Wirral Life April 2020

WIRRAL LIFE

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WIRRAL’S No.1 FREE PREMIUM LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

THE MODFATHER PAUL WELLER PROPERTY • MOTORS • FASHION & BEAUTY • FOOD & DRINK

The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE 2 GRAN COUPÉ

Model Shown is the BMW M235i xDrive.

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The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has arrived.

Beautifully balanced; intricately detailed – turn heads wherever you go with exclusive M Sport exterior features and optional 19″ Bi-colour alloy wheels.

Intrinsically innovative; ready to perform – enjoy a suite of the latest technology in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé M Performance, including a 10.25″ Central Display, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and a host of BMW ConnectedDrive Online Services.

The 2 Gran Coupé. It’s made to move us all.

Contact us to find out more.

Williams Liverpool BMW 4 Great Howard Street Liverpool, L3 7HT. 0151 474 2000 www.williamsliverpoolbmw.co.uk Fuel economy and CO2 results for the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Mpg (l/100km): Combined 36.2 (7.8) to 56.5 (5.0).

CO2 emissions: 178-132 g/km.

Figures are for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving results, which depend on a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. All figures were determined according to a new test (WLTP). The CO2 figures were translated back to the outgoing test (NEDC) and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 fi gures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure.

STAY SAFE

Together, we will get through this

UNCERTAINTY is always difďŹ cult to deal with. But one thing is for sure - gardening will always be a lovely idea.

T: 0151 336 2116 E: admin@gordale.co.uk

Gordale

Chester High Road, Burton, South Wirral CH64 8TF. gordale.co.uk

What a lovely idea.

GARDEN HOME LEISURE

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A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS Wirral Life Magazine champions the people and businesses of the Wirral and further afield and will continue to do so.

You can read the online version of Wirral Life at www. wirrallife.com/digital-issue or at Joomag (google Joomag Wirral Life Magazine).

We are ALL now facing the biggest challenge of our generation amidst this Coronavirus outbreak and we need to continue to support each other in this most unprecedented time.

We will also continue to operate our home subscription service, where you can have your copy delivered direct to your door via Royal Mail. We will be subsidising the cost of packaging and postage on this service for the next 3 months, so the cost will be just ÂŁ1 per month. To subscribe, visit www.wirrallife.com/subscribe.

We are in a period of change and we all have to adjust our lives around this.

Our main stockists, Supermarkets, will be remaining open and our readers will be able to continue to pick up their free copy of Wirral Life in store to keep up to date with what our local community and businesses are doing during these unusual times.

We will also continue to deliver to all essential businesses on the government list.

Our delivery company are following all of the government guidelines and taking extra safety precautions.

We will be investing in our online and social media to ensure that everyone has access to news and information including community focused stories, business updates, interviews and ideas such as how to keep your family entertained during this time; DIY; gardening, recipes and much more.

We encourage everyone to continue to share their news stories with us. Whether you are a local business diversifying your ways of working to meet local needs, an individual doing something good for your community or a parent with ideas how to keep children entertained at home. Our readers will want to hear positive news about what is happening. Contact us by email at: editorial@wirrallife.com.

This is a very testing time for all of us. But as a community, we are confident that with kindness and support, we will all get through this. A special thanks to all of our frontline workers.

Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones and vulnerable members of our community. Stay safe.

A big thank you from all of the Wirral Life Team.

Si Hall and Nicky Rigby-Smith, Editors.

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WIRRAL LIFE

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EDITORS:

WIRRAL’S No.1 FREE PREMIUM LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Welcome to Wirral Life Magazine.

This month we have an interview with Paul Weller. The Modfather himself is heading to Liverpool in May… (so far, fingers crossed), appearing at the Liverpool Olympia on May 13th, 2020.

Whether you know Paul Weller from The Jam, The Style Council or just as Mr. Paul Weller, the rockstar Father of eight joins the ranks with Sir Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart, who also each have eight children.

The 61-year-old is still filling venues with his latest studio album ‘True Meanings’ and his most recent live album ‘Other Aspects’.

As we're all on lockdown, we have 50 things you can do at home to keep yourself entertained. Check out page. 28.

Nicola Palmer from Perfect Getaways gives us holiday advice for 2020 and 2021; and Muffs of Bromborough share with us the perfect Lamb recipe for Easter.

Before the lockdown, our photographers were out and about at some local events including the Tiny Stars Charity Lunch, Wirral Life Gin Launch and Radio Wirral Launch. Check out our society pages to see if you can see a familiar face.

Si Hall

Nicky Rigby-Smith

FEATURE WRITERS: Clare Barber: Features Nik Ellis: Business Justine McLaughlin: Business Paula Basnett: Business Sam Hulson: Finance Paul Askew: Food John & Steve Muff: Food Carl Housbey: Gastro Grazer The Curious Quaffer: Wine Norman Shum: Cars & Coffee Kate Kingston: Interiors Dr Ian Jones: Medical Dr Sally Ann Dolan: Medical Conor Magee: Medical Charlotte Forde: Fitness Diane Tremarco: Music Nicola Palmer: Travel

Enjoy Wirral Life!

Stay Safe.

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER:

Si Hall & Nicky Rigby-Smith

JOIN WIRRAL LIFE FIND US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/wirrallifemagazine FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @wirrallifemag SUBSCRIBE AT www.wirrallife.com/subscribe

Copyright Hall Smith Publishing 2020. All Rights Reserved. The content of the magazine is owned by the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced - in whole or in part, including advertisements - without prior written permission from the publisher. While we take every care whilst compiling the magazine, we cannot be held responsible for claims made, or accuracy of content provided by advertisers or contributors. All prices and dates within the magazine were correct at the time of print. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify any materials submitted. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily held by the editor or publisher. Privacy Policy is available online at wirrallife.com.

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INTERVIEW 20. Paul Weller

GOLF 60. Tom Atkinson

FOOD & DRINK 34. The Curious Quaffer 36. Paul Askew 40. The Butchers Cut

FASHION & BEAUTY 62. Dental Advice 64. Beauty at Home 66. Spring Skincare

PROPERTY 42. Featured Properties 50. Interior Inspiration 51. Marks & Spencer

SOCIETY 73. Linghams Book Signings 74. Radio Wirral Launch 75. LLN Winter Lunch 76. Wirral Life Gin Launch 78. Maxi Roy Tournament 79. Tiny Stars Charity Lunch

MUSIC 54. Sound of Music TRAVEL 56. Holiday Advice 58. Singapore & Bali

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MOTOR 80. Cars & Coffee

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HOME DELIVERY ORDER ONLINE FOR HOME DELIVERY MARKSANDSPENCER.COM

IN BRIEF NEW DONORS BACK NESTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY FUND

VOLUNTEERS HELPING THE VULNERABLE AND ISOLATED ACROSS WIRRAL

Concerned family from all over the country have been contacting a Facebook group whose band of volunteers are providing assistance to people across Wirral who are vulnerable and isolated.

Wirral Support During Coronavirus has had messages from people concerned about their relatives living in the area who can’t get out to shop or pick up their medication.

The Neston & District Community Fund has received a boost with several new donors coming on board.

The Fund was launched in February 2015 by chartered accountants and financial planners Phillip Bates & Co along with Rightway, Clive Watkin and G Tilby Engineering.

Current High Sheriff of Cheshire Mark Mitchell, Managing Director of Mitchell Group, and his wife Anita, subsequently became a donor.

To date, the Fund has donated a total of £37,260 to a range of charities and grass roots organisations working to support the community within the CH64 area of Neston, Little Neston, Ness, Burton, Parkgate, Puddington and Willaston.

The Fund has now attracted several new supporters including Uren Food Group and Stephen Wilde. The Fund is administered by Cheshire Community Foundation which receives applications from the CH64 area for consideration for funding.

CCF also actively looks for organisations within the Neston & District area which might want to apply for project funding.

Phillip Bates, Principal at Phillip Bates & Co, said: “We are extremely proud of the organisations and projects we have been able to support since setting up the Fund almost five years ago.

The voluntary group has grown into a community of over 7000 helpers during these difficult times who are happy to help with anything people might need. They have had people delivering groceries and collecting medication to companies with vans providing free delivery of donated fridge freezers to those in need.

Andy Poynton from Wirral Support During Coronavirus said they’ve been blown away by the level of help they’ve had. “The generosity and community spirit has been truly overwhelming. I’ve got to say a big thank you to all our members, they have been truly incredible. If anyone needs our help over the difficult months ahead, please join the group and we will do our best to assist you.”

You can join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/wirral2020/. There is no cost for any service provided.

GOOD NEWS FOR AWARDWINNING ATTRACTION, THE BEATLES STORY The Beatles Story, Liverpool, have announced good news amid the difficult and challenging times currently being experienced across the world.

“We set up the Fund with the goal of ensuring that local money goes back to local causes.

Despite the exhibition’s recent temporary closure over the current Coronavirus crisis, the award-winning attraction has hit record numbers for 2019/20 and in its 30th anniversary year they are celebrating the best-ever year of attendance.

“We are now delighted that, thanks to the help of Mark and Anita Mitchell, several new donors, both local businesses and private individuals, have agreed to get behind the Fund. We look forward to building on the impact that the Fund has already had locally over the coming months and years.”

A record number of 317,156 visitors enjoyed the iconic exhibition in 2019/20 which is an increase of 5,481 (1.7%) on 2018/19 figures and is a new record for the popular Liverpool attraction.

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IN BRIEF HUGE FLORAL TRIBUTE APPEARS OUTSIDE CLATTERBRIDGE HOSPITAL

CHESHIRE FREEMASONS TOAST ‘ABSENT FRIENDS, AND FRONTLINE WORKERS IN THE NHS’

Nicola Saverimutto is the florist responsible for the beautiful floral art instalment placed outside the entrance to Clatterbridge Oncology Centre.

On Monday 23rd March, the first day of home working for many and millions of people now physically selfisolated, Cheshire Freemasons joined a national call for the whole community to take part in a ‘traditional toast’ at 9pm to ensure no one feels alone.

The masterpiece taking pride of place in front of the hospital is a 10 foot high steel heart completely covered in daffodils and foliage. This was put in place in time for Mother’s day to bring a smile to as many people as possible.

Staff were unaware of where this had come from or who was responsible and this really was part of the reason the heart appeared in the first place.

Nicola has been a florist for many years and has always enjoyed the pleasure her flowers bring to others and seeing the smiles on recipient’s faces. Due to the Covid 19 outbreak Nicola had many Mother’s day orders cancelled and knew she would miss out on those smiles. She initially thought about working hard to sell the flowers and cut her losses but knew her heart was not in it so instead she put her flowers into a heart and put her profits to one side. Nicola wanted to bring a smile to people’s lips, a happy tear to their eyes and a song to their hearts. She wanted to do this anonymously and for the only recognition or reward to be the happiness that was clearly spread by her random act of kindness.

Nicola, like many people has had periods of fragile mental health and these have been overcome by her floristry. She wanted people to recognise and know that in this current climate we all need some positivity to bolster our spirits and keep ourselves mentally healthy.

The staff at Clatterbridge did finally track Nicola down through social media and a spokesperson for the hospital said: “Amongst all of the uncertainty in the world right now, it really is a welcome beacon of joy and positivity.”

Many people posted comments on the Facebook post with heartfelt thanks to the NHS team who cared for their loved ones and for the heart instalment and its creator. Nicola had the help of steel fabricator Steve Mackay who made the metal structure and a small group of family and friends to decorate it.

In a world where we can be anything we should all be more like Nicola and be kind.

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The United Grand Lodge of England’s 200,000 strong membership, traditionally toasts ‘absent Brethren’, remembering those who are unable to attend their meetings in person at the dinner that takes place afterwards.

The organisation has now adapted the usual 9pm toast it makes during its dinners, inviting everyone to join in a ‘virtual toast’ to ‘absent friends, and especially those working on the frontline in the NHS’.

Many of Cheshire’s 5,000+ members took part, including members from the Wirral, sharing pictures on social media and posting on the website.

The initiative, which uses the online hashtag #TimetoToast, has been well received over the past few evenings and many people from the wider community have joined in, making it a time to come together and share wishes.

Head of Cheshire Freemasons Stephen Blank said “Our membership includes people of all ages and walks of life, many of whom, like the rest of the country are now in the safety of their own homes – but we know many aren’t so fortunate, especially those who are working so hard to keep us all safe.

"It was fantastic to see so many people join in the 9pm Toast and raise a glass in particular to members of the NHS. The initiative will continue across social media channels so please feel free to join us online to raise a glass to those who are not able to be with their families and loved ones at this time.”

The 9pm toast will take place regularly over the coming weeks – please join in at @UGLE_GrandLodge as part of the national ‘get together’ or more locally on Twitter @Cheshire PGL, Facebook Provinceofcheshirefreemasons or Instagram at CheshirePGL.

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CORONAVIRUS: STAY HOME & MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) are there for you and will continue to respond to emergencies throughout the current Coronavirus pandemic.

They are asking the people of Merseyside to help them by staying at home - as directed by the Government - and ensuring that children and teenagers are also at home and not going out, where they might become involved in anti-social behaviour including setting fires.

Responding to deliberately-set fires can endanger lives by taking vital firefighting resources away from other emergencies – and deliberate fires could even lead to fatalities themselves. Measures are being taken to ensure that frontline firefighters and staff are protected to make sure they can continue to provide a service.

Mark Thomas, Group Manager Prevention at MFRS, said: “These are unprecedented, tough times for everyone but we want the public to know that we are doing all we can to keep them safe. However, now more than ever, it is essential that our services are not stretched.

“With so many people now working or doing schoolwork at home, the days are set to get longer and the weather warmer and sunnier, we would like to remind people that they need to stay indoors for the vast majority of the time and not gather in groups outdoors – and ensure that children and young people are doing the same. If your child or children go out, make sure you know where they are going and why – it should only be to purchase essential food or to exercise alone. They should not be meeting up with friends.

"Many members of our community will now be spending more time at home than usual, with some of us forced to self-isolate. MFRS understands how stressful this can be and that’s why we want to make sure people stay as safe as possible.

"During the outbreak, we have taken the decision to reduce some of our prevention activity where the risk of fire is low, and we have suspended the use of our fire stations by community groups. We will also avoid visiting hospitals and care homes – except in cases of high risk or emergency – as we do wish to put anyone at risk.

"Equally, we want to ensure that our firefighters are not put at risk for both their welfare and in order to maintain an effective emergency response.

"We will continue as always, 24/7, 365 days a year to keep everyone in Merseyside safe. We will be posting advice on our social media feeds about keeping yourself safe from fire – please take notice and always remember, if there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.

Follow these tips to stay safe from fire: • Smoke alarms – smoke alarms save lives but only if they’re working and in the right place. You should have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Consider installing additional alarms in rooms with electrical appliances or sleeping areas. Don't put alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms where smoke or steam could set them off accidentally. NEVER take the batteries out of your smoke alarm to put into another electrical device.

• Heaters – keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains, furniture and other flammable materials. NEVER use heaters to dry clothes.

ALWAYS switch off and unplug your heaters before going to bed.

• Smoking – if you smoke, use a proper ashtray and make sure it is placed on a level surface away from combustible materials. Make sure your cigarettes are fully extinguished. Don’t smoke in bed – you could easily fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and cause a fire.

