YM Liverpool July 2021

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N E WS | I N T E R I O R S | H O M E S | L I F E ST Y L E | FAS H I O N | GA R D E N I N G

www.ymliverpool.com JULY 2021

James Nelson-Joyce Development in Focus Scandi Garden Ideas Recipe of the Month

KJT speaks to YM

Under my 1 YM Liverpool

umbrella

Iconic installation returns to city for summer

East Float is a groundbreaking development of unique 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes in the new ‘Northbank’ neighbourhood of Wirral Waters.

A short walk from Hamilton Square station, with views of the Liverpool skyline and across the Mersey, this is a really special location for some really special homes.

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Find out more or register your interest today.

Part of

0151 832 7700 eastfloat@housebyurbansplash.co.uk housebyurbansplash.co.uk/east-float 2 YM Liverpool

issue #493

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July

COVER IMAGES: EDINBURGHCITYMOM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; MARTIN RICKETT/PA PHOTOS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

H

ello and welcome to another jam-packed edition of YM Liverpool!

When news reached us that the ADHD Foundation’s famous Umbrella Project was returning to Liverpool for the summer, my decision over what to feature on our front cover was made a very simple one.

Church Alley (in front of The Bluecoat) is once again glowing with bright red, blue, green, yellow, and orange umbrellas in an effort to raise awareness of ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions.

Meanwhile we’re delighted to bring you two massive interviews this month. First we caught up with superstar heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Woolton-born athlete discusses preparations for the games and gives us the lowdown on her new sports festival which is taking place later this year at Wavertree Sports Centre.

Next up we have James Nelson-Joyce, hot on the heels of his stellar turn as menacing inmate Johnno in BBC prison drama Time.

The young Liverpool thespian told us all about an exciting new project he’s working on with Stephen Merchant and how a crush on his secondary school English teacher kick-started his acting career.

Elsewhere, our fashion editor shares some stylish kids holiday outfits and Heather Marsh explores the creative art of topiary.

Plus, John Lewis invites us to perfect our summer gardens by taking inspiration from Scandi living and we shine the spotlight on a Great Homer Street apartment scheme attracting plenty of interest from buyers.

Enjoy!

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LAWRENCE SAUNDERS Editor NEWS | IN

TERIORS

| HOMES

| LIFESTY

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JULY 2021

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to city for summe

1 YM Liverpool

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YM Liverpool 3

Whilst an Achilles injury and doubts over whether this month’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics would take place haven’t been ideal preparation for Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the Woolton-born heptathlete isn’t looking for any excuses as she prepares to finally realise her gold medal dream words lawrence saunders

How are you feeling just a couple of weeks out from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?

Feeling good, this one has been a long time coming so I think we are all just glad for it to finally be here! It’ll be a strange event given the circumstances that we are in, but the Olympics are always a special occasion that athletes look forward to and cherish.

Has the uncertainty over whether the games will take place affected your preparation at all?

It’s not ideal that there’s obviously been a lot of speculation about the Games over the past 18 months but I can only really focus on the things within my control. I’ve approached it as though the Games are going ahead, so I’ve been training, preparing as well as I can and trying to get myself into the best shape possible for this summer.

Do you feel less pressure going into this Olympics given your victory at the World Championships in Doha with a British record 6,981 points? Has that performance given you extra belief that you can win gold?

Becoming the World Champion and British Record holder is a huge honour and gives me confidence, not a feeling of pressure. I really enjoyed Doha but that was then and things have changed since.

Tokyo is another event and another opportunity.

After the Rio Olympics, you made the decision to move to Montpellier, to join a group under the guidance of multi-event specialist Bertrand Valcin. Do you enjoy living in France? Do you miss Liverpool, and if so, what do you miss the most?

Liverpool is and will always be home for me so of course I miss it! I miss my mum, my dogs, being able to go to Anfield and just generally being around the people and the city! But I know why I moved to France and I’m enjoying it. Montpellier is a beautiful city; I’ve got a great team there and it allows me to fully focus on my athletics.

Earlier this year you set up the KJT Academy, which aims to support aspiring young athletes from diverse ethnic communities across the North West. What inspired you to start the academy and what do you hope it can achieve?

I am now in a fortunate position where I can give back to the region and support the communities that I grew up in. Sport is obviously a big passion of mine and I want to ensure that those youngsters growing up in the same circumstances that I did are given opportunities to fulfil their potential. Research has sadly shown that there are communities that haven’t been provided with a fair opportunity and I wanted to make a difference where I can.

I hope that the KJT Academy will really make a difference in many people’s lives!

Becoming the World Champion and

British Record holder is a huge honour and gives me

confidence, not a feeling of pressure.

4 YM Liverpool

INTERVIEW

YM Liverpool 5

INTERVIEW

Can you tell us more about the athletics event you are launching in Liverpool in September?

It’s called Festathlon and I’d call it more of a sporting festival than an athletics event. It’s taking place at my home track, Wavertree Sports Centre, on 11 September and it’s going to be a great afternoon and evening.

We are bringing together three of my favourite things, the city of Liverpool, athletics, and music. I’ll be there alongside many of my Olympic teammates fresh

KJT Stats n Date of birth 09/01/1993 n Born Liverpool n Lives Montpellier, France n Club Liverpool Harriers Personal bests Heptathlon 6981 (2019)

200m 22.79 (2016)

Indoor Pentathlon 5000 (2015)

Long Jump 6.93m (2015)

100m Hurdles 13.09 (2019)

Javelin 43.93m (2019)

High Jump 1.98m (2016)

800m 2:07.26 (2019)

Shot Put 13.86m (2019) Career highlights IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019 Heptathlon

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018 Heptathlon

IAAF WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

EUROPEAN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

2014 Long Jump

2015 Pentathlon

2018 Pentathlon

2019 Pentathlon

EUROPEAN U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 Heptathlon IAAF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009 Heptathlon

IAAF WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 Long Jump COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2018 Heptathlon

from Tokyo! The Liverpool International Music Festival is supplying DJ’s and live musical acts for the day so between the sport, the music and the festival crowd, it’ll be a lot of fun!

And what can we expect from a sporting perspective, I hear it will be a little different?

It’s based on the heptathlon, my athletics discipline, but it will be a team event rather than an individual competition. The teams will be all female, there will be four teams made up of elite athletes and four teams from universities, including both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. It will be a great mix of current and future stars on the track. We really want to give fans access to the athletes, which is something we can do at Wavertree.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be competing at Festathlon on 11 September at Wavertree Athletics Centre. Visit www.festathlon.com for more information

The Festathlon is more of a sporting festival than

an athletics event and brings together three of my favourite

things, the city of Liverpool, athletics, and music.

6 YM Liverpool

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YM Liverpool 7 @WeAreRedwing

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NEWS

ADHD FOUNDATION’S ICONIC UMBRELLA PROJECT RETURNS TO LIVERPOOL FOR SUMMER

PHILIP BROOKES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

200 multi-coloured umbrellas have been suspended high above Church Alley to raise awareness and understanding of ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, Church Alley (in front of The Bluecoat) is glowing with bright reds, blues, greens, yellows, and oranges thanks to a canopy of vibrant, uplifting, suspended umbrellas.

