YM Liverpool August 2023

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of YM Liverpool !

Kicking things off we’ve got an in-depth look at an exciting exhibition set to launch next month at the Museum of Liverpool which salutes one of our city’s most famous, and funniest sons.

Happiness! is the first major exhibition of a British comic in a national museum and highlights Ken Dodd the entertainer, comedian, performer, actor, and singer.

Many of the objects featured have been loaned to the museum by Lady Anne Dodd, including fascinating never-before-seen snippets from her husband’s private notebooks, as well as an original Dicky Mint puppet and several of Ken’s eccentric stage costumes.

Ahead of the exhibition getting underway, I sat down with its curator, Karen O’Rourke, to find out how it all came together.

On the property front, we highlight a collection of three and four-bedroom homes in rural Burscough and take a closer look at a fantastic family abode at Persimmon’s Summerhill Park.

Meanwhile, Annie S shares her favourite summer wedding guest fashion picks and Heather Marsh explains just how easy it is to bring a touch of the exotic to your garden.

Plus Will Carr gives his verdict on Victoria Street’s Zenn restaurant and Jon Atkinson explores the fascinating French winemaking region of Provence.

Editor Lawrence Saunders editor@ymliverpool.com

Design Marten Sealby

Enjoy! When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.

LAWRENCE SAUNDERS Editor

Alaughter-filled exhibition, celebrating one of the UK’s bestloved and most influential comedians, Sir Ken Dodd, opens at the Museum of Liverpool on 9 September.

Happiness!, the first major exhibition on a comedian in a national museum, is steeped in Doddy’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour, which transformed the UK comedy scene.

From the Diddymen to the Broken Biscuit Repair Works, Ken’s imagination was both endless and infectious. Through never-beforeseen personal objects, film, photography, interactives and of course many, many jokes, this ‘tattyfilarious’ exhibition is guaranteed to raise a smile!

Many of the objects featured in Happiness! have been kindly loaned to the museum by Ken’s wife, Anne, Lady Dodd.

Highlights from the upcoming exhibition include:

• Private notebooks

Over his lifetime, Ken filled more than 1,000 notebooks with his jokes, observations and philosophy of comedy. Ken repeatedly made his wife, Anne, promise to burn them all ‘after I’m gone’. After much soulsearching, she decided that they were too culturally significant and needed to be saved. The notebooks will be kept largely private, but exclusively for this exhibition, Anne has agreed to share snippets from this important archive of a comedy genius and great philosopher.

• Iconic props

Items which became synonymous with Ken’s act will be available to view up close, from his much-loved Dicky Mint (the ventriloquist puppet he performed with on TV, and in some live shows), to the famous Tickling Sticks, Knotty Ash Great Drum and more.

• Eccentric costumes

With his unruly hair and protruding teeth (the result of a childhood accident) Ken’s ‘look’ was integral to his act. The exhibition features several of his outlandish pieces which added to his hilarious appearance,

including the distinctive long red ‘Huury Furry Moggy Coat’, elements of his ‘Road to Mandalay’ military-style uniform and a large sombrero, worn during his parody of the song ‘Granada’.

• Ken’s Giggle Map

Ken had an ambition to play every UK theatre. He didn’t quite reach his goal, but in trying, he often travelled over 100,000 miles to venues each year.

Based on the notes he made about the hundreds of places where he performed, Ken Dodd’s Giggle Map, created especially for the exhibition, is a new digital interactive, which explores the people and quirks Ken encountered across the UK.

The map includes images, programmes, flyers and anecdotes, either from Ken or about him. An ongoing project, the map will continue to be developed with the memories of visitors to the exhibition.

• Exclusive interviews

The exhibition includes never-before-seen interviews with comics, actors and performers such as Lee Mack, Miriam Margolyes and Sir Ian McKellen, who share their own memories of Ken and his influence. Among them is also a clip from a conversation with Paul O’Grady along with a tribute to the Birkenhead comic who sadly passed away in March 2023.

Happiness!

• Playing the fool

Ken was also an accomplished actor with a deep love of Shakespeare, and often referred to the playwright’s use of fools or court jesters in his own work. He played Yorick in a flashback scene alongside some of Hollywood’s finest in Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet (1996). The exhibition includes the prop skull from the iconic ‘alas poor Yorick’ scene, easily identifiable as it features Ken’s own protruding teeth!

Happiness!

Unique humour and influence of Liverpool legend, Sir Ken Dodd, to be celebrated in the first major exhibition of a British comic in a national museum

PETER ROGAN; GARETH JONES

MEET THE CURATOR

Karen O’Rourke is curator of sport, music and performance at National Museums Liverpool

How did the idea for this new exhibition first come about?

When we were putting together the Museum of Liverpool, we consulted with about 10,000 people, and quite a few of those were people like Ken and other high-level Liverpool people.

From 2011 onwards, we worked closely with Ken and talked to him about different things. We did an exhibition with him in 2013 called By Jove, which was a photographic exhibition in partnership with the photographer Steven Shakeshaft. There was talk of doing another object-based exhibition with Ken before he passed away. That conversation transferred to Ken’s widow, Lady Anne.

I was brought in once there was a concept and it was my job to make the concept work for the space that we’ve got. I was given a list of the sorts of stories that we wanted to tell and then it was up to me to break that down. The first thing I had to do is identify all of the objects. At one point, we had about 250 potential objects that we could use. That was never going to happen because we don’t have the space, so I had to work through them and figure out which ones would illustrate a great story. We are at around 150 objects for the exhibition now, and that ranges from Ken’s huge red coat right down to tickets people kept after seeing him either on stage or TV. A lot of it belonged to Ken or comes from his private collection, but some of it is already with the Museum of Liverpool.

How did you decide what you wanted the exhibition to show about Ken and his life – both on and off stage?

We need to make sure each of our exhibitions has a different kind of twist to them. With Ken, there’s a lot out there in the public space; there are books, photographs and plenty of footage… I’ve watched an awful lot of it!

