Planetliverpool issue 3 2014

COMPLIMENTARY COPY ISSUE 3 • 2014

NOW ON LINE www.myplanetliverpool.co.uk

WW1 REMEMBERED Liverpool’s Victoria Cross Heroes

A PURE experience Relax and be pampered at Childwall salon

SIR THOMAS HOTEL One of the best nights in the City

PLUS LOTS MORE... INCLUDING LOCAL HISTORY • LOCAL BUSINESS THE ARTS • SPORT • LOCAL PEOPLE HEALTH & BEAUTY

Liverpool Legends on local tour

THE CHRISTIANS This issue is kindly sponsored by Abensons Solictors • 102 Allerton Road • Mossley Hill • Liverpool • L18 2DG Tel: 0151 733 8999 • Email: reception@abensons.co.uk • www.abensons.co.uk

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK

O

n Wednesday 11 June 2014, Councillor Erica Kemp was officially installed as Lord Mayor of Liverpool, and subsequently became Liverpool’s First Citizen. Erica was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex but following the passing of her father in 1962 she moved to Liverpool so that her mother could live near her older sister, who lived here at the time.

Erica attended Woolton Hall Preparatory School and Woolton Hall High School, which later amalgamated with Notre Dame Mount Pleasant to become what is St. Julie’s High School today.

She then attended Christ’s College Teacher Training College where she qualified as a teacher in 1978.

AFTERNOON TEA £7.95

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Specialising in teaching children with learning and behavioural difficulties, Erica taught in schools in Liverpool and Knowsley from 1978 to 2002 before leaving the teaching profession to work in local government, where she worked mainly in inspection and improvement with councils and Councillors.

A warm welcome to

Liverpool’s new

Lord Mayor

Councillor Erica Kemp “Like all my Councillor colleagues I love this city with a passion and I am proud to live here.”

In 1997 Erica married Richard Kemp who is also a Councillor.They live 100 yards from the world famous Penny Lane and Erica has two daughters, Emma and Rachel from her previous marriage and Richard has one son, Jonathan. Rachel, Erica’s youngest daughter, is her Lady Mayoress – the first occasion since 1967 that the positions of Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Liverpool have both been filled by women at the same time.

Erica has been a Councillor since 1993 and has represented two wards during her 21 years on the Council. She first represented Picton Ward from April 1993 to May 2004 when, following boundary changes, she was elected to represent Church Ward.

She has held a number of positions on the Council and her main area of interest has been children’s services, where she has concentrated a lot of her effort and time.

Throughout her term as Lord Mayor, Erica will be sponsoring four charities. These are: The Alzheimer’s Society, SSAFA (The Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association), Teenage Cancer Trust and The Reader Organisation. “During my year as Lord Mayor I am hoping to raise a lot of money for these charities, but more importantly I am hoping to get people to work as volunteers for these organisations, as I want to ensure there will be a long lasting legacy for the charities when I step down as Lord Mayor in May 2015. “ Erica is particularly keen to see a ‘Dementia Friend’ in every road and street in Liverpool and for every Liverpool school to offer pupils a free education on Cancer Awareness.

If you would like to find out more about how to volunteer or contribute to any of the Lord Mayor’s charities please contact Erica at email: town.hall@liverpool.gov.uk On being installed as Lord Mayor, Erica said, “It is a tremendous privilege to be asked to accept this position. I am going to particularly enjoy the time I spend meeting Liverpool residents and sharing with them the love and pride we have for our city.”

In her spare time Erica enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and she also keeps an allotment and is a novice bee-keeper.

Lord Mayor Cllr. Erica Kemp and Lady Mayoress Rachel Plant

LUNCH ON THE GO

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ALL INGREDIENTS SOURCED LOCALLY GLUTEN FREE BREAD SELECTION OF MEATS RANGE OF SEAFOOD SANDWICHES & CLUB SANDWICHES SALADS/VEGETARIAN/CHEESES CHILDREN’S MEAL DEAL CHOICE OF DESSERTS COFFEE/TEA including SPECIALITY COFFEES RED, WHITE & ROSE WINES BOTTLED BEERS CHILLED SOFT DRINKS & SMOOTHIES

OUTSIDE CATERING SERVICE ALL FUNCTIONS & OCCASIONS CATERED FOR INCLUDING CHILDREN’S PARTIES CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

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@CllrEricaKemp

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 3

THE PAST THE PRESENT THE FUTURE

MY PLANET

LIVERPOOL Contents Issue 3 • 2014

CONTRIBUTIONS: Page 8 Florence Institute WW1Exhibition Stephanie Blundell (SB Consultant) Page 16 Liverpool Art Prize Winner Dan Hicklin (Bill Elms Associates) Apprentice of the Year 2014 Mary Smyth (Liverpool Chamber Training) Page 20 Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range Angela White (Milex PR) Page 36 The Christians Emma Roberts PR Page 47 John Hall View John Hall (CEO Professional Liverpool) Page 50 Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce Gala Dinner Alison Jones (L&SCC) Page 56 Chinese Wellbeing Di Burbidge Page 68 Wynn’s World of Wine Michael Wynn (Cultural Wine) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Page 2 Lord Mayor of Liverpool Tanya Baucher (Liverpool Town Hall) Page 24 Hair Transform Photographs of Danielle – courtesy Malcolm Journeaux (Rochdale) Page 26 Celebrity Pics Dave ‘The Pap’ Evans (Bond Media Agency) Page 70 Liverpool Heroes Ann Clayton, Sid Lindsay, Bill Sergeant MY PLANET LIVERPOOL PHOTOGRAPHERS: Arthur Gold E: goldsnapper@gmail.com Dave Evans E: daveyboypap@googlemail.com

4 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

FRONT COVER Garry Christian (photograph by Arthur Gold (goldsnapper@gmail.com)

SPECIAL FEATURES 30 Chatterbox Actors Academy – coaching for stage & screen 36 The Christians – Liverpool music legends 40 Bellissimo Voice Coaching – hit the right notes with Matt Martin Music Master 68 Wynn’s World of Wine – Sherry LIVERPOOL PEOPLE 2 Welcome to Lord Mayor of Liverpool 14 Spotlight on... Joe Johnston (Abensons Solicitors) 34 Nicola Perrins – an interview with the owner of Mersey Gig Guide 59 Spolight on...Julia Pemberton of Weir & Carmichael packaging company HOTELS 6 Sir Thomas Hotel – a great place to stay PUBS & BARS 13 The Ethical Glass – a bar with a difference 38 The Slaughter House & Laughterhouse Comedy Club 39 The Exchange Bar – Christmas menu 44 Liverpool Pubs – Editors favourites RESTAURANTS 10 Franco’s Ristorante Italiano – Celebrate Christmas with Franco and his team 66 The Gulshan – enjoy the Christmas menu at Liverpool’s renowned Indian Restaurant COFFEE SHOPS & BISTROS 3 Challains – Independent Coffee & Sandwich Shop 15 Cafe 31 – one of the best breakfasts in town 32 Calisa Coffee Shop – a Childwall gem

EDITORIAL, FEATURES & ADVERTISING:

email: info@myplanetliverpool.co.uk Tel: 07513 299 077

GOLF 20 Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range – new outdoor area now open 22 Blundells Hill Golf Club & Astroturf Lawns BEAUTY, HEALTH & WELLBEING 29 Pure Spa – great range of Beauty Treatments in Childwall 55 RENU Wellness Clinic – achieving a healthier new you 56 Happiness Hot Yoga Gym – where happiness awaits you 58 Ali Jagger Herbalife – enjoy good health and self-confidence HAIRDRESSERS 24 Hair Transform – more than just a hairdressers 28 Albany Barbers – a cut above WORLD WAR 1 REMEMBERED 8 Florence Institute remembers 54 Watching the Giants 70 Liverpool born Victoria Cross heroes (Part 1)

CHARITY 12 Free Cakes for Kids – Charity Quiz evening 42 Wooden Spoon – Charity Day on Planet Lightship 64 Chinese Wellbeing – joining a newly formed combined community service LOCAL BUSINESS 18 Morecrofts - new HR & Business Services 46 Summer Drinks with Professional Liverpool 47 Professional Liverpool – John Hall’s View 48 Junior Chamber International – Liverpool section 49 R.M. Burke Accountant & BBL Property Services 50 Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce – Gala Dinner 52 BWMacfarlane Accountants 60 Packaging your World – Weir & Carmichael 62 Dartswift – Liverpool Shipping experts MISCELLANEOUS 9 Donna Robinson – Medium/Clairvoyant 23 Busy Bodies – Southport Lingerie Boutique 26 Dave the Pap – celebrity picture page 27 Northwest Wedding Fayres – John Brown ‘Wedding Guru’ 33 Blackpool Pleasure Beach 43 Suttons & Robertsons – Pawnbrokers of Distinction BACK COVER – Abensons Solicitors

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to this issue of My Planet Liverpool or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisements appearing in this edition.

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 5

We’re now taking bookings for Christmas and New Year

Where you can enjoy one of the best nights in the city

O

nce home to a branch of one of Liverpool’s most famous banks, Martins (now Barclays), the Sir Thomas Hotel is today a modern 39-Bedroom boutique hotel that is ideally located in the heart of Liverpool City centre. This popular Liverpool hotel and restaurant/bar sits at the junction of where Sir Thomas Street meets with Victoria Street and offers an unrivalled and personal service often not available at the large corporate hotels.

The Sir Thomas is just a short walk from Liverpool’s main railway station, Lime Street, just 30 minutes from John Lennon Airport and only 45 minutes from Manchester Airport.

At the Sir Thomas Hotel we are committed to making sure all of our guests enjoy their stay with us, while you choose how to spend your time. Seeing the sights of our historic city is easy from the Sir Thomas.

G Mathew Street and its Beatles history, including the

site of the original Cavern Club is only 2 minutes from the hotel G A 10-minute meander away is the world famous

Liverpool Waterfront, with the Liver Buildings, Albert Dock and the Pier Head all proudly sitting alongside the equally as famous River Mersey and the Mersey Ferries.

G The waterfront also features the Tate Gallery and the

World Museum, along with some great views across the river to the Wirral Peninsular.

G Only a few minutes away from our entrance is

William Brown Street, home to some of the finest architecture in Britain. Here you will find the Walker Art Gallery, the newly refurbished Central Library and the historic St. John’s Gardens, which has the magnificent St. George’s Hall sitting grandly at its head.

G For the shopaholics the Liverpool ONE and Met

Quarter shopping centres are just a short stroll away.

6 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

SIR THOMAS HOTEL In the luxurious surroundings of our ground floor St. John Restaurant & Lounge we are able to offer a contemporary bar menu, traditional afternoon tea, a full grill menu and an extensive cocktail list. There is also live entertainment in the bar every Friday & Saturday. We can also accommodate parties of any size for Dinners or our famously entertaining Tribute Nights.

These events have become synonymous with delicious food, fantastic entertainment and superb service, making the Sir Thomas Hotel the number one choice for your celebration.

We know how to throw a party and our fun-packed festive events calendar includes everything from Cabaret Nights to Christmas Day Lunch or our New Year’s Eve Party Night. There is something to suit every taste and budget. We also offer a 10% discount on hotel rooms when booked in conjunction with all of our Christmas Events (New Years Eve not included).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND FOR AVAILABILITY OR TO MAKE A BOOKING PLEASE CONTACT OUR EVENTS TEAM ON: T: 0151 236 1366 E: events@sirthomashotel.co.uk

GOURMET WINE & DINE EVENINGS Friday 26th September & Friday 31st October Enjoy a delicious 4-Course meal Each course is accompanied by a different wine Each wine is chosen by our In-House Sommelier plus Guest Speaker.

£25.00 per person (advance booking is recommended)

*Free WIFI throughout hotel & rooms *Nearby car parking for a discounted rate of £7.50 per 24hrs, discount available upon check in

24 Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool L1 6JB Tel: 0151 236 1366 E: reservations@sirthomashotel.co.uk www.sirthomashotel.co.uk

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 7

THE ‘FLORRIE’ REMEMBERS Members off, and visitors to, Liverpool’s historic Florence Institute on Mill Street, Dingle, have recently been able to experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Front Line, as the iconic building marked the Centenary of the First World War with a special four-week exhibition, organised by ‘The Florrie’s’ Heritage Consultant, Stephanie Blundell.

The Florrie Trench

Visitors to the Florence Institute, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year arr, were able to discover the stories of local lads who gave their lives in the Great Warr, as well as view genuine artefacts, dug straight from the battlefields in France and Belgium, that had never beffo ore been shown to the public. The exhibition also fe eatured hand grenades, death plaques, gas attack rattles, bullets, soldiers’ boots boo , ‘trench art’, and much, much muc more.

Also donated by members of the public were medals and letters, including one signed by Winston Churchill.

The Florence Institute War Memorial Plaque adorns the staircase and lists the ‘Florrie’ members who were tragically lost in the Great War. There was also a special fe eature in the exhibition that told the stories of six men, all members of The Liverpool Kings Regiment, whose names fe eature on the plaque, never to be fo orgotten.

Simon Humphreys, Vice Chair of The Florence Institute Trust Ltd, said of the project, “I and my fello e w Trustees were immensely proud to honour the seventy Florrie Boys who lost their lives fighting, alongside countless millions, for o this great Country. We would also like to extend our special thanks fo or the massiv mass e amount of support we had from the

local area and beyond. We are also grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, John Makin, Liverpool Kings Regiment and our own Stephanie Blundell. Thanks also to Weir & Carmichael Packaging Company, Liverpool Wood Pellets and the Baltic Fleet public house. Without all of the above the exhibition would never have taken place” Stephanie Blundell said of the exhibition: “ We at the ‘FFllorrie’ are immensely grra ateful for the support we received from so many people and for the wealth of material and stories that weere brrought ough o to light for the exhibition.

We hope the exhibition exh has inspired morre people to explorre their own fa amily historry of Stephanie Blundell the First World o War a and helped to build a grreat e er understanding of life in Liverpooll, particularly in Dinglee, during the hostilities. We are also proud to have been able to making a significant contribution to the national commemor orrations a being held throughoutt this Ceentenarry Anniversarry yearr.”

“I used to feel that my special insight was a weight around my neck but as I've got older I've just learned to accept that I was given this very special gift in order to help ease peoples suffering and I suppose I just felt it was my duty to do so as best I can. I don't make any promises but I rarely disappoint.”

Donna’s next 'live' event will be at The Floral Pavilion, Marine Promenade, New Brighton Wirral, CH45 2JS, on Thursday 6th November 2014 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15 per person and £12 concessions.

Tickets are available from the Floral Pavilion Box Office: 0151 666 0000 or via their website: www.floralpavilion.com

Donna Robinson is no ordinary Spiritual Medium and Clairvoyant.

Born and raised on the Wirral, this effervescent individual was fully aware of her gift at an early age. At first Donna was reluctant to follow this path, having carved out a high powered career in banking.

Finally she acknowledged to herself that something had to give. After much serious consideration, Donna chose to step down from her job because, in her own words, “I was worn out with trying to do a demanding job AND help the many spirits that had 'crossed over' find their loved ones. It was just too tiring and the spirits won.”

“I firmly believe that a few chosen people are given this incredible gift and I couldn't ignore mine any longer”, says Donna, who has gained a huge following here in the UK, as well as Australia and Singapore.

Donna has many regular celebrity clients, including Kym Marsh and Denise Welch. It is very clear that all of Donna’s clients keep coming back to her because, quite simply, Donna has a high success rate with her predictions and in communicating with lost loved ones. “I don't brag about it or promote myself; I just attract people who are lost.

The comfort I bring to my clients is hugely rewarding for me and judging by how loyal they are to me they too find it rewarding.”

One of Donna’s clients summed it up nicely, “I wasn't a believer, and to be frank thought all this Medium lark was a bit 'hocus-pocus', but one session with Donna and I was blown away. She was so down to earth, genuine, incredibly heart rending, and so accurate. My session with Donna brought on many tears, but the tears were followed by a feeling of huge relief and a kind of inner peace I have not felt before” As part of the audience at one of Donna’s ‘live’ events you will you will become immersed within the positivity of Donna’s aura, and you will leave intrigued, at ease and in peace. To discover more information about Donna and her forthcoming shows, please visit:

www.donnarobinson.tv

8 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 9

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK Long renowned as a restaurant that provides a wonderful taste of Italy, Franco’s has recently introduced an additional Italian style Tapas (Assaggini) menu. It is a move that is proving to be successful and gives diners even more choice from what was already an extensive menu selection.

Franco’s is firmly established as one of the most popular and well-regarded restaurants in the North West and is frequented by a lot of regular clientele, and the reasons for this are not hard to find. A walk along the right hand side of Castle Street, from the Town Hall towards the Queen Victoria Monument, will bring you to this wonderful restaurant and its legendary owner, Franco Colangeli. Franco came to Liverpool from his home city of Rome as a young man, and over the years has earned a great reputation for the quality of dishes he serves up in traditional Italian style. He has cleverly combined his Italian heritage and his many years of restaurant experience to create one of the finest Italian restaurants in our region.

A TRUE ITALIAN XMAS EXPERIENCE

FRANCO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO THE BEST IN ITALIAN FOOD!

CHRISTMAS FAYRE NEW TAPAS MENU at

FRANCO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO THE BEST IN ITALIAN FOOD! FRANCO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO 48A CASTLE STREET, LIVERPOOL L2 7LQ Tel: 0151 236 3375 • Fax: 0151 236 7260 Opening Times Franco’s is open six days of the week: Monday – Thursday 11-30am to 3-00pm Tuesday – Saturday 5.30pm to 11-00pm OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY

www.francosliverpool.com

10 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

It is a venue that offers a delicious fare of Italian cuisine, consisting of fresh fish, meat and poultry, all cooked in the traditional Italian way, along with freshly cooked pasta dishes that form the basis of a wide-ranging menu.

All the main courses are prepared with freshly made sauces and are served with fresh seasonal vegetables. You may even have your dish plain and unadorned if you so wish! There is also a wide selection of seasonal special dishes, and diners are able to match any sauce with any pasta of their choice.

The new Assaggini (Tapas) menu features a mouth-watering selection of over twenty dishes, including a selection of freshly sliced cold Italian meats served with seafood on a bed of lettuce, olives and fresh parsley. Avocado Prawn, Calamari Peperoncini, Gamberoni Fritti and Spezzatino Di Pollo Roma (a delicious dish featuring strips of chicken in a spicy coating), plus a range of many more tasty treats, will have you wanting to return to Franco’s at the first opportunity.