After a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity’s famous Umbrella Project has returned to Liverpool for the fourth year. The project will remain in place until late September.

Schools across the Liverpool City Region have also signed up to create their own mini umbrella displays, highlighting neurodiversity in children and young people and educational settings. Participating schools include: St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, Alsop High School, Whitefield Primary School, St Anne’s Stanley Primary School, Lister Lane Primary School and Great Sankey High School.

Invented by Liverpool-based ADHD Foundation – the largest ‘user-led’ ADHD agency in Europe – the umbrella installation aims to flip the narrative of neurodiverse individuals, and instead, recognise the strengths and ability of those with cognitive differences.

ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia all sit under the ‘umbrella’ term of neurodiversity – hence the idea for the Umbrella Project.

Having launched in Liverpool in 2017,

the Umbrella Project has achieved global recognition with further displays at Heathrow Airport and BBC’s Media City. More installations are set to launch throughout July in Switzerland, Gloucestershire and in over 50 participating schools nationally.

Dr Tony Lloyd, chief executive of ADHD Foundation, says: “Like the ADHD Foundation itself, the Umbrella Project first

began right here in Liverpool. Whilst the campaign continues to receive global attention and grow beyond all expectations, we are proud to launch our 2021 Umbrella Project in our home city for the fourth year.

“Seeing so many schools across the Liverpool City Region take part in their own umbrella projects this year is testament to the strides that have been made.”

YM Liverpool 9

HOME

DEVELOPMENT

in focus

New apartment scheme on Great Homer Street attracting plenty of interest

10 YM Liverpool

“CITY CENTRE LIVING IS GREAT, but it can have its downsides,” says Lee Darwen of developer Caro. “Poet’s Place is one of those ‘best of both worlds’ developments and we’ve been delighted with the public’s reaction.”

Those two worlds are the quick access to the city centre, but with parkland on the door-step, Pier Head views and secure on-site car parking. Not forgetting the convenience of a brand new Sainsbury’s supermarket further up Great Homer Street and the hugely popular Greatie market.

The scheme was launched in June and already dozens of reservations have been confirmed, many without undertaking viewings. The scheme doesn’t even open for residents until later in the summer.

“The photography and walk-through

imagery on our website are doing a great job,” adds Lee. But then, with fully furnished luxury starting from just £450 a month for a studio and increasing proportionately for one and two-bed apartments, it’s not hard to see why. New residents just need to unpack their suitcases and their new luxury lifestyle starts right away.

Lee says that initial feedback from the public points to this combination of factors being behind the lettings success at Poet’s Place.

“People can see it’s actually a quiet area, but with everything they need within a minute or two’s walk or drive. For young couples or people on long contracts in the city, not having to think about buying furnishings and equipment just adds to the appeal.”

The 27 secure underground car parking spaces are being let on a first come, first served basis and the building has key-fob access and monitored CCTV for added security.

Each apartment in the attractive sevenstorey brick-built block enjoys a Juliet balcony, so residents can fling open their windows to enjoy their views.

“It takes just two minutes to reach the Pier Head but you can read the clock from here,” adds Lee. “I’d guess that makes it the largest kitchen clock in the UK!”.

The studios and apartments are available on 12-month tenancies. For more information and to arrange a viewing, visit carolettings.com/accommodations/poetsplace-apartments/ or call 0800 008 7888 YM Liverpool 11

TNMY Giraffe Dunga Set

Novelty shark trekker

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Rainbow woven set £10, F&F

Blue and white striped romper

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Sustainable sliders £9.99, H&M

Printed kaftan £17.84, South Beach @ Zalando

Sustainable surf t-shirt £7.99, H&M

Ruffled floral briefs £7.99, Zara

Sustainable surf shorts £9.99, H&M

12 YM Liverpool

Shark hooded towel £25.99, South Beach @Zalando

FASHION

Mermaid hooded towel £25.99, South Beach @Zalando

Baby boy mint ‘Happy Days’ crew neck sweater & shorts set £5, Primark

Gingham check dress £22.99, Zara

Unisex t-shirt £17.99, South Beach @ Zalando

Hat with embroidered ears £7.99, Zara

Bee crossbody bag £12, Paperchase

Unisex sports shorts £17.99, South Beach @ Zalando

Raw hem tie-dye denim bermuda shorts £15.99, Zara

‘Bee Happy’ kids apron £14, Paperchase

Newborn bear shoes £4.99, M&Co

YM Liverpool 13

ADVERTORIAL

Business focus: NW Fire Solutions The Wirral-based company provide fire safety solutions to a variety of residential and corporate organisations. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, its work has become even more important in helping homes and business premises become fire safety compliant and saving lives in the process.

Founder and former firefighter Neil Oxton tells us more

What does NW Fire Solutions do?

We provide turnkey fire safety solutions for commercial and residential properties. We basically provide an end-to-end solution to make sure your premises are fire safe, both from a practical and compliance perspective.

We do this by conducting in depth surveys and assessments, and then assisting with the implementation of any remedial works highlighted by the surveys.

Typical surveys include fire risk assessments, door surveys, fire strategies, external wall surveys, fire safety training, and more.

It has become more important than ever before given changes in legislation following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

What type of customers do you work with?

Anybody responsible for the management of a premises and its fire safety. It could be a private landlord with one or multiple properties, a business owner, a property management company, or a registered social landlord.

Why should people turn to NW Fire Solutions for their fire safety needs?

All of our assessors have worked as firefighters in previous roles and have therefore seen first-hand, the devastating consequences of poorly designed and managed buildings.

Our experience extends well beyond just the theory of fire safety, and this is reflected in the quality of our assessments and surveys. For anyone involved in property management, we understand the fear that goes hand in hand with managing the risks associated with fire.

We aim to remove this fear altogether by offering end-to-end solutions bespoke to building requirements.

Our aim is to ensure those responsible for fire safety don’t just satisfy their compliance needs, but exceed them, ensuring all risks can be managed appropriately moving forward.

Fire safety seems to be in the news a lot at the moment. What is going on?

Following the Grenfell Tower disaster back in 2017, property managers across the UK suddenly began to take their approach to fire safety a lot more seriously.

14 YM Liverpool

It became apparent that far too many buildings, both residential and commercial, had multiple structural and compliance failings that needed to be addressed immediately.

There are many examples of where residents have been forced to leave their homes due to the seriousness of these failings.

Unfortunately, these failings cost money to remedy, and it is now causing a lot of property owners a huge headache to find the funds to get the work done.

That sounds very serious indeed. Do you have an example of how you’ve helped residents get back into their homes?

We are currently in the latter stages of a project in Oldham where more than 40 residents have had to move out until the building could be deemed fire safe. This is due to the lack of ‘compartmentation’.