We wanted to tell some of those more private stories but we are a national and international museum, so of course, we have to tell that bigger story too. We’ve divided the exhibition between his public persona and behind-the-scenes stuff. We’ve looked a little bit at his faith, his relationship with Anne and his charity work, which he was doing right from day one. We’ve also examined the relationship he had with his fans and the merchandising side of things, which was never meant to be a money making scheme, it was always seen by Ken and Anne as a way of enhancing the experience of seeing a show. On the flip side of that, we’ve got some letters from fans who travelled around the country to see him, including one from a lady who’s mother passed away and Ken immediately responded to say what a lovely lady she was. We’re trying to capture that public side of Ken but also what his ethos was and where it came from.

I recently had a few pages of Ken’s notebook spread out on a table and someone said to me: ‘What’s that?’, and I was like: ‘It’s the inside of Ken Dodd’s head!’. I guess part of the exhibition is just trying to do a little bit of that – pull a bit of the inside of Ken’s head out. But also, the most important thing is we’ve got to bring the funny! It won’t work if it’s not funny.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Happiness! is the inclusion of snippets from those notebooks, which he kept throughout his career. I understand Lady Anne was conflicted over whether to allow them into the exhibition?

Ken was a very, very private man. He’d been advised by Arthur Askey that whatever you do out in public life, as soon as you close your front door, you close your front door and keep your private life private.

The earliest notebook that Anne has found so far is from the 1950s. He started writing them very early on [in his career] and they have

all sorts in them. There’s lots of in-depth soul searching; formulas of how his stagecraft would work best and pages where he’s working out a gag, what’s the best line, what’s the best punch line. On other pages there are things like shopping lists, so he used these notebooks for everything.

It’s estimated that Anne has found about 1,000, but there were more. He was incredibly prolific. Anne didn’t open the notebooks during his lifetime unless he specifically gave her one and said: “Type up that bit”. They were his private thoughts. They were never meant to be public. So Anne has this really difficult relationship with them. Should they be shared with the public? On top of that, in the last years of his life, Ken made Anne promise that she would burn the notebooks when he passed away. She’s really struggled with what to do with them because she wants to abide by Ken’s wishes, but she’s also completely aware of how culturally important they are.

Anne has done a series of interviews recently for a film about Ken which will be coming out around the same time as the exhibition. These interviews are with people who had an interest in Ken; the likes of Miriam Margolyes, Ian McKellen, Lee Mack and Paul O’Grady. Little snippets of the interviews will appear in the exhibition and in those she talks about the notebooks, and the heart-wrenching choice she had to make. Anne has kept the notebooks but they won’t be readily available and they won’t ever be published as a whole.

Do you have a favourite piece from the exhibition?

I think it has to be Dicky Mint. Another curator and I were with two conservators at the cottages when Anne took him out of his suitcase. He turned and looked at us and all four of us just melted in front of this puppet! I can’t explain it but there is just something very special about Dicky Mint.

Happiness! runs from 9 Sep 2023—3 Mar 2024 at the Museum of Liverpool. Tickets are on sale now from liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

I recently had a few pages of Ken’s notebook spread out on a table and someone said to me: ‘What’s that?’, and I was like: ‘It’s the inside of Ken Dodd’s head!’

GARETH JONES

This month in

words and pictures

On 12 August 1960, a day before The Beatles’ first trip to Germany, Paul McCartney invited drummer Pete Best to join the band. Best, who George Harrison had seen performing with the Black Jacks in The Casbah Coffee Club, was known at the time as being ‘mean, moody, and magnificent’ by his female fans. Five days after Best joined, the new Beatles line-up played Hamburg’s Indra Club – kicking off a gruelling 48 night run at the Große Freiheit street venue.

Best’s tenure as The Beatles’ drummer came to an abrupt end on 16 August 1962 when Brian Epstein informed him he was to be replaced by Ringo Starr. Later that very week, with Ringo now on drums, television cameras captured the band for the first time as they made their 126th appearance at the Cavern Club.

Within three years, The Beatles had become global megastars and toured North America twice. It was during the August 1964 and ’65 tours that three of the Hollywood Bowl performances were recorded and in 1977, The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl was released. Featuring songs compiled from these shows, it captured the hysteria of Beatlemania in full effect.

Just four years on from the formative Hamburg trip, The Beatles expanded the boundaries of pop music with the release of Revolver on 5 August 1966. Advancing pioneering record producer Joe Meek’s strategy of employing the studio as a musical instrument, the band spent over 220 hours recording the album – compared with less than 80 hours for their previous LP, Rubber Soul. In 35 revolutionary minutes, Revolver inspired the development of psychedelic rock, electronica, progressive rock and world music. Today the album is hailed by many as the group’s creative summit and arguably pop’s greatest achievement. Even the record sleeve itself is acclaimed as one of the finest pop artworks. During the recording of Revolver, John

Lennon approached artist and friend Klaus Voorman from Hamburg and said: ‘Got any ideas for our new album cover?’. Created on a kitchen table in an attic, it won the 1967 Grammy Award for Best Album Cover, for which Klaus was paid £50 – the absolute limit for a record sleeve at the time. Brian Epstein, fearing the band’s new material was not going to be accepted by their fans, felt the cover was just what was needed to build that bridge.

Due to the technologically advanced nature of their recording, no songs from Revolver were performed by the band on their final tour of North America in 1966. At the end of August, the band played their last live concert at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, in front of an audience of 25,000.

Knowing it would be their final concert, John and Paul brought a camera on stage to record the momentous occasion. Following the show, the band were taken to the airport in an armoured car. As they flew home, George was relieved that their days of touring were finally over. August 1966 was clearly the end of an era, no longer would they be a bow-at-the-waist, aim-to-please touring band.