To complement the wonderful food, Franco’s offers a wine list that comprises of a select range of Italian wines, as well as a fine selection of vintage French and New World red and white wines. The restaurant’s warm and relaxed atmosphere, combined with friendly and attentive, but not obtrusive, service, ensures that you will have an evening you will long remember. Whether you are planning an intimate booking for two, an early evening dinner or wishing to arrange wedding or office parties, Franco’s can offer something to suit all these requirements.

Lunchtimes too are always well attended, with diners escaping the busy workplace or taking a break from the shopping to enjoy a quick bowl of pasta during their lunch-hour. Franco’s also makes a great venue for business people meeting for a working lunch or treating clients.

DINNER

LUNCHEON

SEAFOOD COCKTAIL OR EGG MAYONAISSE OR HOME MADE VEGETABLE SOUP *** ROAST TURKEY SALMON SAMBUCA ENTRECOTE STEAK CHASSEUR OR ANY PASTA OF YOUR CHOICE SEASONAL VEGETABLES *** CHOICE OF SWEET *** £22.95 *** COFFEE & MINTS £2.50 EXTRA

EGG MAYONNAISE *** HOME MADE VEGETABLE SOUP *** ROAST TURKEY OR LASAGNE OR SALMON SAMBUCA SEASONAL VEGETABLES *** CHOICE OF SWEET *** £19-95 *** COFFEE & MINTS £2.50 EXTRA

Your selection and payment for the Dinner or Luncheon is required within 7 days prior to the date of booking. Any booking not fully prepaid by this date will be deemed cancelled.

A non-returnable deposit of £10 per person is required to secure the booking.

PARTY BOOKINGS Franco’s also offers the option of booking tables for parties from 10 persons up to 50 persons.

If you wish to find out more in booking a party then please contact: bookings@francosliverpool.com

FRANCO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO • 48A CASTLE STREET, LIVERPOOL L2 7LQ Tel: 0151 236 3375 • Fax: 0151 236 7260

www.francosliverpool.com MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 11

FREE FOR HIRE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES FOR ALL SPECIAL OCCASIONS CHARITIES • CLUBS ORGANISATIONS A WORK NIGHT OUT ● The Ethical Glass is a quirky, cosy,

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ONE AT CAKEA TIME Imagine that when your little one's birthday comes around you were, for whatever reason, unable to provide a birthday cake for him or her. Sadly, that is the reality for some families, but there is a group of people, a growing group of people, here in Liverpool who want to put that right.

‘Free Cakes for Kids’ (FCFK) is a national non-profit community group, operating with other local groups who each have a co-ordinator, connecting volunteer bakers with families in need. Families can self-refer or can be referred by an agency or third party. The volunteer bakers create the cakes for free, providing all the ingredients and the time and effort required. Recent fabulous creations have included several ‘Peppa Pig’ cakes, ‘Bart Simpson’, ‘Frozen’ and the ever-popular football themed cakes. Once the cake(s) is ready, further volunteers will pick up and deliver the cake(s) to the lucky child or children on a specified day.

This service is free, friendly and totally confidential.

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS

The bar that

honestly priced, gem of a bar located at the heart of the city centre, opposite the Crocodile public house on Harrington Street and across the road from the Hard Day’s Night Hotel on North John Street.

donates 5%

● ‘Happy Hour and a Half’

2am BAR

Monday to Thursday: 5.00pm – 6.00pm with selected bottled beers at £2 and Peroni at £3.40 a pint!

EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY

of it’s profits to charity

● LIVE

MUSIC

● Reasonably priced quality wine list

every Saturday night

(no Echo Falls or Blossom Hill).

Over 25 different bottled beers/ ciders/ales to choose from along with an extensive ‘Martini Menu’

Country & Western Sing-a-long every Sunday afternoon

● Fine range of single Malts,

● MERLOT

MONDAYS

Merlot at £10 per bottle

Gins and Vodkas The Ethical Glass is a bar for people who still remember the art of conversation.

It is a place to chill out and relax with your friends.

The Liverpool group of ‘Free Cakes for Kids’ celebrated its own 2nd birthday in June of this year and it has been a busy, and very rewarding, couple of years for them. Fundraising is always an issue for small groups like FCFK and they are constantly looking for ways to raise money to promote and develop their work. Their big second birthday bash was celebrated on Friday 20th June with a Quiz Night at the popular Ethical Glass bar on Harrington Street. Aside from the quiz, there was food and live music and a raffle with some amazing prizes, such as family passes to the drive-in movies at Route 66, a voucher for hair and beauty treatments at Barbara Daley and dinner for two at Blake's, at the Hard Days Night Hotel. As a result of these and other great prizes the raffle, along with further donations, raised hundreds of pounds for FCFK on the night.

For more details about the ‘Free Cakes for Kids’ group, to register as a volunteer baker or to request a cake for a child please contact Rachael Dickinson on 07581 141762.

They are also on Twitter: @fcfkliverpool and Facebook: Free Cakes for Kids UK-Liverpool.

Your help will make a difference and will also be greatly appreciated.

12 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

The Ethical Glass

Harrington Street Liverpool L2 9QA www.theethicalglass.co.uk

E-mail: theethicalglass@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 0151 236 1403

LIVERPOOL LEGAL

M AT H E W S T R E E T ’ S G E M O F A N E AT E RY

Spotlight on...

JOE JOHNSTON 102 Allerton Road, Liverpool L18 2DG

WHEN DID YOU JOIN ABENSONS? I joined the firm on 19th August 2013.

WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING? I have a LLB Hons 2:1 Degree and I Qualified as a solicitor in October 1992 WHAT IS YOUR CAREER BACKGROUND? I trained at Slater Heelis in Manchester. In private practice I have worked for DLA Piper, Weightmans, Linder Myers, Shammah Nicholls and Stirling Law (all in Manchester). I spent five years as Senior Lawyer to The Greenalls Group plc (a FTSE Co) in Warrington. I specialised in Property Development and secured lending for clients. I was involved in acting in the purchase of Liverpool’s A Hard Days Night Hotel. I also acted in a £5m industrial development in West Midlands and purchased a site for the developer of a £3m Peoples Ford site in Bootle. Other developments that I was involved with include the Purchasing of a housing site in Liverpool for 144 apartments, another site in Buxton for 60 houses and 40 apartments and I also acted for Natwest/RBS and Allied Irish banks, lending against housing office and leisure developments, the loans ranging from 1m -15m.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ABENSONS? We share some mutual clients and I had known Edward Abenson and his team for some time, having acted on opposite sides of several transactions.

The structure here allows me to do what I do best, bring in clients and carry out the work required while providing a high level of client service.

CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION PLEASE OF WHAT COMMERCIAL LAW IS AND WHAT IT PROVIDES FOR BUSINESSES? Commercial Law, as I see it, is there to assist clients and facilitate business, not to get in the way of it. Used properly, Commercial Law provides clarity and protection for clients, not obstacles, which is how it can be viewed in some quarters. In my experience, clients who involve their commercial lawyers from the outset find themselves encountering far less problems in business and actually saving money. It is far more cost effective to spend some time and money with a skilled commercial lawyer at the outset. This allows businesses to work with a lawyer who envisages potential pitfall scenarios and deals with them in documentation. Businesses attempting to deal with matters purely on handshakes can later find themselves encountering problems that lead to them requiring lawyers to solve through litigation, creating more costs and loss of valuable time.

WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR ABENSONS? To maintain and enhance its position as the Commercial Law firm of choice in the South Liverpool area, building on the reputation it has established for itself over the last 20 plus years. In addition, I aim to expand the firm’s commercial client base, adding some institutional clients and lenders. Over the next 3-5 years I anticipate growth in terms of clients, staff and fee income in the Commercial Department and in the services offered to clients. Clients will receive ‘city centre’ quality of advice and service - but at a lesser cost.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORKING HOURS? I live in Stockton Heath with my long term partner Helen and her daughter Millie and our two dogs (a Labrador and a Wheaten Terrier). I have two young daughters, Scarlett aged 12, and Ava aged 5, who I see regularly.

I am an avid Liverpool FC fan, watching them whenever possible (as well as keeping track of our young players coming through the academy by watching their games on LFC TV!). I enjoy keeping fit, I box three times per week, and enjoy going for long walks with my children and the dogs.

The beach at Blundellsands is a favourite place of ours. I love food and wine and I cook a lot at home. I also enjoy dining out and socialising.

Travelling is a must for us, especially to cities where I can explore and see some history. Italy is one of my favourite countries to visit. I enjoy reading factual books which enlighten you (Flash Boys re banks is a must!) and true crime, along with the blogs of George Monbiot from the Guardian… he tells it like it is.

HOW CAN BUSINESSES CONTACT YOU AT ABENSONS? My email address is josephj@abensons.co.uk and by telephone on 0151 733 3111.

14 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Café

1 3

‘‘

Love this place!!!

Best breakfasts in Liverpool, friendly staff and lovely service, best way to start the day!!

Takeaway service available, fab menu with plenty to choose from. Excellent home cooked fresh food, can't wait to go again!!”

Trip Advisor Review 21/4/14

c

AFÉ 31 is one of Liverpool City Centre’s most popular bistros and is located on iconic Mathew Street, birthplace of The Beatles. Café 31 is a friendly establishment that, for locals and visitors alike, offers an ideal venue in which to enjoy a delicious bite to eat.

This friendly and atmospheric eatery is lovingly owned and managed by Steve Hess, whose background in catering came about 30 years ago, when he began training as chef. Since those early days he has been involved in many catering establishments, including John Lewis and the Waitrose chain.

Steve originally opened the business in 2006 as Puccino’s. “I ran Puccino’s under a franchise agreement and traded under that name for five years. Due to the economic climate the company as a whole went into administration in 2011, allowing the opportunity to takeover independently and change our name to Café 31.”

Now well and truly established in the heart of Mathew Street, Café 31 has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ and ‘Mathew Street’s best kept secret’. The cafe has also received many reviews of a very positive nature, similar to the one on the left.

Café 31 has become renowned for their delicious breakfasts – arguably the ‘Best in Liverpool’, while their homemade soups and bowls of traditional ‘scouse’ are regularly sought out by many tourists and locals. A proud Steve said, “We have just won our 3rd ‘Excellent Eatery’ Award, scored by mystery shoppers, and we have recorded marks of over 90% each time.”

A comprehensive menu awaits the lucky customers who make their way to Café 31. Deliciously tasty pastas and pizzas can be selected from a menu that also includes a range of home cooked burgers, filled jacket potatoes, wraps and ciabatta. Tasty and filling homemade soups, which include sweet corn, broccoli and Stilton, tomato and basil are also great favourites with many of the regulars.

“Mathew Street is obviously a massive tourist destination and a wonderful part of our being located here is meeting people from all over the world, most of them being fans of The Beatles and their music of course. Our customers range in age from the very young to the more mature, and all have stories and experiences to share. We love to hear their tales and in return we tell them all about Liverpool and the many sights and sounds to be enjoyed here.”

“Hopefully in the future we can continue to build up our trade and enjoy more success. I am lucky to work with some fantastic staff, all of who excel in customer service. The combination of our friendly staff and excellent home cooked food has rewarded us with many regular customers from Liverpool and much further afield. We look forward to seeing and swapping tales with you and your friends very soon.”

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MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 15

Photograph courtesy of McCoy Wynne

Sara receives 2014 Merseyside Woman of the Year accolade

Liverpool concierge shortlisted for top award Les Gilfilan, a Concierge at The Richmond Hotel Liverpool, will fly the flag for Liverpool and the North of England at the Morris Golden Keys Concierge Awards 2014, which will be held at The Royal Horseguards Hotel in London on Monday 13th October. Les has been at The Richmond since May 2013, when the Grade II Listed hotel opened on Hatton Garden and he is the only regional representative to make the shortlist of six nominees in the Regional Concierge of the Year Nominations. The annual awards, which are in their 9th year, are co-organised by Morris Visitor Publications and the Society of The Golden Keys of Great Britain and The Commonwealth. For a Concierge, being a member of the Golden Keys community is the ultimate industry standard. Founded 50 years ago, the organisation aims to connect Concierges and develop their network across the hospitality sector. The society is also the founder member of a larger body, Les Clefs D’Or, which links almost 40 hotel industry associations worldwide and connects over 5,000 Concierges. Over 350 Concierges across Great Britain proudly wear the Gold Keys lapel pin.

A Geordie who now calls Liverpool his home, Les takes his role very seriously indeed. He has been a Golden Keys Concierge for 15 years, and currently holds the esteemed post of Chairman of the North Region of The Society of The Golden Keys. He said of his nomination, “It really is a huge honour to be shortlisted in the Regional Concierge category. I take a lot of pleasure in meeting our guests, and making sure that they have exactly what they need so that their stay at The Richmond and their visit to Liverpool exceeds all their expectations. That’s what motivates me to do a good job and uphold the reputation of the prestigious Golden Keys.”

The Richmond Hotel’s Group Director Steven Hesketh said: “Les is the true embodiment of a great Concierge.

He has a gift when it comes to making guests feel welcome and has a natural instinct for their needs and requirements. He works with a constant smile on his face and with a respectful sense of humour. Les also goes above and beyond the call of duty to offer first class customer care. On behalf of The Richmond team, we wish Les the very best of luck and hope he scoops the title for himself, The Richmond and for Liverpool.”

16 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Over 400 people turned out for the glamorous 2014 Merseyside Women of the Year awards to see local women being rewarded for their success. The lunch, hosted

by Pauline Daniels and held at held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, was organised by Women In Business North West and was a showcase of the women who have inspired the region.

The MWIB awards were presented to the deserved winners in each of 15 categories, including the overall Woman of the Year Award, which this year went to Sara Lawton.

This award is voted for by members of the general public and Radio City listeners and is completely independent of the other categories. Sara was voted the winner for her dedication to The Toxteth Fire Fit Hub. She is the Managing Director of the Hub, which is a super youth zone in the heart of Liverpool. TFFH is an independent charity, as part of the MyPlace network, and is the MyPlace centre for Liverpool.

It is open seven days per week, 365 days per year. Sara has led on all aspects of the project from its construction in October 2011, to operational delivery, in July 2013. It currently supports over 1500 young people, and is averaging 156 new members per month. The HUB has created 38 new job opportunities for people across the City and the young people and the wider community of Toxteth are given opportunities to volunteer and be referred into educational programmes. To date 972 young people have achieved accredited qualifications and benefitted from improved quality of life and employment prospects through the services delivered.

Women In Business NW was formed in 1994 by three local award-winning women, Ellen Kerr, Elaine Owen and Jean Gadsby; Elaine said of the WIB event, “We would like to thank all of the sponsors who really help in supporting the afternoon, and a special thank you to our host Pauline Daniels.

Congratulations to all of our winners, they truly deserve the recognition and I hope they all enjoyed the afternoon as much as we did.”

Women In Business For more information please contact Elaine Owen Tel: 0151 653 3338 Mobile: 07980 642 626 elaine.owen@designatedassociates.com www.womeninbusiness.co.uk Below: Sara Lawton (centre) is pictured with host Pauline Daniels and Michael Halsall of Michael Halsall Solicitors (Headline Sponsor)

Tabitha wins 2014 Liverpool Art Prize Tabitha Jussa is the winner of the 2014 Liverpool Art Prize. The talented photographer was presented with her award at a special ceremony at METAL, located at Edge Hill Station, collecting the main prize, which includes £2,000 and an invitation to create a solo exhibition at the Bluecoat in 2015. The Liverpool Art Prize is a competition of contemporary art inspired by the Turner Prize coming to Liverpool during the Capital of Culture year in 2008. The competition celebrates and nurtures the creative talent of artists based or born in the Liverpool region. The shortlist and main prize winner was decided by a highly qualified panel of judges, including Czech-born, UK-based artist, teacher and occasional writer, Pavel Büchler, Artistic Director of Tate Liverpool, Francesco Manacorda, and Simon Poulter, new media artist and Metal’s Associate Curator.

Tabitha’s socio-political photographic work has captured match-day crowds and abandoned social housing estates. Her recent large–scale compositions examine whether physical spaces and buildings define who we are. Her entry built upon this body of work by examining high profile, controversial examples of regeneration projects to highlight the triumphs, failures and short sightedness within society of the treatment of people and place. She said, “I have been a supporter of the Art Prize since its initial conception. It was an amazing honour to simply be nominated, but to actually win it is an incredible feeling and I can’t quite believe it. I feel very proud that photography can sit aside other traditional art forms such as sculpture and paintings.”

For the second year running the main prize winner has also matched the choice of the public, as Tabitha also won this year’s People’s Choice Award, which comes with a prize of £1,000. The winners of the two residency opportunities were; Robert D. Davies, who received a yearlong residency at METAL and Dinu Li, who won the month-long residency to China, in partnership with Shanghai Art School. www.liverpoolartprize.com and www.metalculture.com

Talented sales co-ordinator directs successful show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival Local Sales Executive Sarah Van Parys is celebrating the success of an award winning play which she directed. Sarah works at Bootle based packaging firm Weir & Carmichael and she is the Director of “The Road to Skibbereen”, a first play written by actress Angela Walsh (Eileen in Distant Voices, Still Lives, Carol Salter in Brookside). It is a bittersweet comedy/drama that explores the development of Alzheimer’s and offers an awareness of learning difficulties. The story is of the enduring love between a mother, Nora, and her daughter, Lianna, and about how that changes when they find their roles reversed. Lianna, who has learning difficulties, always appears to be in trouble but something is happening to her mother and Lianna thinks it is her fault. When she finds a pair of trainers in the fridge at home Lianna realises that she is not the only one who has problems. “The Road to Skibbereen” won the award for best show at the ‘Write Now Festival’ and was shown at the ‘Edinburgh Fringe Festival’ in August. Sarah’s direction of the play received excellent reviews and the show has earned high praise from many critics, including Paul O’Grady, who said “The show is “wonderful..a must see!”. Sarah is currently on the Everyman Playhouse Young Directors 2-year Course and her play was shown in the new studio there a couple of months ago. She has also previously directed for The Annexe Writers (The Everyman Playhouse), The Unity Theatre, Theatre in the Rough (Liverpool Biennial 2012) and is currently in the process of creating her own theatre company, Falling Door Theatre, and she is looking to get involved in more projects across the North West, particularly on Merseyside.