Compartmentation is the subdivision of a building into smaller sections or units in order to withstand and limit damage/growth from a fire situation by preventing the spread of smoke and fire, with the use of fire resisting construction.

We have conducted several surveys to identify the risk and instances of compartmentation breach, and then managed the remedial repair works to get the property to a safe condition.

We do all of this with the involvement of the local fire authority. Within a few weeks, residents will be able to return to their homes, safe in the knowledge that should a fire break out, the risk of it spreading quickly throughout the building has been nullified.

If anybody reading this has concerns about their fire safety compliance and doesn’t know what to do next, what should they do?

Give us a call and we’ll gladly have a chat to ascertain their needs and talk them through how we can help. We are experts in the field and can help households or commercial businesses become better prepared to deal with potential fire hazards.

Call NW Fire Solutions on 0151 665 0124 or email info@nwfiresolutions.co.uk

Flexible rents that won’t leave a dent

Poet’s Place offers all the benefits of city centre living with none of the hassle – and monthly rental packages that are kind on your wallet.

With fully furnished studios, one- and two-bed apartments from as little as £450 per month call today to arrange a viewing or reserve your beautiful new home. They’re going fast!

Call 0800 008 7888 or email enquiries@carolettings.com Scan to view the apartments On-site parking / Parkland and waterfront views / Great local infrastructure / City Centre North location YM Liverpool 15

Inside the Baltic Triangle’s first ever hotel Punk art meets urban chic at new hotel which opens this summer

THE FIRST HOTEL IN LIVERPOOL’S thriving Baltic Triangle will open this summer following an investment of more than £7 million.

Each of the 58 rooms at The Baltic Hotel delivers what is being described as an “eccentrically unique feel with music memorabilia adorning the walls and luxurious lounge areas”. Peloton bikes have also been installed in some spaces while others boast stellar views over the city and River Mersey.

Completing the rooms are fully-stocked Marshall speaker mini-bars and interactive tablet controls.

The owners of the hotel, situated in a former factory and warehouse, have kept many of the original features in order to show off pre-war architecture dressed in post-war modernism.

16 YM Liverpool

One space in the building is being transformed into the Duck & Swagger pub, with inspiration drawn from Guy Ritchie’s trendy London offerings, and the second is a laidback Shoreditch-style restaurant called The Baltic Brasserie.

The venue will open up the entire Baltic Triangle to new Liverpool visitors and Town Hotels is aiming to offer an “incredible staycation experience to anyone who books”.

The Baltic Triangle was almost written off 14 years ago. However, it is now one of Britain’s hippest destinations and the former industrial area will receive another shot in the arm when The Baltic Hotel opens.

Town Hotels, which acts as the hospitality division of Merseysidebased property development company Living Brick, built The Baltic

NEWS

We’re incredibly proud and excited to be opening the first hotel ever in Liverpool’s vibrant Baltic Triangle.

Hotel throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to its confidence in the city bouncing back and visitors returning to experience everything the Baltic Triangle has to offer.

“We’re incredibly proud and excited to be opening the first hotel ever in Liverpool’s vibrant Baltic Triangle,” says operations director Duncan Stewart.

“Our Duck & Swagger is a place for great beer while The Baltic Brasserie will serve incredible food and both venues are there for people to just chill and socialise.

“The Baltic Hotel really is a destination in its own right and we feel the food and drink facilities compliment the location.

“The development will feature many of the building’s original

features with a modern twist and is another example of our belief Liverpool will become the go-to city once again as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“Both The Baltic Hotel and our recently completed Duke Street Boutique Apartments will add to our already established serviced apartment portfolio which includes York Street Studios and Chavasse Apartments in the city centre.

“We’ve worked with a brilliant team throughout the pandemic to get the hotel ready and we are expecting an incredible summer as people start returning to the city with lockdown restrictions lifted completely.” www.thebaltichotelliverpool.com YM Liverpool 17

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FOOD

Restaurant review

Tempest on Tithebarn

By Liam Edwards |

Small plates/Burgers |

With the wealth of food and drink options available on the now fully pedestrianised Bold Street, the burgeoning Baltic Triangle and the bustling Castle Street, one can be forgiven for forgetting there are even more restaurants to be found elsewhere in Liverpool city centre.

Enter Tempest on Tithebarn. Opened in May on, you guessed it, Tithebarn Street, it boasts a menu brimming with an array of locally sourced ingredients – even down to the

The guys behind Tempest really do have a genuine commitment to keeping the food as fresh as possible. bees on the roof which produce the honey used in the kitchen. The guys behind Tempest really do have a genuine commitment to keeping the food as fresh as possible.

Stepping inside, it’s hard not to be impressed by the main bar/dining area. Filled with indoor plants, a bespoke bar (complete with two tanks which store the venue’s very own Tempest beer), plush furniture and plenty of places to sit and while the night away.

££ |

12 Tithebarn Street, L2 2DT

My partner and I were greeted by three lovely members of staff, all keen to help and very attentive. The first thing that stood out was the drinks offering; eight draft taps with big hitters such as Guinness and Brooklyn alongside local lads Love Lane. We each had a pint, both of which were delicious, the Love Lane lager in particular.

Food-wise, Tempest offers a selection of burgers and small plates. The latter range from mac and cheese and risotto, to buffalo chicken wings and prawn skewers. We each opted for a classic burger (£10), as well as the chicken wings (£6) and lemon & ginger sea bass (£8).

The food arrived all at once and the wait between ordering and tucking in was no time at all. All of the dishes were well presented and the chicken wings were the best of the bunch. Unfortunately the burgers were a touch overdone for our liking and I think asking guests how they’d like their burger cooked would be a step in the right direction.

The fish was light, and the pesto potatoes definitely packed a punch.

We were too stuffed to try a dessert but Tempest does offer an inviting selection of afters – including a peanut butter & jam crème brûlée, signature brownie, as well as homemade cheesecake and fruit tart.

It’s worth noting that Tempest also offers

breakfast and lunch alongside its evening fare – all of which can be enjoyed on the impressive rooftop terrace (weather permitting!).

Elsewhere, an atrium and a basement bar/ event space are both available for private hire.

A huge venue with an abundance of potential, I hope to see Tempest thriving when offices are back to capacity and the city centre is in full swing once again.

I’ll certainly be back myself once again during the summer!

VIEW FOOD PHOTOS @YM_LIVERPOOL

YM Liverpool 19

Shaping

up!

I RECENTLY SPENT SOME TIME in hospital for my long-awaited knee operation that had been postponed last year due to the pandemic.

Even though I was very grateful to have it done, I couldn’t wait to return home. Not only for the simple comfort of sleeping in my own bed, but also for the peace and tranquillity of my own humble garden.

Standing in my flower-filled haven with the sun setting, a warm breeze blowing, and the evening bird song playing – I almost wept with relief.

I realised that if there was anything that was going to aid my recovery and didn’t involve swallowing handfuls of painkillers, it was going to be my garden.

