Blend

Blend A perfect blend of news, reviews and culture in Liverpool

Steven Aintree: Liverpool’s best kept secret Behind the Scenes: Come Dine With Me contestant reveals all

Dress for Success: Blend’s guide to a stylish career

ISSUE 1 28 February 2011

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Pg12 Liverpool Waterfront

Contents 3 - Reviews - The Latest Music and Film reviewed 4 - The Streets - Come to Liverpool for their final gig 5 - Previews - Local music and future singles 6 - Top Ten - Celebrity Engagements 7 - Liverpool Street Parties - How excited is Liverpool for the Royal Wedding?

8 - Dress for Success - How style can get you ahead 10 - Unknown Actor - The storied career of a local television actor

12 - Liverpool waterfront - how the regeneration came to be

15 - Art Festival - Liverpool Discovers Art 17 - Big Society - how it has changed Liverpool 18 - Come Dine with Me - a behind the scenes look from a local contestant

20 - Alcohol in Liverpool - Liverpool sturggles with the increase in alcoholism

Pg 4 The Streets final gig in Liverpool

Pg 8 Dress for Success 2

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Blend

Reviews Adele, 21 In the wake her recent stunning performance at the 2011 Brit Awards, Adele has managed to maintain the top spot in the album charts for the fourth week running with her beautiful new album, 21. The singer-songwriter, originally from Brixton, may have been absent from the British music scene for three years but Adele is well and truly back with if her new album is anything to go by.

This follow-up album to her 2008 release demonstrates the lyrical talents and intoxicating harmonies of an artist with an emotional maturity that far transcends her mere 21 years. With no gimmicks or tricks, the simplicity of the album gives the young singer the chance to showcase her beautiful voice and establishes Adele as one of the UK’s true musical talents. Standout tracks on the album include the heartfelt ‘Someone Like You’, a moving cover of The Cure’s cult classic ‘Love Song’ and the delicate piano-ballad ‘Turning Tables.’ If this is her at 21, then roll on 23!

AJ

The Fighter The Fighter may not seem like a new concept, there have been many movies about boxing done

by Hollywood, the Rocky and Raging Bull by Martin Scorsese being the most famous, with Million Dollar Baby and The Cinderalla Man more recent.

The fighter, tells the real life story of World Welterweight champion Mickey Ward played

by Mark Wahlberg and the struggles he has with his family and girlfriend. Most notably his crack addict half-brother and trainer Dickie Eckland played by Christian Bale.

Christian has gained a lot of praise for his portrayal as Dickie the first boxer to ever knock legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, whose drug addiction threatens to tear the family apart. He has won the Oscar for best supporting actor for this role though Dickie shares as much screen time and story focus as Marks character.

Amy Adams and Melissa Leo fought with each other at last night’s Oscars for best supporting Oscars, with Mellisa coming out on top as Mickey’s clingy mother and manager.

As the lead role Mark Wahlberg puts in a quiet, stoic performance as the weary boxer and road sweep trying to make it to the big time. Its unfortunate he has been overlooked in this award season.

The movie is a great boxing melodrama, with strong performances from the whole cast and great direction JH

All About Eve, Woolton Cinema Looking around the cinema at quarter to five on a Sunday night it’s hard to believe that Woolton cinema was in serious danger of closing two years ago.

The occasion, a screening of the 1950 Oscar winning movie All about Eve starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders and Marilyn Monroe in her break through role.

Over three quarters of the 250 plus seat was filled to watch the classic movie.

The cinema first opened in 1926 and was popular with in the wartime, with John Lennon being a regular during his childhood.

The movie which won three Oscars for Best picture, best director and best supporting actress tells of the perils of the acting business and the young up and coming actress Eve Harrington and her obsession with well established and popular theatre actress Margo Channing played by Bette Davis.

The Angel’s Game, Carlos Ruiz Zafron From the author of the highly-acclaimed ‘Shadow of the Wind’ comes another literary feast filled with magnificent imagery to make you feel part of the action.

He has already created many ripples in the publishing world with his descriptive skills and can’t-put-it-down prowess. Set in 1920’s Barcelona, The Angel’s Game follows David Martin, a young man with a passion for writing who gets propositioned to write a book unlike any other.

As the story unfolds, so do the secrets.

Although it can’t be put in the same class as its predecessor, it’s most certainly a must-read for a lazy Sunday or holiday.

CB

All about Eve possesses one of the most well regarded scripts full of razor sharp dialogue throughout, exposing the selfishness and corruptive powers used and needed to succeed in the acting business When Bette Davis unleashes the movies most iconic line ‘fasten your seatbelts it’s going to be a bumpy ride’ the audience started humming and rumbling in anticipation, showing this wasn’t the first time most people had seen this film.

When the credits rolled an ovation was given, showing the success and popularity classic movies has created.