• Candles – keep candles and tea lights away from anything that can catch fire. NEVER leave lit candles unattended – make sure they are fully extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed.

Consider using LED battery-operated candles instead.

• Cooking – make it a priority to keep cooking areas clear & clean from combustible materials. Make sure your oven and grill are clean – a build-up of fat or grease can cause a fire. DON’T leave pans unattended while cooking and NEVER leave children or pets unattended in the kitchen.

• Escape routes – make sure everyone in your household knows how to get out in the event of a fire. Ensure your escape routes are clear from any clutter. Keep your door and window keys in a known and accessible place.

IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY. Please let us know if you are self-isolating. In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.

"During the current situation, we would ask those who are able to support elderly or vulnerable neighbours and relatives who are selfisolating due to their age or underlying health conditions, by picking up items from the shop and leaving them on their doorstep."

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HESWALL CARE HOME CREATES ‘COCOONING ENVIRONMENT’ FOR RESIDENTS A Wirral care home has created a ‘cocooning environment’ for those residents in its care from the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Hazelwell, a residential, nursing, palliative and respite care in Oldfield Road, Heswall, took the necessary steps to safeguard its residents by closing it to non-essential visitors.

The home took the decision before the Government introduced wider public shutdown measures in March. The Hazelwell followed the advice of the World Health Organisation and have put measures in place to protect residents and staff, including additional cleaning and personal hygiene measures.

Opened in 2016, The Hazelwell is well equipped to look after the needs of its residents with 55 tastefully decorated en-suite rooms, home cinema room, piano bar, library, garden terrace, rooftop terrace and fine dining which is prepared daily by the on-site chef. Staff are safe-distancing residents from group activities that have may have pre-existing conditions.

The Hazelwell care home manager Sue Ball, said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff are always our top priorities. While we have no confirmed cases in our home, the growing threat of the Coronavirus outbreak means 14 wirrallife.com

that we are continually reviewing measures to reduce the risk of infection and protect the most vulnerable in our care.

“We therefore took the difficult decision to close our home to all non-essential visits to create a cocooning environment and safeguard the wellbeing of our residents. This will include routine friends and family visits. In addition, we will be limiting hospital appointments, unless in emergency and at the sole discretion of the home.”

The Hazelwell is also exploring ways that residents can stay in touch with family members through telephone and social media.

Sue added: “To ensure continued communication between residents and family members we are exploring measures to aid regular contact through telephone, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime. We have not taken this decision to close lightly, however we have a duty of care to our residents and staff.”

For more information call 0151 342 9654, email: info@thehazelwell.com or visit www.thehazelwell.com

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Time to enjoy older age

Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby Society “Lear House is a wonderful traditional care home with extremely caring and dedicated staff, the food is delicious and we are entertained daily with various activities which are great fun.

It’s home from home.”

TO REQUEST A BROCHURE, ARRANGE A VISIT OR EXPERIENCE A DAY WITH US, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH LESLEY SAUNDERS ON 0151 625 1092 LEAR HOUSE, 17 DARMONDS GREEN, WEST KIRBY, CH48 5DT 14 wirrallife.com www.abbeyfieldwestkirby.co.uk

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WEST KIRBY'S ARCTIC MAN A lawyer from West Kirby has just returned from completing a marathon. But this is no ordinary marathon. This is one of the toughest Ultra Marathons in the world - the Arctic Ultra marathon - a non-stop self-sufficient foot race over a distance of 120 miles crossing the Arctic circle and finishing at the Arctic Ocean.

Lee Quinn has just made it to the finish line, and he told Wirral Life what it was like.

How did you get into this?

It was something that I’d read about and talked about in the past and then you end up in the pub saying, ‘Hey why don’t we?’

I’m not even really a runner to be honest, my passion is more in hiking in the mountains, but I fancied a challenge. I’ve already completed the Marathon Des Sables (in the Sahara) in 2016 and the Amazon Jungle Ultra so this was the other extreme!

It’s also a positive motive as I wanted to inspire my daughter and show her that with a bit of hard work and dedication anything is possible.

How cold was it?

We were actually quite lucky! In years gone by, I believe it’s been minus 40 but we managed minus 20 in the day and about minus 30 at night. It sounds funny to say, but once you’re running you can fight off the cold.

You’ve just got to be careful that your clothes don’t get too wet because when you slow down again and cool off there’s a chance of hypothermia which can take hold quite quickly.

I did have a frozen beard and frozen eyelashes although there’s measures, like wearing goggles for example, that you can take to minimise the effect.

How long was it?

Each day was a bit different. We run it over five days so day one is about 53km, day two was about 44km then day three was just over a marathon again. Day four was longer about 64km and we had a sprint finish on the last day of 15km.

I came 6th out of 40 runners and my friend Craig came 5th so we were pleased with how we did. We kept each other motivated and had a bit of banter.

What did you find difficult and what helped?

Each day had its own challenges. You need to carry everything with you for the week, so you have your clothes, your food, your medical kit and the only thing the team can give you at the checkpoints is water. The checkpoints really help though, on the first day where we did about 53km, there were five, so they are always on hand to check that you’re OK. There are doctors at the checkpoints too, who give up their free time and their holidays to come and get experience of working in harsh climates. They are amazing. They make sure you’re drinking and eating enough and that you’re coping with the conditions, so you feel like despite the extreme challenge of the marathon, your wellbeing is looked after.

The second day was the toughest for me as we were in the hills and the wind was up. If you took a glove off to have a drink of water or eat something, then it would only take seconds for you to start tingling with the cold.

I feel the company we went with are very good, they have a great ethos and you do feel incredibly privileged to get to spend time in these places, like the Arctic or the Amazon. For me, it’s not the running that I do it for. It’s seeing the places, meeting the people and doing something that’s a little bit out of the ordinary which is a positive challenge.

What did you run it for?

The first two events I took part in raised about £11k for neuroblastoma but this time I raised money for Rock2Recovery a charity founded by former two Royal Marines that helps servicemen/women who struggle when returning from service and try to support their situations.

A good friend of mine who I met on my first marathon was a former Royal Marine Commando and he was telling me how hard it was when he left the services so I just thought it would be a nice way to raise awareness of the issue for the people who give up so much for us and some money in the process.

What’s next for Lee? I’m in the Alps in July, it’s called the Spaghetti Traverse. You hike eight four thousand metre peaks in five days and I’ve also got my name down for a mountain race in Japan next year, Japan’s always intrigued me so I’m looking forward to that.

I would say it’s got to be something that lights your fire because otherwise you’d never get through your fourth day of freeze-dried food or out of bed early to train – especially in the rain and the cold in winter!

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BRIDGE COMMUNITY FARMS LAUNCHES DEDICATED SERVICE TO HELP PEOPLE DURING CORONAVIRUS The charity Bridge Community Farm in Ellesmere Port is working flat out to meet the demands of people affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

They have launched a dedicated service to ensure that vulnerable and elderly people continue to receive vital provisions during the Covid-19 crisis.

The charity urgently requires more volunteer drivers and an additional van to help with the distribution of their popular weekly fresh vegetable boxes.

Clair Johnson, General Manager of Bridge Community Farm, said: “We are being inundated with enquiries from older people who are confined to home and worried about getting fresh food. We have increased our capacity to get more supplies out.

unemployed growing fresh vegetables, salads, herbs and fruit in their fields and poly tunnels.

The Farm is currently closed to the public.

For more information or if you can volunteer as a driver on Tuesday mornings between 8.30am-12pm (own car needed and a smartphone are the only pre-requisites) please visit https://bwgardens.co.uk/ or call 07446 699995.

HOW TO SIGN UP TO THE VEG BOX SCHEME • • •

Go to www.bwgardens.co.uk Follow the link for veg box scheme.

Click the ‘sign up now’ link, this takes you on to our order page.

Choose the box that you would like and add any extra items that you would like.

The system will ask you if you are a new customer and to add your email address.

Then add your preferred delivery area, what date and the frequency of order eg weekly, fortnightly etc.

You will then be asked your name and telephone number and asked to complete your order.

“The situation has become even more urgent since the Government advised everybody other than key workers to stay at home as much as possible.

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“Our wonderful staff are continuing to maintain our growing spaces and tend our plants and crops to meet the demand of our vegetable boxes. We are, as always, enforcing strict hygiene measures.”

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Bridge Community Farm is based in Ellesmere Port and supports those coping with mental health and learning difficulties in the therapeutic environment of their 10-acre farm in Ellesmere Port. They also create jobs for the long term

N.B if you require more than one box you have to make a second order. You will receive a welcome email. Please read it carefully, all payment information is within.

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PARKGATE FEST POSTPONED It is with great sadness that, following official Government advice, the organisers of ParkgateFest 2020 have had to make the decision to postpone the festival which was scheduled to take place on the weekend of June 6th and June 7th 2020.

"We would like to thank everyone for their support. We have been overwhelmed this year with the community response to the event and naturally we are all very disappointed to be in this situation.

"We are unable to advise on potential rescheduled dates right now but will keep you all informed as the situation clarifies over the coming months.

"However, keeping up that community spirit during what will be a tough and uncertain few weeks or months for us all, the ParkgateFest organisers would like to use this time to offer our services to help with the more vulnerable in our community.

Whether you need food deliveries, medicines collected, dogs walking or just a friendly hello, whilst at all times adhering to the official advice on health and safety and social distancing. More than ever we need to support our local businesses through these next few months, so stay safe, thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you all soon.�

"Anyone who has purchased tickets online will be entitled to a full refund as will stalls who had already confirmed and paid.

You can email the organisers on Parkgatefest@gmail.com or at Martin.Barker@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Sue Saunders, organiser at ParkgateFest said: “These are testing times for all of us, but we must remain positive, 5 months of planning will not go to waste. All our plans, ideas, passion and energy are simply on hold now until next year and it’ll be worth the wait!

wirrallife.com 19

THE INTERVIEW: PAUL WELLER

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AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL WELLER The Modfather himself is heading to Liverpool in May… (so far, fingers crossed), appearing at the Liverpool Olympia on May 13th, 2020.

Whether you know Paul Weller from The Jam, The Style Council or just as Mr. Paul Weller, the rockstar Father of eight joins the ranks with Sir Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart, who also each have eight children. The 61-year-old is still selling out venues and his new studio album 'On Sunset' is due out in June.

How do you write your songs?

I play almost every day anyway, so every night, when everyone’s gone to bed, I’ll keep chipping away at songs, write a new thing, whatever it may be. I keep all these ideas stored on my phone until I’ve got time to go in and get them out.

Wirral Life caught up with him ahead of his new tour…

The phone is so helpful for stuff like that. I wish I’d had it years ago! I didn’t have anything to record on back in the day. I used to keep playing the songs over and over until I had the sequence in my head. I always thought if they’re good enough, I’ll remember them next day.

How do you juggle it all with having eight kids and a tour?

It’s all about finding a balance. I’d be quite happy if I was going in the studio next week to start working on a new album. But I can’t, for family reasons. It’s plate spinning. Trying to stay creative but at the same time, looking after my family duties as well.

Life is all about self-improvement for me, life. Not just as a writer, but as a person and a father. All those things. Be true to yourself.

Find yourself, be at peace with yourself – which I think I finally am. You can’t make up for past mistakes, you can only hope to learn from them and move on.

You’ve been a young Dad and an older Dad what’s that like?

The difference between being 30 and being a dad and being 60 and being a dad is a different mindset. You have more patience, and you know, kind of, what to expect.

The new 'On Sunset' is your first album with label Polydor since 1988, tell us about the move?

Polydor are really happening at the moment. They’ve got a great young team and some of my favourite new artists are on it too, with Sam Fender and Celeste, I really like their energy and enthusiasm.

It’s all those qualities I look for in a record company. It seems very fitting to be back on my old label after all these years.

I consider myself extremely, lucky, really, to be able to experience it and how wonderful it is, really. And changing nappies? Yeah, no problem. I’ve had enough experience!

I think eight’s a good number. It’s my lucky number!

Your Dad, John Weller, managed you until 2006 when he began to suffer from ill health. He must have been quite a character?

He helped guide my career almost from the moment I picked up a guitar. The Jam formed in Woking and we played tough working men's clubs - he was with us every step of the way. He called us the greatest group in the world.

He was a unique character, my old man. He wasn’t in any way academic, or my mum. They were proper old-school, workingclass people. He had a rubbish relationship with his own Dad, and I think you either stay like that or you want to change it. And that’s what he did. He gave us his time and encouraged me and my sister.

So that’s what fatherhood is in my eyes really, to be friends with your kids and involved with them. You didn’t have that so much when I was growing up.

Do you feel any different now you’re in your 60’s?

I’ve become quite reflective and taken stock of a lot of things about myself, as a person.

I thought 50 was quite a milestone, but 60... wow. Sometimes I’ll be chatting about being in a club in like 1977 and then you just stop and think, that was over 40 years ago.

You still love the Beatles though?

Of course! I am in awe of their work. I will still buy any magazine with them on the cover and acknowledge Paul McCartney’s godlike status. We know so much about them now and I’m not sure there is really any more to learn, but their records are continually surprising.

Paul Weller’s tour starts in May and comes to Liverpool on the 13th of that month before he heads to Europe for dates in July and then back to Manchester in November. (Correct at time of print).

wirrallife.com 21

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MAKING SENSE OF CORONAVIRUS

By Alan Mellor, Managing Director of Phillip Bates & Co Financial Services One of the privileges of my role as a chartered financial planner is to get to know clients well and play a small part in their lives.

We get to know their families, their hopes and fears and, importantly, how they are feeling. It follows then that, occasionally, with sadness, we have the opportunity to pay our last respects.

One long-standing client and friend was laid to rest recently. Sadly, due to the Coronavirus, the service was restricted to immediate family.

She was a funny, feisty and challenging character who would seldom let you leave without expecting to share a sharp whisky.

She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her, but when the virus passes I think the celebration of her life will be more joyful and well attended than would have been possible last week.

Instead I hit the road to pick up my son and daughter from university.

Talking to clients, making sure the wider family is safe is understandably our priority and while there will no doubt be challenging times ahead, taking care of those closest is what matters most.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. We all remember Tony Blair saying this is not a time for soundbites and then launching into a soundbite. Can I apologise if I fail also to follow his advice?

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. We must understand what has happened before to inform our perception of what happens next and what decisions should be made to protect and enhance our financial plans.

The major financial events of the last century are chronicled on the wall of both our meeting rooms at Phillip Bates & Co Financial Services and I have often discussed with clients how historical events have impacted investment returns.

It is useful to understand how markets work, while remembering all portfolios also have diversification into fixed interest, real assets and cash. Stock markets are called markets because they are effectively a trading place for people to buy and sell their share of a company’s value.

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The price is established at the point where buyers and sellers are both content to trade. If there are more buyers than sellers then the price goes up to a point where an equilibrium is reached. Recently there have been more sellers than buyers and hence values go down.

It is understandable when there is worry and uncertainty, buyers are scarce and hence falls in value continue until buyers see value, enough for them to trade. When worry reduces, buyers see value ahead and the price moves upwards to meet increased demand for shares.

An analysis of market falls for the last 30 years and the ensuing recovery period reveals that the longest period for recovery is 30 months and averages are much lower.

Now, I am not ready for predictions but the systemic damage through a clogging up of trade through the pandemic feels less permanent than the loss of confidence in the value of assets during the financial crisis of 2008.