Fast-forward to the present day and The Casbah Coffee Club is promising a real treat for Fab Four fans this August Bank Holiday as The Pete Best Band perform at the place where it truly all began. Pete will be playing tracks from his Beatles’ days, but you will have to be quick as there are only a handful of tickets left. Also during the long weekend, the Liverpool Beatles Museum on Mathew Street presents ‘An Audience With Tony Bramwell’ – the band’s former road manager and ‘The Authority’ on all things Beatles... a splendid time is guaranteed for all!

From the first of their legendary Hamburg shows to the release of arguably their finest album, August has featured plenty of memorable moments for the Fab Four

leslie priestley

Asymmetrical

Block heel

Satin jumpsuit Zara £45.99

Flouncetrimmed dress H&M £79.99

High-heel vinyl sandals Zara £49.99

What is the significance of a Duty of Candour letter? –Consult the legal experts

Lowry,

When an error is made with a patient or their family’s care, they should receive a Duty of Candour letter from the medical professional. These letters are sent to inform a patient of the mistake and provide evidence that the doctors are learning from the incident, but the letter could also indicate that the patient has a potential claim for clinical negligence.

What is Duty of Candour?

A Duty of Candour is essentially a duty to be open and honest when a patient has been a victim of preventable harm as a result of a medical error. There are two types of Duty of Candour:

1) Professional Duty of Candour

All medical professionals have a professional duty to be transparent about the care they provide to patients. This is regulated by both the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), who provide guidance for professionals like doctors, nurses, and midwives to follow when something goes wrong.

2) Statutory Duty of Candour

Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 introduced specific standard requirements for medical professionals to be open and honest when a “notifiable safety incident” occurs.

Policies and procedures relating

to duty of candour are often known by medical professionals by other names such as “Just Culture”, “Being Open”, or “Saying Sorry”.

When does Duty of Candour apply?

The statutory Duty of Candour applies when a “notifiable safety incident” occurs. Regulation 20 states that, in order for an incident to qualify as a “notifiable safety incident”, it must satisfy the following criteria:

1) The incident must have been unexpected or unintended.

2) The incident must have occurred during the provision of a regulated activity.

3) The incident must have or be able to result in death, severe or moderate harm, or prolonged psychological harm to the patient.

When an incident occurs which fulfils this criteria, a duty arises to inform the patient about the incident and apologise. The medical professional may offer to conduct an investigation into what happened, and the patient will then be provided with the information in writing.

Why did Duty of Candour come into effect?

By introducing standard requirements for when medical professionals are obligated to inform patients of an error made during their

Paul Lowry Head of Clinical Negligence,

medical care, it creates a culture of transparency and honesty. This means patients can be sure that if something goes wrong, it will not be swept under the rug by their doctors. It also means that medical staff can learn from other errors and avoid future incidents.

Patients are also able to pursue Medical Negligence claims against a negligent party when they are made aware of a negligent error during their medical treatment.

If you have suffered harm as a result of a mistake made by a medical professional, call Paul Crowley & Co solicitors today to speak to one of our expert clinical negligence lawyers.

Can you claim for Medical Negligence if a Duty of Candour letter has been received?

If you have been advised through a Duty of Candour letter that something has gone wrong with your care, you may be able to bring a successful medical negligence claim if the error then led to you suffering avoidable harm. Receiving one of these letters is often a good indication that you have a potential claim, although it does not automatically mean you would be successful in a claim against the medical professional.

If you have received a Duty of Candour letter and would like to enquire about making a claim, our friendly team of Medical Negligence solicitors at Paul Crowley & Co are here to help.

Paul

Director and Head of Clinical Negligence at Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors, guides you through what it means to receive a Duty of Candour letter, and how it can lead to a successful claim

Paul Crowley & Co

By Will

My partner and I were thoroughly drenched by the time we’d made it to Victoria Street for our evening meal at Zenn. Feeling like Brad and Janet from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, we inched gingerly past the bouncers whilst wondering what kind of restaurant requires professional security.

The first thing that hits you is the beat and next, a darkness purged by coloured neon lights. You might think you’re in the wrong place as you’re led past the gigantic projected fish tank behind the bar. Kii, our excellent and courteous server, took our drinks order. We took our eyes off the huge, placid-looking face painted on the wall and chose a Shanghai Sling (£11) and Emperor’s Mule (£11).

A quick glance at the menu told us Zenn appeared to specialise in Asian-inspired cuisine. I began with Duck Spring Rolls (£11) and my partner went for the Crispy Pork Wantons (£10). After a satisfying crunch into my first roll, I was met with a wave of sweet flavour that implored me to have another bite. I didn’t think it could get better until

I’d paired them with the plum sauce. The wantons were incredible as well. Served on a bed of apple sauce, the flavour was sublime when dipped in their accompanying soy sauce.

For my main, I ordered the 10oz Ribeye Steak (£32) and my partner chose the 8oz Wagyu Piranha (£55), both electing to add Triple Cooked Chips as a side (£4.50). The ribeye was delectable. Cooked to perfection, it was juicy and flavourful. We had a choice of peppercorn or teriyaki sauce but it required neither. The highlight of the evening however had to be the Wagyu. I’d only ever heard about this Japanese beef, famous for its umami flavour, spoken in culinary legend. As I lifted a donated piece from my partner’s plate into my mouth I asked: “How good could it really be?...”. It was worth every penny and fully deserves its transcendent status.

For dessert, we split a Sticky Toffee Pudding (£9) and Cookie Dough Vanilla Ice Cream (£10). Desserts are the most gloriously childish part of any meal and should remain so. I hate perfectly presented, fancy puddings that are nothing but a crumb with a swirl of chocolate sauce. Thankfully, Zenn agreed. The toffee pudding was a gigantic tower resting on a lake of caramel sauce, with a scoop of ice cream sitting atop the column like a creamy Nelson. The other dessert was a cookie just shy of melted, bathing in chocolate and hugging a scoop of vanilla. This exceptional finale left us reclining like decadent Roman emperors struggling to see over our bellies.

It’s hard to pin down what Zenn is trying to be. Your eyes and ears tell you it’s a club while your stomach guarantees you it’s an astounding restaurant.

