WITH food maintaining a more significant role at the festival each year, it seemed only natural to host the first North West Food Festival at the show featuring superior produce from all over the region. This year, the show’s Cookery Theatre will present a host of celebrity and local chefs creating a range of delicious dishes. Meanwhile, in the festival’s Food Village, a whole host of the country’s leading independent food and drink producers will provide a feast of culinary delights. So, if you long for the taste of good oldfashioned sausages, the bite and texture of real quality cheese, or the scrumptious flavour of a dessert for which you’d happily loosen your belt a notch, you’re in for a real summer treat.

ENTERTAINMENT

Flower Show talks football AS part of the North West Book Festival at the 2012 Southport Flower Show, Liverpool FC legend Ian Callaghan MBE and actor Kenneth Cope, a life-long Everton fan, will be attending the show to talk about their acclaimed careers in football and entertainment. They will be joined by author and broadcaster John Keith, who will compere a live audience question and answer session with Ian and Ken, with a wealth of fascinating anecdotes. John co-operated with Ian on his recently published book Cally On The Ball , which chronicles his remarkable two-decade span at Anfield to set a club record 857 appearances under those iconic managers Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. The book will be on sale at the show and the public can have their copies personally signed by Ian and John, who presents his own Saturday evening talk show Strictly John Keith on City Talk 105.9. John says: “This will be a wonderful opportunity for the public to meet and question two Merseysiders who have won a host of plaudits in their respective fields.” The trio will team up at the Flower Show from noon on Friday, August 17.

hotels and restaurants, thriving – the local economy owes a lot to Southport Flower Show.” Last year’s Southport Flower Show welcomed over 73,000 visitors, with prior research revealing that over 79% of them came from outside of Merseyside, with the show being their only or main reason for visiting the area. Alan Richmond, general manager of one of Southport’s leading hotels, The Vincent, says: “Southport Flower show is most certainly one of the highlights of our annual calendar. Each year we book up well ahead of the show and throughout the long weekend we’re constantly kept busy with guests and people dining in our restaurant and keeping our McGee bar very busy. “It’s always obvious when the show is in town, because the streets, bars and cafes are all filled with people visiting the show, many of which come from far afield.” l The 2011 show had 268 trader exhibitors from all sectors of the retail spectrum and this year organisers anticipate, based on current projections, that there will be over 300.

THERE’S plenty on the bill to keep all the family entertained over the four days. For something dramatic, the main arena’s headline acts include jousting, medieval knights and free flying birds of prey. And the drama is balanced by the charm of dog displays, featuring canines of all shapes and sizes, including rescue dogs. The bandstand line up will be music to your ears, with the Morecambe Brass Band, the Fisherman’s Friend Jazz Band, the Biddulph Male Voice Choir and performances from the Southport Youth Drama Academy, to name a few.

NEW PATRON ANNOUNCED STAR of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer, has been announced as a patron of Southport Flower Show and will commence in his role by supporting the launch of the first North West Food Festival, which will take place at the flower show this year. Wallasey-born Simon has been a massive fan of Southport Flower Show since visiting as a child. He says: “Southport Flower Show is an iconic event for Merseyside and it’s so much more than just a flower show, as it has witnessed so many changes during its 83 years, and continually reinvents itself for a modern audience incorporating food, cooking, books, talks, demonstrations as well as the best in gardening and horticulture. “The show has something to offer everyone, no matter what you’re into – which is why I’m so keen to support it.” Simon will attend the show on Saturday, August 18 and during the day will be presenting in the Cookery Theatre and demonstrating a variety of his favourite recipes. He will also be on hand to meet and greet the show’s visitors and sign copies of books.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 25

The BIG interview

Pitch perfect Michelle Rushton finds out what the score is with footballer turned pop princess, Chelcee Grimes

She gained valuable experience singing at open mic nights until she landed her big break winning the Next Big Urban Star competition run by Juice FM and ex-Liverpool Football Club player Ryan Babel. The footballer is a keen music producer when he’s off the pitch and generously offered a talented young musician the chance to spend a year at his recording studio. Chelcee wowed the panel of judges with her powerful voice and lyrics. She says: “Other people were singing other people’s songs but I stood there at the age of 16 and sang songs I’d written myself in my bedroom and played my own music. “When I won, it was such a big deal for me. I thought: ‘I must be ok at this but I want to be great.’ It inspired me to have a real go at it.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

“I had a great time going to Ryan’s house and trying out different sounds. I really enjoyed myself.”

