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New Baltic apartments Why ‘Brookie’ matters Waterloo’s Greek gem Jane Clare on wine
Chris McCausland Stand-up star and Strictly champion on life, laughter and writing his new autobiography
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October
ISSUE #542
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Kicking things off this month, I’m excited to share my chat with Liverpool’s very own Strictly sensation and stand-up star, Chris McCausland. The last time I caught up with Chris was back in 2022, and it’s safe to say he’s been pretty busy since – starring in a Christmas film for Sky, hosting his own Saturday morning chat show, and, of course, winning the nation’s most famous dance competition. With his new autobiography, Keep Laughing, now on the shelves, it felt like the perfect time to sit down and discuss a whirlwind few years – and how his ballroom success gave him the confidence to approach the book with honesty and vulnerability, not just humour. On the home front, we spotlight the Baltic Triangle’s hottest new development and get top tips from the John Lewis team on why now is the perfect time to refresh your décor ahead of the colder months. Elsewhere, with Brookside returning for a special one-off episode, The Post’s Laurence Thompson explains why the show still matters. Annie S shares this season’s on-trend outerwear picks, while Heather Marsh celebrates the beauty of autumn and her passion for ‘black gold’. Plus, Will Carr heads to Waterloo in search of one last taste of summer at Medusa, and our wine columnist Jane Clare explores the sights, sounds and flavours of Côtes du Rhône – one sip at a time. Until next time!
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LAWRENCE SAUNDERS Editor
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COVER IMAGE: SANE SEVEN; ALL PRICES IN THIS ISSUE CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS
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Garston-born actor on chasing his dreams, conquering America, From runn and ingreturning novic on life, e tohome champion and Strictly a recor for new star Stand-up BBCmara thon crime d-breaking drama challenge all in aid of laughter and writing his new– autobiography Alder Hey
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YM Liverpool 3
I was used to
headbanging in mosh pits, not doing
ballroom! He once thought Strictly could end his career – instead, it changed his life. Now Liverpool comic Chris McCausland has taken on another challenge: writing his autobiography. In Keep Laughing, he looks back with the same honesty and humour that made audiences fall in love with him on the dancefloor words lawrence saunders
4 YM Liverpool
SANE SEVEN
INTERVIEW
Writing a book is a huge undertaking, especially when it’s about In the book you describe your early years growing up in Liverpool, your own life. How did you approach your autobiography, and and those memories feel especially vivid and powerful. Why do what was the process like for you? you think those experiences have stayed with you so clearly? What I’ve learned, especially from doing Strictly, is there is nothing I had a good childhood. Liverpool was a great place to be a kid. You like the imminent threat of public humiliation hanging over your had the security and safety of a good home, but also the freedom to head to make you pull your finger out and to make those things that just get out on the streets and explore. A lot of those memories stick you should be focused on, the things that you actually quite want to – the people, the characters. I probably had far more interactions with focus on! When you’ve got four days to learn a dance, or you could adults than my daughter does now, because her life is much more humiliate yourself on national television, you put the f ***ing hours in structured and facilitated for her. Back then we were in and out of and you get it done. And when Penguin put a book on sale that you people’s houses all the time – ‘Do you want your car washing?’ ‘Yeah, haven’t started writing yet… It went on sale on Amazon on 6 January come in’ – and there I’d be, carrying a bucket through a stranger’s and I hadn’t even opened Word. The book is going to be out there house [laughs]. You just knew everyone in the neighbourhood, and forever so you want to do a good job – you don’t want people to say: people always talked to you. ‘Well, that was a sh*t book’. So that fear of it being sh*t was all I could It was a happy place to grow up. Of course, as an adult you see that think about. Liverpool in the ’80s was tough in many ways – we had our tragedy, In answer to how did I write it? A few things happened. With and it wasn’t an easy time to earn a living or raise a family. But as a kid, Strictly, I shed a lot of the perfectionism that had crippled me, you it felt carefree, vibrant, colourful. know. Not that everything I’ve done is perfect, but I will stop myself from doing things if I don’t think they’ll be good enough. And what Going away to boarding school when you had such a fun, free I learned on Strictly was although nothing we did was perfect, it childhood must have been tough, then? couldn’t have been more successful for what it was and the connection I was homesick. It wasn’t just my family I missed, but also playing in it made with people was what made it successful. You can criticise the streets, hanging out at my mates’ houses, and all the things we the form and the hands and the arms and the used to do. I was lucky, though – as a kid with a whatever, but if it connects with people in the disability, I had these two lives. A lot of children way that it did, then that makes it a huge success. with disabilities don’t get that; they don’t have Liverpool was I realised that, yeah, this book’s going to be far the chance to experience that ‘normal’ life out from perfect in loads of ways but if I can connect on the streets with other kids. The school itself a great place to be a with people and let people in a bit, then it can wasn’t bad. I enjoyed it because there was no kid. You had the be a success in those areas. I just wrote. I wrote stress and they treated you well. It wasn’t a without a plan. I knew that if I tried to plan it, horrible place to be – I just missed where I freedom to just get I’d get nowhere so I just wrote a list of topics came from. and started writing on them. I’d do a minimum out on the streets of 1,000 words a day and then, when I had You describe trying stand-up initially as and explore. about 30,000 words written, I then started a dare to yourself, never intending it to thinking : ‘How do these fit together?’ [laughs]. become a career. But after that first gig, you wanted to do it again. A lot of comedians Writing a memoir is, by its very nature, a deeply personal process talk about ‘catching the comedy bug’ early on – what was that – was there anything you were hesitant to share? experience like for you, and what made you want to keep going I tried doing this a couple of years ago, but I binned it. My heart after that first performance? wasn’t in it. I didn’t really know who the audience was, and I think I There’s a real exhilaration in doing a gig and getting a laugh. Of was trying too hard to play the comic – to put the funny front on. I course, not every gig gives you that – some are awful, leaving you with grew up in Liverpool in the ’80s, and my way of dealing with things shame or humiliation. And if that happens on your first go, you’re has always been a bit of a ‘pull your pants up, dig a hole, bury it in probably not going to catch the bug; you’ll likely just think, ‘this isn’t there and get on with it’ attitude. for me’. Not to put too much emphasis on it, but once you’ve cried in front My first gig, though, was decent. It gave me this rush of relief and of eight million people, you start to realise the value of sharing your accomplishment that I’d done it, that it had gone okay, and that I got vulnerability. I’d never really appreciated that before. But it allowed me laughs. Then I started wondering if I could enjoy it more next time, to be more open and to write with a lot more honesty – to talk about maybe even do better. That first time I was so crippled with nerves I the things I’d struggled with instead of just putting on that front of, ‘if didn’t really let myself enjoy it – I was very robotic. you try hard enough, you’ll be able to do more than you think’. In the book you mention turning Strictly down a few times The book, of course, goes into detail about your gradual sight before finally saying yes, and how worried you were that it could loss and the impact it’s had on your life. You don’t sugar-coat go badly – even describing it as potential ‘career suicide’. Of the challenges, but what really came through for me was that at course, it turned out to be the complete opposite. Looking back no point did you let it stop you from doing what you wanted – now, how do you reflect on that journey, from all those doubts at or let it drag you down the start to ultimately winning the show? But the only way you get there, I think, is by having that attitude A lot of people, when they think of someone who is blind – or even of ‘pull your f ***ing pants up and get on with it’. And as much as just someone with a disability – instinctively feel sorry for them. I can now say, ‘I learned the value of vulnerability and sharing your They feel sad, sympathetic, and the expectations can be pretty low. emotions’ – which I really did on Strictly, and through the way it Most people don’t actually have a blind person in their circle, so I’m connected with the public and the messages I got from people – you very aware that, for many, I might be the only blind person they see also don’t get anywhere by dwelling on things too much. You’ve functioning in everyday life. That’s why it’s always been important to got to find a balance, I think. Being able to dust your hands off me not to elicit pity or sadness, but to show that blind people are far and say, ‘well, that’s just f ***ing life’, is necessary, otherwise more ‘normal’, far more like everyone else, than they might imagine – you’ll get nowhere. and capable of far more than they’d expect. YM Liverpool 5
INTERVIEW
people to find it emotional, and I certainly didn’t expect to feel that way myself – but I did, at the end of every dance. It was a lot. I never imagined people would cry at dancing! But the messages poured in: ‘I’m in bits every time you dance’. When we did ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, I even had Man United and Everton fans messaging me saying, ‘I f ***ing hate you – can’t believe you made me cry to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. I’ll never forgive you for this!’ It was tongue in cheek, affectionate. Gerry Marsden’s daughter sent me a lovely message, saying how proud he would have been of what we did with his song. We even had a message from the John Lennon estate, saying how proud they were of our interpretation of ‘Instant Karma’ and the message it sent out. And then there were so many messages from the public – people who had experienced grief, people living with eating disorders, those who hadn’t left the house in months, people struggling with addiction. They’d write: ‘Watching you and Dianne every week, seeing you overcome your fear, has made me realise I can get out there and do more’. I never expected that kind of response. At the end of the book I wrote that if I’d done this [an autobiography] three years earlier, there’d have been no ending. But now there is – this mad thing happened, and it connected with people in ways I never thought possible. It probably sounds a bit wishy-washy for someone who grew up in Liverpool in the ’80s, doesn’t it? [laughs] You were back on Strictly for the launch show – what was it like to perform with Dianne again? Did you get a chance to practice beforehand? Me and Di went back for a day together, just to get the dance back in my head. It was great to return – lovely to see everyone again, and also the new contestants, all carrying the same fear I’d had at the start. This time, though, it felt good performing with no pressure. I still never quite know if I’ve done a good job. We did ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, and because it was pre-recorded we had the chance to do it twice. I wasn’t sure if Di was happy with it, but afterwards she said, ‘That’s the best one you’ve ever done’. That meant a lot. It was really nice to go back, perform, and feel like I’d done it well.
