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John Lewis goes Scandi Oliver Ormson interview Jon Atkinson on wine Property in Focus

Patrick Kielty Comedian & TV star speaks ahead of Liverpool show

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issue #501

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ello and welcome to another jam-packed edition of YM Liverpool! Before I get to this month’s highlights, I’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone who entered our 500th issue giveaway and helped us to celebrate what was a huge milestone for the magazine. Congratulations to Georgia from West Derby, who is the lucky winner! We hope you enjoy all the wonderful prizes! Turning thoughts to this edition, we’ve got three fascinating interviews for you to get stuck into, including my chat with comedian and TV presenter Patrick Kielty, who I caught up with ahead of his gig at The Epstein Theatre next month. The County Down comic was in cracking form, telling me all about his new show which takes a satirical look at the future of the United Kingdom following Brexit. Meanwhile, Jack Poland sat down with onequarter of the incredible Tri-4-Life team – a group of lifelong friends from the Wirral who are preparing to climb Mount Everest in aid of local and international causes. Back here in Liverpool, Olivia Barkley-Quinn reviews Berry Street’s River North and WineTime’s Jon Atkinson answers a boozy brain-teaser. Plus Annie S shares her fashion picks perfect for special occasions this spring, Heather Marsh helps us get our gardens Easter-ready and awardwinning interiors blogger Reena Simon snuggles up in John Lewis’s Scandinavian collection. Enjoy!

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MUSIC

This month in H

O R Y

From Paul McCartney’s shock ‘exit’ to the start of sessions for one of the most revolutionary records of all time – April has been quite the month for the Fab Four down the years

ifty two years ago in April 1970, the Daily Mirror announced the end of the world’s most famous pop group with the headline: ‘Paul is quitting The Beatles’. The Beatles’ rise to fame had began 10 years earlier, playing to small audiences in and around Liverpool. Allan Williams, The Beatles’ first manager, and later ‘The man who gave The Beatles away’, played a key role in taking the band to Hamburg. By 1961 Allan had fallen out with The Beatles and was contacted by local businessman Brian Epstein to see if they had any contractual obligations with him; he told Epstein they didn’t. Despite having no experience managing a group, Epstein took charge. His vision was to turn The Beatles into the biggest band in the world. Epstein persuaded EMI producer George Martin to sign them and in April 1963, The Beatles received their first silver disc for 250,000 sales of their ‘Please Please Me’ single and later that month performed in front of 10,000 screaming fans at the New Musical Express Poll Winners concert. They were well on their way to achieving Epstein’s vision and by 1964, had conquered America – returning as international stars with their manager besieged by merchandising offers. Ringo captured the mood of The Beatles’ hectic schedule in April that year commenting ‘it’s been a hard day’s night’. This throw away line became the title of The Beatles’ first film and their third album – creating a task for John and Paul to write a song to order, something they had never tried before.

YM Liverpool

To celebrate Epstein’s legacy, permission to erect a statue in his honour has been granted by Liverpool City Council. Led by the Brian Epstein Legacy Project, it will be located in Whitechapel, and will depict Epstein walking towards the Cavern holding a copy of The Beatles’ contract. Epstein, described by Paul McCartney as ‘the fifth Beatle’, is widely recognised as the man who led the group to stardom. As the touring years finished, sessions for Revolver began in April 1966 and would change the course of popular music. It was a request of The Beatles that revolutionised standard practices in studio recording with the first use of artificial double tracking, something that is still in use today the world over. The following April, the final touches were being added to the most pivotal rock album of all time, The Beatles’ masterpiece Sgt. Pepper. With no silence between the songs, John insisted they include a high pitch whistle on the run out groove, audible only to dogs. Shortly after its release, Epstein was found dead – marking the beginning of the band’s demise. The Beatles’ 17th and final UK number one, ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’, released in April 1969, was their first stereo single and unlike any other Beatles single, portrayed the recently married life of John and Yoko. As the group began to fall apart, Ringo was the only Beatle present at their last recording session in April 1970. Many years after Allan Williams had parted with The Beatles, he gained access to a derelict office and recovered abandoned tapes of the group performing live in Hamburg. The Beatles attempted to legally block the release amid claims of poor sound quality, but they lost out with record label Lingasong successfully claiming the recordings had a historic value and would not damage The Beatles’ reputation. These recordings were released in April 1977 under the title: ‘The Beatles Live! At The Star-Club In Hamburg, Germany 1962’.

ANITA PONNE; VECTOR_BROTHERS; ARZU GOKMEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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YM Liverpool

WINE

or not to blend blend – is that the question? Jon Atkinson on the whys and wherefores of blended and single varietal wines IN MY LAST PIECE, I featured Bordeaux, one of the most famous wine regions of them all; home to some of the most fabled (and expensive!) wines to be found anywhere, and a region in which blending (combining different grape varieties) is second nature. Another equally famous French region, Burgundy, is the polar opposite in this regard; with a couple of quirky, seldom encountered exceptions, reds can only be made from one variety – Pinot Noir, and whites only from Chardonnay. In most of the classic European wine regions, the choice of grape(s) is determined

by the appropriate governing body, such as AOC in France, with some allowing for blends and others not. Take Sancerre as an example; having your vineyards within the demarcated region alone is not enough to be allowed to label your wine as such. You must grow Sauvignon Blanc (or Pinot Noir for red and rosé) as well as adhering to other regulations. Châteauneuf-du-Pape by comparison permits the use of any of 13 (technically 18) different varieties in any combination, as long as the resulting wine is either red or white. However, Grenache Noir accounts for over three quarters of all

Blends

plantings so will usually dominate the blend, except in whites, but these only account for about 7% of what is produced. So, which is better? In truth there is no correct answer – what works best in one region could be quite inappropriate in another. Some more delicate varieties like Pinot Noir would likely be overwhelmed if blended with something else, whilst with other varieties, the ‘greater than the sum of its parts’ philosophy can also often prove true, with each of the component varieties in a blend bringing a little something extra to the party.

Single varietal

Eguren Ugarte Rioja Blanco 2021 Most unoaked white Rioja is Viura aka Macabeo occasionally with a splash of Malvasia added and truth be told, it is often nothing to write home about in the same way that a lot of Pinot grigio is really rather banal! This delightfully crisp, fresh and fruity white is made by Bodegas Eguren Ugarte, a family-owned and operated 130ha Estate with a spectacular winery just outside Laguardia with the imposing Sierra Cantabria mountains making for a spectacular backdrop. This is a blend of five varieties, taking advantage of a change in the rules which increased the number of different grapes that can be used in Rioja. A perfect summer white to enjoy sat out in the sunshine! £9.75

Ch. Martinolles Vieilles Vignes Limoux Chardonnay 2020 Limoux is an historic Appellation that lies in between Toulouse and Perpignan. The altitude is about 300 metres above sea level which, in conjunction with the cooling influence of the Pyrenees gives a surprisingly cool climate for such a southerly location. The vineyard is farmed sustainably and is Terra Vitis certified. The Chardonnay vines here are 40+ years old and the grapes are picked by hand. Fermentation is in oak followed by a modest amount of aging in the same. This gives a wine that is richly flavoured with a well-rounded, almost creamy texture with a judicious level of oak that enhances rather than overwhelms the wine. £13.95

