Paul Weller

THE INTERVIEW: PAUL WELLER

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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. 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. 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 th an any other is: How much is enough? No two clients are the same. There may be some similarities, but each financial plan is different.

“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

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.

SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS 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.” COLIN WOODWARD

Phillip Bates & Co CHARteRed fiNANCiAl PlANNeRs 5 Chester Road • Neston • CH64 9PA Tel: 0151 353 1066

Home visits also available

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

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.

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

26 wirrallife.com 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!

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...

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

3. Watch all the really long movies you’ve avoided until now. 4. Download Duolingo, or a similar app, and teach yourself a foreign language. 5. 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.) 6. 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. 28 wirrallife.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

#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.

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