New Liverpool music festival announced

Liverpool’s Mathew Street Music Festival is evolving.

Liverpool International Music Festival is to replace the 20 year old event – keeping its very best elements, but introducing new, exciting ingredients which will see the city come together in a celebration of all things music.

Costs of the new-look event will be 40 per cent lower than Mathew Street Music Festival, helping the city council achieve significant savings and balance its budget.

The event will take place in August, with activities catering for a diverse range of tastes.

Part of the new festival will take place during the August bank holiday with events that weekend kicking off in classical style on the Friday as the internationally acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor Vasily Petrenko take to a brand new stage in Sefton Park for an evening of live music in the stunning surroundings of one of the city’s most popular green spaces. The concerts in the park will continue across the four days (Friday to Monday).

On the Saturday and Sunday, there will also be two outdoor stages located at the Pier Head which will include a tribute to the Beatles and their musical legacy. Programmed by Mathew Street Music Festival Directors Bill Heckle and Dave Jones, it will be a mixture of cover acts and original artists.

The hugely successful Fringe Festival will return for 2013 adding a cutting edge element as the city celebrates its original grassroots musicians in venues which support live music all year round.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “After 20 years of Mathew Street Music Festival it feels right that it evolves into a refreshed event which will have mass appeal.

“Over the years the original festival has become more high-profile and as a result it became one of the most costly to stage. It simply isn’t affordable to continue funding this event when we are facing cuts of more than £149m over the next four years.

“Liverpool International Music Festival will combine the best of the original event with live music on three outdoor stages. At the same time we’re working with the private sector to put new and exciting events which tap into diverse musical tastes and widen the appeal.

“This fresh approach also gives us the opportunity to look at the format of an outdoor music event and address key issues including that of alcohol which has been a bone of contention in recent years.

“Liverpool City Council is extremely proud of its involvement in the Mathew Street Music Festival, but it feels like the time is right to develop the format and we strongly believe the Liverpool International Music Festival will have broader appeal and will be a popular replacement.”

More events with private sector partners will take place in August, and following collaboration with local, national and international partners the programme is set to be announced in May.

Mathew Street Music Festival cost around £900,000 per year, whereas the budget for Liverpool International Music Festival is around 40 per cent lower than this. The event will be part funded by Arts Council England.

The change comes following consultation with those in Liverpool’s music sector who supported a new format for the festival.

The popular International Beatle Week, organised by Cavern City Tours, will take place from 21-27 August

SOUTHPORT SET FOR A GREAT YEAR

Southport set for incredible 2013 with legendary golfers, adrenaline junkies and popular cricketers coming to town

SOME of the world’s greatest golfers will be gracing Southport this year as part of an exciting line up of sports events in the resort.
From the majestic swing of Greg Norman to the explosive bowling of Glen Chapple, a feast of high quality action is on offer.
And with hundreds of adrenaline junkies preparing to scramble along the coast in XtremeSTORM, 2013 will be a great year to be a spectator.
Golf legends including Tom Watson and Mark O’Meara will be going for glory as Royal Birkdale hosts the 2013 Senior Open. From July 25-28 thousands will visit Southport to watch as the drama unfolds on the world-famous course.
Bed and breakfast owners will also be looking forward to August 28, when Lancashire County Cricket Club return to town. Southport and Birkdale’s Trafalgar Road ground will see the 2011 domestic champions host Hampshire in their LV County Championship Division Two clash.
Huge crowds watched on when Lancashire played here Nottinghamshire in 2011, and S&B chairman Tony Elwood is confident the event will be a boost for the town.
Looking forward to the event, Mr Elwood said: “If we go off the attendance from last time and it does go to four days you are talking about 10,000 people.
“That’s a lot of people coming into town, using the local economy and benefiting the retailers and shops.”
As well as professional sports stars coming to town, April 20/21 will see enthusiastic fitness fans visit the town in XtremeSTORM. The 18km assault course – with 35 extreme obstacles – will see entrants clambering over cargo nets on the Pier. Excited, race director Jonathan Cunningham revealed his team has had 4,000 queries about the event so far.
He said: “Clearly last year’s summer of sporting success has been a major factor in the interest coming from entrants, but local residents, businesses and media have also been fantastic in their response to us.”
On top of these great events, Southport also has its fantastic annual shows lined up. With the Flower Show on August 15-18, the Air Show on September 14-15 and the Musical Fireworks Championships on October 4-6, there truly is something for everyone here in 2013.