Valle Secreto ‘Private’ Cachapoal Red 2018

Torre dei Vescovi IGT Trevenezie Pinot Nero 2020

Secreto is a boutique Estate of some 38ha in the upper reaches of the Cachapoal valley, about 130km south of Santiago, Chile. It was established as recently as 2007; a joint venture between two wine loving families with a background in the food sector. ‘Private’ is their premium range and the Cachapoal red is a blend of roughly equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carmenère that was aged in French oak Barriques for up to 18 months. Given the robust nature of the three component varieties, this is a surprisingly elegant wine – full-bodied and fruit driven for sure, but with lovely depth, concentration and complexity. £20.95

Produced by the excellent Colli Vicentini co-operative at Montecchio Maggiore, Torre dei Vescovi (Bishop’s tower) is their flagship range offering serious quality at realistic prices! This delicately hued, garnet red Italian take on Pinot Noir from iron-rich southeasterly facing vineyards in the Venetian hinterland is rather delicious and terrific value to boot! The cool climate of the Veneto suits this notoriously ‘truculent’ variety very well with this example being vibrantly fresh, low in tannin and gently fruity with notes of redcurrant, cherry, raspberry and violets – the sort of red that drinks well at a cooler temperature, perhaps not chilled, but maybe cellar temperature, around 12°. £8.50

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Before we get to Brexit and Northern Ireland, let’s start with the most important question. Why are you a Manchester United fan? I have a wee theory about this. If you grew up in Northern Ireland (NI) in the 1970s, there were no cheap flights and no Belfast City Airport. There was only the boat, and the boat went to two places – Liverpool and Scotland. That’s why most people my age in NI are either Celtic or Rangers, or Liverpool or Manchester United. I had two older cousins who were United fans and of course, there was the George Best connection. I was born in 1971, and the first football match I remember is the ’77 FA Cup final when Jimmy Case scored for Liverpool and United won 2-1. You’re probably too young to remember all of this. Essentially what happened is I grew up in NI when Man United were s**t and Liverpool were winning everything, right? And now I’m back on tour doing a show about growing up in NI and Man United are s**t and Liverpool are winning everything! What goes around comes around! Do you have any particular memories of performing in Liverpool? I play a fair bit in Liverpool but what’s funny is I’ve actually been in Liverpool way more than I’ve actually played in it recently. I’ve got the two kids here and we still have a house in County Down. During the pandemic, we rented a camper van two or three times and drove up to Birkenhead to catch the overnight ferry into Belfast. The kids enjoyed the travelling so much, that now when I ask them if they want to go to County Down they don’t want to get on a plane! One of the weird things about Brexit is that they’ve put on all these new flashy boats from Liverpool to Belfast. All of the truckers who were doing Holyhead to Dublin are now doing Liverpool to Belfast because there’s not as much paperwork. So we got this lovely cabin – it’s not what it used to be like! You featured in two acclaimed documentaries related to NI and The Troubles. The subject matter of both is somewhat of a departure from your previous work. How did this new chapter of your career come about? It came about because it was 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement and the BBC asked me would I like to take a look back at what was going on there.

I was a bit reluctant, on the basis that… what’s the best way of putting this? Me da’ was killed [during The Troubles] and there were a lot of other people over here that were killed as well. Everybody [in NI] kind of went through the same thing, or they knew somebody who did, so I didn’t want to be the luvvie on the TV bleating on about me da’ being killed and people back home going: ‘Yeah, we all went through that – what makes you so special?’. So I didn’t really want to talk about it. Then the other thing, which is sort of weird, is because NI for so long was such a bad news story for the rest of the UK, I always had the sense that nobody else really wanted to hear a I always had the story about NI either. But then this [BBC] sense that nobody guy from London said: ‘Let’s put it another way – really wanted to if you were from another hear a story about country and your country had made peace and you Northern Ireland. were someone who’d actually lost someone and had a bit of skin in the game, would you watch that documentary?’ And I said: ‘Yeah, I would’. The first documentary (My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me) gave me the confidence that people maybe wanted to hear it, and then it won a couple of awards and got nominated for a BAFTA, and then they asked me to do another one last year, about 100 years of NI. I was up in Liverpool doing a gig a week after that documentary went out last year. Coming back down to London on the train, we stopped at Crewe or Stoke. This guy tapped me on the shoulder and stuck a note in front of me. When I turned around he was gone and off the train. The note just said: ‘Look, I’m not from NI and I know nothing about it, but I watched your documentary and when people tell the truth about who they are and how they feel, it helps other people’. I was like: ‘Whoa, okay’. It was a lovely morning, everybody was out and about and I was sitting there kind of gurning out of the window! People were probably thinking I’d had a bad night on the drink. Weirdly, those documentaries helped when it came to formulating what I wanted this new [stand-up] show to be about. They gave me the confidence to want to stand on stage and talk about how I grew

Patrick Kielty is heading to Liverpool in May as part of his first UK stand-up tour since 2015. Borderline sees him return to his satirical roots with a personal take on national identity and the future of the Union in a post-Brexit landscape words lawrence saunders

up and what my life was like, and you know, how we made peace here. I feel the world is becoming more polarised and people are kind of only seeing one side of an argument or another. They’re not really meeting on anything in the middle ground. You know, we lived in America for a while… Trump and fake news and Republican and Democrat and Brexit and Remainer – all this stuff that nobody changes their mind on. They just sort of have their own opinion. When you’ve grown up in a place where not seeing the other side really made things pretty s**t, then, you know, it kind of felt like the right time to maybe do something on stage where you’re going: ‘Actually, sometimes what you think is the truth about yourself and other people, maybe isn’t’. That’s kind of the heart of the show. You’re talking about quite heavy topics here. Were you worried that it wouldn’t translate well into a stand-up routine? I think the best satire normally is talking about fairly heavy stuff. What’s interesting for me is when you look at what’s going on in

STEVE ULLATHORNE

Gimme Som

INTERVIEW

Ukraine at the moment, The News Quiz, which reflects the week’s news on Radio 4, was still on this week. Of course, you never do jokes about the horrible things that are happening, you do jokes about the circumstances and the hypocrisy that leads to it. When I was starting out, and there were horrible things happening here in NI, I was doing jokes about the circumstances and political decisions behind it all. People have an appetite for that. It’s interesting to see how NI has completely shed its skin, and how 90% of the people are heading in a different direction, and then, to be living in England, in a place that really didn’t live through the very worst of what the worst kind of nationalism can bring. We like to have little labels for people; he’s a Manc, he’s a Scouser, he’s a Paddy, he’s a Jock. By labelling other people, we think we know where we stand with them. ‘Don’t tell me about yourself, I know who you are’. That was something that we used to specialise in here (NI). Everybody’s different; it’s not about nationality, it’s not about identity. Brexit is a big topic in your new show. Do you take a point of view on it either way? Or is it not possible to do that on stage? All you can do is tell your truth, right? If you’re from NI, and you actually see the pain, you see the hassle [Brexit] has caused, I think you have to get on stage and talk about it. About how this caused this, and how that was quite funny, and how that was quite stupid, and how this is happening. It’s not a lecture. It’s not some type of pious thing, you know: ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’, but when you make decisions, sometimes there are other consequences, and once you know all the consequences, then, you know, you might still decide to support that, or you might not. Away from stand-up, you’re starring in a new film which finished filming last year called ‘Ballywalter’. Could you tell us a bit about the project? This thing came out of of the blue. I had done a play on the West End years ago but I hadn’t screen acted before. The guy who’s producing it, James Bierman, whose a massive Liverpool FC fan, came to me with the idea. Seána Kerslake, a great young Irish actress, plays the role of Eileen and I play this older guy, Shane. Eileen’s life is falling apart in England, and she’s back driving a taxi in Belfast. My character has split up with his wife and he’s hiding out in a bedsit in this little seaside village of Ballywalter. She ends up being his regular