I have always recognised the healing therapy of gardening in all of its forms. Anecdotal and academic research shows that our outdoor spaces can improve recovery rates and amazingly, even reduce levels of pain. However, it is gardening as a means of distraction which I find to be the pursuit’s most positive attribute. When negative thoughts loom about my recovery, it’s that uplifting theory which keeps me going. I was determined to start a gardening project which I could immerse myself in – something that wasn’t too demanding physically. I have always been fascinated by the gentle art of topiary – more often associated with the formal gardens of stately homes.

Creative activities like topiary have taken off during the lockdowns, with a more relaxed approach to this art form finding its way into modern garden design. I did study sculpture at art college and maybe that’s why I fancied having a go. Or perhaps it’s my experience as a hairdressing junior many years ago which means I still have the urge to clip and shape something. Wherever it came from, topiary ticked all the boxes and proved to be the perfect convalescing activity.

The horticultural art of clipping evergreen shrubs into either classically cut geometric shapes or more imaginative figurative forms has been around for many years. This is a gardening art form that is based on acute precision but also has a real fun element to it – you don’t have to get too serious.

20 YM Liverpool

Heather Marsh explores the creative art of topiary

MAIN IMAGE: WJAREK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

GARDENING

The World’s Oldest Topiary Gardens If you fancy a day out this summer with lots of amazing topiary examples to enjoy, then look no further than the gardens at Levens Hall near Kendal. Dating back to the 1690s, the 10 acres of gardens retain many original features including the world’s oldest topiary gardens. There are over 100 topiary pieces to admire, with some shrubs and bushes being more than 300 years old. The oldest forms are mostly geometric designs that have all been created and clipped by hand in the traditional way, with later additions of more complex forms like animals and even a giant umbrella all taking their place within these well-manicured grounds. A fascinating place to visit regardless of the time of year – I’m sure it will give you lots of inspiring topiary ideas for your own garden.

Getting started The very act of clipping into shape any shrub is a slow yet satisfying job and an effective mindfulness exercise. However, sculpting a plant into a specific shape is a slightly more complex matter. Rather than starting from scratch, which can be disheartening if you make a mistake, I suggest buying a ready grown, established specimen. Simple rounded shapes like balls and cylinders are ideal as clipping a rounded form is more straightforward. Sold in most nurseries, large DIY stores and markets, they are relatively inexpensive and are ideal to cut your teeth on.

Keeping your plant in its pot for your first attempt is a good idea, as you can position it at the level you find most comfortable to work at – a bit like using a barber’s chair. A useful tip my father taught me, especially for cutting hedges or shrubs in borders, is to lay a sheet around the base to collect the clippings. Instead of spending an age picking or sweeping everything up afterwards, simply fold all the clippings into the sheet and shake them into the bin.

Equipment-wise, the basic essential you need is a decent pair of topiary shears. They are also known as ‘one handed shears’, as they are operated with just one hand – similar to sheep shears, for any of you shepherds out there. They are quite primitive looking and very sharp with terribly pointed blades so take extreme care when using. Points facing down please! Electric shears are another option – easy to use with a rechargeable battery, the only reservation is that like a hair trimmer, you can get carried away, scalping your poor specimen to within an inch of its life. I do however find them excellent for dwarf hedges and trimming taller pieces.

YM Liverpool 21

GARDENING

BUYER’S GUIDE

Get clipping with a great pair of shears or grab yourself a readymade masterpiece

Webb Dynamic Cordless Shrub and Grass Shears Clip holding the shears flat to the foliage and stand back every so often to ensure you are keeping things symmetrical. Try not to clip too much off the first time, but if you do, don’t panic! It will grow back… eventually.

Plants suitable for topiary Compact, small-leaved shrubs make an ideal choice.

There are many options but I’m sticking with the tried and tested plants I have in my own garden.

Boxwood balls planted in tall, galvanised tubs are what I began with.

Box is very tough and hardy – perfectly suited to growing in pots and containers. I have 20 year old pots of boxwood which I have shamelessly neglected, and they still survive. Box can also be easily planted out in borders so I would recommend them as a starter choice.

Bay laurel is another classic and grows much quicker than any of the other plants I’m suggesting. I like a bit of formality in my garden and a classic standard or Lollipop Bay always looks good, in pairs flanking any front door, or as a focal point in your herb garden. As Bay have larger leaves, cutting into shape in late spring is advised.

Use secateurs to do this instead of shears, as not to damage leaves.

Taxus baccata (English Yew) is known as the ‘King of Hedges’ and is the variety you will see in most quintessential stately homes. Its dense foliage is perfect for large hedges and topiary forms. The only drawback is that Yew is a very slow grower. Even if you buy larger plants, you will need patience before you can get those shears out.

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’ Other conifers like Leylandii and Castlewellan grow too quickly and too big to clip yourself. ‘Goldcrest’ on the other hand is of much smaller proportions. Its striking bright green foliage and lemon fragrance when cut is lovely and this conifer clips and shapes well too. I particularly love Goldcrest in winter as its stunning foliage provides colour and stature when there is little else about.

£20.99, homeessentials.co.uk

Topiary Horse Prancing £2,040, paramountplants.co.uk

Large Topiary Box Ball £190, hedgesonline.com

The Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp Topiary Shears £18.17, dortechdirect.co.uk

Trio Ball Topiary Tree £39.99, gardeningexpress.co.uk

Cupressus Goldcrest Spiral Topiary £128, paramountplants.co.uk

Topiary Duck £126.95 gardenplantsonline.co.uk

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

22 YM Liverpool

YM Liverpool 23

ADVERTORIAL

Increasing number of retirees expected to use equity release New research from more2life has found that 78% of advisers believe more of their customers will use equity release to support their basic retirement needs over the next year

A

ccording to the report, 59% of equity release advisers also think that more clients will ask about releasing equity from their homes to boost their retirement income.

Understanding the potential uses of equity release in retirement is growing.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on retirement savings and incomes for older households is likely driving this rising interest.

Despite the expectations uncovered in this new research, 40% of advisers reported a fall in the number of equity release cases they advised since the start of the pandemic and this could be due to social distancing issues as it is an area of advice that face to face is often preferred.

However, 36% of those advisers surveyed said they had supported more equity release cases since last March, and 26% of advisers saw no change in the number of equity release cases advised.

Wayne Slater, Principal Adviser, Spectrum Independent Financial Services

The survey also found that more than half of advisers have seen more clients using equity release to help younger family members onto the property ladder during the current stamp duty holiday.

34% of equity release advisers saw an increase in the proportion of clients using equity release to help relatives struggling financially, and 16% of advisers said clients were looking to support children or grandchildren more generally.

interesting conundrum – we’ve worked hard to educate people on the role that housing equity can play in retirement, but we are also aware that, now more than ever, we need to encourage people to make smart sustainable choices for both the long and short term.

“That almost 80% of advisers expect to see more customers looking to equity release to support basic needs in retirement during the next year is not

The research also revealed that around a third of advisers have supported a more significant number of clients using equity release to repay their residential mortgage.