Sheila Hayes (right) with Sue Moister

Sheila Hayes scoops 'Apprentice of the Year Award' The Faculty of Education would like to congratulate Sheila Hayes on her latest success. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce apprentice Sheila Hayes, who has worked at Liverpool Hope University since 1998, was the proud winner of the 2014 Liverpool City Region Apprentice award in the over-25 category. Sheila, Office Co-ordinator in the Faculty of Education, has studied Level-5 Leadership and Management (ILM) and a Diploma in Management (VQR). She was nominated for the award by her training provider, Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce, for her outstanding achievement, commitment to the course, personal development and a positive attitude to learning. The award was presented to Sheila during a glittering ceremony held at The Grand Marquee, Knowsley Hall, on Friday 20 June, when the achievements of the city’s apprentices were celebrated.

It was also a particularly proud moment for Sue Moister, who has been Sheila’s assessor whilst undertaking her qualification: Sue commented, “Sheila has been an outstanding candidate since day one. We’re incredibly proud of her achievement which is richly deserved.” Operations Manager and Head of Liverpool Chamber Training, Mary Smyth, was keen to praise Sue’s role in Sheila’s success.

“This is a great achievement for Liverpool & Sefton Chamber, particularly as this is the second consecutive year we have had a student win this prestigious award.

On receiving her award, Sheila said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my studies, and even more so putting my new skills to good use in my job. My course assessor, Sue Moister was extremely supportive, which really helped. This latest qualification has really helped me enhance my skills and fed my appetite for learning.

I am hoping to continue my studies in the future, which will help me to progress in my career at Hope."

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 17

LIVERPOOL LEGAL Liverpool-based law firm Morecrofts has launched their HR and Business Services programme, with a champagne and canapé event at The Hard Days Night Hotel for invited business owners. The firm has strong credentials and experience in providing employment law, and are drawing on this expertise to enhance their offer to businesses and business owners.

Morecrofts Solicitors grow Commercial offer with the launch of a one-stop-shop for Human Resources

Managing People with Morecrofts

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HARLES MILLETT, Employment Partner at Morecrofts, is heading up the new service and he said: “The HR and Business Services offer from Morecrofts is not intended to replace what we do, but to expand on what we do well. Rather than just advising businesses when something goes wrong, we want to work with you to safeguard your business from the outset and have a plan in place to prevent any future stumbling blocks.“ Charles is Group Leader of the Private and Business Law Section and Head of the Employment Team at Morecrofts. He qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and joined Morecrofts in August 2005, having worked as a solicitor in Hertfordshire and also in Newcastle before heading to Liverpool. He joined Morecrofts because, “They offered me the opportunities and the challenges that I was looking for. I also wanted to move back to the north-west, which is where I’m from originally.”

He is looking forward to helping businesses with their HR requirements and says of the new HR service, “Morecrofts has offered employment law for many years to employers and employees, and we will continue to do so. However, we are adding to this a new service that will also enable us to give HR advice to employer clients. This means that employer clients won’t just see Morecrofts as someone to contact when things go wrong, but rather they will view us as providing an essential day to day service for their business. As we look to grow our commercial offerings, Morecrofts will be promoting a raft of essential business services under this new venture. These services will include specialist employment law advice, HR services and signposting clients to providers of advice on pension auto-enrolment and payroll services through Morecrofts’ panel of preferred service suppliers.”

“It is very much about utilising the experiences of the wider team at Morecrofts and leveraging relationships we have to provide important HR services and signpost service partners, confidently referring you to providers who best fit your business and your objectives; and on the understanding that we can work alongside those partners to provide a joined up and holistic approach to protecting your business” His aims for Morecrofts are genuinely expressed when he says, “I wish to see the firm grow year on year, both in terms of the work we carry out for individuals and for businesses. I would hope to enhance Morecrofts’ reputation as a forward thinking firm which responds to the needs and wishes of our clients. This is done by providing a service based upon you dealing with individuals you can trust and engage with.”

Morecrofts will discuss your requirements with you to agree a fixed fee for the services they offer. For more information please email: cgm@morecrofts.co.uk or ch@morecrofts.co.uk or call the head office on 0151 236 8871

At Morecrofts HR & Business Services, we are here to help you manage your people. Whether you are a large company employing hundreds of staff across many sites or whether you are an ownermanaged business employing your first few employees, we can provide the HR and employment law services you need.

OUR FOCUS IS UPON

By combining a range of services required by employers, we offer a one stop shop approach. Within that structure, there is the flexibility to match the services you require.

We will introduce you to our preferred service suppliers for pension auto-enrolment and payroll

Matching what we offer to your needs rather than a hard sell approach Providing solutions to your problems rather than telling you what you can’t do We work on the basis of fixed fees and do not tie you into retainers lasting several years at a time

For an initial FREE face to face consultation please contact Charles Millett

CGM@Morecrofts.co.uk or 0151 236 8871

MORECROFTS HR & Business services www.morecroftshr.co.uk

@MorecroftsHRB

Our offices: Liverpool City Centre

Crosby

www.MorecroftsHR.co.uk 18 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Delivering a personal service where you deal with real people rather than a call centre

Woolton

Wirral

/MorecroftsSolicitors

Allerton

London

@MorecroftsHRB

Morecrofts LLP offers legal advice on a broad range of services for individuals and businesses LLP No. OC333433

FULLY REFURBISHED CUTTING EDGE GOLF TECHNOLOGY SUPERB OUTDOOR MINI GOLF AND ‘SHORT GAME’ FACILITY GOLF ACADEMY PGA COACHING JUNIOR CLUB CLASSES CAFÉ BISTRO

IDEAL FOR ALL YEAR ROUND AND EVENING GOLF PRACTICE

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ANAGED by Adam Maher and set up by his father, Ian, and his uncle Keith, the Liverpool Golf Centre has now completed the latest stage of the Maher’s extensive redevelopment plans. As keen golfers themselves, the trio have been determined to provide a much needed, quality golfing facility for locals and visitors to the area.

They have succeeded beyond expectation.

A superb outdoor ‘Short Game’ area and a two-tier Astro Turf Target Green has now been added to the Centre’s new facilities, which include two high tech teaching bays, manned by two experienced PGA Coaches, a fully equipped Training Academy and a Golf Clothing and Equipment shop that stocks all the leading brands, including Galvin Green, Oscar Jacobsen and adidas.

In developing the unused land alongside the driving range bays and clubhouse, the Maher’s have been able to add the short game area and 9-hole mini golf facility to their Centre, allowing customers to be able to work on all aspects of their game.

Says Adam, “Our PGA coaches will use the area as part of their lessons and we will also be running a ‘kids’ golf club’, using the short game and mini golf areas. “ The outdoor area has been created using the latest high tech astro turf, which is the best synthetic material available. The astro turf was supplied and fitted by UK Artificial Lawns, a business run by Carl Moss and Anthony McGloughlin. Carl said: “For the project at Liverpool Golf Centre we used a brand new product. Astro turf has moved on significantly and the latest materials are far superior to those previously available, so it is much more like real grass, which is important for a place like Liverpool Golf Centre as it replicates the hitting of your ball on a golf course green.“

LIVERPOOL

The Driving Range

GOLF CENTRE AND DRIVING RANGE

Located on Caldway Drive in the Netherley area of Liverpool and within easy reach of many of the city’s golf courses, Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range has recently been taken over by new management and has undergone significant investment and refurbishment to create an excellent first-class golfing facility.

A delighted Adam says, “We are really pleased with the progress we have made here. When we took over the driving range it was in a pretty depleted state but we were determined to turn the place around and create a venue that all of the family can come along to and enjoy.” It has taken a lot of hard work but the Liverpool Golf Centre is barely recognisable today from when the Maher’s first took over, and is quickly attracting visitors back to the Centre. Adam is happy to announce that, “Most local golfers were going elsewhere to practice but after just a couple of months we are now seeing them coming here to make use of our facilities. Our footfall is already around 800–1000 people per week and we are getting some excellent feedback.”

There are two great options when you visit Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range. You can just buy a traditional "Pay & Play", or if you are visiting more than once and want to save £££'s you can get a membership card and top it up as you wish.

Included in the excellent new facilities at Liverpool Golf Centre is a relaxing Café Bistro, which serves freshly cooked food and shows live sport on a wide screen television – so there is something for everyone. The Café Bistro opens out onto the range and the short game area, making it easy to keep an eye on the youngsters as they enjoy playing on the putting green and the mini ‘Adventure Golf’ course.

Adam is now ready for the next stage of the Centre’s development. He explains, “The whole of the Centre has been designed to help golfers, male or female, of any age and of all abilities, improve their game. We are especially keen to encourage youngsters to try the sport, and have introduced Junior Group Classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We are also working with the Elite Sports Academy Foundation to develop a ‘golf college’ which will offer study facilities to enable 16-18 year olds to pursue a career in golf whilst continuing their education. Our next project is to develop the upstairs of the building into a classroom so that these studies can be taken in comfort.” Please contact the Liverpool Golf Centre for more details on the ‘golf college’.

The Liverpool Golf Centre is now providing a high quality and much needed golfing facility for our region, and thanks to the Maher’s foresight and hard work the residents of the Netherley area are able to enjoy a first class golfing facility that is suitable for adults and youngsters alike.

Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range Caldway Drive • Netherley • Liverpool L27 OYB Tel: 0151 487 3744 Email: info@liverpoolgolfcentre.co.uk www.liverpoolgolfcentre.co.uk OPENING TIMES: Monday-Friday 8.00am until 9.00pm Saturday & Sunday 9.00am until 8.00pm (Last balls 30 mins before closing) Golf Centre:@liverpoolgolfer UK Artificial Lawns:@UKArtificial

Adam Maher 20 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 21

Blundells Hill Founded 1994

More than just a Golf Club FOR MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SOCIETIES & CORPORATE EVENTS Club Secretary Andy Roberts: Telephone: 0151 426 9040 (Option 3) Blundells Hill Golf Club and Four Winds Restaurant Blundells Lane • Rainhill Merseyside • Liverpool L35 6NA Email: office@blundellshill.co.uk www.blundellshill.co.uk

• 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE THAT IS PLAYABLE ALL YEAR ROUND • THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR SOCIETY OR COMPANY DAY OUT • WELL-STOCKED PROFESSIONAL SHOP • QUALITY DINING AT FOUR WINDS RESTAURANT • FIRST CLASS FUNCTION SUITES FOR HIRE FOR ALL OCCASIONS • MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE

FOR YOUR LOW MAINTENANCE LIFESTYLE LAWNS GOLF GREENS SCHOOLS SPORTS SURFACES ARTIFICIAL GRASS MAINTENANCE ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING We can supply and install an extensive range of products and provide a full consultation service to ensure we use the right material for the right job. We have worked on lots of different projects, including other sporting venues such as football pitches and other commercial work.

During the last few years there has been a huge increase in people using artificial grass on their lawns. It is much easier to maintain and is a cost effective way of giving your garden a make-over and allows people to use their gardens all year round.

It is extremely durable and ideal for people with children or pets.

As well as sourcing and fitting the turf we can also help customers with the design all aspects of landscaping.

‘‘

Jan Morton took over Busy Body’s, Southport’s only independent lingerie boutique, close to ten years ago, and with her team has enabled the business to grow from strength to strength due to the personal service and top quality brands not available on the high street.

The shop where fit is everything

Your bra can only be comfortable if it’s the correct size, be fitted by our experienced lingerie specialists.

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Suppliers and installers to Liverpool Golf Centre & Driving Range

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54 B OTANIC ROAD • CHURCHTOWN • SOUTHPORT • 0 1 7 0 4 2 2 7 0 9 6

22 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 23

TELEVISION APPEARANCE FOR

HAIR

HairTransform

A hair and aesthetic salon that can make a difference

TRANSFORM English Hair & Beauty Awards Finalists 2012

root cause of the condition, Danielle was transformed and given a professional hair makeover. The hair makeover was carried out by Hair Transform's Dawn Johansen and Sophie Pringle.

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Dawn Johansen

AWN and one of her staff members, Sophie Pringle, had been asked to help with a hair makeover of a young lady named Danielle. Danielle has been suffering with Trichotillomania for the last 18 years, leaving her with a compulsion to pull her hair out. On their show, Littleborough based therapists Nik and Eva Speakman met with Danielle and discovered that she was badly bullied at school, and it was as a result of this bullying that she began to pull her hair out.

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INCE opening in 2004, Dawn Johansen’s Hair Transform salon has been able to provide invaluable help to many clients with severe hair loss and other major hair problems.

Aside from their expertise in helping people with hair loss problems, Hair Transform provides a quality all-round hairdressing and beauty service, including aesthetic treatments, a range of beauty treatments, such as Nails, Eye & Waxing, Make-up and Sunless Tans. The salon also offers a variety of special offers for their Beauty Treatments.

Here we tell of how Hair Transform’s reputation led to the salon being asked by ITV to appear on a recent episode of their Speakman’s show. The Speakman’s series featured Nik and Eva Speakman as they attempted to successfully treat ordinary people with extraordinary problems that affected their quality of life.

24 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Dawn said: “We were thrilled to be asked by Nik and Eva to help with Danielle’s makeover. As she had severe hair loss in certain areas of her scalp a 'volumising' hair piece system was required. To describe this system briefly; it comprises of a mesh base and top parting piece with hair extensions attachments. High quality human hair is used and the system is semi permanently attached, which allows clients to lead a normal life. We use these systems for many of our clients who suffer from trichotillomania. They are also suitable for other forms of hair loss such as alopecia, genetic thinning or for loss due to chemotherapy or injury”.

“We were really pleased with the results for Danielle, who has now become a good friend. Her new hair looks really beautifully natural. The hair system is an added benefit to her treatment because the system helps to protect damaged areas and we have found with all trichotillomania clients that this also helps as a deterrent to 'pulling.'”

Due to 'pulling' out her hair, Danielle had several severe bald patches, A delighted Danielle said: “The makeover really helped me get which left her with a serious lack of confidence. She hadn’t been able my confidence back. I just thought I was going to talk about my to go out with friends or enjoy a social life for a long time and was Trichotillomania on the show but to have that done as well was great. desperate to stop pulling her hair out. Danielle Before the makeover I felt ugly and very said: “I went on the show because I had “We were thrilled to be asked to unconfident, but now I have had it done suffered from Trichotillomania for 18 years and help with the makeover and I have really found my confidence again. couldn’t handle it any more. I didn’t have a life were really pleased with the results I never used to go out but now I have my and I had become a hermit and wasn’t doing social life back.” for Danielle, who has now become anything, so I wanted to try and change that.” a good friend. Her new hair looks During the show Danielle was also treated During the show, Nik and Eva sat with Danielle to a photo shoot by Malcolm Journeaux really beautifully natural”. in therapy, called Schema Conditioning of Rochdale, who has kindly allowed us Psychotherapy, which was developed by the to use the photos for this article. Speaking about the photo shoot, Speakmans.

Danielle said: “The photo shoot was a bit scary to start with because To help her overcome her compulsion, the Speakman’s met with there were lots of people watching.

Danielle’s family, who made an emotional plea to try and help her At first I found it a bit daunting to overcome her condition. She said: “The process of making the show pose, but Malcolm was brilliant. He was very daunting but Nik and Eva were very professional and really really kept me at ease and kept me kept me at ease. They kept me informed of everything, as I didn’t relaxed throughout the whole thing.” really know what to expect.” After receiving therapy and finding the Danielle said of her appearance on the show: “I think that by doing this I have shown other people with Trichotillomania that there is hope, and that there will be that one day where things can change.

To see a video clip of Danielle’s makeover please visit the Hair Transform website: www.hairtransform.co.uk If you would like to find out more about how Dawn and Hair Transform can help with your hair problems please contact the salon at:

2-6 Queen Avenue Queen Building • Castle Street • Liverpool • L2 4TZ Telephone 0151 909 8198 • www.hairtransform.co.uk

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 25

J O H N B R O W N W E D D I N G FAY R E S

Ex Coronation Street star, Michelle Keegan, at the launch of her new LIPSY collection at the Bank store, Liverpool ONE.

Former Rugby Union England International Rory Underwood at the International Festival of Business

Jude Cisse enjoying the Liverpool sunshine

My little Black Book of Wedding Secrets John Brown is the man behind

www.weddingfayresnw.co.uk

TOWIE’s Mark Wright at the Titanic Hotel

Dave Evans/Bond Media Agency Liverpool’s own Dave ‘the Pap’ Evans, a well-known Liverpool photographer shares some of his great pics of the many celebrities who live in or visit our wonderful city. Look out for more celebrity faces, courtesy of Dave (Bond Media Agency), in future issues of My Planet Liverpool.

Music legend Burt Bacharach outside the Empire Theatre

a comprehensive guide to planning your wedding and choosing the very best people to help you with every element of your big day. Having worked at the top end of Hotel Management for over 25 years, John is very familiar with how good (and bad!) Wedding Fayres work- he really has seen them all. As a result of his experience and knowledge, John devised the website www.weddingfayresnw.co.uk as an online 'little black book' of all his best kept wedding secrets.

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LONGSIDE John’s website business, his current Wedding Management role finds him at The Devonshire House Hotel, on Edge Lane, Liverpool, which is one of the Northwest’s largest wedding venues. John says, “Everyday I am dealing with wedding preparations and the big day itself, so I suppose you could say that I have become a 'wedding guru.' I tend to guide all the brides-tobe and their partners through every step of their big day, and I wanted to devise an online version of this service for people everywhere.”

He adds, “All brides-to-be really need is access to the right people! Some prefer to do everything online instead of traipsing around a hotel, so this website is ideal for them, as it is my handpicked 'best of the best'. I have worked with some of the very best businesses involved with weddings, and possibly a few of the worst, so my website is a secret black book to who does the best flowers, food, music, dresses and much, much more.”

Although only in its early stages of launch, John’s website has had over 5,000 hits to date, of which 1,200 have converted into bookings for a variety of wedding service outlets that he has made personal recommendations for. John doesn't just rely on online business however.

He is hosting two Wedding Fayres at The Devonshire House Hotel in the near future, which will give happy couples the opportunity to sample the various services for themselves.