me Truth. taxi driver and it’s the story of whether or not the two of them can maybe help put each other back together again. Until it comes out on a 60” x 40” screen, and I have to hide behind the chair when I see myself up there, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done! It looks like it’s going to some of the film festivals this summer, with a cinema release maybe in the autumn. I really enjoyed making it. You just never know what curveballs life is going to throw at you… some of them are really nice!

Borderline comes to The Epstein Theatre on 21 May. For tickets: mickperrin.com YM Liverpool

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YM Liverpool

ADVERTORIAL

Looking to buy a property – Consult the legal experts

Jenna Gall, Director Head of Conveyancing Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors

For many people, buying or selling a home can be an extremely stressful and confusing process. Jenna Gall, Director and head of conveyancing at Paul Crowley & Co, explains how that stress can be reduced by guiding you through the steps to buying a property What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the process of transferring the legal title to a property from the original owner to a new owner. The process has two main stages: Exchange of contracts: This is where the contracts are signed by both parties, and the parties are then legally bound by the terms. Completion: This is where your solicitor will pay the seller’s solicitor the agreed purchase price and the legal title to the property will be transferred to you.

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What do conveyancing solicitors do?

Conveyancing solicitors carry out all the administrative and legal checks needed before you can exchange contracts and complete the purchase. This can include organising mandatory searches as well as any which are required by your lender, making enquiries to clarify any issues, and communicating with the seller’s solicitor throughout the process. At Paul Crowley & Co, our experienced team of conveyancing solicitors are experts in all aspects of the legal process and will keep you updated throughout the purchase of your new property.

How long does conveyancing take? The entire conveyancing process generally takes from 2 to 3 months,

but the length of the purchase process can vary depending on the property you are buying and how many people are involved in the transaction. For example, if your solicitor recommends further searches or if there are lots of buyers and sellers in the chain, the process can be delayed. At Paul Crowley & Co, our team of conveyancing experts are here to help the process go as smoothly and quickly as possible so you don’t experience unnecessary delays.

How to speed up the conveyancing process?

Your solicitor will provide you with a Client Information Pack when you first instruct them, which should be filled out as soon as you can. Make sure you promptly produce evidence of ID and proof of your current address when it is needed. Your lender and solicitor will ask where your deposit and purchase funds are coming from so make sure you can provide evidence of this if you need to. Lastly, make sure you comply with your lender’s special conditions as your mortgage funds won’t be released until you do.

How much does conveyancing cost? The cost of your conveyancing services will be different depending on the property you’re buying and how complicated the transaction is.

There are also fixed costs to third parties to pay, such as Land Registry fees or Stamp Duty Land Tax. You might also need to pay for additional searches depending on the location of the property you’re buying, for example if it is near a river or coal mine.

When do you pay conveyancing fees?

On a purchase file the solicitor will often take a small payment on account to allow your local authority searches to be put in hand. The remaining balance will need to be paid to your solicitor prior to exchange of contracts near the end of a transaction.

How to choose a conveyancing solicitor:

All conveyancing solicitors must be members of the Law Society of England and Wales and many will also be members of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. You will also want to consider whether a solicitor has good local housing market knowledge so they’re aware of any local issues or practices which might affect your sale. Another important characteristic of a good conveyancing solicitor is that they can effectively communicate with you throughout the buying process and keep you up to date as things progress.

To speak with Jenna or a member of our specialist conveyancing department, call 0151 264 7363 www.paulcrowley.co.uk 12

YM Liverpool

FOOD

Restaurant review

River North By Olivia Barkley-Quinn |

Brunch/pub grub |

Stepping through the doors of River North, it’s hard to believe such an idyllic, peaceful hideaway exists in the busy centre of Liverpool. As you walk in you’re greeted by tasteful décor with luminescent neon signs and beautiful hanging lights above the bar. Various plants adorn the ceiling creating a cosy interaction with the pastoral and some perfectly groovy music for some ambience. The interior is infused with the touches of Chicago – taking its cue from the venue’s name. River North, a neighbourhood in Chicago, is the go-to district for art and design lovers, and its presence is felt in every square inch of the restaurant. My guest and I were joyfully greeted by Alex and Paige for our Friday night reservation and escorted to our table which overlooked the bustling Berry Street. Upon first glance, the place offered charisma and charm, something we became accustomed to by the end of the night. After ordering our drinks, we perused the food menu which includes many fan favourites; cheeseburger (£13.95), ribeye/fillet steak (£23.50-£28) and much more. Meanwhile, the small plates

Boozing, brunches and brilliant food on Berry Street.

££ |

37-43 Berry Street, L1 9DF

offer your palate tiger prawns, calamari, pork belly and fried chicken – all priced very reasonably between £6-£9. I went for a cheeseburger whilst my guest plumped for a fillet steak, but before our mains arrived we shared a starter of hummus and bread. When the main course did soon arrive – both the cheeseburger and fillet steak were cooked to perfection. The steak came medium rare and melted in the mouth with a delectable drizzle of garlic butter. If we weren’t already in food heaven, we were after sharing a decadent sticky toffee pudding for dessert. The dessert was served with creamy vanilla ice cream, a perfect complement to the rich toffee flavour. There was still time for Paige to give us a tour of the surprisingly large venue which houses an upstairs area filled with inviting booths and its own private bar which is used for functions. Following the neon lights to the beer garden displayed a delightful area with benches and fairy lights, perfect for a summer’s day boozy brunch. Each area offers a unique experience that fits with the purpose of this neighbourhood pub. By day you can eat to your heart’s content and when the weekend comes, you can strap on your dancing shoes with a DJ or live music offered Friday-Sunday. Despite opening last November after a difficult time for the hospitality businesses,

it’s clear River North is here to stay as it has gone from strength to strength. The already delicious menu is being revamped in the near future to include more small plates, perfect if you’re passing by, or why not try one of everything?! Boozing, brunches and brilliant food on Berry Street... River North is the place to dine this summer.