This disconnect was exemplified between courses. The lights changed from green to red. The fish tank became a lava lamp. The DJ kicked things up a notch. The revolving searchlights periodically blinding me, mixed with the thumping in my chest, made me feel like I was being forced to sneak over the Berlin Wall in the middle of my dinner.

Zenn is an excellent springboard for a night on the town and culinarily it sets a high bar… maybe look elsewhere for your nan’s birthday meal though.

The highlight of the evening had to be the Wagyu. I’d only ever heard about this Japanese beef spoken in culinary legend. It was worth every penny.

VIEW FOOD PHOTOS @YM_LIVERPOOL

Carr | Pan-Asian | ££ | 49a Victoria Street, L1 6BL

Zenn

Restaurant review

Plans in for £10 million Fabric District mixed-use development

New build scheme would include 70 apartments and two roof gardens

PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED for a new mixed-use development on land currently occupied by a surface car park in Liverpool’s Fabric District.

The project is a joint venture between Liver Property and Merco Developments, who have formed an SPV (special purpose vehicle) for the scheme called Duke Developments.

Liver and Merco have a combined property portfolio of more than 350 commercial and residential units in the Merseyside area and will be investing £10 million into the new development.

Mr Bashir Saleh of Merco Developments has been active in South Liverpool for more than 25 years and has been involved in a range of completed schemes containing, housing, commercial, and community projects, particularly in the L8, L15 and L17 neighbourhoods.

Proposals for the new build development on the site of the Clifford Street Car Park comprise two blocks – one five storeys tall and the other reaching seven storeys.

The development will contain 400 sqm of employment use at

New Helen Forrester play to open in city next month

the ground and mezzanine levels, two 60 sqm resident lounges, two 460 sqm roof gardens for residents and 70 apartments (a mix of one and two-bedroom units).

According to a design and access statement for the project produced by Liverpool-based architecture practice Studio RBA, the proposal delivers “a high-density residential development on previously developed land within a city centre urban location that is accessible by a range of modes of transport and is accessible to services, amenities and employment”.

The document continues: “The proposed redevelopment of the [car park] site makes efficient use of land and minimises the environmental impacts of delivering development by reutilising land rather than developing on undeveloped land.”

PC&Co strengthens private client legal team

PAUL CROWLEY & CO

Solicitors has announced the addition of Carla Neal to its private client team.

Carla is an accomplished solicitor who brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of private client law.

By

The Waters

Of Liverpool tells the Wirralborn author’s captivating life story

A full member of STEP, Carla is also an accredited SFE member and is amongst the most qualified and regulated lawyers in the country when it comes to advising older and vulnerable people.

A

NEW PRODUCTION OF

Helen Forrester’s By The Waters Of Liverpool begins its first and final UK tour next month with four shows at The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena.

The play is adapted from Helen’s million-selling book of the same name – the third in a four-volume collection of autobiographical works recounting her poverty-stricken upbringing in 1930s and ’40s Liverpool.

Coronation Street’s Tom Roberts will play John Forrester, Helen’s father; Emmerdale’s Joe Gill will play Harry O’Dwyer, Helen’s love interest; with Emma Mulligan in the lead role of Helen Forrester.

The nine-strong cast also features Lynn Francis, Daniel Taylor, Lynne Fitzgerald, Joe Owens, Samantha Alton and Roy Carruthers.

By The Waters Of Liverpool’s autumn tour will run for eight weeks, visiting 13 venues across the country – opening in Liverpool on Monday 4 September and finishing in New Brighton in late October.

The creative team includes producers Rob Fennah (who also wrote the play) and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms. The show is directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

Carla has an impressive track record of providing clients with a high quality legal service in areas such as estate planning, lasting power of attorney, wills and probate and court of protection matters.

With a compassionate and client-focused approach, Carla aims to help individuals and their families navigate complex legal issues, providing them with peace of mind under often very challenging circumstances.

Dan Griffiths, director at PC&Co, says “At Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors, we understand the importance of personalised attention and tailored legal strategies.

“With our strengthened private client team, we are better equipped than ever to address the diverse needs of our clients and provide them with the comprehensive support they deserve.

“Carla’s experience and passion to ensure that each of her client’s unique needs are met align perfectly with our firm’s values, her dedication to exceptional client service, make her a valuable asset to the firm and, more importantly, to our clients.”

Liverpool law firm “better equipped than ever” following latest hire

DEVELOPMENT

A collection of three and fourbedroom homes in rural Burscough

From £285,000

PROSPECT HOMES’ BRIDGEMERE offers a rural retreat ideal for families, first-time buyers and downsizers alike.

Residents will be able to appreciate being surrounded by nature thanks to the development’s location next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, while at the same time only being a few minutes away from essential amenities and transport connections in Burscough town centre.

All 54 homes at Bridgemere are from the housebuilder’s newest collection of house designs including a three-storey house type, higher specifications and a large choice of upgrades and extras.

Samantha Palin, Prospect’s head of sales, says: “At Bridgemere it’s all about the location. Stylish homes in a peaceful setting, yet close to shops, schools and the motorway network – so modern living doesn’t get much better than this.

“If you choose to buy a home here, you’ll get the best of both worlds. You can surround yourself with nature and enjoy everything that historic Burscough has to offer.

“I think buyers like the idea of living in a more intimate development too. With Bridgemere only having 54 homes, it will feel exclusive and a place that people will look forward to coming home to.”

One of the house styles currently available at Bridgemere is the four-bedroom detached Whalley (pictured). Priced from £430,000, this home boasts a spacious kitchen and dining area downstairs alongside a separate WC and utility room. The upstairs has three double bedrooms and one single, with the main bedroom having its own en suite.

To find out more about Bridgemere, call 01704 468388 or visit www.prospecthomes.co.uk/bridgemere. The images shown are for illustrative purposes and should be treated as guidance only. External elevations and architectural detailing can vary from development to development.

