"Let the Music Play" Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, Friday 7th December 2012

William Hicks celebrates the Music of the Legendary

BARRY WHITE

“Let the Music Play….”

Lowther Pavilion St Annes

Friday 7^th December 2012

Tickets £16.50 and £17.50

BOX OFFICE Tel: 01253 794 221

www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk

 www.thebarrywhitestory.co.uk  

Direct from the USA William Hicks celebrates the music of the legendary BARRY WHITE with LIVE ORCHESTRA featuring the fabulous SOUL SISTERS.

William Hicks is a big man with a big voice.

With incredible attention to detail and an outstanding performance this has got to be the closest possible experience you could achieve to the legend that is  Mr Barry White.

“Let the Music Play …on and on...”

TTN Records "Hero 2012" CD To Support Troops In Afghanistan At Christmas!

Copies of TTN Records Christmas CD for the troops "Hero 2012" have been handed over to Blackpool based UK Forces Support organisation for inclusion in their annual parcels, which will be sent to help give a little Christmas cheer to the British armed forces who will spending the festive period in Afghanistan.

The "HERO 2012" CD is a limited edition release which is not available for general sale and features contributions from artists and groups from across the North West and beyond.

 

This annual album project is unusual in concept as it gives the opportunity to local unsigned artists to appear on the same CD as other, more well known, performers

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fundraising CD as such - TTN Records do NOT sell these CDs and do NOT make any money out of this sort of project.

Copies of the CD are given free of charge to Services support organisations, ex Servicemens charities, Forces broadcasters etc so that they can then be used where they can give the most benefit.

 

To find out more about UK Forces Support, visit their website at: www.ukforcessupport.co.uk/

If any other armed forces support group or charity would like free copies of the "Hero 2012" to put to good use, please send an email to ttnrecords@btinternet.com

 

ARTISTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO "HERO 2012" are:

Anton Lorien - www.antonlorien.com

Paul Ellis - www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk

Sara Cheston - www.facebook.com/sara-and-that-swing-thing

Dean Johnson - www.deanjohnsonmusic.co.uk

Lucy London (feat. Mike Taylor & TJ) -

Mauri Clash City Rocker - www.myspace.com/mauriclashcityrocker

Raven Traitor - www.raventritor.com

Scott Bennett - www.parksartdecocafe.co.uk

Liam Halewood - www.facebook.com/liamhalewoodmusic

Lynne Fox - www.lynnefox.co.uk

The Harry Rule Project - www.pendlewarpoetry.com

Magic Trees - www.magictreesband.com

 

Restaurant Review: Rowleys at Blackpool FC Hotel

For table bookings, call 01253 401953 and press option 3

For menu and more info: www.rowleysatbfc.com 

We went along to try out the Sunday lunch menu.  The food was very good, the staff helpful and attentive and the view - well absolutely fantastic of the wonderful Blackpool Seasiders' Football Stadium.

The hotel has a wide variety of rooms, including several with disabled access and facilities.   The restaurant offers special party evenings during December as well as Sunday lunch.  Booking essential.

Ice Hockey: Barons Rule Roost Over Shorthanded Flyers

Saturday 24th November 2012
English National Ice Hockey League Division 2 North
Fylde Flyers 5 - Solihull Barons 8

Period Scores: 1-1, 3-4, 1-3
Shots On Goal: Flyers 68 - Barons 61
Penalties In Minutes: Flyers 8 - Barons 34
Flyers Scorers: Kurtis Hall 2+1, Bobby Caunce 1+1, Dan Bracegirdle & Dan Fearon both 1+0, Grinbergs, Etherington, Murphy all 0+1

Flyers MVP: Sam Heyes
Referees: Liversedge / Wells
Attendance 133

Photo by Lisa Jones

For a match report and more photos, visit the official Flyers website here: http://www.fyldeflyers.co.uk/article.php?id=49

Flyers' next game is away to the Nottingham Lions next Sunday 2nd December at the National Ice Centre, face off 7.15pm

The next home game is not until Saturday 12th January, when they will entertain Hull Stingrays in a 5pm face off at the SubZero Ice Arena in Cleveleys.

Wirral Lodge Boutique Hotel, Meols, Wirral, Christmas Treats 2012

Meols is the little town near Hoylake (home of the Royal Liverpool Golf Links) on the Wirral Peninsular in the North West of England where Wilfred Owen the poet used to stay with relatives.

Wirral Lodge is a delightful boutique hotel and they are offering several treats to celebrate Christmas 2012 - check out their website
www.wirrallodge.co.uk
Like them on Facebook
and follow them on twitter

Wirral Lodge,
114 Birkenhead Road,
Hoylake
Wirral
CH

Tel. 0151 632 0800

Christmas Evening Dinner Menu with Entertainment December 2012 at The Pavilion Tea Room and Restaurant, Ashton Gardens, St. Annes on the Sea, Lancashire

The Pavilion Restaurant will be offering a mouth-watering special Evening Menu with entertainment from 18.30 on Friday and Saturday evenings in December 2012.  Last orders: 21.00.
£18.95 per person.