The cinema which plays classic movies the last Sunday of each month is already planning to play Gone with the wind, Wizard of Oz, The Searchers and The kid starring Charlie Chaplin this year, tickets are £5

JH

Miles Kane, Come Closer Wirral’s very own Miles Kane provides fans wth a quirky, 60’s influenced tune which is being very well-received. ‘Come Closer’ is a dirty, sleazy three minute stomp, driven along by a marching drum beat and bass and interspersed with sporadic, garage rock guitar and a killer solo. With an upcoming album and various tourdates across Europe from March onwards, there seems to be no stopping this guy.

CG

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Blend

“Any punching and you punch me!”

Commanding: Skinner stood on top of the speaker in the centre of the stage for the majority of the gig on Monday night at the O2 Academy.

The Streets: Canned aggression In his final tour of the UK showcasing his final album, Mike Skinner and his band The Streets rocked the 02 Academy. With songs from the new album ‘Computer & Blues’, Skinner had the crowd in the palm of his hand for the entirety of the gig. Entering and leaving the stage to chants of ‘Skinner’ repeatedly, it was clear to see how this man had been the idol of a generation.

The Streets played their top hits including ‘Dry Your Eyes’, ‘Fit but You Know It’ and ‘Blinded by the Lights’ as part of their extremely well received set list.

The atmosphere was remarkably apt as a mixture between aggression, excitement, envy and admiration griped the Liverpool crowd. The shoulder to shoulder sell out audience received a number of original interactive experiences, one of which saw Mike Skinner command everyone to crouch down to as low as they could manage after singing ‘Blinded

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by the Lights’, with the lights on full as a fitting contrast to the darkened cloud of people that stood before him up until that moment.

Mike Citrine, 24, of Haydock attended the gig and said: “Liverpool was the best streets gig I have ever been to. I crowd surfed, shook Skinners hand, took some ace pictures and then caught the drummers stick at the end. It was epic.

Manchester next, here we come.”

As Skinner reminded the audience that he would be stepping back from performing music to concentrate on his family life and continue producing, he gave the crowd a gig to remember. With constant references to how the crowd reminded him of Hawaii due to its “waves I just want to surf”, he finished with a crowd-surf after riling the spectators and potential catchers into a frenzy. His only request during the state of chaos he had created was that there was no punching. He said:

“I’m going to have to take my shoes off because I’m going in.... There is one rule and one rule only, no f***ing punching. Any punching and you punch me, any fighting and you fight me, right!”

He then jumped into the crowd during ‘Going through Hell” from The Streets new album.

The gig contained everything and lived up to what was expected of it and more, with excellent guitar riffs, electrifying drum and bass, and captivating lyrical work from Mike Skinner. Many left the O2 Academy in awe.

Shaun Mcgann, 21, of Bootle said: “I nearly wasn’t going to come tonight but I’m glad I did. That was one of the best gigs I’ve been to. I just can’t believe that’s going to be their last tour. When I get home I’m going to order their new album and root out all of my old ones. I’ve fell back in love with The Streets.”

Joe Tedford

Blend

Previews Music festival hits Liverpool this spring

In an event which last year attracted over 35000 from all over the world, Liverpool Sound City is set to have Liverpool pulsating once again.

With a lengthy list of new, exciting bands, this year’s festivities are set to include the likes of Miles Kane, who is headlining, as well as a number of top bands. Hardcore punk band ‘Fucked Up’ are also confirmed for the three day festival as well as Wretch 32, Young Knives, Amanda Blank, Dutch Uncles, Trophy Wife and The Phoenix Foundation.

Kicking off on the 19th May and finishing on the 21st, the expectancy to exceed last year’s success is evident.

Funeral For a Friend, The Blackout, Young Guns, Mayday Parade and We are in the Crowd are also included in the 2011 line up this spring.

Exclusive wristband offer of £25 allows access into both The Hub Festival and all LSC 14, plus shows at the O2 Academy Liverpool between May 19th & 21st, including Funeral Party, Mona and Lower Than Atlantis on Sat 21st.

JT

Courtney Pine

Upcoming Singles

Britney Spears - Hold it against me, March 1st Already a number 1 hit single in America, Britney Spears new single is destined to do similar in he UK. A catchy dancefloor anthem it is filled with industrial beats and seuctive lyrics like other Britney classics; Toxic, womanizer and Piece of me ****stars

Jessie J ft B.O.B - Price Tag, March 7th A catchy, quirky helping from a woman touted to be the breakout star of 2011, an improvement on debut single ‘Do it like a dude’ with a positive message, a rarity in music today. B.O.B proves himself to be one of commercial raps hottest properties **** stars

The Wanted - Gold Forever, March14th Following in Girls Aloud and Sugababes cover of Walk this way and Uptown Girl

by Westlife in atrocious Comic Relief singles, logic would dictate a good single would raise more money, than this tepid generic ballad **stars

JH

13 March Capstone University Theatre Britain’s most famous saxophonist is coming to Liverpool next month. Sometimes labelled as an outsider of the jazz society, Courtney Pine has been bringing jazz to a wider audience since his career started in 1987. Courtney Pine has worked with a variety of jazz musicians, reggae and hip-hop artists and played to crowds of 8,000 across the globe.