Southport set to host first-ever clothes show

SOME of the North West’s biggest names in fashion are heading to Southport as the town prepares to host its first-ever Clothes Show.
Hosted by modelling agency GModels, director Lisa Hames is thrilled to announce the current line-up for the event due to take place on Sunday, March 24 at the Floral Hall in Southport’s Theatre and Convention Centre.
Signed up so far are the Vincent Hotel, Tracey Bell, Coco Boutique, Marc Cain, Reputation, Patty Designer Dress-Maker, HotFrox, Cachet, Dream Weave Mascara, up-and-coming bag designer Alexandra Collette, Pheobe J, Salix Alba UK, iSalon, Bovine Vintage, Cove, Wardrobe Boutique, Makeup by Shiovonne, Fitness Factory, Yaffe, Vintage Designer Dresswear, His and Her magazine, Birkdale Spa Lounge, and Adam Johns Photography.
Halliwell-Jones has been named as the event’s official sponsor and the hair and make-up of the models will be done by Toni and Guy, Model Me and Nails By Dorothy Mae.

Toni and Guy, who are one of the main sponsors of London Fashion Week, will also be running a Blow Dry Bar offering free hair-ups and blow dries to visitors on the day.
The event will be hosted by Southport DJs, Baz Todd from Juice FM and Rock FM’s Danny B.
Hollyoaks actor Kent Riley, who starred in Southport’s Christmas pantomime Cinderella, is also set to strut his stuff on the catwalk as one of GModels’ 24 models.
There will also be live on-stage entertainment with stilt-walkers, cocktail flarers and even an aerial act.
A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to The Steven Gerrard Foundation which was set up by the Liverpool player in 2011 in a bid to help disadvantaged children.
Lisa said: “We have been overwhelmed with the interest the Southport Clothes Show has created. We are also proud to be working alongside so any fantastic local, national and international businesses, the backing we have already received has been outstanding. Southport really has rallied together to show what a great place Southport is to visit.”

Huge Cash Prize Boost For XtremeStorm Competitors

1. XtremeSTORM announced today that a prize purse totalling £4500 will be awarded to the top male and female competitors for the inaugural urban assault endurance course in April.
   
   
   
   The event, set to bring the adventure seeking sports world to Southport. Merseyside in just ten weeks’ time has expanded to include the STORM Chasers elite wave offering £1500 cash prizes for the first-place male and the first-place female winners overall. Second-place finishers will receive £500 each, and third-place finishers will each receive £250.
   
   Race Director, Jonathan Cunningham, MBE who made the announcement from the XtremeSTORM headquarters explained “Our goal has always been to showcase the excitement of urban assault endurance racing against the backdrop of Southport and the North West and the new prize money structure will attract a higher calibre of athletes from across the world”
   
   Launching at Victoria Park, the 18 kilometre course will include 35 physically punishing obstacles including a steep pier ascent, a diversion into Pleasureland, a fairground that dates back to 1912, before an icy water swim to invade a long uninhabited strip of rat infested land off the coast of the north west Victorian seaside town that will be transformed into “Hell Island.”
   
   A team of experienced quad bike mounted camera men will follow competitors and capture each exciting moment to be fully televised to a global audience of up to 400 million on Channel 4, British Eurosport and ESPN and the event has been described by Runner’s World magazine as a new kind of adventure race.
   
   “Although every competitor will be chip timed, the event appeals to sports men and women of all abilities from the local area and beyond - having no official course limit opens up the field to the curious casual runner and first time obstacle racers” explained Jonathan.
   
   “And now we are even more excited to generate the additional buzz, edge and excitement by adding the prize money for those looking for a more competitive and serious challenge within the STORM Chasers where they will be strictly permitted from bypassing any of the obstacles and battling it out head to head. It really does offer the best of both worlds.” To enter XtremeSTORM/qualify as a STORM Chaser

Southport Market Wins Top Award

SOUTHPORT INDOOR MARKET WINS TOP AWARD

THE recently refurbished Southport Market has been crowned the ‘best small indoor market', after scooping a top UK award.

The King Street shopping destination was awarded the accolade in the Markets of the Year 2013 Awards, which were presented in Birmingham last Thursday (January 31).