ADVERTORIAL

Property sales agent continues growth following staff increase

RWinvest has helped bring more than £1 billion of investment into the UK property market

Liverpool-based property sales agent RWinvest has confirmed growth of over 30% after adding a further 25 staff over the last 12 months. This follows 28 new roles created previously by the company.

The firm has experienced a significant increase in its stock of new developments and has sold in excess of 2,000 new properties since the start of 2022.

The company predominantly secures investment for North West developments and opened an office in Salford Quays to further supplement this. However, the company continues to actively recruit positions in London due to recent growth in the capital.

RWInvest works closely with a variety of leading property development companies including Liverpool-based Legacie Developments, whom it has secured more than £300m of investment for.

Michael Gledhill, director of RWInvest (pictured), says: “After what has been a fantastic year for the company, we are absolutely delighted to be expanding our workforce by 30%.

“Our excellent team continues to ensure the business thrives and it is a testament to the positive direction we are heading as a company that we are in a position to bring even more people into our team.

“We have many exciting opportunities in the pipeline for 2023 and are anticipating another brilliant year.”

Independent funding advisory business makes key hire

Brian Love will help create a specialist property team at Sedulo Funding Solutions

The funding arm of national business advisory firm Sedulo Group – which has a major office presence in Liverpool – has announced the appointment of a new commercial finance director.

Sedulo Funding Solutions will utilise Brian Love’s extensive property knowledge, gained from an impressive career across Barclays, Christie Finance and Newable, to build a specialist property team.

The newly-created team will support Sedulo’s growth strategy, working with property professionals to structure and source their secured debt requirements across the United Kingdom. Sedulo has offices in Liverpool, London, Manchester and Leeds.

Speaking following his appointment, Love (pictured), who will be based out of the London office, said: “I am delighted to be joining Sedulo on its exciting journey as it expands throughout the UK.

“Sedulo’s customer-centric approach to finance provides us with a strong foundation and I look forward to helping the business achieve its growth ambitions.

“My aim is to create a new, expert property finance team of between 6-8 people in the next 12 months and make Sedulo the go-to specialist in the sector.”

A year in

Provence

Jon Atkinson explores this fascinating French region and recommends four bottles to try

PETER MAYLE’S MUCH-LOVED BOOK describes what is, I suspect, an aspiration for many of us: to give up the rat race and enjoy a bucolic existence in a place where the pace of life is altogether more sedentary. Where that is might vary considerably but the south of France holds a magical allure to a good number of us, whether you turn right at the end of the Rhône and head into the Languedoc, or left into Provence, neither is likely to disappoint!

Inevitably, my judgement tends to be swayed by the wine options, but this month I’m putting that aside, and in the hope that the glorious weather that we had in June might make a return, and we are going to focus on Provence.

An unusual region for wine, in so far as nearly 90% of what is made there is Rosé – which equates to more than 140,000,000 bottles each year! The region itself stretches some 200 km across the south of France from the Camargue in the west, to just outside Cannes in the

Ambassadeur Côteaux d’Aix en Provence 2022

east. The climate here is, unsurprisingly, Mediterranean, and the vineyards are exposed to 2,800+ hours of sunshine each year. The famous Mistral wind helps cool the vineyards whilst reducing humidity and its various related illnesses. This partly explains why an impressive 55% are either organic or HVE-certified (High Environmental Value).

There are 12 permitted grape varieties in the region, with the significant players volume-wise being Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault. As is the case in most of Europe, Provençal Rosés are made using the Saignée method. Essentially, it is the same as for making red wine, but the grape skins are removed far earlier in the process and given that Provence produces some of the palest Rosés around, the time spent in contact with the skins is very short indeed.

Provence Rosé is undoubtedly on a roll with sales. Exports have been increasing year on year for some time now and the UK has become arguably the most significant market.

This is produced by the Hostellerie des Vins de Rognes, an excellent co-operative established in 1924. Its 550 hectares account for some 15% of the entire AOP Côteaux d’Aix output. Typically pale and delicate coral pink in colour, this wine is alive with aromas of cherry, strawberry and redcurrant. It is light-medium bodied and very dry, crisp and refreshing but with ample fruitiness to balance it out with good length. £12.50

La Vidaubanaise ‘Cuvée Constance’ Côtes de Provence 2022

La Vidaubanaise is also a co-op, but whereas Rognes is in the very west of the region, this one is out on the eastern perimeter. Established in 1912 in Vidauban, it has 110 growers with a combined total of 450 hectares of vineyard. ‘Cuvée Constance’ is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvèdre that has an inviting bouquet of redcurrants, strawberries and melon. Delicate and flavoursome on the palate with a long, refreshing finish, it’s ideal paired with lighter summer fare such as pasta and grilled fish. £12.50

AIX Côteaux d’Aix en Provence 2022

Maison Saint AIX was established in 2009 when Dutchman Erik Kurver acquired an unprofitable operation specialising in red and white wines and switched production to Rosé. He also hacked off many of the locals by successfully registering the AIX name right under their noses! Made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault with just a splash of Carignan, this is a superb example. The wine is pure, fresh, crisp and youthful with serious undercurrents – some star anise on the nose, watermelon, and citrus zest with a decent structure.

Domaine Ott ‘Clos Mireille’ Côtes de Provence 2022

If AIX is ‘new money’, then Domaine Ott is very much old money. This 2022 vintage, a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and the balance of Rolle, exhales aromas of red berries, lemon, peach, guava and hints of curry leaf. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, combining fine acidity and a mouthwatering finish. This is the Provence Rosé that sets the bar. Its distinctive ‘skittle’ shaped bottle was designed by René Ott and although the estate is now owned by Champagne Louis Roederer, it is still run by cousins Christian and Jean-François Ott. £42

Sovini Group breaks ground on new Crosby housing scheme

Development to support local people onto the property ladder with 72 Rent to Buy apartments

WORK HAS STARTED ON A NEW affordable housing development off Moor Lane in Crosby, delivered by The Sovini Group’s commercial supply chain for One Vision Housing.