The Liverpool show is part of a national tour for Pine’s new album, Europa, which draws on his experiences travelling across Europe.

His new work shows the diversity of the continent and features sounds that resemble

Gregorian Chant, Scandinavian, Celtic and Mediterranean melodies.

For the first time in 24 years of making music Pine will be playing an all bass clarinet set. For his latest recordings Pine has been working with internationally renowned musicians including, bassist Alec Dankworth, pianist Zoe Rahman and his “favourite drummer” Mark Mondesir.

Pine’s 12th solo studio album Europa will be released on his own label, Destin-e Records on Febraury 28th 2011.

Courtney Pine will be on stage at the Capstone University Theatre Sunday 13th March.

SP

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Blend

Top Ten celebrity engagements of 2011 Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you’ll definitely have heard something about the Royal wedding taking place in April 2011 between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

It seems these two aren’t the only ones with the wedding buzz in 2011, with record numbers of celebs who have got engaged since January.

Here’s blend’s t ten list of celebrity engagements in 2011(so far).....

1Kate Moss and Jamie Hince

Arguably one of the world’s most famous supermodels, Moss is rumoured to be walking down the aisle in July 2011 to wed long term boyfriend Jamie Hince. Moss was engaged in 2007 to Libertines front man Pete Doherty, but the couple split before they wed.

2.Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy

The couple fell pregnant at the beginning of January, and rumours shortly followed of a secret engagement party in London for close friends and family.

3.Sarah Harding and Tom Crane

The girls allowed party girl settled down with Tom after a few tumultuous relationships, most memorably with play boy Callum Best. Tom proposed on a beach in the Maldives over New Years.

4.David Tennant and Georgia Moffet

A very Doctor who affair, Tennant asked Georgia, the daughter of the 5th doctor who Peter Davidson, to marry him early this year.

The pair met when Georgia guest starred on an episode in 2008 as the Doctors daughter.

5.Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millipied

The actress’s year is one to certainly be envied, what with announcing her pregnancy, Oscar nomination and now her engagement to long term boyfriend Benjamin.

6.Mark Ronson and Joesphine le Baume

DJ and producer Mark has rarely been out of the spotlight since he burst onto the music scene in 2007. He proposed to his long term girlfriend in Januray this yar.

7.Jesse James and Kat Von D

Jesse made himself unpopular last year when Sandra Bullock filed for divorce after finding out he had cheated on her. He clearly hasn’t wasted much time getting over his marriage of 5 years as he announced his engagement to tattoo artist and star of “LA ink” early this year.

8.Emma Bunton and Jade Jones

For some it seems about time for this couple to walk down the aisle after 11 years together. The pair have a child together and are also expecting their second this year.

9.Lauren Conrad and Kyle Howard

Star of “the Hills” is engaged to her boyfriend Kyle Howard.

Apparently Conrad wants to keep her engagement a secret- a first for the young woman who was constantly involved in reality TV shows from the age of 16 to 21!

10.Joe Jonas and Ashley Greene

The Jonas brother looks ike his shedding his squeaky clean image by planning to wed star of Vampire flick Twighlight’s Ashley Greene

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Clare Graham

Blend

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is only sixty days away and royal fanatics will undoubtedly be considering how to spend their special day. But how many people have thought about hosting a street party?

For the last hundred years British people have held private residential parties for national events. The signing of the Peace Treaty after the First World War is believed to be the first event to see street parties start across the nation. These celebrations were known as ‘Peace Teas’ and were formal outdoor events where neighbours would gather at a long table down the road. Royal affairs also share a strong link to street parties dating back to the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935.

Today’s parties are a more relaxed affair with a BBQ and some bunting out on a traffic-free street. Anyone planning a party needs to consider the costs, such as providing street signs to control traffic and having the correct insurance cover.

Streets Alive are a not-for-profit limited company that work at building community spirit at a street level. The organisation has

been working with the government and local authorities to improve social cohesion since 2001.

A spokesman for Streets Alive said: “Each council has different regulations and Liverpool is a difficult area as a whole. You can keep the costs down by using some of the organisations on our website.

“For example we have advice on the neccessary insurance policies. The smaller residential parties do not pose a big threat to councils so they do not always require a blanket Public Liability Insurance.”

The big day is still too far away to give a reliable weather forecast although the Met Office has a record of the weather in previous years for 29th April. The average temperature for April 29th based on previous years is around 16. 6°C and 15 of the last 21 years saw no rainfall whatsoever. Less encouraging

statistics claim that in 2010, 2004, 1995 and 1991 29th April saw “virtually no sunshine at all.”

Do not let the weather get you down; your street party does not have to be on the day of the Royal Wedding. With William’s and Kate’s special day coming at the end of the Easter break it is possible that many people will still be away. If this is the case, set a date for later in Spring when the weather has picked up and you can kick start the BBQ season in style.