“I have been touring with Tinie Tempah, Bruno Mars, Alexandra Burke, N-Dubz, Chipmunk, The Saturdays and more. It was super cool and a great chance to gain experience” Chelcee left school at 16 to dedicate her time to music, although she is not advising other teens to do so. She says: “I felt like I needed to live it out a little – to experiment and hustle – but I am not advising people to drop out of school. It was hard. I had no money – mum gave me £5 a day to get to Ryan’s house. But it was worth it to wake up every day and do what I love doing best.”

Photo: James Maloney

CHELCEE Grimes really is living the dream. The 20-year-old singer songwriter from Wavertree, has performed an impromptu gig with Jessie J, toured with Tinie Tempah, and has recently been signed to one of the biggest record labels, Sony RCA and is preparing to release her first album. But Chelcee originally intended on playing in stadiums of a more sporting variety, as in her early teens she had her heart set on becoming a professional footballer. A football career was on the cards until she discovered music at the age of 16 and set herself a new goal. She recalls: “I had been playing football for Liverpool Ladies FC and had a scholarship for America lined up. “I decided to take music just to fill my GCSE options but I fell in love with it and decided to make music my job.” Chelcee left school and spent the next six months singing, playing the piano and writing songs in her bedroom. She took CDs of her work and went round all the bars in Liverpool pestering the DJs to play them. “I hustled a lot. That’s super important,” she laughs.

Chelcee was soon signed by manager Martin O’Shea – who discovered Atomic Kitten – which led to her performing all over the UK. “I have been touring with Tinie Tempah, Bruno Mars, Alexandra Burke, N-Dubz, Chipmunk, The Saturdays and more. It was super cool and a great chance to gain experience,” Chelcee reveals. “I did a concert with X Factor stars Marcus Collins and Craig Colton at Speke Hall recently but my biggest dream come true was playing at the Echo Arena – the place where I’ve seen Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and NeYo. My mum broke down in tears when she saw me up there.”

Chelcee admits to being a massive Lady Gaga fan: “She’s a real musician, there’s not that many who can play and sing,” she says. “And I love Jessie J. Her voice is crazy.” And Chelsee got to sing live with her idol Jessie J live at The Cavern. She explains: “I’d gone there to watch her gig with my mates but some of my fans were there and they started shouting my name, so Jessie said: ‘Who is this Chelcee? I want you to sing with me.’ So I got up and sang Price Tag with her – who gets to do that?! “I then sang one of my own songs. She gave me a chance to do my thing. I wasn’t expecting it so didn’t have time to be nervous.” Jessie J even started following Chelcee on Twitter, which is a big deal for the young star, who confesses to being a massive tweeter and has built up her fanbase through social network sites and YouTube where she finds people can really connect with her lyrics. “My style is pop but pop with a purpose and my songs have a real message,” Chelcee confides. “It’s not all about shaking your bootie!” As you can tell, Chelcee is quite rightly very proud of writing her own songs and says her fans often tweet her to tell her it feels good to know someone understands what they’re going through. “I find that people can relate to me,” she says. “It’s not all about having number ones and money, it’s just about waking up and doing music and helping people. If I’ve helped one teenager then I can die happy.”

JULY 12

True Blue?

K atie McLoughlin meets comedian, actress and ‘armchair’ Reds supporter, Lindzi Germain, as she prepares to don an Everton top in the name of work... Photo: Andrew Teebay