The outcome is certain though to be a huge increase in Government debt in most economies, so get ready for tax rises when this is all over.

Most important is having income or cash to spend while any recovery happens. This is a massive part of having a robust financial plan and why these falls should not be a worry with a sensible long-term plan. Missing out on the recovery when it happens is perhaps more damaging to clients.

Comparing our middle of the road investment approach to the FTSE All Share shows how diversification helps dampen losses. This demonstrates the benefits of not having all eggs in one basket.

There will be many challenging times ahead for business owners and private investors. Our chartered financial planners and the wider Phillip Bates & Co team will be doing their very best to stay on top of the information and trends that emerge during this fast-evolving crisis.

If you would like to have a free initial consultation about the implications of the coronavirus or any other financial matter, please contact me on 0151 353 1066 or email: am@pbatesfs.co.uk

Truly Independent Financial Advice As Chartered Financial Planners we are committed to providing all of our clients with truly independent financial advice for all your personal and commercial needs.

We invest the time to understand your lifestyle now and the one you want in the future. We then work with you to achieve your aspirations.

Our team of Chartered Financial Planners work with you to achieve your goals.

Our commitment is to understand your finances, agree your objectives and design financial plans that meet your long-term requirements.

The question we get asked more than any other is: How much is enough?

No two clients are the same. There may be some similarities, but each financial plan is different.

SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS “I have been with Phillip Bates Financial Services since 2001 and have been very satisfied with the way they have helped and guided me in planning my finances over the years.”

TOM TOPPING

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT WORKING WITH BUSINESSES INHERITANCE TAX

“With three Chartered Financial Planners in the company, all with vast experience, it is easy for me to recommend their services to any proposed investor.”

CHARteRed fiNANCiAl PlANNeRs

COLIN WOODWARD

5 Chester Road • Neston • CH64 9PA

www.pbatesfs.co.uk

Phillip Bates & Co Tel: 0151 353 1066

ts isi le e v ilab om a H o av

als

HELPING YOU MAKE SMART DECISIONS

LEGAL & FINANCIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Every one of our clients has a unique story behind their wealth but, having built wealth many of us have similar aims: • To maintain (or grow) the value our assets; • Provide a regular income on which to live; • Minimise tax both now and in the future (IHT mitigation) Our approach to financial planning centres on objective and pertinent advice, driven by intelligent and trusted relationships.

Having worked hard to accumulate your capital, it makes sense to preserve it as best you can.

Achieving success requires a well thought through financial plan.

From planning for retirement or protecting and preserving wealth, First Equitable offers objective advice and suitable solutions for every aspect of your wealth.

We have experience to provide specialist advice in a range of areas including: • Pre and post retirement planning; • Tax efficient investment planning and wealth management; • Estate and succession planning; including Wills and Trusts.

For further information, or to schedule a free initial consultation, contact: 0151 236 9973 • info@first-equitable.com • www.first-equitable.co.uk • 2nd Floor, 1 Old Hall St, Liverpool L3 9HF The value of investments can go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. First Equitable is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 782577. Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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TIME TO BE GREEDY WHILST OTHERS ARE FEARFUL?

by Sam Hulson of First Equitable As the Coronavirus has spread rapidly across the globe, global stock markets have been plummeting in equally dramatic fashion, as fear and uncertainty concerning likely short and longer-term impacts resulting from the virus are considered by scientists and economists alike.

In times such as these most clients are asking one or both of the following questions: • •

Should I be taking any action with respect to my portfolio?

Is now a good time to invest?

The first question is obviously much more client specific and the reality is that if you have made an investment under the guidance of a professional then the only thing you should need now are a few words of reassurance!

Taking a proactive approach and planning in anticipation of what could happen is always preferable to a reactive approach when often it is too late and the damage is already done. Making rash decisions when markets have already plunged often proves very costly as it typically means crystallising losses. If you are planning on taking retirement and/or making significant withdrawals in the near future and hadn’t planned in advance by de-risking part of your portfolio, then you would be advised to seek professional advice before taking any decisive action.

The correct answer to the second question will of course still be very much client specific and dependent on overall circumstances, risk profile and investment objectives. However, we can also answer more easily in a generic sense. Global equity market valuations are now (at the time of writing) much lower than they were a month ago and so many people are now wondering if a major opportunity has presented itself?

My personal opinion is that I do think it represents a fantastic investment opportunity for long-term investors, as given time, global stock markets will no doubt eventually recover from this setback. However, key to the suitability and profitability of any investment is the time horizon and for anyone looking for short-term opportunities or a ‘get rich quick’ investment would be playing a dangerous game. The Coronavirus situation is most likely to get worse before it gets better and should the overriding feelings of fear and uncertainty continue to dominate, then panic and irrational behaviour is likely to ensue within financial markets.

Valuations The first reason I believe now could be a good time to invest is simply that valuations are far lower than they have been for a considerable amount of time. If we use the FTSE100 index as an example: The index has fallen from around 7,500 points to just 5,000 points (at the time of writing) in a

matter of weeks. That’s a fall of over 30%. On a basic level this means that shares are trading at lower (and very attractive) valuations - and paying considerably higher dividends per share.

During January Sales, people are often tempted to purchase items they perhaps don’t really want or need just because they are cheap! With investing, ironically, when prices get cheaper most people are overcome with fear and instead are running for the hills! But would you rather pay full price for a product or receive a 30% + discount?

“Be greedy when others are fearful”, Warren Buffet.

Another reason it might be considered a good time to invest is that there is a very high level of fear in the air right now. Last week the FTSE100 had its worst day since 1987; proof that many investors are in panic mode. The VIX Index, which measures market volatility, and is also referred to as the ‘fear index’ in financial circles, gives further objective evidence to support this. At the time of writing the VIX has just jumped to its highest ever recorded reading of 82.69! This surpassed the previous high of 80.86 in November 2008.

In the past, being bold enough to invest during periods like this has generally been extremely rewarding in the long run. For this reason, now might be an appropriate time to repeat one of Warren Buffet’s favourite mantras: “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”.

A cautious approach remains sensible It is important to realise that shares could still get cheaper from here. If the Coronavirus situation worsens before it gets better, then more falls could be set to come. However, trying to predict the bottom is also a difficult game best avoided. Our advice would be to consider drip-feeding into the market over a period of time. That way if prices fall further, you will still be able to take advantage of the lower prices on offer. In the long run stocks and shares are likely to recover just as they have always done from economic shocks in the past. Those who are willing to invest now, while fear and uncertainty is high, are likely to be rewarded over future years.

Just make sure you are happy to take the long-term view.

Need Advice?

If you need some advice regarding existing or new investment opportunities in these uncertain times we find ourselves in, please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation. This can be done by phone on 0151 236 9973; you can also email me at: sam.hulson@first-equitable.com.

wirrallife.com 25

WL PETS CORNER

CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY IN THE DOG

by Dugie Gemmill, Parkside Veterinary Practice Given the seismic shift in the foundations of our lives and community in recent times, the eighth of March seems like a date from an ancient history class. However, it was the day of the 2020 Chester 10km Road Race.

The first 10k that both I, or my son Finn had ever attempted! Important facts initially – my time was nine minutes faster than I had predicted, and quite respectable, and Finn did the decent thing and let his old man finish first! What on earth has this to do with the world of Veterinary Surgery? When I run, my mind tends to drift off and given that I was pushing myself at about the 8km mark going uphill towards the city centre, I began to tick off my list of personal rugby-related injuries – from Achilles tendon tears, to sutured forehead and lip, subluxated shoulder, broken nose (twice – first time it was crooked and the second reset it!) and finally to a hip resurfacing procedure. As I ran, despite this extensive list, I decided that in a bizarre way I had dodged the proverbial bullet by avoiding a most common football and rugby injury – the ruptured cruciate ligament!

Known as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in people, rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is incredibly common in dogs. In part this is because the average dog even if a canine couch potato, would be an accomplished amateur athlete in the human world. However, we frequently see the injury much more in some breeds of dog than others, particularly medium and large breeds, sometimes as young as eight months of age - a common patient is the Labrador Retriever.

The knee should only move in the manner of a hinge, but because it is often under stress through a range of angles from fully straight (extension) to bent (flexion), it contains an array of structures to combat these forces. Effectively the cranial cruciate ligament exists to keep the tibia (the shin bone) and the femur (the thigh bone) in a predictable position relative to one another. When the CCL is torn, partially or completely, then the tibia tends to slide forwards in respect to the femur.

The resulting lameness varies from subtle, to the dog only touching its toes to the ground – due in part to the sense of instability as the patient tries to put weight through the leg, and in part to the inflammation and swelling in the joint. There are also two discs of cartilage between

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the femur and tibia which act to stabilise the bones rather like a chock behind a wheel. The inner one (the medial meniscus) is commonly damaged along with the cruciate ligament.

It is accepted that nearly all dogs will benefit from surgical treatment of a cruciate related lameness, however small dogs can make a reasonable recovery with rest, anti-inflammatories, then physiotherapy – although recovery time can be protracted. Surgical treatment of the injury is often the best option. Traditionally the instability within the knee was addressed by direct stabilisation using a variety of materials to replace the function of the ligament. These could be grafts of tissue harvested from the knee area, or synthetic material. These standard procedures served us well for many years, but it is recognised that these ligament replacements may stretch or fail completely leaving the knee joint unstable. Recovery can sometimes be quite protracted. We now recognise that we can neutralise the forces within the knee that drive the tibia forwards by altering the shape of the tibia itself. There are several procedures used by surgeons to accomplish this: TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy) and the TTA (tibial tubercle advancement) are the principle ones. It is also important to inspect and treat the medial meniscus, if damaged, at the time of surgery.

In the TTA, the front of the tibia where the patellar or knee-cap tendon attaches is moved forwards by a distance measured on digital radiographs. The bone is then held in place using a cage and screws, or a cage and plate. Although uncommon, complications can occur which can include infection, further damage to the meniscus, persistent instability or fracture.

While injury to the cruciate ligament in people or dogs is a serious occurrence, in the veterinary world as with human orthopaedics, surgical treatment performed by a surgeon experienced in the techniques can give great results and patients will often return to their sporting life!

Dugie is a graduate of Glasgow University and has worked at Parkside Veterinary Practice since 1990 and has been the Clinical Director for the last seven years. He has a keen interest in laparoscopic and orthopaedic surgery.

PARKSIDE VETERINARY PRACTICE Parkside Veterinary Practice will continue to provide emergency and essential care for all our registered clients during the days ahead as the community endures the Corona Virus pandemic. If you have any concerns about your pets’ health or welfare, please call us. Thank you to our wonderful clients – patient and resilient. Thank you to our staff – courageous and dedicated. #teamvet @theparksidevets #wirral #wewillovercome For more info, pop into either practice...

Call the New Ferry Practice on 0151 644 8918 2 Sefton Road, New Ferry, Wirral, CH62 5AT

Call the Wallasey Practice on 0151 630 4899 90 Wallasey Village, Wirral, CH45 3LQ

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50 THINGS TO DO IN LOCKDOWN As concerts are postponed, sporting events are cancelled, schools are closed and tourist hot spots are shut down, we are now on lockdown during this time of global pandemic.

Although remaining inside is a good way to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus, and is an important measure to help "flatten the curve" of daily cases that put pressure on our NHS, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness.

7.

Put together the most attractive charcuterie board possible, but you can only use foods you already have in your fridge and cupboard.

8. Learn to paint.

9. DIY. 10. Get in the garden.

What's there to do while stuck indoors? We've compiled some suggestions to help make your time quarantined as interesting – and perhaps even as productive – as possible.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Complete a puzzle: The more pieces the better! Feeling extra saucy? Take on a Rubik's Cube. More of a word person?

Crossword puzzle!

If it won't bother your neighbours: Dust off that old instrument and practice.

Watch all the really long movies you’ve avoided until now.

Download Duolingo, or a similar app, and teach yourself a foreign language.

Meditate. Try lying down with your eyes closed, palms up and while focusing on your breath. Or spend 20 minutes sitting crosslegged and repeat a soothing word to yourself in your head. (The latter is more like transcendental meditation.)

Face masks, moisturiser, oh my! Treat yourself to a 10-step skin care routine you don’t have time for during a normal work week.

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11. Write actual letters to family and friends. After that? Write thank-you notes to service people who you remember went out of their way for you.

12. Have a space in your home where all of the tupperware goes? Organise it and actually match lids to containers.

13. Re-organise your wardrobe.

14. Have a clearout.

15. Get into baking.

16. Watch the films that won Oscars for best picture.

17. Read all the Wirral Life Magazine issues you have collected.

18. Knit or crochet.

19. Download HouseParty app - it's lots of fun!

20. Use Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Marco Polo to video chat with your long-distance friends.

21. Try out at-home aerobics or yoga videos. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists.

22. 100 songs to help lift your spirits during a pandemic.

23. Look at yourself in the mirror. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper.

24. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of wine).

25. Colouring books: They’re not just for kids.

26. Take time to reflect: What have you accomplished in the last year? What goals are you setting for yourself in the next year?

27. Write a short story or get started on that novel.

28. Clear out the family room and camp indoors with all blankets, popcorn and scary movies.

29. Finally get around to fixing that broken door knob and loose tile or cleaning scuffed up walls.

30. Learn how to braid (fishtail, French, etc.) via YouTube tutorial.

31. Throw out all your too-old makeup and products. (Tip: most liquid products have a small symbol on them noting expirations, usually six months to a year.)

32. Interview your grandparents (over the phone, of course) and save the audio. Can you create an audio story or book with that file?

33. Go through your camera roll, pick your favourite pics from the past year and make a photo book or order framed versions online.

34. Go on a health kick and learn how to cook new recipes with ingredients you may not be using already, from miso to tahini.

35. Create a Google document of shows or movies you’re watching and share it among family and friends.

36. Make a list of things for which you are grateful.

37. Have your own wine tasting of whatever bottles you have at home. Make up stories about the journey of the grapes to your mouth.

38. Indoor scavenger hunt.

39. Alternate reading the Harry Potter series with your kids and cap each one off with the movie.

40. Go viral with TikTok. 41. Rearrange your sock drawer. Really.

42. Make lists of all the museums, sporting events and concerts you want to visit when they finally reopen.

43. Rearrange your furniture to make it seem like your home is a totally different space.

44. Learn a new style of dance via YouTube, from bellydancing to breaking.

45. Bring out the Legos. Build your house inside of your house.

46. Watch the "Star Wars" movies in this and only this order: Rogue One-IV-V-II-III-Solo-VI-VII-VIII-IX. 47. Attempt things with your non-dominant hand, from writing to brushing your teeth. Prepare to be frustrated.

48. Learn origami. Make cranes for your loved ones.

49. Stretch. Work on your flexibility. It's possible to get the splits back, right?

50. Sleep a lot.

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http://bit.ly/BeSocialWise

#SOCIALWISE

Suicide & mental health issues linked to social media have been rife in the news lately. As it is relatively new to mankind & evolves regularly, the problems arising from its misuse are only just becoming apparent.

Social media management is a large part of a digital marketing agency’s portfolio, so we felt that we had a duty to raise awareness of the multitude of concerns surrounding it use.