It was among a host of towns to be recognised for having the country's best markets, after the winners were chosen by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

Southport Market was the subject of a high profile re-launch last July, after undergoing a £3.3million makeover by contractors Quarterbridge, who are currently continuing to manage the market.

Communities Minister Don Foster was joined by Apprentice finalist and market trader Adam Corbally as he presented the awards, and said: “I congratulate all the winners on their work providing outstanding markets for local people to shop at, supporting the local economy and creating jobs.

”High streets are facing a tough time at the moment with household name shops closing and strong competition from internet sales – yet many markets across the country are thriving.

“All the award winners and nominees are playing a vital role in keeping their local high street flourishing.”

Other winners included Portobello and Golborne Road Market in London which was named ‘best outdoor market', Queen’s Gate Market in Huddersfield which was awarded ‘best indoor market', and Birmingham Christmas Market which won ‘best market attraction'.

February Half Term at WWT Martin Mere

Families, couples, teenagers and the retired can have a fun day out at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre this February Half Term.



Starting Saturday 16 February, you can do the following:
• Free – build a den to see if you can camouflage yourself
• Free – make a mini-beast and see if you can hide the beast in our sceneries
• Free – Be amazed watching almost 2000 Whooper swans feed on the mere at 3pm and 3.30pm (last chance before they start their migration back to Iceland)
• Free – take part in a swan stroll at 12 noon to see if you can find some of our swan characters and learn all about these amazing birds
• Free – watch the otter family play and feed everyday in our talk at 11.30am and 2.30pm
• Free – explore and play on the new adventure play area ‘The Rushes’

In addition, take part and create family crafts (small charge) including making a camouflage mask to take into your den , browse the gift shop and enjoy a hot meal in the Mere Side Cafe. Everything you need for a great day out.

Normal admission prices apply.

WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres

Kings Gardens Southport

Work is set to start on the £5.5 million revamp of Southport's King's Gardens.

The historic seafront gardens were awarded more than £4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) through their Parks for People programme.

It is one of the largest current park restoration projects in the UK and is entirely externally funded.

Contractors Casey's are moving on site next week and have already met with the Friends of Kings Gardens and the Kings Gardens Steering Group.

The 12-month scheme will see the transformation of nearly 20 acres of parkland, restoration of the iconic Venetian bridge, a new visitor information centre, new children's play area, a community and events space, and reconstruction of the historic seating shelters.

There will also be new paths and seating, a refurbished cafe and toilets, new lighting, and access improvements, especially for wheelchair users.

The scheme has been programmed to cause as little inconvenience as possible to local people and holidaymakers during the peak summer period.

Sefton Council has stressed that all businesses in the park, and in the vicinity, will be open as normal.

In the early stages of the project, work will begin on the restoration of the nine ornamental cast iron shelters. These will be removed and restored in groups of three and returned to the park throughout the project.

The Venetian bridge will be closed to pedestrians between spring and early autumn so it can be returned to its former glory.

Cllr Peter Dowd, Leader of Sefton Council, said: "During this difficult financial climate we are delighted to still be able to press ahead with a scheme that benefits from ring-fenced, external funding.

"Thanks to Heritage Lottery funding we have also been able to set aside money for the ongoing maintenance of the gardens for the next 25 years.

"This is obviously great news for Southport residents and visitors and protects this major investment for future generations."

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton's Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, Families and Leisure, said: "There has been significant investment in the Southport seafront area over the last decade thanks to a range of public and private investment.

"The Kings Gardens restoration builds on these achievements and adds another reason to visit the resort in what promises to be an exciting 2013.

"There will inevitably be some inconvenience during the construction project but we hope that people will bear with us and look forward to a fully-restored Kings Gardens in a year's time."

Tim Timmerman, chair of the Kings Garden's Steering Group, said: "From the outset, we have tried to involve the local community and people of all ages in the vision and design of this fantastic scheme.

"The gardens will be as open as possible during the construction project and the contractors will do their very best to answer any questions or assist the public where possible.

"Kings Gardens are a wonderful part of the heritage of Southport and the new look park will provide an all year round attraction for residents and tourists alike."

Christine Kerr, chair of the Friends of King's Gardens, said: "We want the new gardens to become a real community focal point and we are always on the lookout for more members and volunteers.