JOHN’S NORTHWEST WEDDING FAYRES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE DEVONSHIRE HOTEL, EDGE LANE, LIVERPOOL ON: Sunday 28th September 2014 and Sunday 30th November 2014 ENTRY INTO THE FAYRE AND CAR PARKING AT THE HOTEL IS FREE

Dani Lawrence, long term partner of LFC goalkeeper Brad Jones, (left) at San Carlo Restaurant with Erin O’Neill, fiancé of LFC’s Fabio Borini 26 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Liverpool lovely Liz McClarnon meets up with boxer Tony Bellew (centre) and Juice FM’s Liam Hicks

TV personality Sam Faiers launched her fragrance line at Liverpool ONE’s Fragrance Shop

www.weddingfayresnw.co.uk Contact John Brown on: 07972 643755

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 27

HEALTH & WELLBEING

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NE of Liverpool City Centre’s most popular hairdressing establishments, Albany Barbers is located at The Arcade, which runs between Rumford Street and Covent Garden, the streets that run off Chapel Street and Water Street.

Albany Barbers has been trading in the heart of the City’s business community for over 70 years, having first opened as a traditional Barber Shop in the 1930’s on Old Hall Street. The salon’s present proprietor, John, purchased the business back in 1985 and relocated to the current premises in 2010, following an 18-year spell on Dale Street.

HAIR STYLES AT THE

At Albany Barbers you can receive a wide range of cutting styles at probably the lowest prices in the city centre. You will also be delighted to discover that you can receive a hot shave or a beard trim to go along with your haircut. There are no ‘hidden costs’ and all the rates are displayed prominently within the salon.

Cutting edge!

Albany Barbers is very competitive with their charges and attracts a wide variety of customers, including members of Liverpool Football Club’s U-18 and U-21 squads. Says John, “We have many regulars and thanks to our opening hours, particularly on a Saturday, a fair few of our one-off customers come in from the nearby Atlantic Thistle, Racquet and Indigo hotels, often relieved to find a barber on the doorstep to allow them to get that last minute haircut or shave on their way to a wedding or special function.”

Discover Albany Barbers for yourself.

Regular and new clients are always welcome and John and his colleague Ian both look forward to seeing you very soon.

ALBANY BARBERS the gentlemen’s experience Unit 2, The Arcade, Covent Garden, Liverpool L2 8US Tel: 0151 227 2443 (John or Ian) www.albanyhair@btconnect.com Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 7-00am to 6-00pm Saturday 10-00am to 4-00pm

28 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

GIFT VOUCHERS AT VARIOUS PRICES

Spoil yourself with Pure Spa’s personalised spa treatments, from relaxing facials to heavenly massages or body treatments using Elemis, IMAGE and Ionithermie. Or try the latest breakthrough anti-ageing treatment DermaNew HyperbarOx™.

This new treatment renews and regenerates your skin with pure oxygen and is the latest celebrity ‘must have’ from Beverly Hills, California. The treatment combines oxygen and microdermabrasion, which smooths skin texture, reduces skin discolouration and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles with IMMEDIATE RESULTS! Let our expert therapists leave you feeling pampered with one of our beauty essentials including, waxing, eye treatments, tanning and nails. Take advantage of our special beauty essentials packages – for ‘holidays’ and that ‘girls night out’. At Pure we are firm believers that beauty comes from within. Our Wellness Coach can give you advice on diet and nutrition and the benefits of using Herbalife weight-management, nutritional and energy and fitness supplements – ideal for people seeking a healthy lifestyle.

IMAGE Skin Care peels (Amazing result driven peels for all skin concerns and conditions • Semi Permanent Makeup • Lycon Wax (a painless wax) • Vinylux (long lasting polish) Specialist Skin Care • Elemis face and Body Treatments • Spa Pamper Days

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS!

• IMAGE Skin Peels • Ionithermie Slimming Treatments Non Surgical Treatments • Creative Nail Design • Beauty Essentials • Lycon Wax (a painless wax) • DermaNew™ Dual Oxygen and Microdermabrasion • Weight loss and Nutrition Management SEMI-PERMANENT MAKEUP BY CLAIRE • Vinylux – long lasting polish

is a fabulous, exciting treatment to enhance your eyes, brows and lips with a soft, natural finish that looks and stays looking, like perfectly applied makeup 24/7! It is great for those people with a busy lifestyle, who play a lot of sport or just want to look great from first thing in the morning!

Whatever your lifestyle, permanent makeup is the hassle free solution to looking gorgeous everyday and lasts several years.

Prices start from £175 WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON

From traditional beauty treatments to healing massages, our staff are ready to indulge you. We guarantee that every treatment is an experience that you'll never want to forget.

Pure Spa and Wellness 10 Childwall Abbey Road, Childwall, Liverpool L16 0JN Call us on: T: 0151 722 3456 or use our on-line contact form E-mail: info@purespaandwellness.co.uk • www.purespaandwellness.co.uk MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 29

L WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME AN ACTOR? Chatterbox Actors Academy can help achieve your ambition

The Chatterbox Actors Academy for Adults and Children, including the Disabled, offers training in Musical Theatre, Theatre Acting, Singing, Dancing and Acting for TV or Film.

OCAL aspiring actors and actresses have the opportunity to develop their acting skills thanks to actress, writer, director and producer, Pamela Taylor. As well as Chatterbox Actors Academy, Pamela is also a Director of Chatterbox Productions, which produces films, short films, documentaries and corporate films. She has appeared in many well-known television, film and stage productions and has featured in three feature films. In television, Pamela has taken roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, while she has also been involved presenting for over three years in local radio shows on BBC Radio Merseyside with our own Sean Styles and as one of Roger Phillips people’s panellists.

Now based at Studio 6, 2nd Floor of the City Buildings on Liverpool City Centre’s Old Hall Street, next to City Wine Bar, The Chatterbox Actors Academy Ltd, is offering aspiring actors and actresses the chance to achieve their aims. As Director of the company, Pamela would like to build-up this side of the business as it will help to fund other projects.

She also specialises in teaching disabled actors and groups, and as a writer is able to adapt scripts to accommodate the actor’s abilities.

One disabled group Pamela has been working with for over 3 years has recently performed an adaptation of “Oliver”, which Chatterbox Productions filmed.

‘‘

We prepare and feed students of all ages through into the films and productions that are run by Chatterbox Productions.

We take the student out on location and involve them in live theatre, and as a Director I culture the actors so that they are ready to – C L A S take on a variety of roles.”

“All our workshops are carefully structured in developing the actor’s skills through an 8-week course of programmes and a series of techniques covering drama, comedy, improvisation, breaking down and understanding a script, working to camera, green screen and all that is very important in the audition process. Advice is given and job opportunities that come to our attention are regularly passed onto the workshop members. Once a month we also film our actors performing their monologues on Green Screen, which is essential for any actor.”

Pamela adds, “We are an Academy that believes that our Actors need to experience working out on location or on a set, and for students who have never experienced this it is very exciting for them. It is also something that they can show to casting directors when applying for roles, as gaining roles from the beginning is difficult without an acting CV. Pamela explains, “I came into acting and directing late on, when my children had grown and I wanted to fulfil my dreams. So I attended LJMU, where over a course of three years I studied acting, directing, theatre studies, film studies, script and writing. I have always loved writing and in 2005 I wrote the play, “Another Kind of Love” which tells a story of a Priest’s struggle with his own thoughts and feelings, and with that play finished, I decided that all it needed was for it to be performed. So I formed Chatterbox Productions, and with some wonderful actors and me as Director, my play was performed at a few venues to test the water.

We eventually took it to St. Helens Theatre Royal in 2009, where it brought the house down.”

One of Pamela’s favourite pieces is a short film “The Green Dress”, a story about a young girl living in the 1940s at the outbreak of World War II. Chatterbox made this on a budget of £75.00 and it won three Awards. “I will always be proud of the people actors I taught and who were involved in this film, especially 8-year old youngster Caitlin Baxter (pictured above in pink dress). More recently on 27–29th June 2014 we filmed “The World Corporate Games” in Liverpool, which we are hoping to turn into a Documentary later this year. “

30 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

S E S –

ADULT CLASSES Tuesday and Thursday evenings: from 7.15pm – 9.15pm • £15.00 CHATTERBOX SHINING LIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AGED 5-12 YEARS Saturday mornings from10.00am – 12.00pm £6.00 per week CHATTERBOX YOUTH ACADEMY FOR AGES 12-18 YEARS Saturday afternoons from 1pm – 3pm £9.00 per week CHATTERBOX TINY TOTS Tuesday mornings from 10-30am – 12.00pm Where little ones will sing and experience fun and games with mums.

(Mums are required to stay with children). £4.00 per session Facebook: Chatterbox Productions Website: www.chatterboxnorthwest.co.uk FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Pamela Taylor: 07941 650298 Chatterbox Actors Academy Studio 6 • Floor 2 • City Buildings Old Hall Street • Liverpool • L3 9BS

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 31

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK

A host of horrible zombies and vampires await to guide you through BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY

Plus live bands playing throughout the evening.

Calisa Calisa is an independent family run Coffee Shop where you can go to eat, drink, and socialise 7 days a week.

There is a very relaxing ambience to Calisa, with a warm cosy atmosphere that is complimented by a quality service provided by friendly staff, all combining to create a great place in which to unwind for a spell.

This family run concern, which celebrates the first anniversary of its opening in October, serves premium coffee and teas, delicious cakes, and a variety of tempting homemade soups, paninis and bagels, including the very popular breakfast bagel. You can also choose from a variety of freshly made sandwiches, pies, and daily specials, as well as a range of fresh gluten free cakes and pies.

Calisa is more than a Coffee Shop and welcomes the local community through a variety of special afternoons and evenings. These include: Open Mic nights, Classical Guitar Evenings, Reading Clubs & Poetry Nights, Quiz Nights, Book Clubs and Knit & Natter.

• Gluten Free Produce • Daily Specials • Birthday Parties • Christenings • Baby Showers • Family Occasions • Private Parties • Calisa can accommodate up to 24 people • Outside Catering available Open from 8.00am (Food served until 9.00pm Tuesday/Thursday/Friday)

OPEN MIC NIGHT FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER ALL WELCOME

WRISTBANDS

£ 18.00 PP WHEN BOOKED ONLINE

HALLOWEEN 31.10.14

4.00PM - 10.00PM

vampirepleasurebeach.com 0871 222 1234

Fully Licensed

All Wristbands £18 online in advance

Bookings for Christmas now being taken

Wristbands £22 at the ticket centre on the night

Look out for all of Calisa’s special events via Facebook and Twitter FREE WI-FI

Telephone: 0151 722 0493 84, Childwall Priory Road, Liverpool L16 7PF Email: calisa@hotmail.co.uk @CalisaChildwall

32 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Calisa

Calls to 0871 numbers cost 10 pence per minute on the BT network, calls from other networks and mobiles may vary.

O

RIGINALLY from Telford in Shropshire, Nic began her love affair with Liverpool in the late ‘80s during a visit to see family friends in Garston.

Nic recalls; “During my first trip here in 1988, I figured I couldn’t visit Liverpool without hopping on a Beatles Tour. I’d heard my parents talk about them and even in those early days I was fully aware of what a big deal they were in Liverpool. I sat on the bus, listening to the crackly cassette tape of Beatle tunes that the driver was playing, and found myself smiling at the tour guide’s gloriously nasal scouse accent! We pitched up in Beaconsfield Road, outside the iconic wrought iron gates at Strawberry Fields. At this particular point I was relatively unaware of their significance, but got off the bus and had my picture taken next to them, as it seemed like the right thing to do. Then, when I got back on the bus, my ‘bolt of lightning’ moment happened. The tour guide changed the cassette and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ came on. I was staring out of the window at Strawberry Fields, listening to John Lennon singing “Let me take you down, cuz I’m going to….” It was my first glimpse at just how much these four young scousers had achieved from such humble beginnings. It was then that I also realised I had a lot of catching up to do.”

From then on, Nic made regular trips to our city and became a familiar face at the usual Beatle haunts, including the Cavern and the Annual Beatles Convention, where over time she has made many close

MY LIVERPOOL HOME WHY IT’S NOW

My Planet Liverpool is introducing a new series featuring people who were born outside of our region but have chosen to make Liverpool their home. As our wonderful city continues to enjoy its ongoing resurgence, people from all over the UK are choosing it as their new home for a number of different reasons; the universities, the culture, new jobs and new investments, being just a few of them.

We begin our new series with music lover Nicola Perrins, founder of the popular Mersey Gig Guide.

‘‘

“At the time, there were a number of gig websites available covering this area, but no-one seemed to be pulling all of those listings together into one place.

So in January 2014 I created the Mersey Gig Guide on Facebook, with a view to giving bands and venues free exposure and offering fans an easy ‘one-stop’ music resource. Within just a few months I had gathered 5,000 followers on Facebook and everyone I spoke to seemed to have heard of the Mersey Gig Guide. The feedback was amazing and everyone was telling me it was what the city had needed for a long time.”

Nic has taken quite a different approach to her gig guide and as well as sitting for hours at her computer punching in gig dates, she also gets out to meet as many bands and venue owners as she can. “It’s really important to me that I become more than “just a Facebook page” to all the people who use the Guide. I recently moved to an office in Parr Street Recording Studios, which has put me in the heart of the city. I am meeting artists and visiting venues every day, raising awareness of the Mersey Gig Guide to ensure that everyone gets the most out of it.”

This month (September) sees the launch of Nic’s new website, which she hopes will become Liverpool’s number one ‘go-to’ site for everything related to the local music scene. “I already supply the gig guide to a number of other local media outlets and a new local radio project is

One thing I never tire of is the choice of venues and music that there is here.

Regardless of the time or day, there is always a band on somewhere or a guy singing with his guitar.” friends. She continues: “Throughout the ‘90s I came to Liverpool whenever I could, and although the Beatles were always a very large part of that, I quickly started to fall in love with the city itself. Telford started to feel less like home and I knew that one day I would live here – it was just a matter of time.”

In 2007, Nic did indeed make the move here, and within a few months she had the opportunity to start her own PR Agency. Once the business was established, she concentrated on making the most of all the live music the city had to offer. “One thing I never tire of is the choice of venues and music that there is here”, she says. “Regardless of the time or day, there is always a band on somewhere or a guy singing with his guitar. I can happily sit for hours, watching, listening and soaking it all up. I’ve always been a massive music fan and I am at my happiest watching a gig and clutching a Guinness! After seven years in Liverpool, I had made a lot of connections on the local gig circuit and decided that I would really like to use my PR skills to start helping bands and venues get extra exposure for their gigs and events.”

also in the pipeline. It all helps to raise awareness of the Mersey Gig Guide, but the website will take it to another level. It has required months of planning and will be unlike any other gig guide website. I can’t wait to unleash it on Liverpool!”

Thanks to Nic’s hard work and friendly personality, the last eight months has seen the very rapid growth of the Mersey Gig Guide, with 2015 promising to be even more interesting. If it’s not a household name already, My Planet Liverpool has a feeling it soon will be.

For more information, visit www.merseygigguide.com Or contact Nic on 07962 171780 or nic@merseygigguide.com

Nicola moved to Liverpool in 2007.

34 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 35

LIVERPOOL MUSIC SCENE

THE

CHRISTIANS Born again in the Ideal World of music

D

ESCRIBED as "the Temptations in ripped jeans" by one rock critic, The Christians’ infectious melodies and warm harmonies had a deep emotional undercurrent to them. Feeding on accusations, protest, despair and even self-doubt, the band’s "socially aware soul" made a big impact on the complacent music scene of the late 1980s.

The Christians first entered the album chart at No.2 with their debut release, which featured the Top 30 singles "Forgotten Town", "Hooverville, "Ideal World" and "Born Again". A sell-out tour of the major British cities followed, including consecutive nights at the Hammersmith Odeon, with additional appearances in Holland, Germany and France. Says Garry,”It was one of those special albums of its time, and people always say the same thing to me, 'it was never off our record player/cassette player/CD player’. We always get such an emotional reaction when we play the songs off that album and also the second one, COLOUR (which Garry proudly reports knocked Phil Collins off the number one spot!’). People don't often remember the names of the songs but when we start playing Ideal World, Greenbank Drive, Born Again, What’s in a Word etc, they all suddenly realise that they know every word!

In 1988 The Christians released a cover of the Isley Brothers' "Harvest for the World", with all proceeds going to British Third-World charities. They also performed with fellow Liverpool artists Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson and Gerry Marsden on a version of "Ferry Cross The Mersey", which stayed at No.1 for three weeks and which was released in aid of all those affected by the 1989 Hillsborough football disaster. Their second album, "Colour", was released in 1990 and, as reported above, went to No.1 in the album chart. The most successful single was the atmospheric "Words" but others released included "I Found Out" and the uplifting "Greenbank Drive". In 1992 their third album, "Happy In Hell" reached No. 18 in the album charts and included the singles "What's In A Word" and "The Bottle".

The band continued to tour and in 1993 released a greatest hits album, "The Best of The Christians", which also featured a new track, "Perfect Moment", and a version of Bob Marley's "Small Axe".

Rumours about the group disbanding were rife, probably due to Lead singer Garry Christian moving to Paris in the mid-‘90s to produce a solo album, the Mercury Prize nominated "Your Cool Mystery". The rumours proved to be unfounded after Garry released the album in 1998 and returned home, and was touring regularly with the band again by the end of the decade.

It has been 27 years since The Christians burst onto the music scene with their album of the same name. This 1987 musical delight heralded a double-platinum selling album debut for the Liverpool brothers Garry, Russell and Roger Christian, who were accompanied by songwriter, guitarist and keyboards player Henry Priestman, who amazingly had the middle name of Christian.

Photo: Sharon Foley

36 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

The Christians fifth studio album was commissioned as a FRANCE ONLY release and was aptly titled "Soul From Liverpool." The album featured a number of new songs plus noteworthy versions of other artists' songs, including Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released", The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun", and a powerful version of Cat Stevens’ "Where Do The Children Play", of which Cat Stevens himself commented on BBC Radio, as “being 'better than his own version.”

The album confirmed the band's ability to re- interpret other musician's work to great effect. The year 2012 marked the 25th anniversary of their first album's success and The Christians released "Speed Of Life" to mark this milestone. Deluxe versions of their debut album, The Christians, and their second album, Colour, were also released, and include a number of bonus tracks and remixes. Sleeve notes from Garry Christian, along with some rare images from the time complete these attractive packages.