Dining at the Pavilion in the evenings with entertainment is great fun so why not go along and sample the fare - if you have never been you are in for a treat!    For a sample menu see left.  Booking is essential for evening meals - to reserve a table please call 01253 724440.

The Pavilion will also be offering a delicious Festive Lunchtime menu from Saturday, 1st to Sunday, 23rd December 2012, inclusive - 2 courses £12.95 per person; 3 courses £14.95 per person.

The Pavilion Tea Room and Restaurant,

Ashton Gardens,

St. Georges Road,

St. Annes-on-Sea,

Lancashire,

FY8 2AE

Tel: 01253 724440

Email: office@ashtonpavilion.com   Website:  www.ashtonpavilion.com

Review: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool until 24th November 2012

Having seen the film, we were wondering how "Little Voice" would translate onto the stage.  The scene was set as soon as we entered the auditorium which was transformed into a busy, northern working men's club, complete with compere telling jokes, people issuing raffle tickets and standing round chatting.   Once the raffle had been drawn and the prize given out, the compere left the stage, the house lights went down and Little Voice began.

In fact, the production works extremely well live with inspired scenery that goes easily from the front room, kitchen, stairs and bedroom of the house Little Voice shares with her Mother and the most amazing sound system - that takes us seamlessly from Little Voice's almost whispering to her full-blown belting out of Bassey, Streisand, Garland, Lulu, Tina Turner, Edith Piaf and more numbers - and very clever scene change (very brief) interludes, harking back to the working men's club with brilliant lights and music.   The final scene is incredibly, breathtakingly believable.

A really delightful and original touch is the fact that the audience is very definitely part of this production, immediately becoming the club members and their friends - you need to take raffle tickets offered (they are not sold but given to you) and bingo cards and yes there really is a raffle draw and a live game of bingo - with hilarious audience interaction - so don't forget your pens!

Multi-talented Jess Robinson is amazing in the title role of Little Voice as she works her way through the voices of her dead Father's favourite Diva Singers towards finding her own voice, Beverley Callard is excellent and very amusing as LV's Mother, Philip Andrew gives a great performance as a persuasive Rae Say, Mum's agent/boy friend who tries to get LV launched into show business against her will. Ray Quinn sensitively plays the part of the young telephone engineer who tries to save LV and Blackpool's own Duggie Brown is incredible as the Workingmen's Club compere and the older telephone engineer.   The play is superbly directed by Jim Cartwright.  

Mention has to be made of Sadie - the family's loyal, faithful friend and neighbour - she may not have had a lot to say but she certainly made up for it with body language and facial expressions - brilliant.

Definitely a MUST SEE The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is on at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool until Saturday, 24th November 2012.  PLEASE GO AND SEE IT - a real pre-Christmas treat.  Our thanks as always to everyone involved in this wonderful production from the cast on stage to the production team and the sound and lighting engineers and all the staff at the Grand Theatre both front of house and behind the scenes as well as the Friends of the Grand.
  

For the fastest way to book tickets for any show visit The Grand’s brand new interactive website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk where you can now select your own seat!

Alternatively call the Box Office on 01253 74 33 39

Sarah Ellen Hughes has a new Christmas song out now to purchase and it's in aid of Music as Therapy International Charity

BUY THE 2012 CHARITY CHRISTMAS SINGLE - "Let the Light shine down" - written by Sarah and performed by Riverside Children's Choir.

This is in aid of the Charity Music as Therapy International. 

Further details:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RiversideChristmasSong 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RiversideXmas 

WEBSITE: http://riversidechristmassong.blogspot.com

CHARITY: http://musicastherapy.org

Royal Mail is changing the way they deal with items that don't fit through your letter box . . .

Not a lot of people appear to know this so we thought we ought to remind you - from September 2012 Royal Mail is changing the way they deal with items that don't fit through your letter box.   This means that such items will no longer automatically be taken back to the Sorting Office and a note left telling you this.

'Subject to regulatory approval, if you're not in when we try to deliver, we'll leave your item with a neighbour..."

If you don't want parcels etc. left with your neighbours, or if you prefer not to accept items on behalf of your neighbours, you will need to register online or call Royal Mail to inform them.  They will then send you a sticker which you put near your letter box.

To register please

Visit:   www.royalmail.com/out

or

Call:    08456 113 420

Parks Art Deco Cafe in Blackpool's Stanley Park announce their Christmas Luncheon Menu 2012

The beautiful Parks Art Deco Cafe in Stanley Park, Blackpool have released details of their 2012 Christmas Luncheon Menu - 3 courses £16.95 per person (see menu - left) - available from 1st December - 23rd December 2012.   Booking is essential.

Don't forget Sunday Lunchtime Music at the Parks Art Deco Cafe - every Sunday from 13h.00 until 15h.00 - again booking is essential for silver service.   The usual self-service menu is also available.

Parks Art Deco Cafe
West Park Drive
Stanley Park,
Blackpool,
FY3 9EQ.

Tel.: 01253 395191.