This gifted housing equity has gone towards helping younger family members buy their first home or move up the property ladder.

Visit our website to find out how the over-65s are sitting on £1.2 trillion of property wealth.

Dave Harris, CEO at more2life, says: “The later life lending market is facing an

surprising. What we need to do now as an industry is to ensure over-55s get high quality advice that helps them find the best solution for their specific needs – whether this involves an equity release mortgage or an alternative option.

Remember to take your time and only take advice from qualified and regulated firms and ensure you are provided with a full illustration of costs and charges.

Do not hesitate to contact Spectrum Independent if you wish to have a no obligation chat to find out if equity release is right for you.

Top 5 points to consider if thinking about equity release: ■ Consider all your options Make sure

you are claiming all the state benefits due to you, and explore the possibility of downsizing, or renting out a room.

■ Do your sums Work out what your income requirements are, and how this might change in the years ahead.

■ Which features are best for you Do not assume that the lowest interest rate is necessarily the best. Any plan will have various features, some of which will be more suitable for you than others.

■ Talk to your family They may be able to help or support your decision to take equity release.

■ Do your own homework Unbiased information can be found via the Money Advice Service Guide to Retirement at moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Equity release may not be right for everyone. It may affect your entitlement to state benefits and will reduce the value of your estate.

SPECTRUM INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES B1 Business Centre, 25 Goodlass Road, Liverpool L24 9HJ 0151 448 2777 / mail@spectrum-ifs.co.uk / spectrum-ifs.co.uk 24 YM Liverpool

FOOD

RECIPE of the month Chicken shawarma flatbreads with yogurt

PREPARTION 20 minutes + marinating Cooking time: 20 minutes Serves 4 INGREDIENTS • 8 British chicken thigh fillets • 3 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Shawarma Paste • ½ red onion, finely sliced • 2 lemons, juice of 1, 1 cut into wedges • 1½ tsp Cooks’ Ingredients Sumac • ½ large cucumber • 250g Yeo Valley Organic Greek Style Natural Yogurt • 1 small clove garlic, finely grated • 15 mint leaves, finely shredded, plus extra to garnish • 4 Waitrose & Partners HandStretched Flatbreads • 50g pomegranate seeds • 1-2 handfuls wild rocket

COOK’S TIP This recipe also works well with lamb or pork steaks instead of chicken (adjust cooking times accordingly).

METHOD 1S lash each chicken thigh a few times, concentrating on the thicker parts of the fillet. Season, then rub all over with the shawarma paste. Cover and chill for 20 minutes (up to 2 hours). Meanwhile, mix the onion, lemon juice and sumac with a good pinch of salt. Set aside until ready to serve.

2 To make the sauce, coarsely grate the cucumber and put in a sieve. Toss with a pinch of salt and leave over a bowl for 10 minutes to drain, then gently press with a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Tip into a bowl and stir in the yogurt, garlic and mint.

3 Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side

(depending on the fillets’ size) until the juices run clear and there is no pink meat, then set aside for 2 minutes. Clean the pan then use it to griddle the flatbreads for 30 seconds on each side. Arrange them on plates and top with the chicken, pickled onion, pomegranate, rocket and the cucumber and yogurt sauce, finishing with the extra mint leaves and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

THOUSANDS OF RECIPES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.WAITROSE.COM/RECIPES

YM Liverpool 25

HOME

PROPERTY

in focus

Five-bedroom Fulwood Park home oozes character £1,200,000

26 YM Liverpool

IMAGES: DAVID NOWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

SITUATED IN AIGBURTH’S much sought-after Fulwood Park, this five-bedroom detached home is brimming with stunning features.

Be it the converted coach house, beautifully maintained garden, or ample-sized home office, there is so much to appreciate and enjoy.

Boasting five reception rooms across two properties, two kitchens, and a large courtyard seating area, ‘The Nook’ is the ideal property for those who like to entertain plenty of guests.

Other highlights include the five spacious double bedrooms with en suite to master, family bathroom, and a sweeping private driveway.

And if the back garden which measures two-thirds’ of an acre isn’t enough green space for you, the majestic Sefton Park is barely a minute’s walk away.

For more information about this property, contact Homesure Property on 0151 382 7964 YM Liverpool 27

Simple Scandi garden ideas

Perfect your summer garden by taking inspiration from Scandi living to create paredback natural beauty

28 YM Liverpool

HOME

SUMMERTIME and the living is easy… and few looks offer such easy living as a natural colour scheme. Cool, calm and inspired

by Scandi design, this mellow approach is all about balancing materials, textures and accents to find a stillness that feels just right.

Shapes and forms have more impact in a pared-back scheme and they’re something to play with, especially against the straight lines of a building or the flat planes of a terrace or deck. Furniture with curves or an organic silhouette has a sculptural beauty that can nestle comfortably among organic planting too. Consider adding extra height and layer up accessories as you would indoors.

Vases of flowers, pot plants and an ever-useful parasol will add that extra dimension, while mixing in unexpected materials such as shiny smoked glass creates pockets of interest.

Colour trends for neutrals are showing a shift away from cool greys towards warmer tones.

Take inspiration from the soft, diffused and honeyed colours of morning light – they’re perfect for summer. Pale woods and

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Tactility is key in a neutral scheme so consider the touch of each surface, whether soft or hard, and how each one can offer something different.

Chunky Knitted Pouffe

Wil Law, John Lewis Partner & Home Design Stylist

timber make perfect partners, as do seagrass and jute for casual rugs, and rattan and open-weaves for outdoor furniture.

“For textiles, consider layering different fabrics from earthy linens, textured bouclés, right through to heavier, chunky knits,” says Wil Law, John Lewis Partner & Home Design Stylist. “The same applies to hard surfaces – a smooth wood tone could be layered with more tactile finishes such as reeded wood or cane.”

Our summer climate is not dissimilar to that of our Scandi cousins so pile on the comfort outdoors, especially when entertaining. Sheepskin rugs, woolen blankets – stick with the natural materials here – and

Chalky pastels and shades of plaster all fall within the range of new neutrals and will soften the look without dominating.

Think faded beauty and sunbleached hues for your cushions and throws. If you want to add a small amount of something stronger, stay within the natural palette with warmer shades of terracotta.

Looking to go bolder still?

The occasional piece in sleek black is the sophisticated choice – be inspired by black cabins on northern isles and choose a stand-out piece such as a rocker or pod chair. The stark contrast has eye-catching style so welcome it into the scheme by mirroring shapes and introducing a little of your accent colour here.