“My current band have been with me for a good few years now and we're tighter than ever”, says Garry. “The line up is now Joey Ankrah (Electric guitar and vocals), who's not bad! His father, Joey Senior, sung with the great Liverpool band The Chants, managed

by Brian Epstein and renowned for the fact that 'The Beatles' were their warm up band! His sister, Holly, can also raise a tune or two and sings alongside Dave Stewart. Then there is Neil Griffiths on acoustic guitar and vocals, Lionel Duke (drums), Mike Triggs (keys) and Cliff Watson (bass).

We are constantly touring and have just come back from the festival circuit in France and Spain this year, which will be hard to forget with crowds of 20,000 and more.”

The early years of this new century saw the band performing largely acoustic sets around the country, whilst working on another studio album. The result was "Prodigal Sons", released in 2003 and showcased on a nationwide tour. Despite the band being constantly in demand, Garry found time to compile and release a second solo album "How Does It Feel".

The Hummingbirds

The last few months of 2014 offer a few chances to see The Christians in and around Liverpool. They will be accompanied by guest band, The Hummingbirds, and have gigs in Blackpool, Runcorn, Southport and Liverpool. Says Garry, “We got to know the lads from The Hummingbirds while on the Liverpool scene and we were really impressed by their sarcasm, which disguises their genuinely impressive work ethic.

Spring 2015 will see the launch of a new album produced

by John Williams (see Ocean Colour Scene, Robert Plant, Paul Heaton and many more). 'It’s the first time for years I've really gelled with a producer and I have very high hopes of an organically wonderful result.” says Garry.

FORTHCOMING LOCAL GIGS

Photo: Arthur Gold

Saturday 27th September Friday 10th October Saturday 11th October Saturday 20th December

Runcorn at The Brindley Blackpool at North Pier Southport at The Atkinson Liverpool at Palm House (Sefton Park)

All details can be found on: www.thechristianslive.com (with all the usual social media links)

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 37

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK

Christmas Fayre

AT THE

Enjoy your night out with

WITH

music and laughter

Christmas Menu CHOICE OF STARTER

at The Slaughter House Home to live music and laughter by the bucketful, the Slaughter House is a great venue for your night out, whatever the celebration. Located on Fenwick Street, (around the corner from the city centre’s James Street Station), this historic pub boasts an extensive range of ales, a doubles bar and serves one of the finest pints of Guinness in the country, along with a variety of great quality pub food.

The friendly customers and staff combine to create a lively and friendly atmosphere that provides for a venue filled with a varied clientele that has no definitive age group, attracting the young, the middle aged and the not so young. The Slaughter House features regular live music and is also home to the Laughterhouse Comedy Club.

It is a true Liverpool gem that has lots more on its ‘menu’ than your average drinking hole, and to miss out would be a big mistake – so take a trip to Fenwick Street and join in the fun.

MUSIC AT THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE OCTOBER 2014 Friday 3: Upsidedownhead Saturday 4: Real Deal Sunday 5: Camilla Friday 10: Alan Strand Saturday 11: Zebra Sunday 12: Billy Strand Friday 17: Filter House Saturday 18: Decoy Sunday 19: Billy Strand Friday 24: The Dawn Saturday 25: Rodimus Sunday 26: Billy Strand

38 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

EXCHANGE BAR

Copperpots@theexchangebar

COMEDY

AT THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAUGHTERHOUSE COMEDY

Located in the basement of the Slaughter House pub, this atmospheric underground setting is the perfect venue for comedy.

It is a real comedian’s comedy club!

Since opening the Comedy Club doors in 2004, The Slaughter House’s narrow walls have reverberated to the laughter generated by the likes of John Bishop, Sara Millican, Stewart Lee, Mark Thomas, Dara O’Brien, Alan Carr, Tommy Tiernan, Justin Moorhouse and Jason Manford.

Comedians performing here cite the low ceilings and the stage’s proximity to the audience as reasons why The Slaughter House’s stock continues to rise.

For information on who is appearing in the coming weeks at the Slaughter House Laughterhouse Comedy Club, please visit: www.laughterhousecomedyclub.com Tel: 0800 177 7575 THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE 13-15 Fenwick Street • Liverpool • L2 7LS Tel: 0151 236 0704

Fine Dining Experience Bookings now being taken Located at the heart of Liverpool’s business community, the Exchange Bar is one of the most competitively priced bars in the business area of the city. It stands at the foot of Old Hall Street, opposite the entrance/exit to Moorfields Station, and close to its junction with Chapel Street and Tithebarn Street.

This friendly and welcoming establishment caters in the main for the local business community but is ideally placed for visitors to our city also. It is situated just a few hundred yards from the Liverpool Waterfront and within a few minutes walking distance from the Crowne Plaza, Thistle Atlantic Tower, Indigo, Travel Lodge and Radisson hotels, as well as the Passport Office.

The Copperpots catering team at the Exchange Bar, headed by top chef Richard Mdsin, serves delicious food daily from 12 noon until late afternoon. A wide range of delicious fayre, including vegetarian dishes, is served up by Richard and his staff and affords another great reason to visit the Exchange.

The Exchange Bar No. 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HF Tel: (Bar) 0151 255 0028 • Tel: 0151 255 0167 (Office) Email: richardrowen2005@yahoo.co.uk

HOMEMADE CHICKEN LIVER PATE (served with a Red Onion Marmalade & Toast) SOUP FRESH ASPARAGUS SOUP (served with Crusty Bread) MELON Honeydew Melon served with a Fruit Coulis GARLIC MUSHROOMS Breaded Mushrooms cooked in a Garlic Butter ******************* CHOICE OF MAIN COURSE ROAST BEEF (served with Yorkshire Pudding) ROAST TURKEY (served with Pig in Blanket) ROAST PORK (served with Sage & Onion Stuffing & Apple Sauce ALL SERVED WITH ROAST POTATOES & VEGETABLES

******************* CHOICE OF DESSERTS CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE (served with Cream or Ice Cream) CHRISTMAS PUDDING (served with Brandy Sauce)

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2-COURSE • £11.95 p.p.

3-COURSE • £13.95 p.p.

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 39

Hitting the RIGHT NOTES

M

with Matt Martin Vocal Coaching & Recording Consultant at Bellissimo Liverpool If you are looking for singing lessons or vocal coaching in Liverpool, or indeed anywhere, bear in mind that not all teachers work in the same way. It is important to find someone who will create a rapport with you and treat you as an individual. A teacher who will show you what to do and not just tell you, who will explain why they are giving you the exercises they are giving you, and will help you to develop your performance skills, breathing technique, posture, range, styling, as well as your voice placement itself.

E

XPERIENCED Vocal Coach and Recording Consultant, Matt Martin, runs the Bellissimo Coaching studio on the 3rd Floor of City Buildings, Old Hall Street, Liverpool city centre.

He is currently the only singing teacher in the North West registered with all three examination boards, teaching all three basic styles – Trinity for Pop, ABRSM for Classical and LCM for Musical Theatre. He also has established links with the local community and gets time at events to give his students and client’s opportunities to perform in public. He is also able to enter them into festivals (singing competitions) associated with the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Drama, where the students will receive feedback from some of the country's top musicians.

Matt tailors his lessons to fit the individual student’s starting ability, their preferred style, and their end goals. He explains, ”I teach people of all ages from 6 years old upwards. Some people who come to me are absolute beginners who want to start from scratch, some want to take exams in singing, particularly younger students who have a view of working in the industry. Some students want to work on a particular song before recording (this is called pre-production), or before an audition or a show. Whatever your age, ability or goals I can work with you to help you achieve your potential.”

40 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Everyone of Matt’s short term clients, long term students, or the parents of younger students, has commented on how quickly they have started to notice positive changes after lessons from him. The mother of one of his younger students, who had previously played the part of Oliver on stage, commented after his very first lesson that she didn't think he could sing the song he had prepared any better than he did already.

She was positively shocked at the improvement after just one lesson. A female adult client of Matt’s had been going to another singing teacher for five months but did not feel that she was developing as she felt she should be. Says Matt, “When she came to me she found it very difficult to pitch notes and to stay in tune. After one hour of coaching a week for six weeks with me, combined with lots of determination and hard work at home using the exercises I gave her, she can now hold a tune and we are currently working on her first

album, something she has wanted to do for a long time. Because of all the excellent feedback, I feel confident in guaranteeing that you will start to notice improvements very quickly.”

Matt teaches from his Old Hall Street studio in City Buildings, which is designed to be welcoming and informal, and is fitted with everything that may be needed in a session, including three different types of microphone, recording equipment, a piano, amplifier, computer, and music stand. The studio is a oneminute walk from Moorfields train station (Old Hall Street entrance/exit), and parking is available outside.

At Bellissimo, Matt offers one-2-one singing lessons/vocal coaching for clients of all ages (from six years upwards) and abilities, from beginner to professional, with the option to take exams in classical singing, pop, or musical theatre.

He also delivers elocution lessons and accent training.

If you would like to find out more on how Matt can help you with your vocal coaching, singing lessons or elocution, and to book a session with him, please call or text: 07871533362, or visit: www.bellissimoliverpool.co.uk to complete a contact form on-line.

Bellissimo Liverpool Suite 9, 3rd Floor, City Buildings, 21-23 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9BS www.bellissimoliverpool.co.uk

ATT MARTIN began singing in the St Edmund of Canterbury Choir at the age of seven, and began taking singing lessons with the Concordia Music School, where he was classically trained from the age of 14 by the late Gerald Hunt. He passed several exams with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and competed in many competitions affiliated to the British & International Federation of Festivals for Music Dance & Drama, including the City of Liverpool Performing Arts Festival, where he won four gold medals and one silver medal in 2007, and was runner up Voice of the Year in 2008. Matt joined ‘Una Voce Opera Company’ in 2005 where he performed at the annual opera supper, and undertook masterclasses with Dr Robert Alderson, Senior Vocal tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Matt studied performing arts at King George V College and has appeared in several stage productions with various theatre companies. He has played various roles, including ‘Dickon’ in the WCTC musical ‘The Secret Garden’ in 2006, ‘Nicholas Beckett’ in ‘What the Butler Saw’ and ‘Abanazer’ in Aladdin the Pantomime in 2007. He has been singing professionally since 2010, when he supported Britain’s Got Talent finalists ‘Connected’ and was featured on Dune FM on the ‘Live Sounds’ show presented by Martin Hovden.

In 2011 Matt performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End, taking part in a variety show hosted by Comedian Bobby Dazzler. He has also performed at the Annual British Classical Dance Awards, Downtown Liverpool In Business Awards, and at Liverpool Pride. In 2012 he appeared in Southport Spotlights production of ‘The Producers’, which was featured on Elaine Paige’s BBC Radio 2 show ‘Break a Leg’, and also took part in Channel 4’s Television show ‘The Audience’.

In 2013 Matt performed on board the only threemast wooden tall ship of its kind ‘The Kathleen & May’, and presented the World Corporate Games for the BBC in 2014. As well as running Bellissimo, Matt occasionally performs and he also directs three choirs.

He is registered with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College London, and London College of Music, is a Friend of the British & International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance & Drama, and a member of the British Voice Association, and Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce.

Exam preparation for his students and clients is of the utmost importance to Matt. He thoroughly prepares and enters students who want to take exams in: Musical Theatre performance – with London College of Music.

Pop Singing – with Trinity College London.

Classical Singing – with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

“Exams give great opportunities for recognition, and are ideal for those wanting to pursue a career in singing, the performing arts, or teaching. All exams are held seasonally in Liverpool and the higher grades also carry UCAS points, towards university entry.”

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 41

CHARITABLE LIVERPOOL

ALL ABOARD FOR

WOODEN SPOON

CHARITY DAY On Saturday 16 August, The Planet Lightship held a Wooden Spoon Charity event on board its decks, providing entertainment, a barbeque and plenty of hot and cold drinks to the 70 plus guests and friends of the Merseyside section of the charity that had been invited by organiser Cliff Simpson, Manager of Suttons & Robertsons Jewellers, on North John Street, Liverpool.

Wooden Spoon was founded in 1983 when a group of English rugby fans were drowning their sorrows in a Dublin bar after England's disastrous performance in the Five Nations Championship.

The victorious Irish fans presented the group of miserable friends with a wooden spoon in sympathy, and after a Guinness (or fourteen), they came up with the idea of holding a charity golf match to see who deserved the honour of keeping the spoon. The plan was scribbled onto a napkin, and put into action a few months later at Farnham Golf Club in Surrey. Over £8500 was raised and donated to a local special needs school in the form of a new minibus. Out of a devastating rugby loss, and a tongue-in-cheek consolation prize, the Wooden Spoon charity was born!

Since then the Wooden spoon Charity has been making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. All monies raised stays in the local community to fund local projects. Wooden Spoon is one of the largest funders of respite and medical treatment centres, sensory enhancement therapeutic facilities, specialist playgrounds, sports activity areas, and community-based programmes in the UK. Planet Liverpool Lightship, owned by Alan Roberts regularly hosts private functions on board its historic decks and if you would like to find out more on how to host your own function or commercial meeting please contact Alan on: 07412 625 328.

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42 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL PUBS You only have to walk into one of the many pubs scattered around our city to experience a true ‘Liverpool pub atmosphere’ and sample some of the genuine Liverpool humour to understand why this has always been one of the most hospitable and friendliest of places to visit.

The city is cram-packed with quality bars, clubs, chic cafes and a fantastic nightlife scene that has made Liverpool famous throughout the world. Real-Ale enthusiasts will have a field day, while those that like to sample pub food will find plenty of venues to fulfil their wish. The Stanley Street area has several gay friendly bars and there are also many pubs crowded with men and women from the business community enjoying their relaxing end of work drink.

There are the pubs that provide live music and karaoke, lots of student bars and, thankfully for many of us, there are still some of the traditional ‘working man’s pub’ alive and well.

Here are My Planet Liverpool’s favourite ‘Magnificent Seven’ watering holes.

YE HOLE IN YE WALL 4 HACKINS HEY TEL: 0151 227 3809 This historic hostelry is a haven for lovers of fine ale and good conversation. Famous locally for being the oldest public house in Liverpool City Centre, Ye Hole in Ye Wall is located off Dale Street, on one of Liverpool’s earliest thoroughfares, and provides an all-round traditional pub experience.

It really is a brilliant venue to visit.

• SIX REGULARLY CHANGED CASK ALES • SUPERB WINES, AND AN UNBELIEVABLE ARRAY OF SPIRITS, INCLUDING NO LESS THAN 16 TYPES OF VODKA, 10 CHOICES OF GIN AND NUMEROUS WHISKIES / WHISKEYS • SUNDAY AFTERNOON ‘SING-A-LONG’ SESSIONS

44 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

THE SADDLE 13 DALE STREET

THE PIG & WHISTLE

Standing on Dale Street at its junction with Hackins Hey, The Saddle really is a proper ‘pub-goers’ delight. Friendly staff and a good core of regular customers, this pub offers a warm welcome to visitors and is a great place to call in and enjoy a pint or two. It is also within easy walking distance to Mathew Street, Liverpool ONE Shopping Centre and the Waterfront.

• QUALITY SELECTION OF BEERS & SPIRITS WIDE SCREEN TELEVISIONS • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY WEEKEND • DOUBLES & TREBLES BAR • FRIENDLY & WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE • FREE WI-FI

12 COVENT GARDEN TEL: 0151 236 9766

THOMAS RIGBY’S 23-25 DALE STREET TEL: (0151) 236 3269 A sister Okells pub to the Fly in the Loaf, Thomas Rigby’s is a hostelry that once you have experienced its wonderful atmosphere will see you returning time after time. A big favourite with the local business people by day and evening, Rigby’s also attracts a wide range of customers from various walks of life. Just a few minutes from Mathew Street and Liverpool ONE Shopping Centre, this welcoming venue is an extremely popular and traditional Liverpool pub. It is also the place to go for a true real ale and foreign beers experience.

• A REAL ALE SPECIALIST’S DREAM VENUE • GREAT FOOD SERVED DAILY • WIDE SCREEN TELEVISIONS • SPACIOUS OPEN AIR COURTYARD • FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING STAFF • CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

Located on the corner of Covent Garden and Chapel Street, the Pig & Whistle is one of Liverpool’s oldest public houses, with over 200 years of history steeped within its walls. In a bygone age ‘The Pig’ was a popular boarding house for many of those people waiting to make their life-changing journeys to Australia and America, and the bar still proudly displays its historic sign stating “Emigrants supplied.”

COMPETIVELY PRICED DRINKS GOOD SELECTION OF BEERS FRIENDLY & WELCOMING ENTERTAINMENT ON FRIDAY EVENINGS COMPLIMENTARY SANDWICH PER PERSON WITH YOUR FIRST DRINK

THE EXCELSIOR 121-123 DALE STREET TEL: 0151 236 6486 Situated on the corner of Dale Street and Johnson Street, the Excelsior lies on the site of the former Corporation Hotel, which is recorded as far back as 1890, and which probably played host to travellers making their way to and from London. The hotel was later renamed the Old Scotch House before again changing its name in the 1960s, this time to The Excelsior. This friendly venue is very popular with the city’s discerning pub goers and provides a warm Liverpool welcome to regulars and visitors alike.

•WIDE RANGE OF BEERS, WINES & SPIRITS • SELECTION OF 6 REAL ALES – 2 REGULAR AND 4 ALTERNATING • WIDE CHOICE OF BEERS, WINES & SPIRITS • GREAT FOOD SERVED DAILY • WIDESCREEN TELEVISIONS • WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE

THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE 13-15 FENWICK STREET TEL: 0151 236 0704 Located on Fenwick Street, The Slaughter House is another of Liverpool’s oldest public houses and also boasts an underground theatre that is home to top International comedy acts provided by the Laughterhouse Comedy Club. This city centre gem has oodles more on its ‘menu’ than your average watering hole, including a resident ghost or three hanging around.

• GOOD SELECTION OF BEERS, WINES AND SPIRITS • AN ECLECTIC MIX OF LIVE BANDS EVERY WEEKEND • LAUGHTERHOUSE COMEDY CLUB EVERY WEEKEND • LIVE SINGERS ON SUNDAY EVENINGS AND SELECTED WEEK NIGHTS • HOMEMADE TRADITIONAL PUB GRUB • LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE • CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

THE EXCHANGE BAR 1 OLD HALL STREET TEL: 0151 255 0028 Standing at the foot of Old Hall Street, at its junction with Chapel Street and Tithebarn Street, the Exchange is a friendly and welcoming establishment that caters in the main for the local business community but is ideally placed for visitors to our city, being within walking distance of the waterfront, six city centre hotels and the Passport Office.