See Champloo's White Caps At Blackpool Grand Theatre - 18th November

ONE NIGHT ONLY AT BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE - SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER!

Bristol based Champloo is one of the UK’s leading b-boying dance companies. They take their name from the Japanese word Chanpuru, meaning to mix an unusual combination of elements to create surprising and astonishing outcomes. The company was founded in 2007 by Joel Daniel and Wilkie Branson, previously members of the street theatre b-boy crew, Physical Jerks.

Highly regarded for his dance film work, White Caps represents Wilkie Branson's first major live work. Integrating lyrical film with explosive breakdance, White Caps is a multimedia experience that follows the journey of two young men as they embark on an epic and gruelling personal adventure.
Created and performed by Branson and Daniel, White Caps is set to a soundtrack by Type Sun.

Type Sun have a cult following on the Bristol music scene, are known for working with root tradition drums and have collaborated with a variety of artists including Phil King, Eleanor Rusbridge and DJ Rouge to create a unique score.

Pricing: Adults £10.00 / Child £7.00

Tickets and info from: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call 01253 290190

Bruce Foxton "From The Jam" Tour dates - Nov / Dec 2012

 

NOVEMBER

 Thurs 1^st – GLOUCESTER, Town Hall*

Fri 2^nd – CAMBER SANDS, Winter Warmer Scooter Rally*

Sat 3^rd – CARDIFF, The Globe*

Sat. 10^th – LEAMINGTON SPA, The Assembly*

Sat 17^th – LUTON, The Centre For Carnival Arts

Wed 28^th – MANCHESTER, Waterside Arts Centre*

Thurs 29^th – LIVERPOOL, The Cavern,* 10 Mathew Street Liverpool L2 6RE
0151 236 9091 £20 Time tbc

Fri 30^th – RICHMOND (N Yorks), Dalton & Gayles Hall

DECEMBER

 Sat 1^st – CLITHEROE, The Grand*

Fri 7^th – PORTSMOUTH, Wedgewood Rooms*

Sat 8^th – YORK, The Duchess*

Sun 9^th – LONDON, 100 Club (The Mod Ball)

Thurs 13^th – BIRMINGHAM, The Ballroom*

Fri 14^th – BARNSLEY, Building 21*

Sat 15^th – BRIGHTON, Concorde*

Thurs 20^th – GLASGOW, Academy

Sat 29^th – DUBLIN, Temple Bar*

 

 

In 1977 The Jam released their debut album 'In the City', immediately they hit a nerve with the youth of the time. The Jam became one of the biggest selling bands in British history.

2012 marks the 35th anniversary of this seminal album and From The Jam featuring Bruce Foxton, Russell Hastings andMark Brzezicki will be doing a select number of dates performing this album from start to finish along with a selection of the classic hits and great album tracks.

From The Jam gained an immediate reputation for the kind of incendiary ‘live’ performances that sealed the reputation of The Jam all those years ago and 2012 has been another very busy year for the band

The band now include a Special Guest, drummer and founder member of BIG COUNTRY, MARK BRZEZICKI in place of Rick Buckler. This new line-up continues to gain terrific ‘live’ reviews –

“Brzezicki, Foxton and Hastings took things to new heights…” (Dundee Courier)

Recently reconciled following family bereavements, Paul Weller’s single ‘Fast Car/Slow Traffic’ from his most recent album, also featured Bruce on bass. There were also incredible scenes when Bruce recently appeared ‘live’ alongside Paul - for the first time in 28 years– to perform The Jam classics ‘The Eton Rifles’ and ‘The Butterfly Collector’ as well as ‘Fast Car/Slow Traffic’ at the second of Weller’s five night residency at the Albert Hall. Subsequently, the two worked together on the sleeve notes of the 30^th Anniversary release of ‘Sound Affects’ by The Jam.

PAUL WELLER now appears as one of two Very Special Guests on the new FOXTON album, ‘Back In The Room’, along with Stax and Blues Brothers legend, STEVE CROPPER. The albu contains a total of 12 tracks, all written by Bruce Foxton and From The Jam vocalist/guitarist, Russell Hastings

This new line-up continues to gain terrific ‘live’ reviews –

“Brzezicki, Foxton and Hastings took things to new heights…” (Dundee Courier)

The Band:

BRUCE FOXTON is a part of the English Rock and Roll establishment. A musician (born 1/9/1955 Woking, Surrey) who is most commonly recognised as the bass player in legendary The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers.

In The Jam, he and drummer Rick Buckler were the driving force, power and rhythm section behind singer, guitarist, and songwriter Paul Weller. Bruce’s versatility is evident, taking lead vocals on ‘David Watts’ (The Kinks) and ‘News Of The World’,which was one from his own catalogue of of compositions. Foxton’s most notable work being ‘Smithers-Jones’, featuring bass/guitar/drums for the B-side of ‘When You're Young’ and later reworked with strings for the ‘Setting Sons’ LP.