The ability to speak to two thirds of the world, some 4.5 billion people is an incredible yet unprecedented power. Used for good, social media can produce some phenomenal results for businesses & individuals. For us it is a valuable marketing, communication & information tool, delivering positive results.

The power it has to do good, can also be wielded for evil.

Our team at Revolution Four were therefore keen to undertake a campaign highlighting the dangers, which is why we launched #SocialWise.

We’ve explored the problems associated with habitual use & how this detracts from interactions with loved ones & other humans. In some cases this can lead to addiction, mental health issues from comparisons to others (or what others want you to see), & isolation.

We’ve discussed the more sinister side of social media such as the power of words & the devastating effect that trolling can have on a person’s wellbeing. We look

at stalking & how access to someone can become all consuming. Fake identities or ‘catfishing’ as it is known, can range from proffering younger or tweaked photos of oneself to patent fraudulent identities often used to con people & sadly children into relationships or meetings.

Stereotyping or abusing people based on their sexual orientation, gender, colour, religion, age, whatever is easy behind the mask of a profile. Despite this mixed pot of a modern world we live in, prejudices still exist.

The upsetting & unbalancing problems caused by the misuse of social media platforms is widespread. Our campaign discusses individual topics & tries to shed some light on how these problems manifest. We also try to offer help & advise on what to do if you or a friend are suffering or struggling.

The Revolution Four team feel that we are not alone & since we launched the campaign triggered by Caroline Flack’s tragic suicide, getting on for 3 million people have seen our posts, interacted & hopefully it’s helped.

If you would like to be #SocialWise & understand more about the dangers of social media & how to protect yourself & loved ones, then get in touch with us in confidence at thrive@revolutionfour.co.uk or interact with us on social media @revolu4ion.

wirrallife.com 31

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THE CURIOUS QUAFFER ELIXIR OXTON A few weeks back (prior to the Coronavirus situation), the Wirral welcomed a new restaurant into its midst when ‘Elixir’ opened its doors in Oxton Village. In what used to be the Courtyard, but now under different ownership and management, we can now find another smart little place to visit in a village that is becoming something of a food ‘hot spot’ on the peninsula.

The Wine...

For me the task was, as always, to assess the Elixir wine list.

Equally, again as always, it would not be right to do so without considering the food. After all, assessing a restaurants wine list does, by necessity, involve seeing how well the wine on offer matches the food on offer.

In the lead up to its opening I paid a visit to the then, unopened, ‘Elixir’ where I was afforded a sneak preview of the restaurants wine list. The purpose of the visit? Simply to see if it was any good, if it was worth returning for a tasting of some of the wines and, thus, was it potentially worth writing about. The question was answered by the fact that a week later a number of us descended on Elixir and set about tasting a decent number, and a fair selection, of the wines on offer.

The Food...

The food is based on the concept of ‘something for everyone’.

The main menu consists of some twenty three dishes, with sides, ‘nibbles’ (described as ‘while you waits’) and desserts too. All of these dishes are available as small plates, with eleven available as larger plates too. When the restaurant talks about small plates, think tapas, but not necessarily Spanish in design or origin. The larger plates are for those who simply want more of the same thing.

There is a good mixture of meat, fish and vegan food on offer.

The menu is not only one that, therefore, genuinely does have ‘something for everyone’, but is a menu designed for sharing. It is a clever little menu and suited the eleven or so of us who went to try it out. This allowed us to sample a very large proportion of the food on offer. Quality wise – excellent. Presentation – excellent too. For me the pick of the food was the ‘pulled ham hock, toasted croutes, pea puree, salt and pepper crackling’; ‘tempura fish tacos, warm flatbreads, avocado mash, fresh tomato aioli’; ‘slow cooked shoulder of lamb, caramelised onions and redcurrant jelly’.

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So much for the food. What about the wine? In many ways a menu containing the volume and variety of food on offer at Elixir can present its own problems when it comes to wine and wine selection. Is there enough wine on the list to match all the food? Is there enough variety on offer to do the trick?

On the wine list at Elixir we find ten white wines and ten red wines (together with six bottles of champagne/ sparkling wine and two bottles of rose). It is not, therefore, what one would call a small wine list with little or no choice; but by the same token it is not a wine list of great length. The question, whatever the size of a wine list though, is simple. Does it do its job? Its job is to offer quality, range and value, not only as a stand-alone item in its own right, but as part of a package with the food.

The Whites...

The ten white wines constitute: (i) a sauvignon blanc from Chile; (ii) a pinot grigio from Italy; (iii) a chardonnay - semillon blend from Australia; (iv) a feteasca from Romania; (v) a white Rioja from Spain; (vi) a fiano form Puglia; (vii) a picpoul from the Languedoc; (viii) a blend of indigenous white grapes (primarily codeja) from the Douro; (ix) an albarino from Rias Baxas, and; (x) a Sancerre from the Loire valley. In all, seven different countries represented and a wide range of grape varieties and blends.

From this we tasted the Chilean sauvignon blanc, the picpoul, the fiano and the albarino. The sauvignon was fresh, zesty and packed with ripe gooseberry. The picpoul was a lovely light, fresh, lively wine with great weight. Citrus and heaps of lemon/ lemongrass. The fiano was again fresh, but with a touch of richness to it. Citrus, a hint of grapefruit, some melon and an overall feeling of ripeness about it.

The albarino was, as you would expect, clean and fresh. Again, citrus to the fore – but not just lemon here, apple and a touch of orange too.

The Reds...

The ten reds constitute: (i) a merlot from Chile; (ii) a pinot noir from Romania; (iii) an Australian shiraz; (iv) a primitivo from Puglia; (v) a syrah from Portugal; (vi) an alicante bouschet from the Languedoc; (vii) an Argentinian malbec; (viii) a Spanish Rioja; (ix) a St Emilion from Bordeaux, and; (x) a red wine from Priorat in Spain. Again, a good selection of wines from different countries and wine producing regions, and a good selection of grape varieties and blends.

Here we tasted the Romanian pinot noir, the alicante bouschet from the Languedoc, the primitivo from Puglia and the Priorat red. The Romanian pinot noir came from the Banat region of the country. It was light, smooth and clean with ripe fruit (red cherries on the nose).

Very drinkable. The alicante bouschet was an obvious choice for me.

Rarely seen as a single varietal, as it is often found as a blending grape, this stuck out to me as a ‘must try’. This is actually a red fleshed grape which produced a dark red, smooth, juicy but very soft red wine. Perhaps a touch of the forest fruit in here – but very nice. Then the primitivo. As you would expect a powerful, full bodied and rich wine. This was primitivo ‘appassimento’. The ‘appassimento’ process means that the grapes are dried on straw mats for a time. This adds to the ripe, rich flavours you get from this wine. Ripe plum, black fruit, a gentle spiciness and, as the restaurants own wine list states, a bit of chocolate to boot. Finally, the Priorat red. This was Cuvee "Riu" from Trio Infernal - the brainchild of three of the Rhone Valley's most talented producers. A blend of carignan, syrah and grenache, you get a fruit forward, full bodied and fresh red wine. Redcurrant, wild red fruits and vanilla.

The Cost...

As to cost, the white wines range from £18.00 a bottle (the Chilean sauvignon) and go up to £35.00 a bottle (the Sancerre). The majority are in the £18.00 - £25.00 a bottle bracket. The reds also start at £18.00 a bottle (the Chilean merlot) and go up to £45.00 a bottle (the Trio Infernal ‘Riu’). Again most are in the £18.00 - £25.00 a bottle bracket.

All the wines are priced with a fair uplift (having, as I often do, compared the price displayed on a wine list against the price I would have to pay if I bought it elsewhere from a retail outlet). If you really wanted to push the boat out you could always go for the Laurent – Perrier Grand Siecle, La Cuvee, Champagne at £175 a bottle!

A number of the wines are also sold by the glass – either £4.50 or £5.00 for a 175ml glass. This is, again, a welcome addition to any wine list and gives the customer the opportunity to try a number of different wines with their meal. For those of you who have been reading Wirral Life Magazine for some time, you may remember my interview with Oz Clarke. His advice was that when you go to a restaurant: “Buy wine by the glass, not by the bottle. This way you can experiment and buy a number of glasses containing completely different wines. By doing so you won’t waste a bottle you may not like, and at the same time will have a number of chances of finding something that you do”.

The Verdict...

The problem that many of us face these days is that some restaurant wine lists can be poor and lacking when it comes to both range and quality. Some also involve wines where the mark up, when it comes to their list price, is too high. The wine list at ‘Elixir’ does not tick any of these three boxes. The wines have been carefully chosen. The wine list is excellent when it comes to range and quality. It represents value for money with mark ups, on the wines, which are fair and honest. Finally, when looking at both the wine list and at the menu, and having dined at ‘Elixir’, there are multiple wines that match with each and every one of the items on the menu. Another box ticked.

Overall a good menu and a good wine list to go with it. A survey recently revealed that very nearly half of all diners opt for the second cheapest wine on a restaurants wine list. Why? Who knows - perhaps thinking that the first isn’t worth buying, is below them or that anything else that is more expensive is likely to be overpriced? Well there is nothing wrong with the cheapest or the second cheapest wine on the Elixir red or white wine list. There is much to enjoy here, at every level, and very much so with all of the wines that exceed the price of the second cheapest wine on the list.

So Oxton has not only another restaurant, but another decent wine list. It is a very lively environment for those of you who want to eat in somewhere with a bit of a ‘buzz’. It also does a Sunday lunch menu, albeit one I have not yet tried.

Whenever you go, and whatever the food you choose, enjoy the wine list. Great credit must go to the team that put the wine list together, not least because it is prepared to take us away, as the consumer, from the norm and to take us to wines that you would often not come across on a restaurant wine list. Be bold. Overall you won’t be disappointed – whatever you choose from the wine list at Elixir!

Elixir Oxton is now closed until after the Coronavirus situation.

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NOW IS THE TIME FOR KINDNESS…

BY PAUL ASKEW, CHEF PATRON OF THE ART SCHOOL RESTAURANT This months’ piece has been one of the most difficult to write. I had planned to share with you the progress on our plans for this years’ Grand National Festival, as we transformed the former home Mirabel Topham into The Art School at Aintree.

I’d also hoped to share the success of our Mothering Sunday celebration and announce plans for our Easter Sunday luncheon, shedding light on the beginning of spring and the plentiful bounties that come in the change of the season.

government we are able to keep the full team employed which was of paramount importance to me as the situation became more serious.

Our local suppliers have shown their own initiative by providing complimentary delivery services during these challenging times. Including Edge & Son’s and Ward’s fish, based in the centre of the gastronomic universe!

However, none of that is relevant anymore, with the restaurant and Cellars bar under enforced closure from the government until further notice due to the dreaded Coronavirus.

I will do all I can over the weeks and months to support my brigade and suppliers from a suitable distance. Of course, focusing on my health and that of my family in the meantime to ensure that the restaurant and Cellars is able to re-open at a time when the government advises it is safe and appropriate to do so.

While last week fell nowhere short of an extreme challenge, with advice against dining out and a daily shift in the government’s position, moving ever closer to the forced closure. Although it was difficult initially to see the restaurant close, I do of course appreciate the immense value in the social distancing techniques imposed by the government.

It could also be quite rewarding to spend some time away from the business with Helen and Harry. Allowing me to recharge the batteries, work on some new dishes and start the plans for our bigger and better return.

Overleaf, I’ve also included a beautiful spring recipe from my Onwards & Upwards cookery book for you to try at home whilst in isolation.

I would like to take a moment to thank my fantastic team at The Art School who have completely had the rug pulled from underneath them. Thankfully, with help from the payroll support package offered by the

Stay safe, stay well and start preparing for the big party when this is over!

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Chef Askew

T H E

ART SCHOOL PAUL ASKEW

KEEP SAFE and prepare for a big party...

Enjoy the finest in seasonal fayre at the multi-award winning Art School Restaurant.

Relax in our main dining room and enjoy the finest food from our prix fixe, excellence or tasting menus. Let our Sommelier team hand select perfectly paired wines from our extensive wine list for your enjoyment.

Continue your gastronomic journey in the Art School Cellars with homemade breads, artisan Charcuterie and cheese and an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Our Cellars house a stunning private tasting room.

Suitable for up to 10 guests the Sommelier led room offers a range of packages with small plates paired to the finest wines.

The latest addition to the Art School family is The Moriarty Private Dining Room.

Beautifully presented, the room, served by its own kitchen and bar, accommodates up to 24 guests.

For further information, to arrange an appointment to view or to book please contact guest reservations.

eat@theartschoolrestaurant.co.uk 0151 230 8600 N O 1 SUGNALL STREET LIVERPOOL L7 7EB PAUL ASKEW

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WSpring - Main Course L

Confit Leg & Breast of Organic Edge's Chicken & Claremont Farm Asparagus Serves: 4 Ingredients:

Method:

Confit leg and breast from Edge & Sons

l Cook the potatoes until soft in salted boiling water l Drain them, before drying off any excess water by returning them to the pan and placing them back on the heat for a minute or two. Pass through drum sieve to ensure a smooth puree l Add a drizzle of olive oil and season well for taste

Breast and leg of organic chicken (1/2 breast and a leg parcel per person) Chicken seasoning (Please see the glossary) Chicken stock (please see the glossary) Method: l At the restaurant we buy whole chickens as it fits with the philosophy of our cuisine to use everything that we possibly can from such a precious ingredient as organic chicken l The drumstick and thighs are used for confit before being pulled and shredded for the parcel garnish l The skin is used for making the chicken crackling, and the breast is pan-roasted as the prime cut l Dust the chicken using the seasoning, both on the skin and within the butterfly l If you are cooking this at home, it is more beneficial to cook the whole crown of chicken in the oven with the meat still attached. This is because the cage of the bird will retain lots of natural juices into the meat l At the restaurant we remove the breast from the bone as we don’t know how many portions we might cook to order during service and we don’t want to be wasteful l Place the cut into a lightly-oiled pan meat-side down to seal, before turning the breast over to reveal the skin and place into the oven for 4-5 minutes on 165 degrees until it is just cooked.

This will keep the breast juicy and moist. Rest for 5 minutes until ready to carve

Sauce Claremont Farm asparagus, 3 spears per portion peeled and trimmed then cooked in boiling salted water at the last minute Morelles, 3 per portion. Brushed and trimmed ready to sauté in a splash of vegetable oil and butter 3 or 4 shavings of summer truffles per plate, shaved on top of the chicken during the plating Chopped tarragon and truffle trimmings for the natural jus.

(We use the double strength chicken stock, see details opposite for stock for confit leg parcel, which is infused with truffles and tarragon.)

Method: l See method of stock for confit leg parcel

Cyprus (Spunta) Potato 2 large Spunta potatoes, washed and peeled, cut into dice Extra virgin olive oil Maldon sea salt 38 wirrallife.com

Confit Leg Parcel Fuille de Bric pastry- 2 sheets cut in half to make four parcels Chopped parsley 1 tbsp natural Jus Shredded leg meat 1 egg yolk 10g unsalted butter A splash of vegetable oil Poppy seeds Stock for Confit Leg Parcel 500ml chicken stock, please see the glossary Mirepoix of vegetables, 1 carrot, 1 leek, 1 onion, 1 celery stick 2 cloves of peeled garlic 175ml good quality white wine Bouquet garni 5 black peppercorns Tsp fennel seeds Maldon sea salt Ground white pepper Method: l Seal the leg and thigh in a hot pan ensuring the browning and colouration of the meat l Place into a deep roasting tin, along with the chicken stock, the mirepoix of vegetables, the wine, garlic, bouquet garni, peppercorns, fennel seeds and seasoning l Slow cook this for two hours on 150 degrees until the meat is so tender it looks like that it is just about to fall apart l Pass off the liquor, which will now be of double strength, through a muslin cloth into a pan and reduce it down with a knob of butter to give it a nice sheen. Finish this jus using the trimmings of truffle and chopped tarragon leaves Assembly Plate all elements before adding the jus.