Located in the heart of Crosby Village, the scheme will feature 72 Rent to Buy apartments with four commercial units available for businesses to lease.

Moorside Place is being delivered as part of the group’s development framework, which aims to build a better future through the creation of over 1,000 high quality, affordable homes across the next five years. Through One Vision Housing’s Rent to Buy scheme, residents will

benefit from affordable rent, priced at around 20% less than the market rent, enabling them to save towards a deposit and buy the apartment they live in through Shared Ownership or an outright purchase.

Ian Mitchell, managing director of housing, says: “We are thrilled to announce the latest project within our ambitious development framework, delivered in partnership with our fellow [The Sovini] Group members.”

“We recognise our impact on the social and economic development of the areas we work in. Through the development’s commercial units we hope to create opportunities and change lives through employment

prospects, helping to create a better future for the community and to further establish Crosby’s destination appeal.”

Built on brownfield land by Sovini Construction and the group’s commercial supply chain, the construction process will take a fabric first approach in order to prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency.

James Flannery, director of construction and land, adds: “We are excited to have broken ground on our latest development for One Vision Housing.

“With the support of our commercial supply chain, we look forward to delivering high quality homes and commercial spaces, designed to help end users reduce energy consumption and running costs – supporting on our [The Sovini] Group’s net-zero carbon commitment.

“We pride ourselves on offering more than just bricks and mortar, and pledge to deliver a range of economic, environmental, and social value measures to positively impact the communities surrounding all our schemes.”

The scheme is scheduled for completion in 2025 and early registration is now open.

Businesses interested in leasing a commercial unit at the development are encouraged to get in touch via sales@ovh.org.uk

Let’s get

Heather Marsh tells us just how easy it is to bring a touch of the exotic to our gardens by growing a yucca

TALKING ABOUT YOUR GARDENING highs and lows (I’ve plenty of the latter to share) is good for us. Garden chat can lift your mood, improve your self-esteem and best of all, make you smile. Even if you are an experienced gardener, one who just likes to dabble, or for that matter, a complete novice, garden talk is a great way of relaxing, learning and socialising.

Anybody who loves their garden loves to talk about it, especially in the height of summer with lots going on. So when my lovely friend couldn’t wait to tell me about her flowering yucca, I was of course all ears.

Talking point

This magnificent specimen which was proving to be such a head turning spectacle is part of the large Agavaceae family of yucca plants. I like a bit of the tropics in my garden and as the effects of climate change continues to result in extremely hot temperatures and torrential downpours, we need to be adapting and growing plants that can cope.

Yuccas are bold architectural plants that are extremely tough and hardy and drought tolerant too. Dramatic and exotic looking, the only essential requirements for any yucca are plenty of sun and well-drained soil. They are low maintenance plants and if you are lucky, given the right conditions a mature plant (at least three years old) may honour you by flowering. Once a year during the summer months is blooming

time or more than likely once every few years. The metre-high tower of creamy bell-shaped flowers is truly spectacular and really adds a wow factor to any garden, so my friend really did have something to talk about.

The largest of the yuccas is yucca Brevifolia, commonly known as the Joshua tree (pictured above), which can live for up to 1,000 years. A giant species reaching over 30 ft in height, it is native to the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern United States and is believed to have been named by early Mormon settlers. This yucca is extremely slow growing, taking approximately 60 years to reach maturity. The average age of one is 150 years old! This obviously isn’t the species of yucca to grow for most of us, especially not in this country – no matter how hot our summers get. Species like Yucca filamentosa, yucca flaccida and yucca gloriosa (this species being the one my friend grows) are all far better suited to be grown outside here in borders or even pots. Yucca elephantipes is a little more tender and certainly during the winter months is best grown indoors as a houseplant.

Sunflower update

Back in May when Liverpool hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, I asked you all to pay tribute to the courage and fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people by growing a sunflower, the country’s national emblem.

So many of you did just that and amongst the best specimens I’ve seen so far are in a front garden on Park Road, Liverpool 8. These spectacular giants stand proud and look incredible. Not only do they make you smile, but they also represent a real vision of hope for war-torn Ukraine.

If any other readers out there have grown sunflowers this summer, do please send your photos in for all to see.

shouldn’t need you watering them at all. One other word and it’s about safety, the yucca isn’t commonly called the Spanish dagger for nothing! Most species of yucca have leaves with sharp spiked tips that can cause injury, especially to the eyes or young children, so do be careful. A safe solution is to simply cut off the tips with a sharp pair of secateurs.

When is a Yucca not a Yucca… when it’s a Cordyline

Growing a Yucca

Once you’ve chosen which variety of yucca to grow, the key to its success is a bright sunny spot with good well-drained soil. If you’re growing one in a pot or container, a multipurpose peat-free compost with a handful of grit mixed in is best suited to the yuccas’ needs. Broken crocks at the bottom will also help keep the pot free draining. A yucca doesn’t like its roots soggy, especially in winter, and even in summer, only water pots when they are dry. Yuccas growing out in borders

I, like many others, am guilty of getting these two species confused on occasion. In fact, I’ve twice planted a cabbage palm (the common name for a cordyline) thinking it was a yucca. To be fair, the species look very similar and are in fact, distant relatives. While both prefer it hot and dry, the yucca thrives in poorer, drier soil. Ultimately though, it’s the flowering stem of the yucca which sets them apart. But having said that, what if it’s not in flower? On that note...

UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAPPY GARDENING. HEATHERMARSHYM@GMAIL.COM

Fantastic threebed family home at new Maghull development

From £294,995 7 day 100% part exchange available

Meanwhile, a utility room, WC and storage cupboard ensure it’s practical as well as stylish. Upstairs you’ll find three bedrooms, including a large bedroom one with an en suite, a family-sized bathroom and handy storage cupboard.

Located just 10 miles from the centre of Liverpool and only a few short minutes from schools, shops and amenities, Persimmon Homes’ Summerhill Park is perfectly situated for anyone seeking an ideal work/life balance in Merseyside.