Strictly gave me the chance to do that I had no idea that on a level that would have been impossible otherwise. But the risk was also huge. I Strictly would be so honestly didn’t know if I could do it. I emotional. I didn’t expect didn’t know what level of ability was needed. Looking back now, I can’t believe we pulled it other people to find it off. I wrote in the book that it’s the proudest moment of my life, because it was so far out of emotional, and I certainly my comfort zone and so unknown. Even that very first dance – the cha-chadidn’t expect to feel cha – was terrifying. Everyone else can just I know it’s still early days, but has anyone that way myself. Google past routines and think, ‘Oh, that’s caught your eye as a potential winner yet? what I’m doing’. I had no clue. I didn’t know I’ll always be supporting Di, of course, what any of the dances even looked like until we were in the studio and I grew up watching Stefan Dennis on Neighbours. But outside of learning them. the obvious, last year I met Harry, the Gladiator, and he’s so lovely Everything else I’ve done has felt like a stepping stone. I wrote and and genuine that I think he’ll come across really well – he’s got a starred in a film for Sky with Lee Mack, Bad Tidings – something I’d winning personality. never done before – but it was still a natural progression from comedy. And then there’s Karen Carney, who did brilliantly in the first Strictly, though, was just this mad f ***ing thing I had no idea about. episode. We actually used to be neighbours in Surbiton – we met I mean, I was used to headbanging in mosh pits, not doing ballroom! during Covid. It would be pretty mad if there were two consecutive winners from the same street, wouldn’t it? Were you surprised by the public response to your appearance on Strictly? What were some of the messages you received? ‘Keep Laughing’ is out now, published by Penguin Random House. Chris I had no idea that Strictly would be so emotional. I didn’t expect other will bring his ‘Yonks!’ tour to the Philharmonic Hall on 11 April 2026
6 YM Liverpool
YM Liverpool 7
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FOOD
Restaurant review
Medusa By Will Carr |
Greek |
££ |
With the leaves falling, a chill in the air and the hottest summer on record already feeling like a distant memory, it’s easy to be drawn back to the cosy pleasures of a pub lunch beside a roaring fire. Before this very British hibernation began, I wanted one last ray of sunshine and one final dip into Liverpool’s sea of exotic restaurants. What began in the mind of visionary owner Adam Noble as a Japanese restaurant soon took on a different shape. The location and atmosphere – along with a wood-burning pizza oven he wasn’t legally permitted to use for pizzas – called for something more Mediterranean. And so, Medusa was born. With a mirror running the length of the restaurant and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, at first glance it felt more like a Greek-themed nightclub that had grown tired of dancing and decided to serve food instead. Facing the mirror, I watched servers and guests drifting to and fro behind me, and for a moment I felt like Perseus himself. If that was intentional – and I dearly hope it was – it’s the cleverest piece of interior design I’ve seen in a long time. I chose three small dishes and a side,
The perfectly cooked Mini Souvlaki Skewers carried a lively medley of tangy flavours.
143 St John’s Road, L22 9QE starting with the Mini Souvlaki Skewers (£6.95). Modest in appearance, the two perfectly cooked skewers carried a lively medley of tangy flavours. Designed for sharing, they instead made me quietly grateful to be dining alone. Next came the Lamb Kleftiko (£8.95), a traditional slow-cooked medley of meat and vegetables. It arrived as a rustic hash of ingredients, and I couldn’t help but love it. The flavours do tussle for attention, each one stepping forward in turn, and I can imagine it dividing opinion. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a winner. One cannot enter the Gorgon’s lair without sampling her namesake. The Chicken Medusa (£7.55) arrived in a bubbling cauldron, tender pieces of chicken adrift in a white wine sauce. It wasn’t as bold in flavour as the other dishes, but its gentle creaminess had its charms. The Cretan Wedding Rice (£4.95), however, proved the evening’s biggest surprise. Looking like a gelatinous porridge, the traditional dish released an unexpectedly rich aroma. Silky in texture and simmered in chicken broth, the rice tasted uncannily like mashed potatoes drenched in gravy. I cleared the plate in no time, reflecting on how dull our smoked salmon seems in comparison – and had to laugh at myself when I realised this meal was tempting me into Greek bigamy. The Baklava Cheesecake (£6.95) was beautifully presented, though its tough outer layer meant there was no way to eat it without demolishing the whole thing. That minor
tragedy quickly faded, replaced by thoughts of sweet honey, complex nutty tones and an oaty aftertaste. It was a breakfast cereal devised by an evil genius. Medusa is, in every way, superb. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, you’ll be amazed – by the aroma of the open wood-fired oven, by the food itself, and by how much Adam resembles a very approachable Matt Damon. If you’re after one last sun-kissed voyage before winter closes in, book ahead and catch a train to Waterloo – it’s worth every minute. Just don’t be surprised when, having ordered too much, Medusa turns your stomach to stone.
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LET’S. PLAY. BINGO!