The former St Julie’s High School student has written and recorded most of her debut album which will be released later this year. So far she has been working with some big music producers, including Rob Fusari, who produced Lady GaGa’s Paparazzi, and whose wise words she has inked on her wrist: “If you work hard you’ll get your fame card” which she admits keeps her going when times are tough. “People can be so negative but I have learned to brush it off. If you don’t like me, that’s cool,” says Chelcee who comes across as a really positive young woman, just bouncing with energy. And although she’s on the road to stardom, she admits she’s just a normal Liverpool girl at heart who loves going out with her mates and tries not to get starstruck. “We tend to go out round the gay clubs. They’re the best,” beams Chelcee. “We’re still young and excited when we see celebs but I try to be normal and cool when I meet famous people. “I have met some who are not cool – if I ever get like that – slap me! These people aren’t doctors or firemen saving lives but they think the world revolves around them! “One of my songs is called Mannequin and the lyrics say: ‘I could be as fake as a mannequin but don’t try to dress me up just to fit in.’ “I don’t want to buy £7,000 jeans when I can get them from TopShop. I’m not trying to be anything, I’m just a kid from Liverpool who’s had a break.” This year Chelcee is hoping to release her first single from the album and have her own tour. “I’m a step closer to my dream,” she sighs. But she still gets her football boots out from time to time. “I love taking part in the Celebrity Soccer Six ,” she says. “To be able to do music and still play football – that’s the best thing ever.” You can follow Chelcee on Twitter – @ChelceeMusic

SHE doesn’t especially like football. In fact, she’d rather watch synchronised swimming. At a push, actress Lindzi Germain will watch the final, but only if she has to. “I’m not a strong football supporter,” says Lindzi, who is currently starring in Reds and Blues – The Musical, a play all about the nation’s favourite game, at the Royal Court. “My husband loves football but I’m your typical housewife football fan, I haven’t got a clue. But, come a final, then I’m a little armchair fanatic. Some of my mates will go: ‘Oh we’ve signed such and such’ and I’m like: ‘What are you on about?!’ “It’s not synchronised swimming is it? I’d rather watch that!” chuckles the actress. Given her half-hearted approach to the sport, you’d think that the prospect of starring in a play all about football – for which she has to learn the name of every single Everton player – would fill Lindzi with dread. Yet she is game. And, despite coming from a family of Koppites, the actress, from Wavertree, is currently playing an Evertonian in Reds and Blues – The Musical, a stage version of hit DVD, Reds and Blues, The Ballad of Dixie And Kenny. “I play Gladys Street, it’s the same part I played in the film. She’s a good character because she’s an absolute nut and they’re always fun to play,” laughs the infectiously funny actress. Playing a Toffee is a bitter-sweet part for Reds supporter Lindzi, who was brought up in a staunch LFC household, but relishes the chance to reprise a part she loves and tread the boards of the Roe Street theatre with many of her co-stars from the film, including Paul Duckworth, Lynne Francis and Andrew (Drew) Schofield. The cast also includes Alan Stocks and Francis Tucker. “I’ve worked with Alan and Drew for the last few years now on the Royal Court’s Christmas show, so it’s just like coming home to the family, it’s nice,” confides Lindzi. “And Lynne Francis, who plays Annie, she’s my best friend.

“This is kind of the second time we’ve worked together – so we’ve been on countdown since Christmas! It’s nice to be playing out with your mates really, which is kind of what it is.” Rewritten for the stage by Dave Kirby, who has previously penned smash-hit shows like Lost Soul, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels and Council Depot Blues for the Royal Court, Reds and Blues – The Musical follows two Liverpool families as they feud about football. The story begins when true Blue, Dixie, played by Paul Duckworth, goes to stay with his fanatical Evertonian sister – Gladys (Lindzi). However, Goodison-loving Gladys lives next door to a family of rampant Reds headed by Kenny, played by acclaimed Kirkby actor Andrew Schofield. It all kicks off when Kenny plans to hold a European Cup celebration party in his garden – but Dixie red cards the idea. A state-ofwar is instantly declared and the flak begins to fly as Red and Blue battle plans are put into action. “There’s this rivalry between Kenny and Dixie and there’s a bit of a war that goes on when we don’t let them have the European Cup party,” adds Lindzi, who first started acting at the tender age of 12 with the Everyman Youth Theatre. With just a mild interest in the sport, it’s a good job that Lindzi comes from a family of fervent