VIEW FOOD PHOTOS @YM_LIVERPOOL

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HOME

PROPERTY

in focus

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LOCATED JUST OFF MENLOVE AVENUE, this beautifully presented four-bedroom detached property set over three floors boasts a stunning open plan kitchen/ dining space housed within a striking glazed extension. A truly unique feature of this home, the kitchen area offers a real feeling of luxury and elegance with underfloor heating, quartz worktops and Neff appliances. Elsewhere on the ground floor, an inviting entrance hall complete with Amtico flooring leads through to a bay-fronted sitting room containing a granite fireplace and sliding doors opening onto an extended living room. Rounding off the downstairs accommodation is a further reception room which is currently utilised as an office/playroom, a utility area and a three-piece shower room. Ascending to the first floor, the landing area gives access to three well-proportioned bedrooms and a four-piece bathroom with a walk-in shower. To the upper floor is the fourth and final bedroom. Showered in natural light from three Velux windows, this space is finished off beautifully with an en suite shower room. Externally, there is a block paved driveway to the front, and to the rear, a patio area, mature borders and a bespoke garden building ideal for use as an office. For more information or book a viewing, call 0151 733 9000 or email allerton@venmores.co.uk YM Liverpool

ADVERTORIAL

Setting personal goals and making them happen When you focus on your future – what do you see? Will you be living in the UK or abroad? Setting our goals clear in our head is a good start, but the importance lies in creating a path to achieve them

e’re hard-wired as humans to live in the present, but we all need to see into our future if we’re going to get there safely. After all, if you’re not sure where you’re going, you may end up somewhere you don’t want to be! Some personal goals are linked to our life milestones: starting a family or stopping work when we turn 60. Others are based on personal ambitions like starting a business or picking up a new hobby later in life. Many have goals for their children, such as giving them the best education they can or leaving them a good legacy. Additionally, many of us are passionate about protecting the planet and investing responsibly, and we can invest our money to create a better world both for ourselves, and society. The goals that you set yourself should be based on your personal values. Understanding who you are and what you believe in allows a personal financial plan to be built to achieve the goals you hold dear. None of us will ever have the same set of goals, which is why any financial plan should be highly personal and tailored to you.

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What happens if my goals change? As John Lennon said: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” We can anticipate the future, but we can’t predict it. A break-up, an unexpected job loss or a medical bill may throw you a curveball. Our personal goals may change over time and having a plan in place protects you through the difficult times. The longer your relationship with us, the better we can understand and

support those changes with practical, empathic advice. It’s much easier to fine-tune a financial plan that already exists, rather than start from scratch. This lies at the heart of what we mean by financial wellbeing: having a plan is based on what you believe in, and knowing you’ve got an expert on your side whom you can always turn to. This means you can lean forward into the future – and embrace it. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Rhodes Brook Financial if you wish to talk through your own personal goals or review your existing ones. The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. RBF Logo Blue Print.pdf 1 26/06/2018 11:52:12

Rhodes Brook Financial Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

RHODES BROOK FINANCIAL LIMITED Suite 18, 1st Floor, Oriel Chambers Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L2 8TD 0151 428 5174 / nora.murtagh@sjpp.co.uk / rhodesbrook.co.uk

CMY

NEWS

JACK’S BACK AT THE EPSTEIN THIS EASTER Fun-packed family panto is part of the theatre’s busy spring programme AUDIENCES ARE INVITED along to Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre this Easter for a giant adventure packed with fun, laughter and magic. The cast includes Lewis Devine as Simple Simon; Timothy Lucas as Jack; Mark Two as Dame Dolly Trott; Abigail Middleton as Mrs Fleshcreep; Maddie Hope Coelho as Princess Jill; and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Fairy Mary. Jack And The Beanstalk tells the rags to riches story of a boy who sells the family’s cow for a handful of beans, getting him into a lot of trouble with his poor mother. The tale takes a magical twist when the beans spout into a magnificent beanstalk that reaches up to a mystical land high in the sky. Produced by Regal Entertainments Ltd;

Jack And The Beanstalk is directed by Olivia Sloyan; written by Reece Sibbald; choreographed by Nazene Langfield; with musical direction by Callum Clarke. The Easter panto is part of The Epstein’s busy spring programme which includes comedy, drama, music, burlesque, adult pantomime and drag queens. Jane Joseph, company director, Regal Entertainments, says: “After a wonderful Christmas panto at The Epstein with Beauty

And The Beast, we’re thrilled to once again welcome audiences back through the doors for a fabulous Easter show. “Jack And The Beanstalk has it all – fun, magic and lots of laughter. It’s a timeless story with a gigantic amount of excitement for all the family.” Jack And The Beanstalk runs at The Epstein Theatre from Wednesday 13 April to Sunday 24 April 2022

PAUL CROWLEY & CO LAUNCH BREAKFAST CLUB INITIATIVE REGENDA APPOINTED PREFERRED DEVELOPER FOR NEW FERRY PROJECT Group now working with Wirral Council on multi-site regeneration plan for the area DETAILED PLANS FOR THE REGENERATION of New Ferry are being drawn up after the announcement of the preferred development partner on the project. After a competitive tender process, the bid from the Regenda Group was successful and it has now started working alongside Wirral Council to deliver a multi-site regeneration plan for the area over the next few years. With a number of group members involved in the New Ferry project, the Regenda Group is aiming to ensure there are “far-reaching benefits” for the community as a result of the work. The project will bring 71 new homes to the area, built by M&Y Maintenance and Construction. To support first time buyers, the development includes 20 one and two-bedroom apartments and 31 two, three and four-bedroom houses which will be available for rent-to-buy through Liverpool-based property company Redwing. A further 14 one and two-bedroom apartments, plus six two-bedroom houses, will be built for affordable rent through social housing provider, Regenda Homes.

Meetings aimed to coincide with return of staff to office-based working FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S RELAXING of Covid restrictions, Liverpool law firm Paul Crowley & Co has launched a series of internal breakfast clubs. The organiser of the breakfast club, director and head of conveyancing Jenna Gall, believes the one-hour meetings are an ideal way to introduce new members of staff to the business and to promote collaboration between the law firm’s different departments. With no fixed agenda, staff at all levels are encouraged to participate and it’s hoped this inclusivity will help colleagues to develop, build working relationships and move the business forward. Jenna says: “So far the topics have ranged from discussing common business issues to thinking outside of the box for smarter ways of working to meet the challenges of the current legal marketplace. “We feel that giving a voice to all members of staff helps to take the business to the next level - making it more effective for existing and potential new clients.” The meetings are held early in the morning, giving plenty of time for attendees to raise their comments and exchange ideas with other members of staff before the start of the working day. YM Liverpool

The mindblowing part of being in Frozen is that I walk to work and see families dressed as Anna and Elsa. It makes you want to put on a good show even more.

