reduce inheritance tax liability plan for retirement reach your investment goals review your pension pots write your Will prepare your Lasting Powers of Attorney
Clear, concise advice and support, that puts you in control of your finances
‘Richard is the most caring lovely person you could ever meet He has given me the most excellent advice.’
August 2024
The days are gone when you could nip into your bank, anytime, to ask a question. So, my door is open for drop-ins every Friday
No need to book on Fridays. Call in for a chat Ask me anything finance-related. There may even be biscuits!
Book a free consultation
We can meet in our West Kirby office, online, or in the comfort of your home.
and
967978.
by the
Iwasblownawaybyyourresponsetothefirstedition!Ifyou’vesentmea message, or welcomed me into your business and agreed to distribute copies of the magazine, thank you! Lots of you also sent nature photographs,events,andnewstoinclude.
The Wirral Way will be published quarterly in 2025, so the next edition comesoutinMarch.Ifyou’dliketoadvertise,pleasegetintouch.
Everyadvertiserreceivescampaignconsultancy,copywritingandgraphic design, as standard. Take a full page, and you also get a podcast-style YouTube interview, or event sponsorship, included in the price. If you wantmoredetails,emailme tobookacall:gill@thewirralway.co.uk
Find inside
Get familiar with QR codes
What’s on and what’s new
Open Exhibition, The Lake Gallery
Until 25th January 2025, The Lake Gallery, West Kirby,isshowcasingitsannualOpenExhibition.
Around 500 artists submitted work this year 50 werechosen-manyofthemlocal-andtheirwork is currently on display at 52 Grange Road. The piece pictured above is Marine Lake Benches, by Vivienne Netherwood. This is a vibrant exhibition, with a varied display of paintings, drawings, printmaking, ceramics, glass art, and sculpture. thelakegallery.co.uk
There’s a beautiful scent in the air, in West Kirby. CandlemakersWillowandBlossomhavearrivedat 103 Banks Road. Kirsty started making cleanburning soy wax candles on maternity leave. She now has stockists across the UK, and we’re lucky thatshe’slaunchedherfirstshoponourdoorstep!
You can learn to make your own candles, at workshops scheduled for 26th Jan and 23rd Feb. willowandblossombotanicals.com
The Eco Shopper
This fantastic new ethical, sustainable, eco store opened its doors late November, and we’re loving it!
Pop into 5 The Row, Market Street, Hoylake to stock up on gifts, homewares, wholefoods, toiletries, and other sustainable living essentials. The Eco Shopper also has something I’ve been searching for since I moved to the area - a refill station for laundry and cleaning liquids. facebook.com/ecoshopperhoylake
Hoylake Film Club screens a movie every month, onthelastFridayofthemonth,atHoylakeParade CommunityCentre,HoyleRoad.
Doors open at 6:30pm, films start at 7:30pm, and the evening ends with a quiz Entrance is £5, payable in cash on the door. Bringing your own picnicisencouraged!
Living Space
We’vealreadyspentsomeseriousbrowsingtimein West Kirby’s new lifestyle and homewares store, LivingSpace,sinceitlaunchedinOctober.
If you haven’t been in yet, expect to find sumptuous throws and cushions, beside vintage earthenware, dried flowers, and art prints. Plus, therearelotsofothertactile,tastefulthingsyou’ll wanttotakehome,showoff,orbuyas gifts.
Find out what’s on, and cast your vote for next month’sfilm,atfacebook.com/HoylakeFilmClub
74BanksRoad,WestKirby|@livingspace store
agency, solving marketing challenges with our distinctive campaigns, events and commercial content
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Our YouTube Channel
Banks Road, West Kirby
I firmly believe, there’s no better place for a browse and a bite than Banks Road It’s bursting with independent shops selling clothes, homewares, art, jewellery and gifts. Then there are the brunch spots, bakers, and bars! Loads has opened up recently, and it was already buzzing.It’slikethebestartisanmarketever,andit’sthereallweek!
Did you know that The Wirral Way has a YouTube channel? Every edition,we’llbeinterviewinginterestinglocals,soyoucangettoknow peoplelivingandworkinginyourcommunity.Weaskeachofthemto telluswhattheyloveinthearea,togiveyouregularrecommendations forthingstodoandplacestogo.
Saunas on the beach
Thisoneisfurtherafield,butonlyalittle.WelovethatDetoxWirralhas opened a sauna on the beach at Leasowe Bay It will continue to be availableallwinter,openingeveryotherweekendtofitwithhightide. So,ifyou’refeelingbrave,youcanhaveacolddipwithyourhotsauna. Visitdetoxwirral.co.ukfordetails.