• COMPETITIVELY PRICED DRINKS • WIDE VARIETY OF BEERS, WINES AND SPIRITS, INCLUDING CASK ALES • QUALITY FOOD BY COPPERPOTS@THEEXCHANGEBAR • WIDE SCREEN TELEVISIONS • FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING • FREE WI-FI • XMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 45

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS

JOHN HALL

Working together for Liverpool SUMMER DRINKS RECEPTION

John Hall is the CEO of Professional Liverpool, an organisation that promotes professional excellence in Liverpool and the City Region. John is a well-known and highly respected figure in our region’s business community, and in each edition of My Planet Liverpool he kindly writes his own views on the professional sector of our city.

The Board of Professional Liverpool was delighted to welcome over 100 members and guests to their Summer Drinks Reception at Restaurant Bar & Grill on Brunswick Street Liverpool City Centre.

The evening gave all those attending the opportunity to meet with other members of Professional Liverpool, including the organisation’s CEO, John Hall, and Chairman, Jim Gill.

Professional Liverpool represents skill-sets and sectors from Liverpool’s top quality qualified professionals, from accountants, stockbrokers and solicitors to architects, media and digital professionals and surveyors, all of whom contribute to the region’s thriving economy. The Board create regular business networks for members of all these professions to enable them to interact on every level.

To find out more on Professional Liverpool and how you can become a member please visit: www.professionalliverpool.com

‘‘

i

T has been a busy few months here at Professional Liverpool, as we continue to represent and highlight the successes and growth within the professional services sector in the Liverpool City Region. I am pleased to say our membership numbers have also continued to increase and we now have approximately 200 firms signed up with the organisation.

With the inaugural International Festival for Business (IFB) 2014 taking place here there has been a real buzz in the city and it has been an exciting time to be a professional in our region. Professional Liverpool supported a number of events during the professional and financial services week and we very much look forward to seeing it return in 2016.

Over the last few months we are also pleased to have hosted a number of events with high profile speakers, including Richard Else, Operations Director at Jaguar Land Rover, who presented to over 80 guests at a networking lunch at The Racquet Club. Richard gave a lively and interesting overview of the Halewood journey, praising the 4,500 strong workforce as being a credit to the city, the North West and UK manufacturing as a whole.

In the light of construction starting earlier this year at the £66 million world class exhibition centre and hotel to be located on Liverpool’s waterfront, we were also delighted to welcome Bob Prattey, CEO of ACC Liverpool. At a highly successful networking lunch, Mr Prattey detailed the £760 million economic impact ACC has had on the city region and gave an informative overview of the exciting new plans.

It was also a real honour to welcome Dr Philippa Malmgren, a leading politics expert, and former US Presidential advisor no less, to an exclusive private dinner hosted at the prestigious Victoria Gallery and Museum – the original red brick university building. Dr Malmgren’s talk, entitled ‘The Great British Economic Revival’, gave us all quite an experience as we heard hear her impressive ‘around the world in 80 minutes’ views on the political scene. Touching on a range of subjects, from world monetary policy and fiscal sovereignty, to inflation and deflation, Dr Malmgren certainly held the audience in rapt attention and she finished by highlighting the success of the Liverpool docks as a vital investment opportunity for global investment. We were delighted to welcome such a renowned speaker to come and talk to our members, who gave some fantastic feedback after the event.

At Professional Liverpool we pride ourselves on listening to our members, and in recent months we have been working on our strategic review. To help with this, we asked our members to take part in a short survey. The responses showed that 100 per cent of members surveyed are satisfied or very satisfied with their membership, and more than 90 per cent of members would recommend Professional Liverpool to other organisations.

This is great news for us as we look forward to an exciting few months ahead.

We are continuing to work with the professional and financial sectors and to influence local and national public sector policies and make the sector continually better.”

John Hall CEO Professional Liverpool Tel: 0151 224 1855 • johnhall@professionaliverpool.com www.professionaliverpool.com

46 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 47

LANDLORDS REQUIRED BBL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DAVID G BLACKMAN FNAEA, MARLA ● Over

30 Years Experience in the Property Sector

● Fully Licensed and Accredited agent as a FNAEA (Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents)

Learning from

Experience

● Member

of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (MARLA)

● Fully-trained

Business Coach and Mentor

As a fully licensed agent Landlords are able to have peace of mind that they are dealing with a professional Organisation, with Client Account money protection and a redress system in place.

Business Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Suite 9, 3rd Floor, City Buildings 21-23 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9BS T: 0151 236 5851 M: 07741 260 460 E: dave@bblpml.co.uk W: bbl-property.co.uk

(L-R) Mike Ryan, Bryan Adams, Sofie Sandell, Aidan McManus and Anthony Nelson.

A

ll businesses face challenges, from small start ups to global corporations. It is the responsibility of the leaders within these organisations to identify those challenges and implement solutions to overcome them. But wouldn't it be better if you knew about the challenges before they occurred and had a negative impact your business? Better yet, would it not be great if you could see those problems before they arose and put strategies in place to mitigate them before they ever happened?

To help get a better understanding of these essential points in business, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Liverpool and the Institute of Director (IoD) jointly organised a Learning from Experience event as part of the International Festival of Business (IFB). Drawn from a variety of creative and digital industries, JCI Liverpool and IoD invited successful business leaders, Sofie Sandell, Bryan Adams and Mike Ryan, along with Andrew Nelson, who was representing the Prince's Trust and who gave a case study of how the organisation had helped him to start up his own business, to each address their members and talk about the specific challenges that they have faced during their careers and what they did to overcome them The event provided an ideal opportunity for delegates to better understand the problems that they might face during their own professional careers, and what actions they can take now to make sure that they are best positioned to come through the experience stronger. Taking in the talks from each of the evening’s speakers, delegates learnt how to leverage digital marketing to attract new customers, boost online presence to increase

48 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

sales and, if it all should go wrong, how to pick themselves up and start again.

Sofie Sandell is a professional speaker, trainer/consultant, YouTube TV presenter and author, who has been involved with JCI for over10 years. She is vastly experienced in helping business leaders understand digital tools and how they can be utilised in their business. In 2013, Sofie trained over 1,100 people around the world in digital leadership and creativity. Her aim is to inspire more people to become better leaders who are more creative and confident with digital technology to connect and create change. Her talk gave the delegates a great insight into Digital Leadership and Social Media Impact.

Bryan Adams is the CEO and founder of a Digital Inbound Marketing Agency, ph-creative. Bryan told of how the way your business brand is represented online is vital to its future. He explained that phcreative specialise in making sure that their client's voice stands out from the crowd. He informed the delegates how his company is able to provide insight, creativity and expertise to tell your company's story and engage your audience. Bryan is a strong leader with a background in communications. He is also a social media addict and inbound marketing strategist, with a passion for contagious content and disruptive ideas.

Mike Ryan Mike is a technology evangelist who is an accomplished communicator and a highly successful entrepreneur and digital futurist. He was able to engage the non-technical members of the audience in the most complex technology scenarios. A born disruptor, he eats, lives and breathes ‘future thinking’ and has helped many

large organisations on their future strategy. Mike is the founder of Fusion Futures and is an expert in Horizon Mapping and foresight studies, particularly around business planning, disruption and digital innovation. He is also a contributor to BBC radio and a columnist for several publications. As secretary of Manchester Digital and a committed futurologist, he frequently speaks about digital change across the globe.

R M BURKE & CO Accountants & Taxation Practitioners

JCI Liverpool offers you the chance to get to know people locally, nationally and internationally in a relaxed environment. Get in touch and start to network with like-minded individuals in order to build lasting connections, expand you network and increase your business opportunities. JCI is perfect for you if you are new to Liverpool and need to widen your social circles and meet new friends. The group organise monthly networking/social events and will also be meeting for other functions, including cinema trips, pub crawls and tours of historic buildings in Liverpool. At every event you attend, you will make new contacts, pick up fresh ideas and come away inspired.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JCI LIVERPOOL PLEASE VISIT: www.jciliverpool.co.uk

3 The Arcade, Covent Garden, Liverpool L2 8TA Telephone: (0151) 236 5541 Fax: (0151) 236 2830 Mobile: 0779 322 3854 Email: robert@rmburke.co.uk Website: www.rmburke.co.uk

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 49

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS

Abdelsalam El Idrissi (Arab British Chamber of Commerce), Jenny Stewart (CEO Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce), Dr Peter Mihok and John Sutcliffe

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POWER OF THE CHAMBER GLOBAL NETWORK GALA DINNER

By Alison Jones

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The celebration of the conclusion of the Power of the Chamber Global Network Conference, hosted by Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce, saw 350 distinguished guests attend a Gala Dinner in the fabulous surroundings of Liverpool’s newest venue, the Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse, the recently restored historic and iconic buildings located at Stanley Dock.

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HE conference had brought together exporters and potential exporters who discovered more about global high growth markets from Latin America to South East Asia, Middle East to Central and Eastern Europe. Delegates, including businesses from across the North West, met Chamber of Commerce representatives from 32 countries, and heard from companies with track records of success in exporting.

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The Royal Philharmonic Brass Quintet

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Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce Gala Dinner 1 Liverpool & Sefton Chambers’ Alex Vincent with Amberleigh House 2 Staff members from, CMA CGM - ITAL Large Employer of the Year 3 Jenny Stewart (CEO Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce) and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Sports Broadcaster Ray Stubbs 4 Angel Garcia Gomez, Halewood International 5 Everton Football Club Memorabilia 6 The European Champions League trophy – (L-R) Dave Hale (Mersey Forwarding), Andy Snell (Liverpool Chamber) Tom Cassidy (Liverpool Football Club), Alan Kennedy (LFC Legend), Richard Dillea (KPMG) and Dave Hoban (Mersey Forwarding) 7 Spark Up Business Russell & Brown’s Vintage Hair with the Barclays Premiership Trophy 8 Cavern Club Beatles 9 Ian Snodin – Everton FC legend 10 Chamber staff: Simona Grusaite, Kathryn Ashman and Erika Johnson 11 Guests from Eurofoods – ITAL SME Employer of the Year 12 Richard Kenyon, Director of Marketing & Communications, EFC 13 The Grand National Trophy 14 Tom Cassidy (right) Commercial Tourism Manager at Liverpool Football Club with reds legend Alan Kennedy

50 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Upon their arrival at the Gala Dinner, the guests were uniquely greeted by the winning racehorse of the 2004 Grand National, Amberleigh House. This was a forerunner to the evening’s entertainment, which included interactive horse racing and reliving the excitement of this year’s Crabbies’ Grand National.

There was also a great prize on offer to be guests of the Chamber at the 2015 National. The winners were Health@Work, ensuring that they will have to get their race day outfits ready for next Spring!

Following a welcome from John Sutcliffe and Dr Peter Mihok, respective chairs of Liverpool Chamber and the International Chamber of Commerce, the evening’s guests were entertained by some of the UK’s most successful cultural exports from the world of music and sport.

Sports Broadcaster Ray Stubbs took over as Master of Ceremonies, and before dinner was served guests enjoyed a

performance by the Brass Quintet from the world famous Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, introduced

by Chief Executive Michael Eakin. There were also motivating presentations from Liverpool and Everton Football Club’s ex-players Alan Kennedy and Ian Snodin as well as the outgoing Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Gary Millar, who is now cabinet member for business and investment.

The theme of the evening was how the Chamber Global Network is working strategically with partners that enjoy an international profile, such as Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs, Aintree Racecourse and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, in order to promote the city region abroad and create new relationships for businesses overseas.

An added treat for the guests was the display of three of sports’ most recognisable trophies. Shining brightly on display were the European Cup (courtesy of Liverpool Football Club), the Premier League Trophy (thanks to Barclays) and the Grand National Trophy (thanks to the Jockey Club). The ‘selfies’ were soon in abundance as many people took advantage of this unique opportunity to be pictured alongside these amazing pieces of silverware!

A later segment of the evening was dedicated to an awards ceremony that rewarded the achievements of those individuals and companies involved with the International Trade and Logistics Apprenticeships.

The awards provided an opportunity to celebrate with apprentices and the companies that employ them.

Categories included the Apprentice demonstrating outstanding achievement during their apprenticeship.

The winner of this category was Joseph Russell.

The Apprentice of the Year award winner went to Jessica Power. The ITAL SME Employer of the Year award was won by Euro Foods, and the Large Employer of the Year award was presented to CMA CGM. Jenny Stewart, Chief Executive of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce, presented the successful nominees with engraved glass plaques marking their achievement.

The Chamber thanked sponsors, Hill Dickinson, Barclays, Health@Work, Halewood International, Warrant Group, Colormatrix, RS Clare, Aintree Racecourse and the Jockey Club.

Entertainment was provided by the Cavern Club Beatles, the Cavern’s hugely popular and talented resident Beatle band, and the guests were able to enjoy dancing into the wee small hours.

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce • No.1 Old Hall Street • Liverpool L3 9HG Tel: 0151 236 3222 • www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk.

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 51

FORTHCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE

(L-R) Keith Cawdron, Chief Executive from Jospice, Clare Bevan LCVS and Andy Oakes, BWMacfarlane

Located at Castle Chambers, on Castle Street, one of Liverpool’s most historic and popular thoroughfares, BWMacfarlane Chartered Accountants is one of the leading, independent chartered accountancy practices in Liverpool, providing a wide range of accountancy and business support services to organisations and individuals throughout the North West of England and beyond. The company take pride in their integration with other organisations in our region, and throughout 2014 they have been holding a series of FREE seminars designed to help to improve overall business performance and overcome the financial challenges faced by businesses and charities.

T

HE latest in the series of BWMacfarlane’s seminars took place on 22 September at the offices of DWF Solicitors, at 5 St Paul’s Square, Old Hall Street. This seminar, ‘Alternative not-for-profit structures and trading’, was ideal for those who wished to gain a better understanding of the different legal structures and purpose of social enterprises, including charities and community interest companies, as well as more obscure legal structures. As charities start to see traditional sources of income dry up they are taking bold steps to try new ways of raising revenue and becoming self-sustainable.

The evening featured three speakers who each gave a talk on their own areas of expertise. Catherine Rustomji, Head of Charities & Social Enterprise at DWF LLP, has been advising charities, social enterprises and other not for profit organisations exclusively for 14 years. She is an experienced charities solicitor who advises on all aspects of charity law and regulation, in particular governance, constitutional issues and advising charity trustees on their duties and responsibilities. Catherine explained to the attendees about the key features of the different legal structures, as well as the main differences between the different forms to help those attending gain a better understanding and confidence.

Peter Taaffe, is Managing Partner at BWMacfarlane, and is a member of the Committee of The Institute of

52 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Charities and Voluntary Sector Special Interest Group. Peter’s blend of skills from his FCA & CTA qualifications and practice experience provides clients with a broad perspective and practical advice.

His focus is on improved business performance and enhanced value for clients, working with a variety of SME and charity projects. Peter spoke about how to think commercially and trading successfully and when to use a trading company.

He also emphasised about investing in your subsidiary trading company and the tax and VAT implications. Building on existing core strengths of the charity is typically the route to success and Peter was able to share with the audience real life examples and potential pitfalls.

A third talk was given by Tony Okotie, Chief Executive, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS). Tony has been CEO of LCVS since January this year. He has worked in the voluntary sector for over 10 years, including developing a successful IT social enterprise. Prior to that, Tony worked in the regional newspaper industry and had a career in retail banking.

He has also held roles as trustee and chair of various voluntary organisations, and has a Masters degree in Voluntary Sector Management. Tony gave his thoughts on trading in the not-forprofit sector as charities start to see traditional sources of income dry up – noting how charities are taking bold steps to try new ways of raising revenue and becoming self-sustainable.

‘AN INTRODUCTION TO IMPACT REPORTING’.

This will take place on Monday 6 October, at FACT, Wood Street, from 5.00pm – 7.00pm.

The seminar is aimed at executives, trustees and fundraisers of any charities and not-for-profit organisations which would benefit from a better understanding of Impact Reporting. Speakers include, Dr Adam Richards, a special social impact advisor to the FRC Group in Liverpool and an active SROI practitioner working with a range of organisations, Mathew Lanham, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Chief Executive at Neuromuscular Centre, in Winsford Cheshire, Philip Heath, Partner at Weightmans, Sean Barrett, Director at Sean Barrett Managing Consultants and BWMacfarlane Managing Partner, Peter Taaffe.

Monday 20 October will see the first of two seminars to be hosted by BWMacfarlane at their Castle Street office.

‘NEW CHARITY SORP REVISIONS’ is an early evening event, running from 4-30pm until 6-30pm, which will be ideal for trustees and executives with a finance responsibility in their organisation. The seminar will highlight key changes in the final version of the Charity SORP that will come into effect from 2015. The seminar is aimed at helping to prepare you for the new requirements, with practical guidance on transition to FRS 102 and the new SORPs. Speaking on the evening will be Peter Taaffe, Managing Partner, BWMacfarlane, Graham Wright, Finance Manager, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services and Lesley Malkin, Audit Partner at BWMacfarlane Lesley Malkin, Audit Manager, BWMacfarlane Chartered Accountants.

(L-R) Peter Taaffe, Managing Partner, BWMacfarlane, Catherine Rustomji, Head of Charities & Social Enterprise at DWF LLP, and Tony Okotie, Chief Executive, LCVS.

BWMacfarlane LLP Chartered Accountants Castle Chambers • 43 Castle Street • Liverpool L2 9SH Tel: 0151 236 1494 • Email: enquiries@bwm.co.uk www.bwm.co.uk

The second seminar is to be held on Wednesday 22 October. ‘REWARDING EMPLOYEES – AND TAX ANGLES FOR EMPLOYERS’ will take place from 8-30am until 10-00am and will feature two speakers.

Heather Summers, Consultant Solicitor – Corporate Law, DTM Legal, will give a talk on the legal options available for employers and considerations for employee contracts, and Peter Taaffe, Managing Partner at BWMacfarlane, will explain about Tax angles for employers to consider.

Breakfast rolls, with tea, coffee or orange juice, will be provided on arrival.

All seminars are FREE and will include an opportunity for networking following the talks. All the seminars have proved to be extremely popular and advance booking is recommended as places are limited. For more details on all the featured events and the attending speakers please visit: www.bwm.co.uk and to book your place at all or each of the seminars please call Vicki Harper on: 0151 236 1494 or by email vicki.h@bwm.co.uk

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 53

HEALTH & WELLBEING

•THE GREAT WA R•

remembered

ACHIEVING A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER NEW YOU

......................................