footy fans – who she has roped into helping her boost her knowledge of the beautiful game in preparation for the part. “The problem is that I’ve got to learn all the names of the Everton players for a song,” reveals the mumof-two. “I’m alright on Liverpool players, but when it comes to Everton players, I only kind of know big Duncan Ferguson and Fellaini and that’s it! And there must be about 40 [Everton players] listed in this one song! “I’ve been getting my Dad on board [to help her learn the Everton players’ names] and then I’ve got Paul, who plays Dixie, cracking the whip with me every time I get the pronunciation of someone’s name wrong!” And, if she struggles to play an Evertonian as a Red, she can always ask her Dad for some tips; “My Dad is an avid Red but works for Everton, he’s a physio for Everton Boys’ Club,” reveals Lindzi. The show is packed with songs, banter and gags from both sides of Stanley Park, as Lindzi explains: “There’s loads of great songs in there that people will recognise but, as always with the Royal Court, we’ll just change all the words around and have a good giggle!” Lindzi concludes: “There’s a lot of battling, even down to the audience you know, Reds against Blues, but do they come together at the end? We shall have to see...” Reds And Blues – The Musical is at the Royal Court Theatre, Roe Street, Liverpool until August 11. Tickets are priced from £13, available from www royalcourtliverpool.com

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 27

Must do . . .

JU LY 12

DaDaFest 2012

Dame Evelyn Glennie

The bienniel event promises to be bigger and bolder than ever before, as Michelle Rushton finds out Niet Normaal

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed artist Aaron Williamson will be the DaDaFest 2012 artist in residence at the Walker Art Gallery. During Aaron’s residency, he will be ‘eavesdropping’ on the paintings’ secretive dialogue to create reworked versions of the paintings, whilst examining the assumption of his supposed ability as a deaf person to overhear and mishear the unvoiced. Aaron will be the artist in residence from July 13 to September 30 and will be holding talks and tours throughout, and producing a publication.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Benny Prasad

WORLD renowned guitarist Benny Prasad brings his unique acoustic repertoire to DaDaFest 2012. Born in Bangalore, India, Benny is a remarkable musician who will be performing at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on August 29. Benny Prasad’s birth was celebrated with the highest hopes for his future, but he developed 60% lung damage and a compromised immune system. This led to him being the shame of his family, but through music he went on to being their pride and now performs internationally.

Unlimited Global Alchemy

LED by British artist Rachel Gadsden, Unlimited Global Alchemy explores the psychology and politics of HIV/AIDS and of life-giving medical regimes and is part of the London 2012 Unlimited Cultural Olympiad programme, in partnership with South African artist and activist Nondumiso Hlwele and The Bambanai Women’s Group. A special screening of short films will be shown on August 30, featuring Gadsden and the Bambanai Group, shot on location in Cape Town, followed by a talk with the artists.

For full festival listings visit www.dadafest.co.uk, search for DaDaFest on Facebook or follow @DaDaFest on Twitter.

THE ART OF EMPOWERMENT Michelle Rushton meets an amazing woman who is challenging society’s perceptions of disability

Guitarist Benny Prasad

COMEDY lovers out there will appreciate the three hilarious shows at Liverpool’s Unity Laurence Clark Theatre from four critically acclaimed comedians and performers. Laurence Clark will perform his new show Inspired on August 31, one of 29 commissions of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Unlimited programme. There’s also Kiruna Stamell with Gareth Berliner, performing A Little Commitment on August 30 and David Roche performing Catholic Erotica on September 1.

Aaron Williamson

‘The Ugly Spirit’ from Liverpool-based Fittings Multimedia Arts

A NEW backstage play by Russell Barr combining improvisation and text is being shown in the Bluecoat on August 21 and 22. Join David Hoyle in a very private audience with Jessie and Bessie, the famous Siamese twins. Fittings’ new show takes a brand new play by Russell Barr, mixes in the extraordinary improvisational talents of David Hoyle with the vocal skills of acclaimed soprano Denise Leigh, sets it all in the undiscovered places that lurk behind the scenes and invites a select audience to take a peek into the backstage world of the famous Siamese Sisters Jessie and Bessie.

Comedy at unity theatre

DADAFEST is an innovative disability arts organisation based in Liverpool which aims to achieve an inclusive social understanding of disability. It also produces opportunities for disabled and deaf people to access the arts, including training and a young people’s programme. At the helm of this Ruth Gould dynamic organisation is chief executive officer, Ruth Gould, who joined the company in 1996. Ruth got involved after her own personal experience growing up with a disability – Ruth is deaf and had to wear a hearing aid from an early age, which she says really dented her confidence. She explains: “I loved dance but couldn’t quite hear the instructions. I had a real lack of confidence and didn’t want to speak. I was very quiet.” It was only after Ruth had a baby that she rediscovered her passion for the arts. “I wanted to get the baby weight off so I joined a dance class and discovered I was very flexible! I went to Liverpool Theatre School and had a fantastic two years, learning speech and drama and how to project. It was a real turning point finding the arts and something I was good at doing.” Now Ruth is determined that others