After The Jam split in '82, Foxton pursued a solo career. He had a hit with the single ‘Freak’ and collaborated with other musicians, until he got the call from Stiff Little Fingers' Jake Burns, staying with SLF for fifteen years, recording four albums, namely, ‘Flags and Emblems’, ‘Get a Life’, ‘Tinderbox’ and ‘Guitar and Drum’.

In 1994, Rick and Bruce collaborated on ‘Our Story’, a biography of their eventful and cherished years in The Jam. Bruce toured with Bruce Watson, Mark Brzezicki (Big Country) and Simon Townshend (The Who) in 2006 as The Casbah Club supporting The Who in the U.K and Europe promoting their new album ‘Venustraphobia’.

MARK BRZEZICKI is primarily known for his work with Big Country, and is a former member of the groups The Cult, Ultravox, and Procol Harum. He has also played with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Midge Ure, Fish, The Pretenders and many others.

With Tony Butler (of Big Country) he was known as ‘Rhythm for Hire’. Brzezicki left Big Country in July 1989, but rejoined in 1993. Big Country started gigging again in 2007, as part of their 25th anniversary tour. In 2004, Brzezicki helped found a new band, Casbah Club, with Bruce Foxton and Simon Townshend.

Smash Hits magazine had a running gag in the 1980s wherein they referred to him as "Mark Unpronounceablename of Big Country".On Pete Townshend's ‘All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes’ and ‘White City: A Novel’ albums there are joking references to the spelling of his last name…!

RUSSELL HASTINGS (born 6th July 1965,Sussex England) worked with Rick Buckler since November 2005. A musician/vocalist in his own right Russell has shocked audiences nationwide this year with his authentic and passionate interpretation in performance (vocals and guitar) of The Jam's back catalogue.

Russell grew up on The Jam and this is evident in his attention to every detail, from the Rickenbacker to the Marshall 4x4everything as it was and should be. Energy, pride, execution and dynamic delivery remain his hallmarks as he continues to collaborate with Bruce as From The Jam.

 

"The Rise & Fall Of Little Voice" Coming To Blackpool Grand Theatre - 19th to 24th November.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will storm onto the Grand Theatre’s stage on Monday 19 November and will be at The Grand until Saturday 24 November!

The time is fast approaching for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice to take to the Grand Theatre’s stage, bringing with it sparkling comedy, a plethora of multi-talented star performers, a brilliant storyline written by Jim Cartwright and an over-all brilliant night of entertainment!

National Treasure, Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald- Coronation Street) and Ray Quinn will be starring in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice alongside multi-talented actress and impressionist Jess Robinson and Duggie Brown from The Comedians.

 The Rise & Fall of Little Voice is a sparkling night of comedy, divas and romance, written & directed by Jim Cartwright. It’s an Olivier-winning show that you won't want to miss!

 In this heart-warming northern fairytale, shy LV spends most of the time immersed in her late Father's record collection and perfecting her astonishing impersonations, much to the dismay of her fun loving, out of control mother Mari. Overheard singing by Ray Say, a hapless talent scout and Mari's man of the moment, Little Voice is propelled to stardom as Ray sets about creating the show of the century in the dingy local working man's club. With an agent from London coming and everything gambled on this one performance, Mari & Ray's ticket to the big time rests squarely on Little Voice's shoulders.

But has anyone asked Little Voice what she wants?

Love struck from a chance meeting during a BT telephone installation, Billy (Ray Quinn) is the only one to really care about Little Voice. With a cherry picker, some lights and a little gentle love he takes on Little Voice's demons and helps her to finally find her true unique voice.

 Beverley Callard is best known for her role as Liz MacDonald in Coronation Street, who she has played since 1989. Beverley left the soap in 1998 to concentrate on her other career as an aerobics instructor, and to spend more time with her family.

In 2001 she joined the cast of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crispsand stayed with the series for the next four years. In 2003 she returned to Coronation Street where she stayed until filming her final scenes in April 2011.

Starring alongside Beverley is Ray Quinn, who began his career in Brookside winning numerous awards for his role including Best Dramatic Performance and Best Storylineat the Soap Awards 2002. However Ray is probably best known for coming second to Leona Lewis on 2006’s X Factor. Since then he has had a No.1 platinum selling album, Doing It My Way. Ray has also had his own sell-out tour as well as appearing on the X-Factor arena tour.

After winning 2009’s Dancing On Ice Ray went on two UK arena tours with the show and will be performing in Dancing On Ice in 2013.

The fabulously talented Jess Robinsonwill be playing the shy and sweet-voiced LV. Jess is an actress and impressionist who has appeared in both plays and musicals. She toured the country with Joan Collins, playing her daughter in Full Circle. She played Ophelia in Hamlet - The Musical! Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Liesl in The Sound Of Music... Recently Jess played The Queen Of Hearts for the Les Enfants Terribles production of Alice In Wonderland.

Jess has recorded numerous radio sitcoms and sketch shows for Radio 4, including; The Now Show, Fifteen Minute Musicals, The Castle and Newsjack. She can also be heard on several of the brilliant Doctor Who audio episodes and she is the voice of CBBCs Horrible Histories, which is coming to the Grand Theatre in 2013 with the Vicious Victorians and Terrible Tudors!