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WINE
One foot in
THE GRAPES
From cave tastings to blending her own bottle, Jane Clare explores the sights, sounds and flavours of Côtes du Rhône – one sip at a time
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ine is a tease of the senses – sight, aromas, taste and even sound. In the summer I was a guest of the Côtes du Rhône wine team – they fly the flag for the amazing reds, whites and pinks to be found in this region – and my wine senses had a proper workout! Perhaps one of the most bonkers things I’ve ever done is tasting wine in a cave. It was the most beautiful place – Grotte Saint-Marcel in the Ardèche Gorges – one of the biggest caves in France. I hadn’t expected to be sipping wine in the depths of this amazing 60km network of caves, where some wine producers even max out the ancient cool and dark to age their best wines. Down in the caves, local guide Jezabel Janvre explained that people’s senses are heightened; the air is different, there’s no distractions from other worldly aromas. A wine is precise, she said; its aroma and flavour notes are crystal clear – and by golly, she was right. A white Côtes du Rhône wine is already a delicious thing, with peach, lemon and ripe apple notes; it is a blend of grapes which can include bourboulenc, clairette, grenache blanc, marsanne, roussanne and viognier. In the cave these peachy, citrus-led flavours were heightened; it was a fascinating twist to these lovely wines. My next sensory experiment highlighted the heart of Côtes du Rhône reds. Blending is the key to the wines of the region; it is in their DNA. The reds are shaped into being by famous grapes such as grenache noir, mourvèdre, syrah, cinsault and carignan. With the guidance of Jean-Baptiste Mangin of Château des Coccinelles, I set to work making my own Côtes du Rhône blend – just exactly like winemakers. This is what the experts do: They make red wines from those individual grapes and then craft their own signature styles by pouring proportions and percentages of those base wines into a very large test tube. Yes, a test tube. When they’re happy with their ‘recipe’, they bulk it out to make
the blend for that year’s wines (the vintage). It’s like creating your own recipe for Scouse and then scaling it up and making loads, loads, more to feed a large family party – but whether for four people, or 40, it still has your signature style. Here I was then, armed with a test tube, taking a little of this wine, tasting, a little of that, tasting, a bit more of another, tasting, and voila! A wine, a new blend. It was fun and yet had such a very important reason behind it: Côtes du Rhône wines are all about variety and character, plus 21 geographical designations of the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC to choose from. The grapes, the soils, the winemakers all make a difference – yet overall a Rhône wine has a recognisable style, and there I was replicating it. I’ll finish my sensorial Rhône update on a high note. Literally. Raphael Pommier is a winemaker and musician and he combines the two in a unique way; as his wines are fermenting, he plays classical music in the winery. It was wonderful sipping Raphael’s wines, hearing his philosophy and listening to the music. It’s not the first time I’ve met a winemaker who explores the sensory connection of music and winemaking – but it’s the first time I’ve met a musical winemaker who has the rooms so you can book an overnight stay to soak up the full Côtes du Rhône experience – and more!
How to discover wines of Côtes du Rhône I stayed in Avignon which is a fantastic base to explore the Côtes du Rhône region. You’ll find a Côtes du Rhône AOC wine in most wine shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Wines which have tighter regulations, and a step up in quality, are labelled Côtes du Rhône Villages – such as the one pictured – Tesco Finest Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc (£9). You can find places to stay, including many wineries, and book the exact same experiences I had (and more) on the official tourism website, www.vins-rhone-tourisme.fr/en
JANE CLARE
Jane blending her own Côtes du Rhône wine (left), and with winemaker Raphael Pommier
Find out more about the wines at www.cotesdurhone.com/en or @cotesdurhone on social media.
JANE CLARE DIPWSET IS ON INSTAGRAM AS @ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES. GET IN TOUCH IF YOU FANCY YOUR OWN WINE EVENT, OR YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STUDYING WITH JANE FOR WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION TRUST WINE QUALIFICATIONS. EMAIL JANE@ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES.CO.UK OR GO TO WWW.ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES.CO.UK
YM Liverpool 13
HOME
DEVELOPMENT
Raw history meets refined design at Baltic’s hottest new address From
£1,000 pcm
14 YM Liverpool
A BOLD NEW PROJECT from Davos Developments puts residents right at the heart of Liverpool’s most creative and vibrant neighbourhood. Located just off Jamaica Street in the Baltic Triangle, Simpson House features a collection of 30 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments available for rent. Ideal for those looking for high-end city living without the long-term commitment of buying, each apartment combines premium fixtures and fittings with contemporary features, including open-plan layouts, oak laminate flooring, integrated Bosch appliances, a Scandi-style open wardrobe system, and Sky Q as standard. From independent coffee spots and art studios to craft breweries and rooftop bars, work and play are right on the scheme’s doorstep, with Liverpool ONE, Bold Street and the Royal Albert Dock just a short walk away. Residents also enjoy an exclusive Simpson House Loyalty Card for the nearby Love Lane Brewery, offering 20% off food and drinks. Michelle Brooks, director of operations at Liverpoolbased property agency Redwing, which is managing the scheme, says: “Simpson House represents a new benchmark for renting in the Baltic Triangle. “With Davos, we’re bringing homes to market that combine high-quality design with character and an unbeatable location – offering tenants a lifestyle that reflects the energy and creativity of the area.” For more information call Redwing on 0151 703 3703 or visit redwing.co.uk/simpson-house YM Liverpool 15
Why ‘Brookie’ matters I
The bleeding-edge Scouse soap broke hearts and set records. The Post’s Laurence Thompson asks if it can it still be relevant in 2025
’m six years old, sitting on the couch at our home in Wallasey, vaguely aware we’re watching Brookside – or ‘Brookie’, as everyone calls it. On the telly, two mischievous-looking men are digging up a patio, watched by a concerned woman with a blonde perm. None realise the horror they are about to uncover. “Aye, aye,” Eddie, the lead digger says, dropping his shovel and pawing through the disturbed earth to find something wrapped in black bin bags. Eddie thinks he’s found something valuable, a treasure stashed away by another character. Jimmy, his mate with a widow’s peak and leather jacket, implores him to hurry up. Tearing eagerly through the vinyl, he suddenly recoils and draws back, a look of terror on his face. The camera pulls away, but too late: we’ve already seen what he’s seen. A pale, partially decomposed human hand. “I’m not sure if this is suitable,” my mum says, looking for the remote. In the thirty years since, I’ve sometimes thought back to that moment, unconsciously modifying the memory each time until it’s Jimmy leading the dig, or a leprosy-white foot sticking out of the soil and plastic. I think I even added a scream by Rosie, Eddie’s wife, that never actually happened. So after watching the scene back on YouTube and realising how much I’d got wrong, I can’t exactly claim it’s a potent memory. But something I’ve never forgotten is the strangeness. At a relatively early age, I was exposed to the likes of Alien and Terminator 2, so I was never too shocked by on-screen gore. But there’s a difference between watching science-fictional carnage, with its distancing, celluloid gloss, and this more domestic horror, cheaply filmed just over the River Mersey. Until 2003 when Brookie was cancelled, any Tuesday at 8pm could’ve been either a slice of relaxing escapism or like your first Fassbinder film, Ramsey Campbell short story or DMT hit: the frozen moment when everyone sees, as William Burroughs put it, what is on the end of every fork. Next month, after a 22 year absence, Brookside will return – for a one-off crossover episode to celebrate the 30th anniversary of fellow Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. The latter became Channel 4’s flagship continuing drama when Brookie ended, and even filmed on part of its predecessor’s former set, but as a daytime drama has never had the same impact or legacy. Watching back old Brookside episodes on STV Player, the Liverpool-set programme seems redolent of an earlier, much-lamented era of Channel 4, which offered a genuine cuttingedge alternative to BBC and ITV. When the programme first aired in 1982, it was amidst a healthy marketplace of extant soap operas. The mighty Coronation Street, broadcast since 1960, already offered audiences Northern wit and urban working-class whimsy; Emmerdale Farm, with its bucolic setting, had been going for ten years; and motel-set Crossroads provided plenty of shoestring-shot cliffhangers. Brookside also wasn’t the television-viewing public’s first exposure to Merseyside. Z-Cars in the 60s and 70s was set in “Newton”, based on Kirkby. The Wackers, a risible ITV comedy about a Liverpudlian family, appeared – and, thankfully, disappeared – in 1975. Then there was
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Carla Lane and Myra Taylor’s The Liver Birds, albeit with its almost entirely non-Scouse cast. Perhaps more salient predecessors can be found among the BBC’s Play For Today archives – Scully’s New Year’s Eve (1978) and The Black Stuff (1980), both by Alan Bleasdale, had acquainted British audiences with Liverpool’s growing precariat class. “Brookie started where Boys from the Blackstuff finished,” Louis Emerick tells me, generously giving up his time in between filming the new crossover episode. He played Mick Johnson, a character who garnered the soap praise for resisting the stereotypical depiction of black men at the time. Mick was a responsible, working-class single father “who happened to be black,” as Emerick puts it. Despite its predecessors, television producer Phil Redmond nevertheless saw a gap for a realistic, socially relevant, Liverpoolbased soap that would challenge viewers with themes and storylines close to the raw knuckle of their everyday lives. So did Channel 4’s founding chief exec Jeremy Isaacs, who intelligently saw how ITV used “lowbrow” Coronation Street to draw eyes (and funding) to “highbrow” fare like Brideshead Revisited. Brookie’s original set-up involved two households unlike in dignity but living side by side: the working-class, Catholic socialist Grants, who had moved from a run-down council estate, and the conservative, déclassé Collinses, recently downsized from a large Wirral house. This cast quickly grew to include the yuppie Huntingtons, the “scally” Taylors, and eventually a cavalcade of memorable characters including amiable window cleaner Sinbad (Michael Starke), loveable rogue Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan) and “bad lad” turned good Tim ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary (Philip Olivier). By the time six-year-old me watched the body of wifebeater Trevor Jordache (Bryan Murray) – buried by his wife Mandy (Sandra Maitland) and daughter Beth (Anna Friel) two years earlier with Sinbad’s help – being discovered under that patio, Brookside had already done its fair share of innovative storylines. Aside from covering domestic abuse and murder, it had also broken new ground by featuring the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss, almost a decade after having the first gay character on British television – both while section 28 was in full force. What’s more, the people responded. At a time when Liverpool was barely emerging from periods of racial tension, Louis Emerick’s performances were so magnetic he found himself embraced across the city. When the writers did do a story about race, it involved Mick receiving abuse from bigoted petrol station owner George Webb (played by “lovely Ken MacDonald”, as Emerick remembers him). Emerick says he found himself approached by an elderly white lady on Hanover Street. She felt obliged to exclaim, “Ay, Mick, we’re not all like that!”. To this day, people call Emerick by his character’s name, a testament to how enduring the soap still is in the Liverpudlian consciousness. Redmond, reputedly so poor that he once had to borrow the tube fare from the BBC head of children’s TV when he pitched Grange Hill, had gambled correctly on Brookside. At its height, the programme regularly drew seven million viewers.