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Currently starring as Prince Hans in the musical adaptation of Disney’s Frozen at London’s Theatre Royal, Oliver Ormson is a proud graduate of Liverpool Theatre School. The Warrington-born thespian gave us an insight into his life as a West End performer during a recent visit to the Sefton Street college words olivia barkley-quinn

INTERVIEW

You grew up in Warrington but moved to Liverpool to study theatre. What made you choose Liverpool Theatre School? I scouted different schools and courses to see which ones interested me the most. I was confident in my singing and acting ability but not in my dancing. I had heard Liverpool Theatre School offered exceptional training for people who haven’t really danced whilst still offering all-around training to prepare me for the stage. Many people believe they need to go to London for training but that’s a myth, there is high-quality training outside of London – hence why I attended Liverpool Theatre School. It took me a while to find my feet here because learning new acting and dancing techniques was tough, but at the end of my first year I was chosen to be a soloist in a summer show and ended up winning ‘Performer of the Year’. That was definitely one of my fondest memories because it gave me the confidence to believe in my own abilities. You’re currently appearing as Prince Hans in Disney’s Frozen on London’s West End. How did your involvement with the musical first begin? My first audition for Prince Hans was in 2019 whilst I was on tour for Cats, so I had to travel back and forth between Kilworth theatre and London. There were four rounds of auditions. In February 2020 an agent called saying they wanted to see me again for Hans. I was doing Back to the Future at the time so I had to self-tape between shows with my friend reading Princess Anna’s lines. I thought the position was gone because that’s the way theatre works. It’s really strange because one day before I was getting on stage for Back to the Future, I walked out of my dressing room and bumped into the associate choreographer for Frozen, Pip Jordan. It turns out she was really good friends with the choreographer for Back to the Future – it was a weird coincidence. The lockdowns hit which meant Back to the Future was cut short and I was waiting a while for the result. Disney were really good and kept checking on us all during isolation. We didn’t open our first show till 2021, so it’s been a part of my life for the last few years. How does the role of Prince Hans compare to your previous ones? I’ve never been part of such a large recognised franchise before so I feel responsible for telling the love story of the characters, not just for myself but for my co-workers. The mind-blowing part of it is that I walk through Covent Garden every day to get to work and see families dressed as Anna and Elsa which is humbling. It makes you want to put on a good show even more because you can see the excitement. I suppose this role has ticked two boxes as I have never played a prince or a villain before. It’s a wonderfully challenging role because I have to win the audience over, but then break their hearts too! What extra touches does the stage show bring compared to the original film? Well there is a whole catalogue of new songs in the musical production – meaning characters like Prince Hans get more context. The animation

version is fast tracked but you can’t do that on stage as you need to set up the story for the audience. The ensemble play the people of Arendelle and become storytellers to enhance the narrative of the piece. It’s incredible that I get to work with award-winning creatives who produce the spectacular video design, set and costumes – it’s all these extra touches that make it even more magical than the original film. Alongside Frozen, you’ve appeared in a number of high-profile productions including The Addams Family, Back to the Future and The Book of Mormon. Are there any other famous plays or musicals you would like to feature in one day? I’ve always said I’d love to do West Side Story because I’ve only done it on an amateur level when I was 16 – the music is just timeless and I’d love to play Tony. Mainly, I think being part of an original West End cast is really lucky because you have more creative license to add lines or change the songs. Back to the Future was really original and we were able to add lines. In big franchise shows, you are just another cog in the machine, so although they are great for making money and keeping people in jobs, I find original parts are the most fulfilling. Why do actors become actors? It’s because they like creating stuff, so anywhere which offers that is going to be great. The stage is like a playground – the creative possibilities are endless. Do you run through any pre-show rituals or superstitions before going on stage? It depends on the show really; I’m lucky because Hans has no high notes. When I did The Book of Mormon I would do a vocal warm-up before going on as I had some really high notes and I wanted to make sure the note was ‘there’. There’s nothing worse than straining your voice on stage. Other than that I just make sure I’ve had lots of water. What advice would you give to young actors/actresses trying to break into musical theatre? Always find someplace to act and learn new skills – even if it’s at the local community theatre. There are certain things that people will do that teach you a lesson, good or bad. Getting good roots in theatre schools is a stereotypical way to get in but it’s not the only way. Mainly just keep busy and keep learning, watch plays and be a sponge. Can you describe the feeling during a performance in three words? That’s a hard question. I’ll go with ‘fulfilment, gratitude and relief’. I also find the motto ‘it’s better to be at the bottom of the right ladder than halfway up the wrong one’ very inspiring because at least you’re on the right track then. I’ll never forget the first performance back after all the lockdowns – there were lots of tears and relief. Frozen has been the light at the end of the tunnel. Disney’s Frozen is now booking until October 2022 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Oliver on stage in, from left to right, Cats, Frozen and High Fidelity

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In the

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In May, four lifelong friends from the Wirral will be retracing the famous steps of George Mallory in a centenary celebration of the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition. Tri-4-Life team member Phillip Walton spoke to YM about the wildly ambitious challenge which is aiming to raise thousands of pounds for local and international causes words jack poland 22

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What is Tri-4-Life and what does it do? The brainchild of Liam Hanlon, Tri-4-Life is a group of friends from diverse backgrounds brought together in remembrance, friendship and a collective love of adventure – all whilst raising funds for charities close to our hearts and promoting active, healthy lifestyles. Since 2000, the team has cycled the length of the UK and Europe, biked across America, completed multiple Iron and Double Ironman length races, competed in the Marathon des Sables, swam the Channel and completed the Arch to Arc triathlon. Most recently, we aided the reconstruction efforts in the British Virgin Islands after the devastating hurricanes.

Tell us more about what has led you to this attempt at summiting Mt. Everest – a literal mountain of a challenge. I have been a keen mountaineer and outdoors enthusiast since I was a teenager. I first became involved with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at St Mary’s College, Wallasey. I completed my award and then volunteered as an award leader/expedition assessor for a further 20 years.

INTERVIEW

Through this, I had always harboured an ambition to one day make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. Along the way, I have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc and many other alpine summits. I happened to mention Everest to Liam [Hanlon] one Sunday morning over a cup of tea. He took the bait and here we are!

are lucky to live in an incredible part of the country, somewhere with a fierce sense of identity and a pride in doing things a little bit differently from the rest of the UK. And that is certainly how I see myself and hope to instill that same independence and sense of ownership into my own two boys. I love Merseyside. I’ve been fortunate enough to see a fair bit of the world, but I’ll always live here.