Jess has a remarkable vocal range and will be bringing her stunning singing voice and incredible accent skills to The Grand in the production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

The Rise & Fall of Little Voice is at the Grand Theatre
from Monday 19 November to Saturday 24 November.
Tickets from £16.50 - Booking and Transaction fees apply

For the fastest way to book tickets for any show visit The Grand’s brand new interactive website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk where you can now select your own seat!

Alternatively call the Box Office on 01253 74 33 39

 

CD Release: "You" by Lynne Fox

"YOU" Album ~ Track listing

1. You

2. Save Your Love For me
3. New Kid On The Block
4. Embraceable You
5. Warm Warm Winter
6. In The Moonlight
7. The Days Of Wine And Roses

8. Another Cuppa Coffee
9. My Ship
10. Take Time For Love
11. Faraway
12. April Afternoon
13. S'wonderful

Album available from CD BABY & ACTIVE MEDIA DISTRIBUTION

 

Pacific Paradise Music, London has signed U.K. jazz singer, Lynne Fox to an exclusive worldwide recording deal. Her debut album and single with Deep Joy, "YOU" will be released worldwide in November 2012. The album is produced by the legendary session guitarist Martin Kershaw, who has played guitar on 40 NO 1 hits and all 122 Muppet Shows at ATV, in his 50 year long career.

 

Kershaw's new Pacific Paradise Music searched over 2,500 female singers for the production of a latin/jazz album with original compositions from Martin Kershaw and Session singer Bob Saker. Lynne has also slipped one of her own co-written compositions on the album along with a few covers. Lynne says "Nothing has ever been quite so exciting as having songs written especially for me by two people who I admire so much"

 

Even in the slow songs and through the bitter sweetness of much of the repertoire, an optimism underpins Lynne's interpretations. The title song YOU, Warm Warm Winter, Save Your Love for Me and New Kid On the Block, are ideal vehicles for the way Lynne balances her ‘joie de vivre’ with her understanding of sadness. Joy and pain walk hand in hand in Lynne's music.

 

The wonderful musicianship of Ronnie Scott's resident pianist James Pearson features on the album along with Level 42's famed Gary Husband on drums and Olie Hayhurst on double bass. Lynne also plays the piano on the track In The Moonlight. Colin Watson is the talented programmer on 3 tracks (1,5,11) on the album which adds even more colour to these outstanding performances. The combination of Lynne's vocal talent and great musicianship on the album makes this debut album a winner for producer Martin Kershaw, alongside the other great albums in musical history. It oozes pure class and experience in the music field!

 

Recorded at Ralph Salmins Studios, Welwyn Garden City, England, October 15th, 16th & 17th 2012. Recorded and mixed by Lester Salmins, electronic tracks (1,5,11.) programmed by Colin Watson of "Dance Machine" Mastered by Lester Salmins. Produced by Martin Kershaw.

 

 

Christmas 2012 at the Fylde Coast's jewel in the crown Monterey Beach Hotel, St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire

The lovely Monterey Beach Hotel, which you will find on North Promenade in St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire near the Pier, has a new chef.   We have long been fans of the Monterey Beach Hotel, a lovely, cosy, family-run hotel where you will find a very warm welcome all year round and a beautiful situation overlooking the sea.

We booked a table for 31st October to sample the festive Hallowee'n menu and the food was superb - there was a wide choice of starters, three good mains and a lovely selection of desserts - all  home cooked.  There is also a comprehensive wine list. From the festive fair on offer we selected Samosas and Spiced Pumpkin Soup - both were delicious.  To follow we tried the Turkey with all the trimmings and the Gammon and Peach - accompanied by sprouts and a superb and innovative vegetable medley with lots of roast potatoes.  For dessert, we chose the very appropriate hot Parkin with Custard and a delectable chocolate cheese-cake.  The presentation was lovely too.  Tea and coffee to complete the meal.

So if you haven't yet made up your mind what to do to celebrate this Christmas, get in touch with the Monterey Beach Hotel as soon as possible, because places are limited and booking is essential.   Christmas at the Monterey is always very special - they have the most wonderful decorations.

For your Christmas Party from now until 22nd December - choose from Festive Lunchtime Meal at £14.75 per person - 3 courses plus mince pie and tea or coffee - or Festive Evening Dinners at £16.50 per person - bookings for parties of 20 and over.

Please call 01253 721317 or 01253 723392 to make arrangements.  Special diets, vegetarian and vegan meals are available, as are Diabetic Sweets - please specify when booking.

Limited seats are also available over the Christmas Holiday period as follows, prices per person:

23rd December - £20.00

24th December - £32.50

Christmas Day  - £45.00 for 6 course Luncheon or
£60.00 for Christmas Day luncheon and evening buffet

26th December - £30.00
27th December - £20.00
28th December - £20.00
29th December - £20.00
30th December - £20.00

New Year's Eve - £50.00 - 6 course dinner with entertainment

New Year's Day - £35.00  - 6 course dinner with entertainment

Overnight accommodation can be arranged at discounted rates.
 