Liverpool Council are currently revising local regulations for street parties. Liverpool City Council Highways Management said: “An online application for road closures will be made available on the first week of March.”

Contact Streets Alive on 0117 922 5708 or visit their website www.streetparty.org.uk Scott Partridge

A Right Royal Party BUNTING is a timeless decoration and an essential part of British street parties.

For a unique and lengthy bunting it would be a good idea to make it yourselves.

You could ask your neighbours to design a template or pattern of their own and add them all together.

If there is a lack of craftsmanship on your street then you may have to fork out a few pounds for your bunting.

If a road closure is too much hassle for your street why not try a garden party or a street-meet in a clear parking space.

A street party held for the last Royal Wedding in 1981.

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Blend

Dress for Success:

Nail that interview 8

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Blend

CV ready, references checked, answers practised...

Now, what should you wear?

I

nterviews are a nerve-wracking experience for most. With the state of the job market today, most people can’t really afford to mess up an interview, especially if it’s for a job you really want. That’s why dressing to impress is an extremely important part of preparing for an interview.

Nicola Cupples is part of a style consultancy firm for the North West called My Style Companion. She says: “Image is super important when it comes for interviews. If you’ve landed an interview then it’s likely that the recruiter already believes you can do the job based on your CV, so essentially it’s all down to how you come across in the interview.

Scarily, a first impression takes only 10 seconds to form in someone’s mind and can then worryingly take over 20 subsequent meetings to un-do! And over 55% of a first impression is based on what we see, so your interview look, combined with your body language is really vital to get right.”

After speaking to Nicola, Blend has come up with a few top tips on how to dress for success. Nicola says you shouldn’t be afraid to ask the recruiter about the dress code of the company. This way you will be sure not make any big mistakes, and will show that you are serious about giving off the right impression.

Another good idea is to think about what it is you are trying to sell- your personality, skills, experience, creativity etc. What outfit would help you best represent yourself? A good way to test this out is to ask family and friends what they think. Ask “what are

and friends what they think. Ask “what are the words that first come into your head when you see me in this outfit?” If their response matches the message you are trying to convey, then you’re on the right track!

Next, when it comes to actually purchasing an outfit, Nicola says the best idea is to invest in good quality basics and go from there. Quality doesn’t have to cost the earth, just make sure the fabric looks more expensive than it actually is.

How well the clothes fit is crucial. Make sure the lengths of sleeves are just on the wrist (no longer as it looks scruffy and makes you look larger all over) and ensure no buttons are popping on shirts, or trousers are too long / short.

Choose fabrics which will not easily crease if you are planning to drive, take a train or bus to your interview, as you don’t want to look sloppy. Another good tip is not to wear anything which makes too much noise, like bangles, or very large high heels, or carrying plastic bags. It can be off-putting when you first meet someone, and you don’t want your accessories to drown out what you say!

Nicola also suggests that people are often so preoccupiedwith finding the perfect outfit that they often forget to update their overcoat.

An old worn overcoat can make for a bad impression, especially if it looks rather scruffy, so this should also be considered. Buying a new overcoat may seem like a lot, but a good quality coat will last years and will obviously be worth the money through the cold winters.

If you are really panicking about what you should wear specifically for an interview; jobsearchUK.com suggests the following will never go wrong.

For a woman: A solid coloured conservative suit, co-ordinated blouse, limited makeup and perfume and jewelry, moderate shoes and a neat professional hairstyle.

For Men, they suggest: A solid colour conservative suit, white long-sleeved shirt, a conservative tie, preferably no, or very limited jewelry, very little aftershave, and neatly trimmed nails. In other words, the simpler the better.

If you’re still at a loss, look up one of the many image consultants in Liverpool or the North West who provide expert advice tailored to you specifically for a small fee.

If you’re still at a loss, look up one of the many image consultants in Liverpool or the North West who provide expert advice tailored to you specifically for a small fee.

Nicola’s company: My style companion provides services such as wardrobe consultancis, personal shopping and much more.

Check out www.mystylecompanion.com.

Clare Graham

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Blend

Do I know you?

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Blend

A Liverpool born actor,with a 20 year television career, roles in Little Britain, Casualty and The Bill, but do you know who he is?

Y

ou’d be forgiven for not recognising Stephen Aintree straightaway or indeed not knowing where it is that you do know him from; if that’s the case you certainly wouldn’t be the first.

Currently residing in Birkdale, Stephen has been an actor on British television for over 20 years having landed roles in shows such as Little Britain, the Mike Bassett series, The Bill and Casualty to name but a few.

But as the majority of the Liverpool-born actor’s roles have been as bit-part characters, Aintree has maintained a level of anonymity with the public: “I do get recognised but people don’t really know where from sometimes.

“Although, I was in Liverpool last week and these young lads came up to me and said ‘Hey, you’re in Little Britain aren’t you?!’

“You can always tell when it’s been on again because people give you a certain look whilst they thing where it is they know you from.”