Painiting by Rachel Gadsden

NIET Normaal: Difference on Display, which is a popular phrase in Dutch (literally translated as ‘not normal’ but also meaning ‘cool’), is a major contemporary art exhibition coming to the UK for the first time, at the Bluecoat, Liverpool from July 13 – September 2 as a key feature of DaDaFest 2012, and the London 2012 Festival. Niet Normaal will feature paintings, installations, films, photographs and sculptures by 26 renowned artists such as Bob and Roberta Smith, Evelien Krijl, Olivia Glebbeek and Birgit Dieker, plus many more. The exhibition will also feature new commissions, including Ben Cove, Aaron Williamson and Laurence Clark with Andrew Tunney.

Sculpture by Birgit Dieker

CELEBRATING 11 years as the UK’s leading disability and deaf arts festival, this year’s DaDaFest line-up includes an eclectic mix of music, art, comedy, theatre, poetry, performance, workshops and seminars. And, as it has collaborated with the London 2012 Festival, it has a more international feel with artists coming from as far afield as India, USA and Australia. It takes place in Liverpool from Friday, July 13 – Sunday, September 2, with the majority of live events concentrated in the last two weeks of August at established arts venues across Liverpool. The festival’s theme, TransActions – Fluid Bodies: Shifting Identities, will look at how disability affects us all, examining exchanges that occur between people and technology, and how a sense of identity is bound up with our changing bodies. Not to be missed is the DaDaFest 2012 opening event, on July 12 from 7pm onwards, where you can meet with artists and performers, view the Niet Normaal: Difference on Display exhibition and be entertained with performances from Wirral-based band the Beethoven’s, DJ Mark Rowland, musician Rosie Glass, and burlesque queen Millie Dollar. The majority of the live programme, together with stimulating seminars and workshops, is happening from August 17 in venues across Liverpool. A musical highlight of the festival includes An Evening with Evelyn Glennie, a world renowned solo percussionist performing at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on August 18, after a decade-long gap since her last performance in the city. Dame Evelyn Glennie is the first person in musical history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist. The Grammy-winning percussionist and composer became almost completely deaf by the age of 12, but her hearing loss brought her a deeper understanding of and connection to the music she loves. Here are some more of the exciting events to look forward to:

shouldn’t face the same barriers. She explains: “The festival came about during the Capital of Culture. We wanted to get behind it and decided to put on a week-long programme of events, including deaf and disabled artists in mainstream venues so they could develop their careers, thus DaDaFest was born.” The first of its kind, DaDaFest has grown into the biggest, most comprehensive and challenging festival of disability and deaf arts in the world and scooped this year’s prestigious £10,000 Lever Prize award. Ruth is really excited about this year’s line-up. She says: “Niet Normaal is a major offer in DaDaFest this year. I am delighted that it is also part of the London 2012 Festival. Not only is the exhibition a stirring and thought provoking collection of works in its own right, it is moving on the debate of how everyone is affected by issues of disability at some point in their lives and it brings it into the mainstream. It’s made especially poignant in a Paralympic year.” And she is already working on DaDaFest 2014. “It is looking really exciting already,” she reveals. “We are looking forward to linking with other countries, such as Brazil.”

Things to do, places to see

JULY 12

Sarah Hooley discovers what dates should be in your diary this month . . .

BY NIGHT

BY DAY BRAZILICA

WITH a jam-packed programme of music, dance, comedy, film, debates, and exhibitions – including many free events – Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival (LAAF) is returning to the city from July 6 – 15. The only festival of its kind in the UK, LAAF enjoyed a record 10th year in 2011 and this month’s offering promises to be its best yet. There will be daytime exhibitions, workshops, food and dance, and by night, a host of spectacular events – for full details visit www.arabicartsfestival.co.uk

WIN

READY to shine a light on the region’s best, emerging talent, Astral Coast is an exciting new festival set to take the Wirral by storm on July 21. The event, at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, will see some of the area’s most exciting new artists share the stage with some of the hottest breakthrough acts in the UK. It will also boast a full programme of DJs, fairground rides and stalls, a vintage clothes market, pop-up attractions and chill out zones. Doors are open 1pm to 11pm, visit www.astralcoast.co.uk