One of the main draws of the scheme is its ease of access when it comes to travelling in the local area. Maghull train station is just a few minutes drive away, and operates regular direct links to Liverpool’s Moorfields station.

There are several schools less than a mile from the development including Summerhill Primary School, Northway Primary School and Deyes High School. You’ll find a number of nurseries in the vicinity too, and for further education, there’s Deyes Sixth Form, as well as several colleges in Crosby and Sefton.

For more information on this property call 0151 305 7191 or visit persimmonhomes.com. Actual property may differ slightly from images shown

THE CLAYTON CORNER at Summerhill Park features a stunning open-plan kitchen diner and equally impressive living room with French doors opening into the garden.

Summer Fun at Eureka! Science + Discovery!

From explosive science shows, to exploring aquaponics, to learning circus skills and dance sessions, the range of activities on offer means there’s something for everyone!

Have you ever wondered how some things move, why things are a certain shape, or why some materials are good for one thing but not another? Have you ever thought about who invents the stuff that we use every day? Have you ever thought about inventing something? This summer, visit Eureka! Science + Discovery for some inspiration as we explore some big questions and the science, technology, engineering and maths behind them all and hopefully inspire the next generation of inventors!

Opening in November 2022, Eureka! Science + Discovery has already proved a hit with local families and has had visitors travelling from all over the UK to experience the new offer. This summer holidays, the team have pulled together an impressive list of additional activities for families to explore on their visits, on every day until Sunday 3rd September.

A temporary exhibition is being hosted in their MakeCreate space, for families to explore a variety of science concepts through multiple table-top games and experiments. If you’ve ever wondered

what your belly button has to do with you being able to stand up, or whether we can freeze shadows, or perhaps your burning question has more to do with whether you can turn yourself into a human battery –you’ll find the answer in here, and more!

Eureka!’s unique blend of creative learning and fun colourful exhibits combined with cutting-edge 21st-century technology delivers an engaging and funfilled family day out all through the year, but for the six weeks of summer they are being joined by a long list of additional activity providers.

From purple-haired Professor Pumpernickel’s explosive science shows to the uber cool Farm Urban aquaponics sessions, there’s bound to be something for everyone during the holidays. The list is long, so we suggest you check out the website for the weekly programme of fun. And don’t forget that their standard price ticket is actually an annual pass, so you pay once and get to go back as many times as you like for free for the next 12 months. So, if you want to also see Science Made Simple’s exploration

of bubbles and balloons, or even learn to juggle with Bring the Fire, you’ll be able to do it all.

And if that’s not enough… Did you know they have a dedicated under 7’s zone? The Burrow is filled with nature-inspired activities especially for the younger visitors. #EurekaDiscover. Please check our website and social media for opening hours and for what’s on! On-site parking is available. Multiple bus stops outside with regular connections to Woodside, New Brighton and Wallasey. www.eurekadiscovery.org.uk

SCAN ME • SCAN ME • SCAN ME

EW Developments: From church conversions to record revenue

Co-owner James Winters on Liverpool property firm’s big plans for the future

EW Developments was launched in 2019 by business partners

James Winters, founder of major engineering firm M-Tech, and Rob Edwards, architect and owner of R+R Design.

The pair’s first project, The Phoenix Hotel, saw the total redevelopment of an abandoned Victorian building in North Liverpool into a boutique hotel.

EW launched a second site in the heart of Liverpool city centre, The Phoenix Pods, at the end of 2022 following the success of The Phoenix.

It has also completed a stunning church conversion, transforming the dilapidated property into 11 luxury apartments.

Can you tell us the story of EW Developments so far?

EW started as a domestic property builder, dealing with extensions and loft conversions mainly.

However, we built up an excellent reputation and the workload and size of contracts we were awarded began to increase.

From there, we have gone on to fully redevelop our two hotels, The Phoenix Hotel and Phoenix Pods, complete a full church conversion and a 26 apartment build for a housing association.

We are now on target for a record year with estimated turnover of over £5 million by next April.

What made EW move into the boutique hotel market and are there plans for further hotels?

Rob and I moved into the hospitality industry because of where the Phoenix Hotel was situated.

We initially planned a residential conversion, but because of the proximity to Everton and Liverpool FC football stadiums, we decided to venture into the boutique hospitality market.

Following the success of The Phoenix, in a short space of time, Rob and I had the confidence to take on another hotel, The Phoenix Pods, which is located in Liverpool city centre.

Hospitality is so customer-based and

forward-facing, and we always aim to give our customers an amazing experience and value for money. That is our ethos, that we keep the customer happy every single time and give them a good deal, especially in the current climate.

Everyone still wants to do nice things, but at the moment, they might not necessarily have the money. At The Phoenix and Phoenix Pods, we offer affordable luxury to all our guests.

How satisfying was it to transform an abandoned church into much-needed new homes?

From an EW perspective, it shows our versatility.

We’ve gone from new build houses, to apartment conversions and right across to unique and complex builds, with abandoned and dilapidated sites such as churches. It shows how versatile we are, being able to breathe fresh life into derelict places.

We gave the church a new lease of life, but not only the church, the community too. They are able to use the building again, and that is a really nice feeling. With the portfolio of work we have successfully completed over the last three of four years, it shows the industry our flexibility.

Owing to Rob’s background in

architecture, EW can cover all aspects of design and construction, from the initial drawings to handing over the keys to customers.

We’ve gone between church conversions, hotels, houses, apartment blocks, new builds... EW covers it all and always delivers in a successful and timely manner.

What are the main lessons you have learned from creating and growing firms such as M-Tech, EW and the Phoenix Hotel group?

Any industry, no matter what sector, the core principles are the same.

You need to be invested and enjoy what you do, but if you deliver what you say you are going to deliver for the right cost, then the work should speak for itself.

Being true to your word is the foundation for any successful business.

What are your overall plans for growth in the next 3-5 years with EW?