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Off

30 YM Liverpool

INTERVIEW

Main

fender Hot on the heels of his stellar turn as menacing inmate Johnno in BBC prison drama Time, James Nelson-Joyce is in trouble once again. The Orrell Park-born actor is currently shooting Stephen Merchant’s dark comedy about a group of people thrown together when they’re ordered to do community service. We caught up with James to find out more about the project, a less than typical route into acting, and his portrayal of Bez in the new Happy Mondays biopic words lawrence saunders

How did you first get into acting? don’t do acting – me mates are going to rip me!’. She sent me to It was a bit of luck really. I was just a normal kid, playing The City of Liverpool College and from there I went to drama football and that. I fancied my English teacher and the only school in London. It was all just luck! way I could get her attention was by putting on an accent when she’d ask someone to read aloud in class. I didn’t know at the Before all this happened at school, were you interested in time that I was dyslexic and I felt uncomfortable reading, but I film? Were there any particular actors you looked up to? did it just to show off.

The only person I idolised as a kid was Jamie Carragher.

She told me one day about the Speaking I wanted to be him. Kids today are & Listening exam. I was happy to do it probably doing step-overs like [Cristiano] My English teacher Ronaldo but I just tried to copy Jamie because it meant I didn’t have to do any coursework! I went in and did a monologue and command the pitch. When I got to thought I should go in front of an examiner. It was a story about community college, other students were a young boy whose dog had just passed away. telling me to watch things like This Is in to acting but I I finished my speech and the lady examiner England, The Street and other Jimmy was like ‘Kids like me McGovern dramas. Until then I didn’t was upset and crying. She told me she’d recently lost her dog not that long ago. I know there was working class stuff on don’t do acting – gave her a big cuddle. television. It really opened my eyes.

Anyway, I thought nothing of it until Stephen Graham and Pete Postlethwaite me mates are going about a month later when I was walking down were two fellas who I could relate to. It to rip me!’ the corridor – messing about with my mates. was that ‘everyman’ kind of feel.

The head of English, who was quite fearsome, popped her head out of her office and said ‘Joyce, come here’.

Is it true that you met Stephen before your acting career Straight away I was like ‘It weren’t me! It weren’t me!’. ‘Weren’t properly started? what?’ she said, and I was like ‘Whatever I’m getting the blame I was at a Nando’s in London and he was there with his wife for!’. It turned out that I’d been given the highest mark ever in (actress Hannah Walters). I plucked up the courage to go over the North West for my Speaking & Listening exam. and speak to him. I told him my name, that I was an actor Again, I thought nothing of it and when I was leaving school who’d just finished drama school, and how, being a lad from my English teacher asked what I was going to do. I told her Liverpool, he’d inspired me. I walked away and then 10 minutes I’d probably go and work on building sites with my dad. She later Hannah came over and said ‘Look, you’ve got something thought I should have a go at acting but I was like ‘Kids like me about you. Here’s my email – please let us know when YM Liverpool 31

INTERVIEW

you’re in something’. When I’d been in an episode of Casualty or something like that, I felt I couldn’t email Stephen and tell him about it – I didn’t want to bother him. But when we did Little Boy Blue he gave me a little nod and said ‘You’re that lad from Nando’s’. Since then he’s looked out for me.

One of your first major acting performances was in Little Boy Blue. Were you at all nervous about taking the role of James Yates?

I read the script and it was the real deal – written by an amazing writer called Jeff Pope and directed by Paul Whittington, who I worked with on Cilla. When I went to audition for the role [of Yates], I thought ‘I can do this. I know this world. I’m not far from it’. I wasn’t scared or nervous [about taking the role]. I wanted to do Rhys’s story justice. Making sure his mum and dad were proud [of it] was first and foremost in my mind. I couldn’t have done that job half-hearted. I had to do my research and do the brave stuff but that’s your job, that’s the beauty of acting. You do get to do things that you as a person can’t do, wouldn’t do, and would never dream of doing in real life.

You’re currently shooting a new BBC/Amazon Prime series with Stephen Merchant in Bristol called The Offenders. Can you tell us a bit about the premise of the show?

It’s about people from all different walks of life doing community service together. There’s an ‘IT Girl’, an older bloke, a ‘street boy’ who I play called Spider. [The show] is really cool. I think it’s my first proper comedy. It’s totally different from anything Stephen has ever written before. It has those little humorous tones, but it is quite dark in places. Stephen is very meticulous. He knows what he wants from a scene and you keep going until you find it.

The Offenders features Academy Award-winning actor Christopher Walken in his first lead British television role. Have you got to meet Christopher yet?

Yes, I met him briefly. He’s a dead nice fella – really sound. It’s weird because I’ve been fortunate to meet some ‘proper’ stars but you do have that imposter syndrome. I still think someone is going to come up to me on set and say ‘You’re crap, you don’t deserve to be here and you’re cheating everyone’.

That’s the beauty of people like Stephen [Graham] and Sean Bean, who I worked with on Time. As soon as you’re on set with them, you feel

32 YM Liverpool

at home. They welcome you straight away and take away all that nervousness. Your work automatically becomes 10 times better.

Some actors aren’t as approachable, but at the end of the day they are there to do their job and they don’t want to talk about the match last night or how much someone won on Tipping Point – and that’s fine. When you leave one set and go to another, you have to find where you are again.

You’re also set to portray Bez in a new movie about the Happy Mondays. How have you gone about preparing to play such a unique character?

The pandemic has put the movie on hold for the time being until they can do it properly. The director, Matt Greenhalgh, wants to do the band’s story justice. That’s why production is on hold. It’s a cracking piece.

I’m still doing my research for the role and was fortunate enough to meet Bez. I was invited to a Happy Mondays gig at the Roundhouse in London. Me and my mate got to go backstage.

Bez was like ‘Ahhh mate, I can’t believe a scouser is playing me!’, but he gave me a big hug and was cool. I just want to get stuck in now and get on it.

There’s a side to Bez that audiences won’t have seen before.

Everyone knows the larger than life character who can party, but he’s also loyal, caring, honest and loving. These are things I want to portray in my performance. I’m not doing a parody of Bez. You’re represented by Jane Epstein, the same agent who looks after Liverpool thespians Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham. How much of a help is it having Jane on your side?

That’s a hard one. It’s like Jürgen Klopp selecting you for Liverpool FC and you’re in the squad, and you get opportunities in training. My opportunities are the auditions, but then it’s down to my talent to get the job. Jodie and Stephen are incredible.

If I’ve got a quarter of their talent, I’ll be okay. I’m not going to lie though, I do feel the weight [of the pressure].

I’m looking at Jane’s client list and seeing all these superstars, and I’m thinking ‘I’m just little old me who watches Tipping Point and has a Nando’s!’. Jane is incredible, all you’ve got to do is look at what she’s done with Jodie.

She’s a very hard-working woman and she gets me big auditions. Sometimes I won’t get [the roles] because I haven’t got a big enough profile but just the fact that I’m getting in the room and having the opportunity is all I can ask for.

Jane can’t make me get the job – I’ve got to do that with my own ability.

Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham are incredible – if I’ve got a quarter of their talent, I’ll be okay.

IMAGES: DAVID REISS

I read the script for Little Boy Blue and it was the real deal. When I went to the audition, I thought ‘I can do this. I know this world.’