Muddy winter walks
Time in nature, even in winter, is always a good idea. With Royden Park,CaldyHill,ThurstastonCommon,andplentyofotheroptionson ourdoorstep,wehavenoexcusenottogetoutthere.It’sworthgetting wrapped up. It’s even worth having to clean your boots and bath the dogwhenyougethome.Goon,you’llfeelbetterforit!
The
Broccoli Tree
Brimstage Hall and Courtyard
Brimstage Hall and Courtyard is worth a visit anytime of year. This picturesque spot, just a stone’s throw from Heswall, dates back to 1175-1350!It’shometoallkindsofinterestingshopsandafewlovely places to eat. The maze is closed during the winter but there’s still plentytokeepyouoccupied.brimstagehall.co.uk
ThisWestKirbylandmarkdoesn’thavetobewrappedinlightstolook impressive,butDecembertrulyisitstimetoshine!Themajesticstone pine at the top of Grange Road, affectionately named The Broccoli Tree, is thought to have been planted around 1860. There’s more informationaboutitspastatwestkirby1841.co.uk,onthepagetitled TheAbbyThatNeverWas.
3greatreasonstohirea travelconsultant
1 Less stress 3 More choice2
Why spend hours trawling the internet to plan the perfect trip? Let’s face it, you may never get the time to book anything. Instead, tell your travel consultant everything you’re hoping for, and have them package and present your dream holiday.
Kay Finlay
Whetheryou’replanningtotraveltheworld or enjoy a weekend mini-break, get the suggestions - and the considerable perksof working with someone who travels, recommends,ANDupgradesforaliving!
Every time you book a flight, a hotel or a package holiday, someone makes commission.Youcandotheadminyourself, waste hours of your life, and hand that money to the booking website and airline, or you can have Kay do the hard work for you. Pay the same but get your time back, andgetpersonalisedservicewithasmile! Incredible value!
Despite what you might think, hiring a bespoke travel consultant doesn’t add any extratothepriceofyourtrip!
TIDYING TIP: Don’t buy storage containers until you need them. When you do, measure the space and the container before you buy, or you may just add to your clutter!
‘You don’t need to compare yourself to others, or have a home that looks like anyone else’s. My idea of tidiness and organisation isn’t the same as yours. Everyone has different needs. I respect that, and I’m here to support you.’
Korina Venn
Organise and declutter your surroundings
Book a free consultation, and mention The Wirral Way to receive a discount on subsequent sessions booked. T&Cs apply.
Support yourself to slow down and rest
You’repartofnature Ifyoufeellessmotivationfor action in winter, and more inclination to curl up underablanket-ifyouwanttosleepmore,anddo less-that’snatural.Lookaroundyou;atthistime of year it’s only us humans who have ‘party season’. Then we roll straight from that into ‘new year,newyou’.Therestofnaturehasslowed.
Nature is more active and vibrant in the summer months. Many cultures celebrate the Spring Equinox, in March, as the start of the new year. That’s when the natural world comes back to life. That’sdefinitelywhenIstarttofeelmoreoutwardfacingagain Howaboutyou?
Does any of this feel familiar?
‘I haven’t got the answers I was looking for from my GP.’
‘I’m overwhelmed by conflicting health advice.’
‘I’ve tried everything. Nothing seems to work.’
If this resonates with you, try to give yourself permissiontodolessthroughthewinter.
Itcanbedifficultnottobowtosocietalpressureto stay busy. But we’re cyclical beings. We need downtime.Restisrestorative.
Hereareacoupleofthingstosupportyou:
Takemomentstoyourself,throughouttheday, to deliberately take deeper, slower breaths. This signals your nervous system to ‘rest and relax’.
Lieonyourbed,facedown.Restyourheadon yourhands.Gentlyrockyourhipsfromside-toside for 60 seconds, or longer if you like. You canputapillowunderyourhipsifthat’smore comfortable. This is a nice practice to do beforesleep.Rockingcalmsthebody,asyou’ll knowifyou’veeverrockedababy
Functional Medicine Clinic
For Burnout and Beyond
Supporting ‘tired and wired’ career women struggling with fatigue, brain fog and emotional overwhelm.
State-of-the art testing allows our expert practitioners to personalise dietary, lifestyle and supplement advice - for effective results, fast. It’s time for you to
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
Mention The Wirral Way for 10% off. T&Cs apply. Scan the code to book your free consultation, or contact:
re-nutrition.co.uk | hello@re-nutrition.co.uk
130 Banks Rd, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 0RF Mon-Sat 8am-4pm | Sun 9am-3pm
RadioFrequencyMicroneedling HydraFacials
LaserHair/TattooRemoval
Dermaplaning
Injectables
SkinPeels
We showcase the stunning local scenery, through yourlens.
West Kirby Marine Lake by Richard Jones
Learn more about your past
We conduct comprehensive genealogical research, to unravel the connections between your ancestors and your present family.