Chef ’s Recommended Wine: Waterkloof, Circumstance Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2014

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W L

THE BUTCHERS CUT

BY MUFFS OF BROMBOROUGH

LAMB & ASPARAGUS INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4)

METHOD

• • • • • • • • •

•

Butter, 40g Lamb leg, cubed 450g Shallots, 250g Plain flour, 2 tbsp White wine, 150ml Stock, 800ml Asparagus, 300g Crème fraîche, 200ml Chives

• •

•

•

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Melt the butter in a deep casserole, add the lamb and leave it to colour lightly for a few minutes over a moderately high heat.

Tossing it from time to time will help it colour evenly on all sides.

Remove the browned meat to a plate.

Peel the shallots whole, halving any that are bigger than a walnut in its shell. Add them to the casserole and let them brown lightly, tossing them occasionally so that they colour evenly.

Return the lamb in its juices to the pan. Dust the flour over the meat and onions and cook for a minute or two, stirring from time to time. Turn up the heat and pour in the white wine. Leave to bubble away until the wine is reduced by half, scraping at the crusty bits on the base of the pan with a wooden spatula as you go.

Pour in the stock (it can be vegetable, lamb or even chicken) and bring to the boil, then lower the heat and leave to simmer, partly covered, for about 30 minutes, until the meat is tender but still has plenty of bite.

Slice the asparagus spears into 2 or 3 short lengths and add to the pan with salt and pepper. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until the asparagus is tender. Stir in the crème fraîche and chives.

Check the seasoning and serve.

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FINE FOODS AND DELI

EST 1974

Multi-award-winning Steve and John Muff only use the finest ingredients in their sausages, pies and puddings to ensure that they maintain the high quality for which they are known, not only in the North West, but across the whole of the UK.

Muffs of Bromborough. The Cross, Allport Lane, Wirral, CH62 7HQ. Tel: 0151 334 2002. www.muffsonline.co.uk

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY ON 0151 334 2002

MACBRYDE HOMES ANNOUNCES RELAUNCH OF SIGNATURE COLLECTION HOMES WITH PLANS TO BUILD IN WIRRAL Macbryde Homes has announced plans to return to Wirral where it will build 25 luxury new homes in Meols under its Signature Collection brand. Work on the development, to be known as Queensbury Manor, has commenced and sales will launch shortly.

Located on land that formerly served as a playing field for the nearby Kingsmead School, the homes will all boast four bedrooms and will blend traditional elegance of classic architecture with sophisticated, 21st century interior design. They mark a return for Macbryde Homes to developing exclusive homes in highly sought-after areas almost three years after it completed Kingswood Manor in Woolton, Liverpool.

Managing Director of Macbryde Homes, Gwyn Jones, comments: “The opportunity to purchase this land, which is in such a highly sought-after location and which already boasted planning permission, was simply too good an opportunity to miss.

“We have a strong heritage delivering luxury homes across Wirral and Merseyside and it’s fantastic to now be back with our latest development in our Signature Collection.

"These homes, located in close proximity to many fine restaurants, bistros and wine bars; within easy access to ample retail therapy opportunities; and, of course, with

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a wealth of strong transport connections into Liverpool and across the North West, will particularly appeal to professionals, families and the retired market.

"We’re expecting interest to be very strong when we launch in a couple of months.”

Macbryde Homes’ Signature Collection is centred on exclusive homes in private, sought-after locations that are built using the very latest technologies and quality materials, finished with high-end fixtures and fittings, ensuring that purchasers are in no doubt as to the desirability of their new homes.

Concluding by commenting on a return to the exclusive end of the housing market, Gwyn Jones says: “In recent years, Macbryde Homes has grown rapidly and is recognised as a market leader in developing quality new homes across all sectors of the market in the North West of England and across North Wales.

“We always had a desire to complement our open-market and affordable homes on larger sites, with a return to smaller, luxury developments in highly desirable locations.

However, the market conditions and area have to be totally right to do so. We believe that the homes we’ll build at Queensbury Manor, Meols meet these criteria and we look forward to seeing how popular they are once we launch.”

Beautiful homes built for you Your dream home awaits at Queensbury Manor; an exclusive development of 25 stunning Signature Collection homes, situated in the desirable area of Meols, on the Wirral Peninsula.

This beautiful development is located in an area that offers you the best access to every amenity you may need while you enjoy life in your stunning new home. Enquire about one of these beautiful homes today, and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Signature Collection Queensbury Manor, Meols, CH47 0NA 01352 872 560 | macbryde-homes.co.uk

More beautiful homes available across the North West & North Wales – visit our website for details!

THERE ARE OVER 2500 UNSOLD PROPERTIES ON THE WIRRAL. MAKE YOUR HOUSE STANDOUT WITH WIRRAL LIFE PROPERTY. • ONLY £99 • ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY, EITHER VIA YOUR ESTATE AGENT, OR YOU CAN NOW COME DIRECT TO US. WITH A MONTHLY COMBINED PRINT AND ONLINE READERSHIP OF OVER 50,000, NOWHERE ELSE CAN GIVE YOUR PROPERTY MORE TARGETED EXPOSURE TO THE BUYERS YOU WANT. *£99 includes a quarter page advert in one issue of Wirral Life Magazine, online listing at www.wirrallife.com and sale board. No contract

CONTACT: hello@wirrallife.com OR CALL 0151 363 6403

TM

WIRRAL

LIFE PROPERTY

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WIRRAL LIFE PROPERTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONSTABLES ESTATE AGENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL CONSTABLES ON 0151 353 1333

Mill Lane, Willaston ÂŁ995,000 Goss Moor is an imposing Edwardian residence located in a highly desirable area of Willaston, Cheshire, close to village amenities.

This impressive property is set in established grounds extending to approximately 0.75 acres. The property is approached via a walled driveway with electric wooden gates opening to a gravel parking and turning area, the front boundary is well established with trees and shrubs providing a natural private screen. The driveway continues to the side of the property where there is a large wooden workshop. The rear garden is lawned with mature borders, there is also an outdoor heated swimming pool, pool house and paved terrace.

The property provides incredibly spacious and versatile accommodation that is arranged over two floors with a layout that is conducive to family living and entertaining.

Wood Lane, Parkgate ÂŁ650,000 The Coach House is an impressive detached residence situated in an incredibly private and secluded position, along a private drive off Wood Lane in Parkgate.

The original sandstone coach house dates back to early 1900's and it was later converted in the 1970's. The current owners have undertaken an extensive scheme of renovation to create a truly stunning home with contemporary, high quality fittings and finishes synergising perfectly with period features.

A new bespoke kitchen has been fitted; this won an award in 100 beautiful kitchens competition 2018. Windows have been replaced and bi-folding doors installed as well as zonal underfloor heating in some of the ground floor rooms.

The property is approached via a shared driveway to a private driveway and through double gates which open up to a cobbled courtyard and gravel parking area.

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W PROPERTY L

Spital Road, Spital £495,000

Reins Croft, Neston £345,000

Lancelyn Cottage is an impressive detached property which is accessed via a private driveway off Spital Road. The original property dates back to 1931, however it has been significantly extended and improved by the current owners to create a stunning family home. The property occupies a good-sized private plot that is accessed via electric double gates. The plot also incorporates a detached outbuilding with a garage, gymnasium and first floor office and there is a separate outbuilding which is currently used as a games room which has a lounge area and office space, a WC and store cupboard.

Constables are delighted to offer for sale this beautifully presented four bedroom family home on the popular Millfield development close to Neston town centre. The property offers modern and bright living accommodation and also benefits from a sunny south facing rear garden. The accommodation comprises; hall, WC, lounge, second reception room, and kitchen/diner with fully integrated appliances. On the first floor is the master bedroom with dressing area and en-suite, guest bedroom with en-suite and there are two additional bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Parkgate Road, Woodbank £345,000

Chapel View, Eastham £215,000

Constables is delighted to offer this fantastic opportunity to acquire a period cottage located in the sought after hamlet of Woodbank, near Chester. The property has been significantly improved by the current owners and has been extended to create a fantastic open plan living space and garden room. There is also a self-contained annex with bedroom, lounge and shower and the property comes with the addition of a paddock which is accessed from the rear garden; this extends to approximately 2/3 acre.

Constables is delighted to offer for sale this fantastic three storey town-house located in a highly popular development close to Eastham Country Park and Eastham Golf Club. The accommodation is immaculately presented throughout and comprises; entrance hallway with cloakroom, kitchen-dining room with integrated oven and hob and a spacious lounge with French doors opening to the rear garden. To the first floor are three bedrooms; two have built in wardrobes and there is a family bathroom. On the second floor is a large master bedroom with built in storage and an en-suite shower room.

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WIRRAL LIFE PROPERTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONSTABLES ESTATE AGENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL CONSTABLES ON 0151 353 1333

Rockfarm Drive, Little Neston £439,950

Greengates Crescent, Little Neston £265,000

An impressive detached property that has been recently renovated and extended to create a superb open plan ground floor living space that is finished to an exceptionally high standard. The property is located in a highly desirable area within walking distance to Woodfall Primary school and amenities in Little Neston village and Neston town centre. The bespoke design has many architectural features including a curved wall, bi-fold doors, external feature lighting, and large Velux windows to the rear of the extension maximising natural light from the south-facing aspect.

Constables is delighted to offer for sale this modern detached property, located in a highly sought after cul-de-sac in Little Neston. The property enjoys an enviable position with a large front garden and driveway setting it back from the road and there is a good sized private rear garden that has a Southerly aspect.

The accommodation is well-presented and comprises; entrance porch, lounge, cloakroom, and an open plan kitchen-dining room with two sets of French doors out to the rear garden. To the first floor are three bedrooms; the master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and there is a separate family bathroom.

Oak Road, Hooton £185,000

Vernon Avenue, Hooton £275,000

Constables is delighted to the market this stunning two bedroom semi detached property located in a sought after cul-de-sac in Hooton. The property has been finished to an impeccable standard with quality finishes throughout including a modern kitchen with double oven and Belfast sink, bathroom with four piece suite and there is engineered oak flooring on the ground floor. The accommodation is spacious and comprises; entrance hallway, lounge, dining room with feature fireplace and kitchen.

To the first floor are two bedrooms; the master bedroom has a wet room and there is a separate bathroom.

Constables is delighted to offer for sale this extended semidetached property that enjoys an enviable position in a quiet cul-de-sac and has views over adjoining farmland. The property has been extended and refurbished by the current owners including the installation of a new kitchen in 2018 and the conversion of part of the garage to create a utility room and W.C. The accommodation is incredibly spacious and finished to an impeccable standard and briefly comprises; entrance hallway with stairs to first floor and doors into large lounge with Oak wooden flooring and open fire. wirrallife.com 47

Follow us on twitter: @constablesea Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/constablesestateagents

INTERIOR INSPIRATION

BY KATE KINGSTON

Kate Kingston, Managing Director of Kingston Shaw, an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral, London and Dubai, shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home.

INTERIOR DESIGN CHALLENGE! Wow dear reader, I did not think, I would be writing to you this month from isolation!

We are living in strange times and we all are going to feel the impact of this for weeks, months and possibly years to come, but let's not concentrate on the negative and take this opportunity to look at where and how we live and maybe change it up a bit! I want you to become your own interior designer and pick a room to improve without spending a penny!

3.

Think about what you want to use the room for, if its not obviously a bathroom, kitchen etc! Do you want to sleep in it, read, dine, work, then write down from the inventory of your house furniture that you could use, its like shopping in your own house, maybe that old chest of drawers would look fab in the dining room as a buffet, paint it up and glue those old tiles in the garage on top giving it a new purpose and look!

Here we go...

4.

Soft furnishings can also be moved around the house, have you got some old silk scarves use them as new holdbacks for those tired old curtains, or sew them together for new cushion covers.

You have chosen a room that feels tired, maybe it doesn’t function, maybe its cluttered, maybe you have never known what to do with it! This is what we do as professionals when presented with a space.

1.

Take photos of the room, you may think you know your space but seeing it from different angles can shed some light on what the problem may be.

Finally, if you get stuck and want some professional help, we are offering some remote one to one sessions, just send an email to contact@kingstonshaw.com, explaining the problem and we will organise a video chat with you.

Most importantly all of us at Kingston Shaw are sending you love and hoping that you stay safe and well.

2.

Get a pen and paper and draw the room, doesn’t have to be accurate, just the shape, where is the door, the window, where are the lights, the power sockets, are there any anomalies in the room.

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5.

Move your lamps and floor standing lamps around see the different effects they can give whilst placed in different parts of the house they don’t have to be stuck on a table or in the corner of a room!

6.

De Clutter - Do you need or want all the stuff in that room, if you don’t, sell it! Use the funds to buy something you do need or want, some fresh paint, new curtains, an up cycled sofa!

7.

If you are moving furniture from one room to another then please measure it before you lug it and get it trapped in the doorway!

Adwell Corner Chaise with Relaxed Cushions in House Velvet Grey £1899, Aiden Armchair in Modern Geo Grey £499, Quinn 3 Drawer Chest £299, Blake Oval Coffee Table £249, Set of 2 Blake Nesting Tables £179, Large Milan Mirror £99, Plait Rug £219-£289, Simple Carved Rug £149-£389, Round Woven Rug £100, Succulent Garden I Concrete Pot £9.50, Large Gold Planter with Legs £29.50, Medium Gold Planter with Legs £19.50, Eli Cushion in Green Mix £25, Layla Cushion in Ochre Mix £17.50, Luca Cushion £19.50, Hugo Cushion £22.50, Faux Mohair Throw in Ochre £25, Distressed Chenille Cushion in Duck Egg £15, Seascape Glass Lantern £7.50, Statement Seeded Glass Vase £12.50, Splatter Jug £12.50, Round Wire Basket £19.50.

MARKS & SPENCER SPRING 2020 Refresh your interiors as the year progresses with the M & S collection of home furniture and seasonal decor.

Visit www.marksandspencer.com for more inspiration.

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Henley Large Sofa with Relaxed Cushions in Navajo Leather Tan £1899, Aiden Armchair in Aquaclean Velvet Terracotta £599, Brass & Glass Coffee Table £299, Set of 2 Brass & Glass Side Tables £199, Jute Rug £79-£119 Round Woven Rug £100, Large Milan Mirror £99 Emmett Table Lamp £39.50, Large Belly Basket £17.50, Small Belly Basket £12.50, Faye Cushion in Pink Mix £25, Skylar Cushion £15, Masie Cushion £29.50, Natural Stripe Vase £12.50, Ceramic Footed Candle £7.50, Herringbone Throw in Rust Mix £19.50.