OPINION
ILLUSTRATION BY JAKE GREENHALGH; CHANNEL 4; ALL3MEDIA/CHANNEL 4
As this popularity waned, that original mission statement of verisimilitude sometimes gave way to sensationalism, especially in later years. If you think the William Burroughs reference earlier was gratuitous, other subjects included in its 21-year run included rape, incest, religious cults, drug addiction, killer viruses, child murder and paedophilia. Characters who began life as everyday Liverpudlians became Sophoclean Scousers. “But it was so funny, too!” says Judith, one reader who responded to our call to share memories of the programme. Like Coronation Street, no matter how dark Brookside got, every episode had a healthy dose of Northwestern patter to balance out the grimness. This was, of course, in part due to its writers: talent such as Joe Ainsworth, Kay Mellor, Roy Boulter, Jimmy McGovern and Frank Cottrell-Boyce, to name but a few, all worked on “the Close” in some capacity. But right from the start, Brookside availed itself of actors capable of delivering whip-sharp lines. “Mickey could get you laughing your socks off,” Emerick says about Michael “Sinbad” Starke. “The first [unit director] would be yelling
‘action’, [Mickey] would straighten his face and I’d still be on the floor like a bag of shite laughing.” “He could find the comedy in the darkest places,” Cottrell-Boyce tells me about Ricky Tomlinson, who played Grant family patriarch Bobby. “And he could find the weight in the lightest places, too. I learned quite quickly what a difference really good acting makes.” I’m speaking to Cottrell-Boyce by phone on the windiest day of the year, so some of what we discuss is lost. But he tells me about what he learned from working on the soap early in his writing career. “Because no soap opera is visually gorgeous, you have to make the words count,” he says, contrasting this with screenwriting for films, in which the story and visuals are paramount. Whereas on Brookside, “Dialogue was everything.” Cottrell-Boyce later worked on Coronation Street, but describes that as much more “sedate” in comparison to Brookside, where writers, producers, actors, make-up artists, and set designers all worked cheek-by-jowl to throw episodes together rapidly. “There was a lot of shouting!” he says. “Let’s just say there were a lot of personalities. But that was good. It felt exciting. It was exciting!” In the years since, Cottrell-Boyce – currently the country’s
Children’s Laureate – has written award-winning films, novels, and even Danny Boyle’s 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. (Which, incidentally, included Beth and Margaret’s snog.) But working on Brookside “was a privilege, actually,” Cottrell-Boyce says. “I was very lucky. Talking to you has made me appreciate it!” Some readers who got in touch are dismayed that the soap’s return next month will only be for one crossover episode with Hollyoaks rather than a continuing series. Others recall Brookside fondly for its daring willingness to confront issues and depict life warts-and-all. “It’s the reason I do the job I do,” writes Rachel. Like me, the programme left a deep impression on her childhood. She describes watching the famous “siege” storyline: nurses Kate Moses and Sandra Maghie, along with hospital porter Pat Hancock, were held hostage in their shared house by a man who blamed the hospital where the three worked for his elderly mother’s death. As the tension ratchets up, one of the women yells at their captor, disarming him verbally. Aged just 12 years old, Rachel turned to her mother and eagerly asked what had just happened. “‘Ah, that’s psychology, that,’ she said,” Rachel recounts, igniting a fascination with the subject that later became professional. “I’ve been a clinical psychologist for 25 years,” Rachel says, and “I do hold Phil Redmond and the writers of Brookside [partly] responsible. They dealt with gritty topics long before the current day soaps have, and with greater dexterity, sensitivity, daring and compassion. I aim to do the same with the stories I am trusted with.” To be fair, much of Brookside’s DNA can be found in those other shows. Its willingness to be contemporary, relevant and confrontational helped convince the BBC that soap opera might fall within its purview after all, making it the father of EastEnders. By the time Brookside was cancelled – its viewing figures having fallen to a mere million – critic Mark Lawson wrote that it was also parent to Casualty, Holby City “and even the revamped Emmerdale”. It also launched the careers of genuine stars – not just Friel and Tomlinson, but also Sue Johnston and the late, great Katrin Cartlidge. Perhaps a victim of its own success, Brookside has now been gone for longer than it was on telly. Reading the comments underneath the YouTube video of the infamous patio scene reveals an ambivalence about its cancellation: “Brookside was and is the best soap opera ever to be broadcasted [sic] on British television,” says one fan. “I do remember it getting fairly shit before it ended though,” replies another, beginning a debate about the soap’s relative demerits in its final years. Bringing it back full time, more than two decades after Jimmy famously scribbled that “d” at the end of the “Brookside Close” sign, would be risking anachronism. Do we really want a saga that once dealt with class war and grief-induced psychosis peppered with smart phones and references to Keir Starmer? Considering its influence, could Brookside have the capacity – or the productional will – to shock as it once did? “Who knows?” says Emerick, not quite wanting to tempt fate. “The anticipation is through the roof right now, so we’ll have to see after [the episode] goes out. Stranger things have happened.” But if a nostalgic one-off is all we get, the original Brookside’s legacy should be protected at all costs. For all its ups and downs, Brookie was a landmark moment in Liverpool’s social history. Never let the nation forget when a cheaply made Scouse soap opera led the way and changed British television forever.