However, Aintree revealed how different it was for his Little Britain colleagues: “Matt invited me down to watch the Little Britain live show in London and afterwards some fans had waited behind. He spent nearly half an hour going up and down making sure that everyone had autographs and photos.

He was doing little voice skits for people to record on their phone, like if they wanted a message from Andy [Pipkin - Little Britain character].

“He doesn’t mind all that, his attitude is that these people come to see him and without them he wouldn’t have a job.”

Aintree’s past endeavours with Lucas have seen his career flight path head towards his latest creation with David Walliams, Come Fly With Me, a spoof on reality shows ‘Airline’ and ‘Airport’.

“Apparently I am in the last episode. I got a message over the New Year from Mr [Matt] Lucas telling me I am in the last episode which is a comfort really because they always over write.

“When they did Little Britain the always wrote far more material than they needed and they always over shot as they shot everything so sometimes they just decide they aren’t going to use certain scenes.

“Most of what I did In the second series of Little Britain ended up on the DVD rather than the BBC but that’s the way it goes, sometimes that happens especially with a sketch show.”

““If you were working every week of the year then that would be wonderful but in practice that never happens; you’re out of work a lot more than you are in work.”

Although proud of his work history, Aintree admits that it’s a hard business to crack: “It’s a bit like climbing up a greasy pole all the time but the nice thing about it is I could get a phonecall that might change my life and you have to think like that in a way.”

Being able to land himself a long running role is something that Aintree still dreams of: “There are precious few, what we call, ‘runners’ in big parts now that will get you on all the time on television.

“Soaps, for example, I’d love that. I don’t watch soaps particularly myself but if Coronation Street rang up tomorrow then I’d be there like a shot.”

Even though Stephen has developed an extensive list of contacts over the last 20 years, he revealed how an element of luck can also help: “I did a Canterbury Tales episode, in fact it was the episode Billie Piper was in that made her into a star. Careers can be full of ‘what ifs’.

“There were only four people who ever got reviewed in that production; Billie Piper, James Nesbitt, Denis Waterman and me but most people don’t know it was me because my character was just billed ‘middle-aged man’.

“It was only a couple of little scenes but it went very well and did actually get a paragraph in The Spectator that somebody sent to me. They had singled that scene out for the review but nobody knew my name because they didn’t equate ‘middle-aged man’ Stephen Aintree with the Morrisey impersonator I played which is frustrating.”

What the future holds for Stephen remains to be seen but he has been earmarked for a couple of upcoming projects: “I just did that Eric & Ernie thing on BBC 2 which went down very very well. The writer of that, Peter Bowker, is a champion of my work and he has said to me that he has two projects coming up this year and he wants me in them, in bigger parts.”

“The problem is, you have to get past the producers and to a certain extent the director as well but it’s the producers you have to convince. If you are lucky enough to get it anyway you do the best job you can. It was a great piece of television and I am proud to be in it.

Come Fly With Me premiered on Christmas Day is currently half way through its debut series.

Paul Neat

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Blend

Opinion is split about attempts to transform the Docklands. Is this a ste

Just another S

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ep into the future for Liverpool? Or will it be

Shanghai?

Blend

F

or many years, Liverpool’s docks were world famous. An industry hub and a fully-functioning port to the world – London could only dream to be as renowned.

But then came the Thatcher years and as industry was moved south to Dover, the docks’ productivity declined and many of it became a barren wasteland.

Of course, since then, the caterpillar-like buildings that sluggishly lay there have been transformed into social butterflies; with nightclubs, eateries and museums appearing over the years. But what of the rest that doesn’t regularly meet the eye of the un-investigative tourist or resident?

Albert Dock is undoubtedly one of the biggest tourist attractions in Liverpool, but that in itself is just a small portion of the waterfront. Much of the North Dock has been left inaccessible for many years and Peel Holdings is bidding to regenerate it into a multi-billion pound waterfront.

Claire Bennett gets a glimpse of the bigger picture.

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Blend

P

eel Holdings has an envious Curriculum Vita. It boasts some of England’s most well known waterways as its successful endeavours, including their revival of Salford Quays which has re-infused Manchester’s prosperity as the London of the north.

Now that is heading for its completion date with MediaCityUK ready to open its doors to the BBC, Peel has altered its focus to somewhere much closer to home - the Docklands In 2005, Peel Chairman John Whittaker stood with Director Lindsey Ashworth and gazed over at Liverpool from Birkenhead.

They had just acquired Merseyside Docks and Harbour Company which meant that the future of the waterfront was in their hands.

And they relished the task ahead.

Mr. Ashworth recalled: “When I first looked at this waterfront I thought, my god, I can’t believe I’m so lucky to be able to have something like this. I think how could it get any better?

“You could just see the seeds of something really great happening. You’ve got with the three graces and the arena and Albert Dock.

And we looked into it and thought we can make something even greater here.”