The Monterey Beach Hotel
18 - 22 North Promenade
St. Annes-on-the-Sea
Lancashire

Well Done Sammi! Supporting Tommy's The Baby Charity

Miss Best Kept Secrets Sammi Marsh raised almost £200 for Tommy's - the charity that funds research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage - by taking part in the Lytham Windmill 10k run this morning.

She ran the 6 mile course in just under 1 hour and we were there in the bright Autumn sunshine to cheer her on.

There is still time to help Sammi support Tommy's by going to her Just Giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/Sammi-Marsh

You can find out more about Tommy's here: http://www.tommys.org/

NWCFL Premier Division: Squires Gate FC 1 - Congleton 3

Squires Gate FC lost 3-1 to promotion chasing Congleton in this hard fought but enjoyable Premier Division match. 

Gate actually toook the lead early in the first half but were pegged back to trail 1-3 by half time.

They played a brilliant defensive action in the second half rain to keep the visitors goalless for the last 45 minutes.


Elsewhere, AFC Blackpool picked up a 1-0 win away at Runcorn Linnets.

Squires Gate are at home again on Tuesday evening when they face Barnoldswick Town in the NWCFL Premier Divisiopn - 7.45 pm kick off.

AFC Blackpool do not have a midweek game and are away at Alsager Town next Saturday 17th November. The same day Squires gate are at home to Stockport Sports.

More info: www.nwcfl.com  www.afcblackpool.co.uk   www.squiresgatefc.co.uk  

Review: 12 Degrees North Dance Company at Blackpool Grand Theatre - 7th November 2012

The evening, one of a series organised by The Grand Theatre and featuring Contemporary Dance, started with a special curtainraiser performance by students from Cardinal Newman College's Dance Academy. The piece was called "Oscillate" and was choreographed by Lindsey Brocklebank to music by Photek and Kasabian.   We have to say this dance was so good - reminded us of the film "Metropolis" - that we really thought the dancers were members of the 12 Degrees North Company and that this piece was part of their programme!

"Oscillate" definitely set the scene for the main Triple Bill performance by the very talented dancers of the 12 Degrees North Dance Company, who also demonstrated their versatility and entertained us by playing musical instruments during two of the dances.  12 Degrees North is a new, innovative pilot programme which supports the transition from training to professional practice for graduates of dance and the performing arts.   A really brilliant initiative - supported by the Arts Council England and National Portfolio Funding.

On the menu were - "Article 1" -  a new dance piece choreographed by Alesandra Seutin, fusing African traditional dance with contemporary dance.

"Ripe for the Picking" - Antonia Grove created an ingenious suite of dances for five dancers which involved the audience choosing the order of dances presented by picking the names out of a hat brought round by one of the dancers.   Each of the dances in this section not only showed off the outstanding talents of the dancers but also delighted the audience with its cheeky variety, including a compere, plenty of playful interaction with the audience and the aforementioned musical interlude.

`'Bitter Suite`' - a fast paced portrayal of the complexity of human relationships with exciting dancing and special effects, created by Gary Clarke.

All in all a delightful and very varied evening's entertainment.  As always thanks to all the wonderful staff at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool and especially those behind the scenes, as well as to the Cardinal Newman College Dance Academy and 12Degrees North.

To find out more visit: http://www.12degreesnorth.org.uk/

Follow what's on at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool on Twitter and Facebook.

The Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT Tel.:  01253 290111

Poetry Exhibition: Female Poets Of The First World War, Birkenhead - to 30th November.

There is a great mini "taster" exhibition of works by less well known female poets who wrote during the First World War on show at the Wilfred Owen Story, 34 Argyle Street, Birkenhead CH41 6AE from Tuesday 6th to Friday 30th November.
The exhibition will open for public viewing from 11am to 2pm Tuedays to Fridays and there will also be the opportunity to view items from the world's first permanent exhibition celebrating the life and works of Wilfred Owen.

For directions - or to find out more about the Wilfred Owen Story - visit their website here: www.wilfredowenstory.com

The Female Poets Of The First World War taster exhibition has  biographical details and examples of work from:

May Sinclair - who was born in Rock Ferry on the Wirral (pictured)
Mary Webb
Cicely Fox Smith
Moina Belle Michael (USA)
Lucie Delarue-Mardrus (France)
Marie Nizet (Belgium)
Jean Blewett (Canada)
Else Lasker-Schüler (Germany)
and Florbela Espança (Portugal)

and there is also a great audio accompaniment.

More inforation about the exhibition can be found here: http://www.femalewarpoets.blogspot.co.uk/

Restaurant Review: The Portrait House, Hoylake

The Portrait House, 6 The Quadrant, Wirral CH47 2EE

Open Midday to Midnight, 7 days a week.
Lunch menu available 12pm to 4pm
Early dining offer available 5pm to 6.30 pm every day and all evening on Mondays and Tuesdays

We spied this wonderful restaurant by chance during an earlier visit to The Wirral and decided to go and sample the food.