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Making space
Trending ideas for homes of any size
18 YM Liverpool
HOME
AUTUMN BRINGS WITH IT A CERTAIN back-to-school energy which, if you’re anything like us, means it’s time to rethink decor and shake things up ready for the colder months ahead. At this time of year, it’s natural to crave warmer colours that you can cosy up with at home. A smidge darker than Pantone’s Colour of the Year, cocoa hues are all the rage. Sarah O’Sullivan, partner & designer at John Lewis Home, describes the warm brown as a “grounding, earthy colour”. “It’s a versatile colour that has a calming, natural feel to it,” she says. “Although it nods to nostalgic interiors, it can be super modern when you pair it with luxurious finishes.” As such, it’s the perfect shade to heat up a wintry bedroom in an instant; if you have plenty of floor space, the mocha-coloured Blocky bed is a fail-safe choice. In cosier rooms you can achieve the same effect by layering several hopsack cushions together. Versatile yet neutral, cocoa-hued products fit seamlessly into smaller spaces as well as larger ones. The Hoxton armchair, for instance, which is upholstered in a toasty chenille, would look just as at home in a small reading nook as it would taking centre stage in a living room. Earn extra brownie points by mixing cocoa with avocado shades for the ultimate aesthetic. When it comes to pattern, stripes are back in the forefront. Often referred to as classic, this year’s stripes are distinctly contemporary: where white traditionally acted as punctuation, now stripes of different hues collide. The only rule? Keep things muted Cocoa is a and autumnal. There’s a reason stripes have versatile colour been used for soft furnishings that has a calming, for centuries: they are a quick way to add character regardless natural feel to it. of your house size. A couple of farmhouse tea towels can pack as much punch in a narrow galley kitchen as a Somerton stripe rug can enliven a spacious, minimalist living room. According to Sarah, stripes are quite an easy pattern to introduce into a small space, so don’t shy away from layering them together à la Paul Smith, master of the stripe. Our collective yearning for all things retro shows no sign of abating, with Bauhaus-esque chrome products and Art Deco-themed burl wood both making a comeback this season. What’s new is that these seemingly clashing materials are now being styled side by side; try placing a tubular metal planter beside a coffee table clad with mappa burl veneers. Whatever size space you have, the key to nailing this look is all about form, says Sarah. “Obviously, materiality is key here, but it’s also the shape language of the pieces; opt for rounded lines and soft edges that nod to nostalgic design periods such as the 1970s, or even the arches found in the Art Deco movement.” See the futuristic mushroomshaped table lamp, the chrome hammered vase or the metallic Wave cutlery set, which has curved handles crying out to be held. If you’re hesitant to try the trend, why not consider introducing it through lighting, says Sarah. “Lighting like the Mushroom table lamp or the silver candelabra is a great way to test out whether the trend or style suits your home, regardless of its size.”
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Hoxton Armchair
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Liverpool Mortgage Advice: 4 Myths Debunked If you’re considering buying a home in Liverpool, seeking local mortgage advice can help you navigate the process more confidently
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uying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make. However, persistent myths often stop prospective buyers from taking the first step. As an independent mortgage adviser in Liverpool, we regularly meet people who have ruled themselves out of homeownership based on outdated or incorrect information. Below, we debunk four of the most common mortgage myths and explain what buyers in Liverpool actually need to know.
Myth 1: “You can’t buy a home without a big deposit”
This is perhaps the most widespread assumption, and it deters many renters from even exploring their options. While a larger deposit can increase your choice of lenders and may reduce the interest rate you’re offered, you don’t always need tens of thousands saved to get started. Many buyers begin with a 5% deposit, and support schemes exist to help those with smaller deposits, examples include government-backed mortgage guarantee schemes and shared ownership options.
these challenges becomes easier. An independent mortgage adviser can help present your income clearly, advise on what records to gather and point you to lenders who are used to dealing with self-employed borrowers.
Myth 3: “One bad credit score means I won’t get approved”
It’s common for people to believe that a single poor credit score will doom their chances. In practice, lenders look at a wider picture: your current income, outgoings, recent repayment behavior, affordability and the reasons behind any past problems. Some lenders are more forgiving than others, particularly if recent history shows improvement. If you’ve had credit issues, an adviser can identify which lenders are most likely to consider your circumstances and recommend practical steps, such as improving affordability evidence or correcting errors on your credit file, to
Myth 2: “Being self-employed makes it impossible to get a mortgage”
Self-employed applicants do typically need to provide more documentation, such as accounts, SA302 tax calculations or tax-year-over-year evidence of earnings, but being self-employed does not exclude you from the mortgage market. Lenders are experienced in assessing income from freelancers, contractors and small business owners. With tailored Liverpool mortgage advice, navigating
Wayne Slater Principal Adviser, Spectrum Independent Financial Services
improve your chances. Check your credit file with Experian. For tailored Liverpool mortgage advice, consider speaking to an adviser who understands local lender nuances.
Myth 4: “Renting is cheaper than buying”
At first glance, the monthly cost of renting can seem cheaper than mortgage payments. However, renting does not build equity or provide long-term security. In many areas, including parts of Liverpool where rental demand is high, mortgage payments can be competitive with, or even less than, equivalent rent once you factor in tax reliefs for landlords (which can push up rents), potential mortgage product benefits, and the longterm value of property ownership. Need personalized mortgage advice in Liverpool? Don’t let myths hold you back. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, self-employed, worried about credit history, or exploring the rent vs buy question, we’ll assess your situation and show realistic options. Please get in touch with us today to discuss your mortgage needs.
Final thoughts
Myths and misinformation can cause unnecessary delay and worry. With practical, tailored advice from an independent mortgage adviser in Liverpool, many barriers to homeownership can be overcome or managed. Liverpool mortgage advice can be a key resource in overcoming these myths. If you’d like a clear, jargon-free assessment of your mortgage options, contact us for a no-obligation conversation.
B1 Business Centre, 25 Goodlass Road, Liverpool L24 9HJ 0151 448 2777 | mail@spectrum-ifs.co.uk | spectrum-ifs.co.uk SPECTRUM INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES IS AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY (FCA); REGISTRATION NUMBER 230080
20 YM Liverpool
FOOD
Bacon, blueberry & Brie toastie If you’re a fan of Brie and cranberry, you’ll love this new twist on a classic sweet-savoury sarnie PREP 10 mins | COOK 50 mins | MAKES 4 INGREDIENTS • 2 x 150g packs Blueberries • 2 tbsp light brown soft sugar • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 2 bay leaves • 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon (about 200g) • 8 slices sourdough bread (or your bread of choice) • 115g Brie, sliced • 140g mature Cheddar, coarsely grated • 1 tbsp olive oil, for frying
COOK’S TIP Any leftover blueberries are delicious in a warm salad or spooned over mac ’n’ cheese.
METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 220ºC, gas mark 7. In a small roasting tin, toss the blueberries with the sugar and vinegar, then tuck in the bay leaves. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until sticky. Meanwhile, line a baking tray with baking parchment, then spread the bacon over it. Roast the bacon for 15-20 minutes, until crisp. 2 Lay the bread slices out on a large board and divide the cheeses between 4 of them. Top with the blueberries (1½-2 tbsp per toastie), discarding the bay leaves, then add
the bacon. Top each slice with another piece of bread. 3 Put a large griddle pan over a medium heat and drizzle with the oil. Once the pan is hot, add the sandwiches (depending on the size of your pan, you may need to work in batches). Put another pan on top of the sandwiches with something heavy inside (a can of beans is perfect). Fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip and repeat. Keep an eye on how dark the bread is getting and lower the heat if necessary.
THOUSANDS OF RECIPES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.WAITROSE.COM/RECIPES
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NEWS
Milestone for future growth as consultation begins on Local Plan Council document will shape major changes and guide development in city up to 2041 LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL has begun consultation on its updated Local Plan, a document it says will provide “certainty” for developers, investors, businesses and residents. It sets out aspirations for development, aiming to deliver around 30,000 new homes by 2041, while also focusing on creating sustainable and inclusive opportunities in areas of need such as Liverpool North and the fringes of the city centre. The new plan adopts a ‘brownfield land first’ approach and seeks views on 138 sites allocated for housing, employment and mixed use. It also sets a framework for the protection and enhancement of the city’s green infrastructure including strategic and locally important parks and open spaces as well as heritage and non-designated heritage assets. Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member
for growth and economy, says: “During the public engagement last year, people told us about the need for accessible, affordable and diverse housing with more choice and with greater attention needed for community-building in new housing developments. “They called for economic diversification, support for local businesses, revitalisation of retail areas ensuring these are supported by better public spaces, and the integration
of heritage and sustainability into future developments.” The draft plan states that Liverpool Central station will become a “vibrant, sustainable and mixed-use city centre neighbourhood”, and supports a vision for the northern fringes of the city centre – including North Docks, Ten Streets, Pumpfields and Limekilns and Pall Mall/Moorfields. The closing date for people and businesses to comment on the plan is 9 November.