A GIGANTIC

OCCASION

FOR LIVERPOOL Little Girl Giant on Castle Street

Xolo at St. George's Hall

Grandmother in her wheelchair

Watching the Giants from Elite Legal Recruitment office on Castle Street, Andrea Foley of GT Law (on left) and Katie Silker, Complete Legal Services

An estimated one million people lined Liverpool's streets over the three wonderful days that three giant marionettes travelled around Liverpool to commemorate the 100 years since the outbreak of World War One. The three huge figures, a grandmother, a little girl and a dog, visited many of the city's landmarks, including Newsham Park and the Kensington area, during the Memories of August 1914 commemoration. Culture Liverpool Director Claire McColgan explained, “The grandmother was telling her granddaughter of her memories of this great city at the time of the Great War, and the people of Liverpool came out in force to see something so incredible.”

The spectacular event came to a close when the Grandmother, the Little Girl and Xolo her dog, sailed out of the city via the River Mersey. A special leaving ceremony saw tens of thousands of people at Canning Dock applauding as the giants were lowered into a boat by cranes, with clouds of "dry ice" vapour rising above the water as the trio of giants sailed away, leaving behind a host of smiling faces and some incredible memories.

Jean-Luc Courcoult is the director of the French street theatre company Royal de Luxe that created the giant marionettes and he says he loves to coming to Liverpool. "There's a history and a past to Liverpool that gives the city an identity and civic pride."

Xolo meets the crowd

Grandmother Giant on Castle Street

Watching the Giants from Elite Legal Recruitment office on Castle Street, Dave Blackman, Julie and Sam Duffy

Photographs: Arthur Gold (goldsnapper@gmail.com) Dave the Pap Evans (Bond Media Agency)

Watching the Giants from BWMacfarlane Little Girl Giant at Gyratory

Xolo the Dog on Kensington

54 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Waiting for the Giants, Kensington Residents Iris Martyn (left) and Rita Doran

Xolo takes time out

In today’s world we have so much within our grasp but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start in building the life you want.

Anne Marie Mayers is just the right person to help you achieve your goals."In a world where you can be anything you want....just be the best you can possibly be”Anne Marie says.

“But how do I get there?” you ask. “You let me guide you,” says Anne Marie.

A

NNE MARIE is a Skin Health Therapist, Certified Food & Spirit Practitioner, Medical Acupuncturist & Wellness Coach and the founder of RENU Wellness Clinic, which is based at Caldy Clinic, West Kirby, Wirral. She explains how she came to set up her RENU Wellness Clinic, “Having studied Beauty and Theatrical & Media Makeup, I went on to graduate from the University of the Arts in London and was privileged enough to gain experience in Fashion & Beauty with some of the UK’s largest media companies, such as Granada Studios, Loaded Magazine, Angels’ model agency and various Haute Couture fashion houses. In 2006, I brought my wealth of experience back to the Wirral and opened my first Aesthetic Clinic, FACE, where we helped several hundreds of men and women achieve their aesthetic goals.”

“I then took a break from business to dedicate time to my family. Now, through my experiences of motherhood and maturity, I focus on a more holistic and spiritual approach to health and well being. My vision through RENU Wellness is built on the philosophy that total wellness begins with prevention, and prevention begins with a balanced lifestyle. Creating balance in each of the five pillars of health, body, mind, family, society and finances, can result in a healthier more satisfying way of life.”

The RENU Holistic Health, Wellness & Anti-Ageing Programs are tailor-made programmes just for you that are based upon the techniques that have helped thousands of people increase vitality, decrease stress and sculpt the future of their dreams. Each level looks at the underlying causes of stresses on the body and considers the body as a ‘system of systems’. People understand how stress/toxic stress is preventable through healthy eating habits, lifestyle management and appropriate types of exercise. Therapies and treatments at RENU focus on the bio-energetic pathways of our body and offer treatments and remedies to unblock and release stagnant energy to relieve symptoms such as IBS, skin concerns and a general feeling of unbalance or ill health.

Says Anne Marie,“Often, more than one type of procedure might be combined to create a comprehensive treatment plan and overall rejuvenation package. At RENU we often combine holistic treatments with cosmetic procedures in order to enhance results. Anti-ageing, weight loss nutritional cleansing and wellness coaching are all services offered at RENU, while a WELLNESS PLAN service is devised as your own personal plan for achieving a happier, healthier new you.”

Every meal, every bout of exercise and every late night has a hormonal consequence. Over the last 100 years, as we have doubled our life expectancy, the organs and glands which create our hormones are being forced to produce them longer than ever.

Our increasingly stressful lives, worsening nutrition and lack of proper fitness combine to result in damaged skin, digestive disorders, weight gain, stress and fatigue. At RENU, Anne Marie will help you experience techniques such as Live Blood Analysis, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Colonic Hydrotherapy, Wellness Coaching and Spiritual healing to allow readiness for change.

In your sessions Anne Marie will guide you to help you adopt a healthy lifestyle by assisting you in: ● Identify barriers to wellness and lifestyle management ● Recognize and shift behaviours and beliefs that block success or readiness to change ● Develop an individualized lifestyle management roadmap ● Use tools and practices for self-care, reflection, balance & growth ● Set realistic personal health goals ● Monitor your progress toward achieving your goals, Educate, Empower and Encourage!

In a world where you can be anything you want . . . just be the best you can possibly be!

“You Are Not Alone”.Says Anne Marie,“You have finally reached the right place to start your journey to physical and emotional wellness NOW …Not tomorrow, Not in 12 months’ time! I am committed to supporting you every step of the way in your wellness journey so that you can have it all and more. I want to help you understand how every experience in your life affects your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”

Anne Marie offers a completely free consultation where she addresses your needs and devises a bespoke Health, Wellness or Anti-Ageing programme based on long term goals.

For more information and the services and treatments provided

by RENU Wellness Clinic please visit: www.renuwellness.co.uk or contact: RENU Wellness Clinic 161 Banks Rd, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 3HU E: annemariemayers123@gmail.com M: 07901 606 868

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 55

LIVERPOOL HEALTH AND FITNESS

choice of music. His teaching manner is firm but not bossy and he has a lovely glint in his eye, which makes me think his life isn't all about lentils, Buddha candles and chanting, (he was also the best thing about the TV Pilot of THIS LIVERPOOL). Ryan's classes are on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings, but if you can't catch those then each of the other teachers have something special to offer.

WHERE

HAPPINESS AWAITS YOU

H

OT YOGA is becoming the World’s fastest growing form of exercise thanks to the heat projected having been proven to give users a host of benefits: With hot yoga your body burns fat more effectively – it is common to lose centimetres of shape in a very short time. The heat produces a fluid-like stretch allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body. Your cardiovascular system also gets a thorough workout, while sweating promotes detoxification and elimination through the skin. Your peripheral circulation improves due to enhanced perfusion of your extremities. You also benefit from a strengthening of willpower, self control, concentration and determination in this challenging and rewarding environment. Just as when your body raises its temperature to fight infection, the raised temperature in the room will assist in improving T-cell function and the proper functioning of your immune system. Your nervous system function is greatly improved and messages are carried more efficiently to and from your brain.

Emma Rees tells of her discovery of HAPPINESS HOT YOGA, which is located on Church Road at its junction with Penny Lane, (opposite Schmooze Wine Bar), Allerton, and her delight at how this new venue has made her so very welcome during her visits . . .

56 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

B

eing a relative newcomer to Liverpool, I have been looking for some time for the right yoga class, as I wanted to give 'Hot Yoga' another try following a bad experience a year ago. Hot Yoga is not for the faint hearted and some of the classes I have been to have been quite intimidating, not dissimilar to starting a new school and being the girl who smells and no one wants to sit next to.

My trip to Happiness was so very different! It is a very bold statement calling yourself Happiness, as we all know it takes a whole heap more than a hot yoga class to feel truly happy, but a few visits to this place and you might at least feel like you've got the spring back in your step.

The studio is very minimalistic, spacious, light and airy, with floor to ceiling mirrors, flooring with antibacterial protection and full size windows along the length of the studio. It is also fitted with the latest shower and changing facilities, with individual showers for ladies, the changing rooms are newly built, there is also non-slip flooring, benches and secure lockers. There is a relaxing reception area where friendly, knowledgeable staff are available to help you. Mat and Towel hire, along with bottled water, is also available and in this light, comfortable area you can also sit and relax, enjoy a well earned drink, and chat to the teachers to identify your specific needs.

Although at first the classes seem a little intense with the heat, you are encouraged to rest when you feel it is too much for you and are allowed sips of water or coconut water throughout your session. This may not sound like 'happiness' but compared to some other much regimented yoga studios, this is paradise! I have also found that results are surprisingly fast, and after just a few classes I feel that my body looks better than it is has looked in a long while!

Fees are also flexible and realistic.

For example you can pay £70 for 10 classes, with no time limits – with a further 20% off when you mention My Planet Liverpool magazine, which effectively means you get your classes for £5.60 per class – a cost that is not extortionate.

Happiness is a real joy I strongly recommend you check it out!

The owner of Happiness Hot Yoga is Chilton Jenkins, a young entrepreneur known as ‘Chilly’ to his mates. Chilly, aged 27 years, is a very friendly young man who although not a yoga teacher himself but more of a businessman, has picked the location for his studio quite cleverly, and he doesn't mind being surrounded by semi-naked women (and men) all day, everyday. Very clever I'd say, certainly not a bad environment for any healthy young man. Chilton has built a brand that he can replicate anywhere in the country, and I have no doubt that he will.

Despite being open only a few months, and our country experiencing an unusually very hot summer, every class is full. There is something about the place that keeps you coming back. I have certainly become a ‘Happiness’ addict, and although not obsessive I feel like I am letting myself down if I don't go at least three times a week.

There is an array of teachers, all of whom are excellent. My personal favourite is Ryan Tierney (pictured), who motivates me by his Happiness Hot Yoga 2a, Church Rd, (Penny Lane junction) Liverpool Merseyside L15 9EG Tel: 0151 735 1116 • E: info@happinesshotyoga.co.uk • www.happinesshotyoga.co.uk Happiness Hot Yoga

@happiness_yoga

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 57

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HOW HERBALIFE CHANGED A WIRRAL LADY’S LIFE AND HELPED HER BECOME AN INSPIRATION TO WOMEN Local West Kirby business woman Ali Jagger is enjoying a great new lifestyle thanks to her discovering the benefits of HERBALIFE. Ali’s inspirational success story saw her featured as a front page splash last month, alongside ‘A’ listers Davina McCall and Lorraine Kelly, in national magazine WOMAN. The popular magazine featured an in-depth feature detailing Ali’s story and hailing her as an inspiration to women.

Ali’s story has also seen her being invited to appear on ITV’s This Morning show and she has also had her inspirational tale told in the Daily Mail.

What is her story? This bright and bubbly personality oozes positivity but she was not always the person she is today. Ali describes how her life was “I was not in a good place regarding my health, career and marriage. My weight had ballooned by eight stone, in part due to a series of stressful events in my life and a misdiagnosed underactive thyroid, and my self esteem was very, very low. Then I was introduced to Herbalife by a friend, started losing weight, my energy returned and life has never been the same again. Friends and family started noticing how good I was looking and asking if I could get the same products for them – and so the business began, very parttime at first, from a tiny spare bedroom in my house – I was literally just looking to make an additional £200-£300 per month” Four year’s later Ali’s business has been hailed as one of Herbalife’s success stories and she has been flown all over Europe by the company to train and inspire other distributors all over Europe including Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria and France, and she is regarded as one of their most popular motivational speakers. Ali says “I look better, feel better and I have made many genuine friends all over the world through discovering Herbalife.

It was so simple to do the weight loss programme. I just replaced two meals a day until I reached my target weight and I went from feeling permanently, physically exhausted and unable to cope, to feeling like I could take on the world!!! To be recognised by WOMAN magazine for inspiring women was magnificent.”

Ali now has her own stunning HERBALIFE headquarters located within West Kirby's Caldy Clinic, where she motivates her growing Herbalife team of Wellness Coaches and also works one to one with clients looking to improve their own health and wellness. She says, “My enthusiasm for Herbalife is obvious – it changed my life beyond all expectation and I want to help others achieve great results and feel amazing too. This is all about having fantastic self-esteem when you look in the mirror. For so many years I just felt invisible to the

world – like there was no hope. I was working for a minimum wage and thought “this is it” there just didn’t seem like there was any kind of hope for the future for me to improve my financial situation. I never thought I could run my own business, and it’s been such fun helping other people make additional income and become Herbalife success stories too.

We now also have teams building in New Zealand and Australia so it really has become a global business” Ali is straightforward about Herbalife. “There is no hype to this product – it is just the best nutrition on the planet and it works and sells itself. The fact that we have a Herbalife 'base' right here in West Kirby means we can see clients privately for a FREE Wellness Evaluation, they can try the products and learn about how we can help, motivate and support people to a healthy lifestyle. We now also have TWO Wellness Centres that have opened in Liverpool too – all helping people achieve wonderful results through education, support, encouragement and a wonderful product.

For me, Herbalife can help with two major problems in the UK right now – we are right in the middle of an obesity epidemic and people really don’t know where to turn to. PLUS we are also in a recession and for me Herbalife is a wonderful opportunity to help people who are looking to improve their financial future too.

So we can help people with both of these very real challenges – it’s certainly been LIFE-CHANGING for me!”

“My enthusiasm for Herbalife is obvious – it changed my life beyond all expectation and I want to help others achieve great results and feel amazing too.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRAINING AS A HERBALIFE WELLNESS COACH please send your CV to: ali@ali-jagger.com If you would like to find out more on how Ali Jagger’s Herbalife programme can help you to lose weight and build your confidence, please contact her for a FREE CONSULTATION on: Mobile: 07976 476 607 Alison Jagger

.com/ali_jagger

www.ali-jagger.com

58 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

Spotlight on...

JULIA PEMBERTON COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR AT WEIR & CARMICHAEL – Award winning industrial packaging supplier

WHEN DID YOU JOIN WEIR & CARMICHAEL? I joined Weir & Carmichael in November 1991 and was appointed to Commercial Director in June 2013. I am very proud that I am the first female Director and non-family member to be appointed by the company since Weir & Carmichael was founded in 1955.

PRIOR TO JOINING WEIR & CARMICHAEL DID YOU WORK ELSEWHERE? I was born and brought up on the Wirral and then went to the University of Hull to study English Literature. I started work in Bristol for the Bristol Evening Post and then moved to Reading and worked in marketing for 3M in Bracknell, Berkshire, before moving to Yellow Pages Head Office in Reading as a Marketing Manager. I moved back to Liverpool in 1991 when I joined Weir & Carmichael.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT WORKING FOR WEIR & CARMICHAEL? It was great working for businesses like 3M and Yellow Pages, however I didn’t learn much about disciplines other than Marketing. In Weir & Carmichael I have had a lot of exposure to other areas of the business, such as Production, Sales and Purchasing. The experience I have gained as a result has been invaluable to me. We have a great team spirit here and all we work closely together. There is a relatively short decision making chain and each individual has the opportunity to make a real difference. The best thing about Weir & Carmichael is the people who work there!

WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR WEIR & CARMICHAEL? We have grown significantly over the past 3-4 years and with the right team in place I am sure we can now expand much further. With a broader range of complementary packaging products our offering for customers is much greater.

We supply throughout the UK and Ireland and are also targeting Scandinavia. Our award winning range of Britwrap products has really taken off and, along with the success of our on-line shop; this has significantly increased our sales turnover.

Our aim is to grow our turnover significantly and become a one stop shop for industrial packaging materials.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORKING HOURS? I really don’t have a lot of spare time, between work, looking after children and elderly parents, but I am a big Tranmere Rovers fan and I am expecting big things of them this season, especially now we are under new ownership! I love music of any sort and play the piano, as well as regularly going to the Philharmonic. I love a good walk and I am also a keen reader.

HOW CAN BUSINESSES CONTACT YOU AT WEIR & CARMICHAEL? My email address is julia@weirbags.co.uk and my direct line is: 0151 934 1265

Weir & Carmichael 100-130 St. John’s Road,Bootle, Merseyside L20 8BH Tel: 0151 934 1250 www.weirbags.co.uk

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 59

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS

Barrie Williams Jnr (26 years service), Alex Brown (20 years), Lillian Griffiths (20 years), Stephen Williams (23 years) and Dean Alexander (22 years)

W

EIR & CARMICHAEL first opened for business in 1955, when the current Managing Director’s father, Clifford Williams, bought the business from the Carmichael family. The firm had been supplying hessian and jute sacks for wheat and animal feed and Clifford, who had strong connections with the mills selling jute and twill bags, built on this to establish a stronger business supplying hessian sacks to businesses in and around Liverpool.

Over the next 20 years the business expanded rapidly to include a wide range of packaging sacks and bags. These days Weir & Carmichael supply to over 1,000 businesses throughout the UK, providing bags to suit every industry from agriculture to zoology. The company still supply hessian sacks to the rice milling trade, but today their main product line is woven polypropylene sacks. With over 12 million of these sacks sold per annum, Weir & Carmichael is one of the largest suppliers of this product in the UK. Weir & Carmichael is now into its third generation of the Williams family, with Barrie Williams, Clifford’s son, joint Managing Director with Martin Ellioth. Said Barrie, “During our time in business we have survived a number of recessions, and we also had to recover from the devastating effects of a major fire. The fire occurred back in 1978 and it completely destroyed our original premises. After the fire we moved to premises on Pall Mall, Liverpool, where we stayed for over 30 years before moving here to Bootle in 2010.”

WEIR & CARMICHAEL

The move to larger, modern premises has allowed Weir & Carmichael to expand its operations considerably. In 2011 the company was successful in gaining a number of awards for their range of protective packaging products, including the winning of the United Utilities sponsored Liverpool Daily Post Green Award for 2011. The company was also shortlisted, from over 18,000 entries, for the HSBC sponsored European Business Awards, and was also runner up in the ‘Finals Night’ of the 2011 Merseyside Innovation Awards.