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Starburst Dining Table £649, Set of 2 Loft Round Back Chairs £149, Set of 2 Loft Oval Back Chairs £149, Popcorn Rug £219-£289, Statement Seeded Glass Vase £12.50, Small Belly Basket £12.50, Mercury Glass Dinner Candle Holder £9.50, Organic Dinner Plate £5, Organic Pasta Bowl £5, Organic Cereal Bowl £4, Set of 4 Pressed Flower Side Plates £19.50, Pressed Flower Mug £6, Tribeca Cutlery Set in Grey £19.50, Set of 4 Tribeca Stackable Wine Glasses £17.50.

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC...

BY DIANE TREMARCO

The Shakers Hi-Fi Baby/Fever www.vee-tonerecords.co.uk

John Jenkins and The James Street Band Looking for That American Dream johnjenkinsmusic.com/store

By the time we go to print, it is likely that our country will be in lockdown. We have no choice and we can’t fight. We perhaps should treat it as a time for rest and repair. What better way to relax than to kick back and listen to some good, local music?

Here you will find local artists listed (in no particular order) with one of their releases and a link to that release. It may be the only one, but more likely that you will find their other offerings on the same link. Please find the time to not only listen, but to buy a copy if you can. Musicians are mostly self-employed and will be hit hard by the lock-down, this is one way we can help them to survive.

Tony Steele & The Massacre Cold Shoulder Spotify.com and ITunes

Keith Lally No One Can Love Her the Same as You Spotify.com 54 wirrallife.com

Two Black Sheep The Earth Below www.twoblacksheep.co.uk

Jade Thunder My Fault Anyway www.jadethunder.com

Derek King Sometimes derekking1.bandcamp.com

Connie Lush Blue on Blue www.connielush.com

Ian Prowse The Story of Ian Prowse amsterdam-music.com

Mark Lacey Soul Flakes of a Rascal’s Heart Spotify.com

Lucy Mayhew Where’s the Wisdom spotify.com

Psycho Comedy Performance Space Number One psychocomedy.bandcamp.com

Joey Symes and the Loving Kind Phase II joesymesandthelovingkind.co.uk

Bite Back Retrohate bitebackpunk.bandcamp.com

Caroline England Call the Police Itunes, Apple Music, Spotify etc.

Rob Vincent In This Town You’re Owned www.robertvincentmusic.com

MOEA Pendulum www.moeaband.com

James Reid Versions Spotify.com

Rob Clarke and the Wooltones Big Night Out Robclarkeandthewooltones.bandcamp.

Johnny Mac & the Souls of Emotion Road to Damascus music.apple.com

Only Child Wintersong onlychild1.bandcamp.com

Thom Morecroft The Feng Shui and the Sushi thommorecroftbc.bandcamp.com

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HOLIDAY ADVICE FOR NOW AND 2021

BY NICOLA PALMER - PERFECT GETAWAYS We are going through some very unsettling times at the moment and imminent travel in the coming weeks has been massively affected. It is fair to say that the Coronavirus has changed the way everybody goes about their daily life probably for months or years to come.

Since we started Perfect Getaways in May 2017, we have seen the collapse of major airlines like Monarch and Flybe plus one of the biggest tour operators in Thomas Cook and the largest provider for UK breaks in Superbreaks. This is all in the last two years. However, I don’t think any of those compare to the effect that the current situation will have on life and how people book their holidays going forward.

Over the last few weeks, my staff at Perfect Getaways have helped lots of customers stranded on holiday as restrictions have been implemented from country after country – often with very little notice. We have been working constantly on our customers’ behalf to ensure their time away has been completely stress-free and they have managed to get home safely from wherever they were.

There has never been a more important time to book your holiday with a local, reputable, independent travel agent. Over the last 2.5 years we have constantly seen and heard horror stories where people have done it themselves or booked with internet companies and it has gone completely wrong with no help or recourse. Most recently, we have helped people move their holidays, postpone their holidays, make claims on holidays, replace cancelled holidays and enjoy better holidays.

These last couple of weeks we've been helping people book holidays that can easily be switched or postponed with no admin fees if the worst happens. We are ensuring that we are finding completely flexible holidays for our customers.

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In my opinion you'd be mad to consider booking DIY holidays, booking through internet providers or doing it yourself. There is so much risk of one part of your holiday failing.

All of our package holidays are completely ATOL protected meaning if one part of your holiday falls down then the whole holiday is completely covered. All of our shops are also registered ABTA members and part of the Co-Operative Travel Consortium.

Are New Holiday Bookings Being Affected?

People will always book holidays, we've just booked one ourselves two days ago. We work hard enough to want to enjoy them and there are some amazing deals available for late 2020 and Summer 2021. Summer 2021 bookings especially have gone through the roof in the last few days as people want to escape the doom and gloom and have something to look forward to. Prices are currently at a recent-low and people love to take advantage of a bargain.

But make sure you book the right holiday and get the best advice when booking it. Also, make sure you are booking fully flexible holidays that can be changed or amended free of charge should it need to be amended for any reason.

We have lots of these available. For example, if you book any Jet2 holiday through us, and you decide you don't want to travel on your original chosen date or to that destination for any reason, just let us know at least 3 days before you are due to depart and we can amend your holiday with no fees to any other Jet2 holiday, up until the end of October 2021 as long as it is the same value or slightly more.

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YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT WITH...

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SINGAPORE AND BALI

by Nicola Palmer, Perfect Getaways

Multi-stay holidays have become more popular than ever as tourists look to balance the experience of the fast and thrilling city life with a beautiful, tranquil, relaxing experience. And there are no two places that compliment each other better than Singapore & Bali.

SINGAPORE This is a city that has it all with the most amazing high skyscrapers, fantastic shopping experiences, beautiful harbour and wonderful restaurants to enjoy the best food in Asia. It is a must-visit city experience where the ethnic areas of Chinatown and Little Italy meet the vibrant city life. Must do’s include; visiting the historic Long Bar in Raffles Hotel which is the home of the iconic Singapore Sling, visiting Sands SkyPark Observation Deck where you can take in panoramic vistas of the Marina Bay area, and watching the evening productions of Spectra which is a light and water show displayed over the water at the Event Plaza.

UNBEATABLE 5 STAR SINGAPORE & BALI - 2021 Just £1,547 pp •

2 nights at the sensational 5 star Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

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10 nights at the gorgeous 5 star Mansion Resort & Spa in Ubud, Bali

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Flights with the award-winning Singapore Airlines from Manchester

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Departing 3rd February 2021

BALI

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Based on 2 adults sharing

Bali is quite simply beautiful. The island is complimented with lush forests, amazing temples, idyllic scenery and glorious beaches. There are very few places in the world where the word ‘paradise’ should be used but Bali is one of them. It is the very best place to unwind and get away from normal working life.

Immerse in the island’s culture and let yourself get whisked away to an idyllic place.

Book this today with just a £50 pp deposit.

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CALL PERFECT GETAWAYS ON 0333 555 2223.

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BACK TO BASICS - ALIGNMENT

BY TOM ATKINSON, PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL

Alignment in your golf swing is absolutely crucial, put in to perspective a one degree discrepancy could lead to a 10-15 yard miss! Your brain is essentially a computer and will make adjustments for you if it feels that something isn’t quite right, should you be unknowingly misaligned these subconscious remedies can have disastrous results as your club face, club path and ultimately strike can all be compromised.

Good alignment is essentially down to practice, this can be accelerated on the range or on the course by using an alignment stick. Place one on the ground pointing at your intended target before hitting balls or taking your shot. If having done this you feel like you’re aiming in the wrong direction then you’ve clearly been compensating this whole time.

You can contact Tom at Heswall Golf Club on 0151 342 7431, www.heswallgolfshop.co.uk or @heswallgolfshop.

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What is good alignment? I like to think of this like a train track, your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are stood parallel to the left hand rail and your ball is sat on the right hand rail. Then finally the clubface is perpendicular to the pair of them, of course this is reversed for a left handed player.

For me the stance should be built around the club face and not the other way around. If you feel that your target is too far in the distance then pick something on the ground between that and your ball, an intermediate target that you can aim at.

Now go and practice this - watch how your brain will cope with the changes pretty quickly, and as quick as that watch your ball striking improve! Good luck.

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HOME AND OFFICE VISITS

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? ONE WORD. TRUST. We always do what’s best for you, not what’s best for our business. It’s this unusual and personal belief that has led to our patients becoming friends. Friends that trust us.

Our highly skilled approach focuses only on what you actually need and nothing you don’t.

CALL US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON 0151 258 1968 TODAY.

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PERFECTION, BUT NATURALLY. 42 Pall Mall, Liverpool, L3 6AL • 0151 258 1968 • pallmalldental.com

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EXTRAORDINARY TIMES

BY ANDY HEALY, PALL MALL DENTAL Many of you reading this may have had your dental appointment cancelled or postponed recently because of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

is liberated up into the surgery atmosphere. Over the next few hours this aerosol lingers in the air and eventually lands on every surface.

I thought I would take this opportunity to explain the reasons why dental clinics across the UK have had to make this tough decision.

This consequence of our drilling procedures has always been known and our cross infection controls include wiping down every surface with potent disinfectants in between patients.

Last week many of us in the dental profession instigated additional procedures in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 being transmitted to our staff or patients.

Initially these were intended to postpone non-essential appointments such as check-ups, as well as any patients deemed at high risk or serious complications if they caught Covid-19. By reducing the number of appointments, we hoped to reduce footfall through the clinic whilst allowing the clinical staff more time to ensure greater disinfection of each surgery between patients.

We already have some of the most rigorous cross infection controls in healthcare given every patient could be an unknown carrier of an infectious disease. By adding further disinfection of both clinical and public areas within the clinic several times per hour, and combining pre-appointment screening of patients for symptoms, we hoped this would allow us to continue providing care to our patients, albeit with a reduced appointment schedule.

On Friday 20th March the Department of Health updated their Standard Operating Procedures for Primary Dental Care which recommended dentists reduce the amount of Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) to as low as possible. This was followed by the Chief Dental Officer also recommending that only severe dental emergencies be treated, and not on anyone exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms (fever above 37.8°c and new dry, cough).

But why are AGPs such an issue?

The high-speed dental drill we use is powered by compressed air and cooled by water that are both ejected at high velocity out of the drill and onto the tooth as it is operated on. This high velocity spray combines with the patient’s saliva to create an aerosol that

However, in the last week or so there has been new evidence about the Covid-19 virus that ultimately changed our profession’s view on the risk posed by these AGPs. Some of you may have read about the Italian Authorities attempt to control the virus spread in a town called Vo by mass testing, contact tracing and isolation.

The significant piece of new evidence that came from this endeavour was that after testing 3,300 people, 6 tested positive but had no symptoms and would be able to spread the infection.

With an aerosol containing virus particles lingering around in the air of the surgery for several hours this worrying evidence that people with no symptoms could be spreading the virus led to a swift decision to abandon all operative procedures.

To every dental practice this is a crushing blow to our businesses’ ability to thrive and move forward but had to be done for the protection of our staff and our patients.

In our clinic we have postponed everything for 4 weeks, reviewing the situation almost daily in response to the developing situation.

So if your dental appointment has been cancelled this week there are very good reasons why your dental practice has taken these extraordinary measures.

For we live in extraordinary times.

Finally I wish everyone a swift and healthy end to this unprecedented time and remember please, Stay in, Protect the NHS, Save lives.

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MAKE-UP LESSON AT HOME

BY ANNABEL BIRTLES

As Spring begins, we enter into an unknown era for our world, one most of us have never experienced before. But with so much once unimaginable change and fear, there has also been so many acts of kindness to celebrate: the incredible work from everyone in the NHS, neighbours becoming neighbours again, communities pulling together to support the vulnerable, people enjoying the little things in life again and our world finally beginning to heal itself. I wish you all health and happiness, and just know we really are in this together.

Whilst you’re staying home and keeping our communities safe, I have prepared this article for you to enjoy and brush up on your makeup skills. When it comes to how to apply makeup properly, there is definitely a general order to follow to ensure you achieve the most beautiful finish. Not sure if its concealer or foundation first?

Keep reading for your new “makeup bible” which includes the best product recommendations, along with a step-by-step application guide.

PREP Before any makeup application session, it is unbelievably important to prep your skin and work through a skin care routine. It is always best to apply makeup to fresh, clean skin.

STEP 1: FACIAL CLEANSE The first step in your skin care routine should be washing and cleansing your face. My secret weapon at the moment is Vitage’s essential cleansing balm. This product is suitable for all skin types and leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and hydrated. Cleanser should be applied by massaging a small amount directly onto the face and neck until a liquid consistency is formed, usually around 1-2 minutes.

Remove with a warm dampened cleansing cloth and pat dry.

STEP 2: TONE Once cleansed, it is important to tone your face with a targeted treatment. Try Tropic Skincare serums and oils range. A vegan and cruelty-free based brand, Tropic works with plant-based products for the best results. Tropic Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum works well for dehydrated skin to give it a youthful bounce, whereas, Pure Lagoon targets blemishes which helps to sooth and balance your skin. Place drops around your face, neck and gently rub into the surface.

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STEP 3: MOISTURISE Apply moisturiser to the surface of your face and neck to put the hydration back into your skin and give yourself a smooth base for your makeup application. Allow between 20-30 minutes for your moisturiser to sink into your skin before beginning your makeup to avoid rubbing the cream off. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream for long-lasting hydration.

MAKEUP APPLICATION FOR BASE Let’s take the guesswork out of your makeup routine…

STEP 1: PRIMER Using a primer is the best thing you can do when applying makeup.

Primer like Benefit’s Porefessional evens out fine lines and gives you a smooth surface to work with. Choose a primer with a glowing finish if you have dry skin or a primer with a matte finish if you have oily skin. Apply all over face or to targeted areas, depending on your skin’s specific concerns. If you are after the ultimate glow, try the Iconic Illuminating drops on the base of your makeup.

STEP 2: FOUNDATION/TINTED MOISTURISER Foundation before concealer – don’t even try to argue with me on this one. There are so many foundations, so it is important to choose one that suits your skins needs. If you have oily skin, try a matte (non-shiny) finish foundation, like Estee Lauders Double wear. On the other end of the scale if you have a drier base, a radiant finish foundation like NARS Sheer Glow Foundation might be the best option for you. For application you should invest in a good foundation brush like Zoeva 104/Buffer and gently massage in a circular motion until blended properly.

STEP 3: CONCEALER Once you have finished with your foundation, use concealer that is 2-3 shades lighter than your natural skin tone and apply under your eyes and to your T-zone to eliminate dark circles and enhance your features. For blemishes, take a flesh-toned concealer and gently pat over the affected area to cover. Try NARS Creamy Concealer for the best coverage.

STEP 4: BRONZER – BLUSH – HIGHLIGHT I’ve added these areas together as I find some people prefer just to pick one or two from the list. As far as bronzer and highlighter

go, apply to areas where the sun would naturally hit your face (forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin). The bronzer will help to sharpen your cheekbones whilst the highlighter accentuates. When it comes to blush, apply a small amount to the apple of your cheeks – remembering to avoid rosy cheek syndrome – and blend neatly into your skin. Try MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in a darker shade for bronzer, Doll Beauty’s Shine Bright Highlighter, and Glossier Cloud Paint Cream Blush.