PC&Co celebrates staff member’s 25 years of loyal service Work set to begin on £1bn skyscraper cluster
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Plans for King Edward Triangle site include 10 residential towers comprising 1,200 apartments, along with a five-star hotel PREPARATORY WORKS AT THE £1 billion King Edward Triangle development site are underway, with an application submitted seeking permission to demolish a collection of unlisted buildings along the northern boundary of the eight-acre city centre plot. Davos Property Developments Limited in conjunction with Beetham Davos Ltd want to clear four blocks of buildings on Roberts Street, and at 1 Greenock Street, 11 -14 Waterloo Road (the former Greek restaurant) and the martial arts building adjacent to the former King Edward pub site. A separate request to Liverpool City Council for a stopping-up order is to be made for part of Roberts Street, Greenock Street and Denison Street. The combined land is required to provide a construction compound to support work on the scheme’s first tower, at the junction of Waterloo Road and Paisley Street. A planning application was submitted in June for the 28-storey, 255-unit development and is expected to be ruled on this autumn. Hugh Frost, chairman of Beetham, says: “We are moving at pace and have every confidence in the quality of what we will deliver. These applications keep us on track.”
Iain Jackson honoured with special tour of his beloved Anfield A STAFF MEMBER AT Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors has reached the milestone of 25 years with the firm. Since joining the administration team in 2000, Iain Jackson has become a key part of the office, recognised for his “unwavering dedication, organisational excellence, and infectious sense of humour”. A lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, he is valued for bringing the same energy and loyalty to his role as he does to following the Reds. His Friday tradition of lifting office spirits, combined with his support and kindness, has earned him the respect of colleagues across the firm. To mark his 25 years of service, P&Co presented Iain with a range of gifts, including a tour of Anfield Stadium – a particular highlight of the celebrations. Rachel Frost, office manager, pictured presenting Iain with a card and gifts, says: “Iain’s contribution over the past 25 years has been nothing short of exceptional. “His dedication, positivity, and good humour have made a lasting impact, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he brings to the team.” YM Liverpool 23
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Government ‘not taking safety of schoolchildren seriously’, says Oliver King Foundation
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ark King OBE, founder of The Oliver King Foundation, has criticised the government’s failure to implement proper defibrillator training in schools, warning that the lives of children and staff are at risk. Mark, who lost his 12-year-old son to sudden cardiac arrest during a school swimming race in 2012, expressed frustration at the Department for Education’s reply to his recent open letter, in which he urged ministers to roll out face-to-face training for school staff on the use of defibrillators. While acknowledging that schools have been provided with defibrillators, Mark says the lack of accompanying training renders the life-saving equipment “pointless.” “Our teachers do not have confidence in using these devices,” he adds. “We have heard from teachers across the country that they do not believe that they could 24 YM Liverpool
administer life saving CPR treatment with the defibrillators installed at their schools.” Mark’s latest open letter follows a response from the Department for Education to his initial plea, which was sent in late August, just before the new school term began. That letter, addressed to the Prime Minister and party leaders, highlighted how many defibrillators in schools are unused and even locked away due to a lack of staff confidence or training. “Teachers need dedicated time for face-to-face training to ensure they feel confident enough to use and manage a defibrillator in an emergency situation”, adds Mark. “A video is not sufficient for them to feel as though they fully understand how to use this life saving equipment.” King says that the former Conservative government “fully invested” in providing
defibrillators across the country, and that the current Department for Education should now support the necessary training to ensure pupils and staff can benefit from the equipment. Cardiac conditions such as Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) kills 12 young people under the age of 35 every single week in the UK. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest. The equipment is used in addition to CPR to save the lives of those suffering cardiac arrest. Research has shown that deploying a defibrillator within 3-5 minutes of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50–70%.
RICHARD M LEE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
The charity’s founder has voiced disappointment at the response to his call for improved defibrillator training in schools
Leading lights from the Liverpool City Region’s property and business sectors will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday 27 November 2025 to reflect on another 12 months of achievements
For details about tables and sponsorship opportunities, call 0151 316 0210 or email awards@ymliverpool.com YM Liverpool 25
YOUR GUIDE TO Expert Advice from
THREAD LIFTS Amanda Azzopardi
As we age, the natural loss of collagen and elastin – the essential proteins that keep our skin firm and youthful – can lead to sagging jowls, deeper nasolabial lines, and a general softening of facial contours. For those seeking a subtle, non-surgical lift, thread lift procedures offer an effective way to rejuvenate the face with minimal downtime and natural-looking results. However, not all thread lifts are the same. Understanding the different types, their longevity, and suitability is key to achieving a beautiful and safe outcome Types of Thread Lifts
There are three main categories of thread lifts, each offering unique benefits depending on your goals: PDO (Polydioxanone) Threads • Often considered entry-level threads, PDOs provide an immediate lifting effect. • Longevity: Around 6–9 months. • Benefits: Quick lift, minimal discomfort, short recovery time. • Best for: Mild skin sagging or a shortterm enhancement before a special event such as a wedding or holiday. PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) Threads • These threads stimulate collagen
production for gradual skin tightening and improved texture. • Longevity: Results typically last 12–18 months. • Benefits: Progressive improvement with natural, long-lasting results. • Best for: Those looking for a longer-term rejuvenation rather than an instant result. PCL (Polycaprolactone) Threads • The most advanced option, providing structural support while promoting collagen and elastin synthesis. • Longevity: Up to 24 months. • Benefits: Durable lift with ongoing
improvement in skin firmness and elasticity. • Best for: Mild to moderate sagging where long-term lifting and tightening are desired.
The Thread Lift Procedure
Thread lift treatments are performed under local anaesthetic for comfort, making the experience very tolerable. During the procedure, fine threads are inserted beneath the skin using a thin, flexible cannula. These threads are gently positioned to lift and reposition the facial tissues, instantly improving contour and definition.
A DVERTO RI AL
Practitioner and Independent Nurse Prescriber. The clinic is fully regulated and insured, providing the highest standards of medical care and patient safety.
Most clients describe the procedure as comfortable, with mild analgesia helping to minimise any post-procedure tenderness. • Initial results are visible straight away, with full results achieved within 3 weeks. • Collagen stimulation continues to develop over the following 3–4 months, strengthening and tightening the skin for a lasting, natural lift.
Common Patient Question: “I’ve Heard Thread Lifts Don’t Last – Is That True?”
Aftercare and Recovery
To ensure optimal healing and results, it’s important to follow aftercare advice carefully: • Avoid sun exposure, swimming pools, spas, saunas, gyms, and other facial treatments for at least two weeks. • Minor redness, swelling, or bruising can occur and usually resolves within a few days. • Plan your treatment around important events to allow for this gentle recovery period.
Who Is Suitable for a Thread Lift?
Thread lifts are best suited for individuals with mild to moderate sagging. For those with severe elastosis or more significant loss of skin tone (due to weight loss or ageing), a surgical facelift may offer a more appropriate solution. However, suitability and pricing can only be determined after a full medical
This is one of the most frequently asked questions during consultations. • PDO threads deliver an instant lift and are ideal for short-term rejuvenation. • PLLA and PCL threads offer longerlasting results, working gradually by stimulating your own collagen and elastin — the vital proteins that maintain skin structure and firmness. Your practitioner will guide you in choosing the most suitable option based on your goals, skin quality, and lifestyle.