And when he says great, he doesn’t just refer to its connotation of remarkable; it also highlights the degree of the area that is hoping to be improved. If Peel is granted the planning permission they have been striving for, a 60-hectare site will be regenerated with a mixture of residential homes, visitor attractions, offices and retail spaces. Plans for a ‘green-energy’ biomass station have even been submitted. And with this development adding new business ventures into the mix, it is hoped that a rise in employment figures will follow.

Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year saw an 11% rise in the number of jobs supported by visitor businesses to 8,521. Peel is hoping that this rise can be replicated with the inclusion of a cruise liner terminal and the potential capital it may bring through tourists.

However, as with most great feats, it is inevitable that there are a few bumps along the way, and there is a rather large one for the company to deal with: English Heritage.

As the government’s statutory advisor on all things history conservation related, their strategy is outlined as ‘Making the Past Part of Our Future’. Therefore, as initial planning applications included instances where they feel their site was threatened, they pulled out the stops to halt progress until Peel’s intentions are made clearer.

A statement from English Heritage Communications said: “We have advised Liverpool City Council that what is currently proposed could harm the World Heritage Site. The construction of underground car parks would

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“We will never ever see the days of the docks again. It’s an absolute shame but that’s progress, we can’t roll the wheels of history back.”

remove buried remains of the docks through which Liverpool traded on the world stage.”

“We have advised that, while we cannot support the scheme on the basis of the information currently available, we will work closely with Peel and the Council to resolve the concerns we have identified.”

Even with the setback that English Heritage could bring to the table, Mr. Ashworth is unfazed and believes that residents will rally together in order to get the wheels in motion.

He said: “Liverpool’s got such fantastic history for pioneering people and doing great things – and that’s still there.

Peel held two public meetings over consecutive Monday evenings at the Crowne Plaza hotel – a fitting venue considering its proximity to the site that they are looking to transform. Following a lengthy presentation about the various elements Liverpool Waters would include, Mr. Ashworth welcomed questions from the audience.

Reactions varied over the evenings, but the majority of responses were positive, with much passion to back the transformation.

Also equally supportive of Peel’s pitch was Councillor Joe Hanson. As the Labour candidate for Kirkdale Ward, Councillor Hanson is the representative for a neighbourhood that will be directly implicated in the transformation with Liverpool Waters on its doorstep.

He said: ““I fundamentally believe that the way we change the future for our young people in North Liverpool is through education. So if we can capture this and say to our young people: “There are good job opportunities coming up on the North Shore. Whether that be in tourism, the cruise liner, biomass station or the other things that Peel will bring with it.

“We will never ever see the days of the docks again. It’s an absolute shame but that’s progress, we can’t roll the wheels of history back.”

Quite the contrary, so it seems, as Peel’s vision steamrollers the docks into the 21st century with grand skyscrapers and modernistic apartments. Mr. Ashworth is adamant that what they are trying to achieve in Liverpool and its mirrored project of Wirral Waters, isn’t a copycat rehash of previous waterfronts.

He said: “You can make a real mess of it.

But the ones that are memorable around the world are the ones with tall buildings and if you like a saw-tooth skyline. The ones that you don’t remember are the ones where there is this horizontality.

“We’re not trying to create a mini Shanghai because I want Liverpool in 40 to 50 years to be a project that people go to, to say ‘this is how we should actually develop a waterfront’. And it will stand up there with all of the best in the world. And I’m sure it will.”

Blend

X-ray Ted Golf Bug sculpture.

Lyceum Place, Bold Street.

Out of the galleries and onto the streets L

IVERPOOL. It’s never one to fade into the background and since its emergence as the Capital of Culture back in 2008, Liverpool has continued to grow, placing its focus on its cultural future. Forget Sunday afternoons walking round an ancient art gallery, Liverpool has taken art outside and spread it right across the city, creating its own version of a pioneering public art event and is hoping to make art interesting for all types and age of people.

Liverpool Discovers Art , has hit our beloved city centre, visitors are faced with art as soon as they disembark at Lime Street station, and with sculptures and portraits dotted in and around, in fact all over the city centre, it is impossible to miss .

This landmark public event is aiming to celebrate some of Liverpool’s little known stories and achievements, and news has travelled around the globe, with features cropping up on news sites in China, India, Australia, Canada, America and the Middle East. Sally Ann Wilkinson, from the festival organisers Wild Art said “The ripple effect of these images circulating around the world is mind-blowing. Everyone involved in the event has worked incredibly hard, particularly the artists, and I’m thrilled that the event has become a platform to showcase

their work to the world”. Various Merseyside artists have contributed to the exhibition, with their work featured in many of Liverpool’s hotspots, including that of professional artist Faith Bebbington,

“This event has become a platform to showcase their work to the world...”

whose artistic installation entitled ‘The Runner’, which celebrates some of Liverpool’s great athletes both past and present, has been frequently visited already at its Kings Dock Street location, “It’s incredible. I never expected to attract media attention from all over the world

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(L to R) ‘A Revolutionary Woman’, St Georges Plateau. ‘Sounding Out Liverpool’, Anglican Cathedral ‘Stephenson’s Destinator’, Lime Street Station.