Preserve your heritage for future generations
Whether you’re seeking specific records, or want to build an accurate, verified family tree, book a free consultation.
Thurstaston Common by Stuart Runham, stuartrunhamphotography.co.uk
Send us your photos of the places you walk, and theviewsthatinspireyou.We’llshareasmanyas wecan-hereoronsocialmedia-withfullcredit tothephotographer.
Share your snaps: @thewirralway|gill@thewirralway.co.uk
Book a free consultation
Tell us your project, and give us the name of a relative you’re looking for, to see our researchers in action.
Other services include:
Bespoke family history tours
Photo restoration
Genealogical research for TV productions Heraldry & family crests
Step into the artist’s studio
Daniel Meakin, internationally renowned fine art painter, invites you to his waterfront West Kirby gallery.
View and purchase abstract, architectural and landscape paintingsincluding one-of-a-kind Wirral scenes - or commission a piece of your own
Find out more about Daniel’s work
Scan the code to follow Daniel on social media, or book a studio visit.
TheWirralMonster!
Actually, we haven’tmetTheWirralMonsteryet.Weneed you toshowuswhattheylooklike!
Please draw your Wirral Monster on the beach, next to these treasures they found on their walk. Your monster can be tiny, enormous or anywhere in-between. They can be fluffy, coveredinscales,oranythingelseyoudecide.
This smiler is a fast learner, a love bug, and a laid back kinda guy, unphasedbyloudnoises;mowyourlawn,putsomeshelvesup,seeifhe cares.
He was found as a stray, and he’s done some time in the pound. Somewhereinhismysteriouspasthelearnedtogivehispawandwalk nicely on a lead, or maybe he’s just a natural. He barks if another dog giveshimeyecontact(nobody’sperfect)buthecalmsdownquickly
These loveable brothers are just 5-or-6-months-old. Theywererescuedfromalifeonthemeanstreets,and nowthey’reonthelookoutforafamilytocalltheirown (preferablytogether).
Gingerlovesasnuggle,wouldn’tsay‘no’toabellyrub, and will purr extravagantly when lavished with the attentionhedeserves.Freddie isalittlemorereserved thanhisbroatfirst,butgettoknowthisgentlesouland he’llrepayyouwiththecutestlittlenibblesandpats.
They’re siblings with unique personalities, and faces you’ll never tire of photographing! And they’re open to sharingtheirhumanswithcat-savvychildrenandother pets.
Simba
Fully-funded business support to unlock growth for Wirral’s
digital, creative and tech sector
Accelerate Wirral is a fully funded programme supporting local digital, creative, and tech businessesto:
unlockresilience scaleup breakintonewmarkets
Participants gain access to thee expert-led workshops, three one-to-one coaching sessions with a growth advisor, and a network of likemindedbusinessleaders.
ThefirstworkshoptookplaceinNovemberbutwill berepeatedlateJanuary,soyoucanapplyintothe new year. If the deadline has passed by the time you’re reading, you’ll find other opportunities for fundedsupportonthewebsite.
Who’s it for?
Digital,creativeandtechbusinesseswiththeirHQ here in Wirral, with a team of 1+ staff. Crucially, this programme is aimed at businesses ambitious tounlocktheirnextphaseofgrowth.
Book your free consultation
‘Knowledgeable, friendly and easy to work with. They offer an initial design consultation where they listened to our ideas, and we felt they understood our brief completely They then guided us through the planning process, gaining a successful outcome’
Then we’ll sit down to bring your ideas alive, together
Transition Town West Kirby
Intheirownwords,‘TransitionTownWestKirbyis part of a worldwide movement of small communities,eachintheirownwayworkingfora transitiontoeliminatingdependencyonfossilfuels andcuttingcarbonemissions’.
The first Transition Town project was formed in Totnes, in 2006. Our local, grass roots Transition Town does loads of great work in the community, andtheteamisopentonewvolunteers.
Amongst other things, they tend to the public orchards on Gilroy Road and in Grange Park, as part of the nationwide scheme Incredible Edible. They also host the annual Wirral Earth Fest in September, and a free drop-in session between 10am - 12pm every Wednesday. Wednesday mornings are hosted at Making Space, Gilroy Rd. Sessionspromise‘acuppa,timetocalmthemind, acreativeactivity,andasingalong’.
Find details about the work of Transition Town WestKirbyattransitiontownwestkirby.org.uk
French and Spanish
Focus on practical, real-world vocabulary, language and conversation
Ideal for people going on holiday, backpacking or working abroad
Work on pronunciation, phrases and vocabulary Practice scenarios such as phone calls, as well as writing CVs, cover letters and emails
‘Fivestarsisnotenough,theydeservemore. friendly,helpful,theytalktoyounotatyou, explainedeverythingindetail.Ilefttheshop enlightened and will recommend them to anyone.’