LIVERPOOL ONE THIS summer is set to sizzle with a line-up of events and attractions at Liverpool ONE. From July 12 to September 2, the grassy banks of Chavasse Park will be home to a sandy beach, pop-up cocktail bar, bumper boat rides, and rope adventure course, as well as evening volleyball tournaments and free kids tennis lessons. Plus, there’ll also be musical entertainment in the form of a piano busking festival, Tickle the Ivories, from July 7 to September 16. The festival is open to all abilities and styles, and pianists are invited to book free time slots to perform. For more information visit www.liverpool-one.com or www.tickletheivories.org

ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL COMPETITION

BEST of Liverpool has two fantastic prizes up for grabs courtesy of the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival! First up, one lucky reader could win a pair of tickets to see the Alif Ensemble, Sunday, July 15, 7.30pm at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. A world premier, the concert features new music conceived by Iraqi oud player Khyam Allami with a band of musicians. The second prize is a pair of tickets to see the hilarious Maysoon Zayid, internationally acclaimed actress and stand-up comedian performing her show, ‘Laughing Widely’, on Saturday, July 14, at 8pm at St George’s Hall.

To be in with a chance of winning either of these prizes, answer the following question: What date does the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival start?

Maysoon Zayid

State which competition you wish to enter; and send your answer, full name, daytime phone number and address to: Best of Liverpool, PO BOX 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Maximum one entry per person. Closing date: July 10.

TILT PRESENTS REZ

BLINK 182

THE Williamson Tunnels will reverberate to the sounds of some of the most-iconic artists in Liverpool’s dance music history later this month as the historic Smithdown Lane venue plays host to a rather special club night – Tilt presents Rez. Taking place on Saturday, July 21, the event will feature a live three hour set from acclaimed DJs and producers, Tilt, as well as a live PA from Grace AKA Dominique Atkins. The line-up also includes two esteemed DJs from Cream’s glory days – Stuart Hodson and Paul Bleasdale. Tickets are available from 3 Beat Records on Slater Street; as well as online from www.clubfreeze.co.uk/tickets

HEADLINING their first UK arena tour in over eight years, Blink 182 are set to rock the city at the Echo Arena on July 12! The band, who were formed in San Diego, will be joined by special guests The All-American Rejects and The Blackout and it’s sure to be a night to remember. Widely celebrated as one of the world’s poppunk supergroups, Blink 182 shot to success after their breakthrough album, Enema of the State was released in 1999 and went on to sell more than 15 million copies across the globe. Tickets cost £33.19, available from www.echoarena.com

JON RICHARDSON

STARLIGHT EXPRESS

WITH razor sharp wit and an endearingly pessimistic outlook on life, Jon Richardson’s latest show, Funny Magnet at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on July 27 is unmissable. Team captain on Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Richardson is laugh-out-loud hilarious and his newest tour offers another helping of his trademark grumpiness looking at the everyday items which have had a profound effect on his outlook on life. A stand-up comic in his prime, don’t miss the opportunity to see him live. Tickets start from £15, call 0151 709 3789 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com

THE fastest show on earth makes an exhilarating return to the Liverpool Empire this month! Starlight Express, on from July 17 to 28, is one of the best loved and longest running musicals in theatrical history. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is two hours of speed, daredevil stunts, dazzling costumes, hit music and extraordinary rollerchoreography! Ticket prices start at £19.50. Visit www.atgtickets.com/liverpool, or call the box office on 0844 871 3017.

WIN

Photo: Eric Richmond

LIVERPOOL ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL

ASTRAL COAST

Photo: Ant Clausen Photography

GET ready to shake your tail feathers, because Brazilica is back and bigger than ever! The festival is a three day extravaganza, from July 13 – 15, and will see samba bands and performers from across the globe bring a pinch of South American spice to Liverpool. On Saturday the city’s streets Brazilica will be filled with colourful Photo: Moyra Neale performances, two music stages, food markets, and stalls, followed by a 500-strong parade in the evening. If that wasn’t enough, Sunday – or Samba Sunday as it’s been renamed – is set to be awash with exhibitions and performances taking place across the city centre. There’s also a charity gig at Nation on Friday, July 13. For more information visit www.brazilicafestival.com