There were two menus - one catering for meat eaters and the other for Vegetarians and Vegans - with plenty of choice - and a very comprehensive wine list.   For those with special dietary requirements, the small print asks you to speak to the Manager so as to make sure you are properly catered for and we can report that they really do pull out all the stops to make sure everyone is happy.

The food really is as delicious as it looks and everything is perfect - welcome, service, decor, atmosphere, music (and they pass the Emily Test with flying colours too!).  The Portrait House deserve the many awards they have won - e.g. Most professional waiting on Team, Chef of the Year - and they have generous special offers too - so do check them out.


Reservations: 0151 632 4444
More information:  www.theportraithouse.co.uk


If you are planning to stay the night, then why not check out The Wirral Lodge which is a little further along towards Meols at 114 Birkenhead Road, Hoylake, Wirral.   This is a lovely, cosy, 14-bedroomed Boutique Hotel - www.wirrallodge.co.uk

Both the Portrait House and the Wirral Lodge are also on Facebook.

Anne Frank + you Exhibition in Blackpool until 30th November 2012

Admission is free to this amazing, multimedia exhibition which will really make you think.

At Blackpool City Learning Centre, Bathurst Avenue, Grange Park, Blackpool, FY3 7RW, the exhibition is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am - 5 pm;
Tuesday and Thursday 10 am - 6.30 pm an
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Sunday
until Friday, 30th November 2012

For further information about the Exhibition "Anne Frank + You" please see www.annefrank.org.uk/blackpool

For School visits for KS2 and above - 9.30 - 11.30 and 12.30 - 14.30 - please e-mail bookings.nw@annefrank.org.uk

On Friday, 9th November 2012, there was a special presentation ceremony attended by the Major of Blackpool and other guests at the City Learning Centre. Pupils from local schools who had been specially trained as Ambassadors for the Anne Frank Exhibition read extracts from "Anne Frank's Diary" as well as commenting on cases of discrimination in the news.  Three very enterprising young ladies from Palatine put their own lyrics to Christine Aguileras' song "Beautiful" and turned it into a song about stopping discrimination and gaining equality.

Sylvia Lancaster of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation also gave a very moving presentation about the death of her beautiful daughter who was beaten to death because she 'looked different' and explained how she came to create the Foundation in order to Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Indifference Everywhere.   You can find the Sophie Foundation on Facebook and on the Internet -

www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/

Gilliant Walnes, MBE, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Anne Frank Trust UK explained the history and aims of the Trust.  In the 26 years the exhibition has been touring this is the first time it has been in Blackpool.

DON'T MISS THIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING EXHIBITION!

Christmas Fayre in aid of Dog Aid - dogs for disabled people - 1st December 2012 Lytham, Lancashire

Why not go along and support this cause.
http://www.dog-aid.org.uk

Remembering the animal victims of war as well

Out and about this week, we spied PURPLE POPPIES in memory of the animal victims of war - take a couple of minutes to think about this.

To support this cause, check out www.animalaid.org.uk
and wear your purple poppy with pride, alongside the red one.

Corrie's Nick Cochrane Coming to Colne Muni - Exclusive Interview

 



 We had a chat with Nick Cochrane looking ahead to his live appearance at the Municipal Hall in Colne on Thursday 15th November.

You can hear what Nick had to say by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

Help Sammi Support Tommy's - The Babys Charity

Soccerette, international model and - most important of all - our very own "Miss Best Kept Secrets", Sammi Marsh is running the Lytham windmill 10k race on 11th November to help raie money for Tommy's charity which researches in to stillbirth,miscarriages and premature birth.

Sammi said: "The reason I have chosen this charity is it's a matter close to my heart as my cousin has suffered aloss of a little boy that was full term and it would have been his 8th birthday in November. Please give as little or as much as you can as this is for a very good cause."

You can support Sammi by making a donation to Tommy's Charity via her Just Giving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Sammi-Marsh

Eddie & The Hotrods UK Tour Dates

 EDDIE & THE HOT RODS began life in 1976, when four teenagers from Southend on Sea got together and playing their own style of fast
energetic rock and roll / r'n'b, were soon a big hit on the London pubrock scene.

Catching the eyes and ears of thusic press and the major record companies, they were soon signed up by the legendary Island Records
and went on to have three hit albums and four Top Forty UK singles including the Top Ten hit, ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’.

There have been numerous TV appearances and they have filled almost every major venue in the UK. A success in the USA too, they have toured alongside The Ramones, Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Police and Talking Heads.,

Still led by the 'very Rock n Roll' BARRIE MASTERS, for the last 15 years or so the band have been playing all over the world, including France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Croatia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Japan and Russia – as well as four successful tours of the USA in 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2011. They have also found time to record to albums of new songs and a live DVD....

2012 finds the band as busy as ever and Special Guest appearances upcoming with STATUS QUO will bring the bands music to more people than ever!

NOVEMBER -
Fri 2nd: ISLINGTON - Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD, Tel-020 7527 8900. Doors 7pm, Tickets £17.50.