What would completing this challenge mean to you and the team? To stand on the roof of the world has been a dream of mine since I was 12-years-old. I have always been fascinated with the story of How important to you are the charities which will benefit from George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, two mountaineers who grew up this expedition? in Birkenhead and made several attempts to reach the summit between Hugely important. The three charities that will benefit are Community 1922-1924. Action Nepal (CAN), the Countess of Chester Charity and the Wirral Mallory was the very epitome of a British adventurer from the University Teaching Hospital Charity. golden age of exploration and was a remarkable man. Both men were CAN is a wonderful charity, set up by the late, great Doug Scott, last spotted on the summit ridge en route to becoming the first men who was one of Britain’s greatest mountaineers. It aims to provide to ever scale the world’s highest peak when cloud cover closed in and health and education centres throughout remote they were never seen alive again. and impoverished areas of Nepal, and also to Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, but I have been a keen highlight the plight of the Sherpa and porter it is still not known whether or not they made it community, who are absolutely crucial to safe and to the top. The local connection with these men mountaineer since successful mountain expeditions in the Himalayas. adds yet another dimension to our aims and The funding that we will raise for CAN will go ambitions, especially in the centenary year of I was a teenager towards a Sherpa heritage museum near Namche their first expedition. To walk in their footsteps, and harboured an Bazaar, on the trek to Everest base camp. and to honour their memory and legacy will be The Countess of Chester charity, where I work, a huge honour for all of us. ambition to one day is currently raising money for the Blue Skies Balcony Appeal, which is aiming to build make it to the summit Are you ready? a new outdoor balcony area adjacent to ICU, I hope so! I have viewed it as being ready on of Mt. Everest. making it easier for the most poorly patients to three fronts. Physically, I have prepared myself get outside and feel the fresh air during their well, with two to three hours of training per day rehabilitation. – tailored toward the demands of life in the mountains. I spent three months being redeployed on the Countess’ Intensive Mentally, trying to maintain the resilience and stoicism that is Care Unit (ICU) at the start of the pandemic, so this project has extra required to complete such a difficult and arduous challenge. The significance for me. mantra of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is something Finally, the Wirral University Teaching Hospital charity (where that has dominated my mindset and is essential when spending two another team member Martin Pritchard-Howarth is a consultant) is months in a cold, hostile, low-oxygen environment. raising money for its Tiny Stars newborn baby appeal. Finally, and probably the most difficult from my perspective, is the Whilst I firmly believe that charitable donations are not the way that emotional readiness. I know it will be a struggle to spend such a long a publicly funded health service should be supplemented, I’m afraid time away from my partner and our two boys, Cooper and Cohen. I that we are where we are in that respect so until something changes cherish tucking Cohen into bed every night and him politically, then all donations to both of these charities are important choosing our song of the day for him to fall asleep and very much appreciated. to, so to spend over 60 nights apart from them will be tougher than any climb! Of course, you will be representing yourself, your team and the charities on this expedition, but you will also be flying the flag The Tri-4-Life Everest Challenge is entirely selffor Merseyside. Do you feel a sense of pride in this? funded by the four team members and every Absolutely. This is something that I carry with me as a real badge penny donated will go to charity. Visit www. of honour and has always resonated with me from a young age. We justgiving.com/fundraising/tri4lifeeverest22 YM Liverpool

Spring’s

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pollen-laden catkins, it soon forms a weeping umbrella of branches that attract bees and aid pollination. They’re ideal for hanging all those eggs you’re about to decorate too.

Forget-me-not

WELL SPRING HAS SPRUNG and whilst it’s been bitterly cold, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and there’s a spring in my step. We can now see the results of all that rising sap, as buds burst forth, unfurling new growth, with vibrant green shoots which seem to grow before our very eyes. April is such an exhilarating month of transformation and with so much to do in the garden, there’s no holding me back. Easter is late again this year, but that means plenty of colour and blossom is about for the big day. In preparation for the holiday, not only do I give the house a spring clean, but I also treat the garden to a quick tidy up too. Start by simply mowing the lawn, it’s just like getting the vacuum cleaner out! It makes an instant difference and spurs you on then to do the rest. Cleaning the patio makes a big difference too – a couple of dishwasher tablets in a bucket of hot water and a good scrub with a stiff yard brush will bring it up a treat. A bit of weeding next, a clean up of the borders and any final bits of pruning before it’s too late, should see the job done. Should you need trees and shrubs cutting that you can’t do yourself, now is the perfect time to call in a tree surgeon. An experienced professional, someone you can trust to do a decent job, is invaluable. Our guy is fantastic – a bit like a good hairdresser; skilled at his work, knows just what to do, never cutting too much off, and most of all, makes you feel so good about what he’s done. Lastly, potting up and planting out colourful spring bedding plants will wave the last of the winter goodbye and bring an immediate brightness to your garden. There is an abundance of these plants out there now, so just take your pick. From pansies to primulas, tulips to forget-me-nots, they all spell spring and are readily available in supermarkets and local greengrocers. The Great Day Easter was always an important time in our house, especially a Ukrainian Easter (Velykden) given my father’s heritage. Traditionally, decorated eggs were made and given to celebrate this Christian feast. Vases full of pussy willow were also symbols of new life, growth and a sign of hope. I fondly remember being given my first egg by my father as a child and now have a cherished collection of them. I love to paint eggs myself, but it’s not just for nostalgic reasons that I like to keep these traditions going. Pysanka, the Ukrainian name given to the art of decorating eggs using a wax-resist method, was a pastime banned under Soviet rule – only kept alive by those making these delightfully festooned eggs in secret. Much like today, keeping this tradition alive can offer a chink of light in dark times. Willow Sunday, better known as Palm Sunday, remembers Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. However, a lack of palm leaves and pre-Christian symbolism led Ukrainians to adopt willow branches instead of the palm. At this time of year, there are many kinds of willow that all bear catkins, the most widely grown here in the UK are known as pussy willow or Kilmarnock Willow. This compact little tree is best grown in a sunny spot. Smothered at this time of year in furry

Eggs Get Creative As an art teacher for many years, but more so as a Baba (Babauska/grandmother) now, I know that children absolutely love to decorate eggs at Easter. It’s so much fun to do and doesn’t really need much in the way of materials. From experience, I suggest using hardboiled eggs, Pansy rather than fresh, it’s the simplest way and avoids any tears over any broken works of art! Wooden and polystyrene eggs are available though if you want to avoid the issue entirely. There are lots of craft materials out there but I like to make sure all paint and pens are washable when it comes to working with children… no Sharpies! Scrap bits of felt and fabric, wools, ribbons pipe cleaners and googly eyes are all useful. Decorating your eggs with patterns or designs, turning your eggs into chicks, lambs, rabbits, or little characters – is all so much fun. Kids get carried away and come up with some great ideas. Painting eggs can be fiddly, so securing them at the base with a bit of Blu Tack helps, or even putting them in an egg cup while you work. For very small children or those who aren’t confident creatively, why not try marbling eggs with food colouring and shaving foam. There are even patterned shrink sleeve wraps you can buy, giving you intricately designed eggs in seconds.

Getting creative with eggs

Egg tree

Pussy willow

EASTER GREETINGS TO YOU ALL AND HAPPY GARDENING!

| HEATHERMARSHYM@GMAIL.COM

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Scandi this Spring Award-winning interiors blogger and hygge expert Reena Simon snuggles up in John Lewis’s Scandinavian collection