People have been looking at my blog from all over the globe including Brazil, Paraguay and even Botswana! It’s amazing.”

The trail itself features 13 unique and creative installations dotted around the centre from Lime Street Station to the busy shopping world of Bold Street and aims to enhance the city’s global reputation for tourism and culture. The festival, commissioned by Liverpool City Council and supported by the European Regional Development Fund is going to be in residence until March 20th , plenty of time to educate the masses that culture is the future.

Liverpool City Councillor for culture and

“I never expected to attract attention from all over the world.”

tourism Wendy Simon said “Liverpool is best known aross the world for it’s football teams and the Beatles, but fantastic projects like this let people know that there is so much more to our city”.

Featured within the festival are several acclaimed artists including; ~David Kemp ~Joe Rush ~Andy Plant ~Carrie Reichardt ~Nick Reynolds.

Using a hand drawn illustrated map, you are set to be led on a tour of the great Liverpool sights as you seek out the art across the city, taking in countless fascinating facts on your way.

Wirral and St Helens also have their won trails to follow focussing on greater Merseyside’s contributions to world history..

For more information visit www.liverpooldiscovers.co.uk Jessica Pryce

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Funding cuts pose threat to government’s ‘big society’

A With the city of Liverpool opting out of the governments’ plans for a ‘big society’due to fears over funding cuts to the volunteer sector, could this be a warning of things to come for other cities involved?

utopian society of empowered communities and local volunteer initiatives providing more control to the masses is something David Cameron believes can be achieved in the UK. But behind these assertions there remains a number of creases in the government’s plans that could be too deep to iron out.

For the city of Liverpool that was originally included in the piloting of the scheme, the ‘Big Society’ plans outlined by the government could have a damaging effect on the city’s own community spirit.

With Liverpool Council Leader Joe Anderson claiming that the city has been working as a ‘big society’ for many years and voicing concerns over funding cuts to local organisations could the government’s new initiative destroy the big society Liverpool has already created for itself?

Amongst the organisations affected by a withdrawal in funding is vinvolved Liverpool who due to government cuts have been forced to close as of April 1st 2011. Vinvolved is a charity dedicated to providing local advice and support to young people in their area.

Many other charitable organisations across Liverpool have also been affected by a lack of funding and threats to their future. Mental health organisation, Advocacy is a charity based in Birkenhead and gives those experiencing mental ill-health across Liverpool and the Wirral the opportunity to discuss their problems with volunteers at the centre.

Jessica Ransome who volunteers at Advocacy

two days a week said: “We’ve really been struggling to take on new patients or clients and there’s such a massive backlog because of a lack in funding to the programme.

“At the centre we’ve got a really limited amount of space and so not only can we not involve new clients we also can’t take on any more volunteers.”

Liverpool City Council estimates that between 300 and 500 jobs will be lost in the voluntary sector over the next two years.

Liverpool Charity and Volunteer Services is just one of these organisations to be faced with cuts and recently announced they would be facing a loss of 60% of its 52 strong workforce.

The plans for the initiative were first unveiled during a speech in Liverpool last summer where by the Prime Minister described his vision for a ‘big society’ that will empower communities and advance people power at a local level. He claimed that the talents and initiative of the UK public had been wasted and centralised government had disillusioned public sector workers.

For Liverpool City Council these claims came as a surprise to a city that has been working closely with its communities for a long time and despite being selected as one of the cities to pilot the scheme, recently requested to withdraw entirely from the project due to fears that the government cuts could severely threaten the future of many local volunteer groups.

Annie Jones

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Lifting the lid on TV’s ‘Come Dine with Me’ reels in a steady two and a half million viewers daily. Our reporter Joe Tedford speaks to Chris Mosey about his experiences on the hit Channel 4 show.

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hat is it we love so much about the hit Channel 4 show, ‘Come Dine with Me’? Perhaps the different styles of cooking and themed dinner parties, or the interesting dinner time conversations that the contestants have? No, you’re right, it’s the unforgiving grilling that narrator Dave Lamb gives to its sometimes surreal contestants.

We spoke to one contestant from Liverpool, who is soon to be shown on the Blackpool edition of ‘Come Dine with Me’ in early March. Chris Mosey, of Bootle, told us how the show operates behind the camera lens.

“My girlfriend had said to me that I should apply so I thought I’d apply for a laugh. I called up and left an answer phone message saying who I was and that I wanted to be on the show. I gave a bit of information about myself and that was that.

“They called me back about a month later asking for a picture of myself and the flat where I live. Then they got back to me again and said they wanted to film for a tester. At

this point I knew I had it in the bag so I just gave it the ‘gab’.

“The strangest thing happened on a night out three days before I was due to start filming for the actual show. Me and my mates were out in Preston and we spotted a local Come Dine with Me celebrity. Dawn, from last year’s Preston show was in the street and I went over to speak to her.