MAKEUP APPLICATION FOR EYES STEP 1: EYEBROWS Okay everyone… eyebrows are THE dealbreaker. They will make or break you; I promise. I always like to think I was well ahead of my time, in school during the lunch time top up (the hairspray had worn off) I would pull out my purpose bought toothbrush and comb my brows. The girls would always look at me with their confused expressions but who’s laughing now? Since the toothbrush era I have upgraded my tools and one I just cannot live without is (hear me out) Collection’s Colour Lash clear mascara. Use the wand and brush your brows into shape and I promise you they will not move all day. Game changer. Once you have done this it is time to fill in your brows. Disclaimer: please avoid the ‘scouse brow’. Grab your Anastasia Beverley Hills Dipbrow Pomade and 7B Brush and gently shape and fill to strengthen the brow.

STEP 2: EYE SHADOW When applying eye shadow, you should dust the colour onto your lid and blend outwards, follow up with a crease colour, and finally, place a dab of highlighter along your brow bone for that extra pop!

For the everyday natural look, use Naked 2 basics palette and work with shades ‘skimp’ and ‘stark’. For a glitzy night time change try the Charlotte Tilbury, Charlotte Darling palette.

STEP 3: EYELINER Now, eyeliner is not essential but if you are after some cat eye vibes then it is always best to apply after eyeshadow. I find most eyeliners I have worked with tend not to be too variant with results but, my go-to is always YSL’s ‘Shocking’ black eyeliner. It comes in pen form which makes for very easy application so is completely beginner proof. Start by outlining your wing and working your way inward for the best/easiest technique.

STEP 4: MASCARA The final step for our eye makeup is always mascara! Whether your looking for a natural enhancement or the Russian lash effect, I have you covered. Apply your mascara with the wand provided and brush your lashes upwards for no more than 2-3 strokes, otherwise, your lashes will become clumped and in the words of Chandler Bing – who likes mascara glup? Ew! Use Glossier’s Lash Stick for a natural “baby extension” or go big or go home with Benefits Roller Lash.

– I love this pencil shade as it fits with most nude/pink/natural sticks&gloss – perfect for the day-to-night look.

STEP 2: LIPSTICK/LIPGLOSS Once prepped with liner, your lips are ready for the grand finale!

Choose the shade of your choice and gently rub over your lips (keeping within the lines of course), applying as many coats as you desire for the look you have in mind. With countless shades to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Try my favourite gloss, Gloss Bomb from Fenty Beauty for a touch of diamond-like sparkle, or my favourite nude lipstick K.I.S.S.I.N.G by Charlotte Tilbury.

SETTING YOUR MAKEUP Hooray! You’ve completed your makeup routine! Now, to avoid the infamous lunch time top-up, help set your look by following to two final simple steps below.

STEP 1: SETTING POWDER Grab your Laura Mercier translucent setting powder (the holy grail) and use over your makeup by applying under your eyes, below your cheek bones and T-section. Gently pat the powder into your skin until it is no longer visible.

STEP 2: SPRITZ Finally, you can spritz on your setting spray to complete your look.

I highly recommend Urban Decay All Nighter, I promise you, your makeup will look as fresh 10 hours into your days as it did at the start. To use, shake well and hold bottle a reasonable distance away from your face. Close your eyes and spray enough times to cover the surface of your face. Voila!

MAKEUP REMOVAL As Elle Woods so brilliantly reminded us of the No.1 hair care rule, I am here to remind you that THE No.1 makeup rule is removal!

Do not go to sleep in your makeup. Sleeping in your makeup will not only leave a stain on your sheets but will lead to clogged pores – and clogged pores lead to breakouts – and breakouts lead to well… disaster. Make life a little easier and keep a bottle of micellar water next to your nightstand (makeup wipes are a no-go – just trust me on this one). Pour some onto a cotton pad and work it around your face, this will take the majority of your makeup off.

To ensure you avoid clogged pores, I would 100% recommend repeating your original “prep” routine after using micellar water.

I religiously cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night to ensure my face is sparkling clean and to avoid breakouts.

MAKEUP APPLICATION FOR LIPS Time to pucker up and show your lips some love!

As an additional skincare tip for you all, give your face a deep clean 2-3 times a week using SDS Rejuvenate Exfoliator after your cleanser. This product works brilliantly for all skin types. The glycolic acid and quartz work together to stimulate, condition and polish your skin, improving your complexion and leaving you with younger, smoother and fresher looking skin with that all-important glow. Use by gently massaging into your skin for 2-3 minutes.

STEP 1: LIP LINER Before any lipstick/lip gloss is applied you should really think about lining your lips – this helps to prevent colour from bleeding out.

Be sure to use a lip liner that is the same shade as your lipstick and slowly outline the natural curve of your lips to emphasise your allimportant pout. For a natural shade try Nude Pink Pencil by NYX

For the cherry on top of your skincare routine, I strongly suggest investing in Garnier’s Skin Active Moisture Bomb tissue mask. Use the mask once a week for instant hydration and apply to your face for 15 minutes. 1 mask = 1 week of hydrating action. I promise you this mask will be your solution to revitalising and rehydrating the radiance of your skin. wirrallife.com 65

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SPRING SKINCARE PRODUCTS WITH DR SALLY ANN DOLAN I wrote this article excited at the prospect of spring and the brighter days ahead, but little did I know we were heading towards the worldwide crisis caused by the Coronavirus. I really was unsure whether we should go ahead with this article as it seemed such an insignificant issue when you consider the grand scale of problems that now face us. However, I am sure there are many of you who will still thoroughly enjoy reading this magazine, especially as many of us have more time on our hands! I do appreciate that not everyone is sitting at home as all of our NHS workers, those on the frontline, service workers and people working from home are working endless hours to keep our country safe; It is for the reason I have left this article in place.

It is with sadness that we temporarily closed the doors to our clinics, but in the meantime both Ian and I have offered our services back to the NHS to help tackle the Coronavirus outbreak. We will be open for business ‘as usual’ once this nightmare is over and we will once again welcome you into our clinics.

After months of harsh weather our skin is in dire need of a beauty revamp.

The question is which products should we be using, and which should we be avoiding. To help you decide what to shop for in the coming months, here are my top tips for updating your skin care routine to get that glow back.

EXFOLIATING SCRUB Winter weather does not exactly show off glowing skin but as spring arrives it is much easier to achieve that radiant look. During the winter months too much exfoliation can strip moisture from the skin leaving it looking irritated and dry. However, now is the time to use a gentle exfoliating scrub which will leave your skin looking smooth and radiant. For this reason I advise using SDS Glow; our formula is designed for use twice weekly and will leave your skin looking younger, smoother with a radiant glow. SDS Glow, contains Glycolic acid 5%, Natural Quartz mineral and Vitamin E for extra clean skin.

It can be used on all skin types including sensitive and acne prone skin.

MOISTURISING AND HYDRATING In winter our skin drinks up the hydration from thick moisturisers and face creams. In the spring and summer our skin naturally produces more oil and retains moisture better than in the colder months, so swapping to something a little lighter is ideal. A product rich in Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is recommended. HA is a powerful skincare ingredient that can help retain moisture and attract water. SDS Hydrate contains 15% HA, use this on a twice daily basis.

REPAIR THE SKIN CELLS It’s time to fight with what we were born with. Support the skins own protection and repair mechanism to counteract the signs of ageing with SDS H2∞ moisturiser. Focused on optimising cell renewal and preserving the skin barrier from environmental agents, its anti-inflammatory and reparative

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properties soothe irritation caused by cold weather. It also facilitates the repair of damaged cells and has superior skin healing capabilities. SDS H2∞ moisturiser contains growth factors for a youthful appearance.

ADD IN ANTI-OXIDANTS Whilst anti-oxidants are helpful all year round, they are particularly important during the summer when stronger UV rays can damage unprotected skin.

Not only can too much sun lead to direct DNA damage, but also breaks down collagen and elastin due to ultraviolet induced free radicals. Free radicals, highly destructive molecules in the environment, can wreak havoc on your skin. Apply an anti-oxidant serum after cleansing your face and underneath sun screens, as this can help strengthen your skin barrier to make it less susceptible to these environmental factors. Try our maximum strength SDS C20 for anti-oxidant protection and to aid in skin repair.

CUT DOWN ON RETINOL The fountain of youth potion that promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen the skin barrier and even out your skin tone is safe to use all year round but can make your skin more sun sensitive. This hyper sensitivity has to do with the way the retinol works on your skin. Retinol boosts cell turnover, which means it eliminates dead skin cells and replaces it with new ones. These new cells are more sensitive and prone to burning from the sun’s rays. You can still use retinol during the spring and summer months but just apply this at bed time and consider reducing the percentage of retinol. For this reason we offer a lower 0.5% retinol product in our SDS Recover night cream.

INCREASE PROTECTION FROM THE SUN Along with the warmer weather comes longer days with more frequent and more intense sunshine. While every dermatologist and doctor will tell you the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round, they agree that it is even more important during the spring and summer as not only do we spend more time outside but the UVA and UVB rays can be more intense and over time can cause significant damage and accelerate photo ageing, hyper pigmentation and wrinkles. Using an SPF20 minimum, as in our SDS Protect 20 or SPF50 ideally in our SDS Protect 50, can reduce the accumulation of chronic UV damage that it linked to non-melanoma skin concern and ageing.

There are many products out there that are presented as a sure-fire way to turn back the clock, permanently rid your skin of wrinkles, give you youthful skin, and more. Pay attention and do your research to decide whether a product is really necessary. If in doubt, book a free skin analysis consultation and let us guide you on the products most suitable for your skins needs.

Although clinics are temporarily closed, we would not want any of our clients who are on treatment products to go without. We are offering a limited service where you can call or text us on 07423 196 200 or email on info@sdsrejuvenate.co.uk, and we can discuss your needs and help in any way we can.

Fast, effective treatments provided by experienced doctors in Wirral.

See you soon.

It is with a heavy heart we have temporarily closed our clinics from 23rd March 2020 in line with government guidance.

We have been touched and humbled by the messages of support we have received and on behalf of ourselves and our team we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to you all.

We urge all our customers to stay safe during this very difficult time. We must however keep our chins up and continue to look to the future, and we look forward to the day SDS Rejuvenate MediSpa can re-open its doors to welcome you back.

Products still available for home delivery 158-160 Banks Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 0RH Tel: 0151 625 8080 163-165 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SE Tel: 0151 348 4878

www.sdsrejuvenate.co.uk

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TRAIN HARDER, RECOVER BETTER The New Year is always a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf, start a new page or to make something happen. Many New Year resolutions revolve around health and fitness, irrespective of whether that is motivated by getting your beach bod ready for the summer, knocking a few minutes off your 10k time or losing a few pounds, just to feel better. The stats aren’t happy reading though, with many resolutions falling by the wayside.

When it comes to exercise and fitness, one of the major reasons people fall off the wagon is down to the aches and pains that come with an exercise programme. If that picture sounds familiar, then don’t worry, you are in good company, these issues are the same whether you are getting back into activity or programming for an Olympic cycle! It is also one of the main reasons that Elite athletes focus so much on the recovery aspect of training. They get bigger bang for their workout buck and can get back sooner, to make bigger gains.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been embraced by many elite sports and groups including Premiership football, NBA, NHL and NFL alongside the military to improve both athletic performance and recovery. Peer reviewed clinical studies, many of which are randomised, blinded and placebo controlled, have shown significant improvements in: • Strength – increased number of reps, maximum contraction and grip strength • Size – muscle hypertrophy • Endurance -time to fatigue • Speed – velocity And a reduction in: • Exercise induced muscle damage • Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) • Inflammation Furthermore, the literature suggests that when PBM is combined with exercise, particularly in women, the results promote clinically significant reductions in overall body circumference, fat loss

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and changes in body composition and skeletal muscle mass. The evidence suggests that these changes are due to a combination of effects elicited by light therapy on the body: Firstly, the red and near infrared light penetrates the cells across a range of depths and is absorbed by the mitochondria. This results in increased efficiency of mitochondrial function and in turn and increased production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which the cells use to perform their functions. In muscle cells, this may be effectively converting your fuel to allow for muscle contraction – but as they are burning oxygen more efficiently - they need to rely less on the fermentation of glucose in your cells, and therefore produce less lactic acid – so you can lift more or run farther!

Secondly, red and near infrared light reduces the direct mechanical stress and secondary inflammatory damage created by exercise, thereby reducing the post exercise soreness experienced by many – which often causes people not to comply with their regime.

Whole body PBM is a natural and safe way to maximise your progress and adherence to your goals. Treatment lasts approximately 15 minutes in the light pod, with as much skin exposed as possible, as the light does not penetrate clothing. The bigger the surface exposed the better the absorption of the specific wavelengths of light.

PBM is a powerful tool alongside exercise to help people achieve their goals and not become a statistic.

LUME PBM and the UTS Hoylake are pleased to support the athletes and contestants competing in forthcoming events for Claire House (London Marathon and Claire House does Strictly).

Whether a weekend warrior, elite performer, charity runner or strictly contestant – unleash your body’s ability to improve with light!

For more information, contact the Underground Training Station, Hoylake or email Richard@LUMEPBM.co.uk

red light therapy • REDUCE PAIN • INFLAMMATION • TREAT INJURIES • MUSCLE RECOVERY • INCREASE BLOOD CIRCULATION

IT’S NOT MAGIC, IT’S SCIENCE. Red Light Therapy helps with energy, recovery, pain relief, sleep, skin health and much more. It is trusted by pro sports teams, Olympians, world-class trainers and gyms for proven performance and muscle recovery benefits. Red light therapy treatments supercharge your cells with the natural light they need to make more energy. Our cells need natural light to function, just like they need water and nutrients

from food. Red light therapy has been studied and tested in over 4500 peer-reviewed clinical studies around the world. Emerging research is also showing potential for red light therapy and hormone regulation, brain health, mental health, supportive cancer care, and other exciting clinical frontiers.

• LUME PBM, NEWHALL LANE, HOYLAKE, CH47 4BP • 0151 632 6409 • RICHARD@LUMEPBM.CO.UK

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GYM GOERS HOME WORKOUT

By Charlotte Forde With the current epidemic of COVID 19 it is quite easy to start worrying about self isolation and the country being on lockdown, more importantly how this can impact your mental and physical wellbeing.

Obviously, there will be a lot of things that you will need to prioritise however you should never compromise your general wellbeing.

It has been said that people who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, asthma, cancer and diabetes may be more vulnerable to catching the virus. As well as improving your fitness and strengthening your body, exercise can also improve your mental health by releasing feel-good hormones which produce a natural high. Therefore, by taking on 20-30 mins daily activity, you can regulate your well-being and state of mind.

Physical activity doesn’t have to be expensive and isn't necessarily going to a gym, this is why I have designed an easy to follow home workout which does not require any equipment. There is no need for dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells or machines as this workout only uses body-weight exercises to challenge your body and get your heart rate pumping, so even if you use this programme to prevent boredom, completed at least 2-5 times per week you should start to feel the difference!

WARM UP: 45 seconds work with 15 seconds rest for each of the below exercises.

Variations: Beginner - Increase rest periods, Advanced - Reduce rest periods • Jog on Spot: Engage your core and run lightly on the spot. Variation: March on the spot.