“Thread lifts are fantastic to combine with other aesthetic treatments as part of a multi-layered approach to ageing. By treating different aspects of the skin, we can enhance results both externally and structurally.” Combination Treatments for Holistic Rejuvenation
Thread lifts are fantastic to combine with other aesthetic treatments as part of a multi-layered approach to ageing. By treating different aspects of the skin, we can enhance results both externally and structurally: • Medical-grade skincare and resurfacing peels refine texture, treat pigmentation, and reduce open pores. • Skin boosters strengthen the skin’s structure and enhance hydration. • Thread lifts provide lift and support to improve facial contour. • Dermal fillers can further restore volume loss and balance facial proportions. Together, these treatments address fine lines, dullness, loss of elasticity, and sagging — providing a comprehensive rejuvenation from the surface down to the deeper layers of the skin.
consultation, which includes a detailed health assessment, allergy review, and discussion of your treatment history and goals.
Safety and Regulation
Thread lift procedures are regulated medical treatments within the UK. It is essential that your practitioner has a medical background and is registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). At Amanda Azzopardi Aesthetic Clinic, Amanda is an Advanced Nurse
No time like the present – book your complimentary consultation online, call 0151 558 0742 or email amanda@ amandaazzopardi.co.uk
Book Your Consultation
During your consultation, your skin will be analysed, and a personalised skin regime with active medical-grade ingredients will be prescribed to optimise your long-term treatment goals. If you’re curious about thread lift treatments, we invite you to book a faceto-face consultation at our clinic. For convenience, virtual consultations are also available if you’d like more information before visiting in person.
amandaazzopardi.co.uk | 0151 558 0742 YM Liverpool 27
EST. 2004
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NEWS
North West’s largest display of archaeological treasure comes to life
ROBIN CLEWLEY
New exhibition offers rare opportunity to explore some of the most remarkable finds in local history WHAT DOES ‘TREASURE’ really mean? The Museum of Liverpool invites visitors to explore this question in its new exhibition, Treasure: History Unearthed. Curated by National Museums Liverpool’s archaeology team, the extraordinary showcase brings together discoveries from across Merseyside, the North West and North Wales. Blending history, science and storytelling, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore some of the most remarkable finds in local history, while uncovering the people, places and moments that shaped our shared past. In archaeological terms, treasure refers to objects made of gold or silver that are more than 300 years old. It also includes prehistoric hoards (groups of objects originally buried together), and groups of coins buried together. These items are not only beautiful examples of the work of skilled craftspeople,
but they also offer a compelling insight into the lives, beliefs and cultures of people from the past. The exhibition offers a vivid and tangible connection to history, with interpretation available in both English and Welsh to reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. It delves into the deep-rooted ties between Liverpool and North Wales, a relationship shaped over thousands of years by trade, shared crafts and cultural exchange. From the Bronze Age
to modern times, the movement of people and ideas between these regions has left a lasting imprint. By the early 20th Century this connection was clearly visible, with Liverpool home to one of the largest Welsh communities in the UK, numbering around 75,000 residents. Treasure: History Unearthed is open at the Museum of Liverpool until 29 March 2026. To book tickets head to liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
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YM Liverpool 29
As good as GOLD
Heather Marsh celebrates the beauty of autumn and shares her passion for ‘black gold’ – the rich compost that brings gardens to life LIKE MOST OF US would agree, I’m sure, when it comes to the natural extravaganza that is autumn, there are few – if any – contenders that can beat the star ‘turn’ (excuse the pun, of course!). Deciduous trees and their newly adopted leaf colours always take centre stage. Such show-offs – they never fail to impress, easing us out of summer with their annual spectacular performance. An uplifting event for sure – because, like it or not, the days are now getting noticeably shorter. The ‘maturing sun’, as Keats puts it, hangs low in the sky, and this is when autumn truly begins in earnest. The clocks go back one hour (this year, on Sunday 26 October at 2am), giving us an extra hour in bed – or better still, out in the garden, where there’s still plenty to do before we hunker down… but more on that later. This year, Forestry England has predicted a more vibrant autumnal colour show than usual, promising even more vivid and dramatic displays to enthral us. One of the
The ‘maturing sun’ hangs low in the sky, and this is when autumn truly begins in earnest. 30 YM Liverpool
contributing factors is the long, hot summer we’ve just had. The warm, dry days and cool nights at the end of August and into September created ideal conditions for trees to produce more sugars and pigments in their leaves – the very ingredients that power the season’s kaleidoscope of colour. Now, as light levels drop, the production of chlorophyll in the leaves slows down,
revealing the underlying shades of yellow, red and orange. However, not all trees respond in the same way. What we’ve seen this year is known as a ‘false autumn’ – some trees, like the many Horse Chestnuts I’ve spotted in Sefton Park and elsewhere, turned brown and shed their leaves as early as late August, a direct result of the drought conditions.
GARDENING
Ginkgo Biloba
To glowing effect...
Worth their weight in gold!
• The stunningly beautiful Robinia ‘Frisia’, one of my all-time favourite trees. A delicate, slow grower defined by its luminous yellow, frond-like leaves, this tree really glows – whatever the weather – and is the ideal specimen tree for any garden, especially if you’re short on space. • Ginkgo Biloba, or Maidenhair fern, is a unique and ancient tree with goldenyellow, fan-shaped leaves. Despite its delicate appearance, it is very slow-growing yet remarkably hardy, even tolerating city pollution. Liverpool City Council has planted a number of these along the Strand, right outside the Liver Building, and they seem to be thriving.
Making ‘black gold’
For me, though, it’s the soft, mellow light that’s the autumnal icing on the cake – streaming through treetop canopies, accentuating their beauty in all its glory to truly stunning effect. It’s magical. Many trees are renowned for their autumn colours – most Maples (with the Japanese Maple being the most famous for its fiery red display), along with Beech, Ash and Horse Chestnut, to name but a few, all deliver on that front. But it’s not all about the reds! As cold nights (so long as they stay above freezing) kill off chlorophyll, leaves begin to turn yellow. And it’s those few trees that already bear golden foliage that hold me truly spellbound with their radiant beauty. Here are a couple of glowing examples:
But as if the magical spectacle of autumn weren’t enough – and let’s face it, we can’t spend the whole month gazing up at the trees – there are jobs to be done. None more important than dealing with the fallen leaves...
Getting rid of great piles of leaves year after year isn’t very eco-friendly. A far more sustainable and resourceful approach is to put them to excellent use by making leaf mould. This dark, crumbly mulch will boost the soil’s microbes and enrich it like nothing else. It’s the perfect way to feed our gardens for free while doing our bit for the planet. So easy to make and costing virtually nothing, leaf mould is your garden’s ambrosia – ‘black gold’. Creating it feels like real alchemy: simple, natural, and deeply satisfying. Personally, I love it. In fact, I now prefer it to traditional green compost – especially after discovering a nest of baby rats in my compost bin last summer! Leaf mould has quickly become my new go-to compost. Start by collecting the leaves. Wet ones are perfect, though dry leaves can always be moistened afterwards – it’s all part of helping them break down. Ash, Beech, Lime, Poplar and Willow are ideal and can be bagged without shredding. I often scrape them up using a couple of cedar shingles, though any thin plywood works just as well. For larger, thicker leaves like Sycamore and Horse Chestnut – and especially evergreens such as Laurel and Holly – it’s best to shred or chop them first, as this speeds up decomposition. Of course, all leaves will rot down eventually, but shredding gives the process a helpful boost. The quickest method is simply to run over them with a mower. A rotary mower with a collection bag is perfect, and it’s a great way to give the lawn its final cut of the season while tidying up fallen leaves. It works like a vacuum cleaner, especially when dealing with masses of Ash and Sycamore keys, which are such a nuisance
Robina Frisia
to rake up. In no time, you’re left with a clean lawn and a box full of shredded leaves ready for your leaf mould. Once collected, simply fill plastic bin bags with your shredded leaves, tie the tops, and punch a few holes in the sides with a garden fork. Stack them outside – out of sight behind a shed works well – and let the alchemy begin. Leaf mould is essentially the slow fungal breakdown of deciduous leaves. You’ll usually have usable mould after a year, though the longer you wait, the richer it becomes. When ready, it should look like other composts: dark, crumbly, and full of goodness. It’s perfect for mulching plants and shrubs or digging into borders to enrich the soil. Well-rotted leaf mould can also be mixed with equal parts of sharp sand to create seed compost, or even sieved to make a fine, nutrient-rich medium for pots. It’s so wonderfully good for plants that I’m often tempted to sprinkle a handful on my porridge each morning!
UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAPPY GARDENING. HEATHERMARSHYM@GMAIL.COM
YM Liverpool 31
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NEWS
Tobacco Warehouse takes the spotlight in House of Guinness Liverpool landmark transformed for Steven Knight’s hit Netflix drama based on real-life story of Guinness dynasty NETFLIX’S NEW HISTORICAL drama House of Guinness places Liverpool’s Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock firmly in the spotlight. The series, from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is based on the reallife story of the Guinness dynasty in the turbulent years after the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1868. Blending high-stakes family drama with sweeping historical detail, House of Guinness explores themes of power, ambition and legacy against the backdrop of 19th Century Dublin. Tobacco Warehouse and Stanley Dock play a starring role in the production, the historic warehouses and waterside settings transforming seamlessly into the streets and brewery yards of 1860s Dublin. Alongside Tobacco Warehouse’s starring role in the series, the landmark historic building is set for the next chapter of its own
story, as news of the next phase of homes is anticipated soon, with construction expected to start in 2026. Filming for House of Guinness at Stanley Dock took place across a range of interior and exterior locations, with the dramatic scale and authenticity of the site allowing the production team to bring Victorian Dublin to life with cinematic realism. Key locations included the soaring interiors of Tobacco Warehouse, neighbouring South Warehouse, atmospheric South ‘Peaky Blinders’ Lane, the main gates on Dock Road, and the waterside setting of Collingwood
Dock. Tobacco Warehouse and South Warehouse feature prominently throughout the series, with their distinctive red brick walls, iron columns and expansive dockside settings providing the perfect canvas for period storytelling. Phase one of Tobacco Warehouse, and the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, have already transformed the area into a thriving new community, with loft-style apartments and penthouses that are almost fully sold. Pat Power, director of Stanley Dock Properties, says: “The series showcases the incredible heritage of Tobacco Warehouse, highlighting the importance of preserving such locations and giving them renewed purpose.”
Padel FC to deliver ‘landmark’ padel centre at Wavertree Sports Park
NETFLIX
Jürgen Klopp-backed scheme will replace underused tennis courts with modern, sustainable facility PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED for a new state-of-the-art padel facility at Wavertree Sports Park, representing a major investment in Liverpool’s sporting infrastructure. The proposal, submitted by Pegasus Group on behalf of Padel FC, follows a successful tendering process to acquire the site from Liverpool City Council. The scheme will see the replacement of underused tennis courts with a modern, sustainable facility featuring nine padel courts – six indoors and three sheltered open-to-outdoor – alongside a café, retail space, changing rooms, and social areas. Designed by Octo Architects, the project will also incorporate solar panels, air source heating and EV charging points, ensuring alignment with Liverpool’s net zero ambitions. Padel FC, founded by Jürgen and Marc Klopp, focuses on creating community-oriented venues that connect people through sport. In partnership with Mike Smith of Open Media, former professional footballer Bradley Orr, and local businessman Carl Spellman, the Liverpool centre marks the group’s first UK development following their initial success in Berlin. The project aims to make padel more inclusive and accessible to the wider public. The scheme has benefited from positive pre-application engagement with the council, ensuring the design evolved to meet local policy
objectives and community needs. To support the application, Pegasus Group’s economics team has also prepared a Health and Wellbeing Statement, Employment and Skills Strategy and an Economic and Social Value Infographics, demonstrating the project’s wider benefits in terms of job creation, training opportunities, wellbeing impacts and community health outcomes. Speaking about the project, Darren Muir, director at Pegasus Group, says: “We have really enjoyed working with Padel FC to bring one of Europe’s fastest-growing sports to Liverpool. From advising on the tender process, to leading the pre-application engagement and preparation of the planning submission, it has been rewarding to help shape a scheme that makes efficient use of underutilised land while delivering genuine social, economic and environmental benefits for the city.” If approved, the Padel FC Liverpool facility will open seven days a week and provide a year-round, all-weather sporting destination for players of all ages and abilities. YM Liverpool 33
NEWS
What’s on... Events not to be missed over the next four weeks
Cinderella set to sparkle at the Epstein with star-sudded cast Katie McGlynn and Leanne Campbell lead glittering production of classic fairytale at the newly revived theatre THE EPSTEIN THEATRE IS SET FOR a magical Christmas as Cinderella takes over the Hanover Street stage from 5 December to 4 January 2026 – and the cast list promises plenty of festive sparkle. Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn stars in the title role, joined by Liverpool favourite Leanne Campbell as the Fairy Godmother and TV and stage star Kevin Duala as the lovable Buttons. The trio lead a sparkling production from Regal Entertainment, promising dazzling costumes, lively choreography and plenty of family fun. Directed by Chantelle Joseph, with choreography by Nazene Langfield and musical supervision by Callum Clarke, the show retells the classic fairytale filled with laughter, music and a little bit of magic. Anthony Proctor, general manager at the Epstein, says: “We’ve had an incredible response since announcing panto’s return to the Epstein. With this fantastic cast, audiences can expect a truly magical Christmas show.” The pantomime is part of the Hanover Street venue’s first full autumn season since reopening last year following a £1 million refurbishment. Cinderella runs from Friday 5 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026
New Aspire Lounge takes passenger experience at LJLA to ‘next level’ Facility boasts increased capacity and new premium ‘Luxe by Aspire’ offering THE DOORS HAVE OFFICIALLY OPENED at the new Aspire Executive Lounge at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA), completing the airport’s latest multi-million pound phase of passenger improvements. Liverpool City Council Leader, Councillor Liam Robinson led a ribbon cutting ceremony to declare the lounge officially open in front of guests from the region’s business community, visitor economy, local authorities and airline partners. Operated by Swissport, it replaces the previous smaller Aspire Lounge which became so popular with airport users that despite a previous expansion, a new much larger facility was needed to cater for the continued growing demand. A key new feature of the lounge is a two-tier offering, giving guests the choice between the classic Aspire experience or, for the first time, an upgrade to ‘Luxe by Aspire’ – an adults-only area featuring private booths, communal workspace and premium snacks and drinks. Open from 4am to 9pm, the lounge is available to all passengers and can be booked online in advance to guarantee space. It also accepts a range of popular priority passes and tour operator inclusive bookings.
34 YM Liverpool
Toxteth: Harlem of Europe, Victoria Gallery & Museum Opens 11 October
Presented in partnership with local charity Mandela8, this new photographic exhibition celebrates Toxteth’s Black musicians of the 1950s and 1960s, whose talent and innovation helped shape modern British music.
10 Oct The Ocean Film Festival, Plaza Cinema 11 Oct Eddie Izzard – Hamlet, Playhouse 11 Oct Liverpool Irish Festival, various venues Until 18 Oct The Book of Mormon, Empire 21 Oct Rosie Jones: I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying, Everyman 24-25 Oct
John Bishop, M&S Bank Arena
Opens 25 Oct
Turner: Always Contemporary, Walker Art Gallery
11 Nov Grayson Perry: Are You Good?, Philharmonic Hall
River of Light Liverpool 24 October–2 November
Liverpool’s much-loved outdoor art festival returns for its eighth edition, exploring the theme ‘the science of light’ with installations inspired by science, technology and nature.
YM Liverpool 35
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