“Because her experience was quite embarrassing she is used to the attention and immediately tried to ignore me but when I said I was due to go on the show in a few days she grabbed me and tried to convince me not to go on, she was saying ‘Don’t do it, don’t go on the show’. We talked for a while and I ended up walking through Preston with her on my back. However I slipped and she fell and banged her head quite badly and got completely knocked out!

“I couldn’t believe this was happening. I waited with her for the ambulance and when it arrived, she was trying to get me in the back of the ambulance. I thought things were

already strange enough. I had put a famous past contestant in A&E days before my own turn on Come Dine with Me.”

“One woman tried to lick my neck during dessert on the first night!”

Chris insisted that the experience during filming was extremely tiring and that the cooking for his night was made tedious by the amount of work that had to be done for the camera. He said: “A twenty minute recipe takes an hour on ‘Come Dine with Me’. You can’t just peel a spud; you have to peel it four different times from different camera angles. The producers were very picky. I was already very tired with the travelling to Blackpool as I was the only contestant who was based outside of Black-

“I slipped and she fell... and got completely knocked out!”

Top secret: Scouser Chris claims people will have to tune in to see if he wins or not as he is sworn to secrecy

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top dinner date Chris’s menu consisted of: pool, in Preston. On My night, filming lasted from 8am until 1am the next morning.

“In terms of what they show from the night, they only show the dregs of the evening. All the best stuff was off camera. A lot of it was scripted, they would ask us stuff while we were sitting around the table to try and trigger conversation and put words in your mouth.

“One woman on the show must have said something to the cameras about some of us being a bit common and the producers brought it up around the table. She was fuming and told us what she had really said and there was a bit of trouble over it.

“While we appear to be sitting around the table quietly, there is actually a cameraman, sound man, an assistant and the producer surrounding us. There were a few different directors through the week and your progress on the show can depend on what producer you get. On my night, me and the producer sort of hit it off. I think that went in my favour.

“The first night jitters were my favourite part as everyone was extremely nervous and had been drinking all day. One woman tried to lick my neck during dessert on the first night!

“Channel 4 tried to give us all labels. I think I will be portrayed as a bit of a scruff because they took the contestants to my housemates’ rooms instead of mine. There was trouble over that too and I was fuming on the producers. I had purposely scrubbed my room and bathroom and they took the contestants through my flatmates stuff without permission.”

Chris is due to appear on the show on the 14th March and although he is unable to reveal the results of the show, he ramins confident that the edited final product will be worth a watch. He said: “I reckon I’m going to get ripped apart by Dave Lamb!”

Starter – Salmon & caper fish cakes with poached duck egg.

Main – Scouse Tapas with pickle, chutney and blanched greens.

Desert – White chocolate & ginger blue cheese cake with toffee, orange & ginger sauce.

“At this point I knew I had it in the bag so I just gave it the ‘gab’”

www.channel4.com/4food

Charmer: Chris (right) is no stranger to entertaining friends

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Spiralling out of control - 250, 000 people to die in the next ten years due to alcohol - £200 million slashed from Liverpool council budget - The third lowest life expectancy in England James Hamling reports how the future looks bleak for Liverpool.

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uch has been said about the problems with binge drinking in the UK. The government’s attempts to reduce alcohol abuse by introducing the country to a more continental attitude to drinking through 24 hour pubs has failed and now the situation looks bleaker than ever.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, a liver specialist at the Royal Hospital in Liverpool, announced from his teams research indicated an expected 250, 000 deaths from alcohol in the next twenty years.

Katherine Brown, from the Institute of Alcohol Studies said: “The new statistics for alcohol is a real concern for the country. The government needs to take urgent action to form a competent alcohol control structure and regulate price schemes.”

But what does this mean for Liverpool, a city with one of the country’s highest alcohol abuse levels? A study by the Liverpool centre of Public Health in 2008 highlighted the problems facing the city. Over 80% of 15 to 16 year olds were believed to be drinking, with higher rates of binge drinking than the national average.

Alcohol is only part of the problem facing Liverpool, with the third-lowest life expectancy in England and high levels of smoking, obesity and teenage pregnancy has left the city in a major quandary, and it’s not getting any easier.

The coalition government has announced £200 million pounds of cuts to the Liverpool city council, with welfare charities specializing in helping people with alcohol problems as well as homelessness who commonly suffer with alcoholism.

The government and specialists are conflicted as what measures to take. The conservative-liberal democrats want to raise the price of drinks to help lower drinking but specialists claim this will lead to more binge drinking Ron Gould, A Liverpool City Councillor and member of the social care and health board said: “Alcohol is a big part of whats discussed at council meetings and primary care trusts, its difficult to prevent people drinking before nights out.”

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“In all walks of society, heavy drinking is prevalent. But it’s the lower socio-economic groups that are affected the most.”

Katherine Brown for ‘The institute for alcohol studies’