“PACKAGING YOUR WORLD”

For more information visit: www.weirbags.co.uk Weir & Carmichael Ltd PUTTING PACKAGING TO WORK 100–130 St John’s Road Bootle Merseyside L20 8BH Tel: 0151 934 1250 Email: info@weirbags.co.uk

60 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

One innovation made by Weir & Carmichael is their publishing of an extensive website that includes an ‘On-line Shop’. This allows customers to purchase items such as; kerbside and garden waste recycling sacks, Seagull proof sacks, filled sandbags, scaffold bags and sacks to go inside shredding consoles, Floor protection fabric, battery bags – as sold to councils – the Battery recycling bag is made from woven fabric, is reusable and much tougher than polythene but much cheaper than battery bins.

Weir & Carmichael’s overall business ethos is firmly rooted in the family tradition, with a solid commitment to the values of quality and service, backed by a competitive price structure. Many of their customers have been trading with them for decades and the ethics that their business is built on is one of the company’s strongest competitive advantages. Such is the loyalty shown by both management and staff to each other, that Weir & Carmichael is proud to have several members of staff who each have over 20 or 25 years of service with them.

2013 was a very successful year for Weir & Carmichael with both turnover and profits up significantly on the previous year. This continuity and loyalty of staff enables Weir & Carmichael to establish long lasting ties with customers and to have an in-depth knowledge of their requirements. Their packaging products are designed for robust industrial and commercial applications.

Weir & Carmichael believe that “Packaging should be bought for a purpose and not used wastefully.”

Weir & Carmichael is both ISO9001 and ISO14000 accredited and has an excellent reputation based on their ability to consistently provide the best service and products available.

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 61

EXPERTS IN GLOBAL TRANSPORT

BY LAND, SEA OR AIR...

containers, requiring a maximum of five containers to be used for this particular shipment.

28 years experience in Freight Forwarding

DARTSWIFT

INTERNATIONAL LIMITED GETTING THE JOB DONE ON TIME AT THE RIGHT PRICE!

O

NE of Liverpool’s best known shipping offices Dartswift International Limited, established in 1986, is located in modern offices on the 3rd floor of Castle Chambers at 43 Castle Street. Renowned as one of the most reputable and reliable companies operating in all areas of international trade, the company has a very large portfolio of clients, ranging from Importers/Exporters of High Street vitamins and health foods to manufacturers of highly volatile chemicals used in the production of semi-conductors, LED and micro-chip technology.

Other clients include the likes of paper manufactures for the magazine industry, Importers of sanitary ware – and even explosives.

Dartswift Director Richard Lowry, who has over 30 years of shipping freight experience, kindly took time to explain to My Planet Liverpool how a typical shipment into the UK is arranged by the Dartswift office for one of their clients.

62 • MY PLANET LIVERPOOL

The shipment in question on this occasion is for semi-refined fish oil, which is required to be transported from a supplier based in Lima, the capital of Peru. The process begins when the Dartswift office receives a telephone call from their client requesting a shipment to be arranged for 500,000 litres of the fish oil to be delivered to a factory located in Staffordshire.

A member of the Dartswift team records the request and will then contact one of their agents in Peru to instruct them about the order. The fish oil will then begin its long journey to Staffordshire by being despatched, as the fish oil becomes ready for shipment, from Lima to the Peruvian port of Callao.

The whole order for the semi refined fish oil will not be shipped all at once but usually in batches of between 80,000 and 100,000 litres, with each batch being placed into 20-foot

The factory in Lima that holds the semi refined fish oil is a USA/EU approved facility. The fish oil will become part of the food chain for human consumption and as such the factory operate under very strict guidelines in order to be allowed to manufacturer it. At the factory, each shipment batch of the fish oil is pumped into a container that has special lines fitted, through which the fish oil is pumped into special flexi bags. At this point the shipment will be inspected by the local Peruvian authorities and only when they have cleared it will each container be closed, with each one having three seals fitted.

The semi refined fish oil is then despatched to the port of Callao for transportation to England. Once placed aboard a ship, the journey to Liverpool can take between 27 and 30 days. When the ship eventually arrives at Seaforth, its progress having been tracked by Dartswift throughout its journey, the shipment is thoroughly checked by the Liverpool Port Health Authority and all the required paperwork is studied to ensure everything is correct and in order with the shipment before receiving further clearance

Dartswift Director Richard Lowry

from Customs. This process takes another couple of days to complete and then the shipment is ready to make the road journey to its destination in Staffordshire.

Before leaving Liverpool however, Dartswift have to undertake another process essential for the semi refined fish oil. On its travels from Peru the fish oil will have cooled and consequently thickened. So, to reduce the viscosity, the fish oil will be steam heated in accordance with the customers requirements. The flexi bags containing the fish oil will be heated to 40 degrees Celcius and then loaded onto the lorry taking the shipment to the Staffordshire factory. The containers will be wholly covered with a specially designed thermal coat, this coat (pictured on trailor) is the invention of Bootle company J.H. Tank services and will help to ensure the fish oil remains at the required temperature during its road trip.

Once delivered to its destination then Dartswift will inform their Peruvian agent that the shipment has arrived safe and sound. At the Staffordshire factory the semi refined fish oil is then extracted and refined before it is used in the production of high quality Omega fish oil. The Omega fish oil is then processed into capsules before being delivered to stores and shop throughout the country for sale to the public. Amazingly out of each batch of 100,000 litres only about 15,000 litres of the fish oil will be used in this process and the rest will be recycled to create Bio fuel.

To obtain a free quotation or for more information on all the services provided by Dartswift International please contact the Customer Service team at:

3rd Floor • Castle Chambers 43 Castle Street • Liverpool. L2 9SH Tel: +44 (0)151 236 2035 Email: info@dartswiftintl.com www.dartswiftintl.com

We get the job done on time and at the right price.

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 63

C H A R I TA B L E L I V E R P O O L The new brand is Care Community Culture (CCC) and it benefits from the experience and expertise of the long established charities in providing a service to any person who wishes to have a Personal Assistant to perhaps support them on a trip to the shops or the Museum, or to enable them to enjoy some companionship during an afternoon walk and cup of tea.

Breege McDaid, Director at Irish Community Care Merseyside said, “Although we are involved with our own particular communities we have found that people are looking for the same kind of support to improve their quality of life and we hope to be the source of that support.”

(L-R) Dr Yan Wang and Di Burbidge (Chinese Wellbeing) Reihana Bashir and Carol Sowande (Mary Seacole House), Jane Hunter (Irish Community Care Merseyside)

Di Burbidge, Service Development Manager at Chinese Wellbeing said “We developed our Personal Wellbeing Service after the local authority budget cuts saw the end of the Supported Living Scheme and CCC is an extension of this, where we have applied the Five Ways to Wellbeing in our approach.” Di explains The Five Ways ethos: CONNECT: We think it is important that there is a way to connect with others.

BE ACTIVE: Our services will hopefully encourage people to get out and about, and if they take part in only limited activities then we believe this can still be worthwhile.

TAKE NOTICE: We hope this will help people notice what is around them, particularly in Liverpool, where there is so much to do and see.

Staff and Trustees of Chinese Wellbeing Back row: Mark Chen, Stephen Cheung, Kyle Dennis, David Yii, Yvonne Leung Front row: Polly Green, Dr Yan Wang, Rita Lee, Colin Ling, Di Burbidge, Stephen Wong, Andy Green

Care Community Culture Service is launched to support Independent Living The Chinese Wellbeing Organisation provides Domiciliary Care and Sheltered Support services, along with their running of a successful Luncheon Club that is funded by Liverpool City Council. They have several hundred service users, and for many people Chinese Wellbeing provides an essential lifeline to the Chinese community. One unique aspect of the organisation, whose CEO is Colin Ling, is their bi-lingual support team, which ensures a full understanding of their clients’ individual needs. Chinese Wellbeing aims to increase the knowledge and skills in self care and self support, particularly in mental health and the prevention and management of chronic illnesses.

to improve their already substantial services in order to benefit the many people who they help on a constant basis, and Colin Ling is now delighted to announce Chinese Wellbeing’s involvement in a new ground-breaking partnership with two other local community charities.

The organisation has teamed up with Irish Community Care Merseyside (ICCM) and Mary Seacole House (MSH), in order for the three organisations to be able to provide a Wellbeing Service that will provide Personal Assistants to support individuals in helping them enjoy life and take some of the strain out of their day to day tasks.

KEEP LEARNING: Some of our service users are in their eighties but have an appetite for learning. We have taken them to exhibitions at the Museum of Liverpool and the University of Liverpool, where they have taken on board innovative and creative ideas.

GIVE: We have found that many of our service users have something to share, and so by providing this service in order

to take on some of their everyday tasks it has given these people some free time to allow them to participate in other activities.

Carol Sowande, Chief Executive at Mary Seacole House, said of the new Wellbeing Service, “The service can provide someone to do your shopping or accompany you to the shops. Maybe you want to visit family but need someone to assist you with travelling across the City, or you need someone to help with the housework. CCC’s Personal Assistant service can provide someone to help you.’

For further information about CCC Services and costs please contact: Jane Hunter either by telephone on: 074321 38682 or email: jane.hunter@iccm.org.uk Web: www.carecommunityculture.co.uk Alongside the Care Community Culture offering, Chinese Wellbeing provide a wide range of bespoke care services, and recognises the need to remain proactive in building open and co-productive relationships with commissioners, local authority care managers, partner agencies and the wider community. Chinese Wellbeing remains committed to developing services to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of the Community.

Back (L-R): Jane Hunter (Irish Community Care Merseyside), Carol Sowande (Mary Seacole House), Breege McDaid (Irish Community Care Merseyside), Reihana Bashir (Mary Seacole House) and Dr Yan Wang (Chinese Wellbeing).

Front: Di Burbidge and Colin Ling (Chinese Wellbeing)

For more information on the services provided by Chinese Wellbeing please visit: www.chinesewellbeing.co.uk or contact us at: Chinese Wellbeing Staten Court, Tradewind Square, East Village, Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5BG Telephone: 0151 709 2643 Email: info@chinesewellbeing.co.uk

Chinese Wellbeing provides a valuable and essential service to the local community and is always seeking ways

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MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 65

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK

LIVERPOOL FOOD & DRINK

CHRISTMAS DAY 2014 MENU

£49 per head All food is freshly prepared and cooked by owners Mustafa and Salina Rahman TRADITIONAL MENU OPTIONS Delicious Homemade Soup Prawn Cocktail Paté Turkey with all trimmings Roast potatoes, honeyed parsnips and baby carrots Cauliflower cheese Cranberry sauce INDIAN MENU Chicken Chat Tilapia (marinated fish) Paté Lamb Kulchi (Indian roast marinated in herbs & spices) Served with spiced vegetables Creamed spinach Vegetable pilau

THE GULSHAN ...

a true

flavour of INDIA

Liverpool is a city full of well-known personalities and venues but every so often a person or place will rise to greater prominence than others. A fine example of this is the status of the Gulshan, a family run Indian restaurant that is embedded into Liverpool’s psyche and one of the first places mentioned when a conversation involves where to go for a great Indian meal.

‘‘

The Gulshan is renowned for providing a fantastic venue in which to enjoy the festive celebrations at Christmas and New Year. It is also a great place to celebrate your own special occasion, whether it be a birthday or any other event.

Situated on Aigburth Road in the quiet Liverpool suburban area of Aigburth, Mustafa and Salina Rahman have been bringing an exotic taste of India to customers at the Gulshan Indian Restaurant since 1986. Mustafa and Salina and their friendly staff take great pride in the service they offer their customers, many of whom have become good friends of the restaurant over the past 28 years.

If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy your Christmas party then this popular venue is able to offer you and your friends or colleagues a mouth-watering selection of traditionally cooked Indian dishes, with the emphasis being on flavour, along with a choice of carefully selected wines, all served in elegant surroundings and all prepared to the highest of standards.

The restaurant boasts an impressive main dining area as well as an exclusively designed upstairs cocktail lounge, where you can experience the Gulshan’s unique ‘Tapas Bar’, serving delicious dishes from their extensive menu. Both floors offer a fully stocked bar, with a broad range of beers wines and spirits.

If you are lucky enough to live in Aigburth or any of the surrounding areas then you probably already know that you are in for a treat at the Gulshan. If you’re not close by then make the journey there. It is well worth your time.

We are constantly striving to provide the best Indian dining experience in Liverpool and to uphold our proud reputation as one of the leading Indian restaurants in the north of England – if not the entire UK!” Mustafa Rahman

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Christmas at THE GULSHAN ...

CHOICE OF DESSERTS Christmas Pudding Strawberry Gateau Cheese & biscuits Coffee & Chocolates VEGETARIAN OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN SITTINGS AVAILABLE FROM 12.30pm RESTAURANT & BAR OPEN UNTIL LATE

To book your Christmas celebration please contact: Gulshan Indian Restaurant 544/548 Aigburth Road • Liverpool L19 3QG Tel: 0151 427 2273 email: info@gulshan-liverpool.com www.gulshan-liverpool.com Opening Times: Sunday – Thursday: 5.00pm – 11.00pm Friday, Saturday: 5.00pm – 11:30pm The Gulshan

DUE TO AN EXTREMELY BUSY CHRISTMAS 2013 BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THIS CHRISTMAS!

@gulshanlpool

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 67

THE SOLERA SYSTEM

Raise a glass to Liverpool 쏆쏆쏆쏆쏆

WYNN’S WORLD OF WINE “A day without wine is like a day without sunshine.” 쏆쏆쏆쏆쏆

SHERRY A BRIEF HISTORY IN A GLASS

Mike Wynn, a well-known figure in Liverpool’s wine trade and a partner of Paul Malkin and Ian Clarke at the Cultural Wine company, continues his series of articles on the wine industry.

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T

HIS is the eighth article I have written for My Planet Liverpool, and following a trip with my wife Doreen to the Bodegas Emilio Hidalgo, at Jerez de la Frontera, I have been reminded that it is time that I featured my all time favourite drink – Sherry. Sherry is the classic accompaniment to Tapas, and nothing goes better with a plate of gambas than a glass of Fino. A real Sherry comes only from the Jerez region of Spain and it is considered to be one of the classic wines, one that has been enjoyed by connoisseurs for centuries and which still has an increasing popularity today.

Founded nearly 3,000 years ago, the name Sherry derives from the Moorish name for Jerez, which was Sherish. This was corrupted by the English into Sherris, and in old Spanish this became Xeres, before later morphing into Jerez. In the 15th century, English and Dutch wine merchants who had settled and established themselves around the port of Cadiz began to export sherry to Northern Europe.

By the 16th century Sherry had become the most fashionable of wines in the royal courts of Europe, enjoyed by the likes of Christopher Columbus and Shakespeare.

Sherry isn’t just one wine, but an elite family of wines that are quite diverse. Southwest Spain's "Sherry Triangle" consists of the three sun-drenched towns of Puerto de Santa María, Jerez and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The soil in this region is chalky, limestone based, and provides the perfect conditions for growing the Palomino, Pedro Ximenez, and Moscatel grapes that are used in making the world’s finest Sherries. True sherry-making is an art, producing a range of wines such as the bone dry, clear Fino de Jerez and Manzanillas, luscious Creams like the amber-coloured Amontillado and the sweet, thick, mahogany-hued Oloroso, along with the enormously rich and satisfying raisin-sweet Pedro Ximenez.

The White Palomino grape accounts for 90% of all vines, the two other varieties make up the balance. The grapes are harvested by hand in the early Autumn, gently pressed in horizontal presses, only the first pressing being used to produce the must (the newly pressed grape juice).

Once the grapes have been harvested and fermented, the wines’ fate is then decided - will it become a Fino or an Oloroso?

Although some of the more traditional sherry houses still ferment in oak casks, the 500 litre oak casks (known in Jerez as butts), most now carry out the process of fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The first natural or rapid fermentation takes place during the first three or four days, when the must is stored in fermentation tanks. The second slow fermentation, called tumultuous, is once again brought about by natural yeast and this fermentation increases the alcoholic strength of the newly transformed wine.

At this point a first selection is made. The paler and lighter fermented musts are separated out, fortified to around 15 to 15.5 degrees with alcohol distilled from wine and then stored for aging in butts at the cooler and moister end of the bodega. These wines are destined to become Finos, Manazanillas and Amontillados.

The remaining wines are similarly fortified with alcohol, this time to around 18 or 19 degrees and then stored in butts for ageing. After ageing for a minimum of three years these wines become Olorosos.

There is a basic difference between the aging processes of the two types of Sherry, Finos and Olorosos. Finos and Manzanillas undergo a spontaneous biological aging process called Crianza de Flor. Olorosos age normally in the same way as other wines, through a process called gradual oxidation. Crianza de Flor occurs in the cooler part of the bodega, normally during the spring and following the fermentation. A whitish film of yeast forms naturally and completely covers the surface of the newly fermented Fino as it lies in the oak casks. This is the flor, literally the flower of the yeast, a living organism that continues to renew itself. The flor, by some miraculous process which chemists are still trying to explain, establishes a protective covering over the wine that appears, amongst other things, to slow down and control the oxidizing process that all wines go through as they mature. The wine is left to mature in wooden casks for up to six or seven years. At the end of the period it is neither oxidized nor maderized, but still fresh and clean on the palate.

All Sherry should be stored upright in a cool, dark place. Finos and Manzanillas are not long lifers and should be consumed fairly quickly after bottling.

Once they have been opened, keep them stored in the refrigerator to prolong their life up to around two weeks. Serve them chilled. Amontillados can keep for 2-3 years in a sealed bottle and once opened should be consumed within a couple of weeks (keep in refrigerator to prolong life). Serve chilled or at a crisp room temperature. The Olorosos, Sweet and Cream Sherries and the Pedro Ximénez Sherries can all be stored for many years, as they have more age and weight on them. You don't have to store these in the refrigerator after opening (but you may), just keep them in a cool, dark storage location (a basement is ideal). Serve at room temperature.

Finally, I must truly recommend a trip to Seville and once there a visit, via rail, to Jerez. Jerez de la Frontera is highly recommended and as a result of my explorations we are fortunate, in conjunction with Ian Clarke of Morgenrot Beer and Wine Shippers, to be able to offer a very special range of Sherries from Jose de Soto.

De Soto Amontillado, De Soto Cream, De Soto Fino, De Soto Manzanilla, De Soto Pale Cream and De Soto Pedro Ximénez Soto can all be purchased from Cultural Wine at a discounted price when quoting My Planet Liverpool magazine.

Cultural Wine Contact: Michael Wynn E: michael.wynn2@ntlworld.com Mobile: 07747 052 890 Hidalgo Emilio Bodega: www.hidalgo.com

MY PLANET LIVERPOOL • 69

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