• High Knees: Stand up straight and place your feet about hip-width apart. Place your hands palms down facing the floor, hovering just above your belly button. Quickly drive your right knee up to meet your right hand, bring the same leg back to the ground immediately and bring the left knee up to meet your left hand. As you are alternating knees, you want to do it with a hopping motion, staying on the balls of your feet the entire time. Variation: Remove the bounce.

• Heel Kicks: Stand tall and bring one heel off the floor towards your glutes, the opposite hand comes up towards your shoulder like running arms, then switch to the other side and repeat. Variation: Step Curl • Sprints on Spot: Begin by running lightly on the spot, then gradually increase your speed until you are sprinting. Stay light onto your toes, with your hips back and heels up.

• Jumping Jacks: Jump up and spread your feet beyond hip-width apart while bringing your arms above your head. Jump again, lowering your arms and bringing your legs together. Variation: Half Jack • Plank Walk Out: Standing upright, with feet side by side facing forward. Head up, shoulders back, and back straight. Begin to bend over keeping the back and legs straight. Begin to walk your hands out along the floor placing one in front of the other slowly until the hands are directly underneath the shoulders. Return back to the original position by reversing the movement.

• Cross Mountain Climbers: Start in a traditional high plank position - shoulders over hands and weight on your toes. With your core engaged, bring your right knee forward under your chest with the toes just off the ground towards your left elbow. Keep alternating sides.

• Burpee: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by your sides. Lower into a squat position and place your hands on the floor. Kick or step your legs back into a plank position. Jump or step your legs forward to return to a squat position. Return to the standing position.

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MAIN CIRCUIT: Repeat the circuit 3 times, completing 10-15 repetitions of each of the below exercises.

• Press Up: Start by positioning yourself on the floor with your face down, your palms on the floor shoulder-width apart and the toes touching the ground. When you're ready to start, push yourself up, keeping your body in a straight line and your elbows pointed to your toes.

• Renegade Row: Start in a High Plank position. With your right hand, push hard into the ground while pulling the hand to the waist with your left. Lower the palm slowly and with control. Repeat on the other side.

• Squat: Keep your back straight, with a neutral spine and your chest and shoulders up. Keep looking straight ahead. As you squat push your hips back, focus on keeping your knees in line with your feet. Keep your weight back through your heels.

• Front Lunge: Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. Engage core and take a big step forward with your right leg and start to shift weight forward so the heel hits the floor first. Lower the body until the right thigh is parallel to the floor and the right shin is vertical. Press into the right heel to drive back up to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.

• Glute Bridge: Lie face up on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Keep your arms at your side with your palms down.

Lift your hips off the ground until your knees, hips and shoulders form a straight line. Hold your bridged position for a couple of seconds before easing back down.

• Abdominal Curl: Lying face up on a mat with your back straight and knees bent to 90 degrees. Keep your feet flat on the floor and place your hands on your thighs, slowly curl up until your fingers touch your knees.

• Bicycle Crunches: Start by lying on the ground, with your lower back pressed flat into the floor and your head and shoulders raised slightly above it. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head. Lift one leg just off the ground and extend it out, lift the other leg and bend your knee towards your chest. As you do so twist through your core so the opposite arm comes towards the raised knee. You don’t need to touch elbow to knee, instead focus on moving through your core as you turn your torso. Your elbow should stay in the same position relative to your head throughout – the turn that brings it closer to the knee comes from your core. Lower your leg and arm at the same time while bringing up the opposite two limbs to mirror the movement.

Keep alternating sides.

• Plank (Hold the position for 30 seconds): Place the forearms on the ground with the elbows aligned below the shoulders, and arms parallel to the body at about shoulder-width distance. Ground the toes into the floor and squeeze the glutes to stabilize the body. Neutralize the neck and spine by looking at a spot on the floor about a foot beyond the hands. Your head should be in line with your back.

If it has been a while since you have exercised and/or you have health issues or concerns, please consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

FITNESS

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LINGHAMS BOOK SIGNINGS This month we were thrilled to take Dermot O'Leary to Heswall Primary School to open their new extension and playground, where he even had a giraffe named after him!

Dermot then did a book signing at Linghams where he entertained so many parents and children with his banter and wit. The following day he attended Birkenhead High School Academy, where he signed lots of books and ended up serving lunch!

During the current lockdown, you can order books online at www.linghams.co.uk.

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RADIO WIRRAL LAUNCH For the first time in over two years, the people of the Wirral have their very own radio station, Radio Wirral!

Three enthusiastic radio legends, Peter, Tom & Ian have teamed up with Nik & Justine from Revolution Four to create a brand new station. They started with a launch party at New Brighton’s Marino Lounge to celebrate their DAB radio switch on.

Nik said “We’ve had such a positive reaction from everyone”, whilst Peter added, “with our wealth of experience in radio & enthusiasm from everyone involved, we look forward to a bright future for the station”.

The station is ad free making it ideal for offices & shops to play. Throughout the year they will be adding to their offerings, with a few surprises along the way. Their aim is to bring some great music to the Wirral, a mix of modern tunes with some classics from the last few years. Tune into Radio Wirral on DAB, listen online / smart speakers or download the app for free. www.radiowirral.co.uk @Radiowirral247

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LLN WINTER LUNCH The Liverpool Ladies Network Winter Lunch took place at the beautiful Venue at the Liver Building.

Guest speaker was the fascinating Amina Atiq, a Yemeni-Scouse published writer, performance artist, workshop facilitator and human rights activist. Amina shared her personal story and gave a recital of some of her poetry. As always the food and service at The Venue was superb. The lunch was attended by 160 professional women from the Liverpool City Region and the funds raised went to The Hive in Birkenhead.

LLN is a not-for-profit organisation which is run

by Lindsey Moore (Agnes Marketing), Jayne Croft (Brabners) and Natalie Dye (Bathgate Business Finance). The purpose of LLN events is to provide a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment where even the most reluctant networker can feel comfortable, extend their professional network with like-minded women and ultimately support our city region by developing and retaining more business and opportunities. LLN host ten networking events a year.

For further information on future events please contact lindsey@agnesmarketing.co.uk.

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WIRRAL LIFE GIN LAUNCH Wirral Life were joined by guests at The Little Fox, Thornton Hough to celebrate the launch of Wirral Life Gin. Attended by over 200 people, guests were treated to complimentary Wirral Life Gin, canapĂŠs and entertainment by Jade Thunder.

Nicky Rigby-Smith and Si Hall, Editors at Wirral Life said: "Our unique Raspberry and Mint Gin is an exciting combination of sweet and spice. It's crystal in appearance and opulent in body, infused with handpicked raspberries and mint, this bespoke combination delivers a refreshing burst of natural flavours with a surprising finish of mint leaf. It is perfect served with a good splash of premium tonic, a fresh raspberry, a sprig of mint garnish and a copy of Wirral Life magazine!

Thank you to everyone that joined us at the event, The Little Fox, ASG Entertainments and Jade Thunder.

"Also special thanks to the Ginsmiths, John O Dowd and Stephen Crawley of Love Lane Ginsmiths, for joining us on the night. In his speech Stephen, Founder and Chief Executive of Love Lane praised the combined creativity of John, Si and Nicky. Love Lane loves working so closely with Wirral Life and are proud to produce their own special gin."

Wirral Life Gin is available to buy at: https://lovelanebeer.com/shop-page/.

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THE 6TH ANNUAL MAXI ROY ‘NOBLE ART’ MEMORIAL BOXING TOURNAMENT Leasowe Castle Hotel was the stunning venue for the 6th Annual Maxi Roy ‘Noble Art’ Memorial Boxing Tournament hosted by Wallasey Amateur Boxing Club on Friday 13th March.

The historic location and grand architecture lent itself to the formal back tie charity sporting event. The evening of remembrance & friendship was opened with a sobering rendition of the last post played under the standard of the Special Boat Service Association. As always the quality of boxing was outstanding and the atmosphere nerve tingling as thirteen contests of the highest calibre entertained an enthusiastic audience. All boxers displayed outstanding skills determination, sportsmanship and camaraderie.

The Maxi Roy ‘Noble Art’ Best Boxer of the evening was presented to Charlie Gouldson. The event was supported by Councillor for Leasowe and Moreton East, Anita Leech, and her husband Gary. The trophies were presented by Tranmere Rovers Chairman Nicola & Mark Palios.

Event organiser and Wallasey ABC Chairman Liam Hanlon said ‘This is a very worthwhile and fulfilling event in bringing together a number of local businesses, charities and community organisation in support of the valuable work being done by the club in engaging with the young people in our community through the fantastic sport of amateur boxing. The fundraising continued with raffle prizes donated by event sponsors and supporters from the Leasowe Castle Hotel. Lothbury UK were the sponsors of the boxing ring.

Liverpool Heartbeat, tri-4-life, The Forshaw Group Ltd and Wallasey ABC would like to thank the many sponsors and supporters for their kind support to host the show.

The entertainment carried on into the early hours with quality songs from top female vocalist Mandi Fisher.

Wallasey ABC and Maxi Roy’s family would like to thank everyone involved for their support in delivering an exceptional show in strengthening all that is great about our sport, club and community.

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TINY STARS CHARITY LUNCH Wirral fundraising supremo’s Mandy Molby and Claire Gallagher hosted a charity lunch at Thornton Hall Hotel to raise funds for Tiny Stars, the special care unit at Arrowe Park Hospital. The event, sponsored by Hallmark Jewellers and Wirral Handmade Gin company, was attended by 150 guests. Claire Simmo hosted the event with guest speaker Gillian Kearney.

Victoria Burrows, Senior Fundraiser said: "It was a great day, thank you to everyone who gave their time for free and Jumping Jacks who provided the balloons. We raised over 5k for Tiny Stars."

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BAC MONO LAUNCH

By Norman Shum

Shot by Mike McTigue Phography

Because of COVID 19, to protect our Cars N Coffee Liverpool members and community, we have decided to postpone the meetings until further notice.

On a positive and happier note, we will not stop our conversations about cars, thanks to social media. Our shift and improvisation has in fact pushed our boundaries into territories we have not been before. In March this year, the Geneva International Motor Show, one of Europe’s largest annual motoring events was cancelled. Still the manufacturers pressed ahead with their unveilings via Vloggers, Bloggers and traditional video reports from the factory floor. The Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) based here in Liverpool did just that!

Ever since the start of Cars N Coffee Liverpool, we have shared a great rapport with BAC. On the day of the Geneva cancellation, they invited 40 of our members including photographers and potential customers to the factory. This included the well known Iain Tyrrell (we’ve featured one of his Lamborghini Espadas in a previous issue) and Harry Metcalfe the founder and former editorial director of Evo Magazine, and presenter of YouTube channels Harry’s Garage, along with another car enthusiast and property expert Nick Burnand, who frequently appears on TV’s ‘Homes under the Hammer’ and in Wirral Life.

This time BAC has revealed a surprisingly lighter, much faster, new-look version of its single-seat Mono supercar, which adopts turbo power for the first time as a way of meeting forthcoming emissions regulations and maintaining compliance in its 40 export markets across the world. Priced at £165,950. It is powered by a Mountune developed, 2.3-litre Ford four-cylinder engine developing 330bhp, a boost of 25bhp over the outgoing car’s normally aspirated version of the same unit. However the Mono’s horsepower boost is dwarfed by a torque increase of nearly 30%: the new turbo engine’s output rises from 229lb ft to “over” 295lb ft. Company bosses Neil and Ian Briggs estimate that their new car should be around four seconds a lap faster than the original on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. Official 0-60mph time is an astonishing 2.7seconds, with a top speed of 170mph.

The new Mono weighs just 570kg, uses a new iteration of BAC’s traditional steel space frame chassis, and is clad with graphene enhanced carbon fibre panels that allow material to be thinner (and thus lighter) for the same strength. The styling closely follows the new look of the special edition Mono R — minus that cars controversial F3-style ram-air intake behind the drivers which isn’t needed because of the engines new forced induction system — with every panel redesigned to reduce visual mass, lower overall height and reduce frontal area, to improve aero performance. The car is 20mm lower, and 25mm longer, has more optimal weight distribution (due to a lowered fuel tank and a centralised battery) and incorporates a plethora of tiny weight saving measures so that despite the extra weight of its turbo engine, it weighs 10kg less overall.

The all-independent wishbone suspension has been extensively redesigned to reduce pitch under brakes and squat under acceleration. It also incorporates Öhlins twoway adjustable dampers, lightweight AP brake calipers and specially homologated Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, now standard on all Monos. The result, says BAC, is sharper turn-in, better rotation at the apex of a corner, and better traction at the exit. The Briggs brothers say the latest Mono incorporates a high degree of innovation: there are around 40 3D printed components (mirror supports, headlight surrounds and wiring brackets amongst them). They are especially proud of a newly developed aluminium-carbon fibre wheel design developed with software partners Autodesk that will be offered as an option. It shaves around 35% off the weight of the existing Mono’s already-ultra light standard aluminium wheels. Though BAC is already taking orders for the new Mono it won’t start delivering them until well into 2021, beginning in the UK, European and South-East Asian markets - because the factory will be fully occupied this year building and delivering its already sold - batch of Mono R specials shown at Goodwood last summer. The two newly launched vehicle will make its debut in person to you all soon here at Cars N Coffee Liverpool.

From everyone here at Cars N Coffee Liverpool, we hope you are all safe and healthy and we can't wait to see you all again very soon! To join in with the updates and conversations please join us on Facebook Group - CNC Liverpool (Carsandcoffeeliverpool ) or if you need any sort of help in these difficult times please email us on Chungku@live.co.uk - we will be on the other end to try and help!

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LAMBORGHINI MANCHESTER Authorised Dealer

Driving a Spyder is a thrill in itself, but the Huracán Evo Spyder was created to amplify your driving experience to the max. Colour, scent, and sound become one with the car’s compelling design and ultra-lightweight materials. The power of the 640 CV V10 engine vibrates into a roar, and the supersport exhaust sound fills your ears. The car’s perfectly sleek, aerodynamic body slices through the air, and you race along with it; the thrill of your desire, lifting you higher.

St Mary’s Way, Stockport SK1 4AQ 0333 240 1596 www.manchester.lamborghini

Image courtesy of Steve McCoy Photography – stevemccoy.co.uk

THE RS6 HAS ONE MAJOR PROBLEM. FINDING SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS IT. The Audi RS6 is probably one of the world’s finest automotive engineering achievements on the road today. The V8 is sophisticated, not harsh. Complex, not complicated. And intoxicatingly outrageous.

So much is the personality of the RS6, that you’ll notice if it’s a little under the weather. But you don’t just get anyone to diagnose and deliver a prognosis. And there lies the problem. Not many understand your RS6 like we do. Because at Unit20, we’ve been taking them apart and putting them back together for well over a decade. Which is why our customers – from far and wide – return to us with their RS6s for the finest tuning, servicing and repairs. Understandably.

If your RS6 is a little misunderstood, call Unit20 now on 0151 336 6888, or visit unit20.com UNIT20 | FIVEWAYS HOUSE | LIVERPOOL ROAD | CLAYHILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE | NESTON | WIRRAL CH64 3RU | TELEPHONE 0151 336 6888.

Authorised Dealer

Fast, effective treatments provided by experienced doctors in Wirral.

Fast, effective treatments provided by experienced doctors in Wirral.

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158-160 Banks Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 0RH Tel: 0151 625 8080 163-165 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SE Tel: 0151 348 4878

www.sdsrejuvenate.co.uk