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HOME

COMFORT, CALMNESS AND COSINESS are ‘feelings’ that are synonymous with Scandinavian design – and what so many of us seek from our homes and lives is to retreat from the fast-paced and somewhat fragile world we live in. I remember yearning for a space that nurtured these ‘feelings’ when my daughters were young. I spent hours cocooned in our four walls and became fascinated by interiors that could enrich wellbeing. I was renovating our first home at the time and my passion for Scandinavian design was born. Through the Scandi aesthetic, I’ve been able to find calm amidst the chaos of busy family life. Longevity and sustainability go hand in hand. Together, they’re at the heart of the Scandi trend and reflect why so many of us feel so drawn to it. I think that this year, we’re seeking to define our homes not just in a moment in time but to create homes that can stand the test of time. I hope you love and enjoy the pieces I’ve curated for the Spring/Summer 22 Scandi Edit. Making design choices that consider quality craftsmanship and materials is appealing, especially the idea that one day we could hand them down to future generations. The item I’m most captivated by in the SS22 collection and could imagine lasting a lifetime is the Packington Side Table, which is made from ash and sustainably sourced from British woodlands. Pale wood is favoured in Scandinavian interiors and this piece of furniture is particularly interesting – dark streaks known as olive ash bring out the grain in the wood, making each table truly unique. Nature has been embraced by the John Lewis in-house Design Studio team and runs across the collection. The Leckford Stoneware Teapot is inspired by the gills of mushrooms from the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, farmed by the John Lewis Partnership for more than 90 years. The combination of functionality and beauty within the Scandi trend paired with its neutral tones means you can pick and choose items that complement both a classic and traditional home, as well as a contemporary one. The Leckford Teapot wouldn’t look out of place in any setting, with its embossed pattern and tactile finish. Layering looks and neutral foundations are key for warmth and tactility and the tonal cushions in the collection allow for this, with comfort leading the way. One of the standout pieces is the geometric embroidered jute Hew Cushion. Geometrics are hugely popular in Scandinavian design and this is a key item for any Scandi-style home. If there’s one place where you want to feel nurtured and relaxed, it’s at home. Long may the Scandi trend continue so we can keep creating homes that are everlasting, appeal to all of our senses and provide comfort in surroundings where wellbeing can thrive.

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ADVERTORIAL

Challenges, ambitions and pride: Local Solutions new chief exec opens up Local Solutions reaches out to and connects with thousands of people across Merseyside. We spoke with the charity’s new chief executive, Tom Harrison How proud are you, to have been appointed Chief Executive of Local Solutions?

I’m very proud. I started working for Local Solutions 14 years ago, joining to work in the young persons hostel service – it was something I cared about. I come from a background of working with young people who suffer emotional and social difficulties, in community support and managing in education. After moving to work for the charity sector, I found it really inspiring.

Are there any services that you’re particularly proud of achieving?

want to be creative, innovative and flexible and be there primarily to help people feel empowered and achieve their own goals. That’s the big idea. We don’t want to create big institutional structures. We want to work with people, co-produce and then help them be in charge of what they’re doing.

What are the plans for the Liverpool Watersports Centre?

We are going to do an official season relaunch next month. Last year was incredible as it provided staycations and day trips, but The things that make me proudest are about people, it’s not also engaged with more than 100 community groups that really about the services. I see people who have had some really wouldn’t usually get to access their own open water or that sort difficult circumstances come through our services and do of health and wellbeing activity. wonderful things. This year we are going into Tom with the senior leadership The main things that make partnership with FIKA social team at Local Solutions me proud about what we do cafe. They are providing our are when people start food and hot drinks in a cafe families, find themselves atmosphere. It’s a lovely feeling safer, more secure, partnership and there is a lot happier and playing their part of care going into it. We’ve in society. also connected with Or when I see the young companies that will help people with really difficult subsidise accommodation at backgrounds come through the Baltic Yard to enable the hostel and they get into a young people to live close, great place in their life – that’s work and experience that amazing. It’s great getting next possibility. money in and doing the big We’re trying to empower structural things, but it’s some of our young people to always the people that make feel connected to their city and me smile. the opportunity in that city. We’re also extending our aqua What sort of backgrounds park because it was so do these people have? popular and we are making A lot of the people we work that bigger and better. We’ve with could be struggling with got more crafts on the water, Liverpool Watersports Centre offers a wide so you’ve got more exciting trauma, either through range of activities, including paddleboarding, things going on, and we’ve environmental or economic open-water swimming & kayaking got more connections with reasons or through relationships and family community groups and reasons, we are just there for them and we stick through it. programmes, plus our Sports Horizon youth program is carrying When you see people feeling a sense of self-esteem, you see on as well. So lots of exciting things. them feeling that they have this sense of self-worth and purpose Could you sum up why Local Solutions is so important? and security to move forward, then that’s the nicest bit. We’re important because we deeply care about empowering It doesn’t really matter if it’s our young people, our unpaid people in communities because we are those people and we live carers, elderly, domiciliary care clients or whether it’s victims of domestic abuse. It’s about the people making the sort of progress in those communities. We recognise that people and relationships are actually the transformative part of everything that we do and they want, that’s the best bit. we’re committed to helping people by empowering them to make What are your biggest ambitions for Local Solutions? decisions. I think that sets us apart in some ways and I think we’re What we want to be is truly transformative for our users. We at the start of a really exciting period. 28

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Acclaimed Liver Building attraction celebrates birthday with Easter giveaway RLB360 has won multiple awards and recently featured in a multimillion-dollar blockbuster

ne of Europe’s biggest tourist attractions is running special tours this Easter, giving families the chance to experience incredible views from the top of Liverpool’s most iconic building. RLB360, which also features a stunning digital projection show inside the famous clock tower, is offering a special £40 family ticket (two adults and two children) for those who visit between 4-19 April. Visitors who book online between 4-14 April will be in with a chance of winning 1 of 5 exclusive Easter Egg hampers. If that wasn’t enough, RLB360 is also offering £10 off its fantastic spirits collection from 4-14 April to mark its 3rd birthday. The attraction was named ‘Most Remarkable Attraction in UK and Ireland’ in late 2021, and recently won the Liverpool City Region Tourism Award for ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’.

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It also appeared on the big screen in The Batman – doubling as the Gotham City Police Department. Chris Devaney, RLB360 operations manager, says: “We’ve had so much success in a short few years, winning some great awards and being featured in The Batman, despite being closed due to COVID restrictions for a large chunk of the time we’ve been operating. “We’re proud to celebrate our third

birthday and everything we’ve achieved so far. We’re looking forward to the Easter holidays and seeing all the families come to visit. “The weather at the moment just keeps getting better and better, and there is not a more perfect time than Easter to come and experience the attraction and see the incredible views.” For more information and to book tickets, visit www.rlb360.com

Incredible line-up of musical events at Camp and Furnace this Easter Regular readers of YM Liverpool will know city venue Camp and Furnace does not disappoint when it comes to hosting unbelievable events. Here are some forthcoming live music Easter highlights... 9 April – The Counterfeit Stones (Support from The Doors Rising) Endorsed by Mick Jagger himself, The

Counterfeit Stones are much more than just a tribute band, they are a complete re-enactment of the legendary rock group having toured the globe for almost 20 years.

9 April – Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club The

legendary Liverpool DJ brings an incredible line-up featuring The Allergies, Super Giant and Sir Funk to Camp and Furnace for a stellar night of funk and soul.

24 April – Liverpool Against Racism Music Day Some of Liverpool’s most important homegrown artists, bands and performers unite against racism and hate – taking over venues in the Baltic Triangle from 12 noon til 5pm.

29 April – Untold Orchestra – Radiohead The Untold Orchestra are back in Liverpool with their live performance of ‘Radiohead: An Orchestral Rendition’, celebrating one of the most iconic bands of our time. 7 May – Bootleg Boss – Bruce Springsteen Tribute Night The UK’s number one Bruce Springsteen tribute band

takes you back to the days of tight blue jeans, dirty t-shirts, long beards and bandanas. If you were born to run down backstreets, across badlands and to go dancing in the dark in a brilliant disguise, Bootleg Boss is the band you need to see.