LOVEHISTORY COMPETITION

LOVEHISTORY is taking to the streets of our much-loved city with a brand new theatrical experience and tour – and you could win one of two pairs of tickets. Recreating Liverpool’s humble beginnings, A Tale of Two Cities Tour starts at the famous Town Hall and takes visitors through seven of the city’s original streets and has close encounters with some colourful characters and figures...! Tickets cost £8 for children/concessions and £10 for adults, visit www.lovehistory.co.uk To be in with a chance of winning tickets, answer the following question:

At what building does the A Tale of Two Cities Tour start? Send your answer, full name, daytime phone number and address to: Lovehistory Competition, Best of Liverpool, PO BOX 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Maximum one entry per person. Closing date: July 10.

MUST DO MUST DO...

MUST TRY...

THE effervescent Brouhaha Festival which is back with more local and international performances than ever before, from July 13-14. A lively city centre procession will kick the festival off as it leaves Church Street at 4pm. Then, on Saturday, Brouhaha’s traditional parade will make its way from Catherine Street to Princes Park for ‘the World in Princes Park’. Visit www.brouhaha.uk.com

A GOOD deed for charity and enjoy a spot of pampering at the same time by attending Williams & Coburn’s ‘tea party’. The stylish salon, located on Aigburth Road, is hosting a 1940s-style ‘blooming great tea party’ on Friday, July 13, 9.30am to 12pm. Guests will be treated to tea and cake whilst being spoilt with a complimentary blow dry, and file and polish. All donations will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Call 0151 427 6333.

TO keep your little drama queens (or kings) entertained during the school holidays by enrolling your kids in The Everyman and Playhouse’s Summer School. The five-day course is a great opportunity for children aged seven to 10 to have fun in a professional theatre environment. All about building confidence, making friends and stretching their imagination, it uses acting exercises and games to help develop their emerging skills. The course costs £100, call 0151 709 4776.

MUST REMEMBER... TO don your running shoes and raise some vital money for Cancer Research UK at Sefton Park Race for Life, on July 8! Entrants can walk, jog or run the 5k route and whether you’re taking part in memory of a loved one, or to give hope to a cancerfree future, you can do your bit to save more lives. Knowsley Race for Life takes place at Knowsley Hall on July 11, and Wirral Race for Life at Birkenhead Park on July 15. Visit www.raceforlife.org

Photo: Cancer Research UK

MUST SEE...

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 29

Travel

Carry on

JULY 12 A luxury canvas lodge in the Hot Tub Safari

GLAMPING

WIN FESTIVAL TICKETS!

Sarah Hooley discovers the great outdoors without a sleeping bag or camp stove in sight....

The Charlatans

Swansea Marina at night

AS a bit of a country bumpkin, I should by rights, be a camping aficionado. Yet somehow the idea of flushing loos, comfy beds and electricity have always seemed rather crucial to me on a holiday. So, as I looked for a mini-break for my husband and I’s first wedding anniversary, I’ll admit to being a tad sceptical when one of my friend’s suggested a glamping site near the pretty market town of Denbigh in North Wales. Logging onto its website though I was instantly impressed. A cluster of six luxurious canvas lodges imported from South Africa, each has its own private hot tub. Aptly named the Hot Tub Safari, the glampsite is located in the picturesque grounds of Pentre Mawr, a five-star country house – and I was sold. Owned by husband and wife duo, Bre and Graham, Pentre Mawr has been in Graham’s family since it was built and opened its doors to the public in 2008. Aiming to offer luxury accommodation with a personal touch, the country house boasts a swimming pool and tea-room, as well as a restaurant, all open to guests in the lodges. On arrival, a friendly member of staff greeted us in the car park and, in true VIP-style, ferried us to the main house in a golf buggy. A chilled glass of bucks fizz, pot of tea and slice of home-made fruit cake were waiting for us in the opulent drawing room while we checked-in, and it wasn’t long before we were back in the buggy being shown to our lodge. A bit like an army tent from the exterior, inside the lodge was equipped with a plush king-size bed, dark wood furniture, soft bathrobes, and African-inspired decor with high-tech touches like a flat screen TV with DVD player and iPod dock. There was also a large bathroom with a free-standing bath, his and hers sinks and a monsoon shower surrounded by lanterns filled with tea-lights. And, as it was our anniversary we’d treated ourselves to a bottle of cava, box of chocolates, and bouquet of flowers which were beautifully laid out on the coffee table. With our things unpacked we made a bee-line for the bubbling hot tub, and there was just time for a quick dip before heading to dinner at the country house’s modern restaurant.