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ADVERTORIAL

Social Housing Disrepair Consult the legal experts

Dan Griffiths Director, Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors

Social housing tenants should not be living in poor housing conditions, no matter what. If your housing association has neglected or failed to undertake essential repair work then the solicitors at Paul Crowley & Co can take action to ensure the repairs are carried out as well as recovering compensation for any loss or suffering that you have had to endure as a result of the disrepair A social housing landlords responsibility

A landlord’s duties and responsibilities for housing are laid down in law through the Landlord And Tenant Act 1985.

Before a tenant takes up residence, the landlord should ensure a property must meet all health and safety regulations.

All gas and electric supplies must be safety checked by a qualified engineer and water and sanitation must be in good working order. Adequate security should be provided for the property and all paths, boundary walls, gutters etc should be structurally sound.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair is if the condition of your property has deteriorated through no fault of your own compared to the time when you first moved in.

Housing disrepair can include: Damp and mould Blocked drains Broken windows and doors Broken boiler Defective roof tiles

• • • • •

Can I Claim for Housing Disrepair damages?

Yes you can, if you have notified your social housing landlord and they have subsequently failed to carry out the repair work then you may be entitled to compensation. Paul Crowley & Co appreciate making a claim against your housing association can feel very intimidating.

Our specialised legal team will follow housing disrepair protocol and issue a formal letter of complaint to your Landlord putting them on notice of the disrepair and giving them a reasonable time to carry out the repairs.

The landlord should respond with their proposals within 20 working days. If the landlord fails to act or carry out the repairs, then Paul Crowley & Co will issue legal proceedings on your behalf.

What is housing disrepair protocol?

Housing disrepair protocol is designed to keep costs down and avoid unnecessary litigation. The protocol promotes the speedy and appropriate carrying out of any remedial works which are the landlord’s responsibility and to ensure that the tenant receives any compensation to which they are entitled.

Having successfully represented many tenants social housing disrepair claims, our team of compensation claim specialists will be able to provide you with expert legal representation to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

How much compensation can I claim?

We would look to secure maximum compensation for diminution of contents whilst living at the property together with any discomfort and inconvenience you have suffered. We would also seek compensation for any loss or damage of personal property caused by the disrepair.

If the living conditions have become uninhabitable, we will look to secure you alternative accommodation whilst the repairs are carried out. If you are in receipt of housing benefit this will not affect the amount of compensation you will receive. To find out how much you could be entitled to, contact the claims experts at Paul Crowley & Co.

No Win, No Fee compensation

Paul Crowley & Co offer a no win, no fee claim for housing disrepair compensation. This is a conditional fee agreement which means Paul Crowley & Co will fund your claim so you will not have to worry about paying any upfront legal costs.

Paul Crowley & Co the housing disrepair legal experts?

You will be assigned your own personal housing disrepair solicitor who will guide you through the claims process, keeping you fully informed throughout the progress of your case. To find out if your social housing landlord has breached the terms of their agreement or if you have any questions about about making a housing disrepair compensation claim, call Paul Crowley & Co the housing disrepair claims experts and see how we can help you.

If you have a housing disrepair dispute with your social housing landlord, contact us on WhatsApp: 07947 279641 www.paulcrowley.co.uk 34 YM Liverpool

FILM

Pulp Fiction

VIDEODYSSEY’S

MOVIE OF

Andy Johnson revisits Tarantino’s iconic film about the intertwining lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster’s wife, and a pair of diner bandits

THE MONTH

“Let’s get into character.”

If Quentin Tarantino’s life aired on TV, who wouldn’t be tempted to watch. I’d tune in every week, like it was The Cosby Show. Only with a splash more profanity. Quentin is an undeniable genius, who transformed cinema through a love of stories and a unique understanding of the power of dynamic dialogue. Let’s picture the scene...

EXT – SUBURBAN HOME, TORRANCE, LA – MORNING A mysterious older man wearing a black dinner jacket and bow tie walks along the sun-scorched sidewalk and up the driveway in a conspicuous manner. He strides past a red ‘64 Chevy Malibu. He pauses to survey the landscape, before pressing the doorbell. A tall, gawky-looking guy wearing a bathrobe answers the door with a surprised smile.

QUENTIN TARANTINO: Harvey Kee-tel?

HARVEY KEITEL: It’s Kye-tel

QT: Do you wanna cup of coffee?

HK: Sure kid. But first of all... how’d you come to write this script? Somebody in your family must be connected?

QT: No

HK: Well, how the hell did you come to write this?

QT: I watch movies

IMAGES: STUART PRICE; KELLY SIKKEMA/UNSPLASH

From this affirmation of his love of films and how they’re put together, one of the most fruitful cinematic connections of the ’90s was born.

It’s no secret that Pulp Fiction followed hot on the heels of Reservoir Dogs with great vengeance and furious anger. But what many people don’t realise is that Pulp Fiction was the first film on Tarantino’s mind... He was just waiting on another writer to pen the last of the trilogy of stories.

When the third writer went west, Tarantino had to write the third story. Locking himself in his mum’s house for three weeks, he started hearing a bizarre bunch of criminals’ voices. His Pulp Fiction script was abandoned in a drawer in favour of a new visceral and violent script about a bungled diamond heist.

Scrawled across hundreds of pages, the script was largely illegible, yet undeniably brilliant. Pulp Fiction would have to

wait. Tarantino was determined to direct Reservoir Dogs then and there.

When Keitel signed on as the lead actor, his commitment helped raise $1.5 million for production, but, most importantly, he backed Tarantino as the director. And the rest as they usually write... is history.

True Romance is still up there as my favourite Tarantino script to read. But watching Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction back to back is an absolute guilty pleasure.

Tarantino spent his formative years working in a video store, where he was the undisputed ‘Movie Knowledge King’. The shop in Manhattan Beach was called Video Archives, and he was beloved by all of its customers. But in Hollywood he was a nobody.

Surrounded by video tapes, which he watched relentlessly, he had a eureka moment. He would make a movie which retold three of the oldest crime capers in the book.

Tarantino said: “Pulp Fiction is made of the same stories you’ve seen a zillion times – the boxer who’s supposed to throw a fight and doesn’t, the mob guy who’s supposed to take the boss’s wife out for the evening and the two hit men who come and kill these guys...

“Like the way New York is an important character in New York crime films, I wanted to make Los Angeles an important character.

Then I started thinking about all of the characters overlapping. The star of one story could be a small character in the second story and a supporting character in the third story.”

Tarantino has been asked many times about whether Pulp Fiction is about redemption. He says: “Redemption is explicit throughout the piece. But I don’t want to put Pulp Fiction into perspective decades later.

“I’m most proud about how I set out to make an omnibus movie, three separate Fancy stories. I wanted to make it so it would watching Pulp actually work together to tell one Fiction the way nature story. And I did that.” intended? I’ve recently set Be kind, rewind!

Andy

out on a Tarantino VHS odyssey and you can too. Holla at me to hire one of our private screening rooms, at the UK’s last video shop. You never know where it might lead you.