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NEWS

MERSEYSIDE ELECTRICS FIRM M-TECH RECORDS BUMPER START TO 2022 Bootle-based company has agreed contract to supply Liverpool ONE ONE OF THE NORTH WEST’S leading electrical suppliers and installation companies has reported a record start to 2022, with a surge in demand for its services. M-Tech, owned by James Winters, supplies electrical products and support services to a variety of corporate organisations across the region, including Liverpool ONE. The Bootle-based company was established in 2009 when it started out delivering domestic electric installation support services and has since evolved to work with large scale private sector organisations. Recent big wins include significant contracts with the aforementioned Liverpool ONE, plus leading social housing provider Torus, and High Street Solicitors. James says: “We are delighted with our new client wins as we expand business operations into the corporate sphere. “The new business has helped us report the best start to a year since we launched in 2009 and puts us on a firm footing to have a

James Winters, owner, M-Tech

highly successful 2022. “Of course, the pandemic did see business dip a little, particularly with clients in the entertainment and leisure sectors, but we’re finally moving on from that as the economy opens up again. “These new client wins are a massive vote of confidence in the business. It is an exciting

time for M-Tech.” M-Tech employs 20 people from its Bootle headquarters and will launch an apprenticeship recruitment programme later this year. Other new additions to M-Tech’s client portfolio include Lyons Estate Agents and Beachmount Property Group.

LEADING AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS SIGN OFF ON NEW LIVERPOOL PREMISES Expansion will allow Greenwood Hargreaves to increase manufacturing capacity by 300% GREENWOOD HARGREAVES, the manufacturing arm of Liverpool air conditioning giant Everkool, has acquired new premises which will see the business dramatically increase its capacity. Construction work on the new 18,000 sq ft premises located on Bankhall Lane in North Liverpool will take place over the next few months, and is expected to be completed by September. The new site will see Greenwood Hargreaves move from its current base in Bootle. The building will also be home to a new headquarters for Everkool. Managed by founder and chief executive Craig Greenwood, Greenwood Hargreaves supplies materials to heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies including Everkool and other firms across the region. The new site will enable the company to increase its manufacturing capacity by 300% and allow the organisation to hold a greater level of stock reserves. Craig, who acquired Greenwood Hargreaves in 2017, says: “We are

CGI of the new premises on Bankhall Lane

absolutely delighted to sign off on our new premises at Bankhall. “For several years we have been working at full capacity in our current premises and have finally found the right location which will enable us to embark on the next phase in our growth strategy. “Raw materials are currently the most challenging aspect of our business, particularly steel, due to the impacts of Brexit and COVID-19. “The extra capacity will provide our business with the security to ensure we can adequately weather any potential supply chain issues. “Our new premises will also enable the organisation to provide further good quality manufacturing employment opportunities as this side of our business expands over the next 12 months.” YM Liverpool

FILM

VIDEODYSSEY’S

The Oscars

THOUGHT

Andy Johnson gives his take on ‘that’ moment from the 94th Academy Awards

PAUSE FOR

The expletives that exploded from my gaping cakehole when the slap happened are perhaps best masked with this: “Yo MTV Raps! What happened?” Why did the Fresh Prince just smack M.C. Gusto upside the head at The Oscars? Surely this is a joke. No!? Abject horror. These men were two great teenage heroes of mine. Violence at work, either physical or verbal, is unacceptable. Chris Rock is a comedian and was doing his job. If there’s taboo subjects, golden balled PR men should stake their reputation on that call. Initially I thought Will must have gone home and was thinking of the right way to apologise, but then it emerged something more insidious was in the air, as he was filmed at a glitzy bash rapping along to ‘Gettin’ Jiggy wit It’ and shaking his golden bust with characteristic swagger. Having a wife of Saint Lucian heritage, I know the pernicious pain associated with cheap shots towards black women’s hair. But Rock says he didn’t know about Jada’s alopecia and why should we expect him to keep up with the life of the Smiths? At American award ceremonies, the roast culture is expected. Will’s star looms large over that strand of comedy. Will roasted everyone to elevate his shine as Fresh Prince. ‘Your Momma...’ jokes were the order of the day at that particular juncture of the early ’90s. “Welcome to BBC2. If it’s 6pm on a Tuesday evening, we must have a fresh slice of fish outta water Will and his adventures in California... In West Philadelphia born and raised...” Fresh Prince was my all time, early to tune in with my special treats on hand, appointed viewing. For a 14-year-old basketball fan starved of any televised exposure to its culture, the episode where Will joins the Bel Air Academy b’ball team and plays in a dream with Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas was taped off the telly and rewound into faded glory. Uncle Phil used to launch Jazzy Jeff from their pristine porch for a lot less than Will Smith was allowed, if not celebrated for doing. I’m worried for all the children who have grown up idolising Will. What will they be thinking about why a celebrity was able to slap another human being on TV with extreme force and impunity. Nickelodeon, Netflix and other broadcasters have carried all the Fresh Prince episodes in their entirety. Trying to track down a tape of the legendary ‘Soul Train’ episode is now yet another windmill in the sky for me. Will has since issued an apology on Instagram of all places. There should be the utmost respect given to Chris Rock for his professionalism and ability to carry on after such a savage attack.

All the vapid talk in the mainstream media has pushed me to further explore the philosophy of apologetics. What’s actually wrong with Will? Will we ever find out? Often while people are preaching unity, they are advancing their own agenda. Anyone who has ventured into the pages of Will’s recent autobiography will know that he calls his nice public persona, ‘Uncle Fluffy’, and... ‘Uncle Fluffy’ is now, evidently, dead. Anger and a sense of righteous indignation pervades the air all around us at the moment. Asked recently by my nearest and dearest: ‘Why are you so angry?’ The words which escaped my subconscious surprised even me: ‘Because of what I’ve had to endure’. I could have said both my parents have died in the past five years and it’s often a struggle to stay grounded. I’m not afraid to admit that thinking about the look in Will’s eyes as he returned to his seat after the slap has brought me to the verge of tears. Humble apologies to anyone who’s pointed out I’ve not been myself lately and it’s ridden to the surface in the form of sarcasm or caustic comments or even downright cryptic menace. It’s actually a symptom of something more. It’s a sad day when you have to telepathically plead with your heroes to do the right thing. So please step up to the plate Will and smash it out of Veteran’s Stadium. We need a public reconciliation with ya auld mucka Chris. And he needs to roast you royally. I know I have felt anger as a stage of grief for something lost. This is what I see in Will. So what can we do about it? What can we do ahead of the tsunami of mental health issues and the coming cornucopia of culpability? Checking in with our friends and family has to be first. Conversations with the children to ensure they know this isn’t acceptable. There’s a myriad of other maladies as to why this is wrong. Apologies to anyone who feels I’ve missed their particular mark. You will find me in our studio at Toxteth TV most of the time. I’d be delighted to discuss this further, rather than the vagaries of tape mold. Save me! Be kind, rewind!

Andy

INSTAGRAM.COM/VIDEODYSSEY | FACEBOOK.COM/VIDEODYSSEYARCADE VIDEODYSSEY/TOXTETH TV, WINDSOR ST, L8 1XE

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