The sumptuous bathroom in our lodge

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The main country house, Pentre Mawr

A five-course extravaganza, dinner – just like everything else at Pentre Mawr – is a lavish affair designed for the enjoyment of its guests. The smart dining room overlooks the outdoor swimming pool and the menu offers a selection of modern British and international dishes cooked up by Bre and Graham who are proud holders of an AA dining-award. Our lodge’s private terrace and hot tub

The restaurant at Pentre Mawr

As a pre-starter we warmed our taste-buds up with a bijou portion of mushroom soup, and for my first course I opted for a melt-in-the mouth goat’s cheese and pepper tart. My husband ordered the Bobotie, a South African dish made from spiced minced beef and savoury egg custard and loved it so much that he quizzed Bre for tips on how to recreate it once we got home. A refreshing mango sorbet was next, and for the main course we both plumped for the duo of succulent Welsh lamb and mini-shepherd’s pie served with parcels of vegetables in a moreish red wine reduction. A smooth crème brûlée with berries was my choice for dessert, with my husband settling on a deep-filled apple crumble with custard. After devouring our final course, a well stocked cheeseboard, in the drawing room we retreated back to the sanctuary of our lodge where we spent the rest of the evening lounging in the blissful

bubbles of the outdoor hot tub and gazing at the twinkling stars. The following morning, we headed to the main house for breakfast and were once again delighted by the wide choice on offer. A selection of pastries, fruit, cereal, bread and fruit juices were laid out for guests to tuck into at their leisure, plus there was an excellent range of hot dishes including scrambled egg with smoked salmon, and omelettes. Having already gorged on croissants, I opted for poached eggs on toast, and my husband chose the generous full Welsh breakfast with thick-cut bacon, juicy sausages, creamy scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and black pudding. With a bit of time left before we had to check out, we enjoyed one last stroll (and an impromptu game of fetch with Bre and Graham’s collies) around the lush grounds and we genuinely didn’t want to leave. Bre and Graham go above and beyond to make every experience one to remember, and their countless special touches truly set the place apart. Pentre Mawr offers three superior bedrooms with double spa baths, two hot tub suites and six canvas lodges (with no children under 12 years allowed). Pets are welcome. For more information, availability and prices visit www.hottubsafari.co.uk and click on the ‘red button’ to see a video tour of the country house and lodges.

MISSED out on festival tickets this summer? Well fear not because Best of Liverpool has a pair of standard weekend camping tickets to give away to The Magic Loungeabout, which takes place in North Yorkshire on July 27-29. A family-friendly festival for the more discerning festival-goer, The Magic Loungeabout is one of the most imaginative festivals in the north and the ultimate escape to the country for those in the know. Now in its third year, The Magic Loungeabout offers a perfect mix of avante pop, fringe cabaret, inspiring speakers, thought-provoking cinema and fine food and drink, all set in the spectacular grounds of Broughton Hall. This year’s line-up includes CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers, The Charlatans, Kevin Saunderson featuring Inner City, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Smoove and Turrell, Lucy Rose, Summer Camp, Chew Lips, Cashier No 9, Jenny Nile Rodgers O, Juan Zelada, Let’s Buy Happiness, The Loose Salute and more. Plus, there is a host of speakers like Stuart Maconie, Jon Ronson, Pat Long and Richard Fox to name just a few, as well as DJs Dave Beer, Buckley, Danielle Moore from Crazy P, Chris Duckenfield, PBR Streetgang and more. The Magic Loungeabout is at Broughton Hall, Broughton, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3AE from July 27 to July 29, 2012. For more information visit www.themagicloungeabout.net Best of Liverpool has a pair of standard weekend camping tickets to give away to The Magic Loungeabout on July 27-29. To be in with a chance of winning, answer the question below:

Q. Where is The Magic Loungeabout held? Send your answer on a postcard, along with your name, address and daytime telephone number, to: The Magic Loungeabout competition, Best of Liverpool, Liverpool Post & ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Closing date for entries: Friday, July 13. Maximum one entry per person.

Photo: www.robertemmett.co.uk

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