"Even during the construction phase we will be working with the contractors to stage some events and of course there will be even more going on once work is complete."

Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: "We at HLF are delighted to be able to support King’s Gardens with an award of £4,079,000.

"This park is both an important part of the lives of many local people as well as offering an attraction to visitors from further afield, and therefore plays an important part in the economy of the town.

"This grant means that many of the historic features will be fully restored and new facilities provided so that this wonderful greenspace can be enjoyed by people for many generations to come."

To find out more about the scheme, or join the 'Friends of' group, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/kingsgardens

 

ALL MY SONS - Coming to Southport March 2013

One of the most exceptional plays by one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century is coming to Southport this March.



“All My Sons’ by Arthur Miller is being performed at the Little Theatre by the award winning Too Friendly Theatre Company.

Tickets have now gone on sale for the production, priced at £8 and can be purchased from the advanced ticket line on 01704 227245. The show runs from 7th - 9th March from 7:45pm.

The play, considered a modern classic, follows the fate of two families and takes place, over one night, in the backyard of the Keller home on the outskirts of a small American town.

Keller and Deever, partners in a machine shop during World War II, accidently turned out defective airplane parts, causing the deaths of many young soldiers. Deever was sent to prison while Keller escaped punishment and went on to make a lot of money.

In Arthur Miller’s incredibly powerful play a love affair between Keller's son, Chris, and Ann, Deever’s daughter, finally brings the bitterness between the two families to an astonishing and shocking climax.

Winner of the Drama Critics' Award for Best New Play “All My Sons” established Arthur Miller as the leading voice in the American theatre. Miller's career as a writer spanned over seven decades, and at the time of his death, Miller was considered to be one of the greatest dramatists of the twentieth century. His writing includes plays such as All My Son, Death of a Salesman, The Crucible and A View from the Bridge.

You can visit their website www.toofriendlytheatre.com to find out more.

X treme STORM coming to Southport April 2013

500 metres west of Southport in the salt water Marine Lake lies Hell Island. That is what it will become on Saturday 20th April for over 1000 tired competitors who will scramble onto her rocky shores.



The manmade island was originally built between 1890 and 1900 as the North West coastal resort grew against the backdrop of increasing fashion and demand for sea air. Today it is an unfriendly terrain of dense vegetation, squawking birdlife and an army of territorial brown rats.

Hell Island will be the one of the key obstacles for the challengers lining up to tackle XtremeSTORM - the World's Toughest Urban Assault Challenge. Adrenaline-loving men and women are set to travel from across the globe to battle it out across 18 stamina testing kilometres, taking in the unique natural and structural assets of Southport seafront.

As Hell Island watches the throngs of competitors make their way through the icy cold water she will crouch in waiting with an armoury of punishments including a 1000 metre-long maze to play cruel games with exhausted minds, sheer climbs that will demand the impossible of legs already numb from the cold, before every weary competitor will be forced to crawl commando-style and face first into the blacked out ‘Rat Tunnel’ to face the ‘xtreme unknown.’

XtremeSTORM. Race Director, Jonathan Cunningham MBE is a former Army Major. With 20 years in the military and a career that included a tour in Belfast and an esteemed battle planning position in the Gulf War, he is no stranger to hostile places. “But when we are here cutting the route through this island, this feels as much like the wilderness as any place I have been, even the webbed and twisted trees themselves seem to forbid you from coming onto this island. It is undisturbed and with the lack of predators, thousands of large rats rule the place, quietly stalking sparrows and ducks. One thing is for sure, they will not be expecting people and they will not make us welcome.”

Revealing the obstacle today as he took in the 360 degree view of the choppy Marine Lake from the island, Jonathan explained: “The XtremeSTORM design team have used all of the natural features of the undergrowth and trees and it really has captured the imagination as we are the first urban endurance obstacle event to include an island as one of our main features. Many locals have also had a foreboding curiosity about the place and it has become somewhat of an enigma to the public. Now here a perfect chance to be a part of the invasion.”

XtremeSTORM is an 18 kilometres grueling race built by decorated ex military forces. The event is based in Southport, Merseyside, UK and consists of torturous endurance racing over some of the North-West’s most spectacular coastal scenery. Launching and concluding from Victoria Park competitors will endure over 35 obstacles over the whole body numbing course of sadistic pain, Entries are available on- line