Thurs 8th : BIRMINGHAM - Road House, Birmingham, 3 Park Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1TT, Tel-(01664) 481480, Doors 7pm, Tickets £8.

Fri 9th CARLTON (NOTTINGHAM) - The Doghouse, 91-93 Carlton Hill, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 1FP, Tel-08712102040, Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £10-£12.50

Sat10th: HARLOW - The Square, Fourth Avenue, CM201DW Harlow, Essex, Tel-01279 305000, Doors 8.00pm, Tickets £15.00.(w/ BOOMTOWN RATS ROBERTS & CROWE)

Fri 16th : PRESTON - The Continental, South Meadow Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8JP,Tel- 01772 499 425, Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £12.50.

Sat 17 – LONDON: Blackheath Halls-Great Hall, London, SE3 9RQ, Tel-020 8305 9300, Doors 8.00pm, Tickets: £20 in advance | £22 on the door.(w/BOOMTOWN RATS ROBERTS & CROWE)

Thursday 22nd Nov 2012-TBA

Friday 23rd Nov 2012-TBA

Sat 24th: GLASGOW - 02 ABC, 300 Sauciehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA, Tel-0141 332 2232, Doors 7.00pm, Tickets £12.50.

Sun 25th – DUNDEE - Beat Generator Live, 66–70 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, Angus/Forfarshire, DD1 1PS, Web- www.beatgenerator.co.uk, Doors 8.00pm, Tickets £9.00.

DECEMBER

Fri 7th Dec: WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA - Riga Music Bar, 228 London Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex, SS0 7JG, Tel-01702 348020, Doors 8.00pm, Tickets £8.00.

Sat 8th: PUTNEY - Half Moon, 93 lower Richmond Road, Putney, Wandsworth, London, SW15 1EU, Tel-020 8780 9383, Doors 8.00pm, Tickets £10.00.

Tues 27th: NORWICH – (with Nine Below Zero and From The Jam) Quofestive UK Tour

Sun 9th: BOURNEMOUTH - Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), Windsor Hall, Tregonwell Hall, Purbeck Hall, Solent Hall, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH, Tel- 01202 297 297, Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £37.50.

Mon 10th: BRIGHTON - The Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR, Tel- 01273 290131, Doors 18.30pm, Tickets £37.50.

Thurs 13th: BLACKPOOL - Opera House, Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HW, Tel- 0844 856 1111, Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £37.50.

Fri 14th: CARDIFF - Motorpoint Arena, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ, Tel- 029 20 22 44 88, Doors 19.30pm, Tickets £37.50.

MoN 17th: BIRMINGHAM - LG Arena, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, B40 1NT, Tel- 0121 780 4141, Doors 7.00pm, Tickets £37.50.

Wed 19th: LONDON- The o2 arena, London, Tel- 0844 856 0202, Doors 19.00pm, Tickets £37.50.

2013 – JANUARY: (EDDIE & THE HOT RODS ONLY)

Fri 18th : HULLBRIDGE - The Touchline (Hullbridge Sports & Social Club), Hullbridge, Lower Rd, Essex, SS5 6BJ, Tel- 01702 230420, or 01702 231101, Doors 20.00pm, Tickets £12.50.

Sat 19th: BARTON UPON HUMBER - The Ropery Hall, Maltkiln Road, Barton upon Humber. North Lincolnshire. DN18 5JT, 01652 660380. www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

Sat 26th: ALDERSHOT - West End Centre, Queens Road. Aldershot.Hampshire,GU11 3JD, Tel- 01252 330040.

Sun 27th: SKEGNESS (BUTLINS RESORT) – Great British Rock & Blues Festival

APRIL
Sat 27th : LEEDS - Brudenell Social Club, 33 Queens Road, Leeds, LS6 1NY, Tel- 0113 2752411, Tickets £15.00.

Sun 28th: MINEHEAD (BUTLINS) - The Great British Alternative Festival

JUNE

Sat 1st: CHELTENHAM - Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse. Prestbury Park, Cheltenham Gloucestershire. GL50 4SH (Afternoon show)

'Female poets of the First World War' a 'taster' exhibition to be held at The Wilfred Owen Story, Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral from 6th - 30th November 2012

A small exhibition of the life and works of some of the North West's female poets who wrote during the First World War, together with examples of one or two other female poets who wrote at that time, will be held at The Wilfred Owen Story, the museum to the memory of the poet located in Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral from Tuesday, 6th November 2012.

The exhibition will run until 30th November.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m.  Entry is free.

Further details from www.wilfredowenstory.com
or www.femalewarpoets.blogspot.uk

The Wilfred Owen Story, 34 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6AE.

While you are there, why not go and have a look at the Rathbone Studio - art and ceramics - next door but one.

Thank you to Dean Johnson of The Wilfred Owen Story for suggesting I research this and to Janet Holmes of Rathbone Studio in Birkenhead for her help and advice.  Thank you to Paul Breeze for editing, finding photographs, etc. and for his endless support and patience and thank you to Mark Booth for his help and patience with the printing.