I envisage EW as a cornerstone for construction in the North West and hopefully further afield.

I can’t see any issues in exceeding £10 million in sales during this time because we have the infrastructure to deliver as we branch out and deliver projects across the nation.

James Winters, co-owner of EW Developments (inset) and the firm’s first project, The Phoenix Hotel

Residents move in at developer’s flagship apartment scheme

SOURCED DEVELOPMENT GROUP has handed over keys to delighted residents after completing the first phase of its £100 million Westminster Park development.

The 56 at Westminster Park is a nine-storey block featuring 56 one and two-bedroom apartments.

Sourced is constructing a total of 614 units across three buildings at Westminster Park, creating 800 jobs in the local economy with high-specification builds designed to accommodate “exclusive city living”.

The developer believes Westminster Park will become a “gateway” into Liverpool with a prime location off Scotland Road, minutes away from Lime Street Station and the waterfront, and seconds from Cannon Place and other university institutions.

Westminster Park forms a significant part of the developer’s plans to deliver 1,600 homes across the North West over the next three years, including the 310-home Cambridge Terrace in Liverpool and the 525-apartment Regent Plaza in Manchester.

Joanne Waller, managing director of Sourced Development Group, says: “Westminster Park is a high-quality residential development which sits within

the northern boundary of a key Liverpool regeneration zone. We are helping to breathe new life into a city centre gateway – creating hundreds of new homes, jobs and apprenticeships.

“As one of our flagship schemes, this will transform an area that has needed

regeneration for far too long and create a new community to contribute to the city’s thriving residential sector.

“It is fantastic that we completed the first phase ahead of schedule, and we are working flat out to hand over the rest of the apartments.”

Phase one at Westminster Park has been delivered ahead of schedule

Independent Family Funeral Directors

Richard and Shannon Jenkins Funeral directors are your local, trusted, independent funeral directors. We believe in being at the heart of the community, providing a first class 24 hour service and building strong everlasting relations with you and your family at this very difficult time.

S

the community, providing a first class 24 hour service and building strong everlasting relations with you and your family at this very difficult time.

The Wellness Garden launches new Reformer Pilates classes

A LIVERPOOL PILATES TEACHER has launched Reformer Pilates classes at her state-of-the-art studio in West Derby.

Susie Ferry, a former gym owner who has been a sports rehabilitation therapist and Pilates instructor for more than 25 years, opened the Wellness Garden in 2018.

Reformer Pilates is a popular form of exercise that combines traditional Pilates principles with the use of a specially designed machine called a ‘Reformer’.

The Reformer is a piece of equipment with a sliding carriage attached to springs, which provides resistance. It also has various straps and pulleys that allow for a wide range of exercises to be performed.

Reformer Pilates offers numerous benefits, such as improved muscle tone, increased flexibility, enhanced body awareness, and reduced risk of injury. Additionally, the focus on breathing and concentration helps in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Classes at the Wellness Garden hold up to a maximum of four people, allowing Susie to maintain a personal and relaxed environment whilst focusing on correct form and technique.

Susie, who will be hosting 16 classes a week at her studio, says: “People worry that they won’t be able to do some of the exercises because they’re unfit or not flexible but they’re the reasons why they should come! “I make sure that they feel okay and only push them at the right times. It really is all about getting your form right, being comfortable and then you will start to see the difference.

“Reformer Pilates is for anybody – from 16 years old up to 90 years old. I’ve got a real mix of clients including women who are six months pregnant and those who are super fit and go to the gym every morning.

“I want people to know that my classes are accessible, open to men and women, and that they can come for a workout, strengthen their body, and feel good.”

Sue Jenkins takes centre stage in Michael Wynne’s Cuckoo

Birkenhead-born playwright brings dark comedy to Liverpool Everyman this September

OLIVIER AND BAFTA award-winning playwright

Michael Wynne makes a triumphant return to Merseyside with his latest play Cuckoo

Luxury crystal jewellery brand promises an

SWAROVSKI HAS LAUNCHED A NEW 2,000 sq ft ‘WonderLUX’ concept store on Peter’s Lane, Liverpool ONE.

Decorated with a blend of metallic finishes, fluted glass, chrome and silk accents throughout, the new Swarovski store is described as a tribute to the light-filled beauty of crystals.

Reflecting the brand’s new visual identity, led by the Swarovski Swan, guests will be welcomed into a “sensory retail space to discover an array of beautiful jewellery and joyful crystal pieces”.

The store features Swarovski’s new and classic collection of jewellery and crystal pieces, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, as well as its range of watches, accessories and home decorations.

Rob Deacon, senior asset manager at Liverpool ONE owner Grosvenor, says: “The return of a standalone Swarovski store to Liverpool is not only an exciting moment for the city, but for Liverpool ONE too, as it is now home to the brand’s bold new retail concept.

“We are thrilled to welcome Swarovski to Peter’s Lane, its reputation as one of the world’s premier jewellery brands makes them a perfect new addition, further enriching our line-up of premium retailers.”

An all-Scouse cast of Sue Jenkins, Michelle Butterly, Jodie McNee and Emma Harrison capture the intense relationships between three generations of women and the bonds of a modern family.

As an established writer, Michael Wynne has become known for winning a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film with My Summer of Love; the Olivier Awardwinning comedy The Priory and writing BBC One’s Being Eileen

His stage shows often bring him back home, with The Knocky, a family saga set on a Birkenhead council estate kicking off his career, and Hope Place, named after the Liverpool street where his mother grew up, commissioned by the Everyman as part of the theatre’s re-opening season in 2014.

Cuckoo is described as a perfect, bittersweet snapshot of our age, exploring how different generations discuss issues and how having opposing opinions has become much more fraught within close families.

Directed by Vicky Featherstone, the play will be at Liverpool Everyman from 6-23 September 2023.

“absolute feast for the senses”

Full-body workout is popular with athletes and A-listers like Mo Salah and Margot Robbie

Swarovski opens new concept store at Liverpool ONE