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NEWS

TATE LIVERPOOL TO PRESENT FIRST UK RETROSPECTIVE OF LUCY MCKENZIE Exhibition brings together approximately 80 works, including large scale architectural paintings, as well as fashion and design BORN IN GLASGOW and now based in Brussels, McKenzie’s body of work defies easy categorisation but has simultaneously established her among the most singular artistic voices of her generation.

Over the past two decades, McKenzie has revealed and transformed images, objects, and motifs from a wide range of historical moments and contexts; from early works exploring the iconography of international sport and the politics of post-war muralism to her fascination with music subcultures.

The exhibition highlights the themes that have interested McKenzie throughout her practice, including how ideology influences the representation of women, and exploring the frictions between public and private space.

A formidably skilful painter, McKenzie has revived the old tradition of trompe l’oeil painting – images that are so convincingly real that they literally “deceive the eye”.

The Tate Liverpool show will include a number of large-scale installations such as Loos House 2013 and the monumental paintings May of Teck, Town/ Gown Conflict and Kensington 2246 (all 2010), which together form a U-shaped room.

These paintings combine a variety of interior designs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Victor Horta, and others, enlarging small

watercolour sketches and presentation drawings to one-to-one architectural scale.

The exhibition is organised by Tate Liverpool in collaboration with Museum Brandhorst, Munich. A first version of the exhibition was conceived by Jacob Proctor for Museum Brandhorst from 10 September 2020 – 6 June 2021 under the name “Lucy McKenzie: Prime Suspect”.

The exhibition at Tate Liverpool is curated

by Kasia Redzisz, Senior Curator, and Tamar Hemmes, Assistant Curator, Tate Liverpool.

LUCY MCKENZIE IMAGES: ‘WORKCOATS’, 2010; ‘KINGO IN “RUBY” HOUSECOAT’, 2011

HOLIDAY PARK OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FIRST POST-COVID FESTIVAL Glitter, face paint, and wellies – just some of the items hundreds of holidaymakers will be packing in their suitcases before heading to North Wales this summer PARTY IN THE PARK, organised by leading tourism group Lyons Holiday Parks, is set to get the beachside booming in July, and again on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The exclusive event is the first of its kind at the group’s flagship park, Lyons Robin Hood in Prestatyn, and all hands are on deck to help make this one-off festival a success.

With the majority of the UK’s leading festivals on hold for the second year running due to COVID-19 restrictions, Party in the Park organisers are hopeful that this event will bring some much-needed cheer and ‘festival vibes’ to the popular tourist resort this summer.

Guests and owners will be treated to circus acts, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, as well as plenty of performances from the Robin Hood Ranger’s in-house Ents Team. Guest acts such as Dua Lipa and Olly Murs tribute acts will also be entertaining the crowds.

Martin Mugglestone, Ents Team manager for Lyons, says planning the all-singing, all-dancing festival is bringing some spark back into the park and his team.

“I speak for all of us when I say a good outdoor dance, drink, and sing-along is exactly what’s needed,” says Marin.

“We’ve got everything from live music, entertainment, bars, slush puppies, popcorn, and we really appreciate everyone just wants a good time this summer.”

Marketing manager Chloe Woodcock says the festival is a step in the right direction in terms of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

“The fact we can actually have a festival here in North Wales, albeit limited to guests and owners, is just amazing this year,” she adds.

“Last summer, so many people were deprived of their favourite summer events, and if we can replicate just a fragment of Glastonbury or Creamfields this year, we’ll be very happy indeed.”

Party in the Park will go ahead on 25 July and 30 August YM Liverpool 37

NEWS

LFC’S ANFIELD ROAD STAND EXPANSION WINS PLANNING APPROVAL Club also awarded permission to hold concerts with Elton John announced for 2022 THE EXPANSION PLANS, which were approved by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee, will increase the stadium’s capacity by around 7,000, taking Anfield’s overall capacity to more than 61,000.

As part of the application, the club has also been given permission to hold up to six concerts and major events at the stadium for a period of five years.

The plans for the proposed Anfield Road Stand were the subject of two stages of public consultation with local residents, businesses, fans and stakeholders.

The first stage included the permanent closure of a small section of Anfield Road.

After listening to feedback on this option,

the club made changes to the plans.

A second stage of consultation was held in February 2020, where the club presented new and updated plans to keep Anfield Road open, with the road re-aligned around the footprint of the proposed expanded stand.

Andy Hughes, managing director of Liverpool FC, says: “This is a huge milestone in our journey towards bringing more supporters into Anfield. We underwent a rigorous two-stage public consultation period during the planning process for this project

GOOD NEWS FOR PAUL CROWLEY & CO’S HOUSING DISREPAIR CLIENT Tenant’s life was being made a misery by their landlords’ failure to carry out essential work DESPITE THE TENANT REQUESTING VITAL REPAIRS on numerous occasions, a landlord was failing in their strict legal duty to ensure that the property was in good condition.

Desperate to improve their living conditions, the tenant contacted Paul Crowley & Co solicitors and spoke with Dan Griffiths, director at the Liverpool law firm. Dan immediately contacted the housing association on their behalf to put the landlord on notice for the repairs to be carried out in an agreed timescale.

The dramatic improvement made to the condition of the property in only a short space of time is evident. In addition to the repairs, Dan was also able to recover a significant amount in compensation for the tenant for the inconvenience suffered, along with the loss and damage caused to the tenant’s personal belongings as a result of the disrepair.

This is just one of the many social housing disrepair cases that Paul Crowley & Co has recently settled on behalf of their clients. The law firm believes nobody should expect their family’s health and safety to be compromised by a social housing landlord’s failure to keep their property up to standard.

If you or anybody you know is experiencing similar difficulties, Paul Crowley & Co is here to help. Please WhatsApp Dan Griffiths on 07947 279641

38 YM Liverpool

and I would like to thank everyone who has offered a contribution to that.

“We have been clear from the beginning that this expansion would be based on our ability to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape; our ability to gain co-operation of local residents and the community; and our ability to ensure the project is financially viable.

“In what has been a very unpredictable year, we are seeking certainty in order to progress with this project and there are still some steps we need to take to get there.”

SOUTH LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL ADVICE FIRM HITS THE AIRWAVES Spectrum Independent has been given the opportunity to appear as a regular guest on Liverpool Live Radio PRINCIPAL WAYNE SLATER will be on the Roy Basnett show every two weeks, providing a live personal finance section and information on current financial planning topics, such as the mortgage market and guidance around ways to save.

Wayne, who started his career in the financial services industry in 1987, will also cover topical issues such as how to avoid scams.

He says: “We are really excited to be able to offer up some simple understandings of what are often perceived as complex topics, and to do so as Regulated and Authorised Advisers is a big responsibility. Of course, we won’t be offering specific advice over the radio!”

Roy adds: “We want to make sure great content and much needed information is on offer to our audience and Spectrum Independent can offer this at a time when it’s needed most. We look forward to having Wayne